Evening star., 1905-10-27
CHAPTER Xxx.
How Alleyne Won His Place in an
Honorable Guild.

How Alleyne Won His Place In an
Honorable Guild.
While the princes council was sitting
Alleyne and Ford had remained in the
outer hall. where they were soon sur
rounded by a noisy group of young English
men of their own rank, all eager to hear
the latest news from England.
How 1t is with the old man at Windsor?
asked one
"And how with the good Queen Philip
pap
And how with Dame Alice PerrersT"
cried a third.
',The devil take. your tongue, Wat!''
speaker by the collar and giving him an
admonitory shake. 1.-The prince would take
your head off for those words.
by Gods Golf! Wat would miss 1t but
little,'' said another. 1T is as empty as a
beggar's wallet
AS empty as an English squire, coz!'
cried the first speaker. What the devil
has become of the maitre des tables and
his sewers? They have not put forth the
trestles yet"
Mon Dieu! II man could eat himself
into knighthood Humphrey, you had been
a banneret at the least observed another,
amid burst of laughter.
And If you could drink yourself in, old
leather head, you had been first baron OF
the realm" cried the aggrieved Humphrey.
But how of England, my lads Of Loring?
Il take it" said Ford, that it is much as
1t was when you were there last, save that
perehance there is little less noice there"
And why less noise, young Solomon"
All, that is for your wit to discover
Pardieu! here is a paladin come over
with the Hampshire mud still sticking to
his shoes. He means that the noise is less
for our being out Of the country
They are very quick in these parts said
Ford, turning to Alleyne.
How are we to take this. sir?" asked
the ruf1ing squire.
You may take it as it comes" said Ford,
carelessly.
Here is pertness!" cried the other
Sir, L honor your truthfulness," said
Ford.
Stint it. Humphrey said the tall squire
with burst of laughter You will have
little credit from this gentleman, L per-
ceive. Tongues are sharp in Hampshire,
SIR
"And swords?"
Hum! we may prove that. I ntwo days
time is the vepres du tournoi when we may
see If your lance is as quick as your wit"
"All very well. Roger Harcomb," cried
burly, bull-necked young man, whose
square shoulders and massive limbs told OF
exceptional personal strength. You pass
too lightly over the matter. We are not to
be so easily overcrowded. The Lord Loring
hath given his proofs; but we know MOTH
ing of his squres, save that one Of them.
hath a railing tongue. And how of you,
young sir?" bringing his heavy hand down
on Alleyne'S shoulder.
'And what Of me, young sir?'
Ma fol! this Is my lady, page come over.
Your cheek will be browner and your hand
harder ere you see your mother again"
II my hand Is not hard, it is ready"
Ready? Ready for what? For the hem
of my ladys train?"
Ready to chastise insolence, sir!' cried
Alleyne, with flashing eyes.
Sweet little coZ.' answered the burly
squire Such dainty color! Such mel
low voice! Eyes of bashful maid, and
hair like three-years babe! Voila!
He passed his thick fingers roughly
through the youths crisp golden curls
you seek to force a quarrel, sir" said
the young man. white with anger.
And what then?"
why, you do it like country boor, and
not like a gentle squire. Hast been ILL
bred and as tll-taught. I serve master
who could show you how such things
should be DONE
And how would he 90 1t, oh, pink of
squires?"
He would neither be loud nor would he
be unmannerly. but rather more gentle than
is his won't He would say, Sir I should
take 1t as an honor to do some small deed
OF arms against you, not for mine own
glory or advancement, but rather for the
fame of my lady and for the upholding of
chivalry- Then he would draw his glove.
thus, and throw it on the ground; or, If he
had cause to think that he had to deal with
churl, he might throw it in his face-as l
do noWi''
A buzz of excitement went up from the
knot of squires as Alleyne, his gentle ma
ture turned by this causeless attack into
fiery resolution dashed his glove with all
his strength into the sneering face of his
antagonist From all parts of the hall
squires and pages came running unail a
dense, swaylng crowd surrounded the dis
putants.
Your life for this.' said the bully. with
a face which was distorted with rage.
If you can take it, returned Alleyne
Good lad!' whispered Ford. stick to It
close as wax
Il shall see iusticer' cried Northbury, Sir
divers silent attendant.
You brought it upon yourself, John
Tranter," said the tall squire who had been
addressed as Roger Harcomb. "You must
ever plague the newcomers. But it were
shame If this went further. The lad hath
shown a proper spirit
But blow! blow!" cried several of
the older squires. There must be a finish
to this
Nay; Tranter first laid hand upon his
head" said Harcomb. How say YOU
Tranter? The matter may rest where it
stands?'
MY name is known in these parts,' said
Tranter, proudly. II can let pass what
might leave stain upon another. Let him
pick up his glove and say that he has done
amiss''
II would see him in the claws Of the devil
first" whispered Ford.
You hear, young sir?" said the peace
maker. Our friend will overlook the mat
ter If you do but say that you have acted
in heat and haste
Il cannot say that" answered Alleyne
1T is our custom, young sir, when new
sQufres come among from England to
test them in some such way. Bethink you
that if a man have a destrier or new
lance he will ever try 1t in time of peace,
lest In days of need 1t may fail him. How
much more, then, is 1t proper to test those
who are our comrades in arms?'
II would draw out if 1t may honorably be
done,'' murmured Northbury in Alleyne's
ear. ''The man is a noted swordsman and
far above your strength"
Edrickson came, however, of that sturdy
Saxon blood which is very slowly heated.
but once up not easily to be cooled. The
hint of danger which Northbury threw out
was the one thing needed to harden his res
Olution.
II came here at the back of my master"
he said, "and / looked on every man here
as an Englishman and a friend This gem
tleman hath shown me a rough welcome,
and IL I have answered him in the same
spirit he has but himself to thank. 1 will,
pick the glove up; but. certes, shall abide
what I have done, unless he first crave my
pardon for what he hath said and done"
Tranter shrugged his shoulders. ''You
have done what you could to save him,