Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-15
CHAPTER XII.
How Young Shepherd Had Perilous
Flock

FLOCK.
Black was the mouth of Twynham Castle,
though pair of torches burning at the fur
Their end of the gateway cast red glare
over the outer bailey and sent dim, rudy
flicker through the rough-hewn ARCH rising
and falling with ftful brightness. Over
the door the travellers could discern the
escutcheon of the Montacutes, a roebuck
gules a field argent, flanked either
side by smaller shields which bore the red
roses of the veteran constable. AS they
passed over the drawbridge Alleyne marked
the CLEAN Of arms in the embrasurcs to
right and left, and they had scarce set foot
upon the causeway ere hoarse blare burst
from bugle. and with screech Of hinge and
clank of chain the ponderous bridge swung
up into the air drawn by unseen hands. At
the same instant the huge portcullis came
rafting down from above and shut off the
last fading light Of day. Sir Nigel and his
lady walked on in deep talk, while a fat
under steward took charge Of the three
comrades and led them to the buttery, where
beef, bread and beer were kept ever in read
mess for the wayfarer. After a hearty meal
and a dip in the trough to wash the dust
from them, they strolled forth into the
bailey, where the bowman peered about
through the darkness at wall and at keep,
with the carping eyes Of one who has seen
something of sieges and is not lightly to be
satisfied. To Alleyne and to John, however,
it appeared to be as great and as stout
fortress as could be built by the hands of
man.
Erected by Sir Baldwin de Redvers in
the old fighting days of the twelfth
fury, when men thought much Of war and
little of comfort, Castle Twynham had been
designed as stronghold pure and simple,
unlike those later and more magnificent
structures where warlike strength had been
combined with the magnificence of a palace.
Of s1x1y.ar dc tat, h,,i
ings as Conway Caernarvon Castles, to
say nothing of royal Windsor, had shown
that it was possible to secure luxury in
peace as well as security in times of
trouble. Sir NigelS trust, however, still
frowned above the smooth flowing waters
of the Avon very much as the stern race
of early Anglo-Normans had designed it.
There were the broad outer and inner
bailies, not paved, but soWn with grass to
nourish the sheep and cattle which might
be driven in on sign of danger. All around
were high and turreted walls, with, at, the
corner, a bare, square-faced keep, gaunt
and windowless, rearing up from lofty
mound, which made it almost inaccessible
to assailant. Against the bailey walls
were rows of frail wooden houses and lean
Ing sheds, which gave shelter to the archers
and men-at-arms who formed the garrison.
The doors of these humble dwellings were
mostly open, and against the yellow glare
from within Alleyne could see the bearded
fellows cleaning their harness, while their
wives would come out for gossip, with
their needlework in their hands and their
long black shadows streaming across the
yard. The air was full of the clack Of their
voices and the merry prattling OF children,
in strange contrast to the fash of arms and
constant warlike challenge from the walls
above
''Methinks company Of school lads could
hold this place against an army" quoth
John.
And so say t.. said Alleyne.
Nay, there you are wide of the clout"
the bOwman said RraVplV my 7
have seen a stronger fortalice carried in q
summer evening. I remember such one
in Picardy, with name as long as Gas
cons pedigree. 1t was when l served under
Sir Robert Knolles, before the days of the
company. and we came by good plumber at
the sacking Of 1t. / had myself a great sill
yer bowl. with two goblets and pastron
of Spanish steel. Pasques Dieu there are
some fine women over yonder! Morte de
ma vie! see to that one in the doorway! I
will go speak to her. But whom have we
us there an archer here hight Sam Ayl-
ward?" asked a gaunt man-at-arms, clank-
ing up to them across the courtyard
MY name. friend" quoth the bowman.
Then. sure | have no need to tell thee
mine," said the other.
by the rood! II 1t is not Black Simon of
Norwich! cried Aylward: "A mon occur.
70 tbae sa Aa nu am
other and Rugged like bears.
And where from, old blood and bones?"
asked the bowman
II am in service here. Tell me, comrade,
is 1t sooth that we shall have another fling
at these Frenchmen? 1t is so rumored in
the guard room. and that Sir Nigel will
take the field once more
1T Is like enough, mon gar, as things CO."
Now. may the Lord be praisedr' cried
the other. This very night will set apart
a golden ouche to be offered on the shrine
of my name saint. I have pinned for this,
Awkward, as a young maid pines for her
lover"
art go set on plumber, then? Is the purse
so light that there is not enough for a
rouse? have bag at my belt. camarade,
and you have but TO put your fist into it
for what you want It was ever share and
share between U.S.
Nay. friend. II Is not the Frenchman's
gold, but the FrenchInan's bleed that