Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-12
CHAPTER XXXVI.
How Sir Nigel Took the Patch From
His Eve

1t was cold. bleak morning in the be-
ginning of March, and the mist was drift
ing in dense rolling clouds through the
passes of the Cantabrian mountains. The
company, who had passed the night in
sheltered gully. were already astir, some
crowding round the blazing fires and others
romping or leaping over one anothers
backs, for their limbs were chilled and the
air biting Here and there. through the
dense haze which surrounded them, there
doomed out huge pinnacles and jutting
powders Of rock; while high above the
of vapor there lowered up one gigantic
peak, with the pink glow OF the early sun
shine upon Its snow capped head. The
ground was wet. the rocks dripping, the
grass and evergreens sparkling with beads
or moisture. yet the camp was loud with
laughter and merriment, for a messenger
had ridden In from the prince with words
of heart-stirring praise for what they had
done and with orders that they should still
abide in the forefront of the army.
Round one of the fires were clustered four
or five of the leading men of the archers,
cleaning the rust from their wea pons, and
glancing impatiently from time to time at a
great pot which smoked over the blaze.
There was Awkward, squattfns cross-legged
in his shirt, while he scrubbed away at his
chan-mail brigandine, whisting loudly the
while on one side of his sat old Johnston,
who was busy in trimming the fea thers of
some arrows to his liking, and on the other
Horde John, who lay with his great limbs
all aSprawl, and his headpiece balanced
upon his uplifted foot. Black Simon of
Norwich CrouChed amid the rocks, grooming
an Eastland ballad to himself, while Re
whetted his sword upon a fiat stone which
lay across his knees; while beside him sat
Alleyne Edricson and NOrthbury the silent
squire Of Sir oliver. holding out their
chilled hands toward the cracking fagots.
Cast on another culpon, John, and stir
the broth with thy sword-sheath.' growled
Johnston, looking anxiously for the TWEEN
tieth time at the reeking pot.
by my hilti' cried Awkward, 'now that
John hath come by this great ransom he
will scarce abide the fare of poor archer
lads. How say you, camarade? When you
see Horde once more there Will be no
penny ale and fat bacon, but Gascon wines
and baked meats every day of the seven"
Il know not about that" said John,
kicking his helmet up into the air and
catching it in his hand II do but know
that whether the broth be ready or not, 1
about to dip this into it,
1T SINNERS and II boils," cried Johnston
pushing his hard-lined face through the
smoke.
In an instant the pot had been pluclSed
from the blaze and its contents had been
scooped up in half a dozen steel head
pieces, which were balanced betwixt their
owners knees. while, with spoon and with
goblet of bread. they devoured their morn
ing meal.
at is i'll weather for bows" remarked
John at last when. with long sigh, he
drained the last drop from his helmet
MY strings are as limp as a cows tail this
morning"
You should rub them with water glue
quoth Johnston. You remember Samkin
that it was wetter than this on the morning
of Crecy. and yet l cannot call to mind
that there was aught amiss with our
strings"
at is in my thoughts" said Black simon
still penslvely grinding his sword, 'that we
may have need of your strings ere sum
down. ! dreamed of the red cow last
night"
"And what is this red cow, SImon?,
asked Alleyne,
81 know not. young sir; but l can only
say that on the eve of Cadsand, and on the
eve of Crecy, and on the eve of Nogent. /
dreamed of red COW; and now the dream
has come upon me again, so / am now set
ting very keen edge to my blade"
We'll said, old war-dogi" cried Awkward
by my hilt. pray that your dream may
come true, for the prince hath not set W