Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-19
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

As he spoke he whirled the covering from
the object in front of him and showed. TO
their horror. that it was a newly severed
human leg. by Gods TOOTH he continued.
with a brutal laugh. you ask me If am
a man of quarterings. and 1t Is even so. for
am officer to the yerderer's court at
Lyndhurst- This thisrNish leg is to hang
at Milton. and the other is already at
Brockenhurst, as sign to all men of what
comes of being overload of venison pasty.
"Faughr cried Sir Nigel Pass ON the
other side of the read, fellow and let Us
have the wind of you. We shall trot our
horses, my friends. across this pleasant
valley for by Our Ladyt breath OF Gods
fresh air is right welcome after such a
sight"
1--WE hoped to snare a falcon said he
presently. but we Melted carbon crow.
Ma foil but there are men whose hearts
! are tougher than boar's hide. For me,
have played the old game of war since
ever / had hair on my chin. and nave
seen ten thousand brave men IN one day
with their faces to the sky. but swear by
Him who made me that cannot abide the
work OF the butcher!
And yet, my fair lord. sad Edricson,
there has. from what / hear. been mach
of such devils work in France.
Too much. too much he answered.
But 1 have ever observed that the fore
most in the field are they who would scorn
to mishandle a prisoner. By ST. Paul! II Is
not they who carry the breach who are
wont to sack the town. but the Iaggard
knayeS VINO come cfOWulnS Which, 4 Wey
has been cleared for them, But what is
this among the trees?
"It Is shrine of Our Lady" said Ter
lake, land a blind beggar who lives by the
aims of those who worship there"
"a shrine" cried the knight. Then let
us put UP an orson." Pulling off his cap.
and clasping his hands, he chanted m n
shrill voice: "Benedictus dominus Deus
meus qui decet manus meas ad proei'um'
ct digitos meos ad bellum." strange fig
ure he seemed to his three sQuires, perched
on bis huge horse, with his eyes upturned
and the wintry sun shimmerfng upon his
bald head. 1T Is noble PRAYER ne re-
marked, putting on his hat again, "and 1t
was taught to me by the noble Chandos
himself. But how fares it with you, fatherE
Methnks that / should have ruth upon
you, seeing that am myself like one VINO
looks through horn window while lis
neighbors have the clear crystal fet by
St Paul. there Is a long stride between the
man who hath horn easement ana MN
who is walled In on every hand
. ALIAS! fair sir" cried the blind old man.
ct have not seen the blessed blue of heaven
this two score years, since a levin hasn
burned, the sight out of my head.
You have been blind to much that Is
goodly and fair" auoth Sir Nigel. but
YOU have also been spared much that Is
sorry and foul. This very hour our eyes
have been shocked with that which would
have left YOU unmoved. But. by St Paul.
we must on, or our company will think
that they have lost their captain somewhat
early in the venture Throw the man my
purse, Edricson, and let US CO..
AIleyne lingering behind. bethought him
of the Lady Loring's counsel. and re-
duced the noble gift which the kn&nt nao
so freely bestowed to single penny, Wnlcn
the beggar, with many mumbied DRESSINGS.
thrust away into his wallet Then spurr1n&
hts steed the young squire rode at the top
of his speed after his companions, and over
took them just at the spot where the trees
fringe of into the moor and the straggnns
Tor11n To-
side of the winding and deeply rutted track
The company was already we'll nigh through
the village but as the knight and hts
squires closed up upon them. they heand
the clamor of a. strident voice. followed by
a roar of deep-chested laughter from the
ranks of the carchers. Another minute
brought them up with the rear guard.
where every man marched with his beard
ON his shoulders and a face which was
a-grin with merrtment. By the side OF the
column walked a huge red-headed bow
man, with hts hands thrown out in argu-
ment and eXpostufation, while close this
heels followed a little wrfnkfed woman
who poured forth shrill volley OF abuse
varied by an occasional thwack from her
though she might have been beating one
Of the forest trees for all the effect that
she seemed likely to produce.
Z trust, Awkward. said Sir Nigel. grave
ly, az he rode up, that this doth not mean
thar any violence hath been offered to wo-
men. If such thing has happened, tell
you that the man shall hang, though he
were the best archer that ever wore
brassart."
May, my fair lord Awkward answered.
with a grin, ''it is violence which Is offered
to a man. He comes from Horde. and this
is his mother who hath come forth to well
come him"
"You rammucky lurden" she was howl
ing, with blow between each catch of her
breath. you shammockinss yaping. over
long good fon-naught! I will teach thee!
T will hs thee Az hy m faifhi''
whist. mother" said John, looking back
at her from the tail Of his eye, II go to
France an archer to give blows and to
take them"
ITO France. auotha?' cried the old dame.
"Bide here with me. and shall warrant
yoif more blows than you like to get
need not go further than Hordie.''
by my hilt. the good dame speaks
TRUTH said Awkward at seems to be the
very home of them"
What have you to say, you eiean-shaved
galley bagger?' cried the fiery dame. turn
ing upon the archer. Can not speak with
my own son but you must let your tongue
claek? A soldier. quotha, and never a hair
on his face. have seen a better soldier
with pap for food and swaddling clothes
for harness."
stand to it, Aylward," cried the arch
ers. amid a fresh burst of laughter.
do not thwart her, comrade," said big
John. She hath proper spirit for her
years. and can not abide to be thwarted.
1t Is kindly and homeIy to me to hear ner
voice and to feel that she is behind me-
But must leave you now. mother, for the
way is overrough for your feet; but I will
bring you back a silken gown. II there be
one in France or Spain. and I will bring
jimmy a silver penny. goodbye to YOU
and God have you In His keepingr
Whipping up the little woman, he lifted
her lightly to his lips and then, taking
his place III the ranks again, marched en-
with the laughing company.
That was ever his way" she cried. ap-
pealinG to Sir Nigel, who reined up his
horse and listened with the gravest cnur-
tesy. He would jog on his own road for
all that could do to change him. First
he must be monk. forsoath. and all be-
cause a wench was wise enough to turn her
back On him. Then he joins a rascaliy
crew. and must needs tratpsa or to the
wars. and me with one to bait the fire Ii
I be out. or tend the cow If be home Yet
have been a good mother to him. Three
hazel switches a day have I broke across
his shoulders, and he takes no more notice
than you have seen him today"
Doubt not that he will come back to
you both safe and prosperous, my fair
dame" quoth Sit Nigel. Meanwhile, It
grieves me that aa / have already given my
purse to a beggar up the road T."
Nay. my lord" said AAeyne, st still