Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-08
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

~ ~
Han lads and the Nottingham woodmen
into the service of the Marquis of Mont
ferTat to fight against the Lord of INLAND,
there are but ten score of us left, yet l
trust that l may be able to bring some
back with me to fill the ranks of the White
Company. By the tooth of Peter! 1t would
be bad thing If l could not muster many
championships man who would be ready
and the more If Sir Nigel Loring of
Christchurch, should don hauberk once
more and take the lead of u.s.
All, you would indeed be in luck then"
duoth a woodman; for it is said that, set
ting aside the prince and mayhap good Old
Sir John Chandos. there was not in the
whole army a nah of such tried courage"
1t is sooth, every word of II, the archer
answered. Il have seen him with these
two eyes in a stricken field, and never did
man carry himself better. Mon Dieul yes,
We would not credit 1t to look at him, or
to hearken to his soft voice. but from the
sailing from Orwell down to the foray to
Paris, and that Is clear twenty years, there
was not skirmish, onfall, sally, bushment,
escalado or battle, but Sir Nigel was in the
heart of It, l go now to Christchurch with
letter to him from Sir Claude I4atour, to
ask him if he will take the place of Sir
John Hardwood; and there Is the more
chance that he will, If 1 bring one or two
likely men at my heels. What say you.
woodman, wilt leave the bucks to loose a
shaft at nobler mark?"
The forester shook his head.
nave VIE anu CnilQ at Emery DOWN,
quoth he: Il would not leave them for such
a venture
You. then, young sir?" asked the archer.
Nay, am man OF peace" said Alleyne
do"
Poster growled the soldier striking his
fiagon on the board until the dishes danced
again. What. in the name of the devil,
hath come over the folk? Why sit We all
moping by the fire side, like crows round a
dead horse, when there is mans work to
be done within few short leagues of We?
Out upon you all. as a set of laggards and
hang-backs! By my hilt! I believe that
the men of England are all in France al
ready, and that what Is left behind are in
sooth the women dressed up in their pal
tocks and hosen.'
ARCHER" quoth Horde John, you have
lied more than once and more than twice;
for which, and also because / see much in
you to mslike ! am sorely tempted to lay
you upon your back"
BY my hilt! then, l have found a man
at lastE' shouted the bowman. And fore
God, you are better man than take you
for, IL you can lay me my back, mon
garcon. have won the ram more times
than there are toes to my feet. and for
seven long years / have found no man in
the company who could make my jerkin
dusty"
I'VE have had enough bobance and boast
ing. said Horde John. rising and throw
ing off his doublet. 81 will show you that
there are better men left In England than
ever went thieying In France"
ePasques Deu!" cried the archer loos-
ening his jerkin. and eying his foeman
over with the keen glance of one who Is
Judge of manhood Il have only once be-
fore seen such body of a man. BY your
leave. my red-headed friend, 1 should be
right sorry to exchange buffets with you;
and will allow that there is no man in
the company who would pull against you
on rope; so let that be a salve to your
pride. On the other hand. I should Judge
that you have led life of ease for some
months back, and that my muscle is harder
than your own. am ready to wager upon
myself against you. If you are not afeard.v
II never saw the face yet of the man that
was afeard of. Come out, and we shall
see who is the better mani
But the wager?
Il have naught to wager Come out for
the love and the lust of the thing
Naught to wageri" cried the soldier.
why, you have that which T. eovet above
all things. It is that big body of thine
that am after. See, now, mon garcon.
have French feather bed there. which /
have been at pains to keep these years
back. had 1t at the sacking of Issodun,
and the king himself hath not such a bed.
II you throw me, 1t Is thine: but, IL throw
you, then you are under VOW to take bow
to serve in the White Company as long as
we be enrolled
"A fair wagerr' cried all the travellers.
moving back their benches and trestles. SO
as to give fair field for the wrestlers.
Then you may bid farewell to your be d.
soldier said Horde John.
Nay; / shall keep the bed. and ] shall
have you to France, in spite of your teeth,
and you shall live to thank me for It,. How
shall it be. then, mon enfant? Collar and
elbow. or elose-lock, or catch how you
can r.
10 the devil with your tricks" said John.