Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-15
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.



would have. l should not rest quiet in the
grave, coz, If l had not another turn at
them For with us III France it has ever
| been fair and honest war-a shut fist for
| the man, but a Bonded knee for the woman
But how was it at Winchelsea when their
| galleyS came down upon it some few years
back? had an old mother there lad who
| had come down thither from the Mid ands
| TO &c nearer her son. They found her aft
erward by her own hearthstone, thrust
through by a Frenchman's bill. My second
sister my brothers wife and her two chill
dren-there were but ash heaps in the smok-
ing. ruins of Their house. l will not say
that We have not wrought great seatch
upon France, but women and children have
been safe from US. And so, old friend my
heart is hot within me- and long to hear
the old battle cry again, and, by Gods
truth! If Sir Nigel unfurls his pennon. here
is one who will be right glad to feel the
saddle flaps under his knees
we have seen good work together old
Waroog, quoth Aylward, land. by my hilt
we may hope to see more ere we die But
we are more like to hawk at the Spanish
woodcock than al the French heron though,
certes. 1t is rumored that Du GuescIn, with
all the best lances of France, has taken
service under the lions and towers of Cas-
tile. But, comrade, 1t is in my mind that
there Is some small matter of dispute still
open between u.s.
Fore God. 1t is soothr cried the other.
Il had forgotten 1t. The provost marshal
and his men tore us apart when last we
met "
ON which, friend. we vowed that we
should settle the point when next we came
together. Hast thy sword 1 see and the
moon throws glimmer enough for such old
night birds as We. On guard, mon gari /
have not heard clink of steel this month or
| more"
"Out from the shadow, then" said the
other, drawing his sword. "A VOW is vow,
| and not lightly to be broken.
"A VOW to the saints" cried Alleyne. sis
indeed not to be set aside; but this is a
devils VOW, and, simple clerk as I am 1 am
yet the mouthpiece Of the true church when
l say that 1t were mortal sin to fight on
such quarrel. What! shall two grown
men carry malice for years. and fly like
snarling ours at each others throats?'
mo malice, my young clerk-no malice, y
quoth Black Simon. Il have not a bitter
drop In my heart for mine old comrade; but
the quarrel, as he hath told you, is still
open and unsettled. Fall on, Aylward"'
Not while 1 can stand between your,
cried Alleyne, springing before the bowman
1T is shame and sin to see two Christian
Lngllshmen turn swords against each other
like the frenzed, bloodthirsty paynim''
And, what is more. said Horde John
suddenly appearing out of the buttery with
the huge board upon which the pastry was
rolled, IF either raise sword / shall f1atten
him like Shrovetfde pancake. By the black
rood! shall drive him into the earth. like
nail into door. rather than see you do
scath to each other"
=" Fore God. this is a strange way of
preaching peace!" cried Black Simon. You
may find the scath yourself, my lusty friend,
If you raise your great cudgel to me. / had
as lief have the castle drawridge drop upon
my pate
"Tell me, Aylward," said Alleyne. earnest
ly, with his hands outstretched to keep the
pair asunder. what is the cause of quarrel
that we may see whether honorable settle
ment may not be arrived at?"
The bowman looked down at his feet and
then up at the moon.
"Parbleu!' he CRIED 1.-THE cause of quar-
rel? Why mon petit, 1t was years ago in
Limousin. and how can bear In mind what
was the cause of It? Simon there hath it at
the end of his tongue"
mot I, in ROTH replied the other; II
have had other things to think of. There
was some sort of pickering over dice, or
wine. or was 1t a woman, coz?'
"Pasques Dieu! but you have nicked it!'
cried Awkward. ut was, indeed, about a
woman; and the quarrel must go forward,
for am still OF the same mind as before
What of the woman, then2" asked ST.
mon. May the murrain strike me If can
call to mind aught about herr
1T was La Blanche Rose maid at the sign
her pretty heart! Why. mon gar, 1 loved
herr
80 did a many. quoth Simon. IT call
her to mind now. On the very day that we
fought over the little hussy she went off
with Evan ap Price, long-legged Welsh
dagsman They have a hostel of their own
now, somewhere on the banks of the Ga
rome, where the landlord drinks SO much of
the liquor that there is little left for the
customers
$50 ends our quarrel, them said AyIward.
sheathing his sword "A Welsh dagsman T
faith! C'etait MANUALS goet, camarade, and
the more SO when she had q jolly archer and
lusty man-at-arms to choose FROM
True. old lad. And 1t is as well that we
can compose our differences honorably, fer
Sir Nigel had been out at the first clash of
steel: and he hath sworn that If there be
quarrelng in the garrison he would smite
the right hand from the broiIers You know
him OF old. and that he is like to be as good
es his word"
Mort Dieu! yes. But there are ale, mead
and wine In the buttery. and the steward
merry rogue, who will not haggle over
quart or two. Buvons, mon gar, for 1t is
not every day that two old friends come to-
getheF.
The old soldiers and Horde John strobe
on together in all good Fellowship. Alleyne
had turned TO follow then, when be felt .