Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-15

wolves. q 1t was I, fair lord -" Nay, it was
II You lie you rascal, it was II" Again
their fierce eyes glared and their blood-stained
hands sought the hits of their weapons.
:" Nay, this must be settled here and now!
said the Prince II crave your patience, fair
and honored sir, for a few brief minutes since
indeed much il-will may spring from this if it
be not set at rest. Who is this tall knight who
can scarce keep his hands from the Kings
shoulder"
1T is Dennis de Morbecque, my lord, a
knight of Saint-Omer, who is in our service,
being an outlaw from France"
=" call him to mind How then Sir Dennis!
What say you in this matter?
He gave himself to me, fair lord. He had
fallen in the press, and | came upon him and
seized him. I told him that was knight from
Artois, and he gave me his glove. See here.
l bear it in my hand"
1t is true, fair lord 1t is truei" cried a
dozen French voices.
NAY, sir judge not too soon!" shouted an
English squire, pushing his way to the front.
" 1t was | who had him at my mercy, and he
is my prisoner, for he spoke to this man only
because he could tell by his tongue that he
was his own countryman. | took him, and here
are a score to prove it.
Z" 1t is true, fair lord. We saw it. and it was
even sol'' cried chorus of Engishnen.
At all times there was growing and swapping
betwixt the English and their allies of France.
The Prince saw how easily this might set a
light to such flame as could not readily be
quenched. 1t must be stamped out now ere
it had time to mount
Fair and honored lord" he said to the
King, again l pray you for a moment of
patience. 1t is your word, and only yours,
which can tell us what is just and right. To
whom were you graciously pleased to commit
your royal person"
King John looked up from the iagon which
had been brought to him and wiped his lips,
with the dawnings of a smile upon his rudy
face.
1t was not this Englishman,' he said, and a
cheer burst from the Gascons, nor was it
this bastard Frenchman, he added. To
neither of them did | surrender"
There was a hush of surprise.
To whom then, sir? asked the Prince
The King looked slowly round. There was
devil of yellow horse" said he. g. My poor
palfrey went over like a skittle- pin before a
ball Of the rider / knew nothing save that
by Saint Denis, there is the man himself,
and there his thrice-accursed horsel"
His head swimming, and moving as if in a
dream, Nigel found himself the center of the
circle of armed and angry men.
The Prince laid his hand upon his shoulder.
1t is the little cock of Tilford Bridge said he.
"On my fathers soul, l have ever said that
you would win your way. Did you receive the
Kings surrender"
Nay, fair lord, l did not receive it"
Did you hear him give it"
i heard sir, but l did not know that it was
the King. My master Lord Chandos had gone
on, and | followed after
And left him lying. Then the surrender
was not complete, and by the laws of war the
ransom goes to Dennis de Morbecque, if his
story be true"
1t is true" said the King. "He was the
second"
Then the ransom is yours, Dennis But
for my part, | swear by my father S soul that
l had rather have the honor this Squire has
gathered than all the richest ransoms of
France"
At these words spoken before that circle of
noble warriors Nigels heart gave one great
throb and he dropped upon his knee before
the Prince. Fair lord, how can thank your
he murmured. These words at least are more
than any ransom.
Rise upl' said the smiling Prince, and he
srnote with his sword upon his shoulder.
" England has lost brave Squire, and has
gained gallant Knight. Nay, linger not,
pray Rise up, Sir Nigel"
CHAPTER XVII.