The La Jara chronicle., 1906-08-10
CHAPTER XIII.

the fame and power of its owner de-
manded. \ high dais at the further end
was rooted in by n broad canopy of scar
let velvet spangled with silver heurs-de-
lis.
In the center of the dais were two
very high chairs. On that TO the right
sat a tall and well-formed man with red
hair, livid face, and cold blue eye.
He lounged back in a careless position,
and yawned repeatedly. ON the other
throne there was perched bolt upright,
who smiled and bobbed to everyone
whose eyes he CHANGED to meet. Be
tween, and a little in front of them. on
n humble charette or stool, sat slim
dark young man. whose quiet attire and
modest manner would scarce proclaim
him to be the most noted prince in
Europe. He sat ,gth his hands claspei
round his knee, his head slightly bent,
clear. well-chiselled features. Below on
either side of the steps we're forty. or
fifty English and Gascon barons, knights,
nnd courtiers.
John Chandos as they entered. lie on
the right is Pedro, whom we are about
to put upon the Spanish throne. The
other is Don James, whom We purpose
with the aid of God to help to his throne
The prince had observed their entrance,
and, springing to his feet, he had ad-
vanced with a winning smile and the
light of welcome in his eyes.
"Welcome to Aquitainc, Sir Nigel Lor-
ing and Sir Oliver Buttesthorn,' said
he, NAY, keep. your knee for my sweet
father at Windsor. 1 would have your
hands, my friends. We are like to give
you some work TO do ere you see the
downs of Hampshire once more. How
many have you in your trAinI"
Il have forty men-at-nrms, sire" said
Sir Oliver.
!" And have one hundred archers and
.f 10 a1- hpas
hundred men of the White Company who
wait for me on this side of the water up
on the borders of Navarro"
We hope to see you both in the ban
quet-hall anon" rejoincd the prince. lie
bowed, and ChRndos, pluckiug Sir Oliver
by the sleeve, led them both AWAY to the
back of the prcss Of COurtiers.
The young ruler had sat lIstlessly upon
his stool with the two puuueJ mpuIrChs
cnthroned behind him, but gf sudden
dark shadow passed over his face, and
lie sprang to his feet in one Of those
gusts Of passion which We're The single
blot upon his noble and generous char
How now, Don Martin de Ia CnrraT"
he cried. ''llow now, sirrah? What
message do you bring to US from our
to whom this abrupt query had been ad-
dressed was tall and handsome cavalier
who had just been ushcred into the
apartment. Are the passes open to US,
or does YOUR IllNltT Ep buNh lINil MS
word pledged 10 me ut Libourne no later
than last Michaclmns"
1T would i'll become my gracious
master, sire, to 20 back from promise
given. lie docs but ask some delay and
certain conditions and hostages ~
conditions! Hostages is lie speak
ing to the Prince of England, or is 1t TO
the bourgeois provost of some hnlf-clp-
tured towni Conditions. Quothaf lie
may find much to mend in his own condi-
tion, ere long. The passes are, then,
closed to ust'
Nay sir"
They are open, them"
NAY, sire, if you would but
Enough, enough, Don Martin" cried
the prince. "It is "A sorry sight to see so
true knight pleading in so false cause.
We know the doings of our Cousin
Charles We know that while with the
right hand he takes our fifty thousand
crowns for the holding of the passes open,
he hath his left outstretched to Henry
Trastamare. or to the King OF France, all
ready to take as many more for the keep
ing them closed, | know our good
Charles, and he shall learn that | know
him. He sets his kingdom up to the best
bidder, like some scullion forrier selling a
glandered horse. lie is
MY lord" cried Don Martin. cannot
stand here TO hear such words of my
master. Did they come from other lips
should know better how TO answer
Your bearing and your words, Don
Martin, are such as | should have looked
for in you. You will tell the king, your
master that BE- hath been paid his price,
and that if he holds to his promise he
hath my word for IL that no sCnth shall
come to his people, nor TO their houses
or gear. If, however we have not his
leave. | shall come close at the heels OF
this message without his leave, and bear
ing n kew with me which shall open all
that he may close. Where is my Lord
Chandos? H0, Sir John. l commend this
worthy knight to your care. You VIII
see that he hath rejection, nnd such
for indeed it is great honor to any court
to have within it so noble and gentle a
cavalier .,,,.- a,, ,,s
and lieges. that our brother of Lancaster
is on his way for our capital with four
hundred lances and many archers to
aid us in our venture. We shall then
join the army at Dax and set our BAN
pers to the breeze once more"
A buzz of JOY at the prospect of i'm.
mediate action rose up from the group of
warriors. The prince smiled at the mar
tial ardor which shone upon every face
around him.
at will hearten you to know" he CON
tinued, that | have sure advices that this
Henry is very valiant lender, and that
he has it in his power to make such a
much honor and pleasure. Il is certain;
also that the brave and worthy Bertrand
du Guesclin hath ridden into France to
the Duke of AnjOu, and purposes TO take
back with him great levies from Picardy
and Brittany. We hold Bertrand in high
esteem, for he oft before been Mt
great pains to furnish us with nm honor
able encounter What think Won of il.
my worthy Captnlf He took You Mt
Cocherel. nnd. by my soul you will have
the chance now to pay that score"
The Gnscon warrior addressed WINGED
n little at the nllnsion, nor were his
countrymen around him better pleased
for on the only occasion when they had