Evening star., 1906-03-11


He was reused by sympathetic hand upon his
shoulder and the voice of his young prisoner in his
"Peael" said he. They have some of your birds
in their cage, have they not? What then, my
friend? Keep your heart hgh Is it not the chance of
war; to-day to them, tomorrow to thee, and death
at last for all? And yet had rather they were
in any hands than those of Oliver the Butcher"
by Saint Paul, we cannot suffer t!" cried Nigel
dstractedly. This man has come with me from my
own home. He has stood between and death
before now 1t goes to my very heart that he should
call upon me in vain. | pray you, Raou to use
your wits for mine all curdled in my head.
Tell what 1 should do and how may bring him
help"
The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders. "As
easy to get a lamb unscathed out of a wolves lair
as prisoner safe from La Brohinere. Nay Nigel
whittier do you go2 Have you indeed taken leave
of your wits?
The Squire had spurred his horse down the hill
side and halted until he was within bow-shot
of the gate The French prisoner followed hard
behind him. with buzz of reproaches and expostu
lations.
you are mad, Nigel" he cried. What do you
hope to do then? Would you carry the castle with
your own hands? Halt, man, halt, in the name of
the Virgin!"
But Nigel had no plan in his head and only obeyed
the fevered impulse to do something to ease his
thoughts. He paced his horse up and down, waving
his spear and shouting insults and challenges to
the garrison Over the high wall hundred jeering
faces looked down upon him. So rash and wild was
his action that it seemed to those within to mean
some trap, so the drawbridge still held high
and none ventured forth to seize him. few long
range arrows pattered on the rocks, and then with
a deep booming sound huge stone, hurled from
a mangonel, sang over the head of the two Squres
and crashed into splinters amongst the boulders
behind them.
The Frenchman seized Nigel's bride and forced
him farther from the gateway by the dear Nir-
gin!" he cried, | care not to have those pebbles
about my ears yet I cannot go back alone; so it is
very clear, my crazy comrade that you must come
also. Now are beyond their reach. But see, my
friend Nigel, who those who the
heght2"
The sun had sunk behind the western ridge.
but the glowing sky fringed at its lower edge
by a score of ruddy twinkling points. A body of
horsemen showed hard and black upon the bare
valley, whilst a band of footmen followed
behind
They are my people!" cried Nigel joyously.
Come, my friend, hasten, that may take
counsel what shall do
Sir Robert Knolles rode bow-shot in front of his
men, and his brow was as black as night Beside
him, with crestfallen face his horse bleeding, his
armor dinted and soied, the hot-headed
knight Sir James Ashley. fierce discussion ragged
between them.
q have done my devoir as best I might" said
Ashley. Alone had ten of them at my sword
point. know not how have lived to tell it.
What is your devoir to me? Where my
thirty bowmen?" cried Knolles in bitter wrath.
Ten lie dead upon the ground and twenty are
worse than dead in yonder castle. And all because
you must needs show all men how bold you are, and
ride into a bushment such as a child could
Alas for my folly that ever | should have
trusted such one as you with the handling of men"