The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-07-27

Beaulieu. at early dawr tney passed
across the broad, sluggish, reed-gir.
stream-men, horses, and baggage in the
nat ferry barges-and so journeyed on
through the fresh morning air past Ex-
bury to Lepe. Topping the healthy down,
they came Of sudden full in sight of the
old seaport Some way out from the
town line Of PRISONERS, creyers, and
other small craft were rolling lazily on
the gentle swell. Further out still lay
great merchant ship, high-ended, deep
wasted, painted of a canary yellow, and
towering above the fishing boats like a
swan among ducklings.
"By st. Paull' said the knight, "our
good merchant of Southampton hath not
played US false, for methinks ! can see
our ship down yonder. He said that she
would be of great size and of yellow
shade"
by my hilt, yes I" muttered Awkward /;
''she is yellow as kites claw, and would
carry as many men as there are pips in a
pomegranate."
1T is well" remarked Terlake; "for
methinks, my fair lord, that we are not
the only ones who are waiting a passage
to Gascony. Mine eye catches at times
fash and sparkle from among yonder
houses which assuredly never came from
shipman's jacket or the gaberdine of a
burgher."
II can also see it." said Alleyne, shad-
ing his eyes with his hand. And l can
see men-at-arms in yonder boats which
ply betwixt the vessel and the shore.
But methinks that we are very welcome
here, for already they come forth to meet
u.s."
A tumultuous crowd of fishermen, citi-
Gems, and women had indeed swarmed
out from the northern gate, approached
them up the side of the moor, waving
their hands and dancing with joy, as
though a great fear had been rolled back
from their minds. At their head rode a
very large and solemn man with a long
chin and dropping lip. He wore a fur
tippet round his neck and a heavy gold
chain over it, with a medallion which
dangled In front of him.
Welcome, most puissant and noble
lord!" be cried, doffing his bonnet. "You
see In me the mayor and chief magistrate
OF the ancient and powerful town of Lepe
1 bid you very heartily welcome, and the
more so as you are come at a moment
when we are sore put to 1t for defence"
Hal" cried Sir Nigel, pricking up his
ears.
Eyes, my lord, for the town being very
ancient, and the walls as old as the town,
Ii follows that they are very ancient too.
But there Is certain vilianouS and blood |
thirsty Norman pirate knight Tete-noire,
who, with Genoan called Tito Caracci, |
commonly known as Spade-beard, hath
been a mighty scourge upon these
coasts. Indeed, my lord, they are very
cruel and black-hearted men, graceless |
and ruthless. They have come in two
great galleys, with two banks of oars on
either side, and great store of engines OF
war and of men-at-arms At Weymouth
tad at Portland they have murdered and
ravisbed Yesterday morning they were
at Cowes, and we saw the smoke from the
burning crofts. To-day they lie at their
ease near Freshwater, and we fear much
lest they come upon US and do US mis-
Chief
I'VE cannot tarry," said Sir Nigel,
riding toward the town, with the mayor
upon his left side; ''the Prince awaits US
at Bordeaux, and we may not be behind
the general muster. Yet | will promise
you that on our way we shall find time to
pass Freshwater and to prevail upon
these rovers to leave you in peace.
We are much beholden to you."
eiied the mayor. but ! cannot see, my
lord. how, without warship, you may
venture against these men. With your
archers, however, you might we'll hold the
town and do them great scath II they
attempt to land"
There is a very proper cog out yon-
der" said Sir Nigel. lit would be very
strange thing ii any ship were not war
ship when II had such men as these upon
her decks. Certes, we shall do as / say,
and that no later than this very day.
my lord" said o rough-haired, dark
faced man, who walked by the knights
other stirrup, with his head slopcl TO
catch all that he was saying, by your
leave, have no doubt that you are skilled
ia land fighting and the marshallng of
lances, but, by my soul! you will find II
another thing upon the sea. am master
shipman OF this yellow cog, and my name
is Goodwin Hawtayne. ! have sailed
since l was as high as this staff, and
have fought against these Normans and
against the Genoese, as well as the
Scotch, the Bretons, the Spanish ana the
Moors. | tell you, sir, that my ship Is
and over-frail for such work,
and il will but end in our having our
throats cut, or being sold as slaves TO !
the Barbary heather"
II also have experienced one or two
gentle and honorable ventures upon the
sea- quoth Sir Nigel, land | am tight !
blithe to have so fair a task before us. :
| think, good master-shipman. that you
and may win great honor in this matter,
and can see very readily that you are l
a brave and stout man."
II like it not" said the other stur. s
Oily. I'm Gods name, like ii not
ANU yet 0uou4Fin llaWtul hS hCe
man to stand back when his fellows are
Tor pressing forward. By my soul be II y
sink or swim, shall turn her beak into
Freshwater Bay, and il good Master I
Witherton of Southampton like not my 9
handling Of his ship, then be may find
mother MASTER"
The throng moved on. until at the very $
gate ii was brought to a stand by \
stout man, who came darting .
'orth from the town with rage in every 4
feature of his rubicund face. y
How now, Sir Mayor" he roared, In u
. voice like a bull "How now, Sir a
Mayor? How of the clans and the q
"By our Lady, my sweet Sir Oliver"
.ried the mayor, 81 have had so much to y
hink of. with these wicked Williams, so "
lose upon US, that it had quite gone out q
II my head"
sir Nigel, laughing. "Let your anger be n
lppeased. since instead of this dish you
ONE upon an old friend and comrade." Il
aBv 81. Martin of Tours y shouted the p
at knight, his wrath all changed IN an g
Instant to JOY, "if it Is not my dear little II
anne rooster of the Garonne. All, my e
weet coz, ! am right glad to see you. r
What DAVIS we have seen together. q
ssThe clans and scallops shall be ready v
rifhin the hour" the mayor answered. d
4 had asked Sir Oliver Buttesthorn 70 r.
u nv humble board the honor to partake al
4 ii Of the dainty upon which we take 2
-- uAkf. .,ei.1s ht.f Il, soofh this alarm bl