Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1906-08-11
CHAPTER XIII.

let velvet spangled with silver tleurs-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, a liyid face, and a cold blue eye.
lie lounged back in a careless position,
and yaWned repeatedly. On the other
throne there was perched bolt upright,
IL little round pippin-faced person,
who smiled and bobbed to everyone
whose eyes he CHANGED to meet. Be-
tween, and a little in front of them, on
q humble charette or stool, sat a slim
sdark young man, whose quiet attire and
modest manner would scarce proclaim
him to be the most noted prince in
Europe. He sat ,sIlh his hands clasped
round his knee, his head slightly bent,
and an expression of trouble upon his
clear, well-chiSelled features. Below on
either side of the steps were forty or
fifty English and Gascon barons, knights,
and courtiers.
There sits the prince" whispered Sir
John Chandos as they entered. lie on
the right is Pedro. whom we are abo1t
to pun upon the Spanish throne. The
other is Don James, whom we purpose
with the aid of God 10 help to his throne
i'll Majorca.
The prince had observed their entrance,
and, springing to his feet, he had adj
vanced with a winning smile and the
light of welcome in his eyes.
Welcome to Aquitaine. Sir Nigel Lor-
ing and Sir Oliver Buttesthorn.' said
he. Nay, keep your knee for my sweet
father at Windsor. | would have your
hands. my friends. We are like to give
downs of Hampshire once more. How
many have YOU in your train!'
Il have forty men-at-arms, sire said
Sir Oliver.
And [ have one hundred archers and
a score of lanceS; there are also three
hundred men of the White Company who
wait for me on this side of the water up
on the borders of Navarro"
I'VE hope to see YOU both in the BAN
quet-hall anon rejoined the prince. He
bowed. and C%handos, plueking Sir Oliver
by the sleeve, led them both away to the
back of the press of courtiers.
The young ruler had sat listlessly upon
his stool with the two, puppet monarchs
enthroned behind him, but of a sudden n
dark shadow passed over his face. and
he sprang to his feet in one of those
gusts Of passion which were the single
blot upon his noble and generous char
acter.
How now, Don Martin de Ia Carra?'
he cried. How, now, sirrah? What
message do YOU bring to us from our
brother of Navarre?' The newcomer
TO whom this abrupt query had been adj
dressed was a tall and handsome cavalier
who had just been ushered into the
apartment. Are the passes open to us.
or does YOUR master go back from his
word pledged to me at Libourne no later
than last Michaelmas?'
1T would ill become my gracious
master, sire, to go back from promise
given. lie does but ask some delay and
certain conditions and hostages"
Conditions! Hostages! is he speak
ing TO the Prince of England, or is it to
the bourgeois provost of some half-cnp-
tured town? Conditions, quotha? lie
may find much to mend in his own condi.
ton, ere long. The passes are, then,
closed to usI'
NAY, sir"
''They are open, then?'
NAY, sire. if you would BUT
Enough, enough, Don Martin" cried
the prince. 1T is a sorry sight to see so
true a knight pleading in so false a cause.
We know the doings of u 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 10 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 seullion %farrier selling a
elandered horse. lie is"
My lord" cried Don Martin, l cannot
stand here to hear such words of my
master. Did they come from other lips
| should know better how to answer
them
Your bearing and your words, Don
Martin, are such as | should have looked
for in YOU. You will tell the king, your
master. that he hath been paid his price,
and that if he holds to his promise he
hath my word for it that no scath shall
come TO his people, nor to their houses
or gear. If, however, we have not his
leave. | shall come close Mt the heels OF
this message without his leave, and bear
ing a key with me which shall open all
that he may close. Where is my Lord
Chandos? lIa, Sir John. | commend this
worthy knight to your care. You will
see that ne hath rejection, and such a
purse of gold as may defray his charges,
for indeed it is great honor to any court
to have within it so noble and gentle n
cavalier
But have tidings for you, my lords
and lieges. that our brother of Lancaster
is on his way for our capital with tour
hundred lances and as many archers 10
aid us in our venture. we shail tneh
join the army at OAK and set u n
ners to the breeze once more
A buzz of Joy at the prospect or I'M
mediate action rose up from the group or
warriors. The prince smiled at the mar
tial ardor which shone upon every lace
around him,
ut will hearten you to know" he con-
tinued, that | nave sure advices that this
Henry is a very valiant leader, and That
he has it in his power to. make such a
stand against rs as promises to give us
much honor and pleasure. 1t 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 Pieardy
and Brittany. We hold Bertrand in high
esteem, for he oft before been at
great pains to furnish us with an honor
abe encounter. What think o of it,
my worthy Captal2 He took Won at
Cocherel, md. by my soul! you will have
the chance now to pay that score"
The Gascon warrior addressed WINGED
n little at the allusion. nor were his
countrymen around him better pleased
for on the only occasion when thev had
encountered the arms of France without
English aid they had met with n heavy
defeat.
"There are some who say, sire" said
the hurly De Gibson. 'that the scoro is
already overpaid. for that without Gas
con help Bertrand Ind not been taken
NJ Aurov nor had King John been over