Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-08
CHAPTER XVI
How Nigel Found His Third Deed

-FOUR archers Law behind clunp of bushes
ten yards in front of the thick hedge
which shielded their companions. Amid the
long line of bowmen, those behind them were
their own company, and in the main the same
who were with knolles in Brittany The four
in front were their leaders. old Wat of Car
Isle, Ned Wellington the red-headed Dales-
man, the bald bowyer Bartholomew, and Sam
kin Awkward newly Tejoined after a weeks
absence. All four were munching bread and
apples for Awkward had brought in a full
haversack and divided them freely amongst
his starving comrades. The old Borderer and
the Yorkshirenan were gaunt and hollow-eyed
with privation, while the bowers round face
had fallen in so that the skin hung in loose
pouches under his eyes and beneath his
Jaws
Behind them lines of haggard, wolfsh men
glared through the underwood, silent and
watchful, save that they burst into fierce
yelp of welcome when Chandos and Nigel gal.
loped up, sprang from their horses and took
their station beneath them. All along the
green fringe of bowmen might be seen the
steel-clad figures of knights and squires who
had pushed their way into the front line to
share the fortune of the archers.
81 call to mind that | once shot six ends
with Kentish woldsman at Ashford" be-
gan the bowyer.
Nay, nay, we have heard that storyl"
said old Wat impatiently. shut thy clap
Bartholomew; for it is no time for redeless
gossip! Walk down the line, | pray you and
see if there be no frayed string, nor broken
mock, nor loosened whipping to be mended
The stout bowyer passed down the fringe of
bowmen, amidst a running fire of rough wit.
Here and there a bow was thrust out at him
through the hedge for his professional advice.
Wax your heads!'' he kept crying Pass
down the waX-pot and wax your headsl A
waxed arrow will pass where dry will be
held. Tom Beverley, you jack-fooll where is
your bracer-guard? Your string will fay your
arm ere you reach your up-shot this day.
And you, Watkin, draw not to your mouth, as
is your won't but to your shoulder You are
SO used to the wine-pot that the string must
needs follow it. Nay, stand loose and give
space for your drawing arms; for they will be
on us anon"
He ran back and joined his comrades in the
front, who had now risen to their feet Be-
hind them half-mile of archers stood behind
the hedge, each with his great war-bow strung
half a dozen shafts loose behind him, and
eighteen more in the culver slung across his
front. With arrow on string, their feet firm
planted, their fierce eager faces peering through
the branches, they awaited the coming storm
The broad food of steel, after oozing slowly
forward, had stopped about a mile from the
English front. The greater part of the army
had then descended from their horses, while a
crowd of varlets and hostlers led them to the
rear The French formed themselves now
into three great divisions. which shimmered in
the sun like silvery pools, reed-capped with
many thousand of banners and pennons
A space of several hundred yards divided each
At the same time two bodies of horsemen
formed themselves in front The first con-
sisted OF three hundred men in one thick col