The Breckenridge news., 1906-08-01
CHAPTER XIII.

u
let velvet spangled with silver fieurs-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 livid 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,
little round pippinfaced person,
who smiled and bobbed to everyone
whose eyes he CHANGED to meet. He-
tween, and a little in front of them, on
a 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. lie sat Tlth his hands clasped
round his knee, his head slightly bent,
and an expression of trouble upon his
clear, wel-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. "lle 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 10 help to his throne
in 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
you some work to do ere you see the
downs of Hampshire once more. How
many have you in your trainE
81 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 Chandos, plucking 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 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
actor.
How now. Don Martin de In Carra?'
he cried. How now, sirrah? What
message do you bring to us from our
TO whom this abrupt query had been adj
dressed was n 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 Mt Libourne no later
than last MchaclmasV
1T would i'll 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 halt-cap-
turcd town! Conditions, Quotha! lie
may find much to mend in his own condi-
ton, ere long. The passes are, then,
closed to usT
NAY, sir"
''They are open, thenY
'Nay. sire, if YOU would but"
Enough, enough, Don Martin" cried
the prince. 1T is a sorry sight to see so
true n knight pleading in 80 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 10 Henry
TraStamare. or TO the King Of France. all
ready TO take MS many more for the keep
ing them closed, | know our good
Charles. and he shall learn that | know
him. lie sets his kingdom up TO the best
bidder. like some scullion farrier selling
glandered horse. lie is
NV lOI0s NIleQ ltbH Aldlllls NalliilON
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 il that no scath shall
come TO his people, nor to their houses
or gear IT, however, we have not his
leave. | shall come close at 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
Chandosf IIa. Sir John. commend this
worthy knight to your care. You will
see that he hath rejection, and such
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
cavalier
But / have tidings for you. my lords
and lieges that our brother of Lancaster
is on his way for our capital with four
hundred lances and as many archers to
aid us in our venture. We shall then
join the army AT Dax and set our BAN
ners to the breeze once more"
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 n very valiant leader, and that
be has il in his power to make such a
stand against us as promises TO give us
much honor and pleasure. II 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 leves from Picardy
and Brittany We hold Bertrand in high
esteem. for he oft before been at
great pains to furnish ms with an honor
abe encounter. What think YOU OF II.
nv worthy Captal2 He took you at
Cocherel. and, 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 heavy
defeat
"There are some who say. sire" said
the burly De CIisson. shat the score is
already overpaid, for that without Gas
con help Bertrand had not been taken
ot Aurav. nor had King John been over