The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-08-03
CHAPTER XIII.

The princes reception-room was fitted
up with all the state and luxury which
the fame and power of its owner de
handed. A high dais at the further end
was rooted in by broad canopy of scar
let velvet spangled with silver heurs-de-
lis.
In the center Of the dais were two
very high chairs. On that to the right
sat tall and well-formed man with red
hair, a livid face, and a cold blue eye.
He lounged back in a careless position,
and yawned repeatedly. On the other
throne there was perched bolt upright,
little round pippin-faeed person,
who smiled and bobbed to everyone
whose eyes he CHANGED to meet. Be
tween, and little in front of them, on
q humble charette or stool, sat a slim
dark young man, whose quiet attire and
modest manner would scarce proclaim
him TO be the most noted prince in
Europe. He sat with 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 Gasc0n barons, knights,
and courtiers.
There sits the prince" whispered Sir
John Chandos as they entered. "He on
the right Is Pedro, whom we are about
to. put upon the Spanish throne. The
with the aid of God to help to his throne
in Majorca.
The prince had observed their entrance,
and, springing to his feet, he had adj
yanced 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 train?"
Il have forty men-at-arms, sire" said
Sir Oliver.
" And l 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 lstlessly upon
his stool with the two puppet monarchs
enthroned behind him, bat of a sudden a
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
"Iiow now. Don Martin dc Ia Carra7"
he cried. How now, sirrah? What
message do you bring to us from our
brother of NavarreT The newcomer
TO whom this abrupt query had been adj
dressed was 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
fhap In 81 Mioho 9o
lit 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! Hostagesl Is he speak
ing to the Prince Of England, or is 1t to |
the bourgeois provost. of some half-cap-
tured town? Conditions, quotha? lie |
may find much to mend in his own condi.
ton, ere long. The passes are, then,
closed to us2"
NAY, sir"
s'They are open, then2'
''Nay, sire, II you would but
Enough, enough, Don Martin" cried
the prince. 1T is q sorry sight to see 80
true n knight pleading in so false cause.
We know the doings of our Cousin
Charles. We know that while with the
right hand he takes our fifty thousand
for the holding Of the passes open,
he hath his left outstretched to Henry
Trastamare, or to the King OF France, all
ready to 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 scullion farrier selling a
glandered horse. He 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 be hath been paid his price,
and that II 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. II, however, we have not his
leave, ! shall. come close at tho heels OF
this message without his leave, and bear
ing key with me which shall open all
that he may close. Where is my Lord
ChandosP Ha, Sir John, commend this
worthy knight to your care. You will
see that he hath rejection, and such a
purse of gold as may defray his charges,
for indeed I Is great honor to any court
to have within 1t SO noble and gentle q
cavalier"
.'But | have tidings for yon, my lords
and lieges, that our brother Of Lancaster
Ii on his way for our capital with four
hundred lanees 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"
A buzz of joy at the prospect OF inn
mediate action rose up from the group OK
warriors. The prince smiled at the mar
tial ardor which shone upon every face
around him.
'.It will hearten you to know" be con-
tinued, that | have sure adyices that this
Henry is n very valiant leader, and that
be has It in his power to make such
stand against us 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 Picardy
and Brittany. We hold Bertrand In high
esteem. for he oft before been at
great pains TO furnish M with an honor
/ he encounter. What think Won of it.
my worthy Capital? He took yon at
and. BY my soul you win have
the chance now to pay that score"
The Gascon warrior addressed WINGED
/ little at the allusion, nor were his
around him better pleased
Tor on the only occasion when thew had
encountered the arms Of France without
Brglish aid they had met with heavy
defeat.
saThere are some who say, sire" said
he burly De Clisson. "fhaf the score Is
already overpaid, for that without Gas
ron help Bertrand had not been taken
il Auray. nor had King John been over