The Breckenridge news., 1906-07-25

across the broad, sluggish, reed-glrt
stream-men, horses, and baggage IN the
fiat ferry barges-and so Journeyed on
through the fresh morning air past Ex-
bury to Lepe. Topping the heathy down,
they came of a sudden full in sight OF the
old seaport. Some way out from the
town a line of PRISONERS, creyers, and
other small craft were rolling lazlly on
the gentle swell Further out still lay
a great merchant ship, high-ended, deep,
waisted, painted of a canary yellow, AMI
towering above the fishing boats like
swan among ducklings.
by St PAUL" said the knight, our
good merchant of Southampton hath not
PLAYED us false, for methinks | can see
our shin down yonder. He said that she
would be of great size and of yellow
shade
"By ny hilt yes 20 muttered Aylward
"she is yellow as a kites claw, and would
carry as many men as there are pips IN
pomegranate.
"It 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
a flash and sparkle from among yonder
houses which assuredly never came from
shipman's jacket or the gaberdine OF
burgher.'
can also Ntt H. Sdlu -AlltN sheih
ing his eyes with his hand. And l can
see men-at-arms in yonder boats which
DIV betwixt the vessel and the shore.
But methinks that we are very welcome
here, for already they come forth TO meet
us"
A tumultuous crowd of fishermen. citi-
4ens. and women had indeed swarmed
out from the northern gate, approached
them I'D the side of the moor, waving
and dancing with 10y. as
though a great fear had been rolled back
from their minds. At their head rode
very large and solemn man with long
chin and dropping lip. lie wore tur
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 :" he cried, dofling his bonnet. You
see in me the mayor and chief magistrate
OF the ancient and powerful town of Lepe.
l bid you very heartily welcome, and the
more so as you are come at moment
when we are sore put to ii for defence.
"Ha :" cried Sir Nigel, pricking up bis
ears.
Yes. my lord, for the town being very
ancient, and the walls as old as the town,
il follows that they are very ancient too.
But there is certain yillianOus and blood
thirsty Norman pirate knight Tete-noire.
who. with a Genoan called Tito Caraccl,
commonly known as Spade-beard, hath
been 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 gallays, with two banks of oars on
either side, and great store of engines OF
war and of men-at-arms. At Weymouth
and at Portland they have murdered and
ravishcd. 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 rovcrs TO leave you in peace.
I'VE are much beholden to you
Uied 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 tdey
attempt TO land.
There is n very proper cog out yon-
der." said Sir Nigel; 1T would be very
strange thing if any ship were not VAR
ship when it had such men as these upon
her decks. Certes, we shall do as say,
aud that no later than this very day.
My lord" said a 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, 1 have no doubt that you are skilled
in land fighting and the marsha.ling OF
lances, but by my soul you will find il
another thing upon the sea. l am master
shipman of this yellow cog, and my name
is Goodwin Hawtayne. | have sailed
since | was as high as this staff. and
have fought against these NormanS ald
against the Genoese, as well as the
Scotch the Bretons, the Spanish, ana tue
Moors. / tell you, sir, that my snip -
overnight and over-frail for such work,
and il will but end in our having our
throats cut, or being sold as slaves 10
the Barbary heathen.'
Il also have experienced one or Two
gentle and honorable ventures upon the
sea" quoth Sir Nigel, "and l am right
blithe to have so fair a task before MS
| think, good master-shipman, that yo4
and | may win great honor in this matter
and / can see very readily that you are
d brave and stout man.
Il like il not said the other sur.
dily In Gods name, | like it not
And vet Goodwin Hawtayne is not the
for pressing forward. BY my soul be 1t
sink or swim, | shall turn her beak into
Freshwater Bay, and if good Master
Witherton of Southampton like not my
handling of his ship, then he may ind
another master.
The throug moved on, until at the very
gate il was brought to a stand by
wondrously stout man, who came darung
forth from the town with rage in every
4. &c is pttl,igupl faRa
"How now. Sir Mayor he roared, IN
n voice like bull. "Iow now, Sir
Mayor? How of the clans and the
scalopsE 81,
"By our Lady, my sweet Sir Oliver,
cried the mayor, 81 have had so much to
think of. with these wicked Williams, so
close upon u.s. that it had quite gone out
Of my head" -,
NAY. Sir Oliver, Sir Oliver" cried
Sir Nigel. laughing. Let your anger be
sppeased. since instead Of this dish you
come upon an old friend and comrade.'
"By St. Martin of Tours shouted the
fat knight. his wrath all changed in an
instant to joy, "if it is not my dear little
game rooster of the Garonne. All, my
sweet coz. | am right glad to see you.
What days we have seen together
"The clans and scallops shall be ready
within the hour the mayor answered.
81 had asked Sir Oliver Buttesthorn to
l.. Il tb.. honor 10 nor a