Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-05

y
Squire Lo3ing, small of stature, but
with muscics of steel, and soul of
fire; his face. though tanned VIII
the weather, was delicate Of feature.
HIS whole appearance made h%l Il
mark for the sight af any passcr-by,
but at the first glance. the brown
face set in golden hair and beard
and the daring light of the quicker.
reckless, laughing eyes, made the
one strong memory left behind.
The horse was at the moment
trampling his latest victim, and
Nigel. springing from his pony, was
over the wall and at battle with the
creature, proving himself master
Some discussion arose among the
monks as to. the killing of the yell
low horse, or the giving him to Nigel
as a punishment; the last suggestion
finally won, and Nigel proceeded to
further Subdue the heretofore I'M
tamable creature called "Pommers."
The horse tried to unseat his rider
but Nigel held fast and at last they
were over the four-foot gate and
away. Then took place the most no
table ride ever known to that part
of the world, and the authors de-
scription recording it is a gem worth
reading; also it is the key to Nigels
whole character. 4 nearly forgotten
ballad upon the subject has the fol-
lowing refrain:
'The Doe that sped on Hinde Head,
The Kestril on the winde,
And Nigel on tE& Yellow Horse
Can leave the world behind"
After a long battle of wills, the
horse was broken and conquered he
fell in the heather with a sobbing
sigh, throwing his rider over his
head stunned. The young squire
was first to recover, and kneeling by
the painting, over-wrought horse, he
gently passed his hand over the
foam-flecked face, and the whinny-
ing Pommers thrust his nose into
the hollow of Nigels hand.
you are my horse, Pommers,"
Nigel whispered, and laid his cheek
against the craning head. Il know
you, Pommers, and you know me, and
with the help of Saint Paul we shall
teach some other folk to know us
both"
The monks of Waverly Abbey held
Nigel for debts and wrongs against
them, and he was hailed before the
abbot for trial, was judged guilty
and sentenced to imprisonme but
when they would have restrained
him, Nigel drew his sword, which
angered the abbot, who charged his
bowman to draw his bow and defend
holy church and her DEGREES. Trag-
edy was imminent, when Samkin Ayl-
ward, a famous archer, came to
OF a. 70 III -
self to the young squires service,
and after wards following him into
many dangers.
Into the midst came a man whose
appearance dominated the scene.
This was the famous soldier, John
Chandos, with message to Nigel
Loring. Said Chandos, HE who
comes to seek the shelter of your
roof is your liege ford and mine, the
kings high majesty, Edward of Eng
land"
While a guest at Tilford Abbey.
Chandos' stories filled the mind and
heart of Nigel with a stronger de-
sire than ever for adventure, and he
begged to go as Chandos' squire, I'M
der the standards of the king, Ed
ward of England, to which Chandos
assented.
Nigel made his arrangements for
leaving home; they were few and
simple, for he had only his Pommers,
his loyal Sam Awkward, and at the
last his long-wished-for suit of ar
NOR, and small amount of gold.
There was, however, one visit must
be made before leaving him, and
that was to see Mary, the daughter
of the old Knight of DupIin, living
in the castle at Cosford Mary of
the grave eyes of brown looking
bravely at the world; the one whom
Nigel loved.
At the shrine of St. Catherine, Nj
get and Harry said their farewells,
and the young squire vowed to per-
form three noble deeds of valor in
her home, ere he came to see his
Mary again; but that no thought Of
her should stand twixt him and this
honorable achievement.
Nigel sought constantly for some
deed to perform and lesser ones came
to hand frequently. but it was not
until he was at Winshelsea, with
Chandos, that his first great oppor-
tunity came.
1t was found that the plans of
the attack upon the French at Calais
by the princes army had been
stolen, and it was suspected that a
cunning, daring Frenchman, called
the Red Ferret" had taken them
and was then already on his way
across the channel Nigel started
in pursuit with Awkward and other
followers. After long chase and
hard-fought battle, Nigel caught
hn or
lish plans, but as his enemy was
so gallant a man Nigel begged his
life of the king and so saved him.
He sent the Ferret to Mary at Co.'S
ford, with the message that the first
deed was accomplished.
Nigel then stormed the famous
castle of La Bohinere. where lived
the knight called the Butcher of
Brchiners," who was said never to
let prisoner escape alive from his
castle. Here at great risk Of his
life, Nigel rescued not only his man
Sam Awkward and other comrades,
but young Frenchman, who later.
however. died, praising his rescuer
Then news of the second deed was
sent to Mary at Cosford.
Nigel had followed on with John
Chandon into Brittany when the
third deed was found. There had
been hot, furious fighting, and Nigel,
riding Pommers, plunged forward
urseating and taking captive one Of
the enemy. Having the Frenchman
at his mercy, Nigel might have killed
him at once, or held him for ransom
but he had made a gallant fight, and
out of admiration and pity the young
squire spared his life and let him
go, only to discover later that he
had had at his mercy none other than
King John of France.
When the prince heard the story
from King John himself, he exclaim-
cd "EOr NV mart | had rather have