The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-05-21

L II,
but Nigel held fast and at last they
were over the four-foot gate and away.
Then took place the most notable ride
ever known to that part Of the world,
and the authors description recording
1t Is gem worth reading: also it is
the key to Nigel's whole character. A
nearly forgotten ballad upon the SUBJ
ject has the following refrain:
THE Doe that sped on Hinde Head,
The Kestril on the winde.
And Nigel on the Yellow Horse
Can leave the world behinde."
After long battle of wills, the horse
was broken and conquered; he fell in
the heather with sobbing sigh, throw
Ing 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-fecked face, and
the whinnying Pommers thrust his
nose into the hollow of Nigers hand.
you are my horse, Pommers," Nigel
whispered, and laid his cheek against
the craning head. II know you, POM
mers, 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 Alb.
bot for trial, was judged guilty and
sentenced to Imprisonment; 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. Tragedy was immi-
nent, when Samkin Awkward, famous
archer, came to Nigel's rescue, at once
attaching himself to the young Squire's
service, and afterward following him
into many dangers.
Into the midst now came a man
whose appearance dominated the scene.
This was the famous soldier, John
Chandos, with message to Nigel Lor-
ing. Said Chandos, "He who comes
to seek the shelter of your roof is your
liege lord and mine. the Kings high
majesty, Edward Of England"
While guest at Tilford Abbey,
Chandos' stories filled the mind and
heart of Nigel with a stronger desire
than ever for adventure and he begged
to go as Chandos' Squire, under the
standards of the King, Edward of Eng
land. 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 Aylward,, and at the
last his long-wished-for suit of armor,
and small amount of gold.
There, was, however one visit must
be made before leaving home, and that
was to see Mary, the daughter of the
old Knight of Duplin, 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, Nigel
and Mary said their farewells, and the.
young Squire vowed to perform three
noble deeds of valor in her honor, ere
he came to see his Mary again; but
that no thought of her should stand
twixt him and this honorable achieve
ment.
| Nigel sought constantly for some
deed to perform and lesser ones came
to hand frequently, but it was not untik
he was at Winshelsea, with Chandos,
that his first great opportunity came.
1t was found that the plans of the.
o. 70 OH hn, of hrT.
the Princes army had been stolen. and
it was suspected that cunning, dar-
ing Frenchman, called the "Red Fer
ret" had taken them and was then
already on his way across the Chan
mel. Nigel started in pursuit with
Awkward and other followers. After
long chase and hard-fought battle,
Nigel caught the Red Ferret and saved
the English plans; but as his enemy
was so gallant man Nigel begged his
life of the King and so saved him. He
sent the Ferret to Mary at Cosford.
with the message that the first deed
was accomplished.
Nigel then stormed the famous castle.
of La Brohinere, where lived the
Knight called the Butcher of Brohi.
nere," who was said never to let a,
prisoner escape alive from his castle
Here at great risk of his own life,
Nigel rescued not only his man Sam,
Awkward and other comrades, but a
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
Chandos into Brittany when the third
deed was found There had been hot
furious fighting and Nigel, riding Pom
mers, plunged forward, unseating and
taking captive one of the enemy. Hav-
ing the Freachu,an at his mercy, Nigel
might have k.Aed him at once, or held
him for ransom, but he had made
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 exclaimed,