Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1920-09-13

the DeaCner WITH SOUDlHS sign, tHAo"
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 Nigel's hand.
r"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
| ard her DEGREES. Tragedy was fmmi-
rent, when Samkin Aylward. famous
archer, come to Nigel's rescue. ut once
attaching himself to the young Squire's
service, and afterward following him
into many dangers.
Into the midst now came 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 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 a 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 il the
castle ut Cosford. Mary of the crave
eyes Of brown looking hravely ut 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 until
he was at Winchelsea, with ChandOs,
that his first great opportunity came.
1t was found that the plans Of the
attack upon the French at Calais by
the Princes army had been stolen, and
1t 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 iL pursuit with
Awkward and other followers. After
n long chase and hard-fOught battle.
Nigel caught the Red Ferret and saved
the English plans; hut rs 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 COsfOrd.
with the messaget that the first deed
was accomplished.
Nigel then StOrmed the famous castle
of La Brohinere, where lived the
Knight called the Butcher of BrOhi-
mere" 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
young Frenchman who later, however,
died praising his rescuer. Then news
Of the second deed was sent to Mary
ut 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, unscating and
taking captive one of the enemy. Hav-
ing the Frenchman at his mercy. Nigel
might have killed him at once. or held
him for ransom, but he lad 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.
"For my part I had rather have the
honor this Squire has gathered, than
all the richest ransoms Of France"
Whereupon the Prince with his sword
touched Nigels shoulder as he knelt
before him. and said, England has
lost Il brave squire and gained a gal
liant knight: nay. linser not. rise up,
Sir Nigel" And third message went
to Mary.
Two months later Nigel arrived at
Cosford. and kissing Mary's welcoming
hand he said, Est. Catherine has
brought me home"
DOWNRIGHT. 1918. by the Post Publishing Co
CThe Boston PosD. Printed by permits
sion OF. and arrangement with. Double.
day Page & Co.. authorized Publishers