The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-05-21

lSnt-ne0Fteu boy.
At Twynham castle Alleyne met hi.
angel again. She was the Lorings
only child. He became squire to Sil
Nigel, while Lady Loring engaged hicn
to teach the hayward Maude and two
other girls. Maude was no easy pupil
given to strange moods. In spite OF
the abbot's warning, teaching three
girls was to Alleyne joyous expert
ence.
Time came for him to follow Sir
Nigel to the wars. Maude was far
above him in station, yet he told her
Of his love and begged her for some
word of hope.
"Win my fathers love and all may
follow" she told him.
Sir Nigel was small man with a
lisping voice, but when he said, 'let US
debate the matter further" it meant
fight. He spoke Of his "small
Deeds" and he called a deadly hand
to-hand fight a "smaIl pickering"
With Alleyne, John Aylward and one
hundred and fifty archers and men,
alarms he set sail for France. They
fought bloody battle with two pirate
craft. Alleyne had his first taste OF
war and fought bravely. Sir Nigels
sword flashed everywhere at once.
Awkward led the archers and John
took the big Norman captain prisoner
by sheer strength. They lost nearly
all their men but captured both pirate
ships. In q fast sinking ship they
landed at Bordeaux where King Ed
ward was mastering his forces to car
~ the war into Spain. Here Alleyne
fought a duel and came out a hero.
Five English knights held the lists
against all Corners. The English won
two bouts, their opponents two, and
Sir Nigel won the fifth. Then an I'M
known knight came forth from the
east and challenged the victors. -Four
knights went down before him IN
short order, but Sir Nigel broke even.
The White company was at Lax and
he set out to take command. With
him were Awkward and John and his
two squires, AJleyne and Ford. In
the brushwood they saw many strange
lean people who fed before them.
Some were too weak with hunger to
move. Their feudal lord had taken
the last fruits Of their toll. At hotel
they found the strange champion OF
the tournament. He wSs Du Guesclin,
French knight, known to Sir Nigel.
His wife, Lady Tiphaine, was with
him. They all went for the night to q
chateau. Here they found several
other knights and squires. They had
great feast and made merry, I'M
mindful of the starving peasants.
Lady Tiphaine went into trance.
which she called the blessed hour OF
sight. She saw the English driven
out Of France, but the power Of Eng
land spread to many lands. She saw
Sir NigeIs castle besieged by mob
led by a big yellow-haired man. Lady
Loring and Maude stood on the wall,
directing the defenders. The big lead
er was slain and his followers dis
persed. She told her husband that he
also was In great danger but ne
laughed at the idea.
When all were asleep the enraged
peasants stole. into the chateau and
murdered all but eight. Sir Nigel, Al
leyne, Awkward. John, Lu Guesclin
and his wife, and two others fought
their way to the keep. In narrow
passage at the head of the stairs they
held the mob on. The peasants set
fire to the buildings. The stairs fell
away and they were about to be en-
veloped In flames when the White
company arrived and rescued them.
Sir Nigel and the White company,
four hundred strong, Joined Edwards
army and marched into Spain. Sent
| ahead to reconnoiter, they stole up
near a Spanish camp and did some
small deeds. Horde John captured
a Spanish knight by the foot and held
him for a ransom. Later, they were
surprised by large force OF cavalry.
On a rocky hill they made their last
stand.
sTo your arms. men!" roared Sill
Nigel. "Shoot while you may. and
then out swords and let US live OF
die together"
Sir Nigel sent Alleyne for help
Sorely wounded he dashed himself fo
his horse, broke through the Spanish
lines and. nearly dead. reached the
English. When the rescue party ar
rived and drove away the Spaniards
the flag still waved, with only John
| and six archers around it. All the
rest were either killed or taken pris.
Oner.
The fame Of the White company
Travelled far. Alleyne was knighted
John got five thousand crowns ran
som, and the two hurried back to Eng
land. Maude Loring, hearing that
every one Of the company had been
killed, had entered a nunnery. but AL
leyne took her home and they were
/ married.
Sir Nigel and Awkward were taker
prisoners but escaped. seized small
| coaster and came home with ricF
cargo. Awkward wed the dame Eliza
John became Alleyne's squire, ant
they all lived many years filed witt
honor and happiness and laden witt
i every blessing.