Connecticut western news., 1921-05-05


 Then he turned away, no longer a
 lisht-hearted boy.
 At Twynham castle AIleyne met his angel again. She was the Lorings
 only child. He became squire to Sir Nigel, while Lady Loring engaged him to teach the wayward 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 a 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.
 Twin my fathers love and all may follow" she told him.
 Sir Nigel was small man with a lisping voice, but when he said, '1et us debate the matter further" it meant a fight. He spoke of his "small deeds" and he called a deadly hand to-hand fight a "small pickering" With Alleyne. John Aylward and one hundred and fifty archers and men, at-arms he set sail for France. They fought bloody battle with two pirate craft. AIleyne had his first taste of war and fought bravely. Sir Nigers sword flashed everywhere at once. Aylward 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 a fast sinking ship they landed at Bordeaux where King Ed ward was mastering his forces, to car ry 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 un- 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 ozt to take command, With him were Aylward and John and his two squires, Alleyne, 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 was Du Guesclin, a French knight, known to Sir Nigel. His wife. Lady Tiphaine, was with him. They all went for the night to a chateau. Here they found several other knights and squires. They had, a great feast and made merry, un- mindful of the starving peasants.
 Lady Tiphaine went into a 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 Nigel's castle besieged by a mob led by big yelfow-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 he laughed at the idea.
 When all were asleep the enraged peasants stole into the chateau and murdered all but eight. Sir Nigel, All leyne, Aylward, John, Lu Guesclin and his wife, and two others fought their way to the keep. In a narrow passage at the head of the stairs they held the mob off 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.
 'gTo your arms, menl" roared Sir Nigel. "Shoot while you may, and then out swords and let us live or die together"
 Sir Nigel sent Alleyne for help. Sorely wounded he lashed himself to his horse, broke through the Spanish lines and, nearly dead, reached the When the rescue party ar rived and drove away the Spaniards the flag still waved, with only John and six archers around 1t. All the rest were either killed or taken pris- oner.
 The fame of the White company 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 Aylward were taken prisoners but escaped, seized a small |