The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-02-09

\VIL times fell upon England IL
the year t34S, when the great
~ plague devastated the land. II
was during this period that the story
of Sir Nigel takes place.
The house of Loring, like many an.
other noble family, felt the heavy hand
of misfortune; for after the Barons'
War and lawsuits with Waverly Abbey
the men of the church and the men of
the law left nothing but the manor of
Tilford for the remaining members OF
the family, Lady Ermyntrude and her
grandson Nigel.
Nigel Loring came of race of
heroes, his grandfather having fallen
at the battle of Stirling, and his father
in the sea fight of Sluys Nigel, bis
veins thrilling with the blood of hun
dred soldiers, was filled with the de-
sire for adventure and combat; having
been trained at the desire of his grand
he became also q daring rider. At
times a fierce bitterness assaulted Nigel
at the thought of the wrongs done by
the Abbot of Waverly, whom he be
lieved had robbed the Lorings of much
of their estate.
On the first day of May. the Festival
of the Apostles Philip and james, con=
sternation reigned at the Abbey, when
it was found that a large pike had
eaten the carp in Abbot Johns fish
pond, Nigel being accused Of putting
the pike in the pond. Abbot John and
the sacrist, Brother Samuel, were in
consultation upon the subject. when
they were rudely interrupted by buzz
of excitement among the monks in the
cloister. A white-faced brother flung
open the door and rushing into the
room cried, Father Abbot, alas, alas.
Brother John is dead, and the Sub
prior is dead, and the Devil is loose
in the five virgate field"
Now what the brother called the
'Devil" was great yellow horse held
st the Abbey for the debt of his owner.
Franklin Aylward; such horse. it was
said, was not to be found betwixt the
Abbey and the Kings stables at Wind
scr.
1t was a sorry day that brought the
horse to the Abbey, for no one there
could be found who would or could
ride him or conquer him; he had in
deed nearly killed the Brother and the
Subprior.
Abbot John and the monks, intent
upon seeing, with their own eyes, this
terrible creature, buried down the
stairs and gained the wall of the mea-
dow, where looking over its top they
beheld the magnificent horse standing
fetlock deep in the meadow grass. Up
on this wild scene there arrived riding
his pony the young Squire Lorlng,
small of stature. but with muscles of
steel, and a soul of fire; his face,
though tanned with the weather, was
delicate of feature. His whole appear
ahce made him a mark for the sight of
any passer-by, but at the first glance,
the brown face set in its golden hair
and beard, and the daring light Of the
quick, reckless, laughing eyes, male
the one strong memory left behind.
The horse was at the moment tram
ping his latest victim and Nigel, spring
ing from his pony. was over the wall
land at battle with the creature, prov
ing himself master. Some discussion
arose an )ng the monks as to the kill
ing of 81 yellow horse, or the giving
him to -,.gel as punishment: tie last
suggestion finally won, and Nigel pro-
,eeded to further subdue the hereto
fore untamable creature called "Pom.
merS."
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 notable ride
ever known to that part of the world.
and the authors description recording
It Is a gem worth reading; also it is
the key to Nfgel's whole character. A
nearly forgotten ballad upon the sub
ject has the following refrain:
1.-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 a 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 NigeTs hand.
''YOu are my horse, POmmers," Nigel
| whispered, and laid his cheek against
the craning head. Il know you. Pom
mers, and you know me, ard with the
help of Saint Paul we shall teach some