tations on all sides, that .
“And of the others?”
was a blood smeared shambles, with I
J«®
“They are all dead—save the Norman which he excited w„
Beaulieu. At early dawn they passed ' Englishmen in those days were skilled goshawks on a heron. Is there not some bodies piled three deep upon each other,
symbol
or
device
upon
their
sails?
”
his strangu personal
across the broad, sluggish, reed-girt and prompt in such matters, for it was
the living cowering behind the dead to > knight who stands behind you. What was
tall and as
J,*““* ■
“
That
on
the
right,
”
said
Edricson,
i
not
long
before
that
Edward
had
embarked
1
would
you
that
we
should
de
with
him?
,
stream—men, horses, and baggage in the
shelter themselves from that sudden
though of a great age. fut
t®
“He must hang on nis own yard,
flat ferry barges—and so journeyed on as many as fifty thousand men in the port “appears to have the head of an Ethiop storm-blast of death. On either side the ■
through the fresh morning air past Ex of Orwell, with their horses and their upon it"
seamen whom Sir Nigel had chosen for said Sir Nigel. "It was my vow and curled from under ills |,|7T
“
'Tis
the
badge
of
Tete-noire
the
of maintenance was as whit* ?®
bury to Lepe. Topping the heathy down, , baggage, all in the space of four-and-
.
, , , , .
the purpose had cast their anchors over • must be done.”
"How, Sir Knight? he cried in broken fallen snow. Yet, from the sm^,®
they came of a sudden full in sight of the 1 twenty hours. So urgent was Sir Nigel Norman,” cried a seaman-mariner. “I the sides of the galleys.
I
English.
"What
do
you
say?
—
to
hang
—
stride and spring of his st,',?“1«
old seaport Some way out from the ou the shore, and so prompt was Goodwin have seen it before, when he harried us
Fore and aft the archers had cleared
that he had not yet
town a line of pessoners, creyers, and i liawtayne on the cog, that Sir Oliver a< Winchelsea. He is a wondrous large the galleys' decks, but from either side 1 the death of a dog. To hang?
and
strong
man,
with
no
ruth
for
man,
Buttesthorn
had
scarce
swallowed
bis
“It is my vow,’ said Sir Nigel shortly. activity of his youth. U , fiLfr®
other small craft were rolling lazily on
the rovers had poured down into the
woman
or
beast.
They
say
that
he
hath
last
scallop
ere
the
peal
of
trumpet
and
1
"From
what
1
hear,
you
thought
little
tbs gentle swell. Further out still lay
like face was clean shaven it/? '*’■
waist, where the seamen and bowmen
priest, save for a long
Xth»'®
a great merchant ship, high-ended, deep- clang of naker announced that all was the strength of six ; and, certes, he hath were pushed back and so mingled with i enough of lunging othere.”
"Feasants, base roturiers! cried the mustache. That he had toS^A®
waisted, painted of a canary yellow, and ready and the anchor drawn. In the last the crimes of six upon bis soul.”
their
foes
that
it
was
impossible
for
their
"By
St.
Faul!
”
said
Sir
Nigel,
"what
boat
which
left
the
shore
the
two
com
might
be
easily
judged
from
h“4®
towering above the fishing boats like a
comrades above to draw string to help i other. “It is their fitting death. But to
manders sat together iu the sheets, a is that upon the other galley?”
i hang—the Seigneur v’Andelys—a man aquiline nose and clear-cut
®
swan among ducklings.
them.
It
was
a
wild
chaos
where
axe
and
"It
is
the
red
cross
of
Genoa.
This
“By St. Paul!” said the knight, “our strange contrast to one another, while Spade-beard is a very noted captain, and sword rose and fell, while Englishmen, with the blood of kings iu his veins—it features had been so disto^’ «¡fl
good merchant of Southhampton hath not under the feet of the rowers was a litter it is his boast that there are no seamen Norman and Italian staggered and reeled l is incredible.”
seams and scars of old wounds
Sir Nigel turned upon h’-i heel, while the loss of one eye which had
played us false, for methinks I can see of huge stones which Sir Nigel had and no archers in the world who can on a deck which was cumbered with
ordered
to
be
carried
to
the
cog.
These
two
seamen
cast
a
noose
over
the
pirate's
from the socket, that there J?.®
our ship down yonder. He said that she
compare with those who serve the Doge bodies and slippery with blood.
neck. At the touch of the cord he
would be of great size and of a yellow once aboard, the ship set her broad main Boccanegra.”
The giant Tete-noire, towering snapped the bonds which bound him, left to remind one of the .iashinr
sail, the breeze blew, the sails bellied,
shade.”
who had been fifty ve
'That we shall prove,” said Goodwin above his fellows and clad from head to dashed one of the archers to the deck, knight
over heeled the portly vessel, and away
fairest as well as the boldS *? *1
“By my hilt, yes!” muttered Aylward;
foot in plate of proof, led on his boarders, and, seizing the other round the waist, English chivalry—Chandos, tte jU
plunged through the smooth, blue liawtayne.
“she is yellow as a kite’s claw, and would she
swinging
a
huge
mace
with
which
he
"They will lay us aboard on either
sprang with him into the sea.
carry as many men as there are pips in a rollers.
knight, the wise councillor, the
“By St Paul!” said Sir Nigel gayly, quarter, my lord,” cried the master. struck to the deck every man who opposed
“By my hilt, he is gone!” cried Ayl warrior.
’Uut|
pomegranate.”
as he stood upon the poop and looked on "See bow they stretch out from each him. On the other side, Spade-beard, a ward, rushing to the side. “They have
"Ha, my little heart of gold!” hecri-l
“It is well,” remarked Terlake; “for either side of him, “it is a land which is other! The Norman hath a mangonel or dwarf in height, but of great breadth of sunk together like a stone.”
darting forward suddenly and th™
methinks, my fair lord, that we are not very well worth lighting for, "id it were a trabuch upon the forecastle. See, they shoulder aud length of arm, had eta
"I am right glad of it,” answered Sir his arms round 8ir Nigel. "I hwmuSl
the only ones who are waiting a passage pity to go to France for what may be bend to the levers! They are about to road almost to the mast, with three
Nigel
:
"for
though
it
was
against
my
you were here, and have been
to Gascony. Mine eye catches at time« had at home. You may bring my harness loose it.”
score Genoese men-at-arms close at his
vow to loose him, I deem that he has you."
»eeni,i
a flash and sparkle from among yonder from below,” he continued, to his squires,
“Aylward,” cried the knight, "pick your heels.
carried
himself
like
a
very
gentle
and
“My fair and dear lord,” said a. I
bouses which assuredly never came from “and also, I pray you, bring up Sir Oliver's three trustiest archers, and see if you can
But help was close at h
Sir Oliver
knight, returning the warrior's
shipman's jacket or the gaberdine of a and we shall don it here. Ye may then rot do something to hinder their aim. Buttesthorn with his men-at-arms had uebonnaire cavalier.”
It was on the morning of Friday, the I have indeed come back to ra s
burgher.”
see to your own gear; for this day you Methinks they are within long arrow swarmed down from the forecastle, while eight-and-twentieth day of November, where
else shall I go that I mIJV?
Sir Nigel, with his three squires. Black
“I can also see it,” said Alleyne, shad will, I hope, make a very honorable en flight.”
two days before the feast of St. Andrew,
ing his eyes with bis hand. “And I can trance into the field of chivalry and prove
“Seventeen score paces,” said the Simon, Aylward, Hordle John, and a that the cog and her two prisoners, after to be a gentle and a hardy knight?”^I
“By “y troth,” said Chandos with .
see men-at-arms in yonder boats which yourselves to be very worthy and valiant archer, running his eye backward and score more, sprang down from the poop running before a northeasterly wind, and
ply betwixt the vessel and the shore. squires. And now, Sir Oliver, as to our forward. “Liy my ten finger-bones! it and hurled themselves into the thickest a weary tacking up the Gironde and the smile, It is veiy fitting that we sW
But methinks that we are very welcome dispositions: would it please you that 1 would be a strange thing if we could not of the fight. Alleyne, as in duty bound, Garonne, dropped anchor at last in front be companions, Nigel, for since you h.«
here, for already they come forth to meet should order them or will you?*’
notch a mark at that distance. Here, kept his eyes ^er on his lord and pressed of the noble city of Bordeaux. With tied up one of your eyes, and I hare 1
us.”
“You, my cockerel, you!
By Our Watkin, of Sow ley, Arnold, Long forward close at his heels. Often had he wonder and admiration, Alleyne, leaning the mischance to lose one of mine »
nave but a pair between ua. Ah'
A tumultuous crowd of fishermen, citi Lady I I am no chicken, but I cannot Williams, let us show the rogues that heard of Sir Nigel's prowess and skill
the bulwarks, gazed at the forest of Oliver! you were on the blind side of™
zens, and women had indeed swarmed claim to know as much of war as tho they have English bowmen to deal with.” with all knightly weapons, but all the over
masts, the swarm of boats darting hither and
I saw you not.
"
out from the northern gate, approached squire of Sir Walter Manny. Settle the
The three archers named stood at the tales that had reached his ears fell far and thither on the boBorn of the broad,
So saying, he led the way to the im»
them up the side of the moor, waving matter to your own liking.”
further end of the poop, balancing them short of the real quickness and coolness curving
stream,
and
the
gray,
crescent
their hands and dancing with joy, as
chamber, the two companions treadiu
“You shall fly your pennon upon the selves with feet widely spread and bows of the man. It was as if the devil was
though a great fear had been rolled back foie-part, then, and I upon the poop. drawn, until the heads of the cloth-yard in him, for he sprang here and sprang shaped city which stretched with many close at his heels, and nodding to right
a
tower
aud
minaret
along
the
western
and left as they caught sight of first»/,
from their minds. At their head rode a For foreguard I shall give you your own arrows were level with the centre of the there, now thrusting aud now cutting,
™
very large and solemn man with a long forty men, with two-score archers. Two- stave. “You are the surer, Watkin,” catching blows on his shield, turning them shore. Never bad he in his quiet life faces among the crowd.
seen
so
great
a
town,
nor
was
there
iu
chin and drooping lip. He wore a fur score men, with my own men-at-arms and said Aylward, standing by them with with his blade, stooping under the swing
ITo
be
OonHnued
Seat
IPeek)
the
whole
of
England,
save
London
alone,
tippet round his neck and a heavy gold squires, will serve as a poop-guard. Ten shaft upon string. “Do you take the of an axe, springing over the sweep of a
chain over it, with a medallion which archers, with thirty shipmen, tinder the rogue with the red coif. You two bring sword, so swift and so erratic that the one which might match it in size or in
dangled in front of him.
master, may hold the waist, while ten lie down the man with the head-piece, and I man who braced himself for a blow at wealth.
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters.
“I trust, Aylward," said Sir Nigel,
“Welcome, most puissant and noble aloft with stones and arbalests.”
will hold myself ready if you miss. Ma him might find him six paces off ere he
„Th*>c®n®* of th® rtory are Wd in the 14th centon
lord!” he cried, doffing bis bonnet. "You
Meanwhile there had been bustle and foi! they are about to loose her. Shoot, could bring it down. Three pirates had coming upon deck, “that the men are
Hordle John, of the Cistercian Monastery flIL
see in me the mayor and chief magistrate preparation in all parts of the great ves mes garcons, or you will be too late.” fallen before him, and he had wounded ready for the land. Go tell them that the
from the Abbey of Beaulieu, guilty of certain la«^
cbanree brought against him by a number of th.
of the ancient and powerful town of Lepe. sel. The archers stood in groups about
The throng of pirates had cleared away Spade-beard in the neck, when the Nor boats will be for them within the hour.”
monks. Another of the lay-brethren, Alleyen Kd.
I bid you very heartily welcome, aud the the decks, new-stringing their bows and from the great wooden catapult, leaving man giant sprang-at him from the side
The archer raised his hand in salute,
rlcson, takes his departure in accordance with hb
father’s will, designating that he should, whLfo
more so as you are come at a moment testing that they were firm at the nocks two of their number to discharge it with a slashing blow from his deadly and hastened forward. In the meantime
became 21, go forth for one year to choose for Ma
when we are sore put to it for defence.” Among them moved Aylward and other One in a scarlet cap bent over it, steady mace. Sir Nigel stooped to avoid it, and Sir Oliver had followed his brother
re! f his future calling. In sadness he goes to Tlaithii
"Hal” cried Sir Nigel, pricking up bis of the older soldiers, with a few whispered ing the jagged rock which was balanced at the same instant turned a thrust fre 1 knight, and the two paced the poop to
brother, the Socman of Minstead. whose retnitrtn
is unsavory. At night A Iley ne seeks a roadsSaC
ears.
words of precept and of warning there. on the spoon-shaped end of the long the Genoese swordsman, but, his foot gether.
where he meets Hordle John, and Sarnkin Aylward
“Yes, my lord, for the town being very
"Once more. Sir Oliver,” said Sir Nigel,
an English archer Just back from the Freneh ware'
“Stand to it, my hearts of gold!” said wooden
__ 2__ ‘ lever.
The other 1'2
held the slipping in a pool of blood, he fell heavily
Alleyne finds his brother in Minstead woodsauamt
ancient, and the walls as old as the town, the old bowman, as he passed from knot loop of the rope which would re to the deck. Alleyne sprang in front of looking shoreward with sparkling eyes,
ing with a beautiful damsel. He rescues her. thmte
it follows that they are very ancient too. to knot. "By my hilt! we are in luck lease the catch and : send the un- the Norman, but his sword was shattered “do we find ourselves at the gate of
gaining the Socman’s enmity. The maiden. leantM
that
he intend« to join hiw companions at CnrltJ
But there Is a eerlatu viillaaous and blood this journey. But it is time that we took wieldly missile hurtling ’ through
through the and he himself beaten to the deck by a honor, the door which hath so often led
cl^ch;'IbiT®
Nigel, leaveshim laughingly
thirsty Norman pirate knight Tete-noire, our order, for methinks that between the air. So for an instant they stood, show second blow from the ponderous weapon. us to all that is knightly and worthy.
without telling him her name. He rejoinshheoa-
who, with a Genoan call«! Tito Caracci, Needle rocks and the Alum cliffs yonder ing hard and clear against the white sail Ere the pirate chief could repeat it, how There lies the prince’s banner, and it panions and they journey to Sir Nigel’s home. O hm t
Ing the renow»ed knight, Hordle John 4s muchvoW
commonly known as Spade-benrd, hath I can catch a glimpse of the topmasts of behind them. The next redcap had fallen ever, Hordle John's iron grip fell upon would be well that we haste ashore and
been a mighty scourge upon these the galleys.
Hewett, Cook, Johnson. across the stone with an arrow between his wrist, and he found that for once he pay our obeisance to him.
bear. Here Alleyene meets his companion of As
coasts. Indeed, my lord, they are very Cunningham, your men are of the poop his ribs; and the other, struck in the leg was in the hands of a stronger man than
The horses both of knights and squires
woods, whom he learns is the daughter of Sir Nisei
cruel and black-hearted men, graceless guard.
Tlie White Company leaves Twynham Castle AU
Thornbury, Walters, Hackett, and in the throat was writhing and splut himself. Then came in truth a battle of were speedily lowered into a broad
leyne tell« the Lady Maude of his love for hi. £
and ruthless. They have come in two Baddlesmere, you are with Sir Oliver on tering upon the ground. As he toppled giants, such as is seldom witnessed. lighter, and reached the shore almost as
gives him no promise, but leaves him a green veil
great galleys, with two banks of oars on the forecastle. Simon, you bide with backward he had loosed the spring, and Fiercely the Norman strove to disengage soon as their masters. Sir Nigel bent
to carry with him to the wars as a love token.
either Bide, and great store of engines of your lord's banner; but ten men must go the huge beam of wood, swinging round his weapon, cursing angrily in French at his knee devoutly as he put foot on land,
war and of men-at-arms. At Weymouth forward.”
with tremendous force, cast the corpse being thwarted by such an unlo
for and taking a small black patch from his
and at Portland they have murdered aud
Quietly and promptly the men took of his comrade so close to the English antagonist. But Hordle John, with a bosom he bound it tightly over his left
To Whom Does Taft Refer f
ravished. Yesterday morning they were their places, lying flat upon their faces on ship that its mangled and distorted limbs bull's bellow, bending bis great muscles to eye.
at Cowes, and we saw the smoke from the the deck, for such was Sir Nigel's order. grazed her very stern. As to the stone, the unwonted task, forced the huge
“May the blessed George and the mem
Secretary
Taft said of a certain
burning crofts. To-day they lie r t their Near the prow was planted Sir Oliver’s it glanced off obliquely and fell midway pirate’s sword arm slowly down and back ory of my sweet lady-love raise high in
ease near Freshwater, and we fear much spear, with his arms—a boar’s head gules between the vessels. A roar of cheering ward. Terribly the Norman struggled, my heart 1” quoth he. “And as a token domineering statesman:
“He fills me with dread. They
lest they come upon ua and do us a mis upon a field of gold. Close by the stern and of laughter broke from the rough hurling his whole weight against his op- I vow that I will not take this patch from
chief.”
Stood Black Simon with the pennon of urchers and seamen at the sight, answered ponent in an endeavor to break the vioe- mine eye until I have seen something of quail before him. They can’t call
“We cannot tarry,” said Sir Nigel,
this country of Spain, and done such a their souls their own in his presence.
like grip which held him.
riding toward the town, with the mayor
Back and forth they flung and surged, small deed as it lies in me to do. And Altogether, he makes me think of 1
upon his left siiie; “the Prince awaits us
until, with a quick movement, —ordle this I swear upon the cross of my sword waiter I once met in the West
at Bordeaux, and we may not be behind
“In a small Western town, many
John put forth a fierce effort, twisting and and upon the glove of my lady.”
tl i general muster. Yet I will promise
War, which had wrought evil upon bo years ago, I put up at the Palace
forcing
farther back the Norman’s arm
you that on our way we shall find time to
many fair cities around, had brought HoteL
until
with
a
sharp
crack,
like
a
breaking
pass Freshwater and to prevail uiion
stave, it turned limp in his grasp and the nought but good to this one. As her
"There was no water nor towels la
these rovers to leave you in peace.”
mace dropped from the nerveless fingers. French sisters decayed she increased, for my room, and I rang.
“We are much beholden to you I”
here, from north, and from east, and from
In
vain
he
tried
to
pluck
it
with
the
cried the mayor. “But I cannot see, my
“There was no reply.
other hand. Back and back still the south, came the plunder to be sold and
lord, bow, without a warship, you may
“I rang again.
the ransom money to be spent.
Saxon
bent
him
until,
with
aroar
of
pain
venture against these men. With your
“Still no reply.
In front of the minster and abbey of
and of fury, the giant clanged his full
archers, however, you might well hold the
“And again and again and yet again
1< ngth upon the boards, while the glimmer SC Andrew’s was a large square with
town and do them great scath if
of a knife before the bars of his helmet . prieBts, soldiers, women, friars, and I rang, and finally a waiter appeared.
attempt to land.”
burghers,
who
made
it
their
common
warned him that short would be his
“This waiter was a robust man of
“There is a very pnqier cog out
center for sightseeing and gossip. Amid stern and forbidding aspect
shrift if he moved.
der,” said Sir Nigel; "it would be a
the
knots
of
noisy
and
gesticulating
Cowed and disheartened by the loss of
strange thing if any ship were not n
“ ‘Did you ring? he said in a
their leader, the Normans had given back townsfolk, many small parties of mounted rumbling bass voice.
ship when it bad such men as these up>n
and squires threaded their way
and were now streaming over the bul- knights
.
her decks. Certes, we shall do as I say,
“ ‘I did,’ I answered.
warks on to their own galley, dropping | toward the prince’s quarters, where the
and that no later than this very day.”
“ ‘Well, don’t do it again,’ said the
a dozen at a time, on to her deck.
i huge iron-clamped doors were thrown
“My lord,” said a rough-haired, dark
to show that he held audience waiter, with a menacing scowl, as be
But the fight had taken a new and a back
,
faced man, who walked by the knight's
within.
withdrew.”
strange turn upon the other side. Spade-
other stirrup, with his head sloped to
The two knights were deep in talk,
beard and his men had given slowly back,
catch all that he was saying, "by your
when
Alleyne
became
aware
of
a
re
hard pressed by Sir Nigel, Aylward, .
leave, I have no doubt that you are skill.-d
Prof. Mustard, of Haverford Collen
Black Simon, and the poop-guard. Foot markable individual who was walking claims that Ben Franklin’s maxims 11
iu land fightiug and the marshalling of
the room in their direction. As he
by foot the Italian had retreated, his round
.
lances, but, by my soul! you will find it
armor running blood at every joint, his passed each knot of cavaliers every head “Poor Richard’s Almanac” are largely
another thing upon the sea. I am master-
shield split, his crest shorn, his voice ( turned to look after him, and it was evi quotations from classical authors. A
shipnian of this yellow cog, and my uame
fallen away to a mere gasping and croak dent, from the bows and respectful salu hot controversy is expected to ensue.
is Goodwin liawtayne. I have Bulled
ing. Yet fie faced his foemen with daunt
iqnce I was as high ns this staff, aud I
less courage, dashing in, springing back,
have fought against these Normans mid
sure-footed,
steady-lianded, with a shim- ’
against the Genoese, as well as tin- ' HORDLE JOHN FORCED THE HUGE PIRATE'S ARM SLOWLY BACK,
Scotch, the Bretons, the Spanish atxi the
mering point which seemed to menace
three at once. Beaten back on to the |
Moore. 1 tell you. air, that my ship is i the bouse of Ixiring. In the waist gath- by a yell of rage from their pursuers.
“Lie low,” cried Aylward, motioning deck of his own vessel, and closely fol-'
over-light and over-frail for ouch work, eted the Southampton mariners, hairy
.
and
burly
men.
with
their
jerkins
thrown
with
his
left
hand.
“
They
will
learn
lowed
by a dozen Englishmen, he dis
and it will but end in our having our
They are bringing forward engaged himself from them, ran swiftly
throata cut, or being sold aa slaves to i off, their waists braced tight, swords, wisdom.
mallets,
and
pole-axes
in
their
hands.
shield and mantlet We shall have some down the deck, sprang back into the cog
the Barbary heathen.”
once more, cut the rope which held the
“I also have exjierienced one or two Their leader, Goodwin liawtayne, stood pebbles about our ears ere long.”
gentle and honorable venturea upon the upon the poop and talked with Sir Nigel,
The three vessels had been sweeping anchor, and was back in an instant amoug
Bea,” quoth Sir Nigel, "and I am right casting his eye up sometimes at the swiftly westward, the cog still well to his crossbowmen. At the same time the
blithe to have so fair a task before ns. swelling sail, and then glancing back at the front although the galleys were Genoese sailors thrust with their oars
I thiidt, good master-shipman, that yon the two seamen who held the tiller.
in upon either quarter. To the against the side of the cog, and a rapidly
“Pass the word." said Sir Nigel, “that drawing
and 1 may win great honor in this ma tier,
left was a hard sky-line unbroken by a widening rift appeared between the two
ami I can see very readily that you arc no man shall stand to arms or draw his sail. Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking vessels.
bow-string until my trumpeter shall backwards, the fresh wind full in bis
a brave and stout man.”
“By St. George!” cried Ford, 'we ar?
"I like it not.” said the other stur sound. It would tie well that we should teeth.
cut off from Sir Nigel.”
dily. "In God’s name, I like it not! seem to be a nierchatii-ship from South
“lie is lost,” gasped Terlake.
___
“Come,
“What was that?” he asked, as a hiss
And yet Goodwin liawtayne is not the ampton and appear to tire from then»" ing.
____
The two ,
youths
sharp-drawn voice seemed to whisper let us spring for it” TL.
“We shall see them anon,” said »
man to stand back when bis fellows are
jumped
with
all
their
strength
to
reach
in
his
ear.
The
steersman
smiled,
and
for pressing forward. By niy soul! be it master-sbipman. "Ha! said I not so.' pointed with his foot to where a short, the departing galley. Ford's feet reached
sink or swim, 1 shall turn her beak into There they lie. the water-snakes, in heavy cross-bow quarrel stuck quivering the edge of the bulwarks, and bis hand
Freshwater Bay, and if good Master Freshwater Bay : and mark the reek of in the boards. At the same instant the clutching a rope be swung himself on
Witherton of Southampton like not my smoke from yonder |winL where they have man tumbled forward upon his knees, and board. Terlake fell short, crashed in
handling of his ship, then be may find beeu at their devil's work. See how their lay lifeless upon the deck, the blood among the oars, and bounded off into the
shallops pull from the land! They have
another master.”
stained feather, of a second bolt jutting sea. Alleyne, staggering to the side, was
The throng moved on, until at the very seen us and culled their men aboard, out
from his back. As Alleyne stooped abont to hurl himself after him. but
gate it was brought to a stand by a Now they draw upon the anchor. See to raise him, the air seemed to be alive Hordle John's heavy hand dragged him
wondrously stout inun, who came darting them like ants upon the forecastle! with the sharp zip-zip of the bolts, and lie back by the girdle.
forth from the town with rage in every They stoop and heave like handy ship- could hear them pattering on the deck
The vessels were indeed so far apart
men. But, my fair lord, these are no
feature of his rubicund face.
now that the Genoese could use the full
like apples at a tree-shaking.
“How now. Sir Mayor?" he roared, in niefs. I doubt but we have taken ia
sweep
of their oars and draw away
“Keep them in play. Aylward, with ten
a voice like a bull. “How now. Sir hand more than we can do. Each of
.
is a _____
galeas, and of the of your men.” said Sir Nigel. "And let rapidly from the cog.
Mayor?
How of the clams and the these ships
“Look! Look! but it is a noble fight!”
largest and swiftest make.'
ten of Sir Oliver's bowmen do as much
scallops?"
_
"I would I had your eyes.” said Sir for the Genoese. I have no mind as yet shouted big John, clapping his hands.
“Bv our Izidy. my sweet Sir Oliver,
"They
have cleared the poop, and they
cried the mayor. “I have had so much to Nigel, blinking at the pirate galleys. to show them bow much they have to spring into the waist. Well struck, my
think of, with these wicked villians, so "They seem very gallant shii«, and I fear from us.’’ The nuister-sblpuian looked lerd! Well struck, Aylward! See too.
close upon ua. that it had quite gone out trust that we shall have much pleasance at the knight with a troubled face.
from our meeting with them. It would
"They keep their distance from us,” Black Simon, how he storms among the
of my head."
! But this Spade-beard is a
"Nay. Sir Oliver. Sir Oliver!” cried be well to pass the word that we should said be. “Our archery is over-good, ami shipmen
gallant warrior.
Sir Nigel, laughing. “Let your anger be uiither give or take quarter this day.” they will not close.
"By Heaven. Sir Nigel is down!" cried
The yellow eog had now shot out from
"I think 1 may trick them," the knight
Such was the problem which S hkrlocx
appeased, since instead of this dish you
come upon an old friend and comrade. the narrow waters of the Solent, ind was answered cheerfully, and passed his order the squire.
H olmes had to solve in his first
“T’p!” roared John. “It was but a
"Bv St. Martin of Tours!” shouted the pluuging and rolling on the long heave of to the archera. Instantly five of them
The wind blew threw up their hands and fell prostrate feint. He bears him back. He drives
fat knight, hia wrath all changed in an the open channel.
chronicled adventure
him to the side. Ah, by Our Lady, his
instant to joy. “if it ia not my dear little freshly from the east, with a very keen upon the deck.
sword
is
through
him!
game rooster of tho Garonne. Ah. my edge to it; and the great sail bellied
“They still hold aloof!” cried Ilaw-
The death of the Genoese leader did
sweet cos. 1 aiu right glacl to see you. roundly out. laying the vessel over until tayne.
the water hissed beneath her lee bul
What days we have seen together."
A book which made CONAN DOTIA the Sret
“Then down with two more!” shouted indeed bring the resistance to aa end.
"The clauia and scallops shall be ready warks. Broad i i ungainly, she floun their leader. “That will do. Ma foi! Amid a thunder of cheering from roc and
of detective writers ia the world.
within the hour.” the mayor answered. dered from wave to wave. dipi>it>g her but they come to our lure like chicks to from galleys the forked pennon fluttered
upon the forecastle, and the galley, sweep
"I had asked Sir Oliver Buttesthorn to round bows deep into the blue rollers, the fowler. To your arm«, mro!
In Holmes’ next adventure, he was
*— «
-
«
do my humble board the honor to partake and st'nding the white flakes of foam ia
As be spoke ■ roar of voicee and a roll ing round, came slowly back.
The two knights had come aboard the
at it of the dainty upon which we take a spatter over her flecks. On her lar of drum« came from either galley, and
confronted by the cabalistic image
F t
eoroe little pride, but in sooth thia alarm board quarter lay the two dark galleys, the water was lashed into spray by the cog. the shipman walked the deck, a
of pirate« hath cast such a shallow oa mv which bad already hoisted anil and were hurritxl beat of a hundred oara. Down peaceful master-mariner once more.
in
wits that I am like one diatrait. But I shoodne out from Freshwater Bay iu the pirates swooped.
■”! sea th done to the cog.
Sr
Nigel."
said
he
“
Here
is
a
bole
in
trust. Sir Nigel, that you will i so pas swift pu ran it. their double line of oars I’
These two. the first and best of the Sherlock Holmes novels. 300 pages of read-
clusters they hung upon the the side of two ells across, the sail split
giving them a vantage which could not
take of none meat with me?"
* ready for a spring—faces through the center, and the wood as bare ing bourn. elegantly in a single trig volume in illuminated cloth board (Harper
•*I have over-much to do. Sir Mitel fail to bring them up with any vessel '
« oros. regular $1.50 linen imperial edition), sent postpaid with thin coupon for
answer«!, “for we must bv aboard, horse which trusted to sails alone. High and shite, faces brown, faces yellow, and as a friar’s poll.
“By St. Paul! it would he a very worry I
and man. aa early as we may. How bluff the English cog; long, black, and faces Mack; fair Norsemen, swarthy
ents
swift the pirate galleys, like two fierce Italians, fierce rovers from the levant thing if we suffered yon to be the worse
many do you muster. Sir Oliverr
lean wolves which have seeu a lordly and fierv Moors from the Barbary States tor this day s work ” said Sir Nigel
•Threeind-forty.
J’*1 e *s,a chance to get two of the most intensely interesting of adventures i® •
'•Thrve-and-torty. I «hall have work for and unsuspecting stag walk past their of alt. hues and conn trie« and marked But how fares it with you. Edrimonr
solely by the common stamp of a wild
every mas of them ere the eua act. It is lair.
It is nothing, my fair lord." said m ost beautifully printed and bound edition for just one-third price.
boast ferocity Rasping up on either > e. Alleyne. who had now loosened his bassi
my intention. If It aeeuie good to you. to
“
Bhall
we
turn,
my
fair
lord,
or
«han
with
oars
trailing
to
save
them
from
try s venture agalust these Normae and
net. which was cracked across by the
wo carry on?" asked the mastor-shlpmnn. «nonping. ther non red In a living torrent Norman s blow. Even as be spoke, how
Genoese rovers. ’’
looking behind Mm with nnxtons eye«. with horrid yell and shrill whoop upon ever his toad swirled round, and be fell
CHAPTER XT!.
"Nov. vr most carry on. and plsy the the merchantman. ”
to the deck with the blood gushing from
leaving the lusty knight and th* Mayor part of the helpless merchmt"
But wilder yet was tho cry. and shriller his nose and month.
of Tepe, Sir Nigel led the i’omnany
"But vour pennons? They will see •»til! th<»
when
hmm » nn frr»m .
ill1» anon." said the
straight down to the water's edge, where that we have two knights with ua"
HARPER a BW<m, Fraaklia Hqaare, N. Y. City.
the shadow of the cog’s silent bulwarks knight, stooping over him and passing
long lines of flat lighters awtftly bore
“Yet it would not be to a knight’s the long lines of the English bowmen, his fingers through his hair
“I have
them to their vessel. Horae after horee honor or rood name to tower hi« pennon and the arrows whliaed In a doadlv sleet lost one very valiant and gentle squire
waa «lung hr main force up from th«' Tot them be. and t«gr win think that ere among the unprepared maaaro npon the *
c
Row many men have fa Hen?”
Sente«, and after kicking and plunging are a wine ship for Gascony, or that we pirate decks
Street.............................................................................................................. „
a
‘n’»y." «id
a empty air was drnnned into the deep bear
I
the wool bales of some mercer of
One moment Alleyn* saw the Aylward.
“There are seven of the Win-
wahrt of the yellow era. where rows a< the Staple Al* fol! but they sra verr galley’s poop crowed with rashing figures,
. your squire
etalls stood ready for their oaf' keeping. swift!
,
They swoop upon aa Hko two waving arms, exultant faces; the next ft
What Does This Mean?
If these puzzling
things, roughly
displayed in
Fresh Blood
upon the wall of a house
where a great crime had
been committed, stared
you in the face, could you
explain their meaning?
“The Study in Scarlet”
“The Sign of the Four“
SO C
%