INTRODUCTION

Theyear1400openedwithmorethanusualpeacefulnessinEngland。Onlyafewmonthsbefore，RichardII——weak，wicked，andtreacherous——hadbeendethroned，andHenryIVdeclaredKinginhisstead。Butitwasonlyaseemingpeacefulness，lastingbutforalittlewhile；forthoughKingHenryprovedhimselfajustandamercifulman——asjusticeandmercywentwiththemenofironofthosedays——andthoughhedidnotcaretoshedbloodneedlessly，thereweremanynoblefamilieswhohadbeenbenefitedbyKingRichardduringhisreign，andwhohadlostsomewhatoftheirpowerandprestigefromthecominginofthenewKing。

Amongthesewereanumberofgreatlords——theDukesofAlbemarle，Surrey，andExeter，theMarquisofDorset，theEarlofGloucester，andothers——whohadbeendegradedtotheirformertitlesandestates，fromwhichKingRichardhadliftedthem。

TheseandothersbrewedasecretplottotakeKingHenry’slife，whichplotmighthavesucceededhadnotoneoftheirownnumberbetrayedthem。

TheirplanhadbeentofallupontheKingandhisadherents，andtomassacrethemduringagreattournament，tobeheldatOxford。

ButHenrydidnotappearatthelists；whereupon，knowingthathehadbeenlodgingatWindsorwithonlyafewattendants，theconspiratorsmarchedthitheragainsthim。InthemeantimetheKinghadbeenwarnedoftheplot，sothat，insteadoffindinghimintheroyalcastle，theydiscoveredthroughtheirscoutsthathehadhurriedtoLondon，whencehewaseventhenmarchingagainstthemattheheadofaconsiderablearmy。Sonothingwasleftthembutflight。Somebetookthemselvesoneway，someanother；somesoughtsanctuaryhere，somethere；butoneandanother，theywereallofthemcaughtandkilled。

TheEarlofKent——onetimeDukeofSurrey——andtheEarlofSalisburywerebeheadedinthemarket—placeatCirencester；LordLeDespencer——oncetheEarlofGloucester——andLordLumleymetthesamefateatBristol；theEarlofHuntingdonwastakenintheEssexfens，carriedtothecastleoftheDukeofGloucester，whomhehadbetrayedtohisdeathinKingRichard’stime，andwastherekilledbythecastlepeople。Thosefewwhofoundfriendsfaithfulandboldenoughtoaffordthemshelter，draggedthosefriendsdownintheirownruin。

Justsuchacasewasthatofthefatheroftheboyheroofthisstory，theblindLordGilbertReginaldFalworth，BaronofFalworthandEasterbridge，who，thoughhavingnopartintheplot，sufferedthroughitruin，utterandcomplete。

HehadbeenafaithfulcounsellorandadvisertoKingRichard，andperhapsitwasthis，asmuchandmorethanhisroundaboutconnectionwiththeplot，thatbroughtuponhimthepunishmenthesuffered。

CHAPTERI

MylesFalworthwasbuteightyearsofageatthattime，anditwasonlyafterwards，andwhenhegrewoldenoughtoknowmoreoftheinsandoutsofthematter，thathecouldrememberbybitsandpiecesthethingsthatafterwardshappened；howoneeveningaknightcameclatteringintothecourt—yarduponahorse，red—nostrilledandsmearedwiththesweatandfoamofadesperateride——SirJohnDale，adearfriendoftheblindLord。

Eventhoughsoyoung，MylesknewthatsomethingveryserioushadhappenedtomakeSirJohnsopaleandhaggard，andhedimlyrememberedleaningagainsttheknight’siron—coveredknees，lookingupintohisgloomyface，andaskinghimifhewassicktolooksostrange。Thereuponthosewhohadbeentootroubledbeforetonoticehim，bethoughtthemselvesofhim，andsenthimtobed，rebelliousathavingtogosoearly。

Herememberedhowthenextmorning，lookingoutofawindowhighupundertheeaves，hesawagreattroopofhorsemencomeridingintothecourtyardbeneath，whereapowderingofsnowhadwhitenedeverything，andofhowtheleader，aknightcladinblackarmor，dismountedandenteredthegreathalldoor—waybelow，followedbyseveraloftheband。

Herememberedhowsomeofthecastlewomenwerestandinginafrightenedgroupuponthelandingofthestairs，talkingtogetherinlowvoicesaboutamatterhedidnotunderstand，exceptingthatthearmedmenwhohadriddenintothecourtyardhadcomeforSirJohnDale。Noneofthewomenpaidanyattentiontohim；so，shunningtheirnotice，heranoffdownthewindingstairs，expectingeverymomenttobecalledbackagainbysomeoneofthem。

Acrowdofcastlepeople，allveryseriousandquiet，weregatheredinthehall，whereanumberofstrangemen—at—armsloungeduponthebenches，whiletwobillmeninsteelcapsandleathernjacksstoodguardingthegreatdoor，thebuttsoftheirweaponsrestingupontheground，andthestavescrossed，barringthedoor—way。

IntheanteroomwastheknightinblackarmorwhomMyleshadseenfromthewindow。Hewassittingatthetable，hisgreathelmetlyinguponthebenchbesidehim，andaquartbeakerofspicedwineathiselbow。Aclerksatattheotherendofthesametable，withinkhorninonehandandpenintheother，andaparchmentspreadinfrontofhim。

MasterRobert，thecastlesteward，stoodbeforetheknight，whoeverynowandthenputtohimaquestion，whichtheotherwouldanswer，andtheclerkwritetheanswerdownupontheparchment。

Hisfatherstoodwithhisbacktothefireplace，lookingdownuponthefloorwithhisblindeyes，hisbrowsdrawnmoodilytogether，andthescarofthegreatwoundthathehadreceivedatthetournamentatYork——thewoundthathadmadehimblind——showingredacrosshisforehead，asitalwaysdidwhenhewasangeredortroubled。

TherewassomethingaboutitallthatfrightenedMyles，whocrepttohisfather’sside，andslidhislittlehandintothepalmthathunglimpandinert。Inanswertothetouch，hisfathergraspedthehandtightly，butdidnotseemotherwisetonoticethathewasthere。Neitherdidtheblackknightpayanyattentiontohim，butcontinuedputtinghisquestionstoMasterRobert。

Then，suddenly，therewasacommotioninthehallwithout，loudvoices，andahurryinghereandthere。Theblackknighthalfarose，graspingaheavyironmacethatlayuponthebenchbesidehim，andthenextmomentSirJohnDalehimself，aspaleasdeath，walkedintotheantechamber。Hestoppedintheverymiddleoftheroom。"IyieldmetomyLord’sgraceandmercy，"saidhetotheblackknight，andtheywerethelastwordsheeverutteredinthisworld。

Theblackknightshoutedoutsomewordsofcommand，andswinginguptheironmaceinhishand，strodeforwardclankingtowardsSirJohn，whoraisedhisarmasthoughtoshieldhimselffromtheblow。Twoorthreeofthosewhostoodinthehallwithoutcamerunningintotheroomwithdrawnswordsandbills，andlittleMyles，cryingoutwithterror，hidhisfaceinhisfather’slonggown。

Thenextinstantcamethesoundofaheavyblowandofagroan，thenanotherblowandthesoundofonefallingupontheground。

Thentheclashingofsteel，andinthemidstLordFalworthcrying，inadreadfulvoice，"Thoutraitor！thoucoward！thoumurderer！"

MasterRobertsnatchedMylesawayfromhisfather，andborehimoutoftheroominspiteofhisscreamsandstruggles，andherememberedjustoneinstant’ssightofSirJohnlyingstillandsilentuponhisface，andoftheblackknightstandingabovehim，withtheterriblemaceinhishandstainedadreadfulred。

ItwasthenextdaythatLordandLadyFalworthandlittleMyles，togetherwiththreeofthemorefaithfuloftheirpeople，leftthecastle。

HismemoryofpastthingsheldapictureforMylesofoldDicconBowmanstandingoverhiminthesilenceofmidnightwithalightedlampinhishand，andwithitarecollectionofbeingbiddentohushwhenhewouldhavespoken，andofbeingdressedbyDicconandoneofthewomen，bewilderedwithsleep，shudderingandchatteringwithcold。

Herememberedbeingwrappedinthesheepskinthatlayatthefootofhisbed，andofbeingcarriedinDicconBowman’sarmsdownthesilentdarknessofthewindingstair—way，withthegreatblackgiantshadowsswayingandflickeringuponthestonewallasthedullflameofthelampswayedandflickeredinthecoldbreathingofthenightair。

Belowwerehisfatherandmotherandtwoorthreeothers。A

strangerstoodwarminghishandsatanewly—madefire，andlittleMyles，ashepeepedfromoutthewarmsheepskin，sawthathewasinriding—bootsandwascoveredwithmud。HedidnotknowtilllongyearsafterwardsthatthestrangerwasamessengersentbyafriendattheKing’scourt，biddinghisfatherflyforsafety。

Theywhostoodtherebytheredblazeofthefirewereallverystill，talkinginwhispersandwalkingontiptoes，andMyles’smotherhuggedhiminherarms，sheepskinandall，kissinghim，withthetearsstreamingdownhercheeks，andwhisperingtohim，asthoughhecouldunderstandtheirtrouble，thattheywereabouttoleavetheirhomeforever。

ThenDicconBowmancarriedhimoutintothestrangenessofthewintermidnight。

Outside，beyondthefrozenmoat，wheretheosiers，stoodstarkandstiffintheirwinternakedness，wasagroupofdarkfigureswaitingforthemwithhorses。InthepallidmoonlightMylesrecognizedthewell—knownfaceofFatherEdward，thePriorofSt。

Mary’s。

Afterthatcamealongridethroughthatsilentnightuponthesaddle—bowinfrontofDicconBowman；thenadeep，heavysleep，thatfelluponhiminspiteofthegallopingofthehorses。

Whennexthewokethesunwasshining，andhishomeandhiswholelifewerechanged。

CHAPTER2

FromthetimethefamilyescapedfromFalworthCastlethatmidwinternighttothetimeMyleswassixteenyearsoldheknewnothingofthegreatworldbeyondCrosbey—Dale。Afairwasheldtwiceinatwelvemonthatthemarket—townofWisebey，andthreetimesinthesevenyearsoldDicconBowmantooktheladtoseethesightsatthatplace。BeyondthesethreeglimpsesoftheouterworldhelivedalmostassecludedalifeasoneoftheneighboringmonksofSt。Mary’sPriory。

Crosbey—Holt，theirnewhome，wasdifferentenoughfromFalworthorEasterbridgeCastle，theformerbaronialseatsofLordFalworth。Itwasalong，low，straw—thatchedfarm—house，once，whenthechurchlandsweredividedintotwoholdings，oneofthebailiff’shouses。Allaroundwerethefruitfulfarmsofthepriory，tilledbywell—to—dotenantholders，andrichwithfieldsofwavinggrain，andmeadow—landswheresheepandcattlegrazedinflocksandherds；forinthosedaysthechurchlandswereunderchurchrule，andweregovernedbychurchlaws，andthere，whenwarandfamineandwasteandslothblightedtheoutsideworld，harvestsflourishedandweregathered，andsheepwereshearedandcowsweremilkedinpeaceandquietness。

ThePriorofSt。Mary’sowedmuchifnotallofthechurch’sprosperitytotheblindLordFalworth，andnowhewaspayingitbackwithahavenofrefugefromtheruinthathisformerpatronhadbroughtuponhimselfbygivingsheltertoSirJohnDale。

Ifancythatmostboysdonotlovethegrindingofschoollife——thelessonstobeconned，thecloseapplicationduringstudyhours。Itisnotoftenpleasanttobrisk，livelyladstobesocoopedup。Iwonderwhattheboysofto—daywouldhavethoughtofMyles’straining。Withhimthattrainingwasnotonlyofthemind，butofthebodyaswell，andforsevenyearsitwasalmostunremitting。"Thouhastthineownwaytomakeintheworld，sirrah，"hisfathersaidmorethanoncewhentheboycomplainedofthegrindinghardnessofhislife，andtomakeone’swayinthosedaysmeantathousandtimesmorethanitdoesnow；itmeantnotonlyahearttofeelandabraintothink，butahandquickandstrongtostrikeinbattle，andabodytoughtoendurethewoundsandblowsinreturn。AndsoitwasthatMyles’sbodyaswellashismindhadtobetrainedtomeettheneedsofthedarkageinwhichhelived。

Everymorning，winterorsummer，rainorshinehetrampedawaysixlongmilestotheprioryschool，andintheeveningshismothertaughthimFrench。

Myles，beingprejudicedintheschoolofthoughtofhisday，rebellednotalittleatthatlastbranchofhisstudies。"WhymustIlearnthatviletongue？"saidhe。

"Callitnotvile，"saidtheblindoldLord，grimly；"belike，whenthouartgrownaman，thou’lthavetoseekthyfortuneinFranceland，forEnglandishaplynoplaceforsuchasbeofFalworthblood。"Andinafter—years，truetohisfather’sprediction，the"viletongue"servedhimwell。

Asforhisphysicaltraining，thatprettywellfilledupthehoursbetweenhismorningstudiesatthemonasteryandhiseveningstudiesathome。ThenitwasthatoldDicconBowmantookhiminhand，thanwhomnonecouldbebetterfittedtoshapehisyoungbodytostrengthandhishandstoskillinarms。TheoldbowmanhadservedwithLordFalworth’sfatherundertheBlackPrincebothinFranceandSpain，andinlongyearsofwarhadgainedapracticalknowledgeofarmsthatfewcouldsurpass。

Besidestheuseofthebroadsword，theshortsword，thequarter—staff，andthecudgel，hetaughtMylestoshootsoskilfullywiththelong—bowandthecross—bowthatnotaladinthecountry—sidewashismatchatthevillagebutts。Attackanddefencewiththelance，andthrowingtheknifeanddaggerwerealsopartofhistraining。

Then，inadditiontothismoreregularpartofhisphysicaltraining，Myleswastaughtinanotherbranchnotsooftenincludedinthemilitaryeducationoftheday——theartofwrestling。IthappenedthatafellowlivedinCrosbeyvillage，bynameRalph—the—Smith，whowasthegreatestwrestlerinthecountry—side，andhadwornthechampionbeltforthreeyears。

EverySundayafternoon，infairweather，hecametoteachMylestheart，andbeingwonderfullyadeptinbodilyfeats，hesoongrewsoquickandactiveandfirm—footedthathecouldcastanyladundertwentyyearsofagelivingwithinarangeoffivemiles。

"Itismainungentlearmscraftthathelearneth，"saidLordFalworthonedaytoPriorEdward。"Savingonlythebroadsword，thedagger，andthelance，thereisbutlittlethatagentlemanofhisstrainmayuse。Neth’less，hegainethquicknessandsuppleness，andifhehathtruebloodinhisveinshewillacquireknightlyartsshrewdlyquickwhenthetimecomethtolearnthem。"

ButhardandgrindingasMyles’slifewas，itwasnotentirelywithoutpleasures。ThereweremanyboyslivinginCrosbey—Daleandthevillage；yeomen’sandfarmers’sons，tobesure，but，nevertheless，ladsofhisownage，andthat，afterall，isthemainrequirementforfriendshipinboyhood’sworld。Thentherewastherivertobathein；therewerethehillsandvalleystoroamover，andthewoldandwoodland，withtheirwealthofnutsandbirds’—nestsandwhatnotofboyhood’streasures。

Oncehegainedatriumphthatformanyadaywasverysweetunderthetongueofhismemory。Aswassaidbefore，hehadbeenthreetimestothemarket—townatfair—time，anduponthelastoftheseoccasionshehadfoughtaboutofquarterstaffwithayoungfellowoftwenty，andhadbeentheconqueror。Hewasthenonlyalittleoverfourteenyearsold。

OldDiccon，whohadgonewithhimtothefair，hadmetsomecroniesofhisown，withwhomhehadsatgossipingintheale—booth，leavingMylesforthenoncetoshiftforhimself。

By—and—bytheoldmanhadnoticedacrowdgatheredatonepartofthefair—ground，and，snuffingafight，hadgonerunning，ale—potinhand。Then，peeringovertheshouldersofthecrowd，hehadseenhisyoungmaster，strippedtothewaist，fightinglikeagladiatorwithafellowaheadtallerthanhimself。Dicconwasabouttoforcehiswaythroughthecrowdanddragthemasunder，butasecondlookhadshowedhispractisedeyethatMyleswasnotonlyholdinghisown，butwasinthewayofwinningthevictory。

Sohehadstoodwiththeotherslookingon，withholdinghimselffromanyinterferenceandwhateverupbraidingmightbenecessaryuntilthefighthadbeenbroughttoatriumphantclose。LordFalworthneverhearddirectlyoftheredoubtableaffair，butoldDicconwasnotsosilentwiththecommonfolkofCrosbey—Dale，andsonodoubtthefatherhadsomeinklingofwhathadhappened。

ItwasshortlyafterthisnotableeventthatMyleswasformallyinitiatedintosquirehood。Hisfatherandmother，aswasthecustom，stoodsponsorsforhim。Bythem，eachbearingalightedtaper，hewasescortedtothealtar。ItwasatSt。Mary’sPriory，andPriorEdwardblessedtheswordandgirdedittothelad’sside。Noonewaspresentbutthefour，andwhenthegoodPriorhadgiventhebenedictionandhadsignedthecrossuponhisforehead，Myles’smotherstoopedandkissedhisbrowjustwherethepriest’sfingerhaddrawntheholysign。Hereyesbrimmedbrightwithtearsasshedidso。Poorlady！perhapssheonlythenandforthefirsttimerealizedhowbigherfledglingwasgrowingforhisnest。HenceforthMyleshadtherighttowearasword。

Myleshadendedhisfifteenthyear。Hewasabonnylad，withbrownface，curlinghair，asquare，strongchin，andapairofmerrylaughingblueeyes；hisshoulderswerebroad；hischestwasthickofgirth；hismusclesandthewswereastoughasoak。

Thedayuponwhichhewassixteenyearsold，ashecamewhistlinghomefromthemonasteryschoolhewasmetbyDicconBowman。

"MasterMyles，"saidtheoldman，withasnuffleinhisvoice——"MasterMyles，thyfatherwouldseetheeinhischamber，andbademesendtheetohimassoonasthoudidstcomehome。Oh，MasterMyles，Ifearmethatbelikethouartgoingtoleavehometo—morrowday。"

Mylesstoppedshort。"Toleavehome！"hecried。

"Aye，"saidoldDiccon，"belikethougoesttosomegrandcastletolivethere，andbeapagethereandwhatnot，andthen，haply，agentleman—at—armsinsomegreatlord’spay。"

"Whatcoilisthisaboutcastlesandlordsandgentlemen—at—arms？"saidMyles。"Whattalkestthouof，Diccon？

Artthoujesting？"

"Nay，"saidDiccon，"Iamnotjesting。Butgotothyfather，andthenthouwiltpresentlyknowall。OnlythisIdosay，thatitislikethouleavestusto—morrowday。"

AndsoitwasasDicconhadsaid；Myleswastoleavehometheverynextmorning。HefoundhisfatherandmotherandPriorEdwardtogether，waitingforhiscoming。

"Wethreehavebeentalkingitoverthismorning，"saidhisfather，"andsothinkeachonethatthetimehathcomefortheetoquitthispoorhomeofours。Anthoustayheretenyearslonger，thou’ltbenomorefittogothenthannow。To—morrowI

willgivetheealettertomykinsman，theEarlofMackworth。HehasthriveninthesedaysandIhavefallenaway，buttimewasthatheandIweretruesworncompanions，andplightedtogetherinfriendshipnevertobesundered。Methinks，asIrememberhim，hewillabidebyhisplightedtroth，andwillgivetheehisaidtoriseintheworld。So，asIsaid，to—morrowmorningthoushaltsetforthwithDicconBowman，andshallgotoCastleDevlen，andtheredeliverthisletterwhichprayethhimtogivetheeaplaceinhishousehold。Thoumaysthavethisafternoontothyselftomakereadsuchthingsasthoushalttakewiththee。AndbidmeDiccontotakethegrayhorsetothevillageandhaveitshod。"

PriorEdwardhadbeenstandinglookingoutofthewindow。AsLordFalworthendedheturned。

"And，Myles，"saidhe，"thouwiltneedsomemoney，soIwillgivetheeasaloanfortyshillings，whichsomedaythoumaystreturntomeanthouwilt。Forthisknow，Myles，amancannotdointheworldwithoutmoney。Thyfatherhathitreadyfortheeinthechest，andwillgiveittheeto—morrowerethougoest。"

LordFalworthhadthegrimstrengthofmanhood’shardsensetoupbearhiminsendinghissonintotheworld，butthepoorladymotherhadnothingofthattoupholdher。Nodoubtitwasashardthenasitisnowforthemothertoseethenestlingthrustfromthenesttoshiftforitself。Whattearswereshed，whatwordsoflovewerespokentotheonlyman—child，nonebutthemotherandthesoneverknew。

ThenextmorningMylesandtheoldbowmanrodeaway，andnodoubttotheboyhimselfthedarkshadowsofleave—takingwerelostinthegoldenlightofhopeasherodeoutintothegreatworldtoseekhisfortune。

CHAPTER3

WHATMYLESrememberedofFalworthloomedgreatandgrandandbig，asthingsdointhememoryofchildhood，butevenmemorycouldnotmakeFalworththeequalofDevlenCastle，when，asheandDicconBowmanrodeoutofDevlentownacrossthegreat，rudestonebridgethatspannedtheriver，hefirstsaw，risingabovethecrownsofthetrees，thosehugehoarywalls，andthesteeproofsandchimneysclusteredthicklytogether，liketheroofsandchimneysofatown。

Thecastlewasbuiltuponaplateau—likeriseofground，whichwasenclosedbytheouterwall。Itwassurroundedonthreesidesbyaloop—likebendoftheriver，andonthefourthwasprotectedbyadeep，broad，artificialmoat，almostaswideasthestreamfromwhichitwasfed。Theroadfromthetownwoundforalittledistancealongbytheedgeofthismoat。AsMylesandtheoldbowmangallopedby，withtheansweringechooftheirhorses’

hoof—beatsrattlingbackfromthesmoothstonefaceofthewalls，theladlookedup，wonderingattheheightandstrengthofthegreatancientfortress。Inhisair—castlebuildingMyleshadpicturedtheEarlreceivinghimasthesonofhisone—timecomradeinarms——receivinghim，perhaps，withsomewhatoftherusticwarmththatheknewatCrosbey—Dale；butnow，ashestaredatthosemassivewallsfrombelow，andrealizedhisowninsignificanceandthegreatnessofthisgreatEarl，hefeltthefirstkeen，helplessacheofhomesicknessshootthroughhisbreast，andhisheartyearnedforCrosbey—Holtagain。

Thentheythunderedacrossthebridgethatspannedthemoat，andthroughthedarkshadowsofthegreatgapinggate—way，andDiccon，biddinghimstayforamoment，rodeforwardtobespeakthegate—keeper。

Thegate—keepergavethetwoinchargeofoneofthemen—at—armswhowerelounginguponabenchinthearchway，whointurngavethemintothecareofoneofthehouse—servantsintheoutercourt—yard。So，havingbeenpassedfromonetoanother，andhavingansweredmanyquestions，Mylesinduetimefoundhimselfintheouterwaiting—roomsittingbesideDicconBowmanuponawoodenbenchthatstoodalongthewallunderthegreatarchofaglazedwindow。

Forawhilethepoorcountryladsatstupidlybewildered。Hewasawareofpeoplecomingandgoing；hewasawareoftalkandlaughtersoundingaroundhim；buthethoughtofnothingbuthisachinghomesicknessandtheoppressionofhisutterlittlenessinthebusylifeofthisgreatcastle。

MeantimeoldDicconBowmanwasstaringabouthimwithhugeinterest，everynowandthennudginghisyoungmaster，callinghisattentionnowtothisandnowtothat，untilatlasttheladbegantoawakensomewhatfromhisdespondencytothethingsaround。Besidesthoseservantsandotherswhocameandwent，andaknotofsixoreightmen—at—armswithbillsandpole—axes，whostoodatthefartherdoor—waytalkingtogetherinlowtones，nowandthenbrokenbyastifledlaugh，wasagroupoffouryoungsquires，wholoungeduponabenchbesideadoor—wayhiddenbyanarras，anduponthemMyles’seyeslitwithasuddeninterest。

Threeofthefourwereabouthisownage，onewasayearortwoolder，andallfourweredressedintheblack—and—yellowuniformofthehouseofBeaumont。

Mylespluckedthebowmanbythesleeve。"Betheysquires，Diccon？"saidhe，noddingtowardsthedoor。

"Eh？"saidDiccon。"Aye；theybesquires。"

"Andwillmystationbewiththem？"askedtheboy。

"Aye；antheEarltaketheetoservice，thou’lthaplybetakenassquire。"

Mylesstaredatthem，andthenofasuddenwasawarethattheyoungmenweretalkingofhim。Heknewitbythewaytheyeyedhimaskance，andspokenowandtheninoneanother’sears。Oneofthefour，agayyoungfellow，withlongriding—bootslacedwithgreenlaces，saidafewwords，theothersgavealaugh，andpoorMyles，knowinghowungainlyhemustseemtothem，feltthebloodrushtohischeeks，andshylyturnedhishead。

Suddenly，asthoughstirredbyanimpulse，thesameladwhohadjustcreatedthelaugharosefromthebench，andcamedirectlyacrosstheroomtowhereMylesandthebowmansat。

"Givetheegood—den，"saidhe。"Whatbe’stthynameandwhencecomestthou，anImaymakeboldsotoask？"

"MynameisMylesFalworth，"saidMyles；"andIcomefromCrosbey—DalebearingalettertomyLord。"

"NeverdidIhearofCrosbey—Dale，"saidthesquire。"Butwhatseekesthere，ifsobeImayaskthatmuch？"

"Icomeseekingservice，"saidMyles，"andwouldenterasanesquiresuchasyebeinmyLord’shousehold。"

Myles’snewacquaintancegrinned。"Thou’ltmakeadrollsquiretowaitinaLord’shousehold，"saidhe。"Hasteverbeeninsuchservice？"

"Nay，"saidMyles，"Ihaveonlybeenatschool，andlearnedLatinandFrenchandwhatnot。ButDicconBowmanherehathtaughtmeuseofarms。

Theyoungsquirelaughedoutright。"By’rLady，thytalkdothtickleme，friendMyles，"saidhe。"Think’stthousuchmatterswillgaintheefootinghere？Butstay！ThoudidstsayanonthatthouhadstalettertomyLord。Fromwhomisit？"

"Itisfrommyfather，"saidMyles。"Heisofnobleblood，butfalleninestate。HeisakinsmanofmyLord’s，andonetimehiscomradeinarms。"

"Saystso？"saidtheother。"Thenmayhapthychancesarenotsoill，afterall。"Then，afteramoment，headded："MynameisFrancisGascoyne，andIwillstandthyfriendinthismatter。Getthyletterready，formyLordandhisGraceofYorkarewithinandcomeforthanon。TheArchbishopisonhiswaytoDalworth，andmyLordescortshimsofarasUppingham。Iandthoseothersaretogoalong。DostthouknowmyLordbysight？"

"Nay，"saidMyles，"Iknowhimnot。"

"ThenIwilltelltheewhenhecometh。Listen！"saidhe，asaconfusedclatteringsoundedinthecourt—yardwithout。"Yonderarethehorsesnow。Theycomepresently。Busktheewiththyletter，friendMyles。"

Theattendantswhopassedthroughtheanteroomnowcameandwentmorehurriedly，andMylesknewthattheEarlmustbeabouttocomeforth。Hehadhardlytimetountiehispouch，takeouttheletter，andtiethestringsagainwhenthearrasatthedoor—waywasthrustsuddenlyaside，andatallthinsquireofabouttwentycameforth，saidsomewordstotheyoungmenuponthebench，andthenwithdrewagain。Instantlythesquiresaroseandtooktheirstationbesidethedoor—way。Asuddenhushfelluponallintheroom，andthemen—at—armsstoodinalineagainstthewall，stiffanderectasthoughallatoncetransformedtofiguresofiron。

Oncemorethearraswasdrawnback，andinthehushMylesheardvoicesintheotherroom。

"MyLordcometh，"whisperedGascoyneinhisear，andMylesfelthisheartleapinanswer。

Thenextmomenttwonoblemencameintotheanteroomfollowedbyacrowdofgentlemen，squires，andpages。OneofthetwowasadignitaryoftheChurch；theotherMylesinstantlysingledoutastheEarlofMackworth。

CHAPTER4

Hewasatallman，tallereventhanMyles’sfather。Hehadathinface，deep—setbushyeyebrows，andahawknose。Hisupperlipwascleanshaven，butfromhischinaflowingbeardofiron—grayhungnearlytohiswaist。Hewascladinariding—gownofblackvelvetthathungalittlelowerthantheknee，trimmedwithotterfurandembroideredwithsilvergoshawks——thecrestofthefamilyofBeaumont。

Alightshirtoflinkmailshowedbeneaththegownashewalked，andapairofsoftundressedleatherriding—bootswerelacedashighastheknee，protectinghisscarlethosefrommudanddirt。

Overhisshouldersheworeacollarofenamelledgold，fromwhichhungamagnificentjewelledpendant，anduponhisfisthecarriedabeautifulIcelandfalcon。

AsMylesstoodstaring，hesuddenlyheardGascoyne’svoicewhisperinhisear，"YonismyLord；goforwardandgivehimthyletter。"

Scarcelyknowingwhathedid，hewalkedtowardstheEarllikeamachine，hisheartpoundingwithinhimandagreathumminginhisears。Ashedrewnear，thenoblemanstoppedforamomentandstaredathim，andMyles，asinadream，kneeled，andpresentedtheletter。TheEarltookitinhishand，turneditthiswayandthat，lookedfirstatthebearer，thenatthepacket，andthenatthebeareragain。

"Whoartthou？"saidhe；"andwhatisthematterthouwouldsthaveofme？"

"IamMylesFalworth，"saidthelad，inalowvoice；"andIcomeseekingservicewithyou。"

TheEarldrewhisthickeyebrowsquicklytogether，andshotakeenlookatthelad。"Falworth？"saidhe，sharply——"Falworth？I

knownoFalworth！"

"Theletterwilltellyou，"saidMyles。"Itisfromoneoncedeartoyou。"

TheEarltooktheletter，andhandingittoagentlemanwhostoodnear，badehimbreaktheseal。"Thoumayststand，"saidhetoMyles；"needstnotkneelthereforever。"Then，takingtheopenedparchmentagain，heglancedfirstatthefaceandthenattheback，and，seeingitslength，lookedvexed。Thenhereadforanearnestmomentortwo，skippingfromlinetoline。Presentlyhefoldedtheletterandthrustitintothepouchathisside。"Soitis，yourGrace，"saidhetothelordlyprelate，"thatwewhohavelucktoriseintheworldmusteversufferbybeingplaguedatalltimesandseasons。HereisoneIchancedtoknowadozenyearsago，whothinkshehathaclaimuponme，andsaddlesmewithhisson。Imuste’entakethelad，too，forthesakeofpeaceandquietness。"Heglancedaround，andseeingGascoyne，whohaddrawnnear，beckonedtohim。"Takemethisfellow，"saidhe，"tothebuttery，andseehimfed；andthentoSirJamesLee，andhavehisnameenteredinthecastlebooks。Andstay，sirrah，"headded；"bidmeSirJames，ifitmaybesodone，toenterhimasasquire—at—arms。Methinkshewillbebetterservingsothaninthehousehold，forheappearethasoothlyroughcubforapage。"

Mylesdidlookrusticenough，standingcladinfriezeinthemidstofthatgaycompany，andamurmuroflaughtersoundedaround，thoughhewastoobewilderedtofullyunderstandthathewasthecauseofthemerriment。Thensomehanddrewhimback——itwasGascoyne’s——therewasabustleofpeoplepassing，andthenextminutetheyweregone，andMylesandoldDicconBowmanandtheyoungsquirewereleftaloneintheanteroom。

Gascoynelookedverysourandputout。"Murrainuponit！"saidhe；"hereisgoodsportspoiledformetoseetheefed。Iwishnoilltothee，friend，butIwouldthouhadstcomethisafternoonorto—morrow。"

"MethinksIbringtroubleanddoletoeveryone，"saidMyles，somewhatbitterly。"ItwouldhavebeenbetterhadInevercometothisplace，methinks。"

HiswordsandtonesoftenedGascoynealittle。"Ne’ermind，"saidthesquire；"itwasnotthyfault，andispastmendingnow。Socomeandfillthystomach，inHeaven’sname。"

PerhapsnottheleasthardpartofthewholetryingdayforMyleswashispartingwithDiccon。Gascoyneandhehadaccompaniedtheoldretainertotheoutergate，inthearchwayofwhichtheynowstood；forwithoutapermittheycouldgonofarther。Theoldbowmanledbythebridle—reinthehorseuponwhichMyleshadriddenthatmorning。Hisownnag，aviciousbrute，wasrestivetobegone，butDicconheldhiminwithtightrein。Hereacheddown，andtookMyles’ssturdybrownhandinhiscrooked，knottedgrasp。

"Farewell，youngmaster，"hecroaked，tremulously，withawateryglimmerinhispaleeyes。"ThouwiltnotforgetmewhenIamgone？"

"Nay，"saidMyles；"Iwillnotforgetthee。"

"Aye，aye，"saidtheoldman，lookingdownathim，andshakinghisheadslowlyfromsidetoside；"thouartagreattallsturdyfellownow，yethaveIheldtheeonmykneemanyandmany’sthetime，anddandledtheewhenthouwertonlyalittleweenybabe。

Bestill，thoudevil’slimb！"hesuddenlybrokeoff，reiningbackhisrestiveraw—bonedsteed，whichbeganagaintocaperandprance。Myleswasnotsorryfortheinterruption；hefeltawkwardandabashedattheparting，andattheoldman’sreminiscences，knowingthatGascoyne’seyeswererestingamusedlyuponthescene，andthatthemen—at—armswerelookingon。CertainlyoldDiccondidlookdrollashestruggledvainlywithhisvicioushigh—neckednag。"Nay，amurrainonthee！an’thouwiltgo，go！"

criedheatlast，withasavagedigofhisheelsintotheanimal’sribs，andawaytheyclattered，theled—horsekickingupitsheelsasafinalparting，settingGascoynefairlyalaughing。

Atthebendoftheroadtheoldmanturnedandnoddedhishead；

thenextmomenthehaddisappearedaroundtheangleofthewall，anditseemedtoMyles，ashestoodlookingafterhim，asthoughthelastthreadthatboundhimtohisoldlifehadsnappedandbroken。AsheturnedhesawthatGascoynewaslookingathim。

"Dostfeeldownhearted？"saidtheyoungsquire，curiously。

"Nay，"saidMyles，brusquely。Neverthelesshisthroatwastightanddry，andthewordcamehuskilyinspiteofhimself。

CHAPTER5

THEEARLofMackworth，aswascustomaryamongthegreatlordsinthosedays，maintainedasmallarmyofknights，gentlemen，men—at—arms，andretainers，whowereexpectedtoservehimuponalloccasionsofneed，andfromwhomweresuppliedhisquotaofrecruitstofillsuchleviesasmightbemadeuponhimbytheKingintimeofwar。

Theknightsandgentlemenofthislittlearmyofhorseandfootsoldierswerelargelyrecruitedfromthecompanyofsquiresandbachelors，astheyoungnovitiatesoldiersofthecastlewerecalled。

Thiscompanyofesquiresconsistedoffromeightytoninetylads，ranginginagefromeighttotwentyyears。Thoseunderfourteenyearsweretermedpages，andservedchieflytheCountessandherwaitinggentlewomen，inwhosecompanytheyacquiredthegracesandpolishofthetimes，suchastheywere。Afterreachingtheageoffourteentheladswereentitledtothenameofesquireorsquire。

InmostofthegreathousesofthetimetheesquiresweretheespecialattendantsupontheLordandLadyofthehouse，holdingsuchpositionsasbody—squires，cup—bearers，carvers，andsometimestheofficeofchamberlain。ButDevlen，likesomeotheroftheprincelycastlesofthegreatestnobles，wasmorelikeamilitarypostorafortressthananordinaryhousehold。OnlycomparativelyfewoftheesquirescouldbeusedinpersonalattendanceupontheEarl；theothersweretrainedmorestrictlyinarms，andservedratherinthecapacityofasortofbody—guardthanasordinarysquires。For，astheEarlroseinpowerandinfluence，andasitsobecamewellworthwhileforthelowernobilityandgentrytoentertheirsonsinhisfamily，thebodyofsquiresbecamealmostcumbersomelylarge。Accordingly，thatpartwhichcomprisedthesquiresproper，asseparatefromtheyoungerpages，wasdividedintothreeclasses——first，squiresofthebody，whowerethosejustpastpagehood，andwhowaitedupontheEarlinpersonalservice；second，squiresofthehousehold，who，havingregularhoursassignedforexerciseinthemanualofarms，wererelievedfrompersonalserviceexceptinguponespecialoccasions；andthirdlyandlastly，attheheadofthewholebodyoflads，aclasscalledbachelors——youngmenrangingfromeighteentotwentyyearsofage。Thisclasswassupposedtoexerciseasortofgovernmentovertheotherandyoungersquires——tokeeptheminorderasmuchaspossible，tomarshalthemuponoccasionsofimportance，toseethattheirarmsandequipmentswerekeptingoodorder，tocalltherollforchapelinthemorning，andtoseethatthosenotupondutyinthehousewerepresentatthedailyexerciseatarms。Orderstothesquiresweregenerallytransmittedthroughthebachelors，andtheheadofthatbodywasexpectedtomakeweeklyreportsofaffairsintheirquarterstothechiefcaptainofthebody。

Fromthisoverlordshipofthebachelorstherehadgraduallyrisenasystemoffagging，suchasisorwaspractisedinthegreatEnglishpublicschools——enforcedservicesexactedfromtheyoungerlads——whichatthetimeMylescametoDevlenhad，inthefiveorsixyearsithadbeeninpractice，growntobeanabsolutethoughunwrittenlawofthebody——alawsupportedbyalltheprestigeoflong—continuedusage。Atthattimethebachelorsnumberedbutthirteen，yettheyexercisedovertherestofthesixty—foursquiresandpagesaruleofiron，andweretaskmasters，hard，exacting，andoftentimescruel。

Thewholecompanyofsquiresandpageswasunderthesupremecommandofacertainone—eyedknight，bynameSirJamesLee；asoldierseasonedbythefireofadozenbattles，bearingascoreofwoundswoninfightandtourney，andwitheredbyhardshipandlabortoaleather—liketoughness。HehadfoughtupontheKing’ssideinallthelatewars，andhadatShrewsburyreceivedawoundthatunfittedhimforactiveservice，sothatnowhewasfallentothepostofCaptainofEsquiresatDevlenCastle——amandisappointedinlife，andwithatemperimbitteredbythatfailureaswellasbycankeringpain。

YetPerhapsnoonecouldhavebeenbetterfittedfortheplaceheheldthanSirJamesLee。Theladsunderhischargewerearude，rough，unrulyset，quick，liketheirelders，toquarrel，andtoquarrelfiercely，eventothedrawingofswordordagger。Buttherewasacold，ironsternnessaboutthegrimoldmanthatquelledthem，asthetrainerwithalashofsteelmightquelladenofyoungwolves。Theapartmentsinwhichhewaslodged，withhisclerk，werenextinthedormitoryofthelads，andeveninthemidstofthemostexcitedbrawlingsthedistantsoundofhisharshvoice，"Silence，messieurs！"wouldbringaninstanthushtotheloudestuproar。

ItwasintohisgrimpresencethatMyleswasintroducedbyGascoyne。SirJameswasinhisoffice，aroombareofornamentoradornmentorsuperfluouscomfortofanysort——withoutevensomuchasamatofrushesuponthecoldstonepavementtomakeitlesscheerless。Theoldone—eyedknightsatgnawinghisbristlingmustaches。Toanyonewhoknewhimitwouldhavebeenapparentthat，asthecastlephrasewent，"thedevilsatastrideofhisneck，"whichmeantthatsomeoneofhisblindwoundswasachingmoresorelythanusual。

Hisclerksatbesidehim，withaccount—booksandparchmentspreaduponthetable，andtheheadsquire，WalterBlunt，aladsomethreeorfouryearsolderthanMyles，andhalfaheadtaller，black—browed，powerfullybuilt，andwithcheekandchindarkenedbythesoftbuddingofhisadolescentbeard，stoodmakinghisreport。

SirJameslistenedingrimsilencewhileGascoynetoldhiserrand。

"So，then，pardee，Iambidtotakeanotheroneofye，amI？"hesnarled。"Asthoughyecausedmenottroubleenow；andthisoneacub，lookingaveryboorincarriageandbreeding。MayhaptheEarlthinkethIamtotrainboystohisdilly—dallyhouseholdserviceaswellastouseofarms。"

"Sir，"saidGascoyne，timidly，"myLordsayethhewouldhavethisoneentereddirectasasquireofthebody，sothatheneednotserveinthehousehold。"

"Sayestso？"criedSirJames，harshly。"ThentakethoumymessagebackagaintothyLord。NotforMackworth——no，norabettermanthanhe——willImakeanychangesinmygovernment。AnIbesettoruleapackofboys，IwillrulethemasIlist，andnotaccordingtoanyman’sbidding。Tellhim，sirrah，thatIwillenternoladassquireofthebodywithoutfirsttestinganhebefitatarmstoholdthatplace。"HesatforawhilegloweringatMylesandgnawinghismustaches，andforthetimenoonedaredtobreakthegrimsilence。"Whatisthyname？"saidhe，suddenly。

Andthen，almostbeforeMylescouldanswer，heaskedtheheadsquirewhetherhecouldfindaplacetolodgehim。

"ThereisGillisWhitlock’scotempty，"saidBlunt。"Heisintheinfirmary，andbelikegoethhomeagainwhenhecomeththence。Thefeverhathgottenintohisbones，and——"

"Thatwilldo，"saidtheknight，interruptinghimimpatiently。

"Lethimtakethatplace，oranyotherthatthouhast。Andthou，Jerome，"saidhetohisclerk，"thoumaystenterhimupontheroll，thoughwhetheritbeaspageorsquireorbachelorshallbeasIplease，andnotasMackworthbiddethme。Nowgetyegone。"

"OldBruin’swoundsmartethhimsore，"Gascoyneobserved，asthetwoladswalkedacrossthearmorycourt。Hehadgood—naturedlyofferedtoshowthenew—comerthemanysightsofinterestaroundthecastle，andinthehourorsooframblethatfollowed，thetwogrewfromacquaintancestofriendswithaquicknessthatboyhoodalonecanbringabout。Theyvisitedthearmory，thechapel，thestables，thegreathall，thePaintedChamber，theguard—house，themess—room，andeventhesculleryandthekitchen，withitsgreatrangeofboilersandfurnacesandovens。

LastofallMyles’snewfriendintroducedhimtothearmor—smithy。

"MyLordhathsentapieceofMilanarmorthithertoberepaired，"saidhe。"Belikethouwouldliketoseeit。"

"Aye，"saidMyles，eagerly，"thatwouldI。"

Thesmithwasagruff，good—naturedfellow，andshowedthepieceofarmortoMylesreadilyandwillinglyenough。Itwasabeautifulbascinetofinlaidworkmanship，andwasedgedwitharimofgold。Mylesscarcelydaredtouchit；hegazedatitwithanunconcealeddelightthatwarmedthesmith’shonestheart。

"IhaveanotherpieceofMilanhere，"saidhe。"DidIevershowtheemydagger，MasterGascoyne？"

"Nay，"saidthesquire。

Thesmithunlockedagreatoakenchestinthecorneroftheshop，liftedthelid，andbroughtthenceabeautifuldaggerwiththehandleofebonyandsilver—gilt，andasheathofSpanishleather，embossedandgilt。Thekeen，well—temperedbladewasbeautifullyengravedandinlaidwithniello—work，representingagroupoffiguresinathenpopularsubject——thedanceofDeath。Itwasaweaponatonceuniqueandbeautiful，andevenGascoyneshowedanadmirationscarcelylesskeenthanMyles’sopenly—expresseddelight。

"Towhomdothitbelong？"saidhe，tryingthepointuponhisthumbnail。

"There，"saidthesmith，"isthejestofthewhole，foritbelongethtome。SirWilliamBeauclerkbademeordertheweaponthroughMasterGildersworthy，ofLondontown，andbythetimeitcamehither，lo！hehaddied，andsoitfelltomyhands。Nooneherepayeththepriceforthetrinket，andsoImuste’enkeepitmyself，thoughIbebutapoorman。"

"Howmuchdostthouholditfor？"saidGascoyne。

"Seventeenshillingsbuyethit，"saidthearmorer，carelessly。

"Aye，aye，"saidGascoyne，withasigh；"soitistobepoor，andnotbeabletohavesuchthingsasonelovethandwouldfainpossess。Seventeenshillingsisnighasmuchbyhalfagainasallmyyearlywage。"

ThenasuddenthoughtcametoMyles，andasitcamehischeeksglowedashotasfire"MasterGascoyne，"saidhe，withgruffawkwardness，"thouhastbeenaverygood，truefriendtomesinceIhavecometothisplace，andhastbefriendedmeinallwaysthoumightestdo，andI，aswellIknow，butapoorrusticclod。

NowIhavefortyshillingsbymewhichImayspendasIlist，andsoIdobeseechtheethatthouwilttakeyondaggerofmeasalove—gift，andhaveandholditforthyveryown。

Gascoynestaredopen—mouthedatMyles。"Dostmeanit？"saidhe，atlast。

"Aye，"saidMyles，"Idomeanit。MasterSmith，givehimtheblade。"

Atfirstthesmithgrinned，thinkingitallajest；buthesoonsawthatMyleswasseriousenough，andwhentheseventeenshillingswereproducedandcounteddownupontheanvil，hetookoffhiscapandmadeMylesalowbowashesweptthemintohispouch。"Now，bymyfaithandtroth，"quothhe，"thatIdocallatruelordlygift。Isitnotso，MasterGascoyne？"

"Aye，"saidGascoyne，withagulp，"itis，insoothlyearnest。"

Andthereupon，toMyles’sgreatwonderment，hesuddenlyflunghisarmsabouthisneck，and，givinghimagreathug，kissedhimuponthecheek。"DearMyles，"saidhe，"ItelltheetrulyandofaverityIdidfeelwarmtowardstheefromtheveryfirsttimeI

sawtheesittinglikeapooroafuponthebenchupyonderintheanteroom，andnowofasoothIgivetheeassurancethatIdolovetheeasmyownbrother。Yea，Iwilltakethedagger，andwillstandbytheeasatruefriendfromthistimeforth。Mayhapthoumaystneedatruefriendinthisplaceerethoulivestlongwithus，forsomeofusesquiresbesoothlyrough，andknocksaremoreplentyherethanbroadpennies，sothatonenewcomeisliketohaveahardtimegainingafooting。"

"Ithankthee，"saidMyles，"forthyofferofloveandfriendship，anddotellthee，uponmypart，thatIalsoofalltheworldwouldlikebesttohavetheeformyfriend。"

SuchwasthemannerInwhichMylesformedthefirstgreatfriendshipofhislife，afriendshipthatwasdestinedtolasthimthroughmanyyearstocome。Asthetwowalkedbackacrossthegreatquadrangle，uponwhichfrontedthemainbuildingsofthecastle，theirarmswerewoundacrossoneanother’sshoulders，afterthemanner，asacertaingreatwritersays，ofboysandlovers。

CHAPTER6

Aboy’slifeisofaveryflexiblesort。Ittakesbutalittlewhileforittoshapeitselftoanynewsurroundingsinwhichitmaybethrown，tomakeitselfnewfriends，tosettleitselftonewhabits；andsoitwasthatMylesfelldirectlyintothewaysoftheladsofDevlen。Onhisfirstmorning，ashewashedhisfaceandhandswiththeothersquiresandpagesinagreattankofwaterinthearmorycourt—yard，hepresentlyfoundhimselfsplashinganddashingwiththeothers，laughingandshoutingasloudasany，andcallingsomebytheirChristiannamesasthoughhehadknownthemforyearsinsteadofovernight。Duringchapelhewatchedwithsympatheticdelightthecovertpranksoftheyoungstersduringthehalf—hourthatFatherEmmanueldronedhisLatin，andwithhisdaggerpointhecarvedhisownnameamongthemanycutdeepintothebackofthebenchbeforehim。When，afterbreakfast，thesquirespouredlikeschool—boysintothegreatarmorytoanswertotheroll—callfordailyexercise，hecamestorminginwiththerest，beatingtheladinfrontofhimwithhiscap。

Boysareverykeentofeeltheinfluenceofaforcefulcharacter。

Aladwithastrongwillisquicktoreachhisproperlevelasagreaterorlesserleaderamongtheothers，andMyleswasofjustthemasterfulnaturetomakehisindividualityfeltamongtheDevlensquires。Hewasquickenoughtoyieldobedienceuponalloccasionstoproperauthority，butwouldneverbendaninchtotheusurpationoftyranny。IntheschoolatSt。Mary’sPrioryatCrosbey—DalehewouldsubmitwithoutamurmurorofferofresistancetochastisementbyoldFatherAmbrose，theregularteacher；butonce，whenthefatoldmonkwassick，andagreatlong—leggedstrappingyoungfriar，whohadtemporarilytakenhisplace，undertooktoadministerpunishment，Myles，withawrestlingtrip，flunghimsprawlingbackwardoverabenchintothemidstofashoalofsmallboysamidahubbubofriotousconfusion。HehadbeenfloggedsoundlyforitunderthesupervisionofPriorEdwardhimself；butsosoonashispunishmentwasover，heassuredthepriorveryseriouslythatshouldlikeoccasionagainhappenhewouldactinthesamemanner，floggingornoflogging。

Itwasthisbold，outspokenspiritthatgainedhimatoncefriendsandenemiesatDevlen，andthoughitfirstshoweditselfinwhatwasbutalittlematter，neverthelessitsetamarkuponhimthatsingledhimoutfromtherest，and，althoughhedidnotsuspectitatthetime，calledtohimtheattentionofSirJamesLeehimself，whoregardedhimasaladoffreeandfrankspirit。

Thefirstmorningaftertheroll—callinthearmory，asWalterBlunt，theheadbachelor，rolleduptheslipofparchment，andthetemporarysilenceburstforthintoredoublednoiseandconfusion，eachladarminghimselffromarowofracksthatstoodalongthewall，hebeckonedMylestohim。

"MyLordhimselfhathspokentoSirJamesLeeconcerningthee，"

saidhe。"SirJamesmaintaineththathewillnotentertheeintothebodytillthouhastfirstpractisedforawhileatthepels，andshownwhatthoucanstdoatbroadsword。Hasteverfoughtatthepel？"

"Aye，"answeredMyles，"andthateverydayofmylifesinI

becameesquirefouryearsago，savingonlySundaysandholydays。"

"Withshieldandbroadsword？"

"Sometimes，"saidMyles，"andsometimeswiththeshortsword。"

"SirJameswouldhavetheecometothetilt—yardthismorn；hehimselfwilltaketheeinhandtotrywhatthoucanstdo。Thoumaysttakethearmsuponyonderrack，andusethemuntilotherwisebidden。Thouseestthatthenumberpaintedaboveitonthewallisseventeen；thatwillbethynumberforthenonce。"

SoMylesarmedhimselffromhisrackastheothersweredoingfromtheirs。Thearmorwasrudeandheavy，usedtoaccustomthebodytotheweightoftheironplatesratherthanforanydefence。Itconsistedofacuirass，orbreastplateofiron，openingatthesidewithhinges，andcatchingwithhooksandeyes；epauliers，orshoulder—plates；arm—platesandleg—pieces；

andabascinet，oropen—facedhelmet。Agreattriangularshieldcoveredwithleatherandstuddedwithbossesofiron，andaheavybroadsword，pointedanddulledattheedges，completedtheequipment。

ThepracticeatthepelswhichMyleswasbiddentoattendcomprisedthechiefexerciseofthedaywiththeesquiresofyoungcadetsoldiersofthattime，andinittheylearnednotonlyallthestrokes，cuts，andthrustsofsword—playtheninvogue，butalsotoughness，endurance，andelasticquickness。Thepelsthemselvesconsistedofuprightpostsofashoroak，aboutfivefeetsixinchesinheight，andingirthsomewhatthickerthanaman’sthigh。Theywerefirmlyplantedintheground，anduponthemthestrokesofthebroadswordweredirected。

AtDevlenthepelsstoodjustbackoftheopenandcoveredtiltingcourtsandthearcheryranges，andthitherthoseladsnotuponhouseholddutyweremarchedeverymorningexceptingFridaysandSundays，andwerethereexercisedunderthedirectionofSirJamesLeeandtwoassistants。Thewholecompanywasdividedintotwo，sometimesintothreeparties，eachofwhichtookitsturnattheexercise，deliveringatthewordofcommandthevariousstrokes，feints，attacks，andretreatsastheinstructorsordered。

Afterfiveminutesofthismockbattletheperspirationbegantopourdownthefaces，andthebreathtocomethickandshort；butitwasnotuntiltheladscouldabsolutelyendurenomorethattheorderwasgiventorest，andtheywereallowedtoflingthemselvespantingupontheground，whileanothercompanytookitsplaceatthetriplerowofposts。

AsMylesstruckandhackedatthepelassignedtohim，SirJamesLeestoodbesidehimwatchinghimingrimsilence。Theladdidhisbesttoshowtheknightallthatheknewofuppercut，undercut，thrust，andback—handstroke，butitdidnotseemtohimthatSirJameswasverywellsatisfiedwithhisskill。

"Thoufightestlikeaclodpole，"saidtheoldman。"Ha，thatstrokewasbutill—recovered。Strikemeitagain，andgetthouinguardmorequickly。"

Mylesrepeatedthestroke。

"Pest！"criedSirJames。"Thouarttooslowbyaweek。Here，strikethoutheblowatme。"

Myleshesitated。SirJamesheldastoutstaffinhishand，butotherwisehewasunarmed。

"Strike，Isay！"saidSirJames。"Whatstayestthoufor？Artafeard？"

ItwasMyles’sanswerthatsetthesealofindividualityuponhim。"Nay，"saidhe，boldly，"Iamnotafeard。Ifearnottheenoranyman！"Sosaying，hedeliveredthestrokeatSirJameswithmightandmain。Itwasmetwithajarringblowthatmadehiswristandarmtingle，andthenextinstanthereceivedastrokeuponthebascinetthatcausedhisearstoringandthesparkstodance。andflybeforehiseyes。

"Pardee！"saidSirJames，grimly。"AnIhadhadamaceinmyhand，Iwouldhaveknockedthycockerelbrainsoutthattime。

Thoumaysttakethatblowforansweringmesopertly。Andnowwearequits。Nowstrikemethestrokeagainanthouartnotafeard。"

Myles’seyeswateredinspiteofhimself，andheshutthelidstighttowinkthedimnessaway。Neverthelesshespokeupundauntedlyasbefore。"Aye，marry，willIstrikeitagain，"saidhe；andthistimehewasabletorecoverguardquicklyenoughtoturnSirJames’sblowwithhisshield，insteadofreceivingituponhishead。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读