CHAPTER XXXIV. HOW THE COMPANY MADE SPORT IN THE VALE OF PAMPELUNA.

whohaddrawnanarrowfromhisquiver,carefullygreasedtheheadofit,andspeditatthesamemark. “Run,Wilkins,”quothhe,“andfetchmetheshield.” LongwerethefacesoftheEnglishmenandbroadthelaughofthecrossbowmenastheheavymantletwascarriedtowardsthem,forthereinthecentrewasthethickBrabantboltdrivendeeplyintothewood,whiletherewasneithersignnortraceofthecloth-yardshaft. “Bythethreekings!”criedtheBrabanter,“thistimeatleastthereisnogainsayingwhichisthebetterweapon,orwhichthetruerhandthatheldit.Youhavemissedtheshield,Englishman.” “Tarryabit!tarryabit,mongar.!”quothAylward,andturningroundtheshieldheshowedaroundclearholeinthewoodatthebackofit.“Myshafthaspassedthroughit,camarade,andItrowtheonewhichgoesthroughismoretobefearedthanthatwhichbidesontheway.” TheBrabanterstampedhisfootwithmortification,andwasabouttomakesomeangryreply,whenAlleyneEdricsoncameridinguptothecrowdsofarchers. “SirNigelwillbehereanon,”saidhe,“anditishiswishtospeakwiththeCompany.” Inaninstantorderandmethodtooktheplaceofgeneralconfusion.Bows,steelcaps,andjackswerecaughtupfromthegrass.Alongcordonclearedthecampofallstrangers,whilethemainbodyfellintofourlineswithunder-officersandfile-leadersinfrontandoneitherflank.Sotheystood,silentandmotionless,whentheirleadercameridingtowardsthem,hisfaceshiningandhiswholesmallfigureswellingwiththenewswhichhebore. “Greathonorhasbeendonetous,men,”criedhe:“for,ofallthearmy,theprincehaschosenusoutthatweshouldrideonwardsintothelandsofSpaintospyuponourenemies.Yet,astherearemanyofus,andastheservicemaynotbetothelikingofall,Ipraythatthosewillstepforwardfromtherankswhohavethewilltofollowme.” Therewasarustleamongthebowmen,butwhenSirNigellookedupatthemnomanstoodforwardfromhisfellows,butthefourlinesofmenstretchedunbrokenasbefore.SirNigelblinkedattheminamazement,andalookofthedeepestsorrowshadowedhisface. “ThatIshouldlivetoseetheday!”hecried.“What!notone——” “Myfairlord,”whisperedAlleyne,“theyhaveallsteppedforward.” “Ah,bySaintPaul!Iseehowitiswiththem.Icouldnotthinkthattheywoulddesertme.Westartatdawnto-morrow,andyearetohavethehorsesofSirRobertCheney'scompany.Beready,Iprayye,atearlycock-crow.” Abuzzofdelightburstfromthearchers,astheybroketheirranksandranhitherandthither,whoopingandcheeringlikeboyswhohavenewsofaholiday.SirNigelgazedafterthemwithasmilingface,whenaheavyhandfelluponhisshoulder. “Whatho!myknight-errantofTwynham!”saidavoice,“YouareofftoEbro,Ihearand,bytheholyfishofTobias!youmusttakemeunderyourbanner.” “What!SirOliverButtesthorn!”criedSirNigel.“Ihadheardthatyouwerecomeintocamp,andhadhopedtoseeyou.GladandproudshallIbetohaveyouwithme.” “Ihaveamostparticularandweightyreasonforwishingtogo,”saidthesturdyknight. “Icanwellbelieveit,”returnedSirNigel“Ihavemetnomanwhoisquickertofollowwherehonorleads.” “Nay,itisnotforhonorthatIgo,Nigel.” “Forwhatthen?” “Forpullets.” “Pullets?” “Yes,fortherascalvanguardhaveclearedeveryhenfromthecountry-side.ItwasthisverymorningthatNorbury,mysquire,lamedhishorseinridingroundinquestofone,forwehaveabagoftruffles,andnoughttoeatwiththem.NeverhaveIseensuchlocustsasthisvanguardofours.NotapulletshallweseeuntilweareinfrontofthemsoIshallleavemyWinchesterrunagatestothecareoftheprovost-marshal,andIshallhiesouthwithyou,Nigel,withmytrufflesatmysaddle-bow.” “Oliver,Oliver,Iknowyouover-well,”saidSirNigel,shakinghishead,andthetwooldsoldiersrodeofftogethertotheirpavilion.