men of iron-第15章

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ch；　in　remembering；　always　filled　Myles's　heart　in　after…years　with　an　indefinable　pleasure；　was　the　recollection　of　standing　with　others　of　his　fellow　squires　in　the　crisp　brown　autumn　grass　of　the　paddock；　and　shooting　with　the　long…bow　at　wildfowl；　which；　when　the　east　wind　was　straining；　flew　low　overhead　to　pitch　to　the　lake　in　the　forbidden　precincts　of　the　deer　park　beyond　the　brow　of　the　hill。　More　than　once　a　brace　or　two　of　these　wildfowl；　shot　in　their　southward　flight　by　the　lads　and　cooked　by　fat；　good…natured　Mother　Joan；　graced　the　rude　mess…table　of　the　squires　in　the　long　hall；　and　even　the　toughest　and　fishiest　drake；　so　the　fruit　of　their　skill；　had　a　savor　that；　somehow　or　other；　the　daintiest　fare　lacked　in　after…years。

Then　fall　passed　and　winter　came；　bleak；　cold；　and　drearynot　winter　as　we　know　it　nowadays；　with　warm　fires　and　bright　lights　to　make　the　long　nights　sweet　and　cheerful　with　comfort；　but　winter　with　all　its　grimness　and　sternness。　In　the　great　cold　stone…walled　castles　of　those　days　the　only　fire　and　almost　the　only　light　were　those　from　the　huge　blazing　logs　that　roared　and　crackled　in　the　great　open　stone　fireplace；　around　which　the　folks　gathered；　sheltering　their　faces　as　best　they　could　from　the　scorching　heat；　and　cloaking　their　shoulders　from　the　biting　cold；　for　at　the　farther　end　of　the　room；　where　giant　shadows　swayed　and　bowed　and　danced　huge　and　black　against　the　high　walls；　the　white　frost　glistened　in　the　moonlight　on　the　stone　pavements；　and　the　breath　went　up　like　smoke。

In　those　days　were　no　books　to　read；　but　at　the　best　only　rude　stories　and　jests；　recited　by　some　strolling　mummer　or　minstrel　to　the　listening　circle；　gathered　around　the　blaze　and　welcoming　the　coarse；　gross　jests；　and　coarser；　grosser　songs　with　roars　of　boisterous　laughter。

Yet　bleak　and　dreary　as　was　the　winter　in　those　days；　and　cold　and　biting　as　was　the　frost　in　the　cheerless；　windy　halls　and　corridors　of　the　castle；　it　was　not　without　its　joys　to　the　young　lads；　for　then；　as　now；　boys　could　find　pleasure　even　in　slushy　weather；　when　the　sodden　snow　is　fit　for　nothing　but　to　make　snowballs　of。

Thrice　that　bitter　winter　the　moat　was　frozen　over；　and　the　lads；　making　themselves　skates　of　marrow…bones；　which　they　bought　from　the　hall　cook　at　a　groat　a　pair；　went　skimming　over　the　smooth　surface；　red…checked　and　shouting；　while　the　crows　and　the　jackdaws　looked　down　at　them　from　the　top　of　the　bleak　gray　walls。

Then　at　Yule…tide；　which　was　somewhat　of　a　rude　semblance　to　the　Merry　Christmas　season　of　our　day；　a　great　feast　was　held　in　the　hall；　and　all　the　castle　folk　were　fed　in　the　presence　of　the　Earl　and　the　Countess。　Oxen　and　sheep　were　roasted　whole；　huge　suet　puddings；　made　of　barley　meal　sweetened　with　honey　and　stuffed　with　plums；　were　boiled　in　great　caldrons　in　the　open　courtyard；　whole　barrels　of　ale　and　malmsey　were　broached；　and　all　the　folk；　gentle　and　simple；　were　bidden　to　the　feast。　Afterwards　the　minstrels　danced　and　played　a　rude　play；　and　in　the　evening　a　miracle　show　was　performed　on　a　raised　platform　in　the　north　hall。

For　a　week　afterwards　the　castle　was　fed　upon　the　remains　of　the　good　things　left　from　that　great　feast；　until　everyone　grew　to　loathe　fine　victuals；　and　longed　for　honest　beef　and　mustard　again。

Then　at　last　in　that　constant　change　the　winter　was　gone；　and　even　the　lads　who　had　enjoyed　its　passing　were　glad　when　the　winds　blew　warm　once　more；　and　the　grass　showed　green　in　sunny　places；　and　the　leader　of　the　wild…fowl　blew　his　horn；　as　they　who　in　the　fall　had　flown　to　the　south　flew；　arrow…like；　northward　again；　when　the　buds　swelled　and　the　leaves　burst　forth　once　more；　and　crocuses　and　then　daffodils　gleamed　in　the　green　grass；　like　sparks　and　flames　of　gold。

With　the　spring　came　the　out…door　sports　of　the　season；　among　others　that　of　ballfor　boys　were　boys；　and　played　at　ball　even　in　those　faraway　daysa　game　called　trap…ball。　Even　yet　in　some　parts　of　England　it　is　played　just　as　it　was　in　Myles　Falworth's　day；　and　enjoyed　just　as　Myles　and　his　friends　enjoyed　it。

So　now　that　the　sun　was　warm　and　the　weather　pleasant　the　game　of　trap…ball　was　in　full　swing　every　afternoon；　the　play…ground　being　an　open　space　between　the　wall　that　surrounded　the　castle　grounds　and　that　of　the　privy　gardenthe　pleasance　in　which　the　ladies　of　the　Earl's　family　took　the　air　every　day；　and　upon　which　their　apartments　opened。

Now　one　fine　breezy　afternoon；　when　the　lads　were　shouting　and　playing　at　this；　then　their　favorite　game；　Myles　himself　was　at　the　trap　barehanded　and　barearmed。　The　wind　was　blowing　from　behind　him；　and；　aided　perhaps　by　it；　he　had　already　struck　three　of　four　balls　nearly　the　whole　length　of　the　courtan　unusual　distance　and　several　of　the　lads　had　gone　back　almost　as　far　as　the　wall　of　the　privy　garden　to　catch　any　ball　that　might　chance　to　fly　as　far　as　that。　Then　once　more　Myles　struck；　throwing　all　his　strength　into　the　blow。　The　ball　shot　up　into　the　air；　and　when　it　fell；　it　was　to　drop　within　the　privy　garden。

The　shouts　of　the　young　players　were　instantly　stilled；　and　Gascoyne；　who　stood　nearest　Myles；　thrust　his　hands　into　his　belt；　giving　a　long　shrill　whistle。

〃This　time　thou　hast　struck　us　all　out；　Myles；〃　said　he。　〃There　be　no　more　play　for　us　until　we　get　another　ball。〃

The　outfielders　came　slowly　trooping　in　until　they　had　gathered　in　a　little　circle　around　Myles。

〃I　could　not　help　it；〃　said　Myles；　in　answer　to　their　grumbling。　〃How　knew　I　the　ball　would　fly　so　far？　But　if　I　ha'　lost　the　ball；　I　can　get　it　again。　I　will　climb　the　wall　for　it。〃

〃Thou　shalt　do　naught　of　the　kind；　Myles；〃　said　Gascoyne；　hastily。　〃Thou　art　as　mad　as　a　March　hare　to　think　of　such　a　venture！　Wouldst　get　thyself　shot　with　a　bolt　betwixt　the　ribs；　like　poor　Diccon　Cook？〃

Of　all　places　about　the　castle　the　privy　garden　was　perhaps　the　most　sacred。　It　was　a　small　plot　of　ground；　only　a　few　rods　long　and　wide；　and　was　kept　absolutely　private　for　the　use　of　the　Countess　and　her　family。　Only　a　little　while　before　Myles　had　first　come　to　Devlen；　one　of　the　cook's　men　had　been　found　climbing　the　wall；　whereupon　the　soldier　who　saw　him　shot　him　with　his　cross　bow。　The　poor　fellow　dropped　from　the　wall　into　the　garden；　and　when　they　found　him；　he　still　held　a　bunch　of　flowers　in　his　hand；　which　he　had　perhaps　been　gathering　for　his　sweetheart。

Had　Myles　seen　him　carried　on　a　litter　to　the　infirmary　as　Gascoyne　and　some　of　the　others　had　done；　he　might　have　thought　twice　before　venturing　to　enter　the　ladies'　private　garden。　As　it　was；　he　only　shook　his　stubborn　head；　and　said　again；　〃I　will　climb　the　wall　and　fetch　it。〃

Now　at　the　lower　extremity　of　the　court；　and　about　twelve　or　fifteen　feet　distant　from　the　garden　wall；　there　grew　a　pear…tree；　some　of　the　branches　of　which　overhung　into　the　garden　beyond。　So；　first　making　sure　that　no　one　was　looking　that　way；　and　bidding　the　others　keep　a　sharp　lookout；　Myles　shinned　up　this　tree；　and　choosing　one　of　the　thicker　limbs；　climbed　out　upon　it　for　some　little　distance。　Then　lowering　his　body；　he　hung　at　arm's…length；　the　branch　bending　with　his　weight；　and　slowly　let　himself　down　hand　under　hand；　until　at　last　he　hung　directly　over　the　top　of　the　wall；　and　perhaps　a　foot　above　it。　Below　him　he　could　see　the　leafy　top　of　an　arbor　covered　with　a　thick　growth　of　clematis；　and　even　as　he　hung　there　he　noticed　the　broad　smooth　walks；　the　grassy　terrace　in　front　of　the　Countess's　apartments　in　the　distance；　the　quaint　flower…beds；　the　yew…trees　trimmed　into　odd　shapes；　and　even　the　deaf　old　gardener　working　bare…armed　in　the　sunlight　at　a　flower…bed　in　the　far　corner　by　the　tool…house。

The　top　of　the　wall　was　pointed　like　a　house　roof；　and　immediately　below　him　was　covered　by　a　thick　growth　of　green　moss；　and　it　flashed　through　his　mind　as　he　hung　there　that　maybe　it　would　offer　a　very　slippery　foothold　for　one　dropping　upon　the　steep　slopes　of　the　top。　But　it　was　too　late　to　draw　back　now。

Bracing　himself　for　a　moment；　he　loosed　his　hold　upon　the　limb　above。　The　branch　flew　back　with　a　rush；　and　he　dropped；　striving　to　grasp　the　sloping　angle　with　his　feet。　Instantly　the　treacherous　slippery　moss　slid　away　from　beneath　him；　he　made　a　vain　clutch　at　the　wall；　his　fingers　sliding　over　the　cold　stones；　then；　with　a　sharp　exclamation；　down　he　pitched　bodily　into　the　garden　beneath！　A　thousand　thoughts　flew　through　his　brain　like　a　cloud　of　flies；　and　then　a　leafy　greenness　seemed　to　strike　up　against　him。　A　splintering　crash　sounded　in　his　ears　as　the　lattice　top　of　the　arbor　broke　under　him；　and　with　one　final　clutch　at　the　empty　air　he　fell　heavily　upon　the　ground　beneath。

He　heard　a　shrill　scream　that　seemed　to　find　an　instant　echo；　even　as　he　fell　he　had　a　vision　of　faces　and　bright　colors；　and　when　he　sat　up；　dazed　and　bewildered；　he　found　himself　face　to　face　with　the　Lady　Anne；　the　daughter　of　the　house；　and　her　cousin；　the　Lady　Alice；　who　clutching　one　another　tightly；　stood　staring　at　him　with　wide　scared　eyes。



CHAPTER　18

For　a　little　time　there　was　a　pause　of　deep　silence；　during　which　the　fluttering　leaves　came　drifting　down　from　the　broken　arbor　above。

It　was　the　Lady　Anne　who　first　spoke。　〃Who　art　thou；　and　whence　comest　thou？〃　said　she；　tremulously。

Then　Myles　gathered　himself　up　sheepishly。　〃My　name　is　Myles　Falworth；〃　said　he；　〃and　I　am　one　of　the　squires　of　the　body。〃

〃Oh！　aye！〃　said　the　Lady　Alice；　suddenly。　〃Me　thought　I　knew　thy　face。　Art　thou　not　the　young　man　that　I　have　seen　in　Lord　George's　train？〃

〃Yes；　lady；〃　said　Myles；　wrapping　and　twining　a　piece　of　the　broken　vine　in　and　out　among　his　fingers。　〃Lord　George　hath　often　had　me　of　late　about　his　person。〃

〃And　what　dost　thou　do　here；　sirrah？〃　said　Lady　Anne；　angrily。　〃How　darest　thou　come　so　into　our　garden？〃

〃I　meant　not　to　come　as　I　did；〃　said　Myles；　clumsily；　and　with　a　face　hot　and　red。　〃But　I　slipped　over　the　top　of　the　wall　and　fell　hastily　into　the　garden。　Truly；　lady；　I　meant　ye　no　harm　or　fright　thereby。〃

He　looked　so　drolly　abashed　as　he　stood　before　them；　with　his　clothes　torn　and　soiled　from　the　fall；　his　face　red；　and　his　eyes　downcast；　all　the　while　industriously　twisting　the　piece　of　clematis　in　and　around　his　fingers；　that　Lady　Anne's　half…frightened　anger　could　not　last。　She　and　her　cousin　exchanged　glances；　and　smiled　at　one　another。

〃But；〃　said　she　at　last；　trying　to　draw　her　pretty　brows　together　into　a　frown；　〃tell　me；　why　didst　thou　seek　to　climb　the　wall？〃

〃I　came　to　seek　a　ball；〃　said　Myles；　〃which　I　struck　over　hither　from　the　court　beyond。〃

〃And　wouldst　thou　come　into　our　privy　garden　for　no　better　reason　than　to　find　a　ball？〃　said　the　young　lady。

〃Nay；〃　said　Myles；　〃it　was　not　so　much　to　find　the　ball；　but；　in　good　sooth；　I　did　truly　strike　it　harder　than　need　be；　and　so；　gin　I　lost　the　ball；　I　could　do　no　less　than　come　and　find　it　again；　else　our　sport　is　done　for　the　day。　So　it　was　I　came　hither。〃

The　two　young　ladies　had　by　now　recovered　from　their　fright。　The　Lady　Anne　slyly　nudged　her　cousin　with　her　elbow；　and　the　younger　could　not　suppress　a　half…nervous　laugh。　Myles　heard　it；　and　felt　his　face　grow　hotter　and　redder　than　ever。

〃Nay；〃　said　Lady