men of iron-第26章

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Sir　James　was　at　that　moment　examining　the　great　tilting　helm；　and　Lord　George　watched　him；　smiling　amusedly。　〃And　hast　thou　then　already　chosen　thee　a　lady？〃　he　said；　presently。

〃Aye；　my　Lord；〃　answered　Myles；　simply。

〃Marry；　I　trust　we　be　so　honored　that　she　is　one　of　our　castle　folk；〃　said　the　Earl's　brother。

For　a　moment　Myles　did　not　reply；　then　he　looked　up。　〃My　Lord；〃　said　he；　〃the　favor　was　given　to　me　by　the　Lady　Alice。〃

Lord　George　looked　grave　for　the　moment；　then　he　laughed。　〃Marry；　thou　art　a　bold　archer　to　shoot　for　such　high　game。〃

Myles　did　not　answer；　and　at　that　moment　two　grooms　led　his　horse　up　to　the　door　of　the　pavilion。　Gascoyne　and　Wilkes　helped　him　to　his　saddle；　and　then；　Gascoyne　holding　his　horse　by　the　bridle…rein；　he　rode　slowly　across　the　lists　to　the　little　open　space　in　front　of　the　scaffolding　and　the　King's　seat　just　as　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne　approached　from　the　opposite　direction。

As　soon　as　the　two　knights　champion　had　reached　each　his　appointed　station　in　front　of　the　scaffolding；　the　Marshal　bade　the　speaker　read　the　challenge；　which；　unrolling　the　parchment；　he　began　to　do　in　a　loud；　clear　voice；　so　that　all　might　hear。　It　was　a　quaint　document；　wrapped　up　in　the　tangled　heraldic　verbiage　of　the　time。

The　pith　of　the　matter　was　that　the　Sieur　Brian　Philip　Francis　de　la　Montaigne　proclaimed　before　all　men　the　greater　chivalry　and　skill　at　arms　of　the　knights　of　France　and　of　Dauphiny；　and　likewise　the　greater　fairness　of　the　ladies　of　France　and　Dauphiny；　and　would　there　defend　those　sayings　with　his　body　without　fear　or　attaint　as　to　the　truth　of　the　same。　As　soon　as　the　speaker　had　ended；　the　Marshal　bade　him　call　the　defendant　of　the　other　side。

Then　Myles　spoke　his　part；　with　a　voice　trembling　somewhat　with　the　excitement　of　the　moment；　but　loudly　and　clearly　enough：　〃I；　Myles　Edward　Falworth；　knight；　so　created　by　the　hand　and　by　the　grace　of　his　Majesty　King　Henry　IV　of　England；　do　take　upon　me　the　gage　of　this　battle；　and　will　defend　with　my　body　the　chivalry　of　the　knights　of　England　and　the　fairness　of　the　ladies　thereof！〃

Then；　after　the　speaker　ended　his　proclamation　and　had　retired　to　his　place；　the　ceremony　of　claiming　and　redeeming　the　helmet；　to　which　all　young　knights　were　subjected　upon　first　entering　the　lists；　was　performed。

One　of　the　heralds　cried　in　a　loud　voice；　〃I；　Gilles　Hamerton；　herald　to　the　most　noble　Clarencieux　King…at…arms；　do　claim　the　helm　of　Sir　Myles　Edward　Falworth　by　this　reason；　that　he　hath　never　yet　entered　joust　or　tourney。〃

To　which　Myles　answered；　〃I　do　acknowledge　the　right　of　that　claim；　and　herewith　proffer　thee　in　ransom　for　the　same　this　purse　of　one　hundred　marks　in　gold。〃

As　he　spoke；　Gascoyne　stepped　forward　and　delivered　the　purse；　with　the　money；　to　the　Herald。　It　was　a　more　than　usually　considerable　ransom；　and　had　been　made　up　by　the　Earl　and　Lord　George　that　morning。

〃Right　nobly　hast　thou　redeemed　thy　helm；〃　said　the　Herald；　〃and　hereafter　be　thou　free　to　enter　any　jousting　whatsoever；　and　in　whatever　place。〃

So；　all　being　ended；　both　knights　bowed　to　the　King；　and　then；　escorted　each　by　his　squire；　returned　to　his　pavilion；　saluted　by　the　spectators　with　a　loud　clapping　of　hands。

Sir　James　Lee　met　Myles　in　front　of　his　tent。　Coming　up　to　the　side　of　the　horse；　the　old　man　laid　his　hand　upon　the　saddle；　looking　up　into　the　young　man's　face。

〃Thou　wilt　not　fail　in　this　venture　and　bring　shame　upon　me？〃　said　he。

〃Nay；　my　dear　master；〃　said　Myles；　〃I　will　do　my　best。〃

〃I　doubt　it　not；〃　said　the　old　man；　〃and　I　believe　me　thou　wilt　come　off　right　well。　From　what　he　did　say　this　morning；　methinks　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne　meaneth　only　to　break　three　lances　with　thee；　and　will　content　himself　therewith；　without　seeking　to　unhorse　thee。　Ne'theless；　be　thou　bold　and　watchful；　and　if　thou　find　that　he　endeavor　to　cast　thee；　do　thy　best　to　unhorse　him。　Remember　also　those　things　which　I　have　told　thee　ten　thousand　times　before：　hold　thy　toes　well　down　and　grip　the　stirrup　hard；　more　especially　at　the　moment　of　meeting；　bend　thy　body　forward；　and　keep　thine　elbow　close　to　thy　side。　Bear　thy　lance　point　one　foot　above　thine　adversary's　helm　until　within　two　lengths　of　meeting；　and　strike　thou　in　the　very　middle　of　his　shield。　So；　Myles；　thou　mayst　hold　thine　own；　and　come　off　with　glory。〃

As　he　ended　speaking　he　drew　back；　and　Gascoyne；　mounting　upon　a　stool；　covered　his　friend's　head　and　bascinet　with　the　great　jousting　helm；　making　fast　the　leathern　points　that　held　it　to　the　iron　collar。

As　he　was　tying　the　last　thong　a　messenger　came　from　the　Herald；　saying　that　the　challenger　was　ready；　and　then　Myles　knew　the　time　had　come；　and　reaching　down　and　giving　Sir　James　a　grip　of　the　hand；　he　drew　on　his　gauntlet；　took　the　jousting　lance　that　Wilkes　handed　him；　and　turned　his　horse's　head　towards　his　end　of　the　lists。



CHAPTER　27

As　Myles　took　his　place　at　the　south　end　of　the　lists；　he　found　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne　already　at　his　station。　Through　the　peep…hole　in　the　face　of　the　huge　helmet；　a　transverse　slit　known　as　the　occularium；　he　could　see；　like　a　strange　narrow　picture；　the　farther　end　of　the　lists；　the　spectators　upon　either　side　moving　and　shifting　with　ceaseless　restlessness；　and　in　the　centre　of　all；　his　opponent；　sitting　with　spear　point　directed　upward；　erect；　motionless　as　a　statue　of　iron；　the　sunlight　gleaming　and　flashing　upon　his　polished　plates　of　steel；　and　the　trappings　of　his　horse　swaying　and　fluttering　in　the　rushing　of　the　fresh　breeze。

Upon　that　motionless　figure　his　sight　gradually　centred　with　every　faculty　of　mind　and　soul。　He　knew　the　next　moment　the　signal　would　be　given　that　was　to　bring　him　either　glory　or　shame　from　that　iron　statue。　He　ground　his　teeth　together　with　stern　resolve　to　do　his　best　in　the　coming　encounter；　and　murmured　a　brief　prayer　in　the　hallow　darkness　of　his　huge　helm。　Then　with　a　shake　he　settled　himself　more　firmly　in　his　saddle；　slowly　raised　his　spear　point　until　the　shaft　reached　the　exact　angle；　and　there　suffered　it　to　rest　motionless。　There　was　a　moment　of　dead；　tense；　breathless　pause；　then　he　rather　felt　than　saw　the　Marshal　raise　his　baton。　He　gathered　himself　together；　and　the　next　moment　a　bugle　sounded　loud　and　clear。　In　one　blinding　rush　he　drove　his　spurs　into　the　sides　of　his　horse；　and　in　instant　answer　felt　the　noble　steed　spring　forward　with　a　bound。

Through　all　the　clashing　of　his　armor　reverberating　in　the　hollow　depths　of　his　helmet；　he　saw　the　mail…clad　figure　from　the　other　end　of　the　lists　rushing　towards　him；　looming　larger　and　larger　as　they　came　together。　He　gripped　his　saddle　with　his　knees；　clutched　the　stirrup　with　the　soles　of　his　feet；　and　bent　his　body　still　more　forward。　In　the　instant　of　meeting；　with　almost　the　blindness　of　instinct；　he　dropped　the　point　of　his　spear　against　the　single　red　flower…de…luce　in　the　middle　of　the　on…coming　shield。　There　was　a　thunderous　crash　that　seemed　to　rack　every　joint；　he　heard　the　crackle　of　splintered　wood；　he　felt　the　momentary　trembling　recoil　of　the　horse　beneath　him；　and　in　the　next　instant　had　passed　by。　As　he　checked　the　onward　rush　of　his　horse　at　the　far　end　of　the　course；　he　heard　faintly　in　the　dim　hollow　recess　of　the　helm　the　loud　shout　and　the　clapping　of　hands　of　those　who　looked　on；　and　found　himself　gripping　with　nervous　intensity　the　butt　of　a　broken　spear；　his　mouth　clammy　with　excitement；　and　his　heart　thumping　in　his　throat。

Then　he　realized　that　he　had　met　his　opponent；　and　had　borne　the　meeting　well。　As　he　turned　his　horse's　head　towards　his　own　end　of　the　lists；　he　saw　the　other　trotting　slowly　back　towards　his　station；　also　holding　a　broken　spear　shaft　in　his　hand。

As　he　passed　the　iron　figure　a　voice　issued　from　the　helmet；　〃Well　done；　Sir　Myles；　nobly　done！〃　and　his　heart　bounded　in　answer　to　the　words　of　praise。　When　he　had　reached　his　own　end　of　the　lists；　he　flung　away　his　broken　spear；　and　Gascoyne　came　forward　with　another。

〃Oh；　Myles！〃　he　said；　with　sob　in　his　voice；　〃it　was　nobly　done。　Never　did　I　see　a　better　ridden　course　in　all　my　life。　I　did　not　believe　that　thou　couldst　do　half　so　well。　Oh；　Myles；　prithee　knock　him　out　of　his　saddle　an　thou　lovest　me！〃

Myles；　in　his　high…keyed　nervousness；　could　not　forbear　a　short　hysterical　laugh　at　his　friend's　warmth　of　enthusiasm。　He　took　the　fresh　lance　in　his　hand；　and　then；　seeing　that　his　opponent　was　walking　his　horse　slowly　up　and　down　at　his　end　of　the　lists；　did　the　same　during　the　little　time　of　rest　before　the　next　encounter。

When；　in　answer　to　the　command　of　the　Marshal；　he　took　his　place　a　second　time；　he　found　himself　calmer　and　more　collected　than　before；　but　every　faculty　no　less　intensely　fixed　than　it　had　been　at　first。　Once　more　the　Marshal　raised　his　baton；　once　more　the　horn　sounded；　and　once　more　the　two　rushed　together　with　the　same　thunderous　crash；　the　same　splinter　of　broken　spears；　the　same　momentary　trembling　recoil　of　the　horse；　and　the　same　onward　rush　past　one　another。　Once　more　the　spectators　applauded　and　shouted　as　the　two　knights　turned　their　horses　and　rode　back　towards　their　station。

This　time　as　they　met　midway　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne　reined　in　his　horse。　〃Sir　Myles；〃　said　his　muffled　voice；　〃I　swear　to　thee；　by　my　faith；　I　had　not　thought　to　meet　in　thee　such　an　opponent　as　thou　dost　prove　thyself　to　be。　I　had　thought　to　find　in　thee　a　raw　boy；　but　find　instead　a　Paladin。　Hitherto　I　have　given　thee　grace　as　I　would　give　grace　to　any　mere　lad；　and　thought　of　nothing　but　to　give　thee　opportunity　to　break　thy　lance。　Now　I　shall　do　my　endeavor　to　unhorse　thee　as　I　would　an　acknowledged　peer　in　arms。　Nevertheless；　on　account　of　thy　youth；　I　give　thee　this　warning；　so　that　thou　mayst　hold　thyself　in　readiness。〃

〃I　give　thee　gramercy　for　thy　courtesy；　my　Lord；〃　answered　Myles；　speaking　in　French；　〃and　I　will　strive　to　encounter　thee　as　best　I　may；　and　pardon　me　if　I　seem　forward　in　so　saying；　but　were　I　in　thy　place；　my　Lord；　I　would　change　me　yon　breast…piece　and　over…girth　of　my　saddle；　they　are　sprung　in　the　stitches。〃

〃Nay；〃　said　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne；　laughing；　〃breast…piece　and　over…girth　have　carried　me　through　more　tilts　than　one；　and　shall　through　this。　An　thou　give　me　a　blow　so　true　as　to　burst　breast…piece　and　over…girth；　I　will　own　myself　fairly　conquered　by　thee。〃　So　saying；　he　saluted　Myles　with　the　butt　of　the　spear　he　still　held；　and　passed　by　to　his　end　of　the　lists。

Myles；　with　Gascoyne　running　beside　him；　rode　across　to　his　pavilion；　and　called　to　Edmund　Wilkes　to　bring　him　a　cup　of　spiced　wine。　After　Gascoyne　had　taken　off　his　helmet；　and　as　he　sat　wiping　the　perspiration　from　his　face　Sir　James　came　up　and　took　him　by　the　hand。

〃My　dear　boy；〃　said　he；　gripping　the　hand　he　held；　〃never　could　I　hope　to　be　so　overjoyed　in　mine　old　age　as　I　am　this　day。　Thou　dost　bring　honor　to　me；　for　I　tell　thee　truly　thou　dost　ride　like　a　knight　seasoned　in　twenty　tourneys。〃

〃It　doth　give　me　tenfold　courage　to　hear　thee　so　say；　dear　master；〃　answered　Myles。　〃And　truly；〃　he　added；　〃I　shall　need　all　my　courage　this　bout；　for　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne　telleth　me　that　he　will　ride　to　unhorse　me　this　time。〃

〃Did