red eve-第10章

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them　were　clattering　over　the　stones　of　Middlegate　Street；　while　the
burgesses　of　Dunwich　peeped　from　their　window　places；　wondering　what
knight　with　armed　men　rode　through　their　town　thus　early。

Just　as　the　grey　dawn　broke　they　passed　the　gate；　which；　there　being
peace　in　the　land；　was　already　open。　Fifteen　minutes　later　they　were
on　the　lonely　Westleton　Heath；　where　for　a　while　naught　was　to　be
heard　save　the　scream　of　the　curlew　and　the　rush　of　the　wings　of　the
wild…duck　passing　landward　from　the　sea。　Presently；　however；　another
sound　reached　their　ears；　that　of　horses　galloping　behind　them。　Grey
Dick　pulled　rein　and　listened。

〃Seven；　I　think；　not　more；〃　he　said。　〃Now；　master；　do　you　stand　or
run；　for　these　will　be　Clavering　horses？〃

Hugh　thought　for　a　moment。　His　aim　was　not　to　fight；　but　to　get
through　to　London。　Yet　if　he　fled　the　pursuers　would　raise　the　country
on　them　as　they　came；　so　that　in　the　end　they　must　be　taken；　since
those　who　followed　would　find　fresh　horses。

〃It　seems　best　to　stand；〃　he　said。

〃So　say　I；〃　answered　Grey　Dick；　and　led　the　way　to　a　little　hillock　by
the　roadside　on　which　grew　some　wind…bent　firs。

Here　they　dismounted　and　gave　their　horses　into　the　keeping　of　one
man；　while　Grey　Dick　and　the　others　drew　their　bows　from　the　cases　and
strung　them。　Scarcely　had　they　done　so　when　the　mist；　lifting　in　the
morning　breeze；　showed　them　their　pursuersseven　of　them；　as　Dick　had
saidheaded　by　one　of　the　French　knights；　and　riding　scattered；
between　two　and　three　hundred　yards　away。　At　the　same　moment　a　shout
told　them　that　they　had　been　seen。

〃Hark　now　all！〃　said　Hugh。　〃I　would　shed　no　more　blood　if　it　may　be
so；　who　have　earned　enough　of　penance。　Therefore　shoot　at　the　horses；
not　at　the　riders；　who　without　them　will　be　helpless。　And　let　no　man
harm　a　Clavering　unless　it　be　to　save　his　own　life。〃

〃Poor　sport！〃　grunted　Grey　Dick。

Nevertheless；　when　the　Norman　knight　who　led　came　within　two　hundred
yards；　shouting　to　them　in　French　to　surrender；　Dick　lifted　his　great
bow；　drew　and　loosed　carelessly；　as　though　he　shot　at　hazard；　the
others　holding　their　bows　till　the　Claverings　were　nearer。　Yet　there
was　little　of　hazard　when　Grey　Dick　shot；　save　to　that　at　which　he
aimed。　Away　rushed　the　arrow；　rising　high　and；　as　it　seemed；　bearing
somewhat　to　the　left　of　the　knight。　Yet　when　it　drew　near　to　that
knight　the　wind　told　on　it　and　bent　it　inward；　as　he　knew　it　would。
Fair　and　full　it　struck　upon　the　horse's　chest；　piercing　through　to
the　heart；　so　that　down　the　poor　beast　came；　throwing　its　rider　to　the
ground。

〃A　good　shot　enough；〃　grumbled　Grey　Dick。　〃Still；　it　is　a　shame　to
slay　nags　of　such　a　breed　and　let　the　rogues　who　ride　them　go。〃

But　his　companions　only　stared　at　him　almost　in　awe；　while　the　other
Clavering　men　rode　on。　Before　they　had　covered　fifty　paces；　again　the
great　bow　twanged；　and　again　a　horse　was　seen　to　rear　itself　up；
shaking　the　rider　from　its　back；　and　then　plunge　away　to　die。　Now
Hugh's　serving…men　also　lifted　their　bows；　but　Grey　Dick　hissed：

〃Leave　them　to　me！　This　is　fine　work；　and　you'd　muddle　it！〃

Ere　the　words　had　ceased　to　echo　another　horse　was　down。

Then；　as　those　who　remained　still　came　on；　urged　by　the　knight　who　ran
shouting　behind　them；　all　loosed；　and　though　some　arrows　went　wide；
the　end　of　it　was　that　ere　they　reached　the　little　mound　every
Clavering　horse　was　dead　or　sore　wounded；　while　on　the　heath　stood　or
lay　seven　helpless　men。

〃Now；〃　said　Grey　Dick；　〃let　us　go　and　talk　with　these　foot…soldiers。〃

So　they　went　out；　all　of　them；　except　he　who　had　the　horses；　and　Hugh
called　aloud　that　the　first　man　of　the　Claverings　who　lifted　a　bow　or
drew　a　sword　should　die　without　mercy。　And　he　pointed　to　Grey　Dick；
who　stood　beside　him；　arrow　on　string。

The　Claverings　began　to　talk　together　excitedly。

〃Throw　down　your　weapons！〃　commanded　Hugh。

Still　they　hesitated。　Then；　without　further　warning　Dick　sent　an
artful　arrow　through　the　cap　of　one　of　them；　lifting　it　from　his　head；
and　instantly　set　another　shaft　to　his　string。　After　this；　down　went
the　swords　and　bows。

〃Daggers　and　knives；　too；　if　it　please　you；　masters！〃

Then　these　followed。

Now　Hugh　spoke　a　word　to　his　men；　who；　going　to　the　dead　and　dying
horses；　took　from　them　the　stirrup…leathers　and　bridle…reins　and
therewith　bound　the　Claverings　back　to　back。　But　the　French　knight；　in
acknowledgment　of　his　rank；　they　trussed　up　by　himself；　having　first
relieved　him　of　his　purse　by　way　of　fine。　As　it　chanced；　however；　Hugh
turned　and　saw　them　in　the　act。

〃God's　truth！　Would　you　make　common　thieves　of　us？〃　he　said　angrily。
〃Their　weapons　and　harness　are　ours　by　right　of　war；　but　I'll　hunt　the
man　who　steals　their　money　out　of　my　company。〃

So　the　purse　was　restored。　When　it　was　safe　in　the　knight's　pouch
again　Hugh　saluted　him；　begging　his　pardon　that　it　should　have　been
touched。

〃But　how　are　you　named；　sir？〃　he　added。

〃Sir　Pierre　de　la　Roche　is　my　name；〃　replied　the　knight　sadly；　and　in
French。

〃Then；　Sir　Pierre　de　la　Roche；〃　said　Hugh；　〃here　you　and　your　people
must　bide　until　some　come　to　set　you　free；　which；　as　this　place　is
lonely　and　little　crossed　in　winter；　may　be　to…day　or　may　be
to…morrow。　When　at　length　you　get　back　to　Blythburgh　Manor；　however；
or　to　Dunwich　town；　I　trust　it　to　your　honour　to　declare　that　Hugh　de
Cressi　has　dealt　well　with　you。　For　whereas　he　might　have　slain　you
every　one；　as　you　would　have　slain　him　and　his　if　you　could；　he　has
harmed　no　hair　of　your　heads。　As　for　your　horses；　these；　to　his
sorrow；　he　was　obliged　to　kill　lest　they　should　be　used　to　ride　him
down。　Will　you　do　this　of　your　courtesy？〃

〃Ay；〃　answered　the　knight；　〃since　to　your　gentleness　we　owe　our　lives。
But　with　your　leave　I　will　add　that　we　were　overcome　not　by　men；　but
by　a　devil〃and　he　nodded　toward　Grey　Dick〃since　no　one　who　is　only
man　can　have　such　hellish　skill　in　archery　as　we　saw　yesterday；　and
now　again　this　morning。　Moreover；〃　he　went　on；　contemplating　Dick's
ashen　hair　and　cold　eyes　set　wide　apart　in　the　rocky　face；　like　to
those　of　a　Suffolk　horse；　〃the　man's　air　shows　that　he　is　in　league
with　Satan。〃

〃I'll　not　render　your　words　into　our　English　talk；　Sir　Pierre；〃
replied　Hugh；　〃lest　he　of　whom　you　speak　should　take　them　amiss　and
send　you　where　you　might　learn　them　false。　For　know；　had　he　been　what
you　say；　the　arrow　that　lies　in　your　horse's　heart　would　have　nailed
the　breastplate　to　your　own。　Now　take　a　message　from　me　to　your　lord；
Sir　Edmund　Acour；　the　traitor。　Tell　him　that　I　shall　return　ere　long；
and　that　if　he　should　dare　to　attempt　ill　toward　the　Lady　Eve；　who　is
my　betrothed；　or　toward　my　father　and　brethren；　or　any　of　my　House；　I
promise；　in　Grey　Dick's　name　and　my　own；　to　kill　him　or　those　who　may
aid　him　as　I　would　kill　a　forest　wolf　that　had　slunk　into　my
sheepfold。　Farewell！　There　is　bracken　and　furze　yonder　where　you　may
lie　warm　till　some　pass　your　way。　Mount；　men！〃

So　they　rode　forward；　bearing　all　the　Clavering　weapons　with　them；
which　a　mile　or　two　further　on　Grey　Dick　hid　in　an　empty　fox's　earth
where　he　knew　he　could　find　them　again。　Only　he　kept　the　French
knight's　beautiful　dagger　that　was　made　of　Spanish　steel；　inlaid　with
gold；　and　used　it　to　his　life's　end。

Here　it　may　be　told　that　it　was　not　until　thirty…six　hours　had　gone
by；　as　Hugh　learned　afterward；　that　a　countryman　brought　this　knight
and　his　companions；　more　dead　than　alive；　to　Dunwich　in　his　wain。　As
he　was　travelling　across　Westleton　Heath；　with　a　load　of　corn　to　be
ground　at　the　Dunwich　mill；　it　seemed　that　he　heard　voices　calling
feebly；　and　guided　by　them　found　these　unhappy　men　half　buried　in　the
snow　that　had　fallen　on　that　day；　and　so　rescued　them　from　death。

But　when　Sir　Edmund　Acour　knew　the　story　of　their　overthrow　and　of　the
message　that　Hugh　had　sent　to　him；　he　raved　at　them；　and　especially　at
Sir　Pierre　de　la　Roche；　saying　that　the　worst　of　young　de　Cressi's
crimes　against　him　was　that　he　had　left　such　cowardly　hounds　alive
upon　the　earth。　So　he　went　on　madly　till　Sir　John　Clavering　checked
him；　bidding　him　wait　to　revile　these　men　until　he；　and　not　his　horse；
had　met　Grey　Dick's　arrows　and　Hugh　de　Cressi's　sword。

〃For；〃　he　added；　〃it　may　happen　then　that　you　will　fare　no　better　than
they　have　done；　or　than　did　John；　my　son。〃



On　the　morning　of　the　third　day　after　they　left　Dunwich；　having　been
much　delayed　by　foul　weather　and　fouler　roads；　Hugh　de　Cressi　and　his
company　came　at　length　to　London。　They　had　suffered　no　further
adventure　on　their　way　for；　though　the　times　were　rough　and　they　met
many　evil…looking　fellows；　none　ventured　to　lift　hand　against　six　men
so　well　armed　and　sturdy。　Guided　by　one　of　their　number　who　had　often
been　to　London　on　Master　de　Cressi's　business；　they　rode　straight　to
Westminster。　Having　stabled　their　horses　at　an　inn　near　by；　and
cleaned　the　mire　of　the　road　from　their　mail　and　garments；　they　went
up　to　the　palace；　where　Hugh　told　his　errand　to　an　officer　whom　he
found　on　duty　at　the　gate。

〃Then　it　is　a　fool's　errand；〃　said　the　captain；　〃seeing　that　his　Grace
rode　yesterday　to　his　castle　at　Windsor　to　hunt　and　revel；　and　will　be
gone　eight　days　at　the　least。〃

〃Then　to　Windsor　I　must　follow；〃　answered　Hugh。



　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　CHAPTER　V

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　GREY　DICK　SHOWS　HIS　ARCHERY

So　sorely　did　the　horses　need　rest；　that　Hugh　and　his　people　could　not
ride　from　London　till　the　following　morning；　and　evening　was　closing
in　before　they　found　themselves　drawing　near　the　gate　of　Windsor
Castle。　In　the　market…place　of　the　little　town　they　pulled　rein；　while
one　of　them　went　to　search　for　a　good　inn　at　which　they　might　lie；　for
the　place　seemed　to　be　very　full　of　people。　Suddenly；　as　they　stood
there；　wondering　at　the　mighty；　new…built　keep　which　towered　above
them；　a　trumpet　was　blown　and　from　round　a　corner　appeared　a　gay
procession　of　noble…looking　men；　and　with　them　some　ladies；　who
carried　hawk　on　wrist；　all　mounted　on　splendid　horses。

Now；　the　people　who　had　gathered　to　study　the　strangers　or　tout　for
their　custom；　took　off　their　bonnets　and　bent　low；　saying：　〃The　King！
The　King！　God　save　him！〃

〃Which　is　his　Grace？〃　asked　Hugh　of　one　of　them；　whereon　the　man
pointed　to　a　royal…eyed　and　bearded　knight；　still　in　early　middle
life；　who　rode　toward　him；　talking　to　a　gallant　youth　at　his　side。

Now　a　thought　came　into　Hugh's　mind　that　the　present　time　is　always
the　best　time　to　strike。　Leaping　from　his　horse；　he　advanced　bowing；
and　stood　in　the　pathway　of　the　King。　Seeing　this；　two　of　the　fine
Court　lords　spurred　their　horses　and　rode　straight　at　him；　thinking　to
drive　him　back。　But　he　held　his　ground；　for　their　insolence　made　him
angry；　and；　catching　the　bridle　of　one　of　the　horses；　threw　it　on　its
haunches　so　sharply　that　the　knight　who　rode　it　rolled　from　his　saddle
into　the　mire；　whereupon　every　one　laughed。　In　a　moment　he　was　on　his
feet　again；　and　shouting：

〃Out　of　the　road；　jackanapes；　dressed　in　your　grandfather's　mail；
unless　you　would　stop　there　in　the　stocks。　Do　you　know　whose　path　you
block？〃

〃That　of　his　Grace；〃　answered