red eve-第12章

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Acour；　although　he　has　wide　possessions　in　sundry　lands；　was　ever　a
spendthrift　and　deep　in　debt。　No；　he'll　not　leave　unless　he　can　get
the　girl；　and　old　Sir　Andrew　will　guard　her　well　with　the　power　of　the
Church；　and　with　his　own　right　arm　if　need　be；　for　he's　still　more
knight　than　priest。　So　there's　no　hurry。　Tell　me　all　you　know　of　this
story；　Hugh　de　Cressi；　omitting　nothing；　however　small。　Nay；　have　no
fear；　if　you　can　vouch　for　your　fellow　there；　all　of　us　in　this
chamber　are　loyal　to　England。　Speak　out；　man。〃

So　Hugh　began　and　told　of　the　de　Cressis　and　the　Claverings　and　their
feud；　and　of　how　he　and　Eve　had　always　loved　each　other。　He　told　of
their　meeting　in　the　reeds　of　Blythburgh　Fen；　and　of　the　death　of　John
de　Clavering　at　his　hand　and　of　the　others　at　the　hand　of　Grey　Dick；
and　of　the　escape　of　Acour　from　the　fourth　arrow。　He　told　how　he　and
Eve　had　swum　the　Blyth　in　flood　though　the　ice　cut　them；　and　hid　on
the　moor　while　Grey　Dick　led　the　Claverings　astray；　and　came　at　last
safe　to　sanctuary。　He　told　how　Acour's　letter　had　been　won　from　his
messenger　by　Sir　Andrew's　loyal　guile。　He　told　of　the　penance　that　Sir
Andrew　had　laid　upon　them　because　of　the　new…shed　blood　of　John
Clavering；　of　the　flight　from　Dunwich　and　the　shooting　of　the　horses
of　the　Clavering　men；　and　of　their　ride　to　London　and　to　Windsor。　He
told　everything；　save　only　the　tale　of　what　Sir　Andrew　had　seen　in　the
House　of　Murgh　in　far　Cathay。

When　at　last　he　had　finished；　and　though　it　was　long　none　there　grew
weary　of　that　story；　the　King　turned　to　the　clerk；　and　said：

〃Brother　Peter；　make　out　a　full　pardon　to　Hugh　de　Cressi　of　Dunwich
and　Richard　Archer　his　servant　for　all　slayings　or　other　deeds　wrought
by　them　contrary　to　our　general　peace。　Draw　it　wide；　and　bring　the
same　to　me　for　execution　ere　I　sleep　to…night。　Make　out　a　commission
also　to　the　Mayor　of　Dunwichnay；　I'll　think　that　matter　over　and
instruct　you　further。　Hugh　de　Cressi；　you　have　our　thanks；　and　if　you
go　on　as　you　have　begun　you　shall　have　more　ere　long；　for　I　need　such
men　about　me。　You　also；　strange　and　death…like　man　named　Grey　Dick；
shall　not　lack　our　favour　if　it　proves　that　you　can　shoot　but　half　as
well　as　you　have　boasted；　and；　unless　you　lie；　both　of　you；　as　it
seems　that　you　have　done。　And　now　to　supper；　though　in　truth　this　news
does　not　kindle　appetite。　Son；　see　that　this　gentleman　is　well　served；
and　that　none　mock　him　more　about　the　fashion　of　his　armour；　above　all
Sir　Ambrose；　for　I'll　not　suffer　it。　Plate　and　damascene　do　not　make　a
man；　and　this；　it　seems；　was　borrowed　from　as　brave；　ay；　and　as
learned；　a　knight　as　ever　bestrode　a　horse　in　war。　Come；　Lady；〃　and
taking　the　Queen　by　the　hand；　he　left　the　chamber。

That　evening　Hugh　ate　his　food　seated　among　the　knights　of　the
Household　at　a　high　table　in　the　great　hall；　at　the　head　of　which；　for
the　King　supped　in　private；　was　placed　the　young　Prince　Edward。　He
noted　that　now　none　laughed　at　him　about　the　fashion　of　his　mail　or
his　country　ways。　Indeed；　when　after　supper　Sir　Ambrose　Lacey　came　to
him　and　asked　his　pardon　for　the　talk　that　he　had　used　to　him　in　the
Windsor　streethe　was　sure　that　some　word　had　been　sent　round　that
his　business　had　brought　him　favour　with　the　King　and　that　he　must　be
treated　with　all　courtesy。　Several　of　those　who　sat　round　him　tried　to
discover　what　that　business　was。　But　of　this　he　would　say　nothing；
parrying　their　questions　with　others　about　the　wars　in　France；　and
listening　with　open　ears　to　the　tales　of　great　deeds　done　there。

〃Ah；　would　that　I　could　see　such　things！〃　he　said。

To　which　one　of　them　answered：

〃Well；　why　not？　There'll　be　chance　enough　ere　long；　and　many　of　us
would　be　glad　of　a　square　built　like　you。〃

Now；　at　lower　tables；　in　that　vast　hall；　Hugh's　servants；　and　with
them　Grey　Dick；　sat　among　the　men…at…arms　of　the　King's　Guard；　who
were　all　chosen　for　their　courage；　and　skill　in　archery。　These
soldiers；　noting　the　strange…faced；　ashen…haired　fellow　who　ate　with
his　bow　resting　on　the　bench　beside　him；　inquired　about　him　from　the
other　Dunwich　men；　and　soon　heard　enough　to　cause　them　to　open　their
eyes。　When　the　ale　had　got　hold　of　them　they　opened　their　mouths　also；
and；　crowding　round　Dick；　asked　if　it　were　true　that　he　could　shoot
well。

〃As　well　as　another；〃　he　answered；　and　would　say　no　more。

Then　they　looked　at　his　bow；　and　saw　that　it　was　old…fashioned；　like
his　master's　mail；　and　of　some　foreign　make　and　wood；　but　a　mighty
weapon　such　as　few　could　handle　and　hold　straight。　Lastly；　they　began
to　challenge　him　to　a　match　upon　the　morrow；　to　which　he　answered；　who
also　had　been　drinking　ale　and　was　growing　angry；　that　he'd　give　the
best　of　them　five　points　in　fifty。

Now　they　mocked；　for　among　them　were　some　famous　archers；　and　asked　at
what　range。

〃At　any　ye　will；〃　answered　Grey　Dick；　〃from　twelve　score　yards　down　to
one　score　yards。　Now　trouble　me　no　longer；　who　if　I　must　shoot
to…morrow　would　sleep　first　and　drink　no　more　of　your　strong　ale　that
breeds　bad　humours　in　one　reared　upon　dyke　water。〃

Then；　seizing　his　bow；　he　glided　away　in　his　curious　stoat…like
fashion　to　the　hole　where　he　had　been　shown　that　he　should　sleep。

〃A　braggart！〃　said　one。

〃I　am　not　so　sure；〃　answered　a　grizzled　captain　of　archers；　who　had
fought　in　many　wars。　〃Braggarts　make　a　noise；　but　this　fellow　only
spoke　when　we　squeezed　him　and　perhaps　what　came　out　of　those　thin
lips　was　truth。　At　least；　from　his　look　I'd　sooner　not　find　him
against　me　bow　to　bow。〃

Then　they　fell　to　betting　which　of　them　would　beat　Grey　Dick　by　the
heaviest　points。



Next　morning　about　nine　o'clock　the　King　sent　a　messenger　to　Hugh；
bidding　him　and　his　servant　Richard　wait　upon　them。　They　went　with
this　messenger；　who　led　them　to　a　little　chamber；　where　his　Grace　sat；
attended　only　by　the　clerk；　Brother　Peter；　and　a　dark…browed　minister；
whose　name　he　never　learned。

〃Hugh　de　Cressi　and　Richard　Archer；〃　said　Edward；　motioning　to　the
minister　to　hand　Hugh　a　parchment　to　which　hung　a　great　seal；　〃here　is
the　pardon　which　I　promised　you。　No　need　to　stay　to　read　it；　since　it
is　as　wide　as　Windsor　Keep；　and　woe　betide　him　who　lifts　hand　against
either　of　you　for　aught　you　may　have　done　or　left　undone　in　the　past
contrary　to　the　laws　of　our　realm。　Yet　remember　well　that　this　grace
runs　not　to　the　future。　Now　that　matter　is　ended；　and　we　come　to　one
that　is　greater。　Because　of　the　faith　put　in　you　by　our　loyal　and
beloved　subject；　Sir　Andrew　Arnold；　your　godsire；　and　because　we　like
the　fashion　of　you；　Hugh　de　Cressi；　and　hold　you　brave　and　honest；　it
has　pleased　us　to　give　you　a　commission　under　which　we　direct　the
Mayor　of　Dunwich　and　all　true　and　lawful　men　of　that　town　and　hundred
to　aid　you　in　the　taking　or；　if　need　be；　in　the　slaying　of　our
subject；　Sir　Edmund　Acour；　Count　of　Noyon　and　Seigneur　of　Cattrina。　We
command　you　to　bring　this　man　before　us　alive　or　dead；　that　his　cause
may　be　judged　of　our　courts　and　the　truth　of　the　matter　alleged
against　him　by　the　Reverend　Father　Sir　Andrew　Arnold　therein
determined。　Nevertheless；　we　command　you　not　to　wound　or　kill　the　said
knight　unless　he　resists　the　authority　of　us　by　you　conveyed　and　you
cannot　otherwise　hold　him　safe　from　escaping　from　out　this　our　realm。
This　commission　you　will　presently　go　forth　to　execute；　keeping　its
tenor　and　your　aim　secret　until　the　moment　comes　to　strike；　and；　as
you　perform　your　duty；　of　which　you　will　return　and　make　report　to　us；
so　shall　we　judge　and　reward　you。　Do　you　understand？〃

〃Sire；〃　answered　Hugh；　bowing；　〃I　understand；　and　I　will　obey　to　my
last　breath。〃

〃Good！　When　the　parchments　are　engrossed　my　officer　here　will　read
them　to　you　and　explain　aught　that　may　need　it。　Meanwhile；　we　have　an
hour　or　two　during　which　your　horses　can　eat；　for　there　are　no　fresh
beasts　here　to　give　you；　and　it　is　best；　to　avoid　doubts；　that　you
should　return　as　you　came；　only　showing　your　powers　if　any　should
attempt　to　arrest　you。　So　let　us　have　done　with　these　heavy　matters；
and　disport　us　for　a　while。　This　servant　of　yours　has　made　a　common
boast　that　he　will　outshoot　any　of　our　picked　archers；　and　now　we　are
ready　to　go　forth　and　put　him　to　the　proof　of　the　butts。　Let　him　know；
however；　that；　notwithstanding　our　words　of　yesterday；　we　shall　not
hold　him　to　blame　if　he　fails；　since　many　a　man　of　higher　degree
promises　more　at　night　than　he　can　perform　in　the　morning。〃

〃Sire；　I'll　do　my　best。　I　can　no　more；〃　said　Grey　Dick。　〃Only　I　pray
that　none　may　be　suffered　to　hang　about　or　pester　me　at　the　butts；
since　I　am　a　lonely　man　who　love　not　company　when　I　use　my　art。〃

〃That　shall　be　so；〃　said　the　King。　〃And　now　to　the　sport。〃

〃The　sport！〃　grumbled　Grey　Dick；　when　he　and　Hugh　were　alone　together。
〃Why；　it　is　other　sport　we　should　be　seeking；　with　Acour　and　his
knaves　for　targets。　Go　to　the　King；　master；　and　show　him　that　while　we
linger　here　the　Frenchman　may　slip　away；　or　work　more　and　worse
treasons。〃

〃I　cannot；　Dick；　the　parchments　are　not　written　out；　and　his　Grace　is
bent　upon　this　pleasure　match。　Moreover；　man；　all　these　archers　here
yes；　and　their　betters　alsowould　say　that　you　had　fled　because　you
were　an　empty　boaster　who　dared　not　face　the　trial。〃

〃They'd　say　that；　would　they？〃　snarled　Grey　Dick。　〃Yes；　they'd　say
that；　which　would　be　bitter　hearing　for　you　and　me。　Well；　they　shall
not　say　it。　Yet　I　tell　you；　master；〃　he　added　in　a　burst　of　words；
〃although　I　know　not　why；　I'd　rather　bear　their　scorn　and　be　away　on
the　road　to　Dunwich。〃

〃It　may　not　be；　Dick；〃　replied　Hugh；　shaking　his　head　doubtfully。
〃See；　here　they　come　to　fetch　us。〃



In　a　glade　of　the　forest　of　Windsor　situated　near　to　the　castle　and
measuring　some　twenty…five　score　yards　of　open　level　ground；　stood
Grey　Dick；　a　strange；　uncouth　figure；　at　whom　the　archers　of　the　guard
laughed；　nudging　each　other。　In　his　bony　hand；　however；　he　held　that
at　which　they　did　not　laugh；　namely；　the　great　black　bow；　six　feet　six
inches　long；　which　he　said　had　come　to　him　〃from　the　sea；〃　and　was
fashioned；　not　of　yew；　but　of　some　heavy；　close…grained　wood；　grown
perhaps　in　Southern　or　even　in　far　Eastern　lands。　Still；　one　of　them；
who　had　tried　to　draw　this　bow　to　his　ear　and　could　not；　said　aloud
that　〃the　Suffolk　man　would　do　naught　with　that　clumsy　pole。〃　Whereat；
Grey　Dick；　who　heard　him；　grinning；　showing　his　white　teeth　like　an
angry　dog。

Near　by；　on　horseback　and　on　foot；　were　the　King；　the　young　Prince
Edward；　and　many　knights　and　ladies；　while　on　the　other　side　stood
scores　of　soldiers　and　other　folk　from　the　castle；　who　came　to　see
this　ugly　fellow　well　beaten　at　his　own　game。

〃Dick；〃　whispered　Hugh；　〃shoot　now　as　you　never　shot　before。　Teach
them　a　lesson　for　the　honour　of　Suffolk。〃

〃Let　me　be；　master；〃　he　grumbled。　〃I　told　you　I　would　do　my　best。〃

Then　he　sat　himself　down　on　the　grass　and　began　to　examine　his　arrows
one　by　one；　to　all　appearance　taking　no　heed　of　anything　else。

Presently　came　the　first　test。　At　a　distance　of　five　score　yards　was
set　a　little　〃clout；〃　or　target；　of　white　wood；　not　more　than　two　feet
square。　This　clout　had　a　red　mark；　or　ey