red eve-第45章

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of　the　second　and　burying　its　barb　in　the　skull　of　the　third　on　the
lowest　step。　Now　Dick　unstrung　his　bow；　and　thrust　it　into　its　case　on
his　shoulder；　for　he　was　minded　that　they　should　go　together　at　the
last。

〃Shafts　have　sung　their　song；〃　he　said；　with　a　fierce　laugh；　〃now　it
is　the　turn　of　the　axe　and　sword　to　make　another　music。〃

Then　he　gripped　Sir　Hugh　by　the　hand；　saying：

〃Farewell；　master。　Oh；　I　hold　this　a　merry　death；　such　as　the　Saints
grant　to　few。　Ay；　and　so　would　you　were　you　as　free　as　I　am。　Well；
doubtless　your　lady　has　gone　before。　Or　at　worst　soon　she　will　follow
after　and　greet　you　in　the　Gate　of　Death；　where　Murgh　sits　and　keeps
his　count　of　passing　souls。〃

〃Farewell；　friend；〃　answered　Hugh；　〃be　she　quick　or　dead；　thus　Red　Eve
would　wish　that　I　should　die。　/A　Cressi！　A　Cressi！/〃　he　cried　and
drove　his　sword　through　the　throat　of　a　soldier　who　rushed　at　him。



They　fought　a　very　good　fight；　as　doubtless　the　dead　were　telling　each
other　while　they　passed　from　that　red　stair　to　such　rest　as　they　had
won。　They　had　fought　a　very　good　fight　and　it　was　hard　to　say　which
had　done　the　best；　Hugh's　white　sword　or　Dick's　grey　axe。　And　now；
unwounded　still　save　for　a　bruise　or　two；　they　stood　there　in　the
moonlight　upon　the　stark　edge　of　the　tall　tower；　the　foe　in　front　and
black　space　beneath。　There　they　stood　leaning　on　axe　and　sword　and
drawing　their　breath　in　great　sobs；　those　two　great　harvestmen　who
that　day　had　toiled　so　hard　in　the　rich　fields　of　death。

For　a　while　the　ever…gathering　crowd　of　their　assailants　remained
still　staring　at　them。　Then　the　leaders　began　to　whisper　to　each
other；　for　they　scarcely　seemed　to　dare　to　talk　aloud。

〃What　shall　we　do？〃　asked　one。　〃These　are　not　men。　No　men　could　have
fought　as　they　have　fought　us　for　seven　days　and　at　last　have　slain　us
like　sparrows　in　a　net　and　themselves　remained　unhurt。〃

〃No；〃　answered　another；　〃and　no　mortal　archer　could　send　his　shaft
through　the　bodies　of　three。　Still　it　is　finished　now　unless　they　find
wings　and　fly　away。　So　let　us　take　them。〃

〃Yes；　yes；〃　broke　in　Grey　Dick　with　his　hissing　laugh；　〃come　and　take
us；　you　curs　of　Avignon。　Having　our　breath　again；　we　are　ready　to　be
taken；〃　and　he　lifted　his　axe　and　shook　it。

〃Seize　them；〃　shouted　the　leader　of　the　French。　〃Seize　them！〃　echoed
those　who　poured　up　the　stairs　behind。

But　there　the　matter　ended；　since　none　could　find　stomach　to　face　that
axe　and　sword。　So　at　length　they　took　another　counsel。

〃Bring　bows　and　shoot　them　through　the　legs。　Thus　we　shall　bring　them
living　to　their　trial；〃　commanded　the　captain　of　the　men　of　Avignon。
He　was　their　fourth　captain　on　that　one　day；　for　the　other　three　lay
upon　the　stairs　or　in　the　hall。

Now　Hugh　and　Dick　spoke　together；　few　words　and　swift；　as　to　whether
they　should　charge　or　leap　from　the　wall　and　have　done　with　it。　While
they　spoke　a　little　cloud　floated　over　the　face　of　the　moon；　so　that
until　it　had　gone　the　French　could　not　see　to　shoot。

〃It's　too　risky；〃　said　Hugh。　〃If　they　capture　us　we　must　die　a　death
to　which　I　have　no　mind。　Let　us　hurl　our　weapons　at　them；　then　leap。〃

〃So　be　it；〃　whispered　Dick。　〃Do　you　aim　at　the　captain　on　the　left　and
I　will　take　the　other。　Ready　now！　I　think　one　creeps　near　to　us。〃

〃I　think　so；　too；〃　Hugh　whispered　back；　〃I　felt　the　touch　of　his
garments。　Only　he　seemed　to　pass　us　from　behind；　which　cannot　be。〃

The　cloud　passed；　and　once　again　they　were　bathed　in　silver　light。　It
showed　the　men　of　Avignon　already　bending　their　bows；　it　showed　Hugh
and　Grey　Dick　lifting　axe　and　sword　to　hurl　them。　But　between　them　and
their　mark　it　showed　also　a　figure　that　they　knew　well；　a　stern　and
terrible　figure；　wearing　a　strange　cap　of　red　and　yellow　and　a　cape　of
rich；　black　fur。

〃O　God　of　Heaven！　'tis　Murgh　the　Helper；〃　gasped　Hugh。

〃Ay；　Murgh　the　Fire；　Murgh　the　Sword；〃　said　Dick；　adding　quietly；　〃it
is　true　I　was　wondering　whether　he　would　prove　as　good　as　his　word。
Look　now；　look！　they　see　him　also！〃

See　him　they　did；　indeed；　and　for　a　moment　there　was　silence　on　that
crowded　tower　top　where　stood　at　least　a　score　of　men；　while　their
fellows　packed　the　hall　and　stair　below　by　hundreds。　All　stared　at
Murgh；　and　Murgh　stared　back　at　them　with　his　cold　eyes。　Then　a　voice
screamed：

〃Satan！　Satan　come　from　hell　to　guard　his　own！　Death　himself　is　with
you！　Fly；　men　of　Avignon；　fly！〃

Small　need　was　there　for　this　command。　Already；　casting　down　their
bows；　those　on　the　tower　top　were　rushing　to　the　mouth　of　the　stair；
and；　since　it　was　blocked　with　men；　using　their　swords　upon　them　to
hew　a　road。　Now　those　below；　thinking　that　it　was　the　English　wizards
who　slew　them；　struck　back。

Presently　all　that　stair　and　the　crowded　hall　below；　black　as　the
mouth　of　the　pit；　for　such　lights　as　still　burned　soon　were　swept
away；　rang　with　the　screams　and　curses　and　stifled　groans　of　the
trodden　down　or　dying。　In　the　pitchy　darkness　brother　smote　brother；
friend　trampled　out　the　life　of　friend；　till　the　steep　steps　were
piled　high　and　the　doorways　blocked　with　dead。　So　hideous　were　the
sounds　indeed；　that　Hugh　and　Grey　Dick　crossed　themselves；　thinking
that　hell　had　come　to　Avignon；　or　Avignon　sunk　down　to　hell。　But　Murgh
only　folded　his　white…gloved　hands　upon　his　breast　and　smiled。

At　length；　save　for　the　moaning　of　those　hurt　men　who　still　lived；　the
dreadful　tumult　sank　to　silence。　Then　Murgh　turned　and　spoke　in　his
slow　and　icy　voice：

〃You　were　about　to　seek　me　in　the　fosse　of　this　high　tower；　were　you
not；　Hugh　de　Cressi　and　Richard　Archer？　A　foolish　thought；　in　truth；
and　a　sinful；　so　sinful　that　it　would　have　served　you　well　if　I　had
let　you　come。　But　your　strait　was　sore　and　your　faith　was　weak；　and　I
had　no　such　command。　Therefore　I　have　come　to　others　whose　names　were
written　in　my　book。　Ay；　and　being　half　human　after　allfor　does　not
your　creed　tell　you　that　I　was　born　of　Sin？　I　rejoice　that　it　is　given
to　me　to　protect　those　who　would　have　protected　/me/　when　/I/　seemed
to　stand　helpless　in　the　hands　of　cruel　men。　Nay；　thank　me　not。　What
need　have　I　of　your　thanks；　which　are　due　to　God　alone！　And　question
me　not；　for　why　should　I　answer　your　questions；　even　if　I　know　those
answers？　Only　do　my　bidding。　This　night　seek　whom　you　will　in　Avignon；
but　to…morrow　ere　the　dawn　ride　away；　for　we　three　must　meet　again　at
a　place　appointed　before　this　winter's　snows　are　passed。〃

〃O　dread　lord　of　Death；　one　thing；　only　one；〃　began　Hugh。

But　Murgh　held　up　his　white…gloved　hand　and　replied：

〃Have　I　not　said　that　I　answer　no　questions？　Now　go　forth　and　follow
the　promptings　of　your　heart　till　we　meet　again。〃

Then　gliding　to　the　head　of　the　stair　he　vanished　in　the　shadow。

〃Say；　what　shall　we　do？〃　asked　Hugh　in　amazed　voice。

〃It　matters　little　what　we　do　or　leave　undone；　master；　seeing　that　we
are　fore…fated　men　whom；　as　I　think；　none　can　harm　until　a　day　that
will　not　dawn　to…morrow　nor　yet　awhile。　Therefore　let　us　wash
ourselves　and　eat　and　borrow　new　garments；　if　we　can　find　any　that　are
not　soiled；　and　then；　if　the　horses　are　still　unharmed；　mount　and　ride
from　this　accursed　Avignon　for　England。〃

〃Nay；　Dick；　since　first　we　must　learn　whether　or　no　we　leave　friends
behind　us　here。〃

〃Ay；　master；　if　you　will。　But　since　yonder　Murgh　said　nothing　of　them；
it　was　in　my　mind　that　they　are　either　dead　or　fled。〃

〃Not　dead；　I　pray；　Dick。　Oh；　I　am　sure；　not　dead；　and　I　left　living！
When　Red　Eve　and　I　met；　Murgh　had　been　with　her　and　promised　that　she
would　recover　and　be　strong；〃　answered　Hugh　bravely；　although　there
was　a　note　of　terror　in　his　voice。

〃Red　Eve　has　other　foes　in　Avignon　besides　the　pest；〃　muttered　Grey
Dick；　adding：　〃still；　let　us　have　faith；　it　is　a　good　friend　to　man。
Did　not　yonder　Helper　chide　us　for　our　lack　of　it？〃

They　forced　a　way　down　the　dead…cumbered　tower　stair；　crawling　through
the　darkness　over　the　bodies　of　the　fallen。　They　crossed　the　hall　that
also　was　full　of　dead；　and　of　wounded　whose　pitiful　groans　echoed　from
the　vaulted　roof；　and　climbed　another　stair　to　their　chamber　in　the
gateway　tower。　Here　from　a　spark　of　fire　that　still　smouldered　on　the
hearth；　they　lit　the　lamps　of　olive…oil　and　by　the　light　of　them
washed　off　the　stains　of　battle；　and　refreshed　themselves　with　food
and　wine。　These　things　done；　Dick　returned　to　the　hall　and　presently
brought　thence　two　suits　of　armour　and　some　cloaks　which　he　had　taken
either　from　the　walls　or　from　off　the　slain。　In　these　they　disguised
themselves　as　best　they　could；　as　de　Noyon　had　disguised　himself　at
Crecy。

Then；　having　collected　a　store　of　arrows　whereof　many　lay　about；　they
departed　by　the　back　entrance。　The　great　front　doorway　was　so　choked
with　corpses　that　they　could　not　pass　it；　since　here　had　raged　the
last　fearful　struggle　to　escape。　Going　to　the　little　stable…yard；
where　they　found　their　horses　unharmed　in　the　stalls；　although
frightened　by　the　tumult　and　stiff　from　lack　of　exercise；　they　fed　and
saddled　them　and　led　them　out。　So　presently　they　looked　their　last
upon　the　Bride's　Tower　that　had　sheltered　them　so　well。

〃It　has　served　our　turn；〃　said　Hugh；　glancing　back　at　it　from　the
other　side　of　the　deserted　square；　〃but　oh；　I　pray　heaven　that　we　may
never　see　that　charnel…house　again！〃

As　he　spoke　a　figure　appeared　from　the　shadow　of　a　doorway；　and　ran
toward　them。　Thinking　it　was　that　of　some　foe；　Dick　lifted　his　axe　to
cut　him　down；　whereon　a　voice　cried　in　English：

〃Hold！　I　am　David！〃

〃David！〃　exclaimed　Hugh。　〃Then　thanks　be　to　God；　for　know；　we　thought
you　dead　these　many　days。〃

〃Ay；　sir；〃　answered　the　young　man；　〃as　I　thought　you。　The　rumour
reached　the　Jews；　among　whom　I　have　been　hiding　while　I　recovered　of
my　hurts；　that　the　Mad　Monk　and　his　fellows　had　stormed　the　tower　and
killed　you　both。　Therefore　I　crept　out　to　learn　for　myself。　Now　I　have
found　you　by　your　voices；　who　never　again　hoped　to　look　upon　you
living；〃　and　he　began　to　sob　in　his　relief　and　joy。

〃Come　on；　lad；〃　said　Grey　Dick　kindly；　〃this　is　no　place　for
greetings。〃

〃Whither　go　you；　sir？〃　asked　David　as　he　walked　forward　alongside　of
the　horses。

〃To　seek　that　house　where　we　saw　Sir　Andrew　Arnold　and　the　lady　Eve；〃
answered　Hugh；　〃if　by　any　chance　it　can　be　found。〃

〃That　is　easy；　sir；〃　said　David。　〃As　it　happens；　I　passed　it　not　much
more　than　an　hour　ago　and　knew　it　again。〃

〃Did　you　see　any　one　there？〃　asked　Hugh　eagerly。

〃Nay；　the　windows　were　dark。　Also　the　Jew　guiding　me　said　he　had　heard
that　all　who　dwelt　in　that　house　were　dead　of　the　plague。　Still　of
this　matter　he　knew　nothing　for　certain。〃

Hugh　groaned；　but　only　answered：

〃Forward！〃

As　they　went　David　told　them　his　story。　It　seemed　that　when　he　was
struck　down　in　the　square　where　the　crazy　friar　preached；　and　like　to
be　stabbed　and　trampled　to　death；　some　of　the　Jews　dragged　him　into
the　shadow　and　rescued　him。　Afterward　they　took　him　to　a　horrid　and
squalid　quarter　called　La　Juiverie；　into　which　no　Christian　dare
enter。　Here　he　lay　sick　of　his　hurts　and　unable　to　get　out　until　that
very　afternoon；　the　widow　Rebecca；　whom　they　had　saved；　nursing　him
all　the　while。

〃Di