by Knox Magee
CHAPTER IV
THE TAKING OF BERWICK
The next morning, just as day was breaking, we were aroused by oursquires, who, after bringing us our breakfasts, of which we ateheartily, got our armour and laid it out and ready. So soon as we hadfinished with our repast, we were buckled and laced into our harness,and then, as everything was ready for the march, we did set forth.
We had not travelled above a mile when our advance guard sent us wordthat a strong force of the enemy was coming towards us, evidently withthe intention of attacking our right flank. This was the part of thearmy in which Harleston and I were to play our part; we having beensent there with a body of other knights to add somewhat to itsstrength, the which was somewhat weak in comparison with the left wing,which was led by the Duke of Albany, who was a brother of the ScottishKing, James, against whom he was now about to fight--but then, royalbrothers are ever longing to kill each other.
As we came over the brow of a hill we could see a considerable body ofknights and men-at-arms, preceded by a stronger force of archers,coming slowly towards us, as the messenger had said.
Our archers were now thrown out in front, the knights followed, and themen-at-arms brought up the rear. As we were drawing near unto the foewe beheld their main body advancing on our centre, which was led by theDuke of Gloucester himself. Soon we were engaged, and then we had nottime to see how the Duke did receive the Scotchmen; for indeed we weretoo busy with the receiving of them, or rather their arrows, whichpoured down on either side like rain.
When this long distance battle had gone on for a short space we thoughtit time that we knights should take part, and not let all of the glorygo to the archers. Therefore, the command was given to swing to theright, past them, and take the enemy in the flank. Around, as on ahinge, swung the double ranks of mail-clad figures, and then, when wehad cleared our archers, we placed our lances in the rests, and camedown upon the enemy like a thunderbolt. They, however, had seen uschange position, and, though they be thick-skulled knaves, they diddivine our object, ere our plan was carried out. Their knights dashedforward at the same time as did we, and we met before their archerswith a crash that was heard for the distance of a mile.
I had singled out a knight, which, by his size, and the way he sat hishorse, led me to think he should be a foeman worthy of my steel. Inthis I was not disappointed; for when we met in the front rank, eachhad aimed at the centre of the other's shield, and it is seldom that Ihave ever had so heavy a shock. Both our lances flew into a thousandpieces, as though they had been made of straw. Mine opponent's horsewas forced back upon his haunches, and he was like to lose his seat.But he did recover himself with such dexterity as did show him to be aknight of great ability. I had scarce time in which to draw my swordere he was upon me, hacking at my head so rapidly as to take all mytime, and the use of all my knowledge, in defending myself. Round andround we rode, striking furiously at each other, which blows we guardedwith equal quickness. Neither had any advantage, as we seemed to beboth of nearly equal strength and skill. After forcing him closely heat length began to give ground, though whether from necessity or guileI do not know. I aimed a terrible blow at his head; he caught it uponthe hilt of his sword. The force of the blow was so great that myweapon was broken in two, and I was unarmed. Verily I thought mine endhad come, and that I should never see the Lady Hazel again. To mysurprise the knight called out, in French, something to the effect thatwe should meet again, and rode off.
"Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces."]
"That accounts for it," said I; "he is a Frenchman; and had he been aScotchman, I had now been a corpse."
The enemy was now commencing to give way in places; yet the fight wasstill a goodly one.
Sir Frederick was nowhere to be seen; so I quickly secured a sword froma poor knight, who had still the head and part of the shaft of a lancesticking in his side, and then did I plunge into the fight once more.I forced my way through a struggling crowd of the enemies' footsoldiers, cutting them down as I went; when suddenly I espied a knighton foot, surrounded by a score or more of these rascals.
"To the rescue!" cried I, and dashed into the circle. The knight wasstanding beside his horse, which was dead, and making great strokeswith his sword, in all directions. Thus he had kept a circle cleararound him. Several corpses in that deadly circle told why the reststood back. But, just as I came up, one of the knaves did venture tomake a dash forward, when the brave champion's head was turned. I wasupon him in an instant. "Ha! thou coward ruffian, take that!" I cried,as, with a straight downward stroke, I cleft his head from top to chin.Just then some of our men-at-arms came up, and the few Scots whichescaped us did so by their fleetness of foot, and their knowledge ofthe country's many hiding-places.
"Thou art not too soon," said Harleston, for it was he, as he openedhis visor and wiped his brow. "Indeed I was hard pressed by that packof hyenas."
I quickly secured a horse for my friend, and again we plunged into thethick of the fight. We soon became engaged with three knights whichwere like to have done for us, had not,--when we were sorelypressed--an arrow struck one of their horses, causing it to fall. Therider fell with his leg underneath, and so was unable to take anyfurther part in the fight. I pressed my opponent from the first, andsoon had him at my mercy. I gave him an opportunity to surrender, butas he refused to do so, I waited until his arm was raised for a blow,when, with my shield held over my head, I drove my sword straight underhis arm, where the armour divides. I heard my point strike his harnesson the other side, as it went through his body, so great was the forceof the blow.
Hot and furious was now the fight. The enemy were fleeing in alldirections, and our gallant troops were pressing them full hard. Loudblew the trumpets, the signal for the continuance of the slaughter.Berwick itself must now be carried whilst our blood was still at feverheat. I looked around to see how fared my friend, in his contest withthe knight with whom I had seen him engaged. No sight could I see ofeither of them; but there was Harleston's horse straying riderlessabout the field. I recognized it by the peculiarity of its housing. Agreat sadness did then possess me, for I did greatly fear that my dearfriend must have fallen at the hand of his opponent. "Indeed he mustbe dead," said I; "else how could his steed be riderless?" Then did Iswear a great and savage oath of vengeance. "For his life an hundredScots shall die, and still shall he be but poorly paid for." Thus didI think; for during the short time in which I had known Sir Frederick Ihad learned to love this noble knight, better far than I would abrother.
Our forces came on, eager to avenge the loss of their comrades whichhad fallen that day, and these amounted to a considerable number. Nowand then a small body of the foe were driven to bay, and seldom werethey spared. I seemed to be changed into a demon, with the thirst forblood. Every one of the enemy that did fall into my hands, Islaughtered, and felt a savage delight in doing it. Ah! the fiercedelirium of victory.
When we reached the walls of Berwick a white flag was flying from theCitadel; so the battle was over, and we were stopped from pursuing thefleeing foe. Berwick was taken, and the war was ended; though we didnot know this latter at that time. That evening we took possession ofthe fortress, and the flag of England replaced that of the Scots.
After I had had my quarters allotted to me, and was just getting out ofmine armour, who should walk into my room but my dear friend. He wasstill in his complete harness, and was covered with sand and blood,from head to foot.
"The saints be praised that thou art still alive!" cried I, as I rushedand grasped him by the hand. "I was sure thou must be dead, and many apoor Scot has paid dearly for my thought. But where, in the name ofHeaven, hast thou been rolling?"
"Do but wait a moment and I will tell thee all," he replied. Then,when we were seated, he told me what had happened him. "You saw thatknight, with whom I did engage when the three attacked us?" he asked.
I nodded, and he went on:--"He is a Frenchman, and he ha
th a knack ofbreaking his opponent's sword with the hilt of his own. He broke mine,as I aimed a blow at his head; but, before he could strike, I closedwith him, and, putting mine arms around his waist, I threw myself frommy horse and dragged him with me. Of course he fell on top, whichshook me up a little and, as the ground was soaked with blood, Inaturally do not look so clean as I might."
"And what about the Frenchman?" I asked; "didst thou kill him?"
"Oh, no," he replied, "he struck his head heavily on the ground, and ashe was badly stunned, I took off his helmet to see what he did looklike, and also to give the poor devil some air, which I was in muchneed of myself. He was a handsome man, and evidently he belongs unto awealthy house; for his armour was richly inlaid with gold."
I then told Harleston of my encounter with the same knight earlier inthe day, and when he had heard that the Frenchman had spared my life,he was glad that he had not given him his _coup de grace_.
The next morning, as we were dressing, a knock came at our door, and,upon opening it, a soldier handed unto me a message which, uponreading, I found to be an order from the Duke of Gloucester to preparemyself for a journey, and to report to him in an hour's time. I atonce guessed my destination, which I thought to be Windsor; and in thisI was not mistaken; for, on presenting myself at his Royal Highness'quarters, I was handed a packet and commanded to reach the castle inthe shortest possible time. I then asked the Duke if Harleston mightaccompany me. He thought for a moment ere he answered, and thensaid:--"Yes, by Saint Paul, take the whole army, and thou wilt! we donot need them here; these Scotchmen will not dare to draw a sword,after the lesson we taught them yesterday, eh! Bradley?" and he slappedme on the shoulder. Of course I agreed with his Royal Highness, whichis ever the proper thing to do, when dealing with a Prince.
Half an hour later Harleston and I were on our way to Windsor.
"Not so long a campaign as we had thought," said I, when we were fairlyon the road.
"No," he replied; "my dream of last night is being now fulfilled."
And so we rode on, with our faces turned southward.