by Knox Magee
CHAPTER XXVI
THE HOUSE WITH THE FLAG
We had no difficulty in passing through the city's gates. I merelycalled out in commanding tone:--"On the King's most urgent business,"and the great gates swung back upon their mighty hinges as though therehad been magic in my speech. Mayhap 'twas fortunate that the King hadmany messengers passing in and out of the city that night, or our exithad not been so easily accomplished. As we dashed through beneath thearch the keeper called out:--
"Is it true that Richmond hath landed?"
"Ay, ay, 'tis true indeed," I cried over my shoulder in reply, and onwe went as though the fiends pursued us. Our horses were urged totheir utmost, that we might leave the Sanctuary ere the day did dawn.
Already was the East casting off her dark robe of night and deckingherself in brighter colours.
When we entered Westminster and drew up before the Sanctuary the doorflew open and there, standing by Harleston, by whom she was restrainedfrom rushing from the house, was my own fair darling; her body leaningforward, and her hand held above her eyes, as she peered into thedarkness with a world of expectancy in her pose, as shown up rightnobly by the lamp's bright light behind her.
Mary stood at Frederick's other side; her hand upon his arm, and alsogazing forth.
Springing from my horse and handing the reins to Michael, I hastenedtowards them; taking care, however, to speak ere I did step into therays of light, that the girls might not be startled by mine unannouncedapproach.
"Fear not, it is I--Walter."
"Oh, my dear, noble Walter!"
Harleston's arm no longer restrained, and we were locked in eachother's arms in a shorter space of time than takes a thought to travelunto Heaven.
"Have a care, my darling, lest thou dost destroy that same handsomehabit; for I am nothing if not thoroughly saturated."
Then I kissed the fair Mary as she still stood by Frederick's side,laughing and weeping both at once.
"My dear friend," said Harleston, "much am I joyed to see thee thusfree from that bloody Tower. And now--though ere this I did fear tosay so--I tell thee truly, I never thought to see thee here this night."
"But why?" I asked. "'Twas thou which sent the letter that did giveunto me--with the noble assistance of this brave friend here--myliberty," and I slapped Michael--who had tied the horses beneath thetrees by the corner of the building, and now stood near me--on his hugearm.
"Do but come in and close the door, and I will tell thee all, in as fewwords as possible; for the time we have is short."
"Art not afraid to flee with me, my fair one?" I asked; and I drewHazel closer to my side, as we were passing down the hall.
"Nay, nay, Walter dear; to the end of the world would I go with thee.When love, such as is mine, is in the heart it leaveth no room forfear. Mine only desire now is that we may, with all expediency, avoidour enemies; and when the Earl of Richmond doth conquer the bloodyRichard, then may we return to happiness and have our dreams of otherdays fulfilled."
"Mine own dear, trusting love," I murmured, as I stooped and kissed herforehead.
The ex-Queen had waited up the whole long night that she might see if Idid succeed in escaping from the Tower. How worn and sorrow-strickenshe did look as I knelt and kissed her hand.
"I thank God, Sir Walter, that thou hast escaped the murderous boar,"she said, in her kind and motherly way.
"So do I too, madam; for besides mine own wrongs I have yet to make agreat effort and redeem mine oath made to the good King Edward, yournoble husband. When my good friend here and I rode from Berwick untothe Castle at Windsor his Majesty did give unto us each a presentworthy of the giver. At that time, madam, we both did swear to avengeany wrong that ever did transgress upon your royal son, our latelamented little King. Much time hath passed and still he's unavenged;but if the life within me be spared I'll yet strike a hard blow againsthis cruel and bloody murderer."
"Ay, ay, we will," assented Frederick.
"He'll doie fer the murtherin' o' the little darlin'," growled Michaelfrom behind my back, where he towered like some grim monument.
I shamed to confess that I had forgot my faithful squire, until hisvoice recalled him to my mind.
"Madam, I beg that thou wilt permit me to make known unto thee thetruest heart, as well as the strongest arm, in all England. Courage,loyalty, generosity and strength are all that do unite in this, yourfaithful servant." And I led Michael, who blushed like a maiden,before Elizabeth.
She spoke some kindly words unto him, and gave him her hand to kiss.
On his knee his head was still as high as hers.
Gently he kissed the dainty fingers lying in his mighty palm, and thenhe arose without a word.
Why, oh why, are not the kings and rulers of men born with hearts likeMichael's? Thy praises, oh my faithful squire, should be sung bymasters skilled in the art of playing upon the sympathetic strings ofthe living harp, in place of the task, so full of possibilities, beingleft to the feeble hand of such an one as I. But then, who knows aswell as thine old master the workings of that great heart whose everythrob is one of loyalty?
But come, Sir Walter, hasten along in the path where lies thy story,and tarry not, like some gossiping old wife, at every house along theway, telling some news that helps thee not unto thy destination.
"I have more ill news for thee, Sir Walter," said Elizabeth, whenMichael had arisen and resumed his former place, glad to be no longerthe object on which we all did gaze.
"Heaven forbid!" I exclaimed devoutly.
"Nay, Heaven doth forbid no woe to fall upon mine untimely silveringhead; and it is but just that I should have my punishment."
"But what new calamity may this be, madam?"
"Word reached me a week ago that my little Richard hath disappearedfrom the Sanctuary in France, where my son, the Marquis of Dorset, lefthim.
"But comes the news from a trusty source?"
"Yes, from Dorset himself. It happened thus, he says:--
"Near-by where stands the Sanctuary there a great mount doth lift itsrugged brow far above the natural level of the earth. Here did mylittle Prince delight to stroll and watch the sparkling waters far, farbeneath his feet, rush in their tumbling haste from rock to rock alongtheir never-ceasing course. Here last was he seen sitting, as wassometimes his wont, upon a boulder beneath a scraggling bush that theredoth grow. At set of sun he came not to the house; so the good folkthere went out to bring him in. Nowhere could they find him; and now'tis thought he fell by accident, or intent, down, down into the cruelwaters at his feet. From that day since he hath not been found; buthis hat was by a traveller picked up and brought into the Sanctuary.
"Now my little Princes both have gone to join their father, andI--though God knows why--remain upon the earth.
"If little Richard be dead--the which must be only too true--we willmake the Earl of Richmond King. Then shall my daughter, Elizabeth, behis Queen. This is all I can now hope for; but it shall be the meansof ridding England of blood-supping tyrants, and shall give unto me mylong-desired revenge.
"Lord Stanley is now at the head of a strong force, and is marchingfrom the North, apparently to meet the tyrant near by Leicester.
"Richmond is now well on his way to London; and as he comes greatnumbers flock unto his standard.
"Stanley will, at the last moment, leave the Usurper to his fate andside with the Earl.
"Sir Frederick, here, leaves this morning to join Lord Stanley.
"This evening, when thou dost return with our dear Hazel here, I cangive thee a letter to the Earl. I would send it by Sir Frederick, butI do desire to give Earl Henry full particulars of the force thatRichard doth take with him along. The powers of the Usurper's friendsRichmond already knoweth. Mine agents shall bring in the desiredinformation concerning the forces of the Usurper as soon as Richarddoth leave the city."
"Then everything goeth well, so far as preparations are concerned,madam.
"About wh
at time doth Richard march?"
"Soon after sun-up he did intend to go; at least so said the ordergiven to me," replied Harleston.
"Then we will return before the set of sun.
"But what, madam, is your opinion of this same strange letter?"
"Truly, Sir Walter, I knew not of it until Sir Frederick told me itsstrange contents."
I then showed it to her in the hope that she might recognize the hand.
With great care did she observe the writing; then she raised her headand said:--"It looketh not unlike the hand of my Lord Stanley; thoughthere is a tremble here not his. Mayhap he did disguise his hand toguard him from the danger of its falling into other hands than SirFrederick's."
"And, Frederick, what dost thou think?" I asked.
"Verily, Walter, I was about to tell thee at the door--and since it hadescaped my mind--of how I did mistrust that same packet until I saw yeboth arrive safe and free." Then it was that he told me of his meetingCatesby as he left the Palace.
"And dost thou think it safe to go unto this house mentioned in thewriting?"
"Well, since the rest of the directions have been so trustworthy I cansee no danger in following the remainder. Besides," he continued,"there seemeth to be no other way so secure."
"Well, as no more time may be spared, methinks we had better start. Ishame to doubt the writer's good intent, after the great favour he hathdone me.
"Say farewell, for the present, my dear. We shall be back thisevening."
Tenderly the ex-Queen embraced Hazel; and as I knelt she laid hergentle hand upon my head and said:--
"God protect thee, Sir Walter, and send thee back to me, with yon fairchild, which loveth thee so dearly, safe to her widowed foster mother."
"Amen," said I softly, from the bottom of my heart.
"Farewell, dearest Hazel, and may the angels guard thee from, andstrike dead those which could so much as harm thee with a thought,"sobbed loving little Mary, as the two dear girls embraced and kissedeach other.
"Farewell, Frederick," said Hazel--for now she looked on him as her bigbrother, and spoke unto him as such--"I may not again see thee untilthe fate of us all hath been decided. May Heaven bless thee and bringthee back to this dear girl, safe and victorious. And then may our oldhappy days that passed like sunbeams in the park at Windsor be repeatedwithout disturbing interruption."
This was a confirmation of my suspicion that Harleston had asked Marythat question which is the London-stone in the lives of us all, and shehad made the promise that I could, long months since, have told shewould.
"Farewell, dear lady," returned Frederick, whilst Mary took advantageof his speech in trying to regain her wonted complexion; "I hope to seethee again ere a fortnight be past. One great battle shall decide ourfate; and what that will be I am assured of."
Then turning to me he said:--"We shall meet, no doubt, in the ranks ofthe conquering Richmond. Till then farewell, my dear friend."
"Farewell, Frederick, we shall meet near Leicester; that is if Richardthere awaits the Earl."
I kissed Mary, and she and Harleston did bid farewell to big Michael.
Then we proceeded to where our horses waited, Michael bearing upon hisarm a basket, in which was our food for the day.
The morning was now well dawned, and the red bars from the fiery sunwere glancing along the floor of Heaven in beauteous ribbons, like thegay trappings of a May-pole.
Hazel's palfrey was now brought up; and as we mounted and rode off, thelittle group at the door still stood and waved a silent, flutteringfarewell.
We rode on in silence until we came to the turning that we should take,were we to be guided by the letter.
"This is the cross road mentioned in the packet. What think ye now ofthe writer? Dost trust him?" I asked.
"I trust him, and yet I feel some fear. I know not why; but a namelesssomething doth stir up in my mind a dread of some calamity."
"Shall we then go search for some place for ourselves?"
"Oh, no! It must be but foolish maiden timidity. Let us proceed andtrust the letter, after the way that it hath rescued thee."
So we turned unto our right and, as the letter had said, we came, aftertravelling some three miles, upon a large house set back some distancefrom the road. From a window in the upper story a small flag ofEngland did hang lazily. The house looked as it had beendescribed--unoccupied; so feeling re-assured we rode into the grounds.I then held Michael's steed whilst he went forward and tried the door.It was unlocked; so he entered. He then returned, at my call, andreported everything as well, so far as he could see, though he desiredto inspect it further ere we entered. This I did consider to beunnecessary. We then tied our horses to some trees near the door, andwalked in.
The room was large and square, and in the centre a round pillar arosefrom floor to ceiling. The furniture consisted of a long and broad,heavy oaken table and some three or four chairs, scattered carelesslyaround the room. Several closed and heavy doors, leading to where weknew not, were set into the walls at irregular intervals. The generalappearance of the interior gave one the impression of recentoccupation; though now it did seem undoubtedly to be vacant.
Michael placed the basket upon the table, and we at once proceeded tomake ourselves comfortable.
"Ah! my dear, we shall have a pleasant holiday, and in the eveningreturn. Our dear friend, Master Catesby, shall arrive at Westminsterto find that the bird hath flown. Then he may curse his misfortune andproceed to join his murderous master. Pray God I do but meet him inthe field. Then shall there be no truncheon to be flung down to stopour fight, as was done at the tournament."
"Yes, Walter dear, methought that thou hadst killed him when, with yourgreat sword, you drove him senseless from his horse."
"But how didst thou see the tournament?" I asked in wonderment.
Her cheeks then flushed, and she became as confused as a child caughtfairly in a trap. She glanced imploringly at Michael; but he seemedgreatly occupied with the buckle of his sword belt.
"What! is it possible that thou wert one of the old ladies to whomMichael did show such attention?"
"In faith, Walter, thou hast guessed it; though I did not intend totell thee yet."
"And was Mary the other?"
"Yes."
"Oh, ye are sly ones. And here is Michael also in the plot."
"Beg pardon, sor, but Oi tould ye the truth."
"Yea, that thou didst; but in your own peculiar way," I laughinglyreplied.
"Yes, Walter, Michael but did what we did ask of him, and therefore thewhole blame belongs to Mary and me," said Hazel, as she came and pattedme on the cheek. "Art not cross now?" she asked.
"Nay, but Frederick and I will bring ye to account when next we all domeet."
Soon we sat us down to the pleasantest meal that, methinks, ever had Ipartaken of. Clear of the gloomy Tower, and free, and there by my sidethe truest and most trusting maid upon the earth's broad face. Andthere was our huge Michael at the other side, eating and watching uswith admiring eyes. Verily, my dears, no happier trio ever sattogether, chatting like children at an outing. Hazel's dainty fingershad put each morsel in most tempting shape, and to add aught to herarrangement had been as difficult as to improve on the delicacy of softmoonlight, strained through the misty alabaster curtains of the Heavens.
"Now if Mary and Frederick were but here would it not be like our oldhappy days at the Palace at Windsor?" asked Hazel.
"Yea, indeed it should, but even more happy; for our troubles that arenow past make us to appreciate happiness the more."
And so we talked on and were happy in our assurance that all should nowbe well and smooth, and after the battle we would go to mine old housethat had stood waiting for its young master for many a day.
Then suddenly I heard a sound that startled me, and caused grave doubtsas to our safety. It sounded not unlike a low whistle, and coming fromsome room within the house.
Michael's quick ear
had heard it also; for he glanced anxiously firstto me and then to Hazel. She too had heard it, and her face changedfrom its merry smile to a startled look of fear.
"Didst thou not hear that whistle, Walter dear?" she asked in alarm.
"What whistle, dearest?" I asked, that I might allay her fears. "'Twasbut thine imagination playing upon thine ears; 'twas nothing."
"Nay, 'twas no imagination; 'twas real,--and hark!--there again it is."
This time there could be no mistaking the sound. Methought it camefrom one of the three rooms that did adjoin the large one in which wewere.
"Do thou go, Michael, and with great care open yon door and see if thatroom be occupied," I said in a whisper to my squire.
Drawing his heavy sword he advanced cautiously, and, turning the knob,he thrust the door wide open, whilst he remained at the threshold.
This room was empty; but on the opposite side from where stood Michaelwas another door, and to the right of this, in the other wall, was yetanother.
Then I heard a slight click at the lock of the door by which we hadentered the house. I drew my sword and walked to this door and triedto open it. It was locked.
Then the whole plot flashed upon my mind. This then was Catesby's planfor getting both Hazel and me within his power. No wonder that he didlaugh as Harleston left the courtyard. Well might he laugh; for neverdid a trap work with more success than did this clever one, laid bythis most ingenious scoundrel.
I went to the window and tried to loosen some of the bars that ranacross the square. Even the great Michael's strength should here be ofno avail. The bars were very heavy, and firmly imbedded in themasonry, of which the lower part of the house was made.
I watched the doors leading from the room in the expectancy that theywere about to fly open and a band of men rush in to do their work.Still they did remain closed. Michael still stood before the opendoor, awaiting mine instructions.
After waiting for a few moments with the painful feeling that one haswhen convinced that the eyes of a concealed foe are on him, watchinghis every move, I walked to the great table and, placing my sword uponit, I moved it back across one of the corners of the room; thus forminga frail barricade to protect my dear Hazel.
I then placed my dagger in her hand and said:--"Be brave my dearest,and if thou seest that thou canst not escape with honour, thou knowestthe use of this little weapon. However, so long as thou seest hope,refrain from its use; for even in our position no one can tell what theresult may be."
"Fear not, Walter dear, unless I may be thy spotless bride my husbandshall be death."
"Mine own dear, brave, little maiden," I murmured, and placed her, witha loving kiss upon her brow, behind the--in some measure--protectingtable.
I then took up my good sword and, holding it at arm's length to testits reach, I said to Michael:--
"Do thou go, good Michael, to yon door, and see if there be any onewithin the room behind it."
"Oi will, sor." And he crossed the inner room in three good lengthystrides.
This door was unfastened, so he opened it as he had done the other,except that this one opened towards him, and still stood he upon thethreshold.
"Sure, yer honour, thare's anither door here, sor."
"Open it also, Michael;" though the next moment I had rather have cutthe tongue from my throat than have uttered those words.
Michael had just disappeared into this second unexplored room when,with a crash, the door that had remained closed in the room adjoiningwhere Hazel and I waited flew open, and several armed men rushed in.
"Beware Michael! come back! come back!" I cried in warning.
Ere he could obey, however, the door was closed and securely locked andbarred behind him. At the same instant the room in which I stood wasfilled with soldiers, which entered by the other doors.
"Come on, ye pack of cowards! Why do ye hesitate? Do ye fear thesingle sword of one good knight? Come on, I say, ye pack of sneakingwolves that fear to attack, and yet stand in a circle round and growl!"I cried in defiance at them.
"Come on, ye pack of cowards."]
There must have been well nigh a score; something more than half in myroom, and the others in the room betwixt Michael and us.
The giant now thundered at the separating door, and swore an unceasingstream of oaths of vengeance.
This door, however, was a heavy oaken one, and withstood even Michael'smighty assault with great endurance.
Still the soldiers stood waiting, swords in hands.
Presently, with leisurely, swinging stride and clanking armour, a smileof triumph on his sneering face, entered my dearest foe, Catesby. Witha courtly bow, accompanied by a graceful wave of the hand, he salutedHazel, who, with great calmness, stood with clenched hands andfirm-pressed lips behind her barricade.
"Welcome, my dear lady, to this house that taketh in poor troubledrefugees. Methinks the directions in my poor note must have beenclear; for my guests have arrived even earlier than I had expected,"said he, as he folded his arms and regarded us with a smile ofsatisfaction.
"Cease thine insolence, thou false and degraded knight, and draw thysword and fight me like a man, and do not further stain thy name bysetting upon a gentleman a band of coward ruffians!"
"Nay, nay, Sir Walter, we have twice crossed swords ere this, and onboth occasions thou didst have the better of me. Verily, thou must beselfish to ever desire to play the victor's part. Oh, no!" he addedwith a laugh, "I now do hold the stronger hand, and it should becasting an insult upon the Goddess of Fortune to thus throw aside herbounteous gift of advantage.
"Do thou close yon door and lock it, Peter," said he, turning to afellow which stood behind him and which carried his arm in a sling;"that loud disturbing Irishman doth interrupt my speech. And besides,"he continued, with some uneasiness, as I thought, "that door doth seemnot strong enough for his beastlike strength. This other here isstouter."
The fellow with the disabled arm--no doubt 'twas he which did attemptto murder me in my tent--then closed and locked the door, whilst threeof the soldiers remained in the inner room, that they might check thegallant Michael, should he succeed in breaking down the door. Andindeed it now sounded as though the oak must give way; for the gianthad ceased his oaths, and all his breath was now being used to supporthis great strength, that was being exerted on the creaking opposition.
I almost smiled as I thought of the fate of the three men when thegreat man should rush in upon them.
"And now, Master Catesby," said I, "wilt thou enlighten me as to thineobject, in as few words as possible? for mine ears have no desire tolisten to thee at length, nor have mine eyes the wish to gaze upon thyrecreant body.
"Then hear my purpose in thus luring ye both into this place. I dodesire to have yon same lady, which in her fear is even more beautifulthan when she smileth, delivered up into my hands. Her safety andtender treatment thou mayest be well assured of; for I do love her todistraction.
"As for thyself, if thou dost offer no resistance, then shalt thou bepermitted to go forth from this place a free man, even though I do hatethee as I do a viper."
I bowed, and smiled grimly, and he continued. "If thou dost resist;well, thou knowest that thou needst not to expect mercy."
"Is that all?"
"That is all."
"Then know, thou slave of degradation and all that is most abominable,that I, as would any man, reject thy base proposal, with words too poorand weak to express, in any good measure, my contempt for the proposer."
At this moment the inner door fell from its hinges with a crash; andthen the adjoining room was filled with oaths and the ring of fearfulblows.
"Come then, make haste!" cried Catesby to his followers, "yon Herculeansavage hath burst through the inner door. Next will he break downthis; unless those knaves do stop him."
Then the whole pack of varlets rushed upon me from all points but myback, where the table did prevent them from surrounding me.
"Ha!
thou caitiff! ha! thou slave!" cried I, as I struck down the twoforemost of the assassins.
"What! do ye hesitate, and shrink from a single sword? Strike himdown, ye varlets, or at your peril stay a hand until we have him!" andthe chiefest of mine attackers drew forth his sword and, stepping o'erthe body of one of his fallen band, he did engage with me so hotly asto cause me to use all of my defence in guarding me from his fiercecuts and thrusts.
In then there rushed the others; but so many were there that they didinterfere with each other; thus enabling me to still guard off theirblows with my good armoured left arm.
Michael had now overcome his three antagonists, and thundered with hismighty shoulders against the remaining door. I knew that this would bemore difficult to break down; for, besides being more heavy, as Catesbyhad said, it opened towards Michael, and this did add greatly unto itspowers of resistance. I dared not turn mine eyes towards the door,lest on mine head a stunning blow should fall.
My left arm now had lost its wonted strength, with guarding of the manyblows that fell so hard and thick upon it.
"Now we have him! Press him both close and hard!" cried Catesby, as herenewed, with all his activity, his lightning-like attack.
Never in my life have I, before that day nor since, fought with suchquickness or strength. I was as a madman for the nonce, and foughtwith the delight of intoxicated recklessness. My sword seemedeverywhere at once, and even the shifty Catesby was pressed back. Istepped forward in the delirium of feverish thirst for slaughter.
"Walter, beware! beware!" cried Hazel.
But it was too late. I had stepped too far forward, and thus permittedone of the pack to get behind me. A crushing, ringing blow upon myhelm,--a shrill and piercing shriek from Hazel, that lived in mineears, and died out at last as though by distance,--and I clattered tothe floor, unconscious.
Mine oblivion could not have lasted for more time than whilst one mighttell a score; for when I regained consciousness Michael still crashedagainst the separating oak, and there was Hazel standing behind herfeeble barricade and holding in her small white hand the dagger that Ihad placed there.
"Stand back, thou traitorous, deceiving hypocrite! Advance towards mebut one short step more and this dagger's bright blade shall be dyedred with mine own heart's blood!"
Ah! my children, had ye but seen her then, as she stood there, as paleas a marble statue; yet with flashing eyes and heaving breast, herdainty tapering fingers of the right hand grasping, with all her littleflower-like strength, brittle yet easily snapped, the little weapon, yewould have cheered in unrestrained admiration of the dear, brave,little maid.
Catesby stood back in awe of this goodly sight, which even hisvillainous heart could not help but admire.
"Well, and right nobly done!" he cried. "Thy courage in thus resistingdoth but arouse within my love-sick heart a new and fiercer, and e'enmore consuming passion for thee. Like a boy, I ever love the applethat doth hang from the limb most difficult to reach. The more therich, ripe fruit doth avoid my grasping hand the more determined am Ito have it."
"Cease thine insulting speech, false knight, cowardly assassin, 'tis Ithat commandeth thee! I, thine ancient foe, that even now defiesthee!" and I struggled, tottering to my knees, and shook my clenchedfist in defiance at him.
"Come on, Michael! break down the door, and we yet can drive thismurdering pack before us, as doth the wind dry leaves!"
"Oi'm comin', yer honour; do but hould out a little," and the fury ofhis attack upon the door was redoubled.
Catesby made a sign with his hand, and instantly four men left the roomin haste.
"Beware, Michael! they may attack thee from the rear!" I cried, as Istaggered to my feet and tried to rush upon mine enemy. I was securelyheld back, however, by two of the pack, who forced me to my knees andheld me there.
Catesby merely smiled his hellish smile, and said:--"Bind him hard andfast to yon pillar, and strip him of his helm. We shall now tryanother plan to capture yon same tempting apple," and he nodded inHazel's direction.
With cords they bound me until I could not move a muscle. Helmless andhelpless I then stood before my fiendish foe, which drew his dagger andadvanced upon me.
"Stop! stop, thou wretch!" shrieked Hazel. "For the welfare of yoursoul slay not a helpless man. Nay, nay, do but wait, I pray thee! Iwill do that which thou dost ask! I will go with thee! anything thouwilt, if thou wilt but spare him!"
"Hazel, in God's name hold thy peace! If thou dost love me do as Ihave said! I fear him not; let him do his worst; but use thy daggerere thou dost permit this villain to lay on thee a hand!"
"Oh, yes, yes, Walter; but I cannot bear to see thee die before my veryeyes! Oh, merciful Mary, it is too awful!" she cried, as Catesbyseized mine ear and with his dagger clipped off a small part of thelobe.
The tough oaken door did still resist the efforts of the giant; but itwas plain that it could not long endure.
"Be brave, mine own true little love, Michael shall soon be here!" Icalled out above the din.
"So, madam, will I cut him into small pieces here before thee, unlessthou dost surrender. Thou canst save him by coming from behind thattable. Bethink thee of his fate in case thou art obdurate," said theaccursed knave, as he seized mine other car and raised the dagger.
The door was now cracked almost from top to bottom, and Michael stillstormed his blows upon it.
"Uh! ye cursed cowards! Oi'll crack yer damned skulls fer ye in aminute! Uh! ye blood-suckin' divils, Oi'll rip ye all to paces andcram ye down yer own bloody throats!"
Louder cracked the door.
"Come, lady, your answer; make haste e'er the door giveth way."
"Hold out, my brave girl! we yet shall conquer!" I cried inencouragement.
Hazel leaned forward, with her left hand leaning upon the table, herbody stretched forward, her lips compressed until no colour did remainin them. With her right hand she struck, quickly, the dagger into thetable's top, then drew it out and struck again. Still was shesilent,--and a small piece came off mine other ear.
"Oh, God! God! God! it is too much! too much!" shrieked the poormaiden; and, throwing her hands above her head, she fell forward uponthe table as though she were dead.
Catesby and one of his men then rushed to where she lay, and seized herin their arms and started for the door.
"Touch her not with your contaminating hands! Oh! false knight, I willhave the last drop in thy heart for this! Oh, thou accursed slave ofHell! unbind me, and I will tear out thy throat with my bare fingers!
"Michael! for God's sake come! they are carrying her off with them!"and I cursed, and shrieked, and struggled with my bonds until they cutdeep into my wrists.
"All Hill take this accursed door! It'll go now, or Oi'll brake moydamned back!"
There was a tremendous crash; the whole house did seem to shake; andMichael burst through the door with parts of it still clinging to hisarmour, which was battered from head to foot; and his great hands werered with blood.
"At last Oi'm here, yer honour; but, Oi fear, too late," gasped he, ashe tried the outer door, and found it locked.
He then cut with his dagger the cords that bound me. Too late, toolate we were indeed. Another door had to be battered down ere we wereable to gain the outside. This occupied some time, and when at last wedid rush tottering forth we found no sight of our enemies, or our dear,brave, little maiden.
Our horses' reins had been cut, and the beasts themselves werewandering far from the house.
How Michael did swear, as tenderly he bound up mine ears with pieces ofthe cloth that had served to cover the basket we had brought.
"Oh, sure sor, Oi did moy viry bist; but Oi couldn't git through intoime, yer honour. Forgive me, Sor Walter; but Oi'll nivir rist tillOi have the varmint, and the dear swate Lady Hazel is safe returned tothee, sor," sobbed the poor fellow, like a child, as he knelt at myfeet, praying pardon for not having accomplished more, in but a fewshort moments,
than three ordinary men might do in one whole day, andthen feel proud of their work.
"Rise, my brave Michael, and never again ask of me pardon; for thymighty work this day hath saved my life, and, had it been within thepower of man, it would have saved the Lady Hazel."
Michael brought out my helm and put it on me. The wounds in mine earswere mere trifles; so I suffered no inconvenience from my headpiece.
We caught our horses and, after mending their harness, we mounted andset out for Leicester, by roads not travelled by the army.
Now was I determined to join Lord Stanley's force in time to take partin the great battle. There would I meet Catesby, and kill him; andsomewhere near would I find Hazel.
I did neither storm nor gnash my teeth, as is my wont when my temperdoth control my reason; but with quiet bearing, and lips drawn tightlyin, I rode straight forward under the bright sun that glistened so onMichael's battered armour. Thus steadily could I have ridden unto theend of the earth, and never would I rest in peace until I found the manwhich so had wronged me.
Michael did seem to share my mood; for no word did he speak; but sathis steed with his head thrust slightly forward and a fearful look ofunrelenting vengeance stamped on his firm-cut features.
There could be no escape for Catesby. He might cross the world; butstill his grim fate would follow and o'er take him.
"He can never escape me," I kept repeating in my mind. Hell's fireseemed burning in my heart; but outward I was cold, deliberate and asunchangeable of feature as is the London-stone.