The Last of the Vikings

by John Bowling

  CHAPTER VIII.

  VILLAINS PLOTTING.

  "And my imaginations are as foul As Vulcan's stithy."

  Shakespeare.

  The same day, a little before nightfall, Baron Vigneau strode across thegreensward to the spot where his own followers were bivouacking beneathsome huge beech trees. "Pierre," said he, calling to a stalwart andvillainous-looking soldier, who was engaged in a noisy chaffering withsome comrades, "I have a dainty bit of work for you, Pierre. Just such acommission as you love next best to swilling old Saxon ale."

  "What is it your lordship has in the wind now? It has some connectionwith wine or wenches, I stake my rosary on it."

  "Thou had better throw thy rosary into the first ditch thou comesacross; for if thou tell thy beads in proportion to thy sins, thou canfind no time for anything else; and if thou do penance for half thysins, and be d----d for the other half, why, marry, thou might as wellbe d----d for the whole. But I warrant _that_ the end of thee in anycase, villain; so there's an end on't. But I want none of thy scurvyimpudence, mark me! I want thy ears, and the best discretion thou hast.I have a delicate mission for thee to perform--a mission well suited tothy tender and susceptible disposition."

  "Many thanks for your lordship's highly valued appreciation. But truly,when I quit my sins I'll have to quit your service; for how a saint willmanage the devil's business I cannot tell. Indifferently well, I fancy."

  "Silence, sirrah, or I'll crop thy ears! Listen to me! Down at themonastery there is a Saxon wench--a gem of the first water. None of yourbare-legged slotch-puddles, with a figure as shapely as an ill-madewine-butt. She is a genuine offshoot of the Saxon nobility, I am told. Iwant thee to do a little delicate negotiation for me, such as thou artjustly famous for. If thou do it well, thou shalt rise even higher in myesteem."

  "Ah, I see; a delicate mission truly!"

  "Stop the wagging of thy tongue, knave, and take heed to what I say.This is not the daughter of a villainous churl, bred and reared on amidden, take note. So I will have this business done accordingly."

  "Ah, I comprehend it all. This is potter's ware, that must not be soiledin transit. All damage and defacement must be reserved for yourrespectable self."

  "Just so! Don't poke thy villainous phiz--which reminds me of a keg ofwine gone sour--beneath her hood for kisses on thy own account. I'llhave none of it! Just do thine errand as a Christian should, and----"

  "Christian, forsooth, I think you said just now, Baron?"

  "Eh? Stop thy chatter, dog, when I am speaking! Thy tongue will cut thythroat some day, villain, if thou sharpen it a little more, now markthat! Thou art getting much too ready with thy scurvy impudence. Justattend to me and shut thy mouth. I have these further instructions forthee. This business, understand, must be done in the dark, and thytongue must not wag of it--or any of thy comrades' either, mark me. Herladyship, over yonder," said he, jerking his thumb over his leftshoulder in the direction of Alice's tent, "tosses her head a little toomuch for my stomach already, and she has worked herself up into a devilof a fume, just because I took a fancy to this same wench a little timeago. So let there be no hullaballoo over it, mind that. I know what I'mabout," said he, with a brutal chuckle. "When your game's afield youmust tread softly, that's my point, but when it's bagged--ha, ha! youmay skin it anyhow you please. So, so! wait awhile; my turn will comeby-and-by, and when I get the bit within her teeth--well, never mindthat just now. There's no need to tell all one's mind to a scurvytrooper," he muttered, under his breath. "There, now thou knows thybusiness; but don't bring her to the camp, and don't get drunk andbungle the whole thing."

  Pierre was both a ready and a capable tool of the Baron's, andindispensable to him in the life of brutality and villainy which he led.So promptly he set about selecting some half a dozen of his comrades toassist him in carrying out his master's behests. As the shadows ofevening began to gather about the camp, they mounted their horses andstole away from the encampment at a brisk trot, reaching the monasteryjust as the evening twilight had deepened into the sombre gloom ofnight. "Let us dismount here," said Pierre, "and leave our horsesoutside the grounds; for the less row there is in this business thebetter it will suit the Baron. I suppose as usual it will be ascreeching affair, and if we do not be careful we shall have the wholebrood of pious gentry at our heels in a trice." So, hastily dismountingand leaving their horses in charge of one of their number, they strodeup to the entrance gates, which they found in charge of two of theNorman soldiery, by whom they were promptly admitted.

  "I say, Jaques," said Pierre, addressing one of the guard, "can you tellus whereabouts this Saxon wench called Ethel may be found?"

  "You will find her in the monks' quarters sure enough," said Jaques;"but I would advise you to get one of the kitchen scullions to lead theway for you; that will be your best plan."

  So, stealthily wheeling round the main building, they entered therefectory kitchen, where they found several of the meaner lay brothersoccupied in the menial tasks of that department, whilst a number ofhalf-starved and ragged mendicants sat round the spacious hall, drinkingthe small ale and munching the bacon and bread with which they had beenprovided. With abject consternation and fear they beheld the advent ofthese troopers; but Pierre immediately laid hold of one of them.

  "Varlet," said he, "where is the Saxon wench Ethel to be found?"

  The Saxon, clown as he was, took in the situation at once, and tried, byaffecting even greater silliness than his clownish looks betokened, toevade the question. Pierre whipped out his sword and, grasping him bythe throat, said,--

  "None of thy lying, churl! Lead the way. I'll follow; and if thoumislead me I'll run my sword through thy body in a twinkling. Stop here,two of you men, and see these skulking villains do not make a hubbub.Let the others follow me. Now march, hound!" said he, giving the Saxon avicious prod with the point of his sword. The Saxon led the way withmuch greater alacrity of body than of mind, but it did the businesseffectively, for they quickly reached Ethel's room.

  "Now for it!" said Pierre. "Diplomacy will ruffle this pretty bird'sfeathers the least, so I'll oil my tongue for the occasion. But have youthe cloak ready, men?"

  "Aye, aye! all's ready!"

  Pierre knocked at the door, and without further ceremony entered. But nosooner did Ethel set eyes on his unsavoury visage than she knew thatmischief was meant, and she started to her feet and slid her hand intoher bosom.

  Pierre doffed his helmet, and assuming a bland and hypocritical tone,said that "he had been commissioned by the Norman lady who had showedher a kindness the other day, to bid the Saxon lady come to her in theNorman camp, where she would be protected and cared for with everyregard to her noble extraction and gentle blood."

  But Ethel was not deceived. There is a subtle force in the tones ofsincerity which the most accomplished liar can never successfullysimulate. We are far oftener convinced by this indefinable something ina man's eye, and in his tones, than by the words he utters. When we haveflung away this quality of candour and truthfulness, liar and knave willring out in our utterances, though we use the utmost art of a magicianto hide it. Ethel saw through this ruse, though she dare not show it. Soshe manoeuvred to gain time.

  "If you will kindly wait until morning, I shall have a little time toprepare. Some of the servants will find you comfortable quarters for thenight. If you call me early I shall be ready."

  "I dare not disobey my lady's orders, who has sent horses and an escort.I will wait a few minutes for you. But my lady requested me to ask youto come right away, for her ladyship's ample wardrobe would be at yourservice."

  "I will acquaint the Abbot first, as I am afraid he will be muchdistressed if I depart without his knowledge. I shall be but a fewminutes."

  "I am sorry I cannot allow this. My orders are very explicit, and I mustobey. If I have to use force to execute them, I shall be sorry; but Imust ask you to accompany us forthwith," said Pierre, dropping into hisusual menacing and rasping tone of voice, a
nd advancing towards Ethel.

  "Yes, villain, I am not deceived by you, nor by any of your villainouscrew!" said Ethel, drawing from her bosom a brightly shining blade andspringing at him like a wild cat. Instantly half a dozen strong handswere laid upon her, the dagger was wrested from her, and a soldier'scloak muffled thickly over her face to stifle her screams. Then Pierregathered her up in his strong arms and bore her, struggling, along thepassage, and over the greensward, and through the entrance gates.

  Immediately the Normans' backs were turned the news spread, I beingapprised at once of the outrage which had been done. As I stumbled alongin the darkness I met with Badger, who, with a stout cudgel in his hand,and bow-and-arrows slung over his shoulders, was rushing eagerly to thefray.

  "Ah, is that your Grace?" said he. "Where are those Norman carrion? Havethey cleared the ground?"

  "I am afraid they have got clear away. Is not that the clatter of theirhorses' hoofs I hear beyond the walls?"

  "It is, without a doubt. I'll track them as easily as a hound tracks adeer."

  "Go after them, Badger, and see what becomes of the maiden. I will awayto the Norman camp. If I can get speech of the fair Norman perhaps thesemen may be made to disgorge their prey. But, Badger, be not too readywith those carnal weapons, for it will greatly exasperate them; andremember they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

  "The application must be for the Normans, Father, for I take but my bowand my quiver, and just a splinter of timber. But if I tickle not theirflanks with a shaft or two before the night is out, why then the witchesof Addergyll may take me for a dolt and a coward."

  So saying, he glided off like an arrow; but I saw in the darkness thathe went not by the way of the entrance, but to an oaken tree which grewnear the wall, and, hastily climbing it, he slid along a branch whichoverran the wall, and from thence I heard him drop to the groundwithout.