The Last of the Vikings

by John Bowling

  CHAPTER X.

  A FRUITLESS EMBASSY.

  "A bold, bad man."--Spenser.

  To return to myself. I paced to and fro in the abbey grounds in anguishand suspense, waiting for Badger's return, yet almost dreading it, lesthe should bring ill news. But midnight passed, and the small hours ofthe morning came on, with no tidings of Ethel. I feared for her personalsafety, and I feared also the effects upon her mind. For I must statehere, for the benefit of the reader, that Ethel's surroundings had beensuch as to strongly imbue her mind with the heathenish beliefs of herancestors. Her father came of an old viking stock, and rigidly adheredto the superstitions of his forefathers. He had likewise given to Ethela large measure of his stern and aggressive temperament, and had strivento instil into her mind his own religious beliefs. I had seen also attimes the strange flashing of the fierce fire within her, when deeplystirred. Yet I saw there were elements of gentleness and delicacy in hercomposition, inherited in all probability from her mother, who wasSaxon, and a devout Christian. With my whole energy I had striven, atthe request of her dying mother, to train her in the Christian faith:but my opportunities had been of a most desultory nature. Then when Ibegan to hope that my work would be accomplished, this terrible invasionoccurred. Thus efforts to show her how the fierce passions and recklessbloodshedding of the Norsemen--her father's ancestors--were cruel andheathenish, and their religion a gross superstition, were frustrated bythis war of usurpation inflicted upon us by a Christian nation, with theapprobation and blessing of the Pope, whilst at the head of their armythey carried sacred banners and holy relics of saints. Thus theChristian religion was made to sanction bloodshed and massacre,unsparing and fiendish in its extent and in its mercilessness. In thetrain of these professedly Christian soldiery also, there followednameless horrors and offences, which outdid the excesses of Norseman andDane tenfold. But, worse than all, her father and her two brothers hadbeen massacred--their home levelled--and she, having to fly to theshelter of the sanctuary, only found that the sanctuary was no sanctuaryto her, and no protection against violence and brutality. It is utterlyimpossible to imagine any one more completely shorn of every prop andstay than she was; and I feared much also for her faith. I knew thatthere was that in her which would not permit her to tamely submit toindignities. But where would her revolt end?

  Well, feeling that it would be better to be doing something to effecther rescue than to be absorbed in these painful cogitations, I decided Iwould start at once for the Norman camp. It was a long and a weary trampin the darkness through the forest, but still, I hoped, by patientplodding forward, I should reach the camp by daylight. Happily I found Ihad not overrated my powers. As I drew near, I was challenged by theoutpost. There was a considerable parleying, and a determination evincedto prevent my farther advance. But my sacred calling, coupled with thefact that I was unarmed, and that it was now broad daylight, ultimatelyprevailed, and I was conducted to a tent not far from the one occupiedby Lady Alice de Montfort, with whom, after some time, I received anaudience, and whom we will in future call Alice. To her I related allthat I knew of the outrage, with such description of the persons takingpart in it as I had been able to gather. From my description of theleader, she had no difficulty in identifying Pierre as the man.

  "Well, Father, I may as well tell you at the outset, that this is what Iexpected. I warned this Saxon lady of the risks she ran by staying atthe monastery, but I could not persuade her to accept my protection."

  "She has been a great sufferer, gracious madame," I replied, "duringthese wars; and she was, no doubt, greatly afraid. Probably, also, shewas greatly averse to joining your camp; though it was unquestionably agenerous offer on your part."

  "Well, reverend Father, I am not saying this to excuse my inaction now,but I assure you from what I know, and what I suspect of theparticipants in this outrage, that it would have been far easier to keepthe prey from the jaws of the lion than it will be to force his den andwrest it from him. I will do my utmost, I assure you. Jeannette," saidshe, turning to her maid, "let our guest have some refreshment, for hewill be weary and faint, I am sure." So saying, she departed I know notwhere.

  She returned in the course of half an hour; but she gave me little hopeof success, though she said the Count, her father, had gone out in questof the persons whom he suspected. She was most gracious to me, and askedmost anxiously as to whether we were treated properly by the soldiersquartered upon us. I suspected very strongly that the comparativeimmunity from personal molestation we had hitherto enjoyed arose ingreat part from her goodwill and protection. She asked many questionswith regard to our books; to our endowments; especially to the greatrelief we had been able to extend to the poor, and to strangers. I washighly impressed, not only with the charms of her person, but with herhighly cultivated mind, and gracious demeanour.

  I hastened my departure with as little delay as decency would permit;for to tell the truth, I was driven back upon my first hopes, thatBadger's cunning and prowess would be equal to the emergency. I was thusextremely anxious to get me back to the monastery, that I might learnhow he had fared. So I hurried over the open plain, and gat me into theforest as quickly as I could. For in very deed I felt myself anythingbut safe, as I noticed jealous eyes watching me narrowly. But I hadscarcely entered the forest when I found myself in the presence of theungodly Norman who had desecrated the sanctuary, and endeavoured tocarry off Ethel--whom, also, I strongly suspected of being at the bottomof this latest outrage. I involuntarily crossed myself, and uttered aprayer for help, for I felt instinctively that I had myself in verytruth fallen into the jaws of the lion.

  "Well, shaveling," said he, "thou hast said thy prayers, I perceive.Thou hast done well to be prepared, lest the devil should get thee. Whathas been thy errand to the camp so early? Be explicit and prompt, orthou wilt rue it."

  "I have had particular business there, my lord."

  "I knew that already, dolt! Let us have details. With whom hast thou hadbusiness?"

  "With Lady de Montfort."

  "So I thought. What was the matter that disturbed your saintly bosom,old smooth-pate? Out with it!"

  "There has been an outrage committed upon us, and one of our refugeescarried off by force from the monastery."

  "Ah! that was terrible! So you first despatched a posse of yourbog-trotting Saxon churls to murder two of my men; then you dragged yourbattered old shins through the woods, to raise a hullaballoo at thecamp. It was well done. Now, what shall I give you for your trouble? Ithink a broken neck is about your deserts."

  So, without more ado, he laid violent hands upon me, and tore my cloakfrom my back. Then he tried to strangle me; but I had been stout oflimb, and agile as any of my fellows, when I was young, so I resistedwith all my might. I was delighted to find, in spite of the disadvantageof a score of years, he was more blown than I was. Eventually, I wasable to slip from his grasp, and immediately took to my heels. He wasyounger, but stout and bulky; and I found in this point, also, I wasgreatly his superior, and quickly increased the distance between us. Sohe gave up the chase, and permitted me for the time being to go inpeace. For this wonderful deliverance I gave God thanks.