CHAPTER XIV
AT THE PLACE OF ARMS
Notwithstanding all that has been told, Hugh and Dick never slept moresoundly than they did that night, nor was their rest broken by anydreams. At half past five in the morning--for they must be stirringearly--David came to call them. He too, it seemed, had slept well. Alsoin the light of day the worst of his fear had left him.
"I am wondering, Sir Hugh," he said, looking at him curiously, "whetherI saw certain things last night down yonder at the Place of Arms and inthe boat, or whether I thought I saw them."
"Doubtless you thought you saw them, David," answered Hugh, adding withmeaning, "and it is not always well to talk of things we think that wehave seen."
The lad, who was sharp enough, nodded. But as he turned to hand Hughsome garment his eye fell upon the swan-crested helm that was stillnailed by the long war-shaft with two black feathers and one white tothe carved olivewood post of the bed.
"It must have been a mighty arm that shot this arrow, Sir Hugh," he saidreflectively, "which could pierce a casque of Milan steel from side toside and a hardwood post beyond. Well for the owner of the helm that hishead was not inside of it."
"Very well, and a very mighty arm, David. So mighty that I should saynothing about it for fear lest it should set another arrow upon anotherstring and shoot again."
"God's truth, not I!" exclaimed David, "and for your comfort, sir, knowthat none saw us leave this house or reenter it last night."
Then Hugh and Dick clothed themselves and saw to their weapons and mail,but this they did not don as yet, fearing lest the weight of it shouldweary them in that great heat. Although the day was so young, this heatwas terrible, more oppressive indeed than any they had yet known inVenice.
When they were ready David left them to see to the horse which de Cressiwould ride in his combat with Cattrina. Hugh, as became a God-fearingknight whom Sir Andrew Arnold had instructed from childhood, crossedhimself, knelt down and said his prayers, which that morning were longand earnest. Indeed he would have confessed himself also if he could,only there was no priest at hand who knew his language, Sir Geoffrey'schaplain being away. After watching him a while even Grey Dick, whoseprayers were few, followed his example, kneeling in front of his bow asthough it were an image that he worshipped. When they had risen again,he said:
"You grieve that there is none to shrive us, master, but I holdotherwise, since when it was told what company we kept last nightabsolution might be lacking. This would weigh on you if not on me, who,after what I have learned of Father Nicholas and others, love but onepriest, and he far away."
"Yet it is well to have the blessings of Holy Church ere such a businessas ours, Dick; that is, if it can be come by."
"Mayhap, master. But for my part I am content with that of Murgh, whichhe gave us, you may remember, or so I understood him. Moreover, did henot teach that he and all are but ministers of Him above? Therefore I gostraight to the head of the stair," and he nodded toward the sky. "I amcontent to skip all those steps which are called priests and altars andpopes and saints and such-like folk, living or dead. If Murgh's wisdombe true, as I think, these are but garnishings to the dish which canwell be spared by the hungry soul."
"That may be," Hugh answered dubiously, for his faith in such matterswas that of his time. "Yet were I you, Dick, I'd not preach thatphilosophy too loud lest the priests and popes should have something tosay to it. The saints also, for aught I know, since I have always heardthat they love not to be left out of our account with heaven."
"Well, if so," answered Dick, "I'll quote St. Murgh to them, who is avery fitting patron for an archer." Then once again he glanced at thehelm and the arrow with something not unlike fear in his cold eye.
Presently they went down to the eating chamber where they had been toldthat breakfast would be ready for them at seven of the clock. There theyfound Sir Geoffrey awaiting them.
"I trust that you have slept well, Sir Hugh," he said. "You were a wiseknight to go to rest so early, having before you such a trial of yourstrength and manhood, and, so to speak, the honour of our King upon yourhands."
"Very well indeed; thank you, sir," answered Hugh. "And you?"
"Oh, ill, extremely ill. I do not know what is the matter with me orVenice either, whereof the very air seems poisoned. Feel the heat andsee the haze! It is most unnatural. Moreover, although in your beddoubtless you saw it not, a great ball of fire blazed and burnt over thecity last night. So bright was it that even in a darkened room each ofus could see the colour of the other's eyes. Later, too, as I watched atthe window, there came a thin streak of flame that seemed to alight onor about this very house. Indeed I thought I heard a sound as of ironstriking upon iron, but could find no cause for it."
"Wondrous happenings, sir," said Grey Dick. "Glad am I that we were notwith you, lest the sight of them should have made us fearful on thismorning of combat."
"Wondrous happenings indeed, friend Richard," said Sir Geoffreyexcitedly, "but you have not heard the half of them. The herald, who hasjust been here with the final articles of your fray signed by the Dogeand Cattrina, has told me much that I can scarce believe. He says thatthe great galley from this port which is called _Light of the East_drifted up to the quay at the Place of Arms last night on her returnvoyage from Cyprus, filled with dead and with no living thing aboard hersave the devil himself in a yellow robe and a many-hued head-dress likea cock's-comb with a red eye. He swears that this fiend landed and thatthe mob set on him, whereon two, some say three, other devils clad inlong black gowns appeared out of the water and drove them back. Also,it seems that this same cock's-combed Satan stole a boat and rowed aboutthe city afterward, but now none can find him, although they have gotthe boat."
"Then they should be well satisfied," said Hugh, "since its owner haslost nothing but the hire, which with Satan at the oars is better thanmight be hoped. Perhaps he was not there after all, Sir Geoffrey."
"I know not, but at least the galley _Light of the East_ is there, forever since the dawn they have been taking the dead out of her to burythem. Of these they say things too terrible to repeat, for no doctor cantell of what sickness they died, never having seen its like. For my partI pray it may not be catching. Were I the Doge I would have towed herout to sea and scuttled her, cargo and all. Well, well, enough of thesewild tales, of which God alone knows the truth. Come, eat, if you can inthis heat. We must be on the Place of Arms by half-past eight. You andthe captain go thither in my own boat, Sir Hugh; your horse David Daytakes on presently. Now, while you breakfast, I'll explain to you thesearticles, one by one, for they are writ in Italian, which you cannotread. See you forget them not. These Venetians are punctilious of suchforms and ceremonies, especially when the case is that of combat to thedeath, which is rare among them."
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