Men of Iron_第1章_无广告免费看-丁香书院

　　INTRODUCTION
　　Theyear1400openedwithmorethanusualpeacefulnessinEngland。Onlyafewmonthsbefore，RichardII——weak，wicked，andtreacherous——hadbeendethroned，andHenryIVdeclaredKinginhisstead。Butitwasonlyaseemingpeacefulness，lastingbutforalittlewhile；forthoughKingHenryprovedhimselfajustandamercifulman——asjusticeandmercywentwiththemenofironofthosedays——andthoughhedidnotcaretoshedbloodneedlessly，thereweremanynoblefamilieswhohadbeenbenefitedbyKingRichardduringhisreign，andwhohadlostsomewhatoftheirpowerandprestigefromthecominginofthenewKing。
　　Amongthesewereanumberofgreatlords——theDukesofAlbemarle，Surrey，andExeter，theMarquisofDorset，theEarlofGloucester，andothers——whohadbeendegradedtotheirformertitlesandestates，fromwhichKingRichardhadliftedthem。
　　TheseandothersbrewedasecretplottotakeKingHenry’slife，whichplotmighthavesucceededhadnotoneoftheirownnumberbetrayedthem。
　　TheirplanhadbeentofallupontheKingandhisadherents，andtomassacrethemduringagreattournament，tobeheldatOxford。
　　ButHenrydidnotappearatthelists；whereupon，knowingthathehadbeenlodgingatWindsorwithonlyafewattendants，theconspiratorsmarchedthitheragainsthim。InthemeantimetheKinghadbeenwarnedoftheplot，sothat，insteadoffindinghimintheroyalcastle，theydiscoveredthroughtheirscoutsthathehadhurriedtoLondon，whencehewaseventhenmarchingagainstthemattheheadofaconsiderablearmy。Sonothingwasleftthembutflight。Somebetookthemselvesoneway，someanother；somesoughtsanctuaryhere，somethere；butoneandanother，theywereallofthemcaughtandkilled。
　　TheEarlofKent——onetimeDukeofSurrey——andtheEarlofSalisburywerebeheadedinthemarket—placeatCirencester；LordLeDespencer——oncetheEarlofGloucester——andLordLumleymetthesamefateatBristol；theEarlofHuntingdonwastakenintheEssexfens，carriedtothecastleoftheDukeofGloucester，whomhehadbetrayedtohisdeathinKingRichard’stime，andwastherekilledbythecastlepeople。Thosefewwhofoundfriendsfaithfulandboldenoughtoaffordthemshelter，draggedthosefriendsdownintheirownruin。
　　Justsuchacasewasthatofthefatheroftheboyheroofthisstory，theblindLordGilbertReginaldFalworth，BaronofFalworthandEasterbridge，who，thoughhavingnopartintheplot，sufferedthroughitruin，utterandcomplete。
　　HehadbeenafaithfulcounsellorandadvisertoKingRichard，andperhapsitwasthis，asmuchandmorethanhisroundaboutconnectionwiththeplot，thatbroughtuponhimthepunishmenthesuffered。
　　CHAPTERI
　　MylesFalworthwasbuteightyearsofageatthattime，anditwasonlyafterwards，andwhenhegrewoldenoughtoknowmoreoftheinsandoutsofthematter，thathecouldrememberbybitsandpiecesthethingsthatafterwardshappened；howoneeveningaknightcameclatteringintothecourt—yarduponahorse，red—nostrilledandsmearedwiththesweatandfoamofadesperateride——SirJohnDale，adearfriendoftheblindLord。
　　Eventhoughsoyoung，MylesknewthatsomethingveryserioushadhappenedtomakeSirJohnsopaleandhaggard，andhedimlyrememberedleaningagainsttheknight’siron—coveredknees，lookingupintohisgloomyface，andaskinghimifhewassicktolooksostrange。Thereuponthosewhohadbeentootroubledbeforetonoticehim，bethoughtthemselvesofhim，andsenthimtobed，rebelliousathavingtogosoearly。
　　Herememberedhowthenextmorning，lookingoutofawindowhighupundertheeaves，hesawagreattroopofhorsemencomeridingintothecourtyardbeneath，whereapowderingofsnowhadwhitenedeverything，andofhowtheleader，aknightcladinblackarmor，dismountedandenteredthegreathalldoor—waybelow，followedbyseveraloftheband。
　　Herememberedhowsomeofthecastlewomenwerestandinginafrightenedgroupuponthelandingofthestairs，talkingtogetherinlowvoicesaboutamatterhedidnotunderstand，exceptingthatthearmedmenwhohadriddenintothecourtyardhadcomeforSirJohnDale。Noneofthewomenpaidanyattentiontohim；so，shunningtheirnotice，heranoffdownthewindingstairs，expectingeverymomenttobecalledbackagainbysomeoneofthem。
　　Acrowdofcastlepeople，allveryseriousandquiet，weregatheredinthehall，whereanumberofstrangemen—at—armsloungeduponthebenches，whiletwobillmeninsteelcapsandleathernjacksstoodguardingthegreatdoor，thebuttsoftheirweaponsrestingupontheground，andthestavescrossed，barringthedoor—way。
　　IntheanteroomwastheknightinblackarmorwhomMyleshadseenfromthewindow。Hewassittingatthetable，hisgreathelmetlyinguponthebenchbesidehim，andaquartbeakerofspicedwineathiselbow。Aclerksatattheotherendofthesametable，withinkhorninonehandandpenintheother，andaparchmentspreadinfrontofhim。
　　MasterRobert，thecastlesteward，stoodbeforetheknight，whoeverynowandthenputtohimaquestion，whichtheotherwouldanswer，andtheclerkwritetheanswerdownupontheparchment。
　　Hisfatherstoodwithhisbacktothefireplace，lookingdownuponthefloorwithhisblindeyes，hisbrowsdrawnmoodilytogether，andthescarofthegreatwoundthathehadreceivedatthetournamentatYork——thewoundthathadmadehimblind——showingredacrosshisforehead，asitalwaysdidwhenhewasangeredortroubled。
　　TherewassomethingaboutitallthatfrightenedMyles，whocrepttohisfather’sside，andslidhislittlehandintothepalmthathunglimpandinert。Inanswertothetouch，hisfathergraspedthehandtightly，butdidnotseemotherwisetonoticethathewasthere。Neitherdidtheblackknightpayanyattentiontohim，butcontinuedputtinghisquestionstoMasterRobert。
　　Then，suddenly，therewasacommotioninthehallwithout，loudvoices，andahurryinghereandthere。Theblackknighthalfarose，graspingaheavyironmacethatlayuponthebenchbesidehim，andthenextmomentSirJohnDalehimself，aspaleasdeath，walkedintotheantechamber。Hestoppedintheverymiddleoftheroom。"IyieldmetomyLord’sgraceandmercy，"saidhetotheblackknight，andtheywerethelastwordsheeverutteredinthisworld。
　　Theblackknightshoutedoutsomewordsofcommand，andswinginguptheironmaceinhishand，strodeforwardclankingtowardsSirJohn，whoraisedhisarmasthoughtoshieldhimselffromtheblow。Twoorthreeofthosewhostoodinthehallwithoutcamerunningintotheroomwithdrawnswordsandbills，andlittleMyles，cryingoutwithterror，hidhisfaceinhisfather’slonggown。
　　Thenextinstantcamethesoundofaheavyblowandofagroan，thenanotherblowandthesoundofonefallingupontheground。
　　Thentheclashingofsteel，andinthemidstLordFalworthcrying，inadreadfulvoice，"Thoutraitor！thoucoward！thoumurderer！"
　　MasterRobertsnatchedMylesawayfromhisfather，andborehimoutoftheroominspiteofhisscreamsandstruggles，andherememberedjustoneinstant’ssightofSirJohnlyingstillandsilentuponhisface，andoftheblackknightstandingabovehim，withtheterriblemaceinhishandstainedadreadfulred。
　　ItwasthenextdaythatLordandLadyFalworthandlittleMyles，togetherwiththreeofthemorefaithfuloftheirpeople，leftthecastle。
　　HismemoryofpastthingsheldapictureforMylesofoldDicconBowmanstandingoverhiminthesilenceofmidnightwithalightedlampinhishand，andwithitarecollectionofbeingbiddentohushwhenhewouldhavespoken，andofbeingdressedbyDicconandoneofthewomen，bewilderedwithsleep，shudderingandchatteringwithcold。
　　Herememberedbeingwrappedinthesheepskinthatlayatthefootofhisbed，andofbeingcarriedinDicconBowman’sarmsdownthesilentdarknessofthewindingstair—way，withthegreatblackgiantshadowsswayingandflickeringuponthestonewallasthedullflameofthelampswayedandflickeredinthecoldbreathingofthenightair。
　　Belowwerehisfatherandmotherandtwoorthreeothers。A
　　strangerstoodwarminghishandsatanewly—madefire，andlittleMyles，ashepeepedfromoutthewarmsheepskin，sawthathewasinriding—bootsandwascoveredwithmud。HedidnotknowtilllongyearsafterwardsthatthestrangerwasamessengersentbyafriendattheKing’scourt，biddinghisfatherflyforsafety。
　　Theywhostoodtherebytheredblazeofthefirewereallverystill，talkinginwhispersandwalkingontiptoes，andMyles’smotherhuggedhiminherarms，sheepskinandall，kissinghim，withthetearsstreamingdownhercheeks，andwhisperingtohim，asthoughhecouldunderstandtheirtrouble，thattheywereabouttoleavetheirhomeforever。
　　ThenDicconBowmancarriedhimoutintothestrangenessofthewintermidnight。
　　Outside，beyondthefrozenmoat，wheretheosiers，stoodstarkandstiffintheirwinternakedness，wasagroupofdarkfigureswaitingforthemwithhorses。InthepallidmoonlightMylesrecognizedthewell—knownfaceofFatherEdward，thePriorofSt。
　　Mary’s。
　　Afterthatcamealongridethroughthatsilentnightuponthesaddle—bowinfrontofDicconBowman；thenadeep，heavysleep，thatfelluponhiminspiteofthegallopingofthehorses。
　　Whennexthewokethesunwasshining，andhishomeandhiswholelifewerechanged。
　　CHAPTER2
　　FromthetimethefamilyescapedfromFalworthCastlethatmidwinternighttothetimeMyleswassixteenyearsoldheknewnothingofthegreatworldbeyondCrosbey—Dale。Afairwasheldtwiceinatwelvemonthatthemarket—townofWisebey，andthreetimesinthesevenyearsoldDicconBowmantooktheladtoseethesightsatthatplace。BeyondthesethreeglimpsesoftheouterworldhelivedalmostassecludedalifeasoneoftheneighboringmonksofSt。Mary’sPriory。
　　Crosbey—Holt，theirnewhome，wasdifferentenoughfromFalworthorEasterbridgeCastle，theformerbaronialseatsofLordFalworth。Itwasalong，low，straw—thatchedfarm—house，once，whenthechurchlandsweredividedintotwoholdings，oneofthebailiff’shouses。Allaroundwerethefruitfulfarmsofthepriory，tilledbywell—to—dotenantholders，andrichwithfieldsofwavinggrain，andmeadow—landswheresheepandcattlegrazedinflocksandherds；forinthosedaysthechurchlandswereunderchurchrule，andweregovernedbychurchlaws，andthere，whenwarandfamineandwasteandslothblightedtheoutsideworld，harvestsflourishedandweregathered，andsheepwereshearedandcowsweremilkedinpeaceandquietness。
　　ThePriorofSt。Mary’sowedmuchifnotallofthechurch’sprosperitytotheblindLordFalworth，andnowhewaspayingitbackwithahavenofrefugefromtheruinthathisformerpatronhadbroughtuponhimselfbygivingsheltertoSirJohnDale。
　　Ifancythatmostboysdonotlovethegrindingofschoollife——thelessonstobeconned，thecloseapplicationduringstudyhours。Itisnotoftenpleasanttobrisk，livelyladstobesocoopedup。Iwonderwhattheboysofto—daywouldhavethoughtofMyles’straining。Withhimthattrainingwasnotonlyofthemind，butofthebodyaswell，andforsevenyearsitwasalmostunremitting。"Thouhastthineownwaytomakeintheworld，sirrah，"hisfathersaidmorethanoncewhentheboycomplainedofthegrindinghardnessofhislife，andtomakeone’swayinthosedaysmeantathousandtimesmorethanitdoesnow；itmeantnotonlyahearttofeelandabraintothink，butahandquickandstrongtostrikeinbattle，andabodytoughtoendurethewoundsandblowsinreturn。AndsoitwasthatMyles’sbodyaswellashismindhadtobetrainedtomeettheneedsofthedarkageinwhichhelived。
　　Everymorning，winterorsummer，rainorshinehetrampedawaysixlongmilestotheprioryschool，andintheeveningshismothertaughthimFrench。
　　Myles，beingprejudicedintheschoolofthoughtofhisday，rebellednotalittleatthatlastbranchofhisstudies。"WhymustIlearnthatviletongue？"saidhe。
　　"Callitnotvile，"saidtheblindoldLord，grimly；"belike，whenthouartgrownaman，thou’lthavetoseekthyfortuneinFranceland，forEnglandishaplynoplaceforsuchasbeofFalworthblood。"Andinafter—years，truetohisfather’sprediction，the"viletongue"servedhimwell。
　　Asforhisphysicaltraining，thatprettywellfilledupthehoursbetweenhismorningstudiesatthemonasteryandhiseveningstudiesathome。ThenitwasthatoldDicconBowmantookhiminhand，thanwhomnonecouldbebetterfittedtoshapehisyoungbodytostrengthandhishandstoskillinarms。TheoldbowmanhadservedwithLordFalworth’sfatherundertheBlackPrincebothinFranceandSpain，andinlongyearsofwarhadgainedapracticalknowledgeofarmsthatfewcouldsurpass。
　　Besidestheuseofthebroadsword，theshortsword，thequarter—staff，andthecudgel，hetaughtMylestoshootsoskilfullywiththelong—bowandthecross—bowthatnotaladinthecountry—sidewashismatchatthevillagebutts。Attackanddefencewiththelance，andthrowingtheknifeanddaggerwerealsopartofhistraining。
　　Then，inadditiontothismoreregularpartofhisphysicaltraining，Myleswastaughtinanotherbranchnotsooftenincludedinthemilitaryeducationoftheday——theartofwrestling。IthappenedthatafellowlivedinCrosbeyvillage，bynameRalph—the—Smith，whowasthegreatestwrestlerinthecountry—side，andhadwornthechampionbeltforthreeyears。
　　EverySundayafternoon，infairweather，hecametoteachMylestheart，andbeingwonderfullyadeptinbodilyfeats，hesoongrewsoquickandactiveandfirm—footedthathecouldcastanyladundertwentyyearsofagelivingwithinarangeoffivemiles。
　　"Itismainungentlearmscraftthathelearneth，"saidLordFalworthonedaytoPriorEdward。"Savingonlythebroadsword，thedagger，andthelance，thereisbutlittlethatagentlemanofhisstrainmayuse。Neth’less，hegainethquicknessandsuppleness，andifhehathtruebloodinhisveinshewillacquireknightlyartsshrewdlyquickwhenthetimecomethtolearnthem。"
　　ButhardandgrindingasMyles’slifewas，itwasnotentirelywithoutpleasures。ThereweremanyboyslivinginCrosbey—Daleandthevillage；yeomen’sandfarmers’sons，tobesure，but，nevertheless，ladsofhisownage，andthat，afterall，isthemainrequirementforfriendshipinboyhood’sworld。Thentherewastherivertobathein；therewerethehillsandvalleystoroamover，andthewoldandwoodland，withtheirwealthofnutsandbirds’—nestsandwhatnotofboyhood’streasures。
　　Oncehegainedatriumphthatformanyadaywasverysweetunderthetongueofhismemory。Aswassaidbefore，hehadbeenthreetimestothemarket—townatfair—time，anduponthelastoftheseoccasionshehadfoughtaboutofquarterstaffwithayoungfellowoftwenty，andhadbeentheconqueror。Hewasthenonlyalittleoverfourteenyearsold。
　　OldDiccon，whohadgonewithhimtothefair，hadmetsomecroniesofhisown，withwhomhehadsatgossipingintheale—booth，leavingMylesforthenoncetoshiftforhimself。
　　By—and—bytheoldmanhadnoticedacrowdgatheredatonepartofthefair—ground，and，snuffingafight，hadgonerunning，ale—potinhand。Then，peeringovertheshouldersofthecrowd，hehadseenhisyoungmaster，strippedtothewaist，fightinglikeagladiatorwithafellowaheadtallerthanhimself。Dicconwasabouttoforcehiswaythroughthecrowdanddragthemasunder，butasecondlookhadshowedhispractisedeyethatMyleswasnotonlyholdinghisown，butwasinthewayofwinningthevictory。
　　Sohehadstoodwiththeotherslookingon，withholdinghimselffromanyinterferenceandwhateverupbraidingmightbenecessaryuntilthefighthadbeenbroughttoatriumphantclose。LordFalworthneverhearddirectlyoftheredoubtableaffair，butoldDicconwasnotsosilentwiththecommonfolkofCrosbey—Dale，andsonodoubtthefatherhadsomeinklingofwhathadhappened。
　　ItwasshortlyafterthisnotableeventthatMyleswasformallyinitiatedintosquirehood。Hisfatherandmother，aswasthecustom，stoodsponsorsforhim。Bythem，eachbearingalightedtaper，hewasescortedtothealtar。ItwasatSt。Mary’sPriory，andPriorEdwardblessedtheswordandgirdedittothelad’sside。Noonewaspresentbutthefour，andwhenthegoodPriorhadgiventhebenedictionandhadsignedthecrossuponhisforehead，Myles’smotherstoopedandkissedhisbrowjustwherethepriest’sfingerhaddrawntheholysign。Hereyesbrimmedbrightwithtearsasshedidso。Poorlady！perhapssheonlythenandforthefirsttimerealizedhowbigherfledglingwasgrowingforhisnest。HenceforthMyleshadtherighttowearasword。
　　Myleshadendedhisfifteenthyear。Hewasabonnylad，withbrownface，curlinghair，asquare，strongchin，andapairofmerrylaughingblueeyes；hisshoulderswerebroad；hischestwasthickofgirth；hismusclesandthewswereastoughasoak。
　　Thedayuponwhichhewassixteenyearsold，ashecamewhistlinghomefromthemonasteryschoolhewasmetbyDicconBowman。
　　"MasterMyles，"saidtheoldman，withasnuffleinhisvoice——"MasterMyles，thyfatherwouldseetheeinhischamber，andbademesendtheetohimassoonasthoudidstcomehome。Oh，MasterMyles，Ifearmethatbelikethouartgoingtoleavehometo—morrowday。"
　　Mylesstoppedshort。"Toleavehome！"hecried。
　　"Aye，"saidoldDiccon，"belikethougoesttosomegrandcastletolivethere，andbeapagethereandwhatnot，andthen，haply，agentleman—at—armsinsomegreatlord’spay。"
　　"Whatcoilisthisaboutcastlesandlordsandgentlemen—at—arms？"saidMyles。"Whattalkestthouof，Diccon？
　　Artthoujesting？"
　　"Nay，"saidDiccon，"Iamnotjesting。Butgotothyfather，andthenthouwiltpresentlyknowall。OnlythisIdosay，thatitislikethouleavestusto—morrowday。"
　　AndsoitwasasDicconhadsaid；Myleswastoleavehometheverynextmorning。HefoundhisfatherandmotherandPriorEdwardtogether，waitingforhiscoming。
　　"Wethreehavebeentalkingitoverthismorning，"saidhisfather，"andsothinkeachonethatthetimehathcomefortheetoquitthispoorhomeofours。Anthoustayheretenyearslonger，thou’ltbenomorefittogothenthannow。To—morrowI
　　willgivetheealettertomykinsman，theEarlofMackworth。HehasthriveninthesedaysandIhavefallenaway，buttimewasthatheandIweretruesworncompanions，andplightedtogetherinfriendshipnevertobesundered。Methinks，asIrememberhim，hewillabidebyhisplightedtroth，andwillgivetheehisaidtoriseintheworld。So，asIsaid，to—morrowmorningthoushaltsetforthwithDicconBowman，andshallgotoCastleDevlen，andtheredeliverthisletterwhichprayethhimtogivetheeaplaceinhishousehold。Thoumaysthavethisafternoontothyselftomakereadsuchthingsasthoushalttakewiththee。AndbidmeDiccontotakethegrayhorsetothevillageandhaveitshod。"
　　PriorEdwardhadbeenstandinglookingoutofthewindow。AsLordFalworthendedheturned。
　　"And，Myles，"saidhe，"thouwiltneedsomemoney，soIwillgivetheeasaloanfortyshillings，whichsomedaythoumaystreturntomeanthouwilt。Forthisknow，Myles，amancannotdointheworldwithoutmoney。Thyfatherhathitreadyfortheeinthechest，andwillgiveittheeto—morrowerethougoest。"
　　LordFalworthhadthegrimstrengthofmanhood’shardsensetoupbearhiminsendinghissonintotheworld，butthepoorladymotherhadnothingofthattoupholdher。Nodoubtitwasashardthenasitisnowforthemothertoseethenestlingthrustfromthenesttoshiftforitself。Whattearswereshed，whatwordsoflovewerespokentotheonlyman—child，nonebutthemotherandthesoneverknew。
　　ThenextmorningMylesandtheoldbowmanrodeaway，andnodoubttotheboyhimselfthedarkshadowsofleave—takingwerelostinthegoldenlightofhopeasherodeoutintothegreatworldtoseekhisfortune。
　　CHAPTER3
　　WHATMYLESrememberedofFalworthloomedgreatandgrandandbig，asthingsdointhememoryofchildhood，butevenmemorycouldnotmakeFalworththeequalofDevlenCastle，when，asheandDicconBowmanrodeoutofDevlentownacrossthegreat，rudestonebridgethatspannedtheriver，hefirstsaw，risingabovethecrownsofthetrees，thosehugehoarywalls，andthesteeproofsandchimneysclusteredthicklytogether，liketheroofsandchimneysofatown。
　　Thecastlewasbuiltuponaplateau—likeriseofground，whichwasenclosedbytheouterwall。Itwassurroundedonthreesidesbyaloop—likebendoftheriver，andonthefourthwasprotectedbyadeep，broad，artificialmoat，almostaswideasthestreamfromwhichitwasfed。Theroadfromthetownwoundforalittledistancealongbytheedgeofthismoat。AsMylesandtheoldbowmangallopedby，withtheansweringechooftheirhorses’
　　hoof—beatsrattlingbackfromthesmoothstonefaceofthewalls，theladlookedup，wonderingattheheightandstrengthofthegreatancientfortress。Inhisair—castlebuildingMyleshadpicturedtheEarlreceivinghimasthesonofhisone—timecomradeinarms——receivinghim，perhaps，withsomewhatoftherusticwarmththatheknewatCrosbey—Dale；butnow，ashestaredatthosemassivewallsfrombelow，andrealizedhisowninsignificanceandthegreatnessofthisgreatEarl，hefeltthefirstkeen，helplessacheofhomesicknessshootthroughhisbreast，andhisheartyearnedforCrosbey—Holtagain。
　　Thentheythunderedacrossthebridgethatspannedthemoat，andthroughthedarkshadowsofthegreatgapinggate—way，andDiccon，biddinghimstayforamoment，rodeforwardtobespeakthegate—keeper。
　　Thegate—keepergavethetwoinchargeofoneofthemen—at—armswhowerelounginguponabenchinthearchway，whointurngavethemintothecareofoneofthehouse—servantsintheoutercourt—yard。So，havingbeenpassedfromonetoanother，andhavingansweredmanyquestions，Mylesinduetimefoundhimselfintheouterwaiting—roomsittingbesideDicconBowmanuponawoodenbenchthatstoodalongthewallunderthegreatarchofaglazedwindow。
　　Forawhilethepoorcountryladsatstupidlybewildered。Hewasawareofpeoplecomingandgoing；hewasawareoftalkandlaughtersoundingaroundhim；buthethoughtofnothingbuthisachinghomesicknessandtheoppressionofhisutterlittlenessinthebusylifeofthisgreatcastle。
　　MeantimeoldDicconBowmanwasstaringabouthimwithhugeinterest，everynowandthennudginghisyoungmaster，callinghisattentionnowtothisandnowtothat，untilatlasttheladbegantoawakensomewhatfromhisdespondencytothethingsaround。Besidesthoseservantsandotherswhocameandwent，andaknotofsixoreightmen—at—armswithbillsandpole—axes，whostoodatthefartherdoor—waytalkingtogetherinlowtones，nowandthenbrokenbyastifledlaugh，wasagroupoffouryoungsquires，wholoungeduponabenchbesideadoor—wayhiddenbyanarras，anduponthemMyles’seyeslitwithasuddeninterest。
　　Threeofthefourwereabouthisownage，onewasayearortwoolder，andallfourweredressedintheblack—and—yellowuniformofthehouseofBeaumont。
　　Mylespluckedthebowmanbythesleeve。"Betheysquires，Diccon？"saidhe，noddingtowardsthedoor。
　　"Eh？"saidDiccon。"Aye；theybesquires。"
　　"Andwillmystationbewiththem？"askedtheboy。
　　"Aye；antheEarltaketheetoservice，thou’lthaplybetakenassquire。"
　　Mylesstaredatthem，andthenofasuddenwasawarethattheyoungmenweretalkingofhim。Heknewitbythewaytheyeyedhimaskance，andspokenowandtheninoneanother’sears。Oneofthefour，agayyoungfellow，withlongriding—bootslacedwithgreenlaces，saidafewwords，theothersgavealaugh，andpoorMyles，knowinghowungainlyhemustseemtothem，feltthebloodrushtohischeeks，andshylyturnedhishead。
　　Suddenly，asthoughstirredbyanimpulse，thesameladwhohadjustcreatedthelaugharosefromthebench，andcamedirectlyacrosstheroomtowhereMylesandthebowmansat。
　　"Givetheegood—den，"saidhe。"Whatbe’stthynameandwhencecomestthou，anImaymakeboldsotoask？"
　　"MynameisMylesFalworth，"saidMyles；"andIcomefromCrosbey—DalebearingalettertomyLord。"
　　"NeverdidIhearofCrosbey—Dale，"saidthesquire。"Butwhatseekesthere，ifsobeImayaskthatmuch？"
　　"Icomeseekingservice，"saidMyles，"andwouldenterasanesquiresuchasyebeinmyLord’shousehold。"
　　Myles’snewacquaintancegrinned。"Thou’ltmakeadrollsquiretowaitinaLord’shousehold，"saidhe。"Hasteverbeeninsuchservice？"
　　"Nay，"saidMyles，"Ihaveonlybeenatschool，andlearnedLatinandFrenchandwhatnot。ButDicconBowmanherehathtaughtmeuseofarms。
　　Theyoungsquirelaughedoutright。"By’rLady，thytalkdothtickleme，friendMyles，"saidhe。"Think’stthousuchmatterswillgaintheefootinghere？Butstay！ThoudidstsayanonthatthouhadstalettertomyLord。Fromwhomisit？"
　　"Itisfrommyfather，"saidMyles。"Heisofnobleblood，butfalleninestate。HeisakinsmanofmyLord’s，andonetimehiscomradeinarms。"
　　"Saystso？"saidtheother。"Thenmayhapthychancesarenotsoill，afterall。"Then，afteramoment，headded："MynameisFrancisGascoyne，andIwillstandthyfriendinthismatter。Getthyletterready，formyLordandhisGraceofYorkarewithinandcomeforthanon。TheArchbishopisonhiswaytoDalworth，andmyLordescortshimsofarasUppingham。Iandthoseothersaretogoalong。DostthouknowmyLordbysight？"
　　"Nay，"saidMyles，"Iknowhimnot。"
　　"ThenIwilltelltheewhenhecometh。Listen！"saidhe，asaconfusedclatteringsoundedinthecourt—yardwithout。"Yonderarethehorsesnow。Theycomepresently。Busktheewiththyletter，friendMyles。"
　　Theattendantswhopassedthroughtheanteroomnowcameandwentmorehurriedly，andMylesknewthattheEarlmustbeabouttocomeforth。Hehadhardlytimetountiehispouch，takeouttheletter，andtiethestringsagainwhenthearrasatthedoor—waywasthrustsuddenlyaside，andatallthinsquireofabouttwentycameforth，saidsomewordstotheyoungmenuponthebench，andthenwithdrewagain。Instantlythesquiresaroseandtooktheirstationbesidethedoor—way。Asuddenhushfelluponallintheroom，andthemen—at—armsstoodinalineagainstthewall，stiffanderectasthoughallatoncetransformedtofiguresofiron。
　　Oncemorethearraswasdrawnback，andinthehushMylesheardvoicesintheotherroom。
　　"MyLordcometh，"whisperedGascoyneinhisear，andMylesfelthisheartleapinanswer。
　　Thenextmomenttwonoblemencameintotheanteroomfollowedbyacrowdofgentlemen，squires，andpages。OneofthetwowasadignitaryoftheChurch；theotherMylesinstantlysingledoutastheEarlofMackworth。
　　CHAPTER4
　　Hewasatallman，tallereventhanMyles’sfather。Hehadathinface，deep—setbushyeyebrows，andahawknose。Hisupperlipwascleanshaven，butfromhischinaflowingbeardofiron—grayhungnearlytohiswaist。Hewascladinariding—gownofblackvelvetthathungalittlelowerthantheknee，trimmedwithotterfurandembroideredwithsilvergoshawks——thecrestofthefamilyofBeaumont。
　　Alightshirtoflinkmailshowedbeneaththegownashewalked，andapairofsoftundressedleatherriding—bootswerelacedashighastheknee，protectinghisscarlethosefrommudanddirt。
　　Overhisshouldersheworeacollarofenamelledgold，fromwhichhungamagnificentjewelledpendant，anduponhisfisthecarriedabeautifulIcelandfalcon。
　　AsMylesstoodstaring，hesuddenlyheardGascoyne’svoicewhisperinhisear，"YonismyLord；goforwardandgivehimthyletter。"
　　Scarcelyknowingwhathedid，hewalkedtowardstheEarllikeamachine，hisheartpoundingwithinhimandagreathumminginhisears。Ashedrewnear，thenoblemanstoppedforamomentandstaredathim，andMyles，asinadream，kneeled，andpresentedtheletter。TheEarltookitinhishand，turneditthiswayandthat，lookedfirstatthebearer，thenatthepacket，andthenatthebeareragain。
　　"Whoartthou？"saidhe；"andwhatisthematterthouwouldsthaveofme？"
　　"IamMylesFalworth，"saidthelad，inalowvoice；"andIcomeseekingservicewithyou。"
　　TheEarldrewhisthickeyebrowsquicklytogether，andshotakeenlookatthelad。"Falworth？"saidhe，sharply——"Falworth？I
　　knownoFalworth！"
　　"Theletterwilltellyou，"saidMyles。"Itisfromoneoncedeartoyou。"
　　TheEarltooktheletter，andhandingittoagentlemanwhostoodnear，badehimbreaktheseal。"Thoumayststand，"saidhetoMyles；"needstnotkneelthereforever。"Then，takingtheopenedparchmentagain，heglancedfirstatthefaceandthenattheback，and，seeingitslength，lookedvexed。Thenhereadforanearnestmomentortwo，skippingfromlinetoline。Presentlyhefoldedtheletterandthrustitintothepouchathisside。"Soitis，yourGrace，"saidhetothelordlyprelate，"thatwewhohavelucktoriseintheworldmusteversufferbybeingplaguedatalltimesandseasons。HereisoneIchancedtoknowadozenyearsago，whothinkshehathaclaimuponme，andsaddlesmewithhisson。Imuste’entakethelad，too，forthesakeofpeaceandquietness。"Heglancedaround，andseeingGascoyne，whohaddrawnnear，beckonedtohim。"Takemethisfellow，"saidhe，"tothebuttery，andseehimfed；andthentoSirJamesLee，andhavehisnameenteredinthecastlebooks。Andstay，sirrah，"headded；"bidmeSirJames，ifitmaybesodone，toenterhimasasquire—at—arms。Methinkshewillbebetterservingsothaninthehousehold，forheappearethasoothlyroughcubforapage。"
　　Mylesdidlookrusticenough，standingcladinfriezeinthemidstofthatgaycompany，andamurmuroflaughtersoundedaround，thoughhewastoobewilderedtofullyunderstandthathewasthecauseofthemerriment。Thensomehanddrewhimback——itwasGascoyne’s——therewasabustleofpeoplepassing，andthenextminutetheyweregone，andMylesandoldDicconBowmanandtheyoungsquirewereleftaloneintheanteroom。
　　Gascoynelookedverysourandputout。"Murrainuponit！"saidhe；"hereisgoodsportspoiledformetoseetheefed。Iwishnoilltothee，friend，butIwouldthouhadstcomethisafternoonorto—morrow。"
　　"MethinksIbringtroubleanddoletoeveryone，"saidMyles，somewhatbitterly。"ItwouldhavebeenbetterhadInevercometothisplace，methinks。"
　　HiswordsandtonesoftenedGascoynealittle。"Ne’ermind，"saidthesquire；"itwasnotthyfault，andispastmendingnow。Socomeandfillthystomach，inHeaven’sname。"
　　PerhapsnottheleasthardpartofthewholetryingdayforMyleswashispartingwithDiccon。Gascoyneandhehadaccompaniedtheoldretainertotheoutergate，inthearchwayofwhichtheynowstood；forwithoutapermittheycouldgonofarther。Theoldbowmanledbythebridle—reinthehorseuponwhichMyleshadriddenthatmorning。Hisownnag，aviciousbrute，wasrestivetobegone，butDicconheldhiminwithtightrein。Hereacheddown，andtookMyles’ssturdybrownhandinhiscrooked，knottedgrasp。
　　"Farewell，youngmaster，"hecroaked，tremulously，withawateryglimmerinhispaleeyes。"ThouwiltnotforgetmewhenIamgone？"
　　"Nay，"saidMyles；"Iwillnotforgetthee。"
　　"Aye，aye，"saidtheoldman，lookingdownathim，andshakinghisheadslowlyfromsidetoside；"thouartagreattallsturdyfellownow，yethaveIheldtheeonmykneemanyandmany’sthetime，anddandledtheewhenthouwertonlyalittleweenybabe。
　　Bestill，thoudevil’slimb！"hesuddenlybrokeoff，reiningbackhisrestiveraw—bonedsteed，whichbeganagaintocaperandprance。Myleswasnotsorryfortheinterruption；hefeltawkwardandabashedattheparting，andattheoldman’sreminiscences，knowingthatGascoyne’seyeswererestingamusedlyuponthescene，andthatthemen—at—armswerelookingon。CertainlyoldDiccondidlookdrollashestruggledvainlywithhisvicioushigh—neckednag。"Nay，amurrainonthee！an’thouwiltgo，go！"
　　criedheatlast，withasavagedigofhisheelsintotheanimal’sribs，andawaytheyclattered，theled—horsekickingupitsheelsasafinalparting，settingGascoynefairlyalaughing。
　　Atthebendoftheroadtheoldmanturnedandnoddedhishead；
　　thenextmomenthehaddisappearedaroundtheangleofthewall，anditseemedtoMyles，ashestoodlookingafterhim，asthoughthelastthreadthatboundhimtohisoldlifehadsnappedandbroken。AsheturnedhesawthatGascoynewaslookingathim。
　　"Dostfeeldownhearted？"saidtheyoungsquire，curiously。
　　"Nay，"saidMyles，brusquely。Neverthelesshisthroatwastightanddry，andthewordcamehuskilyinspiteofhimself。
　　CHAPTER5
　　THEEARLofMackworth，aswascustomaryamongthegreatlordsinthosedays，maintainedasmallarmyofknights，gentlemen，men—at—arms，andretainers，whowereexpectedtoservehimuponalloccasionsofneed，andfromwhomweresuppliedhisquotaofrecruitstofillsuchleviesasmightbemadeuponhimbytheKingintimeofwar。
　　Theknightsandgentlemenofthislittlearmyofhorseandfootsoldierswerelargelyrecruitedfromthecompanyofsquiresandbachelors，astheyoungnovitiatesoldiersofthecastlewerecalled。
　　Thiscompanyofesquiresconsistedoffromeightytoninetylads，ranginginagefromeighttotwentyyears。Thoseunderfourteenyearsweretermedpages，andservedchieflytheCountessandherwaitinggentlewomen，inwhosecompanytheyacquiredthegracesandpolishofthetimes，suchastheywere。Afterreachingtheageoffourteentheladswereentitledtothenameofesquireorsquire。
　　InmostofthegreathousesofthetimetheesquiresweretheespecialattendantsupontheLordandLadyofthehouse，holdingsuchpositionsasbody—squires，cup—bearers，carvers，andsometimestheofficeofchamberlain。ButDevlen，likesomeotheroftheprincelycastlesofthegreatestnobles，wasmorelikeamilitarypostorafortressthananordinaryhousehold。OnlycomparativelyfewoftheesquirescouldbeusedinpersonalattendanceupontheEarl；theothersweretrainedmorestrictlyinarms，andservedratherinthecapacityofasortofbody—guardthanasordinarysquires。For，astheEarlroseinpowerandinfluence，andasitsobecamewellworthwhileforthelowernobilityandgentrytoentertheirsonsinhisfamily，thebodyofsquiresbecamealmostcumbersomelylarge。Accordingly，thatpartwhichcomprisedthesquiresproper，asseparatefromtheyoungerpages，wasdividedintothreeclasses——first，squiresofthebody，whowerethosejustpastpagehood，andwhowaitedupontheEarlinpersonalservice；second，squiresofthehousehold，who，havingregularhoursassignedforexerciseinthemanualofarms，wererelievedfrompersonalserviceexceptinguponespecialoccasions；andthirdlyandlastly，attheheadofthewholebodyoflads，aclasscalledbachelors——youngmenrangingfromeighteentotwentyyearsofage。Thisclasswassupposedtoexerciseasortofgovernmentovertheotherandyoungersquires——tokeeptheminorderasmuchaspossible，tomarshalthemuponoccasionsofimportance，toseethattheirarmsandequipmentswerekeptingoodorder，tocalltherollforchapelinthemorning，andtoseethatthosenotupondutyinthehousewerepresentatthedailyexerciseatarms。Orderstothesquiresweregenerallytransmittedthroughthebachelors，andtheheadofthatbodywasexpectedtomakeweeklyreportsofaffairsintheirquarterstothechiefcaptainofthebody。
　　Fromthisoverlordshipofthebachelorstherehadgraduallyrisenasystemoffagging，suchasisorwaspractisedinthegreatEnglishpublicschools——enforcedservicesexactedfromtheyoungerlads——whichatthetimeMylescametoDevlenhad，inthefiveorsixyearsithadbeeninpractice，growntobeanabsolutethoughunwrittenlawofthebody——alawsupportedbyalltheprestigeoflong—continuedusage。Atthattimethebachelorsnumberedbutthirteen，yettheyexercisedovertherestofthesixty—foursquiresandpagesaruleofiron，andweretaskmasters，hard，exacting，andoftentimescruel。
　　Thewholecompanyofsquiresandpageswasunderthesupremecommandofacertainone—eyedknight，bynameSirJamesLee；asoldierseasonedbythefireofadozenbattles，bearingascoreofwoundswoninfightandtourney，andwitheredbyhardshipandlabortoaleather—liketoughness。HehadfoughtupontheKing’ssideinallthelatewars，andhadatShrewsburyreceivedawoundthatunfittedhimforactiveservice，sothatnowhewasfallentothepostofCaptainofEsquiresatDevlenCastle——amandisappointedinlife，andwithatemperimbitteredbythatfailureaswellasbycankeringpain。
　　YetPerhapsnoonecouldhavebeenbetterfittedfortheplaceheheldthanSirJamesLee。Theladsunderhischargewerearude，rough，unrulyset，quick，liketheirelders，toquarrel，andtoquarrelfiercely，eventothedrawingofswordordagger。Buttherewasacold，ironsternnessaboutthegrimoldmanthatquelledthem，asthetrainerwithalashofsteelmightquelladenofyoungwolves。Theapartmentsinwhichhewaslodged，withhisclerk，werenextinthedormitoryofthelads，andeveninthemidstofthemostexcitedbrawlingsthedistantsoundofhisharshvoice，"Silence，messieurs！"wouldbringaninstanthushtotheloudestuproar。
　　ItwasintohisgrimpresencethatMyleswasintroducedbyGascoyne。SirJameswasinhisoffice，aroombareofornamentoradornmentorsuperfluouscomfortofanysort——withoutevensomuchasamatofrushesuponthecoldstonepavementtomakeitlesscheerless。Theoldone—eyedknightsatgnawinghisbristlingmustaches。Toanyonewhoknewhimitwouldhavebeenapparentthat，asthecastlephrasewent，"thedevilsatastrideofhisneck，"whichmeantthatsomeoneofhisblindwoundswasachingmoresorelythanusual。
　　Hisclerksatbesidehim，withaccount—booksandparchmentspreaduponthetable，andtheheadsquire，WalterBlunt，aladsomethreeorfouryearsolderthanMyles，andhalfaheadtaller，black—browed，powerfullybuilt，andwithcheekandchindarkenedbythesoftbuddingofhisadolescentbeard，stoodmakinghisreport。
　　SirJameslistenedingrimsilencewhileGascoynetoldhiserrand。
　　"So，then，pardee，Iambidtotakeanotheroneofye，amI？"hesnarled。"Asthoughyecausedmenottroubleenow；andthisoneacub，lookingaveryboorincarriageandbreeding。MayhaptheEarlthinkethIamtotrainboystohisdilly—dallyhouseholdserviceaswellastouseofarms。"
　　"Sir，"saidGascoyne，timidly，"myLordsayethhewouldhavethisoneentereddirectasasquireofthebody，sothatheneednotserveinthehousehold。"
　　"Sayestso？"criedSirJames，harshly。"ThentakethoumymessagebackagaintothyLord。NotforMackworth——no，norabettermanthanhe——willImakeanychangesinmygovernment。AnIbesettoruleapackofboys，IwillrulethemasIlist，andnotaccordingtoanyman’sbidding。Tellhim，sirrah，thatIwillenternoladassquireofthebodywithoutfirsttestinganhebefitatarmstoholdthatplace。"HesatforawhilegloweringatMylesandgnawinghismustaches，andforthetimenoonedaredtobreakthegrimsilence。"Whatisthyname？"saidhe，suddenly。
　　Andthen，almostbeforeMylescouldanswer，heaskedtheheadsquirewhetherhecouldfindaplacetolodgehim。
　　"ThereisGillisWhitlock’scotempty，"saidBlunt。"Heisintheinfirmary，andbelikegoethhomeagainwhenhecomeththence。Thefeverhathgottenintohisbones，and——"
　　"Thatwilldo，"saidtheknight，interruptinghimimpatiently。
　　"Lethimtakethatplace，oranyotherthatthouhast。Andthou，Jerome，"saidhetohisclerk，"thoumaystenterhimupontheroll，thoughwhetheritbeaspageorsquireorbachelorshallbeasIplease，andnotasMackworthbiddethme。Nowgetyegone。"
　　"OldBruin’swoundsmartethhimsore，"Gascoyneobserved，asthetwoladswalkedacrossthearmorycourt。Hehadgood—naturedlyofferedtoshowthenew—comerthemanysightsofinterestaroundthecastle，andinthehourorsooframblethatfollowed，thetwogrewfromacquaintancestofriendswithaquicknessthatboyhoodalonecanbringabout。Theyvisitedthearmory，thechapel，thestables，thegreathall，thePaintedChamber，theguard—house，themess—room，andeventhesculleryandthekitchen，withitsgreatrangeofboilersandfurnacesandovens。
　　LastofallMyles’snewfriendintroducedhimtothearmor—smithy。
　　"MyLordhathsentapieceofMilanarmorthithertoberepaired，"saidhe。"Belikethouwouldliketoseeit。"
　　"Aye，"saidMyles，eagerly，"thatwouldI。"
　　Thesmithwasagruff，good—naturedfellow，andshowedthepieceofarmortoMylesreadilyandwillinglyenough。Itwasabeautifulbascinetofinlaidworkmanship，andwasedgedwitharimofgold。Mylesscarcelydaredtouchit；hegazedatitwithanunconcealeddelightthatwarmedthesmith’shonestheart。
　　"IhaveanotherpieceofMilanhere，"saidhe。"DidIevershowtheemydagger，MasterGascoyne？"
　　"Nay，"saidthesquire。
　　Thesmithunlockedagreatoakenchestinthecorneroftheshop，liftedthelid，andbroughtthenceabeautifuldaggerwiththehandleofebonyandsilver—gilt，andasheathofSpanishleather，embossedandgilt。Thekeen，well—temperedbladewasbeautifullyengravedandinlaidwithniello—work，representingagroupoffiguresinathenpopularsubject——thedanceofDeath。Itwasaweaponatonceuniqueandbeautiful，andevenGascoyneshowedanadmirationscarcelylesskeenthanMyles’sopenly—expresseddelight。
　　"Towhomdothitbelong？"saidhe，tryingthepointuponhisthumbnail。
　　"There，"saidthesmith，"isthejestofthewhole，foritbelongethtome。SirWilliamBeauclerkbademeordertheweaponthroughMasterGildersworthy，ofLondontown，andbythetimeitcamehither，lo！hehaddied，andsoitfelltomyhands。Nooneherepayeththepriceforthetrinket，andsoImuste’enkeepitmyself，thoughIbebutapoorman。"
　　"Howmuchdostthouholditfor？"saidGascoyne。
　　"Seventeenshillingsbuyethit，"saidthearmorer，carelessly。
　　"Aye，aye，"saidGascoyne，withasigh；"soitistobepoor，andnotbeabletohavesuchthingsasonelovethandwouldfainpossess。Seventeenshillingsisnighasmuchbyhalfagainasallmyyearlywage。"
　　ThenasuddenthoughtcametoMyles，andasitcamehischeeksglowedashotasfire"MasterGascoyne，"saidhe，withgruffawkwardness，"thouhastbeenaverygood，truefriendtomesinceIhavecometothisplace，andhastbefriendedmeinallwaysthoumightestdo，andI，aswellIknow，butapoorrusticclod。
　　NowIhavefortyshillingsbymewhichImayspendasIlist，andsoIdobeseechtheethatthouwilttakeyondaggerofmeasalove—gift，andhaveandholditforthyveryown。
　　Gascoynestaredopen—mouthedatMyles。"Dostmeanit？"saidhe，atlast。
　　"Aye，"saidMyles，"Idomeanit。MasterSmith，givehimtheblade。"
　　Atfirstthesmithgrinned，thinkingitallajest；buthesoonsawthatMyleswasseriousenough，andwhentheseventeenshillingswereproducedandcounteddownupontheanvil，hetookoffhiscapandmadeMylesalowbowashesweptthemintohispouch。"Now，bymyfaithandtroth，"quothhe，"thatIdocallatruelordlygift。Isitnotso，MasterGascoyne？"
　　"Aye，"saidGascoyne，withagulp，"itis，insoothlyearnest。"
　　Andthereupon，toMyles’sgreatwonderment，hesuddenlyflunghisarmsabouthisneck，and，givinghimagreathug，kissedhimuponthecheek。"DearMyles，"saidhe，"ItelltheetrulyandofaverityIdidfeelwarmtowardstheefromtheveryfirsttimeI
　　sawtheesittinglikeapooroafuponthebenchupyonderintheanteroom，andnowofasoothIgivetheeassurancethatIdolovetheeasmyownbrother。Yea，Iwilltakethedagger，andwillstandbytheeasatruefriendfromthistimeforth。Mayhapthoumaystneedatruefriendinthisplaceerethoulivestlongwithus，forsomeofusesquiresbesoothlyrough，andknocksaremoreplentyherethanbroadpennies，sothatonenewcomeisliketohaveahardtimegainingafooting。"
　　"Ithankthee，"saidMyles，"forthyofferofloveandfriendship，anddotellthee，uponmypart，thatIalsoofalltheworldwouldlikebesttohavetheeformyfriend。"
　　SuchwasthemannerInwhichMylesformedthefirstgreatfriendshipofhislife，afriendshipthatwasdestinedtolasthimthroughmanyyearstocome。Asthetwowalkedbackacrossthegreatquadrangle，uponwhichfrontedthemainbuildingsofthecastle，theirarmswerewoundacrossoneanother’sshoulders，afterthemanner，asacertaingreatwritersays，ofboysandlovers。
　　CHAPTER6
　　Aboy’slifeisofaveryflexiblesort。Ittakesbutalittlewhileforittoshapeitselftoanynewsurroundingsinwhichitmaybethrown，tomakeitselfnewfriends，tosettleitselftonewhabits；andsoitwasthatMylesfelldirectlyintothewaysoftheladsofDevlen。Onhisfirstmorning，ashewashedhisfaceandhandswiththeothersquiresandpagesinagreattankofwaterinthearmorycourt—yard，hepresentlyfoundhimselfsplashinganddashingwiththeothers，laughingandshoutingasloudasany，andcallingsomebytheirChristiannamesasthoughhehadknownthemforyearsinsteadofovernight。Duringchapelhewatchedwithsympatheticdelightthecovertpranksoftheyoungstersduringthehalf—hourthatFatherEmmanueldronedhisLatin，andwithhisdaggerpointhecarvedhisownnameamongthemanycutdeepintothebackofthebenchbeforehim。When，afterbreakfast，thesquirespouredlikeschool—boysintothegreatarmorytoanswertotheroll—callfordailyexercise，hecamestorminginwiththerest，beatingtheladinfrontofhimwithhiscap。
　　Boysareverykeentofeeltheinfluenceofaforcefulcharacter。
　　Aladwithastrongwillisquicktoreachhisproperlevelasagreaterorlesserleaderamongtheothers，andMyleswasofjustthemasterfulnaturetomakehisindividualityfeltamongtheDevlensquires。Hewasquickenoughtoyieldobedienceuponalloccasionstoproperauthority，butwouldneverbendaninchtotheusurpationoftyranny。IntheschoolatSt。Mary’sPrioryatCrosbey—DalehewouldsubmitwithoutamurmurorofferofresistancetochastisementbyoldFatherAmbrose，theregularteacher；butonce，whenthefatoldmonkwassick，andagreatlong—leggedstrappingyoungfriar，whohadtemporarilytakenhisplace，undertooktoadministerpunishment，Myles，withawrestlingtrip，flunghimsprawlingbackwardoverabenchintothemidstofashoalofsmallboysamidahubbubofriotousconfusion。HehadbeenfloggedsoundlyforitunderthesupervisionofPriorEdwardhimself；butsosoonashispunishmentwasover，heassuredthepriorveryseriouslythatshouldlikeoccasionagainhappenhewouldactinthesamemanner，floggingornoflogging。
　　Itwasthisbold，outspokenspiritthatgainedhimatoncefriendsandenemiesatDevlen，andthoughitfirstshoweditselfinwhatwasbutalittlematter，neverthelessitsetamarkuponhimthatsingledhimoutfromtherest，and，althoughhedidnotsuspectitatthetime，calledtohimtheattentionofSirJamesLeehimself，whoregardedhimasaladoffreeandfrankspirit。
　　Thefirstmorningaftertheroll—callinthearmory，asWalterBlunt，theheadbachelor，rolleduptheslipofparchment，andthetemporarysilenceburstforthintoredoublednoiseandconfusion，eachladarminghimselffromarowofracksthatstoodalongthewall，hebeckonedMylestohim。
　　"MyLordhimselfhathspokentoSirJamesLeeconcerningthee，"
　　saidhe。"SirJamesmaintaineththathewillnotentertheeintothebodytillthouhastfirstpractisedforawhileatthepels，andshownwhatthoucanstdoatbroadsword。Hasteverfoughtatthepel？"
　　"Aye，"answeredMyles，"andthateverydayofmylifesinI
　　becameesquirefouryearsago，savingonlySundaysandholydays。"
　　"Withshieldandbroadsword？"
　　"Sometimes，"saidMyles，"andsometimeswiththeshortsword。"
　　"SirJameswouldhavetheecometothetilt—yardthismorn；hehimselfwilltaketheeinhandtotrywhatthoucanstdo。Thoumaysttakethearmsuponyonderrack，andusethemuntilotherwisebidden。Thouseestthatthenumberpaintedaboveitonthewallisseventeen；thatwillbethynumberforthenonce。"
　　SoMylesarmedhimselffromhisrackastheothersweredoingfromtheirs。Thearmorwasrudeandheavy，usedtoaccustomthebodytotheweightoftheironplatesratherthanforanydefence。Itconsistedofacuirass，orbreastplateofiron，openingatthesidewithhinges，andcatchingwithhooksandeyes；epauliers，orshoulder—plates；arm—platesandleg—pieces；
　　andabascinet，oropen—facedhelmet。Agreattriangularshieldcoveredwithleatherandstuddedwithbossesofiron，andaheavybroadsword，pointedanddulledattheedges，completedtheequipment。
　　ThepracticeatthepelswhichMyleswasbiddentoattendcomprisedthechiefexerciseofthedaywiththeesquiresofyoungcadetsoldiersofthattime，andinittheylearnednotonlyallthestrokes，cuts，andthrustsofsword—playtheninvogue，butalsotoughness，endurance，andelasticquickness。Thepelsthemselvesconsistedofuprightpostsofashoroak，aboutfivefeetsixinchesinheight，andingirthsomewhatthickerthanaman’sthigh。Theywerefirmlyplantedintheground，anduponthemthestrokesofthebroadswordweredirected。
　　AtDevlenthepelsstoodjustbackoftheopenandcoveredtiltingcourtsandthearcheryranges，andthitherthoseladsnotuponhouseholddutyweremarchedeverymorningexceptingFridaysandSundays，andwerethereexercisedunderthedirectionofSirJamesLeeandtwoassistants。Thewholecompanywasdividedintotwo，sometimesintothreeparties，eachofwhichtookitsturnattheexercise，deliveringatthewordofcommandthevariousstrokes，feints，attacks，andretreatsastheinstructorsordered。
　　Afterfiveminutesofthismockbattletheperspirationbegantopourdownthefaces，andthebreathtocomethickandshort；butitwasnotuntiltheladscouldabsolutelyendurenomorethattheorderwasgiventorest，andtheywereallowedtoflingthemselvespantingupontheground，whileanothercompanytookitsplaceatthetriplerowofposts。
　　AsMylesstruckandhackedatthepelassignedtohim，SirJamesLeestoodbesidehimwatchinghimingrimsilence。Theladdidhisbesttoshowtheknightallthatheknewofuppercut，undercut，thrust，andback—handstroke，butitdidnotseemtohimthatSirJameswasverywellsatisfiedwithhisskill。
　　"Thoufightestlikeaclodpole，"saidtheoldman。"Ha，thatstrokewasbutill—recovered。Strikemeitagain，andgetthouinguardmorequickly。"
　　Mylesrepeatedthestroke。
　　"Pest！"criedSirJames。"Thouarttooslowbyaweek。Here，strikethoutheblowatme。"
　　Myleshesitated。SirJamesheldastoutstaffinhishand，butotherwisehewasunarmed。
　　"Strike，Isay！"saidSirJames。"Whatstayestthoufor？Artafeard？"
　　ItwasMyles’sanswerthatsetthesealofindividualityuponhim。"Nay，"saidhe，boldly，"Iamnotafeard。Ifearnottheenoranyman！"Sosaying，hedeliveredthestrokeatSirJameswithmightandmain。Itwasmetwithajarringblowthatmadehiswristandarmtingle，andthenextinstanthereceivedastrokeuponthebascinetthatcausedhisearstoringandthesparkstodance。andflybeforehiseyes。
　　"Pardee！"saidSirJames，grimly。"AnIhadhadamaceinmyhand，Iwouldhaveknockedthycockerelbrainsoutthattime。
　　Thoumaysttakethatblowforansweringmesopertly。Andnowwearequits。Nowstrikemethestrokeagainanthouartnotafeard。"
　　Myles’seyeswateredinspiteofhimself，andheshutthelidstighttowinkthedimnessaway。Neverthelesshespokeupundauntedlyasbefore。"Aye，marry，willIstrikeitagain，"saidhe；andthistimehewasabletorecoverguardquicklyenoughtoturnSirJames’sblowwithhisshield，insteadofreceivingituponhishead。

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