Percy F. Westerman

“ One day the lads were aroused by an unwonted stir without the castle walls. Borne faintly to their ears came the sounds of strife, men shouting and shrieking, weapons clashing, and the sharp hiss of bolts and arrows.
"The castle is attacked," exclaimed Oswald. "They are storming the battlements."
"Thou art right," replied Geoffrey. "I trow 'tis my father and the men of Taillemartel that are without."
"Would that we could see," continued his companion, hauling himself up the bars of the grating. "Certes, 'tis a fierce encounter." ”

“ Speaking for our company, I can safely say that their hearts are full of courage and devotion to thy person."
"'Tis well, Sir Thomas. Thrice happy is a king whose people's hearts are his throne. Again, farewell, and may Heaven look favourably upon us this coming day."
"Geoffrey, thou hast heard his Majesty's word?" asked Sir Thomas. "Certes, thy service in the matter of the conspiracy at Southampton he hath not forgotten. How sayest thou? Art willing to undertake this enterprise? Bethink thee; 'tis a perilous service, and short will be thy shrift if thou art discovered." ”

“ For a distance of nearly a bow-shot the two adventurers pursued their way, till, plucking at his comrade's sleeve, Geoffrey came to a sudden standstill.
For full five minutes they listened, striving to detect above the confused noise of the French camp the sound of some unseen foe. A sudden rustling in the undergrowth caused the lad's heart to beat violently, while his right hand clutched the hilt of his dagger. Then came a sharp squeal of pain, and a hare, with a stoat at its throat, tore almost across the squire's feet. ”

“ Massed in close columns were bodies of the English men-at-arms, accompanied by a swarm of lightly-clad men bearing long scaling ladders. Amongst the banners of the knights who were to lead the desperate attack Geoffrey recognized the star and crescent of Sir Thomas Carberry's company as the Hampshire men stood to their arms, ready at the termination of the truce to rush towards the walls to rescue or avenge their young squire. ”

“ Massing in close order the five thousand men of the main body moved to the support of their van. Cold, fatigue, hunger—all were forgotten.
It was a stirring sight that met the gaze of Geoffrey and his comrades as they gained the brow of a low hill overlooking the woods of Maisoncelles. Before them lay a gently-sloping plain, flanked on either side by dense masses of trees, while across the open ground could be traced the narrow lane that passed through the village of Agincourt and joined the broader road from Abbeville to Calais, just beyond the cluster of thatched and mud-walled houses. ”

“ The Southampton merchant quailed beneath the imperious glance of the haughty French woman. Shuffling his feet uneasily, he tried to make reply.
"My worthy friend hath ever been bashful in the presence of beauty," explained Ratclyffe with courtier-like quickness. "He bears the name of Sir Paul Roche, of Lucre Castle, hard by the town of Southampton."
"Greetings, Sir Paul," exclaimed Sir Raoul's wife, as the pseudo-knight gallantly kissed her hand. "But 'tis to no purpose to dally here. Aimée, my belle, come hither; it is to these honourable cavaliers that we owe our preservation." ”

“ Tell me, Oswald, how comes it that thou hast deserted thy master? Is it meet that a squire should return without his lord?"
"Sweet lady, I had no choice in the matter," replied the squire, a fair-haired youth of about sixteen years of age. "By the express command of Sir Oliver and of the Lord of Malevereux I stand here this day. Sir Oliver is alive and, I wot, in health, but, alas! a prisoner." ”

“ George for England!" strove to hold their own against the overwhelming numbers. More torches were brought to illuminate the ghastly scene, and by their light men fought and died like wild beasts.
Unmindful of his unprotected head, Geoffrey had drawn his sword at the first alarm, and had contrived to force his way to the front. Skill and coolness were thrown to the winds, and striking madly at the forest of opposing spears and swords, the squire strove to keep the foe at bay. ”

“ Sometimes a thrown rider would struggle to his feet and begin to stumble blindly after his comrades, but more often the thrown warrior would lie still and motionless, never again to hear the shouts of his victorious comrades in arms.
Now the head of the column was in the swift-flowing river. The water soaked through Geoffrey's mailed shoes and greaves, but the squire heeded it not: his whole attention was directed against a knot of mail-clad Frenchmen who were urging their steeds into the stream to contest the possession of the ford. ”

“ Standing at his post behind his sire and the Constable, Geoffrey could make out the sharp thud of the hoofs of numerous horses, while a babel of discordant sounds, shouted in a foreign tongue, resounded on all sides of the camp.
"Archers, make ready; let no man loose till I give the word," shouted Sir Oliver, as, waiting sword in hand, he strove to detect something in the voices of his unseen antagonists that might tell him who they were! ”

“ Mingled with the men-at-arms were several archers, whose special duty it was to carry the scaling ladders up to the walls, while in the rear their comrades maintained their steady fire.
The mass of panting, shouting, and excited men gained the edge of the moat, and, with swords and axes brandished above their heads, prepared to follow Sir Oliver and Sir John across the temporary bridge, when a cross-bowman more daring than his fellows showed himself for an instant above the battlements and shot his bolt. ”

“ If thou canst liken yonder sound to a bird's call thou hast no right to wear sword," retorted Gripwell, excitement outweighing his deference. "E'en though the wind bloweth away from us, I can make out the clash of arms and the shouts of the combatants. Now, am I not right?" he continued, as a lull in the breeze enabled the Englishmen to hear the subdued clatter of a distant encounter.
"Steer towards the bank, Gaston," exclaimed Geoffrey. "Perchance we can be of some slight service to those in the right." ”

“ Greeting, Master Olandyne, what is thy pleasure?"
"A boon, sire," exclaimed the suppliant, falling on one knee and kissing the extended hand of the monarch.
"Say on, young sir, though many are the boons that we are asked to confer."
"Sire, I have raised at no small cost a troop of twenty men-at-arms. These I respectfully offer for service in the field." Here Olandyne paused, unable to utter another word.
"We see not what is the nature of thy request. To us it savours of a service most loyally rendered," replied the King. "Say on—what boon dost thou ask?" ”

“ Still the French camp maintained its state of revelry, for food and wine were in abundance, and, with every prospect of delivering a crushing defeat upon their numerically weaker foes, the mercurial spirits of the Frenchmen rose high. They had forgotten their defeats at Crécy and Poictiers; time had erased the memory of the English longbow.
"The night drags slowly on," remarked Oswald, drawing his saturated cloak more closely around his shoulders. "Would that we had something to do to bring some warmth to our bodies."
"We'll not lack for warmth ere the sun sets again," replied Geoffrey. ”

“ THE EVE OF ST. SILVESTER Across the vast plain that surrounded the gloomy Castle of Malevereux streamed a long straggling line of people, all making towards the open gateway of Sir Yves' feudal pile.
There were merchants from Rouen, soberly attired and wearing long straight swords as a protection against the perils of the roads; peasants of both sexes, striving to overcome the deep-rooted sense of fear in spite of the assured immunity of goods and person for one day in the whole year; men-at-arms and archers, unarmed save for the short knives that hung from their belts ”

“ Just as Geoffrey was on the point of bidding the toilers desist the floor of the tunnel suddenly collapsed, leaving a gaping hole, through which a swarm of armed men poured with shouts of triumph.
Ere the English men-at-arms could draw their swords the foemen were upon them, striking down the unarmed sappers right and left. In the confusion most of the torches were extinguished, and in the almost total darkness friend gripped friend by the throat, the cries of the wounded adding to the uproar. ”

“ Lulled by the motion of the vessel, Geoffrey sank into a deep yet troubled slumber, nor did he awake till he was aroused by the man-at-arms shaking him by the shoulder.
"Up with ye, Master Geoffrey," he exclaimed. "There's foul work without, and if so be we can play our part every man jack will be wanted."
"What's amiss?" asked the lad, sitting up. All feelings of sea-sickness had left him; excitement had conquered the landsman's arch-enemy.
"On deck, and thou'lt see," replied Gripwell curtly as he hastened to rouse the other lads. ”

“ My Lord d'Alençon, the second division, which thou hast command of, must be mounted, since there will be no other work left than to ride down and slay the light-footed archers. As for thy division, my Lord Falconberg, there will be nothing left for it to do."
"Unless it be to shout encouragement to thy men," replied Falconberg with a laugh. "Alas! these poor Englishmen. But let's proceed. Who'll throw with me for my last three knights?"
"We have learnt what is worth a bushel of gold, Squire Geoffrey," whispered Gripwell. "Let us away. As it is, the hour is wellnigh spent." ”

“ A tucket sounded, and Sir Denis cantered to the other end of the lists, while the English knight, after having given his steed a short run to test its capabilities, drew up in anticipation of the signal for the onset.
Unable to control his feelings during the inevitable pause, Geoffrey started to his feet.
"St. George for England, father!" he cried out, oblivious to all else besides the two combatants.
Men turned in astonishment to gaze at the daring youth. Sir Denis marked the lad with a ferocious glare. ”

“ Amidst the boisterous and hearty farewells of the archers Geoffrey and his three companions set out on the last stage of their homeward journey. Along the well-known highway they sped, recognizing in every landmark an old friend. Quickly the great West Gate of Chichester was left behind; then the Saxon tower of Bosham Church loomed up on their left hand, to bear them company till the fishing hamlet of Emsworth hove in sight. Then, joy of joys, the grey tower of Warblington Castle, standing out clearly against the setting sun, bade them welcome home. ”

“ The stars had been obscured by passing clouds, and so intense was the darkness that, although the loom of the country was faintly discernible, the extent of the new danger was totally concealed.
"The false knight hath betrayed us," exclaimed Oswald. "What is to be done?"
"We cannot do better than stand where we are till dawn," replied Geoffrey. "To proceed is to court a speedy death; to return is to suffer a worse fate. Perchance when 'tis light we may find a way." ”

“ The arrival of Gripwell and the two English archers soon turned the scale. While the man-at-arms dealt irresistible blows with his heavy axe, the archers shot fast and true, and in a short space the band of assailants seemed to melt away.
"We hold our own everywhere," said Arnold, leaning out of the window during the brief respite.
The man-at-arms spoke truly. With one exception every house had made good its defence, and already the demoralized men of Malevereux—those who had not been slain or grievously wounded—were seeking safety in flight. ”

“ At length, escorted by a guard of mounted archers, the French herald left the royal pavilion and rode slowly towards the town. Hardly had he reached the innermost of the triple line of trenches when there was a commotion amidst the tents, and, accompanied by a brilliant train of knights, Henry himself advanced to direct the threatened assault.
"How now, herald?" demanded the Lord of Gaucourt as the envoy, hot and breathless, gained the summit of the tower.
"Fair sir, the English king is not to be bent from his purpose. He bids me say that, according to the usages of war, he will hang our man. ”

“ Those of the defenders who had escaped slaughter had fled, save a few who, taking shelter in the mill, resisted desperately till slain to the last man.
The Constable of Portchester's company had lost heavily. Fifteen gallant men-at-arms had ridden to their death, while a score more had been sorely wounded. Ratclyffe was making light of a blow that, cracking his steel bascinet, had grazed his forehead till he was well-nigh blinded with blood. Neither Sir Thomas nor his squire Geoffrey had sustained injury, though dents in their armour bore silent testimony to the heat of the action. ”

“ In the ill-tilled fields a few peasants were at their labours, but the sight of two strangers had the effect of making them run for their lives. The frequent attention of freebooters had crushed the spirit of the miserable countrymen, and a craven fear of their fellow-men had become the chief characteristic of the French sons of the soil.
"This must be St. Barre," said Oswald, pointing to a small hamlet at the foot of a hill. "Think of the pleasure of being able to sleep on fresh straw."
"Tis not to be lightly esteemed," replied Geoffrey. ”

“ Angrily the archer turned about.
"Who art thou to stand betwixt an honest Englishman and a rascally Frenchman?" he demanded, for he failed to recognize his young leader, whose armour was covered from helm to solleret in mud and gore.
"Dost not know me, Hubert?"
"By Our Lady, 'tis Master Geoffrey. Thy pardon, young sir. But this is our affair, therefore, come not to prevent us working our will on this thick-headed Frenchman."
"Have ye not demanded his surrender?"
"Ay," replied the men in a chorus. "And he refuses."
"Sir Knight," exclaimed the squire earnestly. "Wilt yield?" ”

“ Already fourteen days are spent, and yet he cometh not."
"The reason is not far to seek," replied Gripwell, pointing towards the distant Portsdown Hills. "So long as this wind holdeth the ship is bound to tarry."
"But how long, think you, will it blow thus? Thou art a man skilled in such matters."
"Nay, I cannot forecast, fair sir. For now, when the husbandman looketh for the east wind to break the ground, this most unwholesome air doth hold. Mark my words, Master Geoffrey, when it turneth we shall have another winter. But the sun is rising. I must display my lord's banner." ”