dlands to be the nearer her son. They found her
afterwards by her own hearthstone, thrust through by a Frenchman's bill.
My second sister, my brother's wife, and her two children, they were but
ash-heaps in the smoking ruins of their house. I will not say that we
have not wrought great scath upon France, but women and children have
been safe from us. And so, old friend, my heart is hot within me, and I
long to hear the old battle-cry again, and, by God's truth! if Sir
Nigel unfurls his pennon, here is one who will be right glad to feel the
saddle-flaps under his knees."

"We have seen good work together, old war-dog," quoth Aylward; "and,
by my hilt! we may hope to see more ere we die. But we are more like to
hawk at the Spanish woodcock than at the French heron, though certes
it is rumored that Du Guesclin with all the best lances of France have
taken service under the lions and towers of Castile. But, comrade, it is
in my mind that there is some small matter of dispute still open between
us."

"'Fore God, it is sooth!" cried the other; "I had forgot it. The
provost-marshal and his men tore us apart when last we met."

"On which, friend, we vowed that we should settle the point when next we
came together. Hast thy sword, I see, and the moon throws glimmer enough
for such old night-birds as we. On guard, mon gar.! I have not heard
clink of steel this month or more."

"Out from the shadow then," said the other, drawing his sword. "A vow is
a vow, and not lightly to be broken."

"A vow to the saints," cried Alleyne, "is indeed not to be set aside;
but this is a devil's vow, and, simple clerk as I am, I am yet the
mouthpiece of the true church when I say that it were mortal sin to
fight on such a quarrel. What! shall two grown men carry malice for
years, and fly like snarling curs at each other's throats?"

"No malice, my young clerk, no malice," quoth Black Simon, "I have not
a bitter drop in my heart for mine old comrade; but the quarrel, as he
hath told you, is still open and unsettled. Fall on, Aylward!"

"Not whilst I can stand between you," cried Alleyne, springing before
the bowman. "It is shame and sin to see two Christian Englishmen turn
swords against each other like the frenzied bloodthirsty paynim."

"And, what is more," said Hordle John, suddenly appearing out of the
buttery with the huge board upon which the pastry was rolled, "if either
raise sword I shall flatten him like a Shrovetide pancake. By th