ndos, drawing a
paper from his tunic. "Have I your permission, sire, to issue it?"

"Surely, John, we have no cavalier more versed in the laws of chivalry
than yourself. You know this young man, and you are aware how far he is
worthy of the high honor which he asks. Let us hear his defiance."

The knights and squires of the escort, most of whom were veterans of
the French war, had been gazing with interest and some surprise at the
steel-clad figure in front of them. Now at a call from Sir Walter Manny
they assembled round the spot where the King and Chandos had halted.
Chandos cleared his throat and read from his paper--

"'A tous seigneurs, chevaliers et escuyers,' so it is headed, gentlemen.
It is a message from the good Squire Nigel Loring of Tilford, son of Sir
Eustace Loring, of honorable memory. Squire Loring awaits you in arms,
gentlemen, yonder upon the crown of the old bridge. Thus says he: 'For
the great desire that I, a most humble and unworthy Squire, entertain,
that I may come to the knowledge of the noble gentlemen who ride with my
royal master, I now wait on the Bridge of the Way in the hope that some
of them may condescend to do some small deed of arms upon me, or that I
may deliver them from any vow which they may have taken. This I say out
of no esteem for myself, but solely that I may witness the noble bearing
of these famous cavaliers and admire their skill in the handling of
arms. Therefore, with the help of Saint George, I will hold the bridge
with sharpened lances against any or all who may deign to present
themselves while daylight lasts."

"What say you to this, gentlemen?" asked the King, looking round with
laughing eyes.

"Truly it is issued in very good form," said the Prince. "Neither
Claricieux nor Red Dragon nor any herald that ever wore tabard could
better it. Did he draw it of his own hand?"

"He hath a grim old grandmother who is one of the ancient breed," said
Chandos. "I doubt not that the Dame Ermyntrude hath drawn a challenge or
two before now. But hark ye, sire, I would have a word in your ear--and
yours too, most noble Prince."

Leading them aside, Chandos whispered some explanations, which ended by
them all three bursting into a shout of laughter.

"By the rood! no honorable gentleman should be reduced to such straits,"
said the King. "It behooves me to look to it. But how now, gentlemen?
This worthy cavalier still waits his answer."

The soldiers had all been buzzing t