when Martin threw his left arm around the victim, and raised
his crucifix on high with the other.

"Ye shall not harm him, unless ye trample under foot the sign of
your redemption."

"Who forbids?" said Grimbeard.

"I, the representative by birth of your ancestral leaders, and one
who might now claim the allegiance you have paid to my fathers for
generations. But I rest not on that," and here he pleaded so
eloquently in the name of Christ, that even Grimbeard was moved; he
could not resist a certain ascendency which Martin was gaining over
him.

"Let them go, all of them. Blindfold them and lead them out in the
road. Only they must swear not to come into our haunts again,
either with hawk and hound or with deadlier weapons.

"There! I hope it may be put to my account in purgatory, my Martin.
You are spoiling a good outlaw. Have your way, only this gay
popinjay of a knight must stay until his ransom be paid. We can't
afford to lose that. But no harm shall befall him. Beside, we may
want him as hostage in case this morning's work bring a hornets'
nest about our ears."

"Ralph, you are safe. Do you remember me?" said Martin.

"I remember a young fellow much like thee at Oxford, who defended
my poor pate against the boves boreales, as now from latrones
austroles. Verily, thou art born to be a shield to addle-pated
Ralph. But art thou indeed a grey friar?"

"Yes, thank God."

"And that was how it was we lost you, and wondered you never came
near us again to share the fun. Father Adam had won you. Well, it
is a good fellow lost to the world."

"And gained to God, I hope."

"I know nought of that. Only tell me, my Martin, what life am I to
lead here?"

"Only give your parole and you will be free within the limits of
the camp. I know their customs, being born amongst them."

"Oh, wert thou! I wish thee joy of the honour. How, then, didst
thou get to Oxford?"

"It is a long tale; another day I will tell thee. Now, wilt thou
come with me, and give thy word to Grimbeard not to attempt to
escape till thy messenger returns?"

It was done, and Ralph and Martin strolled around the camp in
conversation that entire evening. Martin now learned that the death
of an elder brother had recalled his former acquaintance from
Oxford to figure as the heir apparent of Herst de Monceux: hence
the occasion of their meeting under such different auspices.

Chapter 19: The Preaching Friar.

The system of the early Franc