was to be a lusty game between the
Emperor and the Italians, and he must have his share."

Stephen made his way up to speak to him, and was received with, "Ha, my
gallant lad! Art weary of hammer and anvil? Wouldst be a brave Badger,
slip thine indentures, and hear helm and lance ring in good earnest?"

"Not so, sir," said Stephen, "but I have been bidden to ask if thou hast
found thy father?"

"What's that to thee, stripling? When thou hast cut thy wisdom teeth,
thou'lt know old fathers be not so easy found. 'Twas a wild goose
chase, and I wot not what moved me to run after it. I met jolly
comrades enough, bumpkins that could drink with an honest soldier when
they saw him, but not one that ever heard the name of Fulford."

"Sir," said Stephen, "I know an old man named Fulford. His grand-
daughter is my uncle's wife, and they dwell by the Temple."

The intelligence seemed more startling and less gratifying than Stephen
had expected. Sir John demanded whether they were poor, and declared
that he had better have heard of them when his purse was fuller. He had
supposed that his wife had given him up and found a fresh mate, and when
he heard of her death, he made an exclamation which might be pity, but
had in it something of relief. He showed more interest about his old
father; but as to his daughter, if she had been a lad now, a' might have
been a stout comrade by this time, ready to do the Badger credit. Yea,
his poor Kate was a good lass, but she was only a Flemish woman and
hadn't the sense to rear aught but a whining little wench, who was of no
good except to turn fools' heads, and she was wedded and past all that
by this time.

Stephen explained that she was wedded to one of the Lord Cardinal's
meine.

"Ho!" said the Condottiere, pausing, "be that the butcher's boy that is
pouring out his gold to buy scarlet hats, if not the three crowns. 'Tis
no bad household wherein to have a footing. Saidst thou I should find
my wench and the old Gaffer there?"

Stephen had to explain, somewhat to the disappointment of the Captain,
who had, as it appeared, in the company of three or four more
adventurous spirits like himself, taken a passage in a vessel lying off
Gravesend, and had only turned aside to take up his new armour and his
deposit of passage-money. He demurred a little, he had little time to
spare, and though, of course, he could take boat at the Temple Stairs,
and drop down the river, he observed th