s true, that better is a bright comrade on the weary road than
a horse-litter; and, dear brother, when I do think of what we have done
and suffered together! Savedst my life from the bear, and from yet
more savage thieves; and even poor I did make shift to draw thee out
of Rhine, and somehow loved thee double from that hour. How many ties
tender and strong between us! Had I my will, I'd never, never, never,
never part with my Denys on this side the grave. Well-a-day! God His
will be done.

"No, my will shall be done this time," shouted Denys. "Le bon Dieu has
bigger fish to fry than you or me. I'll go with thee to Rome. There is
my hand on it."

"Think what, you say! 'Tis impossible. 'Tis too selfish of me."

"I tell thee, 'tis settled. No power can change me. At Remiremont I
borrow ten pieces of my uncle, and on we go; 'tis fixed."

They shook hands over it. Then Gerard said nothing, for his heart was
too full; but he ran twice round his companion as he walked, then danced
backwards in front of him, and finally took his hand, and so on they
went hand in hand like sweethearts, till a company of mounted soldiers,
about fifty in number, rose to sight on the brow of a hill.

"See the banner of Burgundy," said Denys joyfully; "I shall look out for
a comrade among these."

"How gorgeous is the standard in the sun," said Gerard "and how brave
are the leaders with velvet and feathers, and steel breastplates like
glassy mirrors!"

When they came near enough to distinguish faces, Denys uttered an
exclamation: "Why, 'tis the Bastard of Burgundy, as I live. Nay, then;
there is fighting a-foot since he is out; a gallant leader, Gerard,
rates his life no higher than a private soldier's, and a soldier's no
higher than a tomtit's; and that is the captain for me."

"And see, Denys, the very mules with their great brass frontlets and
trappings seem proud to carry them; no wonder men itch to be soldiers;"
and in the midst of this innocent admiration the troop came up with
them.

"Halt!" cried a stentorian voice. The troop halted. The Bastard of
Burgundy bent his brow gloomily on Denys: "How now, arbalestrier, how
comes it thy face is turned southward, when every good hand and heart is
hurrying northward?"

Denys replied respectfully that he was going on leave, after some years
of service, to see his kindred at Remiremont.

"Good. But this is not the time for't; the duchy is disturbed. Ho! bring
that dead soldier's mule to t