ering, now being conquered, and before the day had fairly
broken he was awake. He lay upon his cot, keying himself up for the
encounter which he had set upon himself to face, and it would not be
the truth to say that the sight of those knives hidden in the straw
the night before had made no impression upon him. By-and-by he knew the
others were beginning to awake, for he heard them softly stirring, and
as the light grew broad and strong, saw them arise, one by one, and
begin dressing in the gray morning. Then he himself arose and put on his
doublet and hose, strapping his belt tightly about his waist; then he
sat down on the side of his cot.

Presently that happened for which he was waiting; two of the younger
squires started to bring the bachelors' morning supply of water. As they
crossed the room Myles called to them in a loud voice--a little uneven,
perhaps: "Stop! We draw no more water for any one in this house, saving
only for ourselves. Set ye down those buckets, and go back to your
places!"

The two lads stopped, half turned, and then stood still, holding the
three buckets undecidedly.

In a moment all was uproar and confusion, for by this time every one
of the lads had arisen, some sitting on the edge of their beds, some
nearly, others quite dressed. A half-dozen of the Knights of the Rose
came over to where Myles stood, gathering in a body behind him and the
others followed, one after another.

The bachelors were hardly prepared for such prompt and vigorous action.

"What is to do?" cried one of them, who stood near the two lads with the
buckets. "Why fetch ye not the water?"

"Falworth says we shall not fetch it," answered one of the lads, a boy
by the name of Gosse.

"What mean ye by that, Falworth?" the young man called to Myles.

Myles's heart was beating thickly and heavily within him, but
nevertheless he spoke up boldly enough. "I mean," said he, "that from
henceforth ye shall fetch and carry for yourselves."

"Look'ee, Blunt," called the bachelor; "here is Falworth says they
squires will fetch no more water for us."

The head bachelor had heard all that had passed, and was even then
hastily slipping on his doublet and hose. "Now, then, Falworth," said he
at last, striding forward, "what is to do? Ye will fetch no more water,
eh? By 'r Lady, I will know the reason why."

He was still advancing towards Myles, with two or three of the older
bachelors at his heels, when Gascoyne spoke.

"Thou