lay him without remedy. And this his Saxons know. It is
true, Hugh?"

'"In some sort," said Hugh, shamefacedly; "at least, it was true half a
year ago. My Saxons would not harm Richard now. I think they know him; but
I judged it best to make sure."

'Look, children, what that man had done--and I had never guessed it! Night
after night had he lain down among my men-at-arms, knowing that if one
Saxon had lifted knife against me his life would have answered for mine.

'"Yes," said De Aquila. "And he is a swordless man." He pointed to Hugh's
belt, for Hugh had put away his sword--did I tell you?--the day after it
flew from his hand at Santlache. He carried only the short knife and the
long-bow. "Swordless and landless art thou, Hugh; and they call thee kin
to Earl Godwin." (Hugh was indeed of Godwin's blood.) "The Manor that was
thine was given to this boy and to his children for ever. Sit up and beg,
for he can turn thee out like a dog, Hugh!"

'Hugh said nothing, but I heard his teeth grind, and I bade De Aquila, my
own overlord, hold his peace, or I would stuff his words down his throat.
Then De Aquila laughed till the tears ran down his face.

'"I warned the King," said he, "what would come of giving England to us
Norman thieves. Here art thou, Richard, less than two days confirmed in
thy Manor, and already thou hast risen against thy overlord. What shall we
do to him, _Sir_ Hugh?"

'"I am a swordless man," said Hugh. "Do not jest with me," and he laid his
head on his knees and groaned.

'"The greater fool thou," said De Aquila, and all his voice changed; "for
I have given thee the Manor of Dallington up the hill this half-hour
since," and he yerked at Hugh with his scabbard across the straw.

'"To me?" said Hugh. "I am a Saxon, and, except that I love Richard here,
I have not sworn fealty to any Norman."

'"In God's good time, which because of my sins I shall not live to see,
there will be neither Saxon nor Norman in England," said De Aquila. "If I
know men, thou art more faithful unsworn than a score of Normans I could
name. Take Dallington, and join Sir Richard to fight me to-morrow, if it
please thee!"

'"Nay," said Hugh. "I am no child. Where I take a gift, there I render
service"; and he put his hands between De Aquila's, and swore to be
faithful, and, as I remember, I kissed him, and De Aquila kissed us both.

'We sat afterwards outside the hut while the sun rose, and De Aquila
marked our churls going