d turning half around in his saddle, he inquired:
"Which leads to Kirkstall Abbey?"

"The straightaway one, my lord; the other would carry you back to
Wakefield," said the elderly under-officer, whose hair, where it had
strayed from under his casquetel, was silvered, and across whose
weather-beaten face, from chin to temple, ran a bright red scar.

"The battlefield?"

"The same, sir."

"Ride beside me," said De Lacy. "Did you fight at Wakefield?"

"I did, fair sir--it was a bloody field."

"The Duke of York died that day."

"Aye, sir--I stood not ten feet from him when he fell. He was a brave
knight, and our own Gloucester much resembles him in countenance."

"You have seen many battles, my man?"

"Since the first St. Albans I have missed scarce one. It is a trade
that came into the family with my grandsire's sire."

"And do your children follow it, as well?"

"Not so, my lord. Raynor Royk has none to succeed him. And by your
leave it is small matter. In a few years there will be but scant work
for my calling in this land. England has seen her last warrior
King--unless------"

"Unless what?" said De Lacy.

The old retainer glanced shrewdly at his young leader; then answered
with apparent carelessness.

"Unless Richard of Gloucester should wear the crown."

De Lacy looked at him sharply.

"Small likelihood of that, my man," said he. "Edward left a goodly
family."

"In truth yes, my lord," was the answer. "Yet there would be more joy
among the soldiers in the North if Gloucester were our King."

Doubtless the speech merited rebuke,--it was over near to treason,--but
the man was honest in his devotion to the Duke, and likely meant no
particular disrespect to the young Edward. So De Lacy let it pass, but
straightway changed the subject.

"Do you know Craigston Castle?" he asked.

"Most thoroughly."

"Where is it?"

"On the North bank of the Wharfe, a short three leagues beyond
Kirkstall Abbey."

"And the Abbey?"

"Five leagues or more from Pontefract."

"A proper distance--we can taste the good monks' hospitality and still
make Craigston before night. Is this the Aire I see shining ahead?"

"The same; the ford is easy."

De Lacy nodded; and the veteran taking that as his dismissal drew back
and resumed his place in the column.

The nones bell had already sounded some little time when they drew rein
before the lodge of the great Cistercian Abbey. The gates were closed,
but t