of me," stammered old Sir John de
Lacey, as he buried his face in the last tankard of ale.

"Then he were wise indeed to stay away," added Sir Thomas Stanley,
with a sly wink. "I, for one, would not lightly risk a combat with so
doughty a knight as yourself, else Margaret might eftsoon weep for a
lover departed."

As there was still some time left, and there was no certain knowledge
that Sir Henry needed their assistance, it was determined to return
slowly homewards, and if sport offered itself upon the way to turn
aside and follow it. The party had not been long in motion before it
roused a "fall" of woodcocks, the very sight of which--so excessively
rare at such a time--infused into the sportsmen all the animation
of which they were capable. The hawks shot up after them, and their
bells, which could be heard tinkling even when the birds were beyond
the range of vision, served in some degree to inform the hunters which
direction they should take.

"Well, if De la Zouch is doing better than this, why then he is
welcome to it," said Sir George, as with his coat sleeve he wiped away
the perspiration which was streaming down his face. "'Tis fine sport,
this, Master Manners," he added, and the old baron chuckled with glee.

It was at this moment that the head falconer approached.

"We have found Sir Henry, my lord," he said. "He is sorely injured by
a fall."

"Ha! is that so? Then you were right, Master Manners," exclaimed Sir
George, as he turned round to the falconer. "Where is he?" he asked.

"Over the ditch, my lord, close by the wall where his page is standing
by his side," and he pointed to where Eustace stood.

Sir George blew his horn, and in answer to the signal the eager
hunters broke off their chase and returned, puzzled in no small degree
by the summons they had received. In a few brief words the situation
was explained to them, and the party rapidly pushed on to rejoin their
injured companion.

De Lacey, upon hearing that his quondam friend was hurt, was so
overcome by a most chivalric spirit of forgiveness that he determined
to be the first to reach his side, and to offer him what relief lay
within his power. Filled with this noble resolve, he hurried forward,
but, unfortunately for him, he was not destined to accomplish his
mission, for as he was crossing the ditch his pole snapped asunder,
and he suddenly found himself located in the very centre of the rank
mud dyke. There he was, and all his effo