ed the device of a sun in
a field azure, the chief continued, "March under this banner, and for
every day ye serve, ye shall have a month's hire."

"Marry!" quoth the franklin, with a suspicious, sinister look, "these
be big words. And who are you, Sir Knight, who would levy men in King
Henry's kingdom?"

"Your knees, fellows!" cried the second knight. "Behold your true liege
and suzerain, Edward IV.! Long live King Edward!"

The soldiers caught up the cry, and it was re-echoed lustily by the
smaller detachment that now reached the spot; but no answer came from
the crowd. They looked at each other in dismay, and retreated rapidly
from their place amongst the troops. In fact, the whole of the
neighbouring district was devoted to Warwick, and many of the peasantry
about had joined the former rising under Sir John Coniers. The franklin
alone retreated not with the rest; he was a bluff, plain, bold fellow,
with good English blood in his veins. And when the shout ceased, he said
shortly, "We hereabouts know no king but King Henry. We fear you would
impose upon us. We cannot believe that a great lord like him you call
Edward IV. would land with a handful of men to encounter the armies of
Lord Warwick. We forewarn you to get into your ship and go back as fast
as ye came, for the stomach of England is sick of brawls and blows; and
what ye devise is treason!"

Forth from the new detachment stepped a youth of small stature, not in
armour, and with many a weather-stain on his gorgeous dress. He laid his
hand upon the franklin's shoulder. "Honest and plain-dealing fellow,"
said he, "you are right: pardon the foolish outburst of these brave men,
who cannot forget as yet that their chief has worn the crown. We come
back not to disturb this realm, nor to effect aught against King Henry,
whom the saints have favoured. No, by Saint Paul, we come but back to
claim our lands unjustly forfeit. My noble brother here is not king of
England, since the people will it not, but he is Duke of York, and he
will be contented if assured of the style and lands our father left him.
For me, called Richard of Gloucester, I ask nothing but leave to spend
my manhood where I have spent my youth, under the eyes of my renowned
godfather, Richard Nevile, Earl of Warwick. So report of us. Whither
leads yon road?"

"To York," said the franklin, softened, despite his judgment, by the
irresistible suavity of the voice that addressed him.

"Thither will we