Saint George for England

was apparently the most powerful, had driven the other off from a heap of rubbish which had been carried without the walls. Each party had a flag attached to a stick, and the boys were armed with cl

om the heap, and their leader was urging

. "He bears himself like a young knight, and he has had some hard knocks, for, see, the blood is str

id; "they are ever independent, and hold to their rights even against the king. The conti

seized the flag and has swung his shield behind him, just as a knight might do if le

the assailants dashed forward, followed by his com

ader of the defenders as if his club had been a battle-axe. Well done, young sir, well done! But his followers waver. The others are too strong

se days boys thought less than they do now of hard knocks, and manliness and courage were considered the first of virtues. Their leader, however, still stood his ground on the crest, though hardly pressed on all sides, and used his club bot

hand. With a sudden spring he struck down one of his opponents, plucked up their flag from the ground, and then fought his way back through his foes to the edge of the battleground; then a heavy bl

nough has been done, my young master

heed to the party of onlookers; but at the word they at once arre

rds," the prince said to the knights who had now ridden up, "I fear that this boy is badly hurt; he is a gallant lad, and has the spirit of a true knight in him, citizen's son though he be. My Lord de

ger arrived Walter had already recovered consciousness, and

not that a dose of cordials may yet be of use, for he is still dazed, a

was potent and nigh took his breath away; but when he had drunk it he struggled to his feet, looki

me, good lad?"

n as Walte

en you tire of the peaceable life of a citizen and wish to take service in the wars, go to the Tower and ask boldly for the Prince of Wales, and I will enroll you among my own men-at-arms,

une. It may be that you may never have cause to recall the young prince's promise to him; but should you some day decide to embrace the calling of arms, you could wish for nothing better than to ride behind the Prince of Wales. He is, by all accounts, of a most noble and generous disposition, and is said, young as he is, to be already highly skilled in arms. Men say that he will be a wise king and a gallant captain, such a one as a brave soldier might

r. Therefore, on the following week Walter was indentured to the armourer, and, as was usual at the time, left his abode in Aldgate and took up his residence with his master. He threw himself with his whole heart into the work, and by the time he was fifteen was on the way to become a skilful craftsman. His frame and muscles developed with labour, and he was now able to swing all save the very heaviest hammers in the shop. He had never abated in his practice at arms, and every day when work was over, he and his master had a long bout together with cudgel or quarterstaff, sword or axe; Walter of course used light weapons, but so quick

hold their own with a boy; others would take their reverses in good part and would come again, bringing with them some comrade known to be particularly skilled with his weapons, to try the temper of the armourer's apprentice. At the age of

rs, of the many old soldiers who pervaded the country. Some of these men were disabled by wounds or long service, but the greater portion were idle scamps, who cared not for the hard blows and sufferings of a campaign, liking better to hang about taverns drinking, at the expense of those to whom they related fabulous tales of the gallant actions they had performed. Many, too, wandered over the country, someti

river frequently flowed. Here and there were wretched huts, difficult of access and affording good hiding-places for those pursued by justice, since searchers could be seen approaching a long way off, and escape could be made by paths across the swamp known only to the dwellers there

t red-handed in the act they could generally escape, since none save those who had themselves been robbed would say aught that would place the pursuers on their traces, or give testimony which would cost the life of a fellow-creature. The citizens of London were lou

against whom charges could be brought home were hung without more ado, and the rest were put on board ship and sent across the sea to the army. Sometimes, when they found the country becoming too hot

g home a wild duck or two which he shot in the pools. More than once surly men had accosted him, and had threatened to knock him on the head if they again found him wandering that way; bu

some low brushwood and watched the approaching figure. When he came near he recognized the face, and saw, to his surprise, that it was a knight who had but the day before stopped at the armourer's shop to have two rivets put in his hauberk. He had particularly noticed him because of the arrogant manner in which he spoke. Walter had himself put in the rivets, and h

fians who haunt these swamps. It is assuredly no business of mine, but it may lead to an adventure, and I h

hen gave a shout of "Humphrey" at the top of his voice. It was answered by a distant "Hallo!" and looking in the direction from which the answer had come, Walter s

t said angrily as he neared the other. "Why didst n

thought that you would have missed it I would have come ten times as far, rather than have had my name shout

gure a short time sin

d round in al

ere ill for anyone I caught prying about here. But come in, sir knight; my hovel is not wh

than the surrounding country, was really an elevated hummock of ground. Anyone might have passed close to the bushes without suspecting that aught lay among them. In the centre, however, the ground had been cut away, and a low doorway, almost hidden by the bushes, gave access into

vain. This is the lowest and wettest part of the swamp, and would be but lightly searched, for n

his ear, but no words were audible; however, he remained patiently, thinking that perhaps as they came out a word might be said whi

t had fallen, and a thick fog which was rising over the swamps rende

n manage it?" a voice said as t

s punctual to the hour named. It will be getting dusk then, and if one boa

mantle the lady will wear. The reward will be fifty pieces of gold, of which you have received ten a

ck across the swamps. I would not give much for your life if you tried to find the way alone. Who would have thought when you

useful that I opened the doors of your cell that night. It is always handy in times like th

my mind that it would be very advisable for me to free

o this swamp of yours, when I might be attacked by half a dozen ruffians like yourself; and I took the precaution of informing Peter, the captain of my men-at-arms, of the spot to

ot each time to the ground with the greatest caution, he moved quietly after them. They spoke little more, but their heavy footsteps on the swampy ground were a sufficient guidance for him. At last these ceased suddenly. A few words were spoken, and then he heard returning steps. He drew aside a few feet and crouched down, saw

men are in bed this hour or more, and I myself can

swamps and lost my w

from end to end, and all found there should be knocked on head and thrown into their own ditches. There would be no fear of any honest man coming to his

in those days for an apprentice lad to bring an accusation against a noble. The city would not indeed allow even an apprentice to be overridden, and although Geoffrey Ward's forge stood beyon

ual, as he wished to go across into the city. The armourer was surprised, since thi

nd. Go, lad; you have worked so steadily that you have we

ther he meant to go a-shooting of fish, he told them to ask no questions until they joined him. As soon as work was over the boys gathered at the steps, where Walter had already engaged a boat. There

of the ruffians over in the marshes are this evening going to make an attack upon a boat with a lady in i

who the lad

t a few words, and may be wrong; still,

it needed all the boys' efforts to force the wherry against it. They rowed by turns; all were fairly expert at the exercise, for in those days the Thames was at once the great highway and playground of London

eat monastery; here were the king's palace and court, and the houses of many of his nobles. Then they went along by the low shores of Millbank, keeping a sharp lookout for boa