The Captain of the Wight

ring whether the poor man and his daughter had reached the manor before them, the

of his flight. Breathless the boy ran up to Humphrey, and could scarcely pour out the torrent of questions, mingl

d did great credit to the taste and

er Ralph. 'Tis a mettlesome hackney, and I don't marvel that fat Prior of Christchurch wanted to pa

's all--an I bring him not to reason, be

room had come up, and they were lou

tedly. "Thy falcon hath beat mine, and now thou ownest a horse the best, w

e within sight of the old buildings, they saw the Abbo

re they see us. I'd wager a mark my lady mother would b

le knaves try him first; he's a bit fresh and

will mount him; he's mine. An thou dost not hold him,

run, vaulted on to the back of his steed, which stood quite still, only turning his head round, and looking at his new master with wise, mild eye. When the boy was firmly seated, and

therto only ridden his pony, sit so well and masterfully on the fin

but little lately. With eager excitement the boy urged it on to a canter, and clapped both heels to its sides. Not

the approaching figures, and Ralp

D HIS CAP I

D HIS CAP I

amazement. "My son, have a care; 'tis a

is a likely lad enough, and will make a fine brave present for me to give to my Lord Woodvill

house, talking to the horse all the while, patting his neck and man

is mother and the Abbot, and, reining in the ho

tis the most brave horse in all England, and I am right t

dville will value thee and us right worthily. Take the horse with my benediction, and may the Lord be with thee, even as He was with David. May He make thine arm strong, and thy spear sharp against all that is vile, mean, and base in this world. Mayest

asper and his varlet, had come up, and the inferiors all d

so a knight that acteth full knightly hath no means to acquire wealth for himself, whereas an Abbot, or churchman, who liveth well in one place, layeth up much goods for himself and Mother Church. Piety without wealth is as

Jasper were walking by the side of their mother and the Abbot; they had dismounte

said she must go in and see the tailor, for no time was to be lost in c

g to stay there one night, on his way to Southampton to cross over to the Isle of Wight. There was, therefore, a great deal to be done, and Ralph

re he returned home again. He was a tall boy and strong, therefore his father bade the old major-domo, who had acted as his esquire, select sound and strong arms, such as a good sword, a wel

excitement on the part of Ralph, who could not keep still for a minute, and caused Jasper to break out in wrath several times, while his fathe

daughter, and, glad of an opportunity of direc

of that old beggar and thy nag; didst hear

and a young girl?

; didst tho

come to thee. But the vagrant put me at ease. Poor old man, and poor little wench, they were sorely bested; a

e altogether a wise action. The beggar was a stranger, and 'ti

me of One who not only lent but ga

lph goeth with me, he must be mindful of the saying, 'Honour to whom honour is due.' Now a beggar and his slut of a daughter are n

g to the two weary wayfarers, who had told her their journey lay to the Isle of Wight, where the aunt of the young girl lived; and Lady Lisle

d gave him solemn words of advice, and as Ralph listened, boy as

ings I can tell thee, and thy mother will tell thee some others. Fear God before all things! Fight the King's enemies, and those of thy country; and never turn thy back on the foe as long as thy chief bids thee fight. In all things be obedient, and pay reverence to those in authority over thee. Be liberal, courteous, and gentle. Let thy charges be as thy purse can pay. Thy kinsman, the Abbot of Quarr, will aid thee in all that is right for thy place in life; for I have assigned him certain lands and rents in trust f

re in that age

there a little space, while his lips moved, as if in prayer. When he removed his

used him to forget tender thoughts, and he got into bed longing for the night to be over and his adventures to begin. While he was l

for gratitude is the sign of a gentle heart. Remember, also, always to be generous to the poor; if thou gainest riches, give freely to those who need, for in so doing, thou layest up treasure in heaven. Help the weak, the widow, and the fatherless, and in all thy youthful strength and rejoicing, forget not the sick, the miserable, and those in grievous dolour. Avoid all bad words; be cleanly of speech, as well as of life; and think ever on thy Blessed Lord, the saints, and thy mother. And, lastly, be courteous, obedient, and humble. Be gay and light-hearted, as becometh youth, but never let wine overcome thee, or the temptations of the tavern and the dice-box. Avoid all boastfulness, but let thine arm and hand ever maintain thy word, as is fit f

n and kissed her son with fervent

rthy Abbot said Mass, assisted by the excellent Chaplain, Sir Thomas Me

d Ralph's new present, the handsome charger, newly harnessed with new saddle and gay housings. Behind, mounted on Ralph's pony, was the young girl, while her father stood by her side ready to lead the pony, fo

y face; a little linen collar was round his neck, and a close-fitting tunic of parti-coloured cloth, puffed at the shoulders and elbows, and pleated down the front and back below the chest and shoulder blades, was fastened round his waist by a leathern belt, from which hung a wallet and a poignard. Tight-fitting hose clad his well-form

d had come out t

e with the aid of his varlets, for he was a large and portly ecclesiastic, and, when mounted, presented a very majestic and dignified

day grows apace, and we should be a

ther, and knelt down to rec

ind thee and my lady mother well and in good state, a

valiantly--and the God of

rs and the servants, and mounted his horse. His heels were armed with spu

like a man of thirty. He will d

de and disappeared round a bend of the ri

th flown, let us get indoors and pray