The Captain of the Wight

mpanions, and had already had occasion to experience their love of practical joking

ing that he was thought little of by the other three, who made him a butt f

ws we are making game of him," said Richard de Cheke,[

to 1600, from whom the manor passed to the Dillingtons and Leighs of North Court. Sir John

out, certes he growet

I am, can teach him a lesson in all things, saving

, "here's a missive of great import, 'tis even the business of the last come page to take all such to our right wor

, folded neatly, and addressed in a stiff scrawl

lph, looking at the scra

aliant, and thrice-renowned knight to whom my Lord Woodville handed thee over, even as we have been ha

uth was obviously older than himself, and was doubtless a page of some months' standing. He thought on the whole it would be better to obey, trusting to his

ge, whose name was Eustace Bowerman, and who was a s

u art not making game of me," said Ralph

young Cheke to the other page, wh

h. Albeit Eustace is the older, I'll lay the new one will beat him. There

im Eustace is ma

Harness, and see what comes of it. List; Eustace

t is, I forgive thy manners. Know that all new pages have to do the bidding of the older ones w

I ought to do your behest. Nevertheless, rather than be thought churlish, I will do what you want, only not, I pray you to understand, because I fear your talk of leathern straps and

f the pages who was of high birth. He was a son of Anthony, Lord Scales, brother to Lord Woodville, and therefore

never cared over-much for thy kinsman Bowerman, he is so mighty coxcombifie

rrow, and made more so by the concourse of people, who all came thronging o

they were nearing the city cross, then not more than about fifty years old, perhaps, and where there wa

her choleric, besides being a very indifferen

Thomas! what meaneth this? Boy, art playing me some trick? Is this a time for thy discourteous pranks?" cried the old k

blame himself, and settle it with his p

s told to give i

o me, thou wouldst have done it, wouldst thou? Get thee back fo

was talking to the Abbot of Quarr, who was on his left. Ralph was immediately behind, but a horse's length distant. The rest of the gentlemen were engaged

lazon on Lord Woodville's surcoat, with a bellow of fury he broke from his driver and turned down the street leading to where that nobleman was quietly sitting, with his head turned away talking to the

mself between his lord and the raging brute. Fortunately for him, he was not in time. But his gallant steed struck full against the shoulder

dville was the first to take in the situation, and seeing the position of the bull, the horse, and the boy, was alarmed for the latter's safety. The horse had stumbled over the bu

as the huddled mass of struggling animals, and so narrowly had he escaped destruction, that, without dismounting, h

n animal and went up to Ralph. There was blood flowing from the side of

erstand what had happened,

dville. "Keep back the varlets, Sir John

nt had occurred. Directly he saw it was his young master who was lyi

befal Master Ralph? He isn't dead, my lord?" he asked a

dead; but is the

s carried in by Humphrey and Maurice Woodville. They took him into a back room, and the mistress of the house bathed his head and staunched the blood. Ralph slowly opened his

n he saw his kinsman taken into the house, having seen that the bo

of the boy. His fellow pages had seen him urge his horse forward, but could not see for the projecting houses what else had happened. About half an hour after the accident, a

what dost thou want?

ot leave thy pony, he has sent me to ask how Master Lisle

or vagrant, it showeth much strange breeding. Tell thy fat

gently, and Humphrey returned t

said the boy presently; "canst

"That's right good news--I'll be back anon,"

ap came at the door. Ralph bid them come in, and Mau

e. "Thou hast done well for a beginner, and I'd give a good deal to be ly

tain to inquire into thy estate, and to bring thee these daintie

arlet hath but now gone out to get me so

le thy gizzard right merril

e bed; then he took out a dish covered with a plate. he put a knife and fork and winecup by the side of the plate, which he removed, and disclosed two larg

ty little banquet for thee; eat,

, and handed the servingman a groat, and then he attacked the food with all

d occupations, and freely discussed the virtues and failings of their companions and superiors.

t up a tilt between you and Bowerman, and I'll bet my greyhound

yet," said Ralph, rather

you'll very soon learn where to place your lance. Old Tom o' K

ape with Sir Jack in Ha

it was; but even had you done it yourself, what you did just now will make him your friend for life. He's a tough old ironsides. His father was constable of Carisbr

've shown him you're made of good stuff for

ust turns the balance. He's a mortal coward by himself, but with Bowerman to back him, his fat weight is too much for us; but

ays told to keep my temper. Now, Jasper, he often

ish I could keep mine. I do get s

ack with one of the servants of the Abbot of Quarr, and a

ducation, rose when they saw this dignified monk enter, and remain

aled by to-morrow. Thou hadst best keep quiet to-day, young master, and if thou hast a quiet night, thou mayest travel to-mo

everence a cup?" sa

but I touch not wine, e

ad no such scruples, and quaffed off a

tarry longer, as their lord would wish to hear how they had

Ralph were alone,

ince I left home, and yet i

time flies apace

ou see to

bull like ninepins, so they tell me. But, marry, 'twas a mercy you didn't get in front of

hter. Mother was kind to them. I would like to help them over to

but I will

m to a night's lodging and food," said Ralp

took it

ther's presents like this, Master Ralph; you'll be wanting a

o my bidding," sa

t off shaking his h

stray to overmuch almsgiving. I'd rather see him squander a bit on