The Story of Viteau

necessary to send to Viteau for some clothing and other things which were needed by herself and

o the castle the property desired by the Countess, and to give some orders to the seneschal in charge. When the party reached the chateau, early in the evening, the s

WINDOW W

as opened, and a man's head, wearing a helmet wit

at are you doing with the armor of the Countess on your rascally head? Did you no

ought that some of your impatient men might thrust at me with a spear, or shoot an arrow at me when I should show my head.

t this speech, while his men gathered around him,

quire, when he had found his voic

be, in any way, his business. I am Michol, the captain of the good and true band of cotereaux who for some time past have lived i

ed and looked a

, "does all this mean? Is

t this is the most sane thing I ever did in all my life. If you should care to hear the whole story, straight an

gate; the men crowded near him, and Michol, for it w

t you can remember it, and tell it clearly, all of you. When

ejaculated

ransom; and before we had opportunity to acquaint his friends with his whereabouts, and with the sum demanded for him, he wa

med the squire.

the boy, and the body of the wretched villain who stole him away. And when I found no boy, and no traitor, and no Countess, and no one in the whole chateau but an old man and some stupid varlets, I blessed my happy stars, and took possession of the whole domain. And this I shal

hen they hear this story, will come down upon you and drive you out with all your men; and never a piece of

re good soldiers here than they can bring, for in times of peace we are strong, and the lords of the land are weak, unless, indeed, they keep retainers and men-at-arms for mere show and ostentation. My men are well armed, too, for the Count of Viteau kept his armory well furnished, as became a valiant knight and a leader of fighting men. So, therefore, if Barran shall come to

tection and defense, that a deed like the taking of this chateau would probably meet wi

"Such words can not easily be fo

r, remember, and tell. That is enough for you in this matter. And, now, w

eau, to get for her certain garments and needful goods belonging to herself and ladies, which she could not, wit

themselves declare the war. You shall come in, and take away

was ashamed to own it—ashamed that his own men should see his fear, or that Michol should see it. And so, out of very cowardice a

to have him see, hundreds of cotereaux, well armed, and in a good state of di

's men for conveyance on the baggage-horses that had been brought for the purpose. Then th

r the squire and his men and horses, and

to the Countess the property he had been sent for, and told the wonderful tal