Red Eve

retreating for its life from Paris-had forced the passage of the Somme by the ford which a forgotten traitor, G

which grew in the garden of a burnt-out cottage. Here he had been engaged on the twofold business of surveying the

im two of the best. Then he turned to certain archers, who clustered round with outstretched hands, saying: "Why should I give you my apples, fellows, seeing that you were too lazy to climb and get them for yourselves? None of you ever gave me anything when I was

es to a distance, all save one, which he pre

we shot a match before the King? Now show your skill and beat me and I'll say 'thank you.' Keep count of your arrows shot, Jac

to lie, and shall swear I never wasted shaft, whereas you, being country born, may own to a miss or two for shame's sake. Or, likelier still, those French w

a sound of shouting deep and glad rose from the serried companie

ne! The K

hung at his saddle-bow that all might see his face. He was mounted, not on his war steed, but on a small, white, ambling palfrey, and in his hand he bore a short baton. With him c

led some knights and men-at-arms, for the order of battle was not yet fully set. Just then, on the plain beneath, riding from out the shelter of some trees and, as they thought, be

wear such fine feath

the monk upon his crest, but the blazons of the others I canno

re fresher than ours; let them go, for

m his horse, which he left with another squire to hold, he ran forward a few paces to the crest of a little knoll. Thence he made ges

t, I'll swear that his name should not be forgotten in England. Bu

ey Dick step

sked, stringing his gre

e Suffolk man who showed us all how to shoot at Windsor, he who is called Grey Dick. Yes, try, Grey Dick, try, if you think tha

d. Such awful words seemed t

said the quiet voice of Hugh de Cr

less, he drew it to an arc, he drew it till the string was level with his ear. He loosed, then, slewing ro

is lips that shaft seemed to recover itself, as though by magic, and again rushed on. He of the foul words and gestures saw it coming, and turned to fly. As he leapt forward the wa

mrades to the left and rear thought for a moment that battle had been joined. The King and the

Mere man could not have

ey Dick, for you have put new heart into my and all our company. Mark, each of you,

k honest English folk again. Or so I think, though the arrow barely reached him. Yet, Sire," he added after a pause,

and, pulling the remains of the apple out o

Eve. Well, Hugh, I am told you fought gallantly at Blanche-Tague two days gone and were among the las

"but I'll not be knighted for my henchman's fea

s another good omen. At Crecy shall de Cressi gain great honour for himself and for St. George of England. You are luck bringers, you two. Let them not be separated in the battle, lest the luck should leave them. See to it, if it please

he field of Crecy and out of France! Stand to your banners, stand to your King, stand to St. George and God! Die where you are if need be, as I will. Never threaten and then show your backs like that knave the archer shot but now. Look, I give my son into your keeping," and he pointed to the young Prince, who all this while sat upon his horse upright and silent. "The Hope of England shall be your leader, but if he flies, why then, cut him down, and fight without him. But he'll

not, King, we will," sho

young son's hand and shook it; then

age, de Cressi, more than I can stop to tell. Avenge it if you can. Your luck is great, you may find the chance. God be with yo

e struck that day, since it was known that Philip had slept at Abbeville, whence for a great army the march was somewhat long. Still, when all was made

-at-arms picked for their strength and courage. These soldiers were all dismounted, since the order had gone forth that knight and squire must fight afoot, every horse having been sent to the rear, for that day the Eng

the banner of their country, the red Dragon of Merlin. Grey Dick's place was on the extreme left of the archer bodyguard, and Hugh's on the extreme right of that of the men-at-arms, so that they were but a few yards apart and coul

for of her no news had come to him since they had parted some month

at foe is yonder," and he nodded towards Abbeville. "Oh, without doubt well enough. It is she who should wonder how it fares with us. Let us hope that, having naught e

alf his remaining days to sit here with us this afternoon. Well, he is better where he is. Dick, that knave Acour se

us. You remember his crest, master-a silver swan painted on his shield. I knew it, and that is why I shot that poor fowl just before you killed young Clavering on

ans that come my way. Let us pray that this one has

ly overcast. Dense and heavy clouds hid up its face, a cold and fitful wind began to blow, increasing presently to a gale which caused the planted standards, blazoned with lions rampant and w

nd was called f

slender points were lifted and sank again, vanish

succeeded by the deep and solemn roll of thunder. A darkness fell upon the field so great that men wondered what it might portend, for their minds were strained. That which at other times would have passed witho

tly, as he shook the wet from him like a dog and looked

dark, and silent also, for the rain and thunder had died away. Only thousands of crows, frightened from the woods, wheeled to and fro above, their black wings turning to the redness of blood as they crossed and recrossed that

s of crows wheeled off toward the east and van

to-day," said Hugh as he took

, ma

t, that is the French, or rather the Italians whom they hire, use these new-fangled cross-b

ell in love, for before then you were sharp enough. Well, you are right, and a lit

broke upon their ears, a very mighty sound, and next instant some outpo

nds of spears, whose bearers as yet were hidden by the living screen of the Italian archers. Yes, before them was

shmen still seated in silence on the ground, with never a horse among them, that gave them pa

run at a noise, like hares

t Hugh thought was terrible, and his long fingers were playing with the button of his bow-case.

uted more loudly than before, then

now for the first time fired on a field of battle, and at the report of them the Genoese, frightened, fell back a little. S

s are wet," and he pointed to the quarrels that, like the cannon balls, struck

orward they leapt, and swift and terrible they fell among the ranks of the advancing Genoese. Yes, and ere ever one had found its billet, its quiver-mate was hastening on its path. Then-oh! the sunlight showed it all-the Genoese rolled over by scores, their frail armour bi

r friends, whose only crime was that their bow-strings were wet, and butchering them where they stood. So awful and unexpected was this spectacle that

s, and this terrible scene was over, for of the seven thousand Genoese but a tithe remained upon their feet, and the in

snack to sharp the appetite," and as he said the words

ish arrows, but still more rushed on. They fell in the pits that had been dug; they died beneath the shafts and the hoofs of those t

pt forward. The battle had joined at last! Breast to breast they wrestled now. Hugh's sword was red, and red was Grey Dick's axe. Fight as they would, the English were bo

and the

ered them to stand; the Earl of Warwick ordered them to stand. The Prince himself ordered them to stand, running in front of them, only

ying. They got among the living beyond. With eerie screams they houghed the horses and, when the riders fell, hacked open the lacings of their helms, and, unheeding of any

them came one who looked like a king, for he wore a crown upon his helm. The hawk-eyed Dick noted him, and that his bridle was bound to those of the knights who rode upon his either side. On t

swept on to them. Beneath the hoofs of one of these Hugh was felled, but, stabbing it from below, caused the poor beast to leap aside. He gained his feet again. The Prince was down, a splendid k

he King! To the

nd drove his sword through his throat. Richard de Beaumont flung the great banner of Wales over the Prince

the French retreated. The Welsh bann

. Hugh noted that his armo

one with you, away to the King and pray him for aid. The French gather again; we ar

s eyes fe

uffolk man," he said

stoup of ale with me in my tower of Mettingham as you have done be

ld I die upon this field in glory than drink

So do I think would I, though I have ne

rs. On the top stage, amid the corn sacks stood Ed

John?" he said, scar

ight told

ll yet be his. Look," he added, pointing through the window-place, "our banners have not given back a spear's throw, and in front

ld scene below, and presently was running with Sir John toward the spot where they

rd, form up the lines, and when my banner is lifted thrice, give the word to charge

t in silence, the arrows playing on their dense host, but not as they did at first, for many a quiver was empty. On

St. George

wolf painted upon his shield. The wolf knight charged at him as though he sought him alone. An arrow from behind-it was Grey Dick's-sank up to the feathers in the horse's neck, and down it came. The rider shook himself cl

o thrust his sword up beneath hi

e knight in Fren

rs," answered Hugh,

a fallen man? If you had tripped I would have spared you. Show me

the point of his sword was th

pity," gasped the knigh

tfully. "Well, get you gone if you can, and pray f

t, and, seizing a loose horse by the bridle, swung hi

r, "I've seen the swan! Follow me. My ar

o me," gasped Hugh, and

his own life and thought that this was the purpose of these two also. Some three hundred yards away certain French knights, mounted, often two upon one horse, or afoot, were flying from that awful field, striking out to t

not seen them, spurred his horse, but it would not or could not move. Then he called to his companions for help, but they took no heed. Finding himself alone,

"Touch him not, Dick, unless I fall, and the

he man out of the shadow of

d Hugh, advancing on him with rai

isoner," answered the knight, "see

least of all from you. My companion shall not touch you unless I

picked up

e said. "I am n

, no words, of them there have been e

Grey Dick stood by and watched grimly. Some more fugitives came up, but seeing that blows passed, veered off to the left, for of blows they had known enough that day. The swan knight missed a great stroke, for Hugh leapt aside; then, as the Frenchman stag

ugh. "I would see his face for the

tting the lashi

a startled voice, "if this be Sir Ed

e dying man in a hollow voice. "Had you

are you?" asked Hugh, "that

on Dunwich heath. He bade me change arms with him before the battle, promising me great reward, because he knew that if he

the reward," said Dick, lo

is Acour?"

th the King of France, but I who was doomed would n

he fly?" ask

went against us he would seek his castle

did he wear

pon his shield, a wo

ugh an arrow had p

our!" he groaned. "A

ch you now pay the price," sa

ry slowly, for he grew weak. "Yes, he told me and laughed. Truly we

his hands and sobbed

is arms, man, that one day I may show them to Acour, and let us be going ere we share this poor kni