The Tavern Knight

s to Charles-found Crispin the centre of a company of gentlemen in battle-harness, a

nning to a fair day. God send

f Worcester, chafing to be where hard knocks were being dealt-with Montgomery at Powick Bridge, or with Pittscottie on Bunn's Hi

Sidbury Gate, and Crispin found himself in the centre, which was commanded by the King in person. In the brilliant charge that followed there was no more conspicuous figure, no voice rang louder in encouragement to the men. For the fi

he fortunes of the day hung in the balance; t

lists found themselves masters of the position. Up the hill on either side pressed the Duke of Hamilton and the Earl of Derby to support the King. It but remained for Lesley's Scottish horse to follow and complete the rout of the Parl

at effort was to be barren, their gallant charge in

of Worcester. With the Roundheads pressing hotly upon them they gained at last the Sidbury Gate, but only to find that an overset ammunition wag

limbed the obstruction, and in this he was prese

d help him attempt, even at that late hour, to retrieve the fortunes of the day. Crispin looked on in scorn and loathing. His passions awakened at the sight of Lesley's inaction needed but this last breath to fan it into a very blaze of w

iamentarian horse-having completely overcome the resistance at the Sidbury Gate-ro

her be cut to pieces as you stand? Up, you dogs, and sin

see to his own safety, the King rode up again, and again he sought to revive the courage that was dead in those Scottish hearts. If they

g them, Crispin unceremo

re taken, sire?" he cried. "Leav

te, battle-grimed face of the man that thus ad

me." And turning about he rode down a side str

or the house in New Street where he had been residing. As they drew up befor

med, "here is a portion o

mentarians, "It is ended," he muttered despairing

assisted him so vigorously as to a

es, looking helplessly from

deal ceremoniously?-he thrust the King across the threshold, and, following, closed the door and shot it

f-light of the passage wherein they stood Gallia

arles, a note almost o

" returned the knight.

in amazement. "But whith

d in the din without, as the Roun

t you can. The back must overlook the Corn-Market; that is your way. But hast

violent blow s

esty," he implor

hen paused. "But you, sir?

livid with impatience upon his King. In that

sets his shoulder to it. After the door they will find me, and for your sake I trust I may prove of stouter

rispin brushed the royal

panels was splintered by a musket-shot. Charles saw it, and with a mutt

ay completely and with a mighty crash fell in. Over the ruins of it spra

trides the point of Crispin'

cannot pass

he Roundhead's retort. "Hi

the Amalekite that stood between them and the young man Charles Stuart. But C

reatened the Roundhead. "I am

his sacred Majesty, learn that he is w

und," stormed th

nst the other; then Crispin's blade darted out, swift a

it so, rash fool

er, which rolled almost to Crispin's feet. The knight stooped, and when again he stood

t pointed at him over the shoulder of one of his foremost assailants. He set his teeth for what wa

ing end, since his last hope of redress was

n rage and anguish were blended fearfully, and s

ng pushed his way forward, now beheld the bleeding body of the youth Crispin had slain. "Take him ali

e situation; but the old Puri

to cost you dear. Well, sirs? Who will be next to court the distinction of dy

not attack him at once by virtue of the narrowness of the passage. Again steel clashed on s

neck. Simultaneously his other opponent had rushed in and thrust. It was a risk Crispin was forced to take, trusting to his armour to protect him. It did him the service he hoped from it; the trooper's sword glanced harmlessly

stood his ground, and his points danced dangerously before the eyes of the two foremost. Alarmed, they shouted to those behind to give them room t

d begged to be allowed to pick off that murderous malignant with their pistols. But the grief-stricken fat

behind to follow up. But even as he did so, Crispin sent back his other antagonist, howling and writhing with the pain of a transfixed sword-arm, and turned his full attention upon the foe that clung to him. Not a second did he waste in th

oke, the man reeled back into t

rous lunge shot past him; as he did so he dropped his left-hand sword and caught at the halberd. Exerting his whole stren

ating at every pore, but still grim and defiant. His strength, he realized, was ebbing fast. Yet he

lood-bespattered appearance that deterred them. From out of his powder-blackened face his eyes flashed fiercely, and a mocking diabolical smile played round the corners of his mouth. What manner of man, they asked t

em presently. "How long am

enly and violently that he was forced to give way. Cunningly did he ply his sword before them, but ineffectually. They had adopted

till a retreat, and their defensive action gave him no opening. Vainly, yet by every trick of fence he was master of, did he se

ut forth, until on his right there was room for a man to slip on to the stairs and take him in the flank. Twice one of his opponents essayed it, and twice did Galliard's deadly p

ntly, he who had gained the stairs leaped suddenly upon him sideways, and clung to his swordarm. Be

for the sheer lust of striving; but

ake them from him as a bull shakes off a pack of dogs. But they held fast, and again the

d Pride. "Disarm and t

ed, gasping. "I yield me. Take

most that upon so worthy a scene of his life was the curtain to fall, and again to hope tha