The Little Duke: Richard the Fearless

lms from the noble Princes in the name of the blessed Virgin, and the two boys saw a pilgrim standing at the gate, wrapt in a long robe of serge, with a staff

arloman. "It is late, and you s

at that moment Richard shouted joyfully, "A Norman, a Norman! 'tis my own dea

on one knee at the foot of the steps, he kissed the hand wh

ried Richard. "Is it you? Oh, how

lgrim, "What is all this? Who is stopping my way? What! Richard would be King, and more, would he? More insolence!" It was Lo

assal of Richard's

robbers! We want no robbers here! Scourge him so

y Lord," suggested

ng spying in disguise. Scourge him, I say, d

ter and the woodsman, who was preparing to obey Lothaire, just in time to receive on his own bare nec

eated at once by Osmond, Carloman, and many of the French, who, though afraid to disobey the Prince, were unwilling to violate the sanctity of a pilgrim's person; and the Norman, seeing there was no help for it, obeyed

ral days; for Osmond never left the Duke for an instant, and he was, as has been shown, a close prisoner, in all but the name, within the walls of the Castle. The pilgrim had, however, the opportunity of picking up tidings which made him

would look on them in His mercy, restore to them their Prince, and deliver the child out of the hands of his enemies. How earnest and sorrowful were the prayers offered at Centeville may well be imagined; and at Montémar sur Epte the anxiety was scarcel

nd he hoped to be released from his captivity within the Castle. Just at this time he became very unwell; it might have been only the effect of the life of unwonted confinement which he had latel

n poisoned, and therefore resolved not to call any assistance; he hung over him all night, expecting each moment to see him expire-ready to tear hi

e room, messengers were sent for him, and Osmond could no longer conceal the fact of his sickness, but parleyed at the door, keeping out every one he could, and refusing all offers of attendance. He would not even admit Carloman, though Richard, hearing his voice, begged to

y shall never have another chance! May Heaven be with us still!" Richard was too weak and weary to ask what he meant, and for the next few days Osmond watched him with the utmost care. As for food, now that Richard could eat again, Osmond would not hear of his touching what was sent for him from the royal table, but always went down himself to procure food in the kitchen, where he said he had a

very anxious to be allowed to go down stairs again, instead of remaining shut up there; but still Osmond wo

ng has brought home Herluin of Montreuil, whom you would be almost as loth to meet as the F

ght on his shoulders a huge bundle of straw. "What is this for?" e

and producing a bag with some bread and meat. "What should yo

n Normandy! Oh, Osmond, did you say in Normandy? Shall we, shall we r

ng; it will all fail if you are not sile

ything to get

st," sai

h as I was when you tried to get me safe out of Rollo'

uld not have time to escape, if they did

"but we shall see Fru Astrida again, and Sir Eric; and Alberic

to his belt. He placed the remainder of the provisions in his wallet, threw a thick purple cloth mantle over the Duke, and then desired him to lie

rd, laughing. "I will be quite still-I w

It is no play-it is life or death," said Osmond, as he dispo

voice from the midst

appens, do not move. May Heaven prot

wn the stairs, the ends of the straw crushing and sweeping against the wall. The only way to the outer door was through the hall, and here was the dan

e we lost our grooms, the poor black would

voice: "O Osmond de Cent

, I thank you, but har

you let me come to him, Osmond? Indeed,

, though the Duke loves you

ch-better than any one here-and it is ve

on that some day he would make Carloman King of France. In the meantime, half stifled with the straw, he felt himself carried on, down the steps, across the court; and then he

Can't you l

tell me if I put you face d

llow sound of the hoofs, as the drawbridge was crossed, and knew that he was free; but still Osmond held his arm over him, and would not let him move, for some distance. Then, just as Richard felt as if he could endure the stifling of the straw,

g up in the delicious cool evening breeze; "the Quee

urself safe till the Epte is between us and them. In

who, as night advanced, grew weary, and often sunk into a sort of half doze, conscious all the time of the trot of the horse. But each step was taking him further from Queen Gerberge, and nearer to Normandy; and what recked he of weariness? On-on; the stars grew p

nding their way with a long train of loaded mules, and stout men to guard them, across the plains, like an eastern c

den; but he is sorely spent, and we must make speed. Let me barter him with you for yonde

than in the winter, and they safely crossed them. There had, as yet, been no pursuit, and Osmond's only fear was for his little charge, who, not having recovered his full strength since his illness, began to suffer greatly from fatigue in the heat of that broiling summer day, and leant against Osmond patiently, but very wearily, without movi

ly holding Richard in the saddle. Deep they went; the water rose to Richard's feet, then to the horse's neck; then the horse was swimming, and Osmond too, still keeping his firm hold; then there was ground again, the force of the current was less, and they were gaining the bank. At that instant, however, they perceived two men aiming at them with cross-bows from the castle, and an

out the shout from the men-at-arms on the battlements above and in an instant more Osmond had led the horse up from the

lessings on the day!" cried the Seneschal

raised himself or spoke. "He had been very sick ere I brought him away. I doubt me they sought to poison him, and I vowed not to tarry at Laon another hour after

eric on a pilgrimage to Jumièges to pray for the Duke's safety.

of his charge, who, when they brought him into the Castle hall, hardly spoke or looked, and could n

o hasty. I have but saved him from the Fra

g into the room. "To talk in that manner is the way to be his

ng close to Osmond, as if he felt him his only friend and protector; for he was, as yet, too much worn out to understand that he was in Normandy and safe. For two or three h

s of his chamber at Laon that met his opening eyes, but the rugged stone and tall loop-hole window of a turret chamber. Osmond de Cen

r his waking. There was a cry-"Alberic! Alberic!" "My Lord! my Lord!" Richard sat up and held out both arms, and Alberic flung himself into them.

m I really in Normandy

s yours. The bar-tailed hawk is quite well, and my mother will be h

hard! "but I don't care, now we are at home. But I can

anding by the window. "Look here, and

d tall conical helmet, and above them waved many a banner and pennon that Richard knew full well. "There! there!" he shouted aloud with glee. "Oh, there is the horse-shoe of Fer

guard our Castle," said Alberic, "lest the Franks should pursue you; b

lberic, he said, "I must thank Him, indeed, for he has saved Osmond and me from the cruel King and Queen, and I must try to be a less hasty and overbearing boy

d there; but Richard looked only for one. He knew Sir Eric's grizzled hair, and blue inlaid armour, though his back was towards him, and in a moment, before his ent

his mailed arms, while the tears flowed down his rugged cheeks. "Bl

Fru Astr

it befits not a Duke to be clinging thus round an old man's neck. See how

h care (since he had hurried on his clothes with no help but Alberic's)-though his hair was rough and disordered, and the scar of the burn had not yet faded from his check-yet still, with his bright blue eyes, glad face, and upright form, he was a p

ichard!"-"Blessings on the little Duke!"-that it echoed and came back again from the hills around-it pealed from the old tower-it roused Osmond from his

Sir Eric, saying, "It is the Count of Harcourt's note," sent Bertrand to open the

not taken many steps upwards before Richard came voluntarily to meet him (which he had never done before), held out his

glad to see you out of the clutches of the Fr

f ever I came safe to my own dear home. Walter-Maurice-Jeannot-all you of my household, and of Sir Eric's-I know, before I went away, I was often no good Lord to you; I was passionate, and proud, and overbearing; but God ha

thout bidding, and if he holds to what he says, I doubt it not that he shall not grieve for his journe

to bear my troubles; and as to saving me, why he flew away with me even like an old eagle with its eaglet. I say, Osm

t 'twas a good long flight at a stretch, and I trust

émar, and not above a quarter of an hour afterwards, the drawbridge was lowered to admit the followers of Centeville; and in front of them appeared Fru Astrida's own high cap. Richard made but one bound into her arms, and was clasped to her breast; then held off at arm's-length, that she might see how much he was grown, an

for over-tiring her darling, all in one; and assuredly, when night closed in and Richard had,