k as these might be. About half a minute later, however, they caught the sound of horses' h

ry hollow that lay between them and the river bank. Peeping between th

whispered. "Look!" And she slid b

gallant, even a splendid-looking knight-that was his first impression of him. Broad shouldered, graceful, in age neither young nor old, clean featured, quick eyed, wit

led a hundred miles from the place where he was born, save once, when he sailed on a trading voyage to Calais? As well might a hooded crow try to match a peregrine that swooped to snatch away the dove from beneath its claws. Yes, he, Hugh, was the grey crow, Eve was the dove

he pressed her lips upon her lover's hand. It was her message to him; thereby, as he knew well, humble as he might be, she acknowledged him her lord forever. I am with you, said t

glish, which he used wit

ated voice; "and although I am not vain, for my part I cannot believe that she has come

is very heady, as I give warning you will find out when she is your wife. For years she has set her fancy upon Hugh

ive, Sir John?" asked the Count indifferently. "

erful, and have many friends in high places. If this young man died by my command it wou

fight with traders. But I have those about me who are pretty swordsmen and know

ot want to hear of their quarrels, pa

! what an accursed and ill-omened spot is this. I feel as though I were standi

Hugh knocked the arrow as

" replied Clavering, crossing himself, "though I fin

the birds we cannot see. Ay, and look at our shadows on the snow. Mine lies flat by a great hole, and yours rising against yonder bank is that of a hooded

our sister?" he added, addressing a dark and somewhat saturnine yo

e escaped us. And yet she's here, for Thomas of Kessland caught sight of her red cloak among t

lf-wit whom they call Hugh de Cressi's shadow, but the finest archer in Suffolk, with Norfolk thrown in; one who can put a shaft through every button

our, for in those days such skill was of interest to all soldiers. "Kill Hu

l on my sister's name. Let the Saints but give me five minutes face to face with him alone, with none to help either of

th pleasure, since whatever this Hugh may be I doubt that from his blood he'll prove no coward. But, young

start the badger. Look yonder." And he pointed to s

ne, son?" asked S

s not break back. Oh, have no fear, father! Red Eve will take no harm. The girl ever lo

lose my girl, who, when all is said, is worth ten of you! Well, what is done cannot be undone, but if death comes

the mound, peeping out from their hole,

ard, dry whisper. "I'd have had these three, at least, and they'd hav

all," and he glanced at Eve, who sat staring out of the mouth of the hole, her chin resting on her ha

ed. "Moreover, marriage is w

ounsel with

t them, and to the masses of brushwood and other rubbish that had drifted against the side of the

urned her in her house. She screeched a lot, though so

et into the wa

his ash-h

ver, as well die of heat as

nsel, the

ow did well to be afraid, for had you not knocked up my hand there'd be an

k, unless they strik

'tis but fifty yards. The Lady Eve can swim like a duck, and so can you. The tide has turned, and will bear you to

what we must when we must. Nay, waste no more breath, Hugh. I'll not yield and go home like a naughty

with a dry chuckle of admiration. "The dead troubl

a while, save for the roar of t

against her mouth to filter

coughing as he spoke. "By Heave

places, caused doubtless by the flaming flakes which the strong wind had carried from behind the mound. Moreover,

f you can get there. How do you choose to die?" and as he spo

r," answered Eve. "Some may d

up and to

aid. "I'll go first, then you, Eve, and Dick behind.

was the first to leap into that circle of tall flames. She was through it! They were all through it, scorched but unharmed. Thirty paces away was the little point of land where nothing

ung it, and set an arrow on the string. Hugh had gained his feet, but a man who had come up sprang, and cast his arms about him. Hugh threw him to the ground, for he was very strong, an

s and the steel in his hand. Only young John Clavering, who had leapt from his horse, w

de Cressi thief! Tak

ite, whereupon the men, thinking that he was afraid, closed in upon him. T

master go, or I will send an arrow through your

way to die, and again the men fell back, except one French

er the bow twanged and Acour's retainer was seen whirling round and round, cursing wit

oots well," said the Count to

might have run for it if he would. But

t me to a pulp and hang what was left of me on the nearest tree. Well, here I stand, and there's a tree. Having first tried to burn me and your sister, you have st

keeping an eye upon Grey Dick and his bent bow. At last Sir Edmun

e may be, his blood is as good as your own. After your brave wor

own and whispere

nd of him and of all his trouble, lest me

needed but little urging, tu

ave to whip thi

e," replied the knight. "You are a man grown. Do as best ple

been listening, called out from

nd between him and me, since it was you who struck him, and not he you. Be warned, John, and let him go, lest he should send you farther than y

. "Now, because she is your sister, i

coward, woman-thief, and seek to live that you may bring sham

ed Eve. "Who has shown you w

o know is, should it chance to be your lot to die, whether your people or this Frenchm

against you for that deed if I can hold them back. But know that I have other cause of quarrel against you"-and

d that if you try to stand between us, although I may not fight you, seeing what I am and what you are, I'll kill you like a rat when and where I get the

nightly honour, Sir Edmund Acour, Count de Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina, what has a traitor to his King to do with honour, one who is here as a spy of Philip of France, as the poor mercha

se a clamour of voices spea

You are a great lord and a wealthy, beloved by me also as the affianced of my da

r son has but a poor chance with him. As you know well, I came hither from France to visit my estates,

t would seem that you know more of King Edward's mind than I do. The light begins to

s cousin Clavering, since he who stands not clear shall presently lie straight!" and

and the French Count's troop; for now all had come up from the far parts of the marsh. Only toward the river side the ring was op

he sword of John was longer by a hand's breadth than that Hugh carried as a merchant, which was heavy, of such a make as the ancient Roma

en, burning marsh, into which the fire was still eating far away; the waters of the Blythe brimful with the tide that had just turned toward the sea, the snow and ice itself. Even the tri

w, almost, it seemed, at hazard. Yet that arrow pierced the leader of the flock, so that down it came in wide circles, and in a last struggle hovered for a mo

ice. But at the moment none took much notice, except Grey Dick, who chuckled at the success of hi

er, rode forward a

ut mercy to the fal

their head

d, and reined

him, as he wiped the blood of the swan off his sl

thout mail, they knew that it was so. At least for a while

re his point. Again he rushed and thrust and again Hugh sprang back. A th

"Give him a yard measure," shoute

and her very eyes w

rue?" sh

e draws him to the river bank! Those who wait wil

lavering's rushes, struck his foot against the great dead

rced?" mut

d Dick, "by half an in

s back, for Hugh had caught his leg with his left arm and

ling over each other,

ick, with his hoarse chuckle.

. John lay on his back, de Cressi kn

ld?" men he

suddenly Hugh rose and suffere

and some cried, "Well done!" for the act

ugh who attacked and John who gave back right to the river

aid Dick, "for now one mu

de Cressi vanished. Clavering threw his arms wide, and fell backwa

ring at the stream beneath; then he turned a

g fell from his horse in a swoon, and a

ey yelled, and

t of land. One man, a Frenchman, got in f

aid Eve, as h

he Clavering folk and next to the water, s

l hold them back a while and then join

aused, then threw of

your brother!" s

answered; and leapt straight from the point i

at of dead John, who appeared for one moment, to be see

red as they were with clothes, and numbed by the ice-cold water, the fierce tide caught them and carried them beyond the bend. There they were lost in the gathering darkness, so that most of those who

water," said Hugh,

answered the girl-"a full feast for a

eceptory and raise my kin. F

which will not freeze," she a

d been threatening all day began to fall,

de us; but alack, I fear

ll be dead, not Di

heard a foots

almost before it had left the scabbard a lo

nless you would make your peace on Blythburgh

t?" asked H

ench knights, and Thomas of Kessland, against whom I had a

tween her teeth as

ht I could not make certain of his face. He saw, and jerked up the horses head, so that the shaft took it in the throat and killed the beast without hurting its rider. He was off in an instant and at me, with other

Grey Dic