Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 28: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE TRIAL “Fool, thou art deceived as well as thy master,” said the armourer, fastening the door after him. ‘‘ That hood is the last he will wear; he will need no other. *Twill not bear the blow of a churl’s quarter-staff: the first stroke of a mace or a pole-axe will shiver it to pieces !” “‘Ah! ah! ah!” laughed his two men. ‘‘ How the Norman vil- lains will be humbled when they see their doughty knight’s skull beaten in by our brave countryman.”’ ‘‘Whist! some one may be abroad,’”’ said Kynulph. ‘* Would that I could let Walter of Wallington know where to strike his enemy: that steel isso tempered that a child might ‘dash it to pieces.” ‘IT marvel whether he would take the ’vantage of De Bracy, an’ he knew it,” said Gurth, one of the men, “ for he hath such notions of honour and honesty, that, beshrew me, if he would play false even with a Norman.” ‘‘ Thou sayest true,” replied the armourer, ‘‘ and, as it is, we had better leave it to chance, for if they come to hand blows, it will be all over with Radulf de Bracy ere you could say an ave or a pater noster.” 24 a * * * ae * Before morning dawn workmen were employed in preparing the lists for the approaching combat. Ere the sun’s beams had gilded the spires and towers of London, thousands were on the spot, eager to witness the fight. The king shortly appeared, and, as the east began to brighten, all was in readiness. At the appointed hour, Walter of Wallington’s trumpet sounded, and, shortly after, the usual ceremony having been gone through, that champion entered the lists, armed at all points, and mounted on a strong but graceful war-horse. His ehallenge having been answered, Sir Radulf de Bracy ap- peared, and, after the customary charge, the marshals delivered them their lances. A breathless silence pervaded the assembled multitude as the combatants reined back their snorting steeds to take full room for their career; and while the Normans openly proclaimed their con- fidence in their champion, the Saxons offered up secret and fervent prayers for the success of theirs. At length the signal was given — tle trumpet brayed loudly, and, with levelled lances, the combatants flew to meet each other ; they encountered about mid-way, and Walter of Wallington’s horse stumbling at that moment, his aim was lost, and the lance of the Norman hurled him to the ground with tremendous violence. Here the heralds interposed, and raised the fallen champion from the ground. His hauberk of proof had protected him ; and, after draining a bowl of wine, he stood unhurt and ready to renew the combat. ' Saxon,” said Sir Radulf, who still kept on horseback, ‘‘ the lance is treacherous to thee—let us try the battle on foot.” ‘© Apreed,”’ said Walter. De Bracy leapt from his horse and unsheathed his sword; the heralds retired, and the horses were led away, when the combat was renewed with great fury. Although nature had given a powerful frame to the Saxon champion, yet this would have availed him but little, for Sir Radulf’s strength was greater than that of ordinary men; Walter was, therefore, obliged to observe the utmost caution, for the blows of his adversary were showered in tremendous succession; but they were all parried, and De Bracy, losing breath by thé great exertion he had made, desisted for a moment, and contented himself with warding off the blows aimed at him, for Walter of Wallington did not neglect to avail himself of this opportunity, and dealt his strokes with great skill and force, In the midst of the combat the sword of De Bracy broke at the hilt, and he was left at the mercy of his antagonist. “Strike, Saxon!” said Sir Radulf, looking sternly upon him. “‘ Radulf de Bracy asks not mercy at thy hands, ” ‘‘ Nay,” replied Walter, ‘“‘I scorn such ’vantage, and will continue the fight with mace or pole-axe, as the other weapons have failed.”’ De Bracy’s dark countenance brightened as he heard this pro- posal, for it offered him an advantage, the mace being a weapon which his great strength so admirably qualified him to wield; he therefore replied, eagerly, “Well, as ye list ;” then speaking to the soldier. “A mace for myae't and the Saxon,” and they were brought and delivered to them. OT MACS" BY BATTLE. They took their stand opposite to each other, about twelve yards distant, with flashing eyes and lowered brows. a On the signal being given they advanced, De Bracy flourishing the ponderous weapon round his head, while Walter, keeping his left arm across his breast, carried his mace in hisright hand, resting it on his shoulder. They stood for several moments regarding each other with fixed looks, each apparently unwilling to strike the first blow. At length the Norman’s huge weapon descended with frightful rapidity, and threatened destruction to his enemy. The blow would thave felled a giant, had it taken effect; but it was avoided by Walter of Wallington, who, leaping on one side, escaped the danger. A loud shout broke from the multitude on witnessing this dex- terous shift, which irritated the choleric Norman, who was, per- haps, besides disconcerted at missing his aim. It cost him his life, for Walter, springing forward, smote him on the head with such violence that his hood of mail was shivered to pieces, and his skull was crushed like an egg-shell! He fell to the ground as if struck by a thunderbolt. Immediately the lists were broken in, in spite of the threats and blows of the men-at-arms who kept the field; and all ranks crowded round the fallen champion, whose head was now supported on the knee of his follower Argentine. ; His face presented a hideous spectacle, the forehead being com- pletely destroyed, and a stream of blood flowing in such profusion that every feature was disguised. . A monk pushed his way through the crowd, crucifix in hand, and knelt by the side of the dying man. , ‘‘“Radulf de Bracy,”’ said he, ‘‘look on this blessed emblem of redemption, and say after me——”’ He was about to repeat the latin prayer for sinners in extremis, when he was interrupted by Argentine. ‘* He hears thee not, priest,’’? said the follower; “he is gone: Speak, Sir Radulf; my master, how is it with thee?” At that moment the dying man’s mailed hands were raised, as if in prayer, but it was only for a moment; they fell listless to the ground, his head bowed, and Radulf de Bracy slept with his fathers. ; Without dwelling on the customary mutilation of the body of the vanquished, we have only to add, that, ere the month was out, Walter of Wallington became the husband of Agnes Meryl; and, as courage was then the greatest recommendation at Court, he did not long remain unnoticed by the lion-hearted monarch, who ad- vanced him to great favour and preferment. SPECIAL NOTICE. IVAN THE TERRIBLE; OR, DARK DEEDS OF NIGHT! The purchasers of this astonishing Story, written by one of the most deeply interesting Authors of the day, will be entitled to the Grand Gift of A SERIES OF SPLENDID ENGRAVINGS! The first of the series was given away (Gratis) with Nos.1 and 2 of the Story of ‘‘Ivan the Terrible,” and is the largest and most beau- tiful picture ever presented with any work in any part of the world, the production of which has cost hundreds of pounds. Remember “Tyan the Terrible,’’ in Weekly Numbers, price One Penny, at all Booksellers. With No. 3 of this work is published and given away (Gratis) au Illustrated Story, entitled THE GHOST’S HOUSE IN THE LONELY ROAD. READ THE NEW TALE, THE SHADOWLESS RIDER; OR THE LEAGUE OF THE CROSS OF BLOOD! A MYSTERY OF THE KING'S HIGHWAY, Now publishing in No, 48 of the TALES OF HIGHWAYMEN, This Number is enclosed in a neat wrapper, and a Grand Picttire (EOPMIC KOOKS .COM)