The Armourer's Apprentice — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

challenge ?” 18 the streets and lashed with bowstrings by the common hangman, thou base-born _knava Thy tongue shall be torn from thy throat. PU— _ “ Hold, hold, Sir Ralph!” cried the king, “the youth hath spoken boldly, and hath accepted thy cltallenge; dost thou refuse to meet him ?” “How can I, sire, meet one so far beneath me inrank? It would disgrace my knight- hood to touch one soiow that he would not be worthy to fight my squire.” King Richard’s eyes lit up with a strange fire as he made answer. “Thou art right, Sir Ralph; according to the striet laws of chivalry ; but for my own art I see no wrong in engaging with any rave man, be his station what it may. But I will relieve this barrier from between ou. Kneel, Master Stephen,” said the ing, as be drew his sword. ‘Stephen Sternhold knelt before the king, who struck him lightly three times on the - shoulder as he said— “Rise, Sir Stephen Sternhold, and may you always do your deyoirs as a true and loyal knight.” “ Hurrah!” shouted old Will, qnite care- less as to the presence he was in. “I ‘warrant me that Master Robert Smith will -. pot refuse thee his daughters hand now, Sin Stephen! By the rood, what a mouth- ful it seems—Sir Stephen !—and to think that I first taught him how to draw a bow. It does my old ears good to hear the words —Sir Stephen. Ha, ha, ha, ha! I crave your royai pardon, my liege, but it is diffi cult to keep still when the heart 1s light.” “Nay, my good fellow, I blame you not for rejoicing at Sir Stephen’s success. Now, Sir Stephen, thou hast been challenged to mortal combat. Do you accept that “Gladly, my liege,” cried Sir Stephen, “only let the combat take place at once, for each moment to me is precious until i en- list your sympathies with me and in my cause.” “ How say you,Sir Ralph? Are you pre- pared to do combat in this cause !” Sir Ralph le Gros was, as his name would indicate, a huge knight, and one who had gained great repute for the manner in which he used that fearful weapon, the battle-axe. Drawing himself up to his full height, and glancing at our hero's some- what slight figure, he replied with a scorn- ful laugh— “Methinks Sir Stephen hath but little love for his cheaply-bought title that he - would lose it so soon. Time was when _ deeds, not words, gained the golden spurs. But I will show this new-fledged knight _ bhat we old eagles of the battle know how THE ARMOURER’S APPRENTICE. ce ’ . . : . _ ys * J ' — - e . j to whet our beaks in the fight. There are some fields here, sire, that will serve our | turn, I will not put this fledgling to the lance and target play. I doubt if he ~ learned ths courtesies of the lists when he — wielded the sledge hammer. — ae “Marry come up! Sir Knight,” growled old Will. “I warrant me that he would — have dinged the hammer round thy ears to some purpose, and made thy helmet ring ~ until thou wouldst have wisbed it back on q the anvil again.” € “ Silence, good Will,” whispered Stephen; ~ and then addressing the king, he spoke © aloud. “ My liege, that I am equal tomeect © any noble I thank thee, for thou hast given — me that privilege ; but I should be unworthy v4 of the honour thou hast bestowed if I neni : from any knight with any weapons— — especially such a one as Ralph de Gros. ~ Let him, sire, make the laws of the duel. — § care not what they be, for I have right on — my side, and that will strengthen my arm ~ and lead me to victory. For my own part { will fight in complete armour, and trust alone to my good sword.” Bee hs “T fight not after the manner of churls,” — replied Le Gros, *‘ on foot and with swords. P I will fight mountcd on my horse, and with my battle-axe and shield. These are my arms—let him chooss what weapons he ~ will. I will meet him asI hope to meet — the great Saladin in the Holy Land, and ~ stretch him on the plain, too, as I will th a s pagan.” ae “Nay, but the duel will not be just,” said — the king.” eh _“T pray you, sire, lef it be as he wills” it,” said Sir Stephen, “ to-night I will prove | myself worthy of my spurs, or never wear — them again, I crave your leave to at once — settle this dispute.” ae “Be it so!” cried the king, who could never bear to thwart a duel; “but mark — this, Sir Ralph le Gros, see that thou dost not use thy advantage in a mean manner, or—”’ a “Nay, sire. I pray you let the knight ~ have free scope to ap his best or woreke if not, you render him a good excuse, ii he be © beaten, to say he did not dare to do his — uttermost; whilst should I be conquered, — he will shrug his shoulders and say, “Yes, — Iconquered him. How I wished I could — have killed him at a blow; but I dared not — exert my full power,’ and thereby he will — gain double glory, and my defeat be made © a threefold disgrace.” y! “You are right, and have spoken nobly. Be it as you will, Come, my lords, we will witness this encounter. T'o horse! Already does the sun begin to rise in the enat-—that ae land which we will soon make ruddy as — the light with the blood of infidels. Sir ey com ; “ - EGOMIEDOOK