The Armourer's Apprentice — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

ee af" - 7s ~ » . 7 gr . - ~ - with the most marvellous rapidity, haras- fing the knights, all they could, and doing all in their power to stop the pursuit. _ These fellows showed a wondrous deyo- tion to their cause and a callousness of death, which now, even from the fierce _ Richard, called forth the highest com- mendation. At last the pursuit had gone even further _ than was prudent, and the trumpets were ordered to sound the recall. “Well, sir knight,” said the ling, as he rode back to the stockade, “who are you ?” “A young knight to whom you have already shown favour. I am Stephen Sternhold.” “Stephen Sternhold !* cried the king, tell me at once what has happened.” As concisely as he could, Sir Stephen related all that had happened to the time _ Was right.” when the king had come to the rescue. “The traitors—the villains!” roared the “De Courcy and Bidulph de Boischene king. i be hanged hke common criminals. The sha king can unmake as well as make nobles. _ But where is this Giaffa? The fellow may be useful te us. The order for Giaifa’s appearance was | eye. and he soon appeared before the n “Tell me, sirrab,” cried Richard, “ why didst thon not alarm the camp before, and warn them of the attack ?” “I knew not of the attack. I did warn , them to keep good watch. I only saw that man when he was close by the knight’s tent. T knew at once that he was an Assassin*. Had I called out he would have dashed into the tent and killed the knight, for these men think murder a holything. Therefore I sprang upon him and killed him; but I guessed that he was not alone. You see I “Who do you think sent him to do the cowardly deed ?” demanded the king, “The Sheik Mohamed Abu, who is closely allied to the Old Man of the mountains.” “So! 1 warrant me this fellow shall render me an account for his baseness. You, my good fellow, hath done well, and shall be rewarded. Let him have gold.” “7 want no gold,” replied Giaffa, with contempt. “I want revenge.” - “That then shalt thou have as well. But come, Sir Stephen ; we must not delay. Yonder mee ea baggage waggons. You and your brhive fellows will need arms, _ * The tribe ruled over by the Old Man of the Mountains were called Assassins, They were most dexterous murderers. From _ this the term “assassin” was applied to murderw THE ARMOURER’S APPRENTICE. . ows “ "7a 4 hs eT Va ”".s* 4 YY. : Pee — - 4 fil Perk es Ci ne FEL ie Oy. orn ‘ ie A oe tees ‘ aad ya ¢i J ’ F Te he ; ‘s *, sey ~ A ao r / he. 4% ; - + hl as , + * A Ree : i < +) ef . ' ’ and armour, and horses, Let this be looked to at once. You, Giaffa, shail act 28 our ide to the town of Acre.” | im Wit ‘ “Tt shall be done,’ said Giaffa, as he — crossed his arms on his breast, bowed low “fb and withdrew. . ac And now the camp was one scene of oe citement. The soldiers and knights, under ~ our hero’s command, were all soon equip= — ped; and our hero mounted on asplendid _ charger, the gift of the king, was ordered — by Richard to ride close by his side, and _ thus they started for the town of Acre, where Richard and his followers were to. earn such deathless fame. ay ¢ t minarets of Acre came in view, and Richard, rising on his horse, pointed them out to his men, saying as he did so— < “That city had defied the united forces of — It is left by : the Christian for two years. heaven for us to take.” : Pear “We will—we will, we will!” thundered — forth the ‘men. ‘Long live our King © Richard the Lion Heart!” 2 ee “We shall take it,” said the king to Sir Stephen. ‘ Withsuch bold spirits to toons one could conquer the world.” eae F ‘ CHAPTER XI. a > . . | We 44 THE KINGS BANQUET—SIR STEPHEN'S — COMMISSION-—-THE STRATAGEM. ie IR STEPHEN STERNHOLD had won golden opinions for his deeds ol daring, and vast were the honours and ~ wealth which King Richard showered upon — him. But Sir Stephen remained sad, for he had not heard one word about the Lady ~ Alice, and dreadful were the thoughts — which entered his head when he considered — her fate. en One night he was seated at a banquet © in the royal tent, for Richard loved good — cheer almost ss much as he did hard fight- — ing, and spent much of his time in feast- im / ‘How now, Sir Stephen?” said the king. bs “Hast thou never a smile to grace our board — with ? I prithee cast away sorrow, and — pledge me in a cup of wine. But let it be with a pleasant face.” Rae “Sire, I pledge you with all my heart,” — oe Sir Stephen; “but I would not be false to my king, even in a look. Therefore, — my liege, 1 may not smile when my heart is r gad.” ey DP ai “Well, well, Sir Stephen, thou hast. JOOK COmMIG