The Armourer's Apprentice — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

<i “ . a , - ~ i No sooner was the aden given by: Sir * siteohen than the men sprang forward, and _ discharged their darts. Bat it was no easy matter to shoot in the place. Branches of trees intervened, os the fugitives quickly availed them- _ Selves of the covering of the rocks; but for all that several were badly wounded, Will o’ the Bow, muttering an oath, leaped - forward just as the last man was about to "disappear down the pass, and drawing, his - bow, sped a shaft with such swiftness and _ good aim that the fellow threw up his arms, ive one awiui yell, and rolled off his horse. he arrow had pierced through his back. “ Bravely done, good Will!” cried Sir Stephen. “ Let the fellow be brought to me.” A dozen men sprang forward, and soon the poor writhing wretch was held up by two men before Sir Stephen. He was dressed like a Saracen, but in his fall from his horse his turban had come off, and showed by his unshayen head that he Was a European. “Ha! so thou art one of the traitors? eee up thine head that we may see thy ace The fellow groaned loudly, ‘but sank his chin still further down on his chest. “Well may thou hang thy head in shame. alse to your God, your country, and your king. Look, up, man! If there be time to repent of such horrible sins you may still be saved.” The man started, and then slowly raised his negerd face and gazed at Stephen, A thrill of horror ran through his fame, and, uttering a cry of pain, he dropped his head ence more. a What is this?” exclaimed the knight. “Will o’ the Bow, look in that man’s face, and you know him. Verily, this is a just but awful punishment.” Will, surprised at hearing this, sprang me forward, and hastily, but not roughly, raised the wounded man’s head. “Can I believe my own eyes?” he cried. “Surely it cannot be! Well, well! I little thought that it would eyer come to this pass much as | dislike you, Robert Smith.” “You know me, then ?” groaned the man. “Have mercy on me.” - _ “IT know no good of you. You were ever a turbulent fellow. As for merey, it is not to me you must apply for that, but to Sir Stephen Sternhold. r aT say it is unto you I must apply for mercy,” said the unhappy man, “You were the most skilled man with the bow in Eng- Jand, and as skilled in healing the wounds as inflicting them. Cure me! Don’t let me _ die like this; my sins have been too great. I must have time to repent of them—to atone for them, or they will drag me down ee ARMOURER'S APPRENTICE, ie f .” » fd “* - 2 4 or. f : a, ‘wth f- ae oy A Pc 4 i .* * in, ~- ; ¥ y+ a ne ' s: + 4 Pe | Ro from Tenvens Think ! If you “do: not. o1 r- i give you will not be forgiven. Your zeyE ng! becomes eternal, your hatred never peris How, then, can you ask for r mercy 1 having any - “Well, my hand did inflict the wi nts iz said Will, “but 1 doubt if you could ¢ cur it, Still, ‘if the captain here has no obje tion, I have that here with me which maj Ly patch you upfora time. But don't p our repentance, for death comes vied n least expected.” a “Do what you can to cure him, a said Sir Stephen. “i would not cause. te death.” Swiftly, and with great skill, old Wi plucked forth the arrow. | Then he produced some slips ‘of on upon which he smeared some ointmen made from the fat of a good buck, mi with herbs known only to those who well acquainted with the forester’s craft. These plasters, if we may so call the were placed upon the wound, which } a : then carefully strapped up, and som cordial was then given to the smith. a under its effects he soon became “ better, and able to answer questions. — “Is my approach expected ?” demanded Sir Stephen of his old master. “Not so soon. The young De Courcy day will wed the ledy Alice,” . “Confusion! I did hope to arrive ‘inti to have stopped 1t.” : “You may do so now,” said the “tet “if you will be guided by me.” SRE: peak! What have you to teil m Hee ean I arrive In proper time oye , Stephen. YB “JY speak not before all these pont replied the smith, ‘“* Draw on one I will tell you.” Sir Stephen motioned impatiently sei the fellow should be placed on ao dists bank, and then, leaning over hum, sai anxiously— ae “Well, this news. What is ite”. eee “Tt is ‘worth & price—aye! and a got price too,” replied the armourer, = “ And the price of this news ?” ‘demand our hero, | “My lite. Stay! that may: 7 not be in yo power to grant. That arrow went shar home, and death may be near; but y must promise me a free pardon for all j pas crimes, and also the king’s pardon.” “ How can I promise you the nee don? Ifhe should refuseit—? 9 Put ‘—are you not in the king’ set “il am.” «Then Richard of England will en your word as he would his own. not time, boy, but tell me if you & this—every momentis aie: S “ay - comich AS eae 4 7. ae | Be fi ’o,95°” ~ ero ay ee — _— - *