Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

Under the Fleur-de-Lis “Go your way, you have chosen,” the marquis said. “God guide you, Silvain.” And Silvain went out with bowed head. That night there came to him servants who brought him armor of Milan steel and a gold chain worked in the cypher of the lady Isabella and he was told that my lord had ordered two chargers to be stabled with his. Then Messire Thibaut chuckled and rubbed his hands. ‘This is a noble lord. Surely he has some great place for us.” “Noble he is, brother,” Silvain smiled. ‘“‘For he arms me against himself.” The jaw of Thibaut fell and he groaned. “You turn against him? Alas, my bones, we never had fortune yet but Silvain must seek a way to lose it. What irks you here? This lord has been gentle and gracious, a sweet lord, and I will go bail for him he is one to trust.” “O brother, he is the noblest prince that ever I knew. But he marches against the army of France and I must turn my sword upon him and be his enemy.” “Why?” said Thibaut. “France never gave you anything that you should lose all for her. Look, lord. France has sent her army to the but you did not choose to go with them. ‘Then why the go after them now?” . “France is our mother,” Silvain said... “Pity poor me,” Thibaut moaned. ‘Oh Silyain, my lord, you have an uncomfort- able soul. When you go to heaven you will turn upon God to fight for the poor souls in hell.” But Silvain had his way, and so nobly armed and mounted they rode out from Mantua in the dawn and made southward to find King Charles. It was a journey that asked some skill. For all the roads had grown busy. People of importance and their escorts were going to and fro between Rome and Florence and Venice and Milan and all these cities and Modena and Mantua. ‘Troops were on the march too, levies of citizens, bands of hired soldiers of fortune; Germans and Swiss as well as Italians, all suspicious, most of them eager for a quarrel or. seeking, as Thibaut moaned, what they might devour. But Messire Thibaut quaked too soon for Silvain found a way through them peace- ably, shunning a challenge, giving place rather than give offence; irresistibly meek and supple. 127 “‘“God have mercy,” said Thibaut, “his head is bowed and his mouth is shut and he has no joy. So have I seen a man when the shadow of death fell cold upon him.” But Silvain pushed on fast and came through the Apennines and beyond Pisa and there in the country by the sea saw the banners of the French army. He was kneeling by a wayside shrine to give thanks when horsemen rode out from the vanguard and challenged him and brought him to their captain. Si charger shaded his eyes to look. Silvain cried out “Bayard!” and on. “TI said in my heart that it would be you, brother. There is none but Bayard to lead the vanguard of France.” Bayard grasped at his hand. “Oh my brother, this should be your place.” : Silvain shook his head and smiled. “You have been my captain in my heart many a year now. Ihave prayed often that I might be such a knight as you are.” | “God has given you better fortune.” “Richer, not better,” Bayard said. “But what now? Tell me, have you come to us at last?” “At last, that is the word. Yes, I have come to ride for France. I pray you, Bayard, let me serve with you.” “With me?” Bayard laughed. ‘Where I am there is always a place for you. But the king will need you for something greater.”’ : “T look for no welcome, Bayard. I bring no good news.” He lowered his voice. “My fear is that I have come too late.” Bayard stared at him. “This is not like you, brother,” he said. ‘What fear rides with you that you look so. heavily?” “How is it in the army? Are you strong and in good heart?” Bayard smiled. “Do not fear for us. Our heads are high. and our hearts. By Our Lady, we have a right to go proud. All is won that we marched to win. We have given our king a new realm and wide dominion. Our Lord Charles is anointed King of Naples and Emperor of the East and King of Jerusalem. He has put on the robe and crown of Byzant.”’ ‘“‘And sovereignty of dreams,” Silvain Comicbook A KNIGHT who sat tall on a great (© =