Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

128 said. ‘And now you turn back. to France. How many men have you left behind, Bayard?” “There are Sele thousand holies Na- ples,” said Bayard. Silvain turned in the saddle and looked back down the column of march and crossed himself and murmured a prayer. » “Fifty thousand came out of France,” he said. “Here are no more than ten thousand. You have left many behind.” “Tt is true. They wasted away in Na- ples,” Bayard said. ‘There was a sickness uponus. But many are gone here and there making free companies to seek fortune.” “And plunder Italy. By my faith, this was a noble venture, Bayard, and France has won much honor. For the king is made Emperor of the East and King of Jerusalem. God help him, when will he come to the Holy City? Dreams, dreams!” ‘“‘Are you here to speak evil of the king, Sir Silvain?” Bayard cried. “Not I, brother. Jama knight of France and I ride to him in his need.” “You are gracious. He has won many victories without your sword. There are good swords to serve him yet.” “Bear with me, Bayard. honor in this venture. I held off in your victories. Now dangers gather about you I must ride with you. You march with ten thousand men. Beyond the mountains there fifty thousand marshaled to destroy you and a great captain to lead them, Francesco of Mantua.”’ Bayard laughed. “Here is a noble fight for France! What, brother, why do you come heavily talking of fear and ill news? This is the best we have heard since we came into Italy. We could find never an army strong enough to prove our swords. God be thanked, here is hope of a deed of arms at last. Come, I must bring you to the king. Do not fear brother, you will be welcome.”’ While the army plodded on King Chaales and his courtiers were halted in a great tent to rest through the heat of the day. His Majesty lolled upon cushions, drinking -wine from a cup half filled with snow. “It is Bayard, sir,’ said Etienne de Vesc, the favorite at his elbow. “He brings some stranger.” The king yawned and turned his big head. “T bring Sir Silvain de St. Lo, my lord,” I saw no Adventure said Bayard, and there was some stir in the drowsy company. The king looked away ike a surly child. “YT have nothing for him,’’ he mumbled. “He is no knight of mine.” Then Etienne de Vesc said quickly— “Name of God, Bayard, you take your duty lightly. Our vanguard has no cap- tain while you bring your wandering friends to tease us.”’ “Will you teach Bayard a captain’s duty, Sir Etienne?” Bayard said. “My lord, Sir Silvain has great news for you.” “Well, what is it?” the king cried pee- vishly. “What is it? Speak out and have done.” “Great news it is, my lord,” Silvain said. “T dare not call it good news. There is a strong league gathered to give you battle, Venice and Florence and the Pope’s men and Mantua and all the states of the north. Even your friend Lodovico of Milan has turned against you.” ——!”’ said the Marshal d’Esquerdes, who was the king’s second favorite. “I always said that man was a knave.” : But Etienne de Vesc cried out— “Fie, this is all known. This is not news. Do you think to win favor by this stale stuff?” ‘When was it known? I did not know it,” said d’Esquerdes. ‘Look, my lord, if all this is true we march too slow.” _ “All this is true and more. has sent them men, my lord, Germans and Switzers, and they gather a great host and Francesco of Mantua leads them.”’ “The Mantuan! Name of ——, they have the best captain in Italy,” d’Esquerdes cried. ‘“‘Where do they muster, sir?” “South of Modena, sir. They gather toward the Apennines. I fear they watch the passes.” “T swear they will. How many mene” “By my faith, I count them fifty thou- sand.” “The you do!”’ D’Esquerdes turned to the king. ‘Do you know what I think, my lord? I think you lie there too long.” _ The king started up— “March then, march. I do not keep you. By Our Lady, I am not afraid of them, I!’ “No, sier, but here are some who fear shadows, or would have you fear,” said Etienne de Vesc. ‘Who is this knight that knows so much of the enemy? Who sent him?” COMmicbook< A) The emperor | (© =