"
In the course of their ride they were joined by Roger, who warmly
thanked Alwyn for having selected him as one of his band. The other
soldiers received him heartily, for the fighting monk had been a
familiar personage at Alnwick, and his mighty strength and jovial
disposition rendered him very popular among the soldiers of the
garrison. There had been general satisfaction among them, when it was
known that he had laid aside his monk's gown, and had become one of the
Percys' men-at-arms; and there had been many expressions of regret that
he had been sent off, instead of forming one of the garrison of
Alnwick. Two or three of them addressed him, as usual, as monk, but he
said:
"Look here, comrades, I have been a monk, and a bad one, and the less
said about it the better. I am no longer a monk, but a man-at-arms; and
as I am not proud of my doings as a monk, I have given up the title, as
I have given up the garb. Therefore I give fair notice that whosoever,
in future, shall address me as monk, will feel the weight of my arm. My
name is Roger, and as Roger let me be called, henceforth."
So saying, he fell into his place in the line, when the cavalcade
continued their way.
The journey was a long one.
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