"What think you, Talbot? It seems to me that the bold service this
esquire has performed merits reward."
"I think so, indeed," the earl said. "It was a singular act of
courage."
The king drew his sword from his scabbard.
"Kneel, sir," he said.
And, as Oswald knelt, the king laid the sword across his shoulder, and
said, "Rise, Sir Oswald Forster."
Oswald rose.
"I thank you, my Lord King," he said, "and trust that I may live for
many years to do worthy knightly service to my liege, who has so highly
honoured me."
"My lord," the king said to Talbot, "I leave it to you to see that this
young knight is provided with horse and armour. Unfortunately there is
more than one suit without an owner, at present. You will do well to
wait with me while I open this letter; which, maybe, contains matter of
moment."
Feeling that his audience was over, Oswald bowed deeply, and left the
tent to rejoin Roger.
"What said the king, master?"
"He spoke much more highly of what we had done, Roger, than it
deserved; and as a reward for the service, he has just knighted me."
"I think that he has done well, master!" Roger exclaimed, joyously. "I
had hoped that Hotspur would have done it, after that adventure with
the Bairds; of which, as Alwyn told me, he spoke to him in tones of
wondrous praise.
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