I beat you at Windsor, didn't I, when we shot a match
before the King? Now show your skill and beat me and I'll say 'thank
you.' Keep count of your arrows shot, Jack, and I'll keep count of mine,
and when the battle is over, he who has grassed most Frenchmen shall be
called the better man."
"Then I'm that already, lad," answered the great yeoman with a grin as
he set his teeth in the apple. "For, look you, having served at Court
I've learned how to lie, and shall swear I never wasted shaft, whereas
you, being country born, may own to a miss or two for shame's sake. Or,
likelier still, those French will have one or both of us in their bag.
If all tales are true, there is such a countless host of them that we
few English shall not see the sky for arrows."
Dick shrugged his shoulders and was about to answer when suddenly a
sound of shouting deep and glad rose from the serried companies upon
their left. Then the voice of an officer was heard calling:
"Line! Line! The King comes!"
Another minute and over the crest of a little rise appeared Edward of
England clad in full armour. He wore a surtout embroidered with the
arms of England and France, but his helm hung at his saddle-bow that
all might see his face. He was mounted, not on his war steed, but on a
small, white, ambling palfrey, and in his hand he bore a short baton.
With him came two marshalls, gaily dressed, and a slim young man clad
from head to foot in plain black armour, and wearing a great ruby in his
helm, whom all knew for Edward, Prince of Wales.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164