saint george for england-第3章

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　as　well　as　Giles　had　come　to　love　as　a　son；　might；　should　he　not　take　up　the　trade　of　war；　prefer　the　occupation　of　an　armourer　to　that　of　a　bowmaker；　in　which　case　he　would　take　him　some　day　as　his　partner　in　the　forge。　After　work　was　over　and　the　men　had　gone　away；　Geoffrey　would　give　the　lad　instructions　in　the　use　of　the　arms　at　which　he　had　been　at　work；　and　so　quick　and　strong　was　he　that　he　rapidly　acquired　their　use；　and　Geoffrey　foresaw　that　he　would　one　day；　should　his　thoughts　turn　that　way；　prove　a　mighty　man…at…arms。

It　was　the　knowledge　which　he　acquired　from　Geoffrey　which　had　much　to　do　with　Walter's　position　among　his　comrades。　The　skill　and　strength　which　he　had　acquired　in　wielding　the　hammer；　and　by　practice　with　the　sword　rendered　him　a　formidable　opponent　with　the　sticks；　which　formed　the　weapons　in　the　mimic　battles；　and　indeed　not　a　few　were　the　complaints　which　were　brought　before　Giles　Fletcher　of　bruises　and　hurts　caused　by　him。

〃You　are　too　turbulent；　Walter；〃　the　bowyer　said　one　day　when　a　haberdasher　from　the　ward　of　Aldersgate　came　to　complain　that　his　son's　head　had　been　badly　cut　by　a　blow　with　a　club　from　Walter　Fletcher。　〃You　are　always　getting　into　trouble；　and　are　becoming　the　terror　of　other　boys。　Why　do　you　not　play　more　quietly？　The　feuds　between　the　boys　of　different　wards　are　becoming　a　serious　nuisance；　and　many　injuries　have　been　inflicted。　I　hear　that　the　matter　has　been　mentioned　in　the　Common　Council；　and　that　there　is　a　talk　of　issuing　an　order　that　no　boy　not　yet　apprenticed　to　a　trade　shall　be　allowed　to　carry　a　club；　and　that　any　found　doing　so　shall　be　publicly　whipped。〃

〃I　don't　want　to　be　turbulent；〃　Walter　said；　〃but　if　the　Aldersgate　boys　will　defy　us；　what　are　we　to　do？　I　don't　hit　harder　than　I　can　help；　and　if　Jonah　Harris　would　leave　his　head　unguarded　I　could　not　help　hitting　it。〃

〃I　tell　you　it　won't　do；　Walter；〃　Giles　said。　〃You　will　be　getting　yourself　into　sore　trouble。　You　are　growing　too　masterful　altogether；　and　have　none　of　the　quiet　demeanour　and　peaceful　air　which　becomes　an　honest　citizen。　In　another　six　months　you　will　be　apprenticed；　and　then　I　hope　we　shall　hear　no　more　of　these　doings。〃

〃My　father　is　talking　of　apprenticing　me；　Master　Geoffrey；〃　Walter　said　that　evening。　〃I　hope　that　you　will；　as　you　were　good　enough　to　promise；　talk　with　him　about　apprenticing　me　to　your　craft　rather　than　to　his。　I　should　never　take　to　the　making　of　bows；　though；　indeed；　I　like　well　to　use　them；　and　Will　Parker；　who　is　teaching　me　says　that　I　show　rare　promise；　but　it　would　never　be　to　my　taste　to　stand　all　day　sawing；　and　smoothing；　and　polishing。　One　bow　is　to　me　much　like　another；　though　my　father　holds　that　there　are　rare　differences　between　them；　but　it　is　a　nobler　craft　to　work　on　iron；　and　next　to　using　arms　the　most　pleasant　thing　surely　is　to　make　them。　One　can　fancy　what　good　blows　the　sword　will　give　and　what　hard　knocks　the　armour　will　turn　aside；　but　some　day；　Master　Geoffrey；　when　I　have　served　my　time；　I　mean　to　follow　the　army。　　There　is　always　work　there　for　armourers　to　do；　and　sometimes　at　a　pinch　they　may　even　get　their　share　of　fighting。〃

Walter　did　not　venture　to　say　that　he　would　prefer　to　be　a　man…at…arms；　for　such　a　sentiment　would　be　deemed　as　outrageous　in　the　ears　of　a　quiet　city　craftsman　as　would　the　proposal　of　the　son　of　such　a　man　nowadays　to　enlist　as　a　soldier。　　The　armourer　smiled；　he　knew　well　enough　what　was　in　Walter's　mind。　It　had　cost　Geoffrey　himself　a　hard　struggle　to　settle　down　to　a　craft；　and　deemed　it　but　natural　that　with　the　knightly　blood　flowing　in　Walter's　veins　he　should　long　to　distinguish　himself　in　the　field。　He　said　nothing　of　this；　however；　but　renewed　his　promise　to　speak　to　Giles　Fletcher；　deeming　that　a　few　years　passed　in　his　forge　would　be　the　best　preparation　which　Walter　could　have　for　a　career　as　a　soldier。



CHAPTER　II：　THE　HUT　IN　THE　MARSHES


A　week　later　a　party　of　knights　and　court　gallants；　riding　across　the　fields　without　the　walls；　checked　their　horses　to　look　at　a　struggle　which　was　going　on　between　two　parties　of　boys。　One；　which　was　apparently　the　most　powerful；　had　driven　the　other　off　from　a　heap　of　rubbish　which　had　been　carried　without　the　walls。　Each　party　had　a　flag　attached　to　a　stick；　and　the　boys　were　armed　with　clubs　such　as　those　carried　by　the　apprentice　boys。　　Many　of　them　carried　mimic　shields　made　of　wood；　and　had　stuffed　their　flat　caps　with　wool　or　shavings；　the　better　to　protect　their　heads　from　blows。　The　smaller　party　had　just　been　driven　from　the　heap；　and　their　leader　was　urging　them　to　make　another　effort　to　regain　it。

〃That　is　a　gallant…looking　lad；　and　a　sturdy；　my　Lord　de　Vaux；〃　a　boy　of　about　ten　years　of　age　said。　〃He　bears　himself　like　a　young　knight；　and　he　has　had　some　hard　knocks；　for；　see；　the　blood　is　streaming　down　his　face。　One　would　scarcely　expect　to　see　these　varlets　of　the　city　playing　so　roughly。〃

〃The　citizens　have　proved　themselves　sturdy　fighters　before　now；　my　prince；〃　the　other　said；　〃they　are　ever　independent；　and　hold　to　their　rights　even　against　the　king。　　The　contingent　which　the　city　sends　to　the　wars　bears　itself　as　well　as　those　of　any　of　the　barons。〃

〃See！〃　the　boy　interrupted；　〃they　are　going　to　charge　again。　Their　leader　has　himself　seized　the　flag　and　has　swung　his　shield　behind　him；　just　as　a　knight　might　do　if　leading　the　stormers　against　a　place　of　strength。　Let　us　stop　till　we　see　the　end　of　it。〃

With　a　shout　of　〃Aldgate！　Aldgate！〃　the　leader　of　the　assailants　dashed　forward；　followed　by　his　comrades；　and　with　a　rush　reached　the　top　of　the　heap。

〃Well　done！〃　the　young　prince　exclaimed；　clapping　his　hands。　〃See　how　he　lays　about　him　with　that　club　of　his。　　There；　he　has　knocked　down　the　leader　of　the　defenders　as　if　his　club　had　been　a　battle…axe。　Well　done；　young　sir；　well　done！　　But　his　followers　waver。　The　others　are　too　strong　for　them。　Stand；　you　cowards；　rally　round　your　leader！〃　and　in　his　enthusiasm　the　young　prince　urged　his　horse　forward　to　the　scene　of　conflict。

But　the　assailants　were　mastered；　few　of　them　could　gain　the　top　of　the　heap；　and　those　who　did　so　were　beaten　back　from　it　by　the　defenders。　Heavy　blows　were　exchanged；　and　blood　flowed　freely　from　many　of　their　heads　and　faces；　for　in　those　days　boys　thought　less　than　they　do　now　of　hard　knocks；　and　manliness　and　courage　were　considered　the　first　of　virtues。　Their　leader；　however；　still　stood　his　ground　on　the　crest；　though　hardly　pressed　on　all　sides；　and　used　his　club　both　to　strike　and　parry　with　a　skill　which　aroused　the　warmest　admiration　on　the　part　of　the　prince。　In　vain　his　followers　attempted　to　come　to　his　rescue；　each　time　they　struggled　up　the　heap　they　were　beaten　back　again　by　those　on　the　crest。

〃Yield　thee　prisoner；〃　the　assailants　of　their　leader　shouted；　and　the　prince　in　his　excitement　echoed　the　cry。　　The　lad；　however；　heard　or　heeded　them　not。　He　still　kept　his　flag　aloft　in　his　left　hand。　With　a　sudden　spring　he　struck　down　one　of　his　opponents；　plucked　up　their　flag　from　the　ground；　and　then　fought　his　way　back　through　his　foes　to　the　edge　of　the　battleground；　then　a　heavy　blow　struck　him　on　the　temple；　and；　still　holding　the　flags；　he　rolled　senseless　to　the　foot　of　the　heap。　The　defenders　with　shouts　of　triumph　were　rushing　down　when　the　prince　urged　his　horse　forward。

〃Cease！〃　he　said　authoritatively。　〃Enough　has　been　done；　my　young　masters；　and　the　sport　is　becoming　a　broil。〃

Hitherto　the　lads；　absorbed　in　their　strife；　had　paid　but　little　heed　to　the　party　of　onlookers；　but　at　the　word　they　at　once　arrested　their　arms；　and；　baring　their　heads；　stood　still　in　confusion。

〃No　harm　is　done；〃　the　prince　said；　〃though　your　sport　is　of　the　roughest；　but　I　fear　that　your　leader　is　hurt；　he　moves　not；　lift　his　head　from　the　ground。〃　The　boy　was　indeed　still　insensible。　〃My　lords；〃　the　prince　said　to　the　knights　who　had　now　ridden　up；　〃I　fear　that　this　boy　is　badly　hurt；　he　is　a　gallant　lad；　and　has　the　spirit　of　a　true　knight　in　him；　citizen's　son　though　he　be。　My　Lord　de　Vaux；　will　you　bid　your　squire　ride　at　full　speed　to　the　Tower　and　tell　Master　Roger；　the　leech；　to　come　here　with　all　haste；　and　to　bring　such　nostrums　as　may　be　needful　for　restoring　the　boy　to　life。〃

The　Tower　was　but　half　a　mile　distant；　but　before　Master　Roger　arrived　Walter　had　already　recovered　consciousness；　and　was　just　sitting　up　when　the　leech　hurried　up　to　the　spot。

〃You　have　arrived　too　late；　Master　Roger；〃　the　prince　said；　〃but　I　doubt　not　that　a　dose　of　cordials　may　yet　be　of　use；　for　he　is　still　dazed；　and　the　blow　he　got　would　have　cracked　his　skull　had　it　been　a　thin　one。〃

The　leech　poured　some　cordial　from　a　vial　into　a　small　silver　cup　and　held　it　to　the　boy's　lips。　It　was　potent　and　nigh　took　his　breath　away；　but　when　he　had　drunk　it　he　struggled　to　his　feet；　looking　ashamed　and　confused　when　he　saw　himself　the　centre　of　attention　of　so　many　knights　of　the　court。

〃What　is　thy　name；　good　lad？〃　the　prince　asked。

〃I　am　known　as　Walter　Fletcher。〃

〃You　are　a　brave　lad；〃　the　prince　said；　〃and　if　you　bear　you　as　well　as　a　man　as　you　did　but　now；　I　would　wish　no　better　to　ride　beside　me　in　the　day　of　battle。　　Should　the　time　ever　come　when　you　tire　of　the　peaceable　life　of　a　citizen　and　wish　to　take　service　in　the　wars；　go　to　the　Tower　and　ask　boldly　for　the　Prince　of　Wales；　and　I　will　enroll　you　among　my　own　men…at…arms；　and　I　promise　you　that　you　shall　have　your　share　of　fighting　as　stark　as　that　of　the　assault　of　yon　heap。　Now；　my　lords；　let　us　ride　on；　I　crave　your　pardon　for　having　so　long　detained　you。〃

Walter　was　some　days　before　he　could　again　cross　London　Bridge　to　inform　his　friend　Geoffrey　of　the　honour　which　had　befallen　him　of　being　addressed　by　the　Prince　of　Wales。　During　the　interval　he　was　forced　to　lie　abed；　and　he　was　soundly　rated　by　Master　Giles　for　again　getting　into　mischief。　Geoffrey　was　far　more　sympathetic；　and　said　〃Well；　Walter；　although　I　would　not　that　Gaffer　Giles　heard　me　say　so；　I　think　you　have　had　a　piece　of　rare　good　fortune。　It　may　be　that　you　may　never　have　cause　to　recall　the　young　prince's　promise　to　him；　but　should　you　some　day　decide　to　embrace　the　calling　of　arms；　you　could　wish　for　nothing　better　than　to　ride　behind　the　Prince　of　Wales。　He　is；　by　all　accounts；　of　a　most　noble　and　generous　disposition；　and　is　said；　young　as　he　is；　to　be　already　highly　skilled　in　arms。　Men　say　that　he　will　be　a　wise　king　and　a　gallant　captain；　such　a　one　as　a　brave　soldier　might　be　proud　to　follow；　and　as　the　king　will　be　sure　to　give　him　plenty　of　opportunities　of　distinguishing　himself；　those　who　ride　with　him　may　be　certain　of　a　chance　of　doing　valorous　deeds。　I　will　go　across　the　bridge　tomorrow；　and　will　have　a　talk　with　Master　Fletcher。　The　sooner　you　are　apprenticed；　the　sooner　you　will　be　out　of　your　time；　and　since　Madge　married　eight　years　since　I　have　been　lonely　in　the　house　and　shall　be　glad　to　have　you　with　me。〃

Geoffrey　Ward　found　his　friend　more　ready　to　accede　to　his　request；　that　Walter　should　be　apprenticed　to　him；　than　he　had　expected。　The　bowyer；　indeed；　was　a　quiet　man；　and　the　high　spirits　and　somewhat　turbulent　disposition　of　his　young　charge　gave　him　so　mu