d the brute to a

stake while he drank a stoup of ale at the inn, it had been

baited by stray curs, until, in wrath and madness, it had plucked

loose the chain, and smitten or bitten all who came in its path.

most scared of all was he to find that the creature had come nigh

to harm the lord and lady of the castle, who had power to place

him in the stretch-neck or to have the skin scourged from his

shoulders. yet, when he came with bowed head and humble entreaty

for forgiveness, he was met with a handful of small silver from

sir nigel, whose dame, however, was less charitably disposed,

being much ruffled in her dignity by the manner in which she had

been hustled from her lord's side.

as they passed through the castle gate, john plucked at aylward's

sleeve, and the two fell behind.

"i must crave your pardon, comrade," said he, bluntly. "i was a

fool not to know that a little rooster may be the gamest. i

believe that this man is indeed a leader whom we may follow."

chapter xi.

how a young shepherd had a perilous flock.

black was the mouth of twynham castle, though a pair of torches

burning at the further end of the gateway cast a red glare over

the outer bailey, and sent a dim, ruddy flicker through the

rough-hewn arch, rising and falling with fitful brightness. over

the door the travellers could discern the escutcheon of the

montacutes, a roebuck gules on a field argent, flanked on either

side by smaller shields which bore the red roses of the veteran

constable. as they passed over the drawbridge, alleyne marked

the gleam of arms in the embrasures to right and left, and they

had scarce set foot upon the causeway ere a hoarse blare burst

from a bugle, and, with screech of hinge and clank of chain, the

ponderous bridge swung up into the air, drawn by unseen hands.

at the same instant the huge portcullis came rattling down from

above, and shut off the last fading light of day. sir nigel and

his lady walked on in deep talk, while a fat under-steward took

charge of the three comrades, and led them to the buttery, where

beef, bread, and beer were kept ever in readiness for the

wayfarer. after a hearty meal and a dip in the trough to wash

the dust from them, they strolled forth into the bailey, where

the bowman peered about through the darkness at wall and at keep,

with the carping eyes of one who has seen something of sieges,

and is not likely to be satisfied. to alleyne and to john,

however, it appeared to be as great and as stout a fortress as

could be built by the hands of man.

erected by sir balwin de redvers in the old fighting days of the

twelfth century, when men thought much of war and little of

comfort, castle twynham had been designed as a stronghold pure

and simple, unlike those later and more magnificent structures

where warlike strength had been combined with the magnificence of

a palace. from the time of the edwards such buildings as conway

or caernarvon castles, to say nothing of royal windsor, had shown

that it was possible to secure luxury in peace as well as

security in times of trouble. sir nigel's trust, however, still

frowned above the smooth-flowing waters of the avon, very much as

the stern race of early anglo-normans had designed it. there

were the broad outer and inner bailies, not paved, but sown with

grass to nourish the sheep and cattle which might be driven in on

sign of danger. all round were high and turreted walls, with at

the corner a bare square-faced keep, gaunt and windowless,

rearing up from a lofty mound, which made it almost inaccessible

to an assailant.

against the bailey-walls were rows of frail wooden houses and

leaning sheds, which gave shelter to the archers and men-at-arms

who formed the garrison. the doors of these humble dwellings

were mostly open, and against the yellow glare from within

alleyne could see the bearded fellows cleaning their harness,

while their wives would come out for a gossip, with their

needlework in their hands, and their long black shadows streaming

across the yard. the air was full of the clack of their voices

and the merry prattling of children, in strange contrast to the

flash of arms and constant warlike challenge from the walls

above.

"methinks a company of school lads could hold this place against

an army," quoth john.

"and so say i," said alleyne.

"nay, there you are wide of the clout," the bowman said gravely.

"by my hilt! i have seen a stronger fortalice carried in a summer

evening. i remember such a one in picardy, with a name as long

as a gascon's pedigree. it was when i served under sir robert

knolles, before the days of the company; and we came by good

plunder at the sacking of it. i had myself a great silver bowl,

with two goblets, and a plastron of spanish steel. pasques dieu!

there are some fine women over yonder! mort