The Boy Knight | Page 5

those by which the various bands were commencing to enter the wood.
Knowing that they were still a long way off, he advanced as rapidly as
he could in the direction in which they were coming. When by the
sound of distant voices and the breaking of branches he knew that one,
at least, of the parties was near at hand, he rapidly climbed a thick tree
and ensconced himself in the branches, and there watched, secure and
hidden from the sharpest eye, the passage of a body of men-at-arms
fully a hundred strong, led by Sir Walter himself, accompanied by
some half dozen of his knights.
When they had passed Cuthbert again slipped down the tree and made
at all speed for home. He reached it, so far as he knew, without having
been observed by a single passer-by.
After a brief talk with his mother he started for the castle, as his
appearance there would divert any suspicion that might arise; and it
would also appear natural that seeing the movements of so large a body
of men, he should go up to gossip with his acquaintances there.

When distant a mile from Evesham he came upon a small party.
On a white palfrey rode Margaret, the little daughter of the earl. She
was accompanied by her nurse and two retainers on foot.
Cuthbert--who was a great favorite with the earl's daughter, for whom
he frequently brought pets, such as nests of young owlets, falcons, and
other creatures--was about to join the party when from a clump of trees
near burst a body of ten mounted men.
Without a word they rode straight at the astonished group. The retainers
were cut to the ground before they had thought of drawing a sword in
defense.
The nurse was slain by a blow with a battle-ax, and Margaret, snatched
from her palfrey, was thrown across the saddlebow of one of the
mounted men, who then with his comrades dashed off at full speed.

CHAPTER II.
A RESCUE.
The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of
Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds. Cuthbert was so
astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground
at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants,
he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
For a short time he hesitated as to the course he should take.
The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough
to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a
far stronger party lurking near.
The main body of Sir Walter's followers were deep in the recesses of
the forest, and this lay altogether out of the line for Wortham, and there
would be no chance whatever of bringing them up in time to cut off the

marauders on their way back.
There remained only the outlaws, who by this time would be in
Langholm Forest, perhaps within a mile or two of the castle itself.
The road by which the horsemen would travel would be far longer than
the direct line across country, and he resolved at once to strain every
nerve to reach his friends in time to get them to interpose between the
captors of the Lady Margaret and their stronghold.
For an instant he hesitated whether to run back to Erstwood to get a
horse; but he decided that it would be as quick to go on foot, and far
easier so to find the outlaws.
These thoughts occupied but a few moments, and he at once started at
the top of his speed for his long run across the country.
Had Cuthbert been running in a race of hare and hound, he would
assuredly have borne away the prize from most boys of his age. At
headlong pace he made across the country, every foot of which, as far
as the edge of Langholm Chase, he knew by heart.
The distance to the woods was some twelve miles, and in an hour and a
half from the moment of his starting Cuthbert was deep within its
shades. Where he would be likely to find the outlaws he knew not; and,
putting a whistle to his lips, he shrilly blew the signal, which would, he
knew, be recognized by any of the band within hearing.
He thought that he heard an answer, but was not certain, and again
dashed forward, almost as speedily as if he had but just started.
Five minutes later a man stood in the glade up which he was running.
He recognized him at once as one of Cnut's party.
"Where are the band?" he gasped.
"Half a mile or so to the right," replied the man.
Guided by the man, Cuthbert ran