The Prince and the Page | Page 6

for bold clerks of St. Nicholas?"
"Worse!" was the gruff mutter in reply. "Down, Leon: I am in no mood
for thy freaks!"
"What is it, Adam? Have the keepers carried their complaints to the
King, of the venison we have consumed, with small thanks to him?"
"Prince Edward is at Alton! What think you of that, Sir? Come to seek
through copse and brake for the arrant deer-stealer and outlaw, and all
his gang!"

"Why, there's preferment for you!" said the boy, laughing. "High game
for the heir of the throne! And his gang! Hold up your head, Leonillo:
you and I come in for a share of the honour!"
"Hold up your head!" said the outlaw bitterly. "You may chance to hold
it as high as your father's is, for all your gibes and jests, my young Lord,
if the Longshanks gets a hold of you, which our Lady forefend."
"Nay, I think better of my Cousin Longshanks. I loved him well when I
was his page at Hereford: he was tenderer to me than ever my brothers
were; and I scarce think he would hang, draw, and quarter me now."
"You may try, if you are not the better guided."
"How did you hear these tidings?" inquired the boy, changing his mood
to a graver one.
"From the monk to whom you confessed a fortnight back. Did you let
him know your lineage?"
"How could I do otherwise?"
"He looked like a man who would keep a secret; and yet--"
"Shame--shame to doubt the good father!"
"Nay, I do not say that I do; but I would have the secret in as few men's
power as may be. Nevertheless, I thank the good brother. He called out
to me as he saw me about to enter the town, that if I had any tenderness
for my own life, I had best not show myself there; and he went on to
tell me how the Prince was come to his hunting-lodge, with hawk and
hound indeed, but for the following of men rather than bird or beast."
"And what would you have me do?"
"Be instantly on the way to the coast, ere the search begins; and there,
either for love of Sir Simon the righteous or for that gilt knife of yours,
we may get ferried over to the Isle of Wight, whence- -But what ails the
dog! Whist, Leonillo! Hold your throat: I can hear naught but your
clamour!"
The hound was in fact barking with a tremendous lion-like note; and
when, on reiterated commands from his master and the outlaw, he
changed it for a low continuous growling like distant thunder, a step
and a rustling of the boughs became audible.
"They are upon us already!" cried the boy, snatching up and stringing
his bow.
"Leave me to deal with him!" returned the outlaw. "Off to Alton: the
good father will receive you to sanctuary!"

"Flee!--never!" cried the boy. "You teaching my father's son to flee!"
"Tush!--'tis but one!" said the outlaw. "He is easily dealt with; and he
shall have no time to call his fellows."
So saying, the forester strode forward into the wood, where a tall figure
was seen through the trees; and with uplifted quarter-staff, dealt a blow
of sudden and deadly force as soon as the stranger came within its
sweep, totally without warning. The power of the stroke might have
felled an ox, and would have at once overthrown the new- comer, but
that he was a man of unusual stature; and this being unperceived in the
outlaw's haste, the blow lighted on his left shoulder instead of on his
head.
"Ha, caitiff!" he exclaimed; and shortening the hunting-pole in his hand,
he returned the stroke with interest, but the outlaw had already prepared
himself to receive the blow on his staff. For some seconds there was a
rapid exchange; and all that the boy could detect in the fierce flourish
of weapons was, that his champion was at least equally matched. The
height of the stranger was superior; and his movements, if less quick
and violent, had an equableness that showed him a thorough master of
his weapon. But ere the lad had time to cross the heather to the scene of
action, the fight was over; the outlaw lay stunned and motionless on the
ground, and the gigantic stranger was leaning on his hunting-pole,
regarding him with a grave unmoved countenance, the fair skin of
which was scarcely flushed by the exertion.
"Spare him! spare him!" cried the boy, leaping forwards. "I am the prey
you seek!"
"Well met, my young Lord," was the stern reply. "You have found
yourself a worthy way of life, and an honourable companion."
"Honourable indeed, if faithfulness be honour!" replied the boy.
"Myself