The Tavern Knight | Page 8

enemy's
country; he insists that England is his kingdom, forgetting that he has
yet to conquer it, and - "
"Was it not also his father's kingdom?" broke in the impetuous Hogan.
"Yet times are sorely changed since we followed the fortunes of the
Martyr. In those days you might help yourself to a capon, a horse, a
wench, or any other trifle of the enemy's, without ever a word of
censure or a question asked. Why, man, it is but two days since His
Majesty had a poor devil hanged at Kendal for laying violent hands
upon a pullet. Pox on it, Cris, my gorge rises at the thought! When I
saw that wretch strung up, I swore to fall behind at the earliest
opportunity, and to-night's affair makes this imperative."
"And what may your plans be?" asked Crispin.
"War is my trade, not a diversion, as it is with Wilmot and Buckingham
and the other pretty gentlemen of our train. And since the King's army
is like to yield me no profit, faith, I'll turn me to the Parliament's. If I
get out of Penrith with my life, I'll shave my beard and cut my hair to a
comely and godly length; don a cuckoldy steeple hat and a black coat,
and carry my sword to Cromwell with a line of text."
Sir Crispin fell to pondering. Noting this, and imagining that he
guessed aright the reason:
"I take it, Cris," he put in, keenly glancing at the other, "that you are
much of my mind?"

"Maybe I am," replied Crispin carelessly.
"Why, then," cried Hogan, "need we part company?"
There was a sudden eagerness in his tone, born of the admiration in
which this rough soldier of fortune held one whom he accounted his
better in that same harsh trade. But Galliard answered coldly:
"You forget, Harry."
"Not so! Surely on Cromwell's side your object - "
"T'sh! I have well considered. My fortunes are bound up with the
King's. In his victory alone lies profit for me; not the profit of pillage,
Hogan, but the profit of those broad lands that for nigh upon twenty
years have been in usurping hands. The profit I look for, Hogan, is my
restoration to Castle Marleigh, and of this my only hope lies in the
restoration of King Charles. If the King doth not prevail - which God
forfend! - why, then, I can but die. I shall have naught left to hope for
from life. So you see, good Hogan," he ended with a regretful smile,
"my going with you is not to be dreamed of."
Still the Irishman urged him, and a good half-hour did he devote to it,
but in vain. Realizing at last the futility of his endeavours, he sighed
and moved uneasily in his chair, whilst the broad, tanned face was
clouded with regret. Crispin saw this, and approaching him, he laid a
hand upon his shoulder.
"I had counted upon your help to clear the Ashburns from Castle
Marleigh and to aid me in my grim work when the time is ripe. But if
you go - "
"Faith, I may aid you yet. Who shall say?" Then of a sudden there crept
into the voice of this hardened pike-trader a note of soft concern.
"Think you there be danger to yourself in remaining?" he inquired.
"Danger? To me?" echoed Crispin.

"Aye - for having harboured me. That whelp of Montgomery's Foot
suspects you."
"Suspects? Am I a man of straw to be overset by a breath of
suspicion?"
"There is your lieutenant, Kenneth Stewart."
"Who has been a party to your escape, and whose only course is
therefore silence, lest he set a noose about his own neck. Come, Harry,"
he added, briskly, changing his manner, "the night wears on, and we
have your safety to think of."
Hogan rose with a sigh.
"Give me a horse," said he, "and by God's grace tomorrow shall find
me in Cromwell's camp. Heaven prosper and reward you, Cris."
"We must find you clothes more fitting than these - a coat more staid
and better attuned to the Puritan part you are to play."
"Where have you such a coat?"
"My lieutenant has. He affects the godly black, from a habit taken in
that Presbyterian Scotland of his."
"But I am twice his bulk!"
"Better a tight coat to your back than a tight rope to your neck, Harry.
Wait."
Taking a taper, he left the room, to return a moment later with the coat
that Kenneth had worn that day, and which he had abstracted from the
sleeping lad's chamber.
"Off with your doublet," he commanded, and as he spoke he set himself
to empty the pocket of Kenneth's garment; a handkerchief and a few
papers