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第42节

saint george for england-第42节

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appeared the archers began to send their arrows through them。 Then Walter ascended to another chamber; and ordered the trumpeter to sound a parley。

The sound was repeated by the assailants' trumpeter。

〃Who commands the force?〃 Walter asked。

〃I; Guy; Count of Evreux。〃

〃I am Sir Walter Somers;〃 the young knight continued。  〃I wish to ask terms for the garrison。

〃You must surrender unconditionally;〃 the count replied from the courtyard。  〃In ten minutes we shall have completely pierced your walls; and you will be at our mercy。〃

〃You may pierce our walls;〃 Walter replied; 〃but it will cost you many lives before you force your way in; we will defend the hold from floor to floor; and you know how desperate men can fight。 It will cost you scores of lives before you win your way to the summit of this keep; but if I have your knightly word that the lives of all within these walls shall be spared; then will I open the door and lay down our arms。

A consultation took place between the leaders below。  There was truth in Walter's words that very many lives would be sacrificed before the resistance of so gallant a garrison could be overcome。 Every minute was of importance; for it was possible that at any moment aid might arrive from Calais; and that the table would be turned upon the besiegers。

Therefore; after a short parley among themselves; the count replied:

〃You have fought as a gallant knight and gentleman; Sir Walter Somers; and have wrought grievous harm upon my leading。 I should grieve that so brave a knight should lose his life in a useless resistance。 Therefore I agree to your terms; and swear upon my knightly honour that upon your surrendering yourselves prisoners of war; the lives of all within these walls shall be spared。〃

Walter at once gave the order。 The stones were removed and the door thrown open; and leading his men Walter descended the steps into the courtyard; which was now illuminated with torches; and handed his sword to the Count of Evreux。

〃You promised me; count;〃 a tall knight standing by his side said; 〃that if he were taken alive; the commander of this castle should be my prisoner。〃

〃I did so; Sir Phillip Holbeaut。 When you proposed this adventure to me; and offered to place your following at my command; I agreed to the request you made me; but mind;〃 he said sternly; 〃my knightly word has been given for his safety。  See that he receives fair and gentle treatment at your hand。 I would not that aught should befall so brave a knight。〃

〃I seek him no harm;〃 the knight said angrily; 〃but I know that he is one of the knights of the Black Prince's own suite; and that his ransom will be freely paid; and as my coffers are low from the expenses of the war; I would fain replenish them at the expense of the English prince。〃

〃I said not that I doubted you; Sir Phillip;〃 the count said calmly; 〃but as the knight surrendered on my word; it was needful that I should warn you to treat him as I myself should do did he remain in my hands; and to give him fair treatment until duly ransomed。〃

〃I should be glad; count;〃 Walter said; 〃if you will suffer me to take with me as companion in my captivity this man…at…arms。 He is strongly attached to me; and we have gone through many perils together; it will lighten my captivity to have him by my side。〃

〃Surely I will do so; Sir Walter; and wish that your boon had been a larger one。  The rest I will take back with me to Amiens; there to hold until exchanged for some of those who at various times have fallen into your king's hands。 And now to work; men; lose not a moment in stripping the castle of all that you choose to carry away; then apply fire to the storehouses; granaries; and the hold itself。 I would not that it remained standing to serve as an outpost for the English。〃

The horses were brought from the stables。 Walter and Ralph took their horses by the bridle; and followed Sir Phillip Holbeaut through the now open gates of the castle to the spot where the horses of the besiegers were picketed。 The knight; and his own men…at…arms; who had at the beginning of the day numbered a hundred and fifty; but who were now scarcely two…thirds of that strength; at once mounted with their prisoners; and rode off from the castle。 A few minutes later a glare of light burst out from behind them。 The count's orders had been obeyed; fire had been applied to the stores of forage; and soon the castle of Pres was wrapped in flames。

〃I like not our captor's manner;〃 Ralph said to Walter as they rode along side by side。

〃I agree with you; Ralph。 I believe that the reason which he gave the count for his request was not a true one; though; indeed; I can see no other motive which he could have for seeking to gain possession of me。 Sir Phillip; although a valiant knight; bears but an indifferent reputation。 I have heard that he is a cruel master to his serfs; and that when away fighting in Germany he behaved so cruelly to the peasantry that even the Germans; who are not nice in their modes of warfare; cried out against him。  It is an evil fortune that has thrown us into his hands; still; although grasping and avaricious; he can hardly demand for a simple knight any inordinate ransom。 The French themselves would cry out did he do so; seeing that so large a number of their own knights are in our hands; and that the king has ample powers of retaliation; however; we need not look on the dark side。 It is not likely that our captivity will be a long one; for the prince; who is the soul of generosity; will not haggle over terms; but will pay my ransom as soon as he hears into whose hands I have fallen; while there are scores of men…at…arms prisoners; whom he can exchange for you。 Doubtless Sir Phillip will send you over; as soon as he arrives at his castle; with one of his own followers to treat for my ransom。

After riding for some hours the troop halted their weary horses in a wood; and lighting fires; cooked their food; and then lay down until morning。 Sir Phillip exchanged but few words with his captive; as; having removed his helm; he sat by the fire; Walter had an opportunity of seeing his countenance。 It did not belie his reputation。 His face had a heavy and brutal expression which was not decreased by the fashion of his hair; which was cut quite short; and stood up without parting all over his bullet…shaped head; he had a heavy and bristling moustache which was cut short in a line with his lips。

〃It is well;〃 Walter thought to himself; 〃that it is my ransom rather than my life which is dear to that evil…looking knight; for; assuredly; he is not one to hesitate did fortune throw a foe into his hands。〃

At daybreak the march was resumed; and was continued until they reached the castle of Sir Phillip Holbeaut; which stood on a narrow tongue of land formed by a sharp bend of the Somme。

On entering the castle the knight gave an order to his followers; and the prisoners were at once led to a narrow cell beneath one of the towers。 Walter looked round indignantly when he arrived there。

〃This is a dungeon for a felon;〃 he exclaimed; 〃not the apartment for a knight who has been taken captive in fair fight。 Tell your master that he is bound to award me honourable treatment; and that unless he removes me instantly from this dungeon to a proper apartment; and treats me with all due respect and courtesy; I will; when I regain liberty; proclaim him a dishonoured knight。〃

The men…at…arms made no reply; but; locking the door behind them; left the prisoners alone。

〃What can this mean; Ralph?〃 Walter exclaimed。 〃We are in the lowest dungeon; and below the level of the river。  See how damp are the walls; and the floor is thick with slimy mud。 The river must run but just below that loophole; and in times of flood probably enters here。〃

Phillip of Holbeaut; on dismounting; ascended to an upper chamber; where a man in the dress of a well…to…do citizen was sitting。

〃Well; Sir Phillip;〃 he exclaimed; rising to his feet as the other entered; 〃what news?〃

〃The news is bad;〃 the knight growled。 〃This famous scheme of yours has cost me fifty of my best men。 I would I had had nothing to do with it。〃

〃But this Walter Somers;〃 the other exclaimed; 〃what of him? He has not escaped surely! The force which marched from Amiens was large enough to have eaten him and his garrison。

〃He has not escaped;〃 the knight replied。

〃Then he is killed!〃 the other said eagerly。

〃No; nor is he killed。 He is at present a prisoner in a dungeon below; together with a stout knave whom he begged might accompany him until ransomed。〃

〃All is well then;〃 the other exclaimed。 〃Never mind the loss of your men。 The money which I have promised you for this business will hire you two hundred such knaves; but why didst not knock him on head at once?〃

〃It was not so easy to knock him on the head;〃 Sir Phillip growled。 〃It cost us five hundred men to capture the outer walls; and to have fought our way into the keep; held; as it was; by men who would have contested every foot of the ground; was not a job for which any of us had much stomach; seeing what the first assaults had cost us; so the count took them all to quarter。 The rest he carried with him to Amiens; but their leader; accordin

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