Part 16 (1/2)
”There's nah another bird like that,” sobbed the little girl. ”Shoot that cruel hawk fo' me, Jem, win ye.”
”How conney wench, whon its flown away?” he replied. ”Boh ey'n rob a hawk's neest fo ye, if that'll do os weel.”
”Yo dunna understand me, Jem,” replied the child, sadly.
At this moment, the music, which had ceased while some arrangements were made, commenced a very lively tune, known as ”Round about the May-pole,” and Robin Hood, taking the May Queen's hand, led her towards the pole, and placing her near it, the whole of her attendants took hands, while a second circle was formed by the morris-dancers, and both began to wheel rapidly round her, the music momently increasing in spirit and quickness. An irresistible desire to join in the measure seized some of the lads and la.s.ses around, and they likewise took hands, and presently a third and still wider circle was formed, wheeling gaily round the other two. Other dances were formed here and there, and presently the whole green was in movement.
”If you come off heart-whole to-night, d.i.c.k, I shall be surprised,” observed Nicholas, who with his young relative had approached as near the May-pole as the three rounds of dancers would allow them.
Richard a.s.sheton made no reply, but glanced at the pink which he had placed in his doublet.
”Who is the May Queen?” inquired Sir Thomas Metcalfe, who had likewise drawn near, of a tall man holding a little girl by the hand.
”Alizon, dowter of Elizabeth Device, an mey sister,” replied James Device, gruffly.
”Humph!” muttered Sir Thomas, ”she is a well-looking la.s.s. And she dwells here-in Whalley, fellow?” he added.
”Hoo dwells i' Whalley,” responded Jem, sullenly.
”I can easily find her abode,” muttered the knight, walking away.
”What was it Sir Thomas said to you, Jem?” inquired Nicholas, who had watched the knight's gestures, coming up.
Jem related what had pa.s.sed between them.
”What the devil does he want with her?” cried Nicholas. ”No good, I'm sure. But I'll spoil his sport.”
”Say boh t' word, squoire, an ey'n break every boan i' his body,” remarked Jem.
”No, no, Jem,” replied Nicholas. ”Take care of your pretty sister, and I'll take care of him.”
At this juncture, Sir Thomas, who, in spite of the efforts of the pacific Master Potts to tranquillise him, had been burning with wrath at the affront he had received from Nicholas, came up to Richard a.s.sheton, and, noticing the pink in his bosom, s.n.a.t.c.hed it away suddenly.
”I want a flower,” he said, smelling at it.
”Instantly restore it, Sir Thomas!” cried Richard a.s.sheton, pale with rage, ”or-”
”What will you do, young sir?” rejoined the knight tauntingly, and plucking the flower in pieces. ”You can get another from the fair nymph who gave you this.”
Further speech was not allowed the knight, for he received a violent blow on the chest from the hand of Richard a.s.sheton, which sent him reeling backwards, and would have felled him to the ground if he had not been caught by some of the bystanders. The moment he recovered, Sir Thomas drew his sword, and furiously a.s.saulted young a.s.sheton, who stood ready for him, and after the exchange of a few pa.s.ses, for none of the bystanders dared to interfere, sent his sword whirling over their heads through the air.
”Bravo, d.i.c.k,” cried Nicholas, stepping up, and clapping his cousin on the back, ”you have read him a good lesson, and taught him that he cannot always insult folks with impunity, ha! ha!” And he laughed loudly at the discomfited knight.
”He is an insolent coward,” said Richard a.s.sheton. ”Give him his sword and let him come on again.”
”No, no,” said Nicholas, ”he has had enough this time. And if he has not, he must settle an account with me. Put up your blade, lad.”
”I'll be revenged upon you both,” said Sir Thomas, taking his sword, which had been brought him by a bystander, and stalking away.