Part 2 (1/2)
”Had I not better tell some of the men to arm, and be ready?” asked the lad.
”What! Nonsense, boy! I know my man. He would not dare to be insolent.”
”But he has a dangerous-looking gang of fellows with him.”
”Of the same kind as himself, Ralph. Have no fear of that. If there were real danger, we could soon summon a dozen stout men to deal with him and his party. But, as I said, let him only bring in two or three with him.”
Ralph hurried out, and found the captain and his men forming a picturesque group about the stone steps; and as soon as he appeared, the former swung himself round, and threw his cloak over his shoulder, with a swaggering gesture.
”Hallo, my young eagle,” he cried. ”What saith the parent bird, the gallant lord of the castle?”
”My father will see you, sir,” replied Ralph. ”This way.”
”Aha! I knew he would,” cried the man, giving his steel cap a c.o.c.k over on one side, and displaying a large pink patch of his bald head. ”Come on, brave boys.”
”Stop!” cried Ralph quickly. ”Three of you, only, are to accompany your leader.”
”Eh? What?” cried the captain fiercely, as a low murmur arose.
”That is what my father said, sir.”
”What does this mean?” cried the man theatrically. ”Separate me from my brave companions-in-arms? Does this mean treachery, young sir?”
”Treachery? Why should it mean that?” cried Ralph stoutly, as the man's words endorsed the character so lately given of him. ”If,” argued Ralph to himself, ”the fellow were the honest, brave soldier, why should he fear treachery from the brother-officer with whom he said he had often shared danger?”
”The world is full of wickedness, boy,” replied the captain; ”and I have often been misjudged. But there; a brave man never knows fear. You three come with me, and if in half an hour I do not come back, boys, you know what to do.”
There was a shout at this, and hands struck sword-hilts with a loud clang.
”Right, brave boys, and don't leave one stone upon another until you have found your captain.”
Ralph burst out into a fit of laughter, and then felt annoyed with himself, as the man turned round scowling.
”What do you mean by that, boy?”
”That your men would have their work cut out, sir,” said Ralph sharply.
”This way, please.”
The captain uttered a low growl, signed to three of his men, and the party followed the lad, who, to his annoyance, once more came across his sister, hurrying along the pa.s.sage.
”Salute, brave boys, salute,” cried the captain. ”Youth and beauty in front--the wors.h.i.+p of the gallant soldiers of the king.”
He struck an att.i.tude, which was roughly imitated by the men.
”A sister, on my life,” cried the captain.
”This way,” said Ralph shortly, and with the colour coming into his cheeks, as he felt indignant with the man for daring to notice his sister, and angry with her for being there.
The door of Sir Morton's room was thrown open, and the captain strode in, followed by his men; and, as he saw the knight, standing with his back to the fireplace, he struck a fresh att.i.tude.
”Ah! at last!” he cried. ”My old brave companion-in-arms! Well met, once more.”