Part 2 (1/2)
”By Woden,” said he, ”but you are a fit wife for any chief. Little spitfire--but I like such play. Trust me, I love thee none the less for that blow. Some day I will tame thee, and then, by the G.o.ds, we shall make a mighty pair.”
”Never,” cried Ineld fiercely.
And, breaking away, she ran to the mansion, and hid herself in the women's quarters, where even Alman dared not follow.
That day the Prince of Mouselow rode away immensely pleased with himself; he loved to see a maid full of fight, so he said, and he promised himself that Ineld should love him by and by. But the days went past, and do what he would, he could never persuade the maiden to grant him an interview alone.
His spirit chafed at the prolonged delay, and at length he determined upon bolder measures. He lay in wait in the woodland near the home of Ineld, and in due course his patient waiting was rewarded. The fair maiden appeared, and, first looking timidly around, as though to make sure she was un.o.bserved, made her way through the glade to a spot near a fern-covered spring.
Alman chuckled to himself with glee, and silently he kept pace with the maiden, although remaining concealed the while.
When Ineld stopped, and showed unmistakable signs of going no further, the Prince of Mouselow emerged from the undergrowth behind which he had been hidden, and, with a laugh of triumph, stood before her.
”Now, my little vixen,” said he, ”I have won you at last. Maids so coy as you must be wooed in rough fas.h.i.+on. And, once inside my mountain fortress, I doubt not your consent to wed Alman will soon be forthcoming.”
So saying, he made to carry her to the spot where his steed was tethered, for he would win his bride by force, even as he had won his wealth and lands.
Ineld screamed shrilly in terror, and the Prince clapped his rough hand upon her lips to stifle the cries.
”Cease such idle wailing,” said he. ”The wood is deserted, no one can hear, nor would it greatly matter if they could. I hold thee now, and no man in all the land shall rob me of my prize.”
”Be not so sure of that,” said a voice at his shoulder, so suddenly and unexpectedly that Alman dropped the girl, who immediately, with a joyful cry, sprang to the side of the new comer.
”Lewin--sweetheart,” cried she--then could say no more by reason of the caress which her deliverer bestowed upon her.
”Ah,” cried Alman--a light breaking on him, as he recognised the youthful Lewin, Prince of Melandra. ”So 'tis a lover's tryst I have marred by my presence. Well, let us see who is the better man--Lewin or Alman, and the winner takes the maid.”
He loosened the short axe at his side, and, without pause, rushed on Lewin, waving the weapon aloft. Scarce had the youth time to thrust the maid behind him and draw his blade when the axe fell; but the sword of Lewin was swift to parry, and at the same instant he sprang aside. The axe missed him by a hairsbreadth, but the sword was shattered by the stroke, and the Prince of Melandra stood weaponless--at the mercy of Alman.
[Ill.u.s.tration: INSCRIBED ROMAN STONE FOUND AT MELANDRA CASTLE.]
The Prince of Mouselow laughed, and again raised his axe to make an end, but Lewin, disdaining to fly, faced him calmly, awaiting death without a tremour. His cool and gallant bearing touched the fierce robber, and he dropped his arm.
”I could slay thee easily,” said he, ”but I soil not my fame so. Thou art a brave man, and above all the chiefs about, hast hitherto opposed me with credit to thyself. I give thee thy life--the maiden goes with me. But this chance I give thee. Rally thy men and meet me now in battle array--Melandra against Mouselow, and we will fight for a n.o.ble prize--the lords.h.i.+p of all the land of Longdendale, and the fair Ineld for a queen. Thou may'st trust me. The maid stays in my keeping, but I touch her not until the battle has been fought and won.”
Lewin advanced and took the hand of Alman.
”I trust thee, Prince.” said he. ”'Tis a n.o.ble act. Get thee to thy stronghold with the maiden, for soon the axe of Lewin will be knocking at thy door.”
Then, turning to the trembling girl, he whispered:
”Fear not, Ineld, I come quickly. Ere another hour is pa.s.sed the war-song of Lewin will echo through the hills.”
Then he was gone.
An hour later Alman stood on the rampart of Mouselow, and gazed in the direction of Melandra. The warrior by his side pointed to a dancing light which played upon the distant fields and seemed to move on Mouselow. It was the sunlight reflected from a host of s.h.i.+elds and spears.
[Ill.u.s.tration: PREHISTORIC SPEAR HEAD FOUND NEAR MOUSELOW CASTLE]
”They come, my lord,” said he. And Alman answered: