CHAPTER XIX: BY LAND AND SEA
Walter was raised from the ground, water was fetched from the cottage,and the blood washed from his head by Ralph, aided by two of thewomen. It had at once been seen that he was still living, and Ralph onexamining the wound joyfully declared that no great harm was done.
"Had Sir Walter been strong and well," he said, "such a clip as thiswould not have knocked him from his feet, but he would have answered itwith a blow such as I have often seen him give in battle; but he was butbarely recovering and was as weak as a girl. He is unconscious fromloss of blood and weakness. I warrant me that when he opens his eyes andhears that the lady Edith has risen from her bed and came to send me tohis rescue, joy will soon bring the blood into his cheeks again. Do oneof you run to the hut and see if they have any cordial waters; since theplague has been raging there are few houses but have laid in a provisionin case the disease should seize them."
The man soon returned with a bottle of cordial water compounded ofrosemary, lavender, and other herbs. By this time Walter had opened hiseyes. The cordial was poured down his throat, and he was presently ableto speak.
"Be of good cheer, Sir Walter," Ralph said; "three of your rascallyassailants lie dead, and the other two have fled; but I have better newsstill for you. Lady Edith, who you told me lay unconscious and dying,has revived. The din of the conflict seems to have reached her ears andrecalled her to life, and the dear lady came to my room with the newsthat you were carried off, and then, while I was throwing on my clothes,roused the village to your assistance by ringing the alarm-bell. Rarelyfrightened I was when she came in, for methought at first it was herspirit."
The good news, as Ralph had predicted, effectually roused Walter, andrising to his feet he declared himself able to mount and ride back atonce. Ralph tried to persuade him to wait until they had formed a litterof boughs, but Walter would not allow it.
"I would not tarry an instant," he said, "for Edith will be full ofanxiety until I return. Why, Ralph, do you think that I am a baby? Why,you yourself were but this morning unable to walk across the room, andhere you have been galloping and fighting on my behalf."
"In faith," Ralph said, smiling, "until now I had forgotten that I hadbeen ill."
"You have saved my life, Ralph, you and my friends here, whom I thankwith all my heart for what they have done. I will speak more to themanother time, now I must ride home with all speed."
Walter now mounted; Ralph took his place on one side of him, and one ofhis tenants on the other, lest he should be seized with faintness; thenat a hand-gallop they started back for the castle. Several women of thevillage had, when they left, hurried up to the castle. They found Edithlying insensible by the rope of the alarm-bell, having fainted when shehad accomplished her object. They presently brought her round; as shewas now suffering only from extreme weakness, she was laid on a couch,and cordials and some soup were given to her. One of the women took herplace at the highest window to watch for the return of any belonging tothe expedition.