CHAPTER TWENTY.
"NO QUARTER!"
Straight on to the soldiers rode Sir Richard Eustace Trevor by his side,their mounted servants behind; the men afoot following close after in asurging mass. These, soon as well through the gate, extended line toright and left, turning the troop until they had it hemmed in on everyside. Nor was it altogether the movement of a mob, but evidently underdirection, Rob Wilde appearing to guide it more by signs and signalsthan any spoken words. However managed, the troopers now saw themselvesenvironed by pikes and other pointed things--a very _chevaux de frise_--held in the hands of men whose faces showed no fear of them. For thecountry had not yet been cursed by a standing army, and in the eyes ofthe citizen the soldier was not that formidable thing as since, and now.Rather was the fear on the side of Lunsford's party, most of whom,Foresters themselves of the inferior sort, knew the men who stoodconfronting them.
Up to this moment no word had been spoken by their commanding officer,save some muttered speech he exchanged with Reginald Trevor. Nor did henow break the silence, leaving that to the intruders.
"Captain, or, as I understand you are now called, Colonel Lunsford,"said Sir Richard, drawing up in front of him, "by the way you'rebehaving you appear to think yourself in the Low Countries, with rightsof free forage and plunder. Let me tell you, sir, this is England,where such courses are not yet in vogue; and to be hoped never will be,even though a King authorise, ay, command them. But I command you, inthe name of the people, to desist from them, or take the consequence."
Under such smart of words it might be supposed that a professionalsoldier and King's officer would have dared death itself, or any oddsagainst him. It was of this the muttered speech had been passingbetween him and Reginald Trevor, the latter urging him to risk it andfall on. Whatever else, _he_ was no dastard, and, though he had oncegiven way on that same spot, it was not from cowardice, but ruled by asentiment very different.
In vain his attempt to inspire his superior officer with courageequalling his own; no more would he have been successful with theirfollowers, as he could see by looking along the line of faces, most ofthem showing dread of that threatening array of miscellaneous weapons,and a reluctance to engage them.
In fine, the ex-Lieutenant of the Tower made lip his mind to live alittle longer, even at the risk of being stigmatised as a poltroon.But, not instantly declaring himself--too confused and humiliated forspeech--Sir Richard went on,--
"No doubt, sir, your delicate sense of humanity will restrain you from aconflict in which your soldiers must be defeated and their blood spilleduselessly--innocent lambs as they appear to be."
The irony elicited laughter from the Foresters; for a more forbiddingset of faces than those of the troopers could not well have been seenanywhere.
"But," continued the knight, "if you decline to withdraw without showinghow skilfully you can yourself handle a sword, I'm willing to give youthe opportunity. You've had it from me before, and refused. But youmay be a braver man, and think yourself a better swordsman now; so Ioffer it again."
The taunt was torture itself to the man in whose teeth it was flung.All the more from the cheering and jibes of the Foresters, who seemedthoroughly to enjoy seeing Sir John Wintour's bullies thus brought tobook. And still more that in the window above were two feminine faces,one of them that he had been so late admiring, the ladies evidentlylistening.
Notwithstanding all, Lunsford could not screw up courage for a combat hehad once before declined, and now the second time shunned it, saying,--
"Sir Richard Walwyn, I am not here for the settlement of privatequarrels. When the time fits for it I shall answer the challenge yousay is repeated, but which I deny. My business at present is with MrAmbrose Powell, as Deputy-Commissioner of Array, to collect the King'sdues from him. Since he's refused to pay them, and I have no orders,nor wish, to use violence, so far as shedding blood, it but remains forme to take back his answer to my superiors."
It was such a ludicrous breakdown of his late blustering, and withdrawalof demand, that the Foresters hailed it with a loud huzza, mingled withlaughter and satirical speech.
When their cheering had ceased, so that he could be heard, Sir Richardrejoined,--
"Yes; that is the best thing you can do. And the sooner you set aboutit the better for both yourself and your men, as you may be awarewithout further warning."
It was like giving the last kick to a cur, and as a cur Tom Lunsfordtook it, literally turning tail--that of his horse--upon HollymeadHouse.
Out through the haw-haw gate rode he, his troop behind, every man-jackof them looking cowed and crestfallen as himself.
Alone Reginald Trevor held high front, retiring with angry reluctance,as a lion driven from its quarry by hunters too numerous to be resisted.But he passed not away without holding speech with his cousin, on bothsides bitterly recriminative.
"So you've turned your back upon the King!"
It was Reginald who said this, having spurred up alongside the otherbefore parting.
"Rather say the King has turned his back upon the people," was Eustace'srejoinder. "After such behaviour as I've just been witness to, by hisorders and authority, I think I am justified in turning my back uponhim."
"Oh! that's your way of putting it. Well; it may justify you in theeyes of your new friends here--very warm friends all at once?"--thiswith a sneer--"but what will your father think? He won't like it, I'msure."
"I daresay he won't. If not, I can't help it."
"And don't seem to care either! How indifferent you've grown to familyfeeling! and in such a short space of time. You used to pass for themost affectionate of sons--a very paragon of filial duty; and now--"
"And now," interrupted the ex-courtier, becoming impatient at being thuslectured, "whatever I may be, I'm old enough, and think myself wiseenough, to manage my own affairs, without needing counsel from any one--even from my sage cousin, Reginald."
"As you like, Eust. But you'll repent what you're doing, yet."
"If I should, Rej, it won't be with any blame to you. You can go yourway, as I will mine."
"Ah! Yours will bring you to ruin--like enough your neck upon the blockor into a halter!"
"I'll risk that. If there's to be hanging and beheading--which I hopethere will not--it needn't be all on one side. So far, that you are onhasn't had the advantage in the beheading line, and's not likely. Theywho struck off Strafford's head might some day do the same with theKing's own. And he would deserve it, going on in this way."
"By Heaven?" cried Reginald, now becoming infuriated, "the King willwear his head, and crown too, long enough to punish every traitor--everybase renegade as yourself."
The angry bitterness of his speech was not all inspired by loyalty toKing or throne. Those fair faces above had something to do with it; forthe ladies were still there, listening, and he knew it.
Never was Eustace Trevor nearer to drawing sword, not to do it. But itwas his kinsman--cousin; how could he shed his blood? That, too, lateso freely, generously offered in his defence! Still, to be stigmatisedas a "base renegade," he could not leave such speech unanswered, nor theanger he felt unexpressed.
"If you were not my cousin, Rej, I would kill you!"
He spoke in a low tone, trembling with passion.
"_You_ kill _me_! Ha-ha! Then try, if you like--if you dare!"
And the King's officer made a movement as if to unsheath his sword.
"You know I dare. But I won't. Not here--not now."
It was with the utmost effort Eustace Trevor controlled himself. Heonly succeeded by thinking of what had been before. For it was nofeeling of fear that hindered him crossing his sword with his cousin,but the sentiment hitherto restraining him.
"Oh, well!" rejoined Reginald. "We'll meet again--may be on the fieldof battle. And if so, by G--! I'll make you rue this--show you nomercy!"
"You will when you're asked for it."
"You needn't ask. When y
ou see my sword out, you'll hear the cry, `NoQuarter!'"
"When I hear that, I'll cry it too."
Not another word passed between them, Reginald wheeling round andgalloping off after the soldiers. And from that hour, in his heart,full of jealous vengeance, the resolve, should he ever encounter hiscousin in the field of fight, to show him no quarter!