CHAPTER XVI
Sir Jehan's Successor
"To horse!" shouted Reeves, seeing that the assailants had droppedtheir firearms and were preparing to use cold steel.
Swiftly the Croixilian knights vaulted into their saddles, stillundecided how to act. They scorned to flee from the threateneddanger, and leave Sir Jehan's body to the insults of their barbarousfoes; but, on the other hand, they were outnumbered by at least threeto one, while some of their horses had been either killed or maimedby the one and only volley.
Meanwhile Hugh had taken advantage of Gerald's offer, and had perchedhimself behind his comrade, who was bestriding a tall and powerfulhunter; while, with the greatest devotion, two of the Croixilianslifted the body of their late overlord and placed it across the backof one of their chargers.
"Ride as fast as you know how," exclaimed Reeves to the two lads."That brute will bear you both quite easily. Bring help, and be quickabout it, for we shall require it, by Jove!"
Although loath to desert their comrade, the lads obeyed, fullyrealizing that they could be of more service in bringing aid than inremaining by their threatened friends.
Then the two knights guarding Sir Jehan's body made their way towardsthe city as fast as they could walk, attended by four more, whosechargers had already been put out of action. Reeves, Garth, and fourothers, with drawn swords, prepared to hold the horde of Arabs incheck.
To a certain extent the Englishman's comrades were at an advantage,being clad in chain armour; but their horses, being totallyunprotected, were especially liable to be killed or hamstrung by theknives and spears of the Baggaras. On the other hand, Reeves had histrusty pistol, in addition to a long, straight sword with which hehad provided himself.
There was barely sufficient distance to gather speed in, butunhesitatingly, with loose rein, the dauntless six rode straight attheir foes. There was something so desperate, so ferocious, in theiraction that even the fanatical Arabs paused and began to give back.
But it was not the horsemen's intention to launch themselves into thethickest of their attackers. With superb command of cooperation theywheeled when almost within spear's length of the Arabs, then,spurring past their ragged front, cut several down, and put arespectable distance between them and the rear of their antagonists.
Here they slackened their pace and, adopting the role of fugitives,allowed the fleet-footed Baggaras to stream in pursuit, thus servingto increase the distance between the Arabs and the Croixilians whowere bearing Sir Jehan's corpse towards the city.
The ruse was successful for a time, until some of the savagewarriors, leaving their comrades, began to run after the dismountedknights. Then, circumventing the main body, Reeves and the fiveCroixilians made very fine swordplay with the detached Arabs tillthreatened by a hand-to-hand struggle with the bulk of theirantagonists.
These tactics continued till it was seen that Hugh and Gerald weresafe within the city, and that there was little possibility of SirJehan's bodyguard being cut off; then, with a final flanking charge,the gallant six sought to effect their escape.
This they had all but succeeded in achieving when a spear, hurled bya gigantic negro, buried itself in the flanks of Garth's horse. Thebrute staggered a few yards, then fell, throwing its rider; andbefore the others could pull in their steeds, twenty ferocious Arabswere upon the unfortunate Croixilian.
Now was Reeves's chance to make good use of his still fully-chargedpistol. Urging his powerful horse up to the struggling mob, who intheir eagerness to dispatch the infidel were hampering each other,the Englishman fired again and again, the bullets doing greatexecution in the dense throng of surging and swaying bodies.
Just as he was about to fire the last shot, a spear transfixed hisleft shoulder. The pistol fell from his nerveless grasp, but with hisright hand he wrenched out the keen blade. The pain transformed himinto a veritable berserk, and, ably seconded by his remainingcomrades, he threw himself into the press, hewing right and left withhis blade.
Suddenly his horse reared madly, struck down two Baggaras with itsplunging hoofs, then fell backwards, crushing the Englishman betweenits body and those of two already dead Arabs. A dazzling glare ofruddy light flashed across Reeves's eyes, and he lost consciousness.
When he came to himself he was in a darkened room. He felt as weak asthe proverbial rat, his limbs were powerless, while he was unable toutter a sound. For some time he lay wondering if he was alive, till,with an effort, he called out--so feebly that he hardly recognizedhis own voice.
Presently someone entered bearing a lamp, which he carefully shadedwith one hand lest the glare should fall upon the wounded man. Reevessaw that it was Gerald.
"Better?" asked the lad, being absolutely at a loss to say somethingdifferent.
"Aye," replied the correspondent, with a groan. "Where's Hugh?"
"Sound asleep. He's all right."
"And Garth?"
"Like yourself; cut up a bit, but mending."
"And the others?"
"Only two of them came out of the scrap besides Garth andyourself--both more or less dead."
"What's up with me?" demanded Reeves. "Not crippled for life, Ihope?"
"Crippled for life! I should think not," replied Gerald. "I'll tellyou, only you must not talk any more, but go to sleep. Doctor'sorders, you know. You've a spearthrust through the shoulder, anotherthrough your right leg above the knee, a gash across your forehead,caused, I believe, by a kick from your horse, and half a dozen gashesof minor consequence on various parts of your body. That's cheerful;but you are doing well, so the doctor says. Now, obey orders!"
"One more question: how long have I been here?"
"Eight days," replied Gerald. "Now I must inform the doctor that youare awake."
Presently Sir Jehan's own surgeon--a man skilled in the use of herbsand in elementary surgery--entered, looked at his patient, and gavehim a sleeping draught. In less than five minutes Reeves was sleepingpeacefully.
"He'll do," replied the doctor, in answer to Gerald's anxiousenquiries. "He is as full of vitality as a man can possibly be. In aweek or so he will be himself again."
It had been a case of touch and go. But for the timely arrival of astrong body of horsemen, the gallant six would have beenexterminated. As it was, the rescuers found only two sorely-woundedmen, dismounted, fighting desperately back to back in the midst of ahorde of Arabs.
Thus ended the greatest attempt of the Moslem power to overrunCroixilia. Both sides had lost heavily, but on the whole, in spite ofthe death of Sir Jehan, the Christians were the gainers. They hadsecured immunity from attack for many years to come, while a vastnumber of firearms--though but old-fashioned firelocks--were foundupon the sites of the various sanguinary struggles. With these theCroixilians were able to equip four regiments, having now a knowledgeof how the weapons were to be used; and possessing the means ofmaking powder, they were able to hold their own against any enemysimilarly equipped.
The loss of Sir Jehan de Valx was felt severely by all classes. Hehad been upright, a firm yet humane ruler, and far-seeing regardingthe welfare of the State. Although his power was absolute, he wasalways ready to listen carefully to any complaints or suggestionsfrom his subjects and councillors; yet he was not weak-willed, oranxious to attempt to please all parties. His will was law.
On the day following his obsequies his successor was proclaimed--hisson, a lad ten years of age. During his minority, which, according toCroixilian custom, would last till he attained the age of sixteen,the government was to be vested in the hands of Sir John Cahars, aman in whom the fault of excessive caution was ever present. Sir Johnwas far from popular, and lacked the iron nerve of Sir Jehan de Valx.But since it was their overlord's choice, the populace had no optionbut to accept his rule, although the outlook for the next six yearswas far from promising.
Thanks to the pure, bracing air of the plateau of Croixilia, Reevesmade rapid progress towards recovery, and within a fortnight he wasable to walk abroad.
A
ll danger from the Arab invaders now being removed, and the vastterritory to the south-west being declared free from theirpertinacious rule, Reeves began to think it was time to take steps tobid his Croixilian friends farewell, and endeavour to lead his youngcompanions to the coast.
At length the three wanderers appeared at one of Sir John'saudiences, and Reeves signified his intention of leaving Croixilia atthe end of the week. The acting ruler at first expressed his opinionthat it would be impossible for anyone to go out of his territorywithout being killed by Arabs or by the negro tribes who dwell on thevast, unexplored lands beyond the desert.
"We have already passed through the worst part of our travels,"replied Reeves. "By following the river we have a fair chance ofachieving our object."
"Is it worth the risk to take these lads, even though they haveproved themselves men, into those unknown dangers?" asked Sir John.
"It is worth the risk when home is their goal," replied Reeves. "Theyhave counted the peril and are willing."
"Why not make Croixilia your home? You will have power, possessions,riches----"
"With thanks for your offer, we must decline," said thecorrespondent, and his companions showed their unanimity by signs ofassent.
The acting head of Croixilia did not reply at once, but remainedapparently lost in thought. At length, with a gesture of dismissal,he bade them Godspeed and farewell.
"I suppose he doesn't expect to see us again," remarked Hugh, as theygained the courtyard.
"I thought it strange," assented Reeves, with a laugh. "But I don'tmind, and I don't suppose you do, so we won't trouble Sir John again.I shall be sorry to say farewell to Garth and many of the others."
"I'm afraid Garth won't be fit to see us off," said Gerald. "He hasstill to keep to his bed."
"It's a marvel he's alive," remarked his elder comrade. "But we mustmake the best use of our time, for there are plenty of preparationsbefore we set out."
"How do you propose to go?" asked Hugh.
"By water, if we can get hold of some sort of craft. It's infinitelybetter than by horseback, and camels are not procurable here.Besides, if we encountered marshes and swamps, horses would becompletely out of it."
"I hope we will be able to go by boat; it would be fine," repliedHugh enthusiastically.
"It would, unless----"
"Unless what?"
"We encountered rapids and waterfalls. You see, we are at a greatheight above the sea level, and it will be rather extraordinary ifthe river runs at an even rate throughout the whole of its coursewithout making a dive of a few hundred feet. But we must face thatpossibility when the time comes."
That same night, as the Englishmen were about to retire, a captain ofSir John's bodyguard handed Reeves a letter. Opening it, therecipient read, to his great astonishment and indignation, that SirJohn Cahars had given the greatest attention to his request, but, onthe grounds that their presence was necessary for the defence of theState, and also that he had too great a regard for the threestrangers, he was compelled to order them to remain within the cityof Charleton.
"Well, I'm hanged!" exclaimed Reeves; then turning to the captain,Raoul Gare, he asked whether he was aware of the nature of thecontents of the communication.
"Assuredly, sir," replied the officer, "since I have been commandedto obtain your paroles not to go beyond one league of the citygates."
"We give no parole," replied Reeves stiffly. "Tell yourmaster that."
"Then I regret, sir, that my orders are to keep you within the limitsof the Mound of Pharamond," replied Gare. "I am sorry, but 'tis myduty," and with a salute he withdrew.