In Story-land

  _HOW LITTLE CEDRIC BECAME A KNIGHT._

  A long time ago there lived a little boy whose name was Cedric. At thefoot of a high hill, on the top of which stood a grand old castle, wasthe stone hut in which he lived. The little boy had many a time watchedthe strong, iron gate rise slowly from the ground, as out of thecourtyard of the castle would ride Sir Rollin DuBois and his faithfulsoldiers. There were sometimes two, or three visiting knights and theirfollowers and they were a gay sight as the sun shone on their glitteringarmor of steel and glanced from their bright helmets. They looked sostrong and resolute as they sat, calm and erect, in their saddles. Aglance into their fine faces would have assured you that they were nobleand brave and could be trusted by everybody, from the King to thepoorest peasant in the land. Their very horses seemed proud to carrythem as they galloped along. Little Cedric thought there never wasanything more beautiful than these knights as they came down the hillon some quest of adventure, or errand of mercy.

  One day Cedric had been playing with his pet kitten. After a good rompwith her, he had thrown himself down on the soft green grass to rest,and the queer little kitten had gone out into the middle of the dustyroad and curled herself up for a nice nap. Suddenly Cedric looked up,and saw five knights with all their squires and pages galloping down theroad! In a moment more his eye fell upon the kitten lying fast asleep inthe middle of the highway. Fearing that the horsemen would not see her,he sprang to his feet, ran quickly forward and gathered the soft littlething up in his arms, just in time to save it from the horses' feet.

  As the riders passed, one of the tall knights slackened his horse andsmiling down upon Cedric said, "My little fellow, you are almost braveenough to be a knight some day." He then galloped on to join his partyand soon the yellow dust which they had raised from the ground, settleddown again.

  Cedric stood looking after the horsemen until they seemed a mere speckin the distance and then disappeared all together. He did not evennotice the kitten in his arms when she put her nose up against hischeek.

  At last he turned to go into the house, and as he went, he said softlyto himself, "To be a knight some day!" "To be a knight some day!" He atehis simple supper of bread and milk in silence. His mother noticed howquiet he was, but she said nothing, for she knew that in his own goodtime he would tell her all that was in his heart.

  That night as he undressed for bed he looked up at the stars and said ina soft, low tone, "Beautiful stars, do you know what a wonderful thingSir Rollin said to me to-day? He told me that perhaps some day I mightbe a knight!" He could hardly sleep, he was so happy. The great knighthad spoken to him, had praised his courage, and, best of all, had saidthat perhaps, some day, he, Cedric, might be a great knight himself!"Could such a thing possibly come to pass?" He asked himself thisquestion over and over again, until at last he fell asleep and dreamedthat he was a large, strong man, and wore a shining armor of steel androde a splendid black horse, and carried a great sword and that all thepeople of the country round about honored and loved him because he wasone of the bravest knights in the whole land.

  Just as he was dreaming that he was about to rescue a beautiful princessfrom an ugly giant who had shut her up in a prison, he heard his mothercalling him. He opened his eyes and saw that the sky was all pink andgold with the clouds of the sunrise, and that he was only little Cedricin his attic chamber. He dressed himself quickly and climbed down thewooden ladder to the room below.

  He was soon busy and happy, helping his mother feed the doves and waterthe cow and fetch hay for the two horses. After his father had eaten hisbreakfast, and had gone to his work in the field, the little would-beknight and his mother washed the dishes and tidied the two small rooms.Cedric was very fond of thus helping her with the work, and she oftensaid, "My little boy is both son and daughter to me." By and by she satdown to her sewing. Then Cedric could keep his secret no longer. Goingup to her, he put his arm around her neck and whispered to her the storyof the knight, how he had stopped and spoken, and what he had said. "Do_you_ think I could ever grow up to be a knight, mother?" asked he. Hismother smiled, and then looked sober as she brushed his brown hair backfrom his forehead and said, "Knights have many, many hard things to do,my son, and oftentimes their lives are in danger." "Yes, I know,"answered Cedric eagerly, "but think, mother, how brave they are, and howgood! Do they not protect our country?" "Yes," said his mother, "I knowall that. I could not sleep at night when our enemies are near at handif I did not know that Sir Rollin Dubois and his brave soldiers were onthe hill close by. But you are a very little boy, Cedric. Run out toyour play now."

  Many times during the next few weeks little Cedric thought of the grandknights and how one of them had smiled at him and had spoken as if _he_,Cedric, might some day be a great, strong knight and ride a beautifulhorse, and do brave deeds.

  Weeks passed by and the spring had changed into summer. One evening,just as the setting sun was turning all the white clouds into gold andcrimson, Cedric stood in the low doorway wondering if where the angelslived could be more beautiful than was the sky over his dear mountainhome. He suddenly heard the tramp of horses' feet, and looking downacross the plain, he saw a gay party of horsemen. Their armor flashedand shone in the light of the setting sun and their long white plumeswaved in the gentle evening breeze. His face lighted up with a gladsmile, for he knew that it was Sir Rollin Dubois and his soldiersreturning from the terrible war to which the King had sent them. Theysoon came near enough for Cedric to see their faces, as the heavy steelvisors of their helmets were lifted so that they might breathe morefreely the soft summer air. It had been a warm day, and Cedric noticedthat even the tallest knight among them looked tired, and as if he wouldbe glad to get to the castle and lay aside, for a while at least, hisheavy armor.

  Just as they were passing the door in which Cedric stood, one of themstopped his horse and leaning forward said, "My little man, will yougive me a drink of water?" Cedric ran quickly and filled a cup withfresh, cool water from the spring near by, and brought it to the knight."Thank you," said the nobleman, as he handed the cup back to Cedric. "Iam very glad to be able to serve you," said Cedric quietly. The knightsmiled, gathered up the reins of his horse, and said, "You are ascourteous as a knight, my boy."

  That evening Cedric told his mother of this second speech, and then heasked as a wistful look came over his face, "Ah, mother dear, do youthink I can ever become a knight?"

  Weeks passed into months and the soft, gray snow clouds had covered thegreen hills with the white mantle of winter. Whenever Cedric felt likebeing rude, or cross, or selfish, he thought of the bright smile on thegreat knight's face that summer evening, when he had asked for the cupof cold water, and he felt sure the smile would change into a frown ifthe knight should see him do a discourteous or a selfish act.

  A year or two had passed when one day something happened which Cedricnever forgot. His father came in from his work and said, "Sir RollinDubois wants a young lad to come to the castle to take the place of hispage who has lately been promoted. Do you think, wife, that our Cedricis strong enough for such an office?" Cedric's heart almost stoppedbeating while he listened for his mother's answer. She thought for a fewmoments and then said slowly as if weighing each word, "Yes, I think hewould try very hard to do his duty, and I should like to have him learnmore of knighthood. Perhaps some day he too may be a knight, whoknows?" she added, as she turned smilingly to the radiant face of herboy.

  That very afternoon she made a bundle of his few clothes, and his fathertook him by the hand and walked with him up the steep hill to the greatcastle gate. Cedric had never before been so near the castle, and whenhis father lifted the heavy iron knocker and brought it down with two orthree loud knocks, it seemed to Cedric that his heart was knockingalmost as loudly. Not that he was afraid, but he was stirred by thethought of going into the presence of the great and noble Sir Rollinwhom all people loved and revered.

  The huge iron gate slowly lifted. The drawbridge was already thrownacross the ditc
h of water which surrounded the castle and in a fewmoments Cedric and his father had passed under the stone archway andwere standing within the courtyard. A man took them into a large roomwhose walls and floors were of stone, and bade them sit down on a woodenbench which stood near the door, saying at the same time, "I will tellSir Rollin that you are here."

  They had been waiting some time when a door at the other end of theroom opened and a large, well built man, who looked so tall and straightthat he reminded Cedric of a mountain pine, came forward. He was notdressed in armor, but Cedric knew at once that it was Sir Rollin Dubois.The knight talked a few moments with Cedric's father and then turning toCedric he said "And you think you would like to become a knight, my boy?Are you sure that you will not mind hard work and will remember alwaysto be true and pure, brave and unselfish?" Cedric's smile was so brightthat no answer was needed. The knight turned again to his father andsaid, "Do you realize that it will take some ten years or more ofdiscipline and hard work on the part of your boy, before he can hope tobe promoted to a position of responsibility?" "Yes," said the fatherquietly, "but I think he is willing to try it."

  After a little talk it was decided that the boy should begin histraining then and there. So his father bade him good-bye and left.Cedric was taken by an older boy up some stone stairs to a small roomwhose ceiling, walls and floor were of stone. In the corner of the roomlay a pile of straw, over which had been thrown a sheep-skin. At oneside of the room was a small table. No other furniture was in theapartment save a cedar chest which was doubtless intended to serve forboth chair and wardrobe. There was a narrow pointed window in one sideof the room through which the sunlight came. Cedric went up to thewindow and looked out, but it was so high that he could see only theblue sky and a soft white cloud. "Ah," thought Cedric to himself, "I canat least see the stars at night and the sunlight each morning. Will theynot remind me always of the good God who watches over me?"

  That night his supper consisted of some coarse barley bread and a bowlof broth. Cedric, however, was used to simple food, and did not mindthis part of his discipline. As he lay down upon the pile of straw anddrew the sheep-skin over him, he thought of his nice warm bed at home,but instantly came this other thought, "I must learn to be hardy andstrong if I am ever to do any great work in the world. So, I will notmind such little discomforts as these."

  Cedric soon found that he had not only to eat coarse food and sleep upona hard bed, but that he had to practice standing very straight, runningvery swiftly, being able to manage a horse, to jump on and off whilethe horse was in full gallop, to throw his spear with unerring accuracy,and also that he must be prompt and ready to obey a call from SirRollin, that he must not only learn to do errands faithfully andquickly, but to wait patiently and quietly oftentimes when he could notunderstand why he waited.

  Year after year passed by and little Cedric had grown large and tall.When he visited his home he used often to laugh at the little bed whichhad once held him so cosily. Not only had he grown strong and tall, buthe had grown even more in thoughtfulness and courtesy toward all abouthim.

  One day Sir Rollin sent for him. "Cedric," said he, "I wish you to takea message to the King. It is quite an important one and it must reachhim before to-morrow night. Get ready as quickly as you can. Take mygray horse, as he is the swiftest one in the stables, and remember thatI have trusted you much by sending you upon this errand."

  Cedric's heart beat with joy, as he thought, "At last I have provedfaithful enough to be sent with a message to our great King." He wasready in less than half an hour, and jumping on the splendid graycharger he went galloping down the highway. On and on he rode.

  At last he entered a thick forest of pine trees. The road grew very darkand lonesome. "What if I should meet some wild beast," thought Cedric,but he added, half aloud, "If I am ever to be a knight, I must learn tobe brave and face every danger." It was not long before he was quitesure that he heard a deep, low growl. His heart beat fast, but he rodesteadily forward and soon the growl was repeated, this time nearer andmore distinct, and Cedric saw in the dim light, a great wild boar comingtowards him. The creature's eyes were shining like fire, and his whitetusks overhung his lower jaw in a fierce and forbidding fashion. Cedricknew that this must be the beast which had destroyed so many of thecattle of the neighboring peasants, but who was so strong and savagethat no one had dared to go near him. He spurred his horse forward as hethought, "If I kill this wild boar I will already begin to be of serviceto the people of my country." So he lifted the spear which he carried athis side, from its leather socket, and raising it high in the air, hehurled it swiftly at the beast who was ready to spring upon him. In amoment more the wild boar rolled over upon the ground, dead. Cedricreached down and drew his spear from its side, and as he rode on againhe thought, "Wolves and wild boars must not stop the way of a messengerof the King. I must fear nothing if I am to be a knight."

  After a time his road lay out of the forest into the sunlight. As heapproached a small village he heard a great noise as of much shoutingand soon he saw a group of boys who were evidently hooting and laughingat something in their midst. He rode up to where they were and felthimself growing indignant as he saw an old, deformed man standing intheir midst, at whom they were jeering. In a moment he sprang from hishorse and pressing through the crowd of boys he stood beside the oldman. On his face was a flush of indignant anger. "How dare you," heexclaimed, "laugh at or insult an old man like this?" The boys drewback, frightened. Although he was really no taller than they, he seemedto tower above them. "My," exclaimed one of them in a whisper, "doesn'the look like a knight as he stands there?" "I shouldn't wonder if hewere one," said another.

  Cedric turned to the old man who was trembling in every limb. "Whereare you going?" asked he kindly. "Only to the next village," said theold man, "but these boys stopped me on my way. I cannot help mydeformity nor my old age. I wish I could." The tears stood in his eyesas he spoke. "Come," said Cedric gently, "let me help you upon my horse.I, too, am going to the next village."

  When they had reached the next village Cedric helped the old man fromthe horse at his own door. Then, mounting, he thought to himself, "I amvery hungry, I think I will stop at the village inn and get a good warmsupper." "No," said he on second thought, "I cannot stop now. I have hadto travel so slowly because of the old man that I must make up for losttime." With that he tightened the rein of his beautiful horse, and thetwo had soon left the village far in the distance. Cedric reached backto a leather pouch behind him and took from it a dry biscuit which hadto serve for his supper that night.

  Late in the evening he reached the house at which he was to rest hishorse and he himself slept for a few hours. By dawn the next day he wasup and off on his journey. As he was riding by a small stream of waterhe noticed a poor, little fish that some thoughtless fisherman hadthrown upon the bank as too insignificant to be taken home forbreakfast. The tiny creature was struggling and gasping for breath as itvainly tried to get back into the water. "Ah, you poor little thing,"thought Cedric, "I wish I had time to put you back into the stream, butI haven't," and so he rode on. Then came the thought, "A knight wouldtake time to help anything that was suffering. If I am ever to be aknight I must do so too." With this thought, he turned and was soon backagain at the spot where the little fish lay. He got down off of hishorse, and taking the poor creature in his hand as gently as possible,he stooped down and put it into the stream of water. It swam rapidlyaway as if glad, beyond words, to get back into its own element. Itsswiftly moving tail seemed to Cedric, as he watched it for a moment, tosay, "Thank you, Cedric, thank you, thank you!" He then jumped on hishorse again and rode on.

  The day grew very warm, but Cedric knew that he must not stop for hisown comfort; his errand was an important one and he must reach theKing's palace before night.

  At last the beautiful palace came in sight and in a few moments Cedrichad ridden into the courtyard. He gave his letter to a servant to carryit to one of the squires who gave it to
a courtier who presented it tothe King; for you must remember in those days a King was a very greatperson, and only those men who had risen high in rank could approachhim.

  Among other things the note contained this message. It told the Kingthat the bearer was a young lad who had been in training for knighthoodand that Sir Rollin had found him always brave and trustworthy, true andnoble, kind and courteous, and that he, Sir Rollin, thought if the Kingwanted him in his army, he would find him worthy of the place.

  The King sent for Cedric to come to him personally. Our little boy hadgrown into a tall man, you know, and his frank, pure face was good tolook upon. The King told him that he wished to put him in office in hisarmy; and thus Cedric went to live in the King's household and here helearned many things which he could not have learned at the castle of SirRollin Dubois.

  Several years passed by, and Cedric had been entrusted with manyenterprises, both difficult and dangerous. At last one day the King sentfor him to come into the throne room. There sat the King upon abeautiful throne of gold; beside him sat the queen. Over their head wasa crimson velvet canopy. Standing about the room were a great number ofcourtiers and grand ladies. As Cedric entered the room, the King said,"Come forward."

  Cedric stepped forward and kneeled upon one knee before the throne, aswas the custom in those days. The King raised his beautiful goldenscepter and struck Cedric lightly upon the shoulder with it, saying atthe same time, "Rise, Sir Cedric of Altholstane." And Cedric knew thenthat he was, at last, a knight!

  In time he had a beautiful castle of his own, and splendid armor, themost beautiful black horse that you ever saw. The handsome horse used toprance and toss his head proudly in the air as if he knew what a nobleyoung knight he was carrying. After a while Cedric had a lovely wife andtwo or three sweet little children of his own, and as he rode abroadover the country, many a time the peasants standing in their cottagedoors, would say to each other, "There goes the brave Sir Cedric ofAltholstane. God bless him! May he live long to help protect ourcountry." And all the people loved him.