CHAPTER XIX
A train of armed men, some noble dame Escorting, (so their scatter'd words discover'd, As unperceived I hung upon their rear,) Are close at hand, and mean to pass the night Within the castle. --Orra, a Tragedy
The travellers had now reached the verge of the wooded country, and wereabout to plunge into its recesses, held dangerous at that time from thenumber of outlaws whom oppression and poverty had driven to despair,and who occupied the forests in such large bands as could easily biddefiance to the feeble police of the period. From these rovers, however,notwithstanding the lateness of the hour Cedric and Athelstane accountedthemselves secure, as they had in attendance ten servants, besides Wambaand Gurth, whose aid could not be counted upon, the one being a jesterand the other a captive. It may be added, that in travelling thus latethrough the forest, Cedric and Athelstane relied on their descent andcharacter, as well as their courage. The outlaws, whom the severity ofthe forest laws had reduced to this roving and desperate mode of life,were chiefly peasants and yeomen of Saxon descent, and were generallysupposed to respect the persons and property of their countrymen.
As the travellers journeyed on their way, they were alarmed by repeatedcries for assistance; and when they rode up to the place from whencethey came, they were surprised to find a horse-litter placed upon theground, beside which sat a young woman, richly dressed in the Jewishfashion, while an old man, whose yellow cap proclaimed him to belongto the same nation, walked up and down with gestures expressive of thedeepest despair, and wrung his hands, as if affected by some strangedisaster.
To the enquiries of Athelstane and Cedric, the old Jew could for sometime only answer by invoking the protection of all the patriarchs of theOld Testament successively against the sons of Ishmael, who were comingto smite them, hip and thigh, with the edge of the sword. When he beganto come to himself out of this agony of terror, Isaac of York (for itwas our old friend) was at length able to explain, that he had hireda body-guard of six men at Ashby, together with mules for carrying thelitter of a sick friend. This party had undertaken to escort him asfar as Doncaster. They had come thus far in safety; but having receivedinformation from a wood-cutter that there was a strong band of outlawslying in wait in the woods before them, Isaac's mercenaries had not onlytaken flight, but had carried off with them the horses which bore thelitter and left the Jew and his daughter without the means either ofdefence or of retreat, to be plundered, and probably murdered, by thebanditti, who they expected every moment would bring down upon them."Would it but please your valours," added Isaac, in a tone of deephumiliation, "to permit the poor Jews to travel under your safeguard,I swear by the tables of our law, that never has favour been conferredupon a child of Israel since the days of our captivity, which shall bemore gratefully acknowledged."
"Dog of a Jew!" said Athelstane, whose memory was of that pettykind which stores up trifles of all kinds, but particularly triflingoffences, "dost not remember how thou didst beard us in the gallery atthe tilt-yard? Fight or flee, or compound with the outlaws as thou dostlist, ask neither aid nor company from us; and if they rob only suchas thee, who rob all the world, I, for mine own share, shall hold themright honest folk."
Cedric did not assent to the severe proposal of his companion. "We shalldo better," said he, "to leave them two of our attendants and two horsesto convey them back to the next village. It will diminish our strengthbut little; and with your good sword, noble Athelstane, and the aid ofthose who remain, it will be light work for us to face twenty of thoserunagates."
Rowena, somewhat alarmed by the mention of outlaws in force, and sonear them, strongly seconded the proposal of her guardian. But Rebeccasuddenly quitting her dejected posture, and making her way through theattendants to the palfrey of the Saxon lady, knelt down, and, after theOriental fashion in addressing superiors, kissed the hem of Rowena'sgarment. Then rising, and throwing back her veil, she implored herin the great name of the God whom they both worshipped, and by thatrevelation of the Law upon Mount Sinai, in which they both believed,that she would have compassion upon them, and suffer them to go forwardunder their safeguard. "It is not for myself that I pray this favour,"said Rebecca; "nor is it even for that poor old man. I know that towrong and to spoil our nation is a light fault, if not a merit, with theChristians; and what is it to us whether it be done in the city, in thedesert, or in the field? But it is in the name of one dear to many,and dear even to you, that I beseech you to let this sick person betransported with care and tenderness under your protection. For, if evilchance him, the last moment of your life would be embittered with regretfor denying that which I ask of you."
The noble and solemn air with which Rebecca made this appeal, gave itdouble weight with the fair Saxon.
"The man is old and feeble," she said to her guardian, "the maiden youngand beautiful, their friend sick and in peril of his life--Jews thoughthey be, we cannot as Christians leave them in this extremity. Let themunload two of the sumpter-mules, and put the baggage behind two of theserfs. The mules may transport the litter, and we have led horses forthe old man and his daughter."
Cedric readily assented to what she proposed, and Athelstane only addedthe condition, "that they should travel in the rear of the whole party,where Wamba," he said, "might attend them with his shield of boar'sbrawn."
"I have left my shield in the tilt-yard," answered the Jester, "as hasbeen the fate of many a better knight than myself."
Athelstane coloured deeply, for such had been his own fate on thelast day of the tournament; while Rowena, who was pleased in the sameproportion, as if to make amends for the brutal jest of her unfeelingsuitor, requested Rebecca to ride by her side.
"It were not fit I should do so," answered Rebecca, with proud humility,"where my society might be held a disgrace to my protectress."
By this time the change of baggage was hastily achieved; for the singleword "outlaws" rendered every one sufficiently alert, and the approachof twilight made the sound yet more impressive. Amid the bustle, Gurthwas taken from horseback, in the course of which removal he prevailedupon the Jester to slack the cord with which his arms were bound. It wasso negligently refastened, perhaps intentionally, on the part of Wamba,that Gurth found no difficulty in freeing his arms altogether frombondage, and then, gliding into the thicket, he made his escape from theparty.
The bustle had been considerable, and it was some time before Gurth wasmissed; for, as he was to be placed for the rest of the journey behinda servant, every one supposed that some other of his companions had himunder his custody, and when it began to be whispered among themthat Gurth had actually disappeared, they were under such immediateexpectation of an attack from the outlaws, that it was not heldconvenient to pay much attention to the circumstance.
The path upon which the party travelled was now so narrow, as not toadmit, with any sort of convenience, above two riders abreast, and beganto descend into a dingle, traversed by a brook whose banks were broken,swampy, and overgrown with dwarf willows. Cedric and Athelstane, whowere at the head of their retinue, saw the risk of being attacked atthis pass; but neither of them having had much practice in war, nobetter mode of preventing the danger occurred to them than that theyshould hasten through the defile as fast as possible. Advancing,therefore, without much order, they had just crossed the brook with apart of their followers, when they were assailed in front, flank,and rear at once, with an impetuosity to which, in their confused andill-prepared condition, it was impossible to offer effectual resistance.The shout of "A white dragon!--a white dragon!--Saint George for merryEngland!" war-cries adopted by the assailants, as belonging to theirassumed character of Saxon outlaws, was heard on every side, and onevery side enemies appeared with a rapidity of advance and attack whichseemed to multiply their numbers.
Both the Saxon chiefs were made prisoners at the same moment, and eachunder circumstances expressive of his character. Cedric, the instantthat an enemy appeared, launched at him his remaining javelin, which,taki
ng better effect than that which he had hurled at Fangs, nailed theman against an oak-tree that happened to be close behind him. Thus farsuccessful, Cedric spurred his horse against a second, drawing his swordat the same time, and striking with such inconsiderate fury, thathis weapon encountered a thick branch which hung over him, and hewas disarmed by the violence of his own blow. He was instantly madeprisoner, and pulled from his horse by two or three of the banditti whocrowded around him. Athelstane shared his captivity, his bridle havingbeen seized, and he himself forcibly dismounted, long before he coulddraw his weapon, or assume any posture of effectual defence.
The attendants, embarrassed with baggage, surprised and terrified at thefate of their masters, fell an easy prey to the assailants; whilethe Lady Rowena, in the centre of the cavalcade, and the Jew and hisdaughter in the rear, experienced the same misfortune.
Of all the train none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon theoccasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense. Hepossessed himself of a sword belonging to one of the domestics, who wasjust drawing it with a tardy and irresolute hand, laid it about him likea lion, drove back several who approached him, and made a brave thoughineffectual attempt to succour his master. Finding himself overpowered,the Jester at length threw himself from his horse, plunged into thethicket, and, favoured by the general confusion, escaped from the sceneof action. Yet the valiant Jester, as soon as he found himself safe,hesitated more than once whether he should not turn back and share thecaptivity of a master to whom he was sincerely attached.
"I have heard men talk of the blessings of freedom," he said to himself,"but I wish any wise man would teach me what use to make of it now thatI have it."
As he pronounced these words aloud, a voice very near him called out ina low and cautious tone, "Wamba!" and, at the same time, a dog, which herecognised to be Fangs, jumped up and fawned upon him. "Gurth!" answeredWamba, with the same caution, and the swineherd immediately stood beforehim.
"What is the matter?" said he eagerly; "what mean these cries, and thatclashing of swords?"
"Only a trick of the times," said Wamba; "they are all prisoners."
"Who are prisoners?" exclaimed Gurth, impatiently.
"My lord, and my lady, and Athelstane, and Hundibert, and Oswald."
"In the name of God!" said Gurth, "how came they prisoners?--and towhom?"
"Our master was too ready to fight," said the Jester; "and Athelstanewas not ready enough, and no other person was ready at all. And they areprisoners to green cassocks, and black visors. And they lie all tumbledabout on the green, like the crab-apples that you shake down to yourswine. And I would laugh at it," said the honest Jester, "if I could forweeping." And he shed tears of unfeigned sorrow.
Gurth's countenance kindled--"Wamba," he said, "thou hast a weapon,and thy heart was ever stronger than thy brain,--we are only two--but asudden attack from men of resolution will do much--follow me!"
"Whither?--and for what purpose?" said the Jester.
"To rescue Cedric."
"But you have renounced his service but now," said Wamba.
"That," said Gurth, "was but while he was fortunate--follow me!"
As the Jester was about to obey, a third person suddenly made hisappearance, and commanded them both to halt. From his dress and arms,Wamba would have conjectured him to be one of those outlaws who had justassailed his master; but, besides that he wore no mask, the glitteringbaldric across his shoulder, with the rich bugle-horn which itsupported, as well as the calm and commanding expression of his voiceand manner, made him, notwithstanding the twilight, recognise Locksleythe yeoman, who had been victorious, under such disadvantageouscircumstances, in the contest for the prize of archery.
"What is the meaning of all this," said he, "or who is it that rifle,and ransom, and make prisoners, in these forests?"
"You may look at their cassocks close by," said Wamba, "and see whetherthey be thy children's coats or no--for they are as like thine own, asone green pea-cod is to another."
"I will learn that presently," answered Locksley; "and I charge ye, onperil of your lives, not to stir from the place where ye stand, untilI have returned. Obey me, and it shall be the better for you and yourmasters.--Yet stay, I must render myself as like these men as possible."
So saying he unbuckled his baldric with the bugle, took a feather fromhis cap, and gave them to Wamba; then drew a vizard from his pouch,and, repeating his charges to them to stand fast, went to execute hispurposes of reconnoitring.
"Shall we stand fast, Gurth?" said Wamba; "or shall we e'en give himleg-bail? In my foolish mind, he had all the equipage of a thief toomuch in readiness, to be himself a true man."
"Let him be the devil," said Gurth, "an he will. We can be no worse ofwaiting his return. If he belong to that party, he must already havegiven them the alarm, and it will avail nothing either to fight or fly.Besides, I have late experience, that errant thieves are not the worstmen in the world to have to deal with."
The yeoman returned in the course of a few minutes.
"Friend Gurth," he said, "I have mingled among yon men, and have learntto whom they belong, and whither they are bound. There is, I think,no chance that they will proceed to any actual violence against theirprisoners. For three men to attempt them at this moment, were littleelse than madness; for they are good men of war, and have, as such,placed sentinels to give the alarm when any one approaches. But Itrust soon to gather such a force, as may act in defiance of all theirprecautions; you are both servants, and, as I think, faithful servants,of Cedric the Saxon, the friend of the rights of Englishmen. He shallnot want English hands to help him in this extremity. Come then with me,until I gather more aid."
So saying, he walked through the wood at a great pace, followed by thejester and the swineherd. It was not consistent with Wamba's humour totravel long in silence.
"I think," said he, looking at the baldric and bugle which he stillcarried, "that I saw the arrow shot which won this gay prize, and thatnot so long since as Christmas."
"And I," said Gurth, "could take it on my halidome, that I have heardthe voice of the good yeoman who won it, by night as well as by day, andthat the moon is not three days older since I did so."
"Mine honest friends," replied the yeoman, "who, or what I am, is littleto the present purpose; should I free your master, you will have reasonto think me the best friend you have ever had in your lives. And whetherI am known by one name or another--or whether I can draw a bow as wellor better than a cow-keeper, or whether it is my pleasure to walk insunshine or by moonlight, are matters, which, as they do not concernyou, so neither need ye busy yourselves respecting them."
"Our heads are in the lion's mouth," said Wamba, in a whisper to Gurth,"get them out how we can."
"Hush--be silent," said Gurth. "Offend him not by thy folly, and I trustsincerely that all will go well."