we did
not know this latter at that time. That evening we took possession of
the fortress, and the flag of England replaced that of the Scots.

After I had had my quarters allotted to me, and was just getting out of
mine armour, who should walk into my room but my dear friend. He was
still in his complete harness, and was covered with sand and blood,
from head to foot.

"The saints be praised that thou art still alive!" cried I, as I rushed
and grasped him by the hand. "I was sure thou must be dead, and many a
poor Scot has paid dearly for my thought. But where, in the name of
Heaven, hast thou been rolling?"

"Do but wait a moment and I will tell thee all," he replied. Then,
when we were seated, he told me what had happened him. "You saw that
knight, with whom I did engage when the three attacked us?" he asked.

I nodded, and he went on:--"He is a Frenchman, and he hath a knack of
breaking his opponent's sword with the hilt of his own. He broke mine,
as I aimed a blow at his head; but, before he could strike, I closed
with him, and, putting mine arms around his waist, I threw myself from
my horse and dragged him with me. Of course he fell on top, which
shook me up a little and, as the ground was soaked with blood, I
naturally do not look so clean as I might."

"And what about the Frenchman?" I asked; "didst thou kill him?"

"Oh, no," he replied, "he struck his head heavily on the ground, and as
he was badly stunned, I took off his helmet to see what he did look
like, and also to give the poor devil some air, which I was in much
need of myself. He was a handsome man, and evidently he belongs unto a
wealthy house; for his armour was richly inlaid with gold."

I then told Harleston of my encounter with the same knight earlier in
the day, and when he had heard that the Frenchman had spared my life,
he was glad that he had not given him his _coup de grace_.

The next morning, as we were dressing, a knock came at our door, and,
upon opening it, a soldier handed unto me a message which, upon
reading, I found to be an order from the Duke of Gloucester to prepare
myself for a journey, and to report to him in an hour's time. I at
once guessed my destination, which I thought to be Windsor; and in this
I was not mistaken; for, on presenting myself at his Royal Highness'
quarters, I was handed a packet and commanded to reach the castle in
the shortest possible time. I then asked the Duke if Harleston might
acco