ort me further. Mine ears did ring; the room began to whirl all
around me; weights then did seem to hang upon my weary eyelids; my head
sank lower; and there, at the King's feet, I fell into a heavy sleep.

CHAPTER VI

THE KING'S GIFTS

When I awoke I was in mine own sleeping room, undressed and in bed. My
servant was standing by my bedside. The sun was shining into my room,
and it was evidently well on in the day. I had to think for some
moments before I could tell where I was. Then it all came to me like a
flash of light. I remembered that terrible ride; kneeling at the
King's feet, and from that moment everything was a blank.

I asked my servant what hour it was.

"Upon the stroke of three, sir," he replied.

"Is Sir Frederick Harleston yet stirring?"

"I think not, sir."

"Go call him, and ask him to breakfast with me, in my sitting room."

I dressed myself as quickly as my stiff limbs would permit, and soon
Sir Frederick joined me at breakfast.

Whilst we were yet at our meal a page brought us word that the King did
desire to see us in his apartments. We hastily followed the messenger
and soon found ourselves in the presence of his Majesty, who did
receive us most cordially.

"Ah! my dear Bradley, I hope thou hast quite recovered from the effects
of thy journey." Then, looking at Harleston, he said:--"And thou, Sir
Frederick, art not so sleep-weary as thou wast yesterday e'en? By the
saints, we thought that ye both were done for! Ye would not even keep
from dreamland for the sake of a flagon of wine. Truly, ye were
greatly exhausted; and no small wonder, when one doth take into account
the time ye made."

We bowed respectfully, in acknowledgment of this compliment, and he
continued:--

"I hope that ye will now give me a description of the battle; for my
brother doth send me the result only."

After we had described the battle, as well as might be, the King, with
a complimentary expression of his thanks for our services, gave unto
Harleston and me each a suit of the best of Spanish armour, richly
inlaid with gold. I had seen the King wear suits like these, and I did
guess that they were his Majesty's own. This surmise proved to be
correct, for, as we hastened to thank him for his magnificent gift, he
said:--

"I know that you will not prize them the less when ye learn that both
of those suits have been worn by us."

We could not thank his Grace sufficiently for this marked fav