oon make thee a master
of the sword."

With a dazzling smile he left her. Francis repaired to the courtyard to
await the coming of the queen and her maidens.

The royal barge, manned by watermen attired in regal liveries, lay at the
foot of the great stairs which ascended from the river. The yeomen of the
guard in scarlet jerkins with halberds in their hands, guarded the
passage from the palace to the waterside. Presently the ushers issued
from the mansion, flanked by a band of gentlemen pensioners. After this,
amidst a crowd of ladies and gentlemen, came Elizabeth herself.

Sir Walter Raleigh walked by the queen, but, as if pushed back from his
position by the press of people who crowded to see her, he dropped
slightly to the rear. As the ladies went gaily by, laughing and talking,
he let fall his gauntlet just in front of a beautiful girl. Recovering
the glove as Elizabeth looked about inquiringly for him he resumed his
place by her side. He was in high favor at this time, and consequently
obliged to be in constant attendance upon her.

Francis looked attentively at the lady so indicated and followed the
maids as unobtrusively as possible to the boats. The young ladies of
honor were to be in a boat by themselves with two older ladies for
chaperons. As soon as the girl perceived this she pushed forward boldly,
and, with true page-like officiousness, proffered her services to the
beautiful Elizabeth Throckmorton.

"I have a page of mine own in attendance, young sir," said the lady with
a smile. "Nathless I thank you for your courtesy."

"Fair lady," said Francis in a low tone, "hast ever heard of Hermes?"

"He was the messenger of the gods, sir," returned she in surprise.
"Why?"

"Because I am he," returned the supposed page with a bow. "Albeit I come
not from the gods. 'Twas Eros who sent me, therefore, I beseech you to
permit me to hand you to the boat."

With a laugh and a deep blush Mistress Throckmorton extended her hand,
and Francis led her to the barge, leaving the missive of Sir Walter in
the maiden's soft palm.

Later in the day, receiving a summons from Raleigh she hastened to him
and reported the success of her mission. "Gramercy, boy! thou wert most
gallant in the delivery," laughed Sir Walter. "And now for thy first
lesson with the sword." And soon the two were deep in the mysteries of
fencing.

"Every man should be master of this weapon," declared the sailor when
Francis, exhausted by the swi