h the villein, his sight of the king, his coming upon his
brother, with all the tale of the black welcome and of the fair damsel.
They strode on either side, each with an ear slanting towards him, but
ere he had come to the end of his story the bowman had spun round upon
his heel, and was hastening back the way they had come, breathing loudly
through his nose.

"What then?" asked Alleyne, trotting after him and gripping at his
jerkin.

"I am back for Minstead, lad."

"And why, in the name of sense?"

"To thrust a handful of steel into the Socman. What! hale a demoiselle
against her will, and then loose dogs at his own brother! Let me go!"

"Nenny, nenny!" cried Alleyne, laughing. "There was no scath done. Come
back, friend"--and so, by mingled pushing and entreaties, they got his
head round for Christchurch once more. Yet he walked with his chin upon
his shoulder, until, catching sight of a maiden by a wayside well, the
smiles came back to his face and peace to his heart.

"But you," said Alleyne, "there have been changes with you also. Why
should not the workman carry his tools? Where are bow and sword and
cap--and why so warlike, John?"

"It is a game which friend Aylward hath been a-teaching of me."

"And I found him an over-apt pupil," grumbled the bowman. "He hath
stripped me as though I had fallen into the hands of the tardvenus. But,
by my hilt! you must render them back to me, camarade, lest you bring
discredit upon my mission, and I will pay you for them at armorers'
prices."

"Take them back, man, and never heed the pay," said John. "I did but
wish to learn the feel of them, since I am like to have such trinkets
hung to my own girdle for some years to come."

"Ma foi, he was born for a free companion!" cried Aylward, "He hath the
very trick of speech and turn of thought. I take them back then, and
indeed it gives me unease not to feel my yew-stave tapping against my
leg bone. But see, mes garcons, on this side of the church rises the
square and darkling tower of Earl Salisbury's castle, and even from here
I seem to see on yonder banner the red roebuck of the Montacutes."

"Red upon white," said Alleyne, shading his eyes; "but whether roebuck
or no is more than I could vouch. How black is the great tower, and
how bright the gleam of arms upon the wall! See below the flag, how it
twinkles like a star!"

"Aye, it is the steel head-piece of the watchman," remarked the archer.
"But we must on, if we