e subject, "not to encumber them with assistance in
honourable pastimes, when they can aid themselves without it. We hold
that a Prince in a hunting field must take his chance with others, and
that he comes there for the very purpose. What were woodcraft without
fatigue and without danger?"

"You hear the silly boy," said his uncle; "that is always the way with
him; he hath an answer or a reason ready to be rendered to every one. I
wonder whence he hath caught the gift; I never could give a reason
for anything I have ever done in my life, except for eating when I was
a-hungry, calling the muster roll, and such points of duty as the like."

"And pray, worthy Seignior," said the royal tonsor, looking at him from
under his eyelids, "what might your reason be for calling the muster
roll on such occasions?"

"Because the Captain commanded me," said Le Balafre. "By Saint Giles
[patron saint of lepers, beggars, and cripples. He has been especially
venerated in England and Scotland], I know no other reason! If he had
commanded Tyrie or Cunningham, they must have done the same."

"A most military final cause!" said Oliver. "But, Seignior Le Balafre,
you will be glad, doubtless, to learn that his Majesty is so far from
being displeased with your nephew's conduct, that he hath selected him
to execute a piece of duty this afternoon."

"Selected him?" said Balafre in great surprise--"selected me, I suppose
you mean?"

"I mean precisely as I speak," replied the barber, in a mild but decided
tone; "the King hath a commission with which to intrust your nephew."

"Why, wherefore, and for what reason?" said Balafre. "Why doth he choose
the boy, and not me?"

"I can go no farther back than your own ultimate cause, Seignior Le
Balafre, such are his Majesty's commands. But," said he, "if I might use
the presumption to form a conjecture, it may be his Majesty hath work to
do, fitter for a youth like your nephew, than for an experienced warrior
like yourself, Seignior Balafre.--Wherefore, young gentleman, get your
weapons and follow me. Bring with you a harquebuss, for you are to mount
sentinel."

"Sentinel!" said the uncle. "Are you sure you are right, Master Oliver?
The inner guards of the Castle have ever been mounted by those only who
have (like me) served twelve years in our honourable body."

"I am quite certain of his Majesty's pleasure," said Oliver, "and must
no longer delay executing it."

"But," said Le Balafre, "my ne