ou," said he, hotly, "to come hither in this habit?"

"If thou but knewest the greatness of the perils of our brethren, how
they are near being murdered by savage men, thou wouldst forgive me,
father. But I bear a name none need fear to own--I am Nigel de Bessin,
and mine uncle its vicomte, would vouch for me, were he here----"

"As indeed he is," put in a pleasant voice of a gentleman that in
scarlet cloak sat by my lord's right hand. "And thou art my nephew?"
said he, as I moved forward to do him courtesy.

When we were made known he bade me proceed, assuring me that all my
wishes should be fulfilled.

"My lords," said I, "the good brothers of St. Michael of the Vale in
Guernsey are besieged and shut in this four weeks, nay, stormed and
murdered by a most pestilent villain and an innumerable horde of Moorish
devils that are settled in the isle. Men call him Le Grand Sarrasin, and
as ye have doubtless heard, he is a caitiff without mercy, that wars on
women as on men, on monks and husbandmen. This is he that calls himself
the Lord of the Norman seas, in clear treachery to our lord the duke,
and so cunning he is that he hath watchmen and spies at every harbour,
that he may establish himself more stoutly ere help come."

"And didst thou escape his hands?" said mine uncle, pondering, head upon
hand.

"Nay; he caught me and shut me in the womb of the earth, but by God's
grace I escaped him--but this matters not. Give me your good aid to the
duke, that in all haste I may return with a great host to save the
brethren."

"How old art thou, my son?" asked Lanfranc.

"Father, but sixteen years," said I, as though I feared they might smile
at me.

"And thou," said he, in admiration, "hast come through these terrors in
such a spirit of courage, wisdom, and love. Verily, my lords, ye see
here a child that God has led marvellously on an undoubted work of
charity."

While their eyes rested on me with a wonder I loved not--for, indeed,
what had I done above what any knightly youth should do for those he
loves?--I spake on, telling them how few days' food remained at Vale,
and how strait they were shut in, and begging them to see that I passed
on to William swiftly.

"The duke is far north now," said the abbot, "gathering strength for the
dangers that are looming from France. It is a sore ill time to beseech
him. Yet matters will not wait. In this case," he said strangely, "thou
wilt be thine own best advocate with him,