hat of these other mighty
earls, and they held a consultation together, to decide how they
could best reward him for the essential service he had rendered.
The earl told the whole story of his birth and education, as our
readers know it.

"He has, it is true, rendered us a great service, but that does not
justify us in advancing him in chivalry. He must earn that by some
deed of valour, or knighthood would be a mere farce."

"Exactly so," said he of Hereford. "Now I have a proposition: not a
week passes but my retainers are in skirmish with those wildcats,
the Welsh. Let the boy go and serve under my son, Lord Walter. He
will put him in the way of earning his spurs."

"The very thing," said Earl Simon. "Only I trust he will not get
killed, which is very likely under the circumstances, in which case
I really fear the poor old father would go down with sorrow to the
grave. Still, what is glory without risk? Were he my own son, I
should say, 'let him go.' Only, brother earl, caution thy noble son
and heir, that the youngster is very much more likely to fail in
discretion than in valour. He is one of those excitable, impulsive
creatures who will, as I expect, fight like a wildcat, and show as
little wisdom."

Hubert was sent for.

"Art thou willing to leave my service?" said the earl.

"My lord," said poor Hubert, all in a tremble, "leave thee?"

"Yes; dost thou not wish to go to the Holy Land?"

"Oh, if it is to go there. But must I not wait for knighthood?"

The reader must remember that knighthood alone would give Hubert a
claim upon the assistance and hospitality of other knights and
nobles, and that once a knight, he was the equal in social station
of kings and princes, and could find admittance into all society.
As a squire, he could only go to the Holy Land in attendance upon
some one else, nor could he carry the sword and belt of the dead
man whom he was to represent. A knight must personate a knight.

Hence Hubert's words.

"It is for that purpose we have sent for thee," replied the earl.
"Thou must win thy spurs, and there is no likelihood of opportunity
arising in this peaceful land (how little the earl thought what was
in the near future), so thou must even go where blows are going."

"I am ready, my lord, and willing."

"The Earl of Hereford is about to return home, and will take thee
with him to fight against the Welsh under his banner. Now what dost
thou say to that?"

Hubert bent the knee