glance, as it came back, took in his
captive. "The first bar of your cage, my hawk. Yonder is the first
boundary of Ivarsdale."

Every man started up in his saddle, and the cheers they had held back
upon leaving camp burst forth now with added zest. Peering over her
captor's shoulder, Randalin looked forward anxiously.

Below the plain in whose centre the old elm held up its blasted top to
be silvered by the sun, the land dipped abruptly toward the river, to
rise beyond in a long low hill. Rolling green meadows lay at its foot,
and warm brown fields dotted with thatched farm-houses; and its sides
were checkered with patches of woodland and stretches of golden barley.
Just below the crest, the tower of the Lords of Ivarsdale reared its
gray walls above the surrounding greenery. Far away, a speck through the
dark foliage, the great London road gleamed white; but wooded hills made
a sheltering hedge between, and all around spread the great beech forest
that fostered the markmen's herds. It was a kingdom to itself, with the
light slanting warmly upon its fertile slopes and the forest standing
like a strong army at its back.

Because it was so peacefully lovely, and because of her utter weariness,
tears welled up under the girl's heavy lids as she looked. She said
unsteadily, "Saw I never a fairer cage, lord."

But the Etheling's eager glance had travelled on; for the first time the
sun was shining out brightly in his face.

"The sight has more cheer than has wine," he said. "I cannot comprehend
my folly in wanting to leave it. To live one's own master on one's own
land, that is the only life!" He looked back at the yeomen with a sudden
smile. "Noise!" he ordered. "Cheer again! it expresses the state of my
feelings. And let your horn sound merrily, Kendred, that they may know
we are coming."

Amid a joyous tumult, they swept over the terrace-like plain and broke
ranks around the old elm. Evidently it was the disbanding place, for the
yeomen-soldiers, one and all, came crowding around their leader to press
his hand and speak a parting word.

"You have fought with the sword of your tongue, chief!"... "as worthy a
battle as when you strove against the Danes!"... "The spirit of the old
days is not dead while you are alive, Oswald's son."... "None now are
born thereto save you alone!"... "Till that time when you send for
us, my chief."... "One eye on our ploughs and one watching for your
messenger."... "God keep you in sa