ight-messenger told me, amidst of his talk, that he had been but the
other day to Longshaw under safe-conduct, and that there it was told
him by one of the loose-tongued and grudging kind, as I deem, that Sir
Godrick of Longshaw had gotten to him these latter days a new captain,
a man very young, and as it were a David to look on in the days before
he slew the Philistine. Furthermore, said this grudger, that though
the said youth was a tall lad of his inches, and strong and well-knit,
he was all untried, and yet was he shoving aside older and well-proven
men in the favour of the Knight of Longshaw. In short, the said
grudger went on with his tale as though there were some big grievance
against his master brewing in Longshaw, and our knight deemed that so
it was, and that they would hold together the looser, and that thereby
we should have the cheaper bargain of them. All of which I trow
nowise, but deem, on the contrary, that I see in this glorious young
man even the one sent from heaven for the helping of our enemy, of
whom I dreaded that he would come ere long time was worn. But now let
all things be as they will that be not under my hand."

The Maiden still kept silence, but she flushed very red and her eyes
glittered; for her heart was smitten by this tale of the young
champion, and the thought sprang up suddenly, Who then can this be
save mine own beloved? But the talk between them fell.

Chapter LX. The Blue Knight Gathers Men and Departs from Brookside

Wore the days then till the winter came upon them, and though the
season was not hard, yet was there but little coming and going about
the country-side, that is to say for long journeys; but even so the
Blue Knight had his hands full of business in seeing to the gathering
of men and stuff for the hosting of the Barons' League. But when March
was at hand, and the roads were dry, there was no need of further
message to him, and he let it be known to all and several that on the
very first day of the month he would depart before sunrise. And this
he told to the Maiden specially, and by this time she had got to look
upon it as a thing already done, so that the news thereof took not
much from her cheer, which, to say sooth, was but little.

Mighty was the hubbub and toil of their getting ready; but when the
morning was come all was in good order, and the men and their wains
and what not were all drawn up in array down on the little plain
before the bridge, and th