ny stricken fields,
leading the very flower of York's chivalry, he called:

"Be Lacy! De Wilton! . . . Will you not," as they hurried to him, "by
your oath of pity and humility, accompany me to the block? It is hard
enough, God knows, that one who has both rank and blood should die
without trial or legal judgment; yet that none but hirelings should be
with me at the end is inhuman beyond measure. Look at yonder
sycophants, who but an hour ago hung upon my slightest gesture, now
hurrying from me as though I had the plague."

"Whatever we can do, my lord," said De Lacy, "pray command. I would we
had power to stay your doom."

Hastings smiled sadly. "I shall not detain you long. Lead on, my man."

It was but a step to the Chapel, and seeing that neither block nor
headsman was in waiting he shrugged his shoulders and laughed
sarcastically:

"Not honored even by the usual participants," he remarked. "Yon log of
timber and a common axe must serve the purpose. A strange undoing for
one who has ridden boot to boot with Edward . . . a Lord Chamberlain
and Captain of Calais."

"My Lord of Hastings!" said Raynor Royk, with doffed bonnet and in a
voice so changed from its usual gruffness that De Lacy and De Wilton
both marked it with surprise, "it grieves me ill that I, who have
followed the Sable Maunch so oft in battle, should lead you to your
death. Yet I may not shirk my duty, as you, great warrior as you are,
well know. But if there be aught I can do to aid you, that touches not
mine honor (for, my lord, we have what we call honor as well as those
who wear the yellow spurs), speak but the word."

Hastings stepped forward and placed his hand upon the old retainer's
shoulder. "My good fellow," he said gravely, "there are many with
golden spurs who are far less worthy to wear them than are you. Not
always does honor, nay nor chivalry either, dwell beneath the banner or
pennon of the Knight. Permit me a word apart with these kind friends."

For answer, Raynor Royk gave a sharp order and the soldiers drew out of
earshot.

"Need I say to you, Sir Aymer de Lacy, and you, Sir Ralph de Wilton,"
said Hastings, "how deeply I appreciate your great kindness in coming
with me here. Place yourselves in my position and you will know the
comfort you have given me. It would be foolish to say I am willing to
die; I love life as well as any man; yet bear me witness that I meet my
doom as becomes a Peer of England. I ha