WILLIAM FITZ-OSBERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 59, 10 March 1871, Page 3

WILLIAM FITZ-OSBERT.

A STORY OF LONDON LIFE IN THE DATS OF RICHARD CQEUR DE LION. From the Family Friend. Chapter X. WALKICK, THE TOOL, IN LONDON. While Sir Hugh de Danedred was listening to Kelly, and almost unconsciously succumbing to the yoke of a new and holy infl uence — the mystic aud spiritual power which fills the soul with another's image — the wondrous thing that the world calls love — Walrick, the fool, was riding briskly on the road to London. The road was very rugged, but the hard frost made tolerably firm many parts which at other times in the winter was evidently impassible. For many miles no single habitation was visible in the wide track of moor and forest. He had discarded the steel helmet which adorned his head on his return from the Crusades, aud the bells round his cap jingled merrily as he proceeded on his way. After an hour's ride, during which no sign of human life was visible, he came to a small village, and bringing his horse to a stand before the village inn, he alighted. A group of men quickly gathered, round him, and the worthy tapster brought forth a flagon of foaming ale. One of the men threw water at the legs of his horse, another held up a pail of water for the animal to drink, and a third stood ready with a goodly allowance of oats. (/ Thou hast chosen a good morning foi/ thy journey, master,*' said the tapster, extending the flagon to Walrick. "Good!" ejaculated the fool, smacking h'<* ]'?*, after a long draught. " Thy ale tells the truth of what thou sayest." " How so?" inquired the tapster, smiling in expectation of a joke. " How? Thou art dull to-day, sir tapster! Does not thy ale turn mourning into feasting, and is not feasting good?" "Ha! ha! Truly thou art right." " Nay, then, thou art wrong. lam not right whilst thou hast caused me to be left without more ale." " Good again!" shouted the tapster, amid a hoarse chorus of laughter from the villagers who stood round. " Verily, a gain to thee, for the more thy customers thirst the heavier thy purse./ "Ye tapsters are a jovial crew, Erolicking fellows and bold, I know not which is the best of your brew — Your jolly good ale or your gold." " There's more ale than metal here, master. By St. Edmund, gold's as scarce as green pigs this quarter," said the tapster, handing Walrick the flagon, which had been replenished. "Better that thy ale be rich than thee," replied Walrick, after another application to the liquid. " I am content that it be so. My customers are thereby the richer for their bargain." " And thou art the poorer whilst thou dost pour it out." -- For remainder of news see Fourth page!

"Ha! ha! Thou art !a most noble fool; thy wit is excellent. Thou should'st be merryman to the king ; brave Riohard could not wish for more," said the tapster, with au eye to the possible liberality of his customer. "The Lion-Heart wish for more? Hast thou not heard that he has had enough?" "Aye, what news now? Is is true that King Richard has left Palestine?" "Most true. He is now in the clutches of King Leopold, whose banner he trampled on at Acre." "A captive?" "If to be under bolt and bar in Turnsteign Castle, at Vienna, is captivity, then most surely the Lion-Heart is a captive." The news elicited a murmur of surprise from the crowd of half savage rustics. "From whence bring you this news?" asked the tapster, eagerly. "From France," replied Walrick. "If thou be an honest and upright fool "Stay! A fool that lies cannot be, ! upright" interrupted Walrick. l "Save thy doubts and ifs, master tapster, for smaller folk." While he spoke. Walrick leapt on his horse and galloped away. He had not paid for the ale; and loud were the indignant shouts floating on the wind as he dashed at a rapid pace along the road. His face was flushed by the ale, a sardonic smile flitted about his mouth, and his eyes were lighted with sly humor. For miles he proceeded onward. The ill forebodings which had cast a gloom over the inmates of Danedred Tower were lurking in his own breast. The sun was sinking behind a broad curtain of mist, when the white walls of London were in view. It was dark when he reached the Tower, and there was no sound of life within its walls. Walrick, however was not unnoticed. The ready watch quickly challenged him, and, after much questioning and prevarication on the part of the fool, he was admitted. The sudden disappearance of Sir Hugh had caused extraordinary consternation. His sturdy followers were standing in solemn council round a blazing watch-fire on the ramparts. " Welcome, Master Walrick," cried the first man who recognised him, and in an instant he was surrounded by a perplexed and anxious crowd. "What news? Hast thou returned from Danedred Tower? Where is Sir Hugh? What has become of our young lord? Speak, man; hast thou lost thy tongue?" " We have lost more than our tongues if we have lost our chief," replied Walrick, somewhat startled at the intelligence that their questioning conveyed. "I have returned to seek Sir Hugh. The Lady de Danedred and Mary de Lawnford expected his return, and are sorely distressed at the delay. What has happened?" "We know not what has happened," said the foremost of the men. " Sir Hugh was about to start soon alter you left to prepare for his arrival at Danedred Tower, when a monk hurriedly drew near and spoke to him. They talked earnestly together for some time, and then Sir Hugh bade us dismount and await his return. He went with the monk towards Houndsditch. When he came back he looked troubled and thoughtful, and called me on one side, saying that he did not intend to start until the morning. From that hour we have not seen him. The Constable of the Tower has caused a proclamation to be made in the city commanding the citizens to give some clue to his strange disappearance, and we, assisted by the men of the garrison, have searched through all the city. We hoped that he had gone to Dauedred Tower. What is to be done?" " What to be done?" said Walrick, looking very grave; " Why lift him up and weep." " What dost thou mean?" said the soldier sternly. " Raise the Hugh and cry, to be sure." " Hush, man! This is no time for thy senseless talk." " It is time that all good men and true were at rest," replied Walrick. " Fool! Hath not our noble master been snared into some infernal trapj and suall we rest until he is found?" "If ye have done your duty, and have searched the city well beneath the light of day, there is little use in standing here this dark night gaping at each other as though ye were at Ac^^^nd the fierce Saracens were lurking abofß the walls." The men appeared to feel the truth of Walrick's remarks. Weariness had reduced the force and fever of anxiety. "Let us to sleep," "aid one ofj the men, "and at the : break of day we will renew our search." Very little argument' was needful, to l make them all of qne opinion on, the wisdom of this proposal, and repairing to the guardroom in th4 'gateway/, thtfjr stretched themselves on rushes, and'were soon in a heavy slumber.' 1 When* 'the -first cold streak of daWn was breaking jn the eastern sky, the loud blast of trumpets, the prancing of horses, and the shoojts of men echoed from^ wall to wall. Walrtck was the first tastart to. -his feet, and hej proceeded to awaken, his companions. Tpking a rush from the"

floor, he walked round with a solemn countenance, and tickled the faces of the sleepers. His kind attentions were acknowledged by the recipients with many growls and oaths; but the rough fellows were accustomed to his freaks, and<- were speedily astir, and in good humour. An hour afterwards breakfast was served in the great kitchen of the Tower. The meal was soon finished, and while soldiers of the garrison went to their several duties, the few sunburnt followers of Sir Hugh assembled in a little knot on the ramparts, and consulted on a new plan of operations. The debate was a noisy one, in consequence of Walrick's persistent interference, and it was at last decided that he should act on his own impulse, and that they would go forth in a body to explore a wood some five miles beyond Moorfields which was said to be infested by outlaws. Walrick awaited their departure, and then strolled quietly round Cornhill to Cheapside. No one who saw him swagger along Cheapside could have imagined that he had any serious purpose in his ramble, or that he had any anxiety on his mind. His costume acted like magic on the good citizens. The faces of the most bilious people were lighted with smiles of welcome, and many were the pleasant jests banded to and fro as he passed along. Careless, conceited, and frivolous as he appeared, he made the best use of his eyes and ears. While lingering before a shop in the froni of -which were displayed in tempting array a variety of bright new metal pots and pans, his attention was attracted by the gruff voice of a person inside, who seemed to be suffering from shortness of breath. "By the saints, 'twas Sir Hugh himself," said the speaker, jerking his words and panting loudly. "Art thou sure 'twas uot a dream or the effect of thy afternoon potations?" said another voice. "I tell thee," leplied the first speaker, with much excitement, "'twas in the broad light of day — the day when the lawyer, Fitz-Osbert, spoke before the justices — when our. neighbors carried him home in triumph. Dost thou not remember? Thou wert at thy door and hailed me as I passed. 'Twas that same afternoon, after having had a talk with our neighbor Baldwin, goiug up Cornhill, he came up to me and said he liked my brave appearance, and wished to be acquainted. He was a noble fellow — face bronzed and handsome — bright armour; he was very talkative, but I would have none of his prattle. I told him I was a citizen who would oppose the nobility while they trampled on the poor, and he/ quickly made off." / To be continued. /