Chapter XVII.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 66, 18 March 1871, Page 4

Chapter XVII.

ARMSTRONG AND THE OUTLAWS. Sir Hugh wisely lost no time in strengthening his position at Danedred Tower. He foresaw the troubles which Richard's prolonged absence would promote. Already the King's brother John had collected a large body of troops, and had forcibly taken possession of Windsor and Wallingford castles, and, to add to the gloomy aspect of affairs, a rumour was prevalent that the Lion Heart had died in his Austrian prison. Sir Hugh, and many staunch adherents of Richard, resolved to make a stand against John's ambitious pretensions, and before many veeksihad passed the retainers at Danedred Tower were augmented in number by a large reinforcement of patriotic neighbors, and sallied forth with the young baron to join the army raised in opposition to John. The Lady de Danedred had silently departed many days before, and had taken up her abode in a monastery about ten miles from Canterbury. Mary de Lawnford, with her modest retinue, took her departure at the sj,me time, but none knew her destination. Men were too busy anticipatingthe coming storm to pay much attention to 'this strange breaking up of the household at Dauedred Tower; but curious stories were afloat which were supposed to accoant for Mary de Lawnford's worn and sorrowful face, for the Lady de Danedred's sudden retirement, and for Sir Hugh's cold indifference to everything but warlike preparation. It will not serve the purpose of our story to follow minutely the fortunes of Sir Hugh through the two following years. Allied with other, barons, he was busily occupied during the! first year in driving John from England, Securing the peace of the country and assisting to raise the heavy ransom re* quired for King Richard's release. Often amid the 'dangers and difficulties of his arduous duties his mind wandered to the house in Cheapside, and his impulsive nature tempted him to throw up honor, duty, ambition, everything, and seek rest in some humble retirement, with Nelly Fitz-Osbert for his companion. But the hope that public affairs would ultimately afford him more leisure, assisted him to resist these temptations, and at such times bis activity "and energy Avould astonish his faithful followers. At last there appeared a prospect of peace and prosperity. On the 13th March, 1194, a small vessel was seen approaching the shore near Sandwich, and soon after the news spread that Richard Coeur de Lion was again on English soil. From town to town, from castle to .castle, the glorious news flew with astounding rapidity, and crowds of people mad with joy rushed to greet their monarch. Saxons and Normans were equally enthusiastic; for the chivalrous generosity and bravery of Richard had long been the theme of song throughout England and the continent. When he passed through the streets of London every citizen turned out in holiday attire, the bells rang merrily from the city churches, cloth of gold waved' in the wind and was festooned from house to house, vast stores of plate and jewels were exhibited at the windows of the wealthier merchants, the windows of all the sacred edifices gleamed with thelight of innumerable tapers burning on the altars, and the priests ■were all busy in pronouncing the awful sentence of excommunication against Prince John and his adherents. When the noise and clatter of the great cavalcade, and the blare of the trumpets had died away, and when the bells had ceased ringing, the people gradually dispersed from the narrowstreets. Standing at his door just in the same

attitude as lie was standing two years before, when the people carried Fitz-Osbert past ou their shoulders, stood Citizen Tapper, the worthy mender and maker of metal pots. "Canst tliou tell me where I may find an armourer named Armstrong?" asked a stranger, whose cap was pulled suspiciously over his featui'es. "Over yonder^" said Tapper, pointing to Armstrong's shop. The man did not stop to thank him for his brief direction, but beckoning to a compauion who stood a few paces ofi^ crossed the road towards the house pointed out by Tapper. There was no difficulty in discovering the armourer's abode, for over his door were fastened several rusty signs of his trade, and he himself was standing within the threshold. He recognised the two men instantly, and rising hastily, motioned them to enter. They did so in silence, and without a word of greeting or explanation the armourer proceeded to close and fasten the door. The men seated themselves, and looked about them at the various weapons and pieces of armour piled in the corners and suspended against the walls. As there was no window to the workshop, and the door was closed, the only light available was that of the forge, and Armstrong proceeded quietly to blow the embers into a more active state of combustion. Then he sat himself down on a small bench and looked at his guests. "So you have kept your promise," he said at last, addressing the man who had asked his way of Tapper. "yN» "Yes" replied the man, " I hope you are ready to keep to yours." " How many are there?" inquired Armstrong. " Six-and-twenty." "Good and true?" "Some of 'em want a firm hand." "Right enough if there's plenty of sport, I suppose?" "Aye, right as bishops." "Anything to be done?." "Yes, the exchequer is to be moved to Nottingham, and if there is a chance the boys are ready to work. "Humph! and will they follow me on my own errands?" "They pledge themselves to do so." "It cannot be long," said Armstrong, when he had finished this introductory interrogation, "before Fitz-Osbert will be involved in a plot which will make his head valuable." "We will wait," replied the man, with a grin, "until the price is worth the having." "That you can leave to me," answered Armstrong. "When the frjult f is ripe I will pluck it." * > "When will you join us, captain?" asked the other man, who had not yet spoken. "X'o-morrow at dawn." "Do yob.. know the way?" "I am not sure." "Then I will meet you on the other side of the mere." "Be it so." "What say you to the capture of a pretty Norman lady as your first exploit?" asked the man who had first spoken. "Depends on the object," replied Armstrong with a bitter smile. I hate women." "The object is a goodly purse. They say that Mary de Lawnford, a young Norman lady, travels on her way to Norwich, with but few attendants." "If there be good money or jewels, the sport is fair," answered Armstrong; '/but if there is a doubt about her burdemL would let her ladyship pursue her jeurney^Jin peace." "There is no doubt about her jewels, they have been seen with mine own eyes; and as to the weight of her purse, ifc should be hard to lift, if report speaks truly." "When and where do you propose to iutercept iier gentle ladyship?" asked Armstrong. \ "On the road to Royston, whither she would be passing by to-morrow night." "We must be prepared for a hard day's work, then," said Armstrong. " And a good reward," replied the man, rising from the bench and preparing to depart. " I trust so," replied Armstrong cautiously unbolting the door. "If we have wealth we can accomplish all;" The two men glided out into the street, and Armstrong again closed the door. " Wealth!" he muttered. Wealth is the key to a woman's heart. I see it now — fool that I have been! But it is uot too late; I may yet purchase what Sir Hugh believes he has secured. He has not re-' turned these many months, and I fancy that Nelly's face grows paler. Is it possible that she regrets her coldness to me? I will wait. I will wait till, "with this strong arm, I have secretly piled up my riches and gained power. With this brief soliloquy he, seized a bar of metal that lay in the glowing fire, and placing it on. his anvil, raised his great hammer: high in the air, and went to work with a mad kind of energy. To be continued.