第48章 A PLACE OF REFUGE(3)

"First of all, Ralph, we will have a drink of wine, for I am chilled to the bone.""Aye, and so am I," Ralph replied."I got hot enough climbing that rope, but now the cold has got hold of me again, and my teeth are chattering in my head."Picking up one of the fallen vessels by a cask they dipped it in and took a long draught of wine; then, turning off from the principal streets, they made their way by quiet lanes down to one of the gates.To their dismay they found that this was closed.The French commanders knew that Sir Walter Manny or Salisbury might ere this be pressing forward to relieve the town, and that, finding that it had fallen, they might attempt to recapture it by a sudden attack.While permitting therefore the usual licence, after a successful assault, to the main body of their forces, they had placed a certain number of their best troops on the walls, giving them a handsome largess to make up for their loss of the festivities.

At first Walter and his friend feared that their retreat was cut off for the night, but several other people presently arrived, and the officer on guard said, coming out, "You must wait a while; the last batch have only just gone, and I cannot keep opening and closing the gate; in half an hour I will let you out.

Before that time elapsed some fifty or sixty people, anxious to return to their villages, gathered round the gate.

"Best lay aside your steel cap, Ralph, before we join them," Walter said.

"In the dim light of that lamp none will notice that we have head-gear, but if it were to glint upon the steel cap the officer might take us for deserters and question us as to who we are.

Presently the officer came out from the guard-room again.There was a forward movement of the little crowd, and Walter and Ralph closed in to their midst.The gates were opened, and without any question the villagers passed out, and the gates were shut instantly behind them.

Walter and his comrade at once started at a brisk pace and walked all night in the direction of Hennebon.Their clothes soon dried, and elated at their escape from danger they struggled on briskly.When morning broke they entered a wood, and lay there till evening, as they feared to continue their journey lest they might fall into the hands of some roving band of French horse.They were, too, dog-tired, and were asleep a few minutes after they lay down.The sun was setting when they awoke, and as soon as it was dark they resumed their journey.

"I don't know what you feel, Master Walter, but I am well-nigh famished.It is thirty-six hours since I swallowed a bit of food, just as the French were moving to the attack.Hard blows I don't mind - I have been used to it; but what with fighting, and being in the water for five or six hours, and climbing up that endless rope, and walking all night on an empty stomach, it does not suit me at all.""I feel ravenous too, Ralph, but there is no help for it.We shall eat nothing till we are within the walls of Hennebon, and that will be by daylight tomorrow if all goes well.Draw your belt an inch or two tighter, it will help to keep out the wolf."They kept on all night, and in the morning saw to their delight the towers of Hennebon in the distance.It was well that it was no further, for both were so exhausted from want of food that they could with difficulty drag their legs along.

Upon entering the town Walter made his way at once to the quarters of the leader.Sir Walter had just risen, and was delighted at the sight of his esquire.

"I had given you up for dead," he exclaimed."By what miracle could you have escaped? Are you alone?""I have with me only my faithful follower Ralph Smith, who is below; but, Sir Walter, for mercy's sake order that some food be placed before us, or we shall have escaped from the French only to die of hunger here.We have tasted nought since the attack on Vannes began.Have any beside us escaped?""Lord Stafford contrived, with two or three others, to cut their way out by a postern-gate, bringing with them Robert of Artois, who is grievously wounded.None others, save you and your man-at-arms, have made their way here."In a few minutes a cold capon, several manchets of bread, and a stoop of wine were placed before Walter, while Ralph's wants were attended to below.

When he had satisfied his hunger the young esquire related his adventures to Sir Walter and several other knights and nobles, who had by this time gathered in the room.

"In faith, Master Somers, you have got well out of your scrape," Sir Walter exclaimed."Had I been in your place I should assuredly have perished, for I would a thousand times rather meet death sword in hand, than drop down into the deep hole of that well.And your brains served you shrewdly in devising a method of escape.What say you, gentlemen?"All present joined in expressions of praise at the lad's coolness and presence of mind.

"You are doing well, young sir," the English leader went on, "and have distinguished yourself on each occasion on which we have been engaged.Ishall be proud when the time comes to bestow upon you myself the order of knighthood if our king does not take the matter off my hands."A little later Robert of Artois died of his wounds and disappointment at the failure of his hopes.