A FIRST BRUSH WITH THE ENEMY
Now I will not weary ye, my children, with a description of our march
unto Scotland, as it was a wearisome one, without any adventures which
might have relieved the tediousness of so long a journey. Indeed there
was nought for us to do, but march all day, and when night did come,
thank Heaven that we could forget our weariness in well earned rest and
sleep.
At almost every town along the line of march we were joined by
reinforcements; so, by the time we neared the border, we had an army
strong enough to take a considerable fortress. However, as we did
approach nigh unto Berwick, which place was the object of our attack,
we learned that it should require all of our forces to subdue so
formidable a stronghold. When within a few miles of this place, that
hath been so many times the scene of struggle between our nation and
our ever irritating neighbours of the North, and which, some score of
years before, had been turned over unto our enemies, by that gentle and
weak-minded King Henry VI, Duke Richard of Gloucester, on this, his
second expedition unto this place--his first having miscarried--sent
unto the garrison a messenger, under a flag of truce, to demand the
surrender of Berwick, unto the army of its rightful owner. Whilst he
was gone, the army went into camp; for although it was still early in
the day, our leader had decided, in case the Scots did refuse to
surrender--which, in all probability, would be their reply--that we
were not to begin the attack until the morrow, in order that his army
might have an opportunity to rest after their long, hard, march.
Oh, such a delightful evening did follow that long and weary day of
labour. We were among that magnificent border scenery, where nature
doth seem so busy with her work of carving herself into most fantastic,
and yet admirable, ruggedness. How, in the evening, doth she cast her
beauteous, drooping, eye aslant across her work; and her gentle breath
dies out in hushed and satisfied, yet modest, admiration. The setting
sun did seem to paint a hill, then step a vale and touch another with
its golden brush.
Here may be seen many a place where nature's liquid emery hath ground
the rocks asunder, and still some sparkling remnant goes trickling down
the groove.
On this evening Harleston and I did take our usual walk through the
camp and, as the night was glorious, it did tempt us to stray further
from headquarters than might be considered safe. In fact, past the
outposts did we go, and sat us down upon a hill that had seemed bolder
than its comrades, so that we might the better see the surrounding
country.
As we sat there, our backs were turned towards the camp, and our faces
were tinted with the fading colors of the western sky. To right and
left were hills and hollows of varying height and depth, but all having
in common, shrubs and trees in unfailing irregularity, growing side by
side, above and beneath each other, in the same disorder as had their
seeds been flung there by the hand of the hurrying angel which did sow
the whole of the earth's broad face. At our feet, and betwixt us and
the sister to the hill on which we now were seated, was a smooth and
undeceiving mirror, set, with bashful caution, between these obscuring
hills, that nature's pardonable vanity might not with ease be gazed
upon by the ignorant eye of man.
"I wonder when we shall be back at Windsor," said Sir Frederick, in a
gentle tone, after we had sat in silence for some time, gazing at the
soul-inspiring sight.
"Surely thou art not beginning to be homesick?" I asked; for this was
the first time that I had heard my companion speak of the castle, since
we had left it.
"Oh, no," he replied, "yet I wish that I might be there," and with this
methought he did sigh.
Now, Heaven knows, no man could have wished to be in Windsor more than
did I at that moment: yet, I had not liked to say so, for fear
Harleston might think that I did relish the lazy life at court, more
than I did that of the camp. But now that he had broken the ice it was
the one subject on which I wished to talk.
"Well, Sir Frederick, and what dost thou think of her, now that thou
hast had time to well consider?" I asked, coming out boldly.
"She is indeed perfection," he replied. And then, as though to
himself:--"Eyes like the sky's deep and unfathomable blue, and hair
like nothing more earthy than a sun-reflecting piece of well polished
gold."
"Nay, not so; her hair is dark, and her eyes are hazel as her name,"
said I, in surprise;--and then, after staring at each other for a
moment, we both did see our mistakes, and burst out a-laughing.
So Harleston and I sat talking on a subject that was very dear to us,
until we did hear the bugles calling, which warned us that it was time
to return and retire. We arose and started down the hill, and back to
camp, both feeling in musing, more than talking, mood. We had not gone
far, however, when my companion called my attention to something behind
a clump of bushes, glistening in the moonlight.
"If I am not mistaken, there is danger yonder; for if ever I did see
the glisten of a headpiece, I see it now. We had better put that hill
between us and the enemy, if such they be, for, without our armour, a
doublet doth afford but faint resistance to the steel head of an arrow."
We at once started to cross the low hill that Harleston did refer to.
We had just reached the top, when two or three arrows struck the rocks
at our feet.
"A good shot, for the distance, upon mine honour," cried Sir Frederick,
as we leapt down behind the shelter of the friendly hill. We ran
quickly along the ravine in the direction of the camp, but Harleston,
suddenly stopping, said:--"Suppose we see from whom we are running,
before we do go any further. If they be but a few archers or
men-at-arms, two good knights should drive the rascals before them as
doth the wind the crisp, dry leaves; ay, though we wear not our full
armour. What dost thou say, Bradley, shall we try conclusions with
them?"
Readily did I consent to the adventure; for never in my life have I
been known to require a second invitation of this sort. We concealed
ourselves behind some shrubs, and there we awaited our pursuers.
Presently we beheld them approaching at a run; and, as they neared our
hiding place, we could see what we should have to face. They were
three men, armed with swords such as are used by the Scotch, and which
they do manage more after the fashion of a club, than any other weapon
one could compare their use with. Their bows they had evidently thrown
aside, for their empty quivers still hung at their sides. However,
they also carried a small, round shield, and this did give them an
advantage over us, who had nothing but our good swords with which to
protect ourselves. When they came near the place where we were
concealed they stopped and held a short consultation.
"I saw them stop about this place," said one.
"No, methinks they went further on," said another.
"Well, we had better search here anyway," added the third, "for it will
not be safe for us to venture much more close unto the outposts."
And then they did commence to search the shrubbery all around us.
Nearer did they draw to where we waited, swords in hands. Presently
one came and thrust his sword into the bushes behind which we were
hiding. That was the last thrust he ever made. I was upon him in a
moment, and buried my sword up to its hilt in the fellow's chest. He
sank to the ground, but as he did so he uttered a gurgling yell, the
which did bring his companions unto that spot.
"Now, Harleston, we shall have some sport," I cried out, as I did
engage with the first of these new arrivals. My friend quickly met the
other, and we fell to in a lively fashion. I soon forced my man to
give ground, despite the difficulty I found in getting past his shield.
"Now, my brave Scot, I have thee in the right place," said I, as I
prepared to give him his quietus. Then, just as I did step forward, to
run the knave through, my foot slipped on one of those accursed stones,
and I sat down as nicely as I could have done in mine own rooms at the
castle. The fellow aimed a savage blow at my head, but, dropping the
point of my sword to the ground and raising the hilt, I caught the
stroke upon it. Then, reaching swiftly forward, I grasped him by the
ankle and hurled him to the ground. Ere he could move I was upon him
and, seizing his own dagger, I stabbed him to the heart.
When I had done for my man I turned to see how my friend was
progressing with his. They were still at it for dear life and Sir
Frederick did seem to be bothered with the way the Scotchman used the
little shield. This fellow was much larger and more thick of frame
than the one with which I had been engaged, and did seem to be giving
Harleston all he could do to hold his ground. Still would I not
interfere, for well did I know that my friend would rather die than
have assistance when fighting against a single foe. At length the
Scotchman made a swinging, backhand stroke, full at Sir Frederick's
neck. It was a savage blow, and I did greatly fear me that I had lost
a good comrade. Harleston, however, dropped quickly to one knee, and
as his opponent's blade whistled harmlessly over his head he plunged
his sword into his adversary's side.
"Well done!" cried I. "A pretty piece of work, upon my soul, was that
fall of thine."
"I see that thou hast settled with thy man," said he; "but this one did
compel me to use mine artifice."
With this we took their swords, as remembrances of this night's work,
and walked slowly back to camp, glad at having been the first to draw
blood, and for having found something to relieve the monotony, after
our long and tedious journey.
When we reached camp we learned that the messenger had returned with an
answer from the Scots, which message was evidently a refusal to comply
with the Duke's demand; for we did at once receive orders to be in
readiness to commence the attack at sunrise.
When we retired, Frederick and I occupied--as was our wont--the same
tent; and the last thing I heard, as I fell into a peaceful sleep, was
the sounds of the anvils of the armourers, as they worked, getting
everything ready for a day of battle.