THE TAKING OF BERWICK
The next morning, just as day was breaking, we were aroused by our
squires, who, after bringing us our breakfasts, of which we ate
heartily, got our armour and laid it out and ready. So soon as we had
finished with our repast, we were buckled and laced into our harness,
and then, as everything was ready for the march, we did set forth.
We had not travelled above a mile when our advance guard sent us word
that a strong force of the enemy was coming towards us, evidently with
the intention of attacking our right flank. This was the part of the
army in which Harleston and I were to play our part; we having been
sent there with a body of other knights to add somewhat to its
strength, the which was somewhat weak in comparison with the left wing,
which was led by the Duke of Albany, who was a brother of the Scottish
King, James, against whom he was now about to fight--but then, royal
brothers are ever longing to kill each other.
As we came over the brow of a hill we could see a considerable body of
knights and men-at-arms, preceded by a stronger force of archers,
coming slowly towards us, as the messenger had said.
Our archers were now thrown out in front, the knights followed, and the
men-at-arms brought up the rear. As we were drawing near unto the foe
we beheld their main body advancing on our centre, which was led by the
Duke of Gloucester himself. Soon we were engaged, and then we had not
time to see how the Duke did receive the Scotchmen; for indeed we were
too busy with the receiving of them, or rather their arrows, which
poured down on either side like rain.
When this long distance battle had gone on for a short space we thought
it time that we knights should take part, and not let all of the glory
go to the archers. Therefore, the command was given to swing to the
right, past them, and take the enemy in the flank. Around, as on a
hinge, swung the double ranks of mail-clad figures, and then, when we
had cleared our archers, we placed our lances in the rests, and came
down upon the enemy like a thunderbolt. They, however, had seen us
change position, and, though they be thick-skulled knaves, they did
divine our object, ere our plan was carried out. Their knights dashed
forward at the same time as did we, and we met before their archers
with a crash that was heard for the distance of a mile.
I had singled out a knight, which, by his size, and the way he sat his
horse, led me to think he should be a foeman worthy of my steel. In
this I was not disappointed; for when we met in the front rank, each
had aimed at the centre of the other's shield, and it is seldom that I
have ever had so heavy a shock. Both our lances flew into a thousand
pieces, as though they had been made of straw. Mine opponent's horse
was forced back upon his haunches, and he was like to lose his seat.
But he did recover himself with such dexterity as did show him to be a
knight of great ability. I had scarce time in which to draw my sword
ere he was upon me, hacking at my head so rapidly as to take all my
time, and the use of all my knowledge, in defending myself. Round and
round we rode, striking furiously at each other, which blows we guarded
with equal quickness. Neither had any advantage, as we seemed to be
both of nearly equal strength and skill. After forcing him closely he
at length began to give ground, though whether from necessity or guile
I do not know. I aimed a terrible blow at his head; he caught it upon
the hilt of his sword. The force of the blow was so great that my
weapon was broken in two, and I was unarmed. Verily I thought mine end
had come, and that I should never see the Lady Hazel again. To my
surprise the knight called out, in French, something to the effect that
we should meet again, and rode off.
[Illustration: "Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces."]
"That accounts for it," said I; "he is a Frenchman; and had he been a
Scotchman, I had now been a corpse."
The enemy was now commencing to give way in places; yet the fight was
still a goodly one.
Sir Frederick was nowhere to be seen; so I quickly secured a sword from
a poor knight, who had still the head and part of the shaft of a lance
sticking in his side, and then did I plunge into the fight once more.
I forced my way through a struggling crowd of the enemies' foot
soldiers, cutting them down as I went; when suddenly I espied a knight
on foot, surrounded by a score or more of these rascals.
"To the rescue!" cried I, and dashed into the circle. The knight was
standing beside his horse, which was dead, and making great strokes
with his sword, in all directions. Thus he had kept a circle clear
around him. Several corpses in that deadly circle told why the rest
stood back. But, just as I came up, one of the knaves did venture to
make a dash forward, when the brave champion's head was turned. I was
upon him in an instant. "Ha! thou coward ruffian, take that!" I cried,
as, with a straight downward stroke, I cleft his head from top to chin.
Just then some of our men-at-arms came up, and the few Scots which
escaped us did so by their fleetness of foot, and their knowledge of
the country's many hiding-places.
"Thou art not too soon," said Harleston, for it was he, as he opened
his visor and wiped his brow. "Indeed I was hard pressed by that pack
of hyenas."
I quickly secured a horse for my friend, and again we plunged into the
thick of the fight. We soon became engaged with three knights which
were like to have done for us, had not,--when we were sorely
pressed--an arrow struck one of their horses, causing it to fall. The
rider fell with his leg underneath, and so was unable to take any
further part in the fight. I pressed my opponent from the first, and
soon had him at my mercy. I gave him an opportunity to surrender, but
as he refused to do so, I waited until his arm was raised for a blow,
when, with my shield held over my head, I drove my sword straight under
his arm, where the armour divides. I heard my point strike his harness
on the other side, as it went through his body, so great was the force
of the blow.
Hot and furious was now the fight. The enemy were fleeing in all
directions, and our gallant troops were pressing them full hard. Loud
blew the trumpets, the signal for the continuance of the slaughter.
Berwick itself must now be carried whilst our blood was still at fever
heat. I looked around to see how fared my friend, in his contest with
the knight with whom I had seen him engaged. No sight could I see of
either of them; but there was Harleston's horse straying riderless
about the field. I recognized it by the peculiarity of its housing. A
great sadness did then possess me, for I did greatly fear that my dear
friend must have fallen at the hand of his opponent. "Indeed he must
be dead," said I; "else how could his steed be riderless?" Then did I
swear a great and savage oath of vengeance. "For his life an hundred
Scots shall die, and still shall he be but poorly paid for." Thus did
I think; for during the short time in which I had known Sir Frederick I
had learned to love this noble knight, better far than I would a
brother.
Our forces came on, eager to avenge the loss of their comrades which
had fallen that day, and these amounted to a considerable number. Now
and then a small body of the foe were driven to bay, and seldom were
they spared. I seemed to be changed into a demon, with the thirst for
blood. Every one of the enemy that did fall into my hands, I
slaughtered, and felt a savage delight in doing it. Ah! the fierce
delirium of victory.
When we reached the walls of Berwick a white flag was flying from the
Citadel; so the battle was over, and we were stopped from pursuing the
fleeing foe. Berwick was taken, and the war was ended; though we did
not know this latter at that time. That evening we took possession of
the fortress, and the flag of England replaced that of the Scots.
After I had had my quarters allotted to me, and was just getting out of
mine armour, who should walk into my room but my dear friend. He was
still in his complete harness, and was covered with sand and blood,
from head to foot.
"The saints be praised that thou art still alive!" cried I, as I rushed
and grasped him by the hand. "I was sure thou must be dead, and many a
poor Scot has paid dearly for my thought. But where, in the name of
Heaven, hast thou been rolling?"
"Do but wait a moment and I will tell thee all," he replied. Then,
when we were seated, he told me what had happened him. "You saw that
knight, with whom I did engage when the three attacked us?" he asked.
I nodded, and he went on:--"He is a Frenchman, and he hath a knack of
breaking his opponent's sword with the hilt of his own. He broke mine,
as I aimed a blow at his head; but, before he could strike, I closed
with him, and, putting mine arms around his waist, I threw myself from
my horse and dragged him with me. Of course he fell on top, which
shook me up a little and, as the ground was soaked with blood, I
naturally do not look so clean as I might."
"And what about the Frenchman?" I asked; "didst thou kill him?"
"Oh, no," he replied, "he struck his head heavily on the ground, and as
he was badly stunned, I took off his helmet to see what he did look
like, and also to give the poor devil some air, which I was in much
need of myself. He was a handsome man, and evidently he belongs unto a
wealthy house; for his armour was richly inlaid with gold."
I then told Harleston of my encounter with the same knight earlier in
the day, and when he had heard that the Frenchman had spared my life,
he was glad that he had not given him his _coup de grace_.
The next morning, as we were dressing, a knock came at our door, and,
upon opening it, a soldier handed unto me a message which, upon
reading, I found to be an order from the Duke of Gloucester to prepare
myself for a journey, and to report to him in an hour's time. I at
once guessed my destination, which I thought to be Windsor; and in this
I was not mistaken; for, on presenting myself at his Royal Highness'
quarters, I was handed a packet and commanded to reach the castle in
the shortest possible time. I then asked the Duke if Harleston might
accompany me. He thought for a moment ere he answered, and then
said:--"Yes, by Saint Paul, take the whole army, and thou wilt! we do
not need them here; these Scotchmen will not dare to draw a sword,
after the lesson we taught them yesterday, eh! Bradley?" and he slapped
me on the shoulder. Of course I agreed with his Royal Highness, which
is ever the proper thing to do, when dealing with a Prince.
Half an hour later Harleston and I were on our way to Windsor.
"Not so long a campaign as we had thought," said I, when we were fairly
on the road.
"No," he replied; "my dream of last night is being now fulfilled."
And so we rode on, with our faces turned southward.