Brian Fitz-Count. A. D. Crake
seek ye, Normans? wherefore have ye surrounded my humble home, whither tyranny has driven me?"
A loud shout of exultation.
"The deer—give up the deer—confess thy guilt."
"Search for it"—"a haunch was gone"—"if in the house, we need no further trial"—"to the nearest tree."
The house was rudely entered—but the haunch, which had been removed from the tree and hidden by Judith, could not be found.
"Ye have no proof that we have offended."
They searched a long while in vain, they opened cupboard and chest, but no haunch appeared.
"Examine them by torture: try the knotted cord."
"One should never go out without thumbscrews in this vile country; they would fit that young poacher's thumbs well."
Just then the Baron was seen returning from his stroll with his guest.
"Bring them to the Baron! bring them to the Baron!"
"And meanwhile fire the house."
"Nay, not till we have orders; our master is stern and strict."
CHAPTER IV IN THE GREENWOOD
"What shall he have who killed the deer?"
The return of Brian Fitz-Count and his companion from their stroll in the woods probably saved our aged friend Sexwulf and his grandson from much rough treatment, for although in the presence of express orders from their dread lord, the men-at-arms would not attempt aught against the life of their prisoners, yet they might have offered any violence and rudeness short of that last extremity, in their desire to possess proof of the slaughter of the deer.
Poor beast, the cause of so much strife: it had behoved him to die amongst the fangs of the hounds, and he had been foully murdered by arrow and knife! It was not to be endured.
But no sooner did the Baron return, than the scene was changed.
"What means this clamour? Shut your mouths, ye hounds! and bring the deer-slayers before me; one would think Hell had broken loose amongst you."
He sat deliberately down on the trunk of a fallen tree, and called Milo to be his assessor (amicus curiæ), as one might have said.
A circle was immediately formed, and the old man and boy, their arms tied behind them, were placed before their judge.
He looked them sternly in the face, as if he would read their hearts.
"Whose serfs are ye?"
"We were never in bondage to any man."
"It is a lie—all Englishmen are in serfdom."
"Time will deliver them."
"Do you dare to bandy words with me; if so, a short shrift and a long halter will suffice: you are within my jurisdiction, and your lives are as much in my power as those of my hounds."
This was not said of hot temper, but bred of that cool contempt which the foreign lords felt for the conquered race with which, nevertheless, they were destined to amalgamate.
"Your names?"
"Sexwulf, son of Thurkill, formerly thane of Kingestun."
"Whose father fell in the fight at Senlac (Hastings), by the side of the perjured Harold; and is this thy son? brought up doubtless to be a rebel like thyself."
"He is my grandson."
"And how hast thou lived here, so long unknown, in my woods?"
"The pathless morass concealed us."
"And how hast thou lived? I need not ask, on my red deer doubtless."
"No proof has been found against us," said the old man, speaking with that meek firmness which seemed to impress his questioner.
"And now, what hast thou done with the haunch of this deer?"
"I have not slain one."
"But the boy may have done so—come, old man, thou lookest like one who would not lie even to save his neck; now if thou wilt assure me, on the faith of a Christian, and swear by the black cross of Abingdon that thou knowest nought of the deer, I will believe thee."
A pause—but Brian foresaw the result of his appeal.
"I cannot," said the captive at length; "I did not slay it, yet if, according to your cruel laws, a man must die for a deer: I refuse not to die—I am weary of the world."
"Nay, the father shall not bear the iniquity of the son; that were contrary to Scripture and to all sound law."
"Grandfather, thou shalt not die," interrupted the boy; "Baron, it was I; but must I die for it? we were so hungry."
"Oh my lord, crush not the young life in the springtime of youth. God has taken all my children in turn from me, He has deprived me of home and kin: but He is just. He has left this boy to comfort my old age: take not away the light of the old man's eyes. See I, who never asked favour of Norman or foreign lord before, bow my knees to thee; let the boy live, or if not, let both die together."
"One life is enough for one deer."
"Nay, then let me die."
"Who slew the deer?"
"I, my lord, and I must die, not my grandfather."
"It was for me, and I must die, as the primal cause of the deed," said the old man.
"By the teeth of St. Peter, I never saw two thralls contending for the honour of a rope before," said Milo.
"Nor I, but they have taken the right way to escape. Had they shown cowardice, I should have felt small pity, but courage and self-devotion ever find a soft place in my heart; besides, there is something about this boy which interests me more than I can account for. Old man, tell the truth, as thou hopest for the life of the boy. Is he really thy grandson?"
"He is the son of my daughter, now with the Saints."
"And who was his sire?"
"An oppressed Englishman."
"Doubtless: you all think yourselves oppressed, as my oxen may, because they are forced to draw the plough, but the boy has the face of men of better blood, and I should have said there was a cross in the breed: but hearken! Malebouche, cut their bonds, take a party of six, escort them to the castle, place them in the third story of the North Tower, give them food and drink, but let none have access to them till I return."
Further colloquy was useless; the Baron spoke like a man whose mind was made up, and his vassals had no choice but to obey.
Therefore the party broke up, the rest of the train to seek another stag, if they could find one, but Brian called the Sheriff of Gloucester aside.
They stood in a glade of the forest near a tree blown down by the wind, where they could see the downs beyond.
"Dost see that barrow, Sir Milo?"
"I do."
"It is called Cwichelm's Hlawe; there an old king of these English was buried; they say he walks by night."
"A likely place."
"Well, I have a curiosity to test the fact, moreover the hill commands a view unrivalled in extent in our country; I shall ride thither."
"In search of ghosts and night scenery, the view will be limited in darkness."
"But beacon fires will show best in the dark."
"I comprehend; shall I share thy ride?"