The rest shall be awarded at Winchelsea, whither
we sail to-morrow. Nay, John, why do you pluck so at my sleeve?"
Chandos was leaning forward, with an anxious face. "Surely, my
honored lord, I have not served you so long and so faithfully that
you should forget me now. Is there then no ship for me?"
The King smiled, but shook his head. "Nay, John, have I not given
you two hundred archers and a hundred men-at-arms to take with you
into Brittany? I trust that your ships will be lying in Saint
Malo Bay ere the Spaniards are abreast of Winchelsea. What more
would you have, old war-dog? Wouldst be in two battles at once?"
"I would be at your side, my liege, when the lion banner is in the
wind once more. I have ever been there. Why should you cast me
now? I ask little, dear lord--a galley, a balinger, even a
pinnace, so that I may only be there."
"Nay, John, you shall come. I cannot find it in my heart to say
you nay. I will find you place in my own ship, that you may
indeed be by my side."
Chandos stooped and kissed the King's hand. "My Squire?" he
asked.
The King's brows knotted into a frown. "Nay, let him go to
Brittany with the others," said he harshly. "I wonder, John, that
you should bring back to my memory this youth whose pertness is
too fresh that I should forget it. But some one must go to
Brittany in your stead, for the matter presses and our people are
hard put to it to hold their own.
Pages:
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298