"
"This is a strange saying," said Knolles. "What is this wager,
and why should he pay you?"
"It is but a small matter," Simon answered; "but I am a poor man
and the payment would be welcome. Should it have chanced that we
stopped at this island I should have craved your leave that I go
ashore and ask for that which I have fairly won."
Sir Robert Knolles laughed. "This business tickleth my fancy,"
said he. "As to stopping at the island, this shipman tells me
that we must needs wait a day and a night, for that we have
strained our planks. But if you should go ashore, how will you be
sure that you will be free to depart, or that you will see this
King of whom you speak?"
Black Simon's dark face was shining with a fierce joy. "Fair sir,
I will ever be your debtor if you will let me go. Concerning what
you ask, I know this island even as I know the streets of Norwich,
as you may well believe seeing that it is but a small place and I
upon it for near a year. Should I land after dark, I could win my
way to the King's house, and if he be not dead or distraught with
drink I could have speech with him alone, for I know his ways and
his hours and how he may be found. I would ask only that Aylward
the archer may go with me, that I may have one friend at my side
if things should chance to go awry."
Knolles thought awhile. "It is much that you ask," said he, "for
by God's truth I reckon that you and this friend of yours are two
of my men whom I would be least ready to lose.
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