"Did you hear them, Simon? A woman for a keg of
apples! And my heart's root is sad for the other one, the girl of
Normandy. Surely we can land to-morrow and burn all these water-
rats out of their nest."
"Nay, Sir Robert will not waste time or strength ere he reach
Brittany."
"Sure I am that if my little master Squire Loring had the handling
of it, every woman on this island would be free ere another day
had passed."
"I doubt it not," said Simon. "He is one who makes an idol of
woman, after the manner of those crazy knight errants. But Sir
Robert is a true soldier and hath only his purpose in view."
"Simon," said Aylward, "the light is not overgood and the place is
cramped for sword-play, but if you will step out into the open I
will teach you whether my master is a true soldier or not."
"Tut, man! you are as foolish yourself," said Simon. "Here we are
with our work in hand, and yet you must needs fall out with me on
our way to it. I say nothing against your master save that he
hath the way of his fellows who follow dreams and fancies. But
Knolles looks neither to right nor left and walks forward to his
mark. Now, let us on, for the time passes."
"Simon, your words are neither good nor fair. When we are back on
shipboard we will speak further of this matter. Now lead on, I
pray you, and let us see some more of this ten-devil island.
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