'To thrust a handful of steel into the Socman. What! hale a demoiselle against her will, and then loose dogs at his own brother! Let me go!'
'Nenny, nenny!' cried Alleyne, laughing. 'There was no scath done. Come back, friend'—and so, by mingled pushing and entreaties, they got his head round for Christchurch once more. Yet he walked with his chin upon his shoulder, until, catching sight of a maiden by a wayside well, the smiles came back to his face and peace to his heart.
'But you,' said Alleyne, 'there have been changes with you also. Why should not the workman carry his tools? Where are bow, and sword, and cap—and why so warlike, John?'
'It is a game which friend Aylward hath been a-teaching of me.'
'And I found him an over-apt pupil,' grumbled the bowman. 'He hath stripped me as though I had fallen into the hands of the tardvenus. But, by my hilt! you must render them back to me, camarade, lest you bring discredit upon my mission, and I will pay you for them at armourers' prices.'
'Take them back, man, and never heed the pay,' said John. 'I did but wish to learn the feel of them, since I am like to have such trinkets hung to my own girdle for some years to come.'
'Ma foi, he was born for a free companion!' cried Aylward. 'He hath the very trick of speech and turn of thought. I take them back then, and indeed it gives me unease not to feel my yew-stave tapping against my leg-bone. But see, mes garçons, on this side of the church rises the square and darkling tower of Earl Salisbury's castle, and even from here I seem to see on yonder banner the red roebuck of the Montacutes.'
'Red upon white,' said Alleyne, shading his eyes; 'but whether roebuck or no is more than I could vouch. How black is the great tower, and how bright the gleam of arms
