box of red sugar of Narbonne, with every courteous and knightly greeting which a gallant cavalier may make to a fair and noble dame.'
This little speech had cost the blunt bowman much pains and planning; but he might have spared his breath, for the lady was quite as much absorbed as her lord in the letter, which they held between them, a hand on either corner, spelling it out very slowly, with drawn brows and muttering lips. As they read it, Alleyne, who stood with Hordle John a few paces back from their comrade, saw the lady catch her breath, while the knight laughed softly to himself.
'You see, dear heart,' said he, 'that they will not leave the old dog in his kennel when the game is afoot. And what of this White Company, Aylward?'
'Ah, sir, you speak of dogs,' cried Aylward; 'but there are a pack of lusty hounds who are ready for any quarry, if they have but a good huntsman to halloo them on. Sir, we have been in the wars together, and I have seen many a brave following, but never such a set of woodland boys as this. They do but want you at their head, and who will bar the way to them?'
'Pardieu!' said Sir Nigel, 'if they are all like their messengers they are indeed men of whom a leader may be proud.'
'What is the name of this giant behind you?'
'He is big John, of Hordle, a forest man, who hath now taken service in the Company.'
'A proper figure of a man-at-arms,' said the little knight. 'Why, man, you are no chicken, yet I warrant him the stronger man. See to that great stone from the coping which hath fallen upon the bridge. Four of my lazy varlets strove this day to carry it hence. I would that you two could put them to shame by budging it, though I fear that I overtask you, for it is of a grievous weight.'
He pointed as he spoke to a huge rough-hewn block
