from a lofty mound, which made it almost inaccessible to an assailant. Against the bailey-walls were rows of frail wooden houses and leaning sheds, which gave shelter to the archers and men-at-arms who formed the garrison. The doors of these humble dwellings were mostly open, and against the yellow glare from within Alleyne could see the bearded fellows cleaning their harness, while their wives would come out for a gossip, with their needlework in their hands, and their long black shadows streaming across the yard. The air was full of the clack of their voices and the merry prattling of children, in strange contrast to the flash of arms and constant warlike challenge from the walls above.
'Methinks a company of school lads could hold this place against an army,' quoth John.
'And so say I,' said Alleyne.
'Nay, there you are wide of the clout,' the bowman said gravely. 'By my hilt! I have seen a stronger fortalice carried in a summer evening. I remember such a one in Picardy, with a name as long as a Gascon's pedigree. It was when I served under Sir Robert Knolles, before the days of the Company; and we came by good plunder at the sacking of it. I had myself a great silver bowl, with two goblets, and a plastron of Spanish steel. Pasques Dieu! there are some fine women over yonder! Mort de ma vie! see to that one in the doorway; I will go speak to her. But whom have we here?'
'Is there an archer here hight Sam Aylward?' asked a gaunt man-at-arms, clanking up to them across the court-yard.
'My name, friend,' quoth the bowman.
'Then sure I have no need to tell thee mine,' saith the other.
'By the rood! if it is not Black Simon of Norwich!' cried Aylward. 'A mon cœur, camarade, a mon cœur! Ah, but I am blithe to see thee!' The two fell upon each other and hugged like bears.
