“It was your grace’s own self, then, who spake through yon loophole, and not the foul fiend in your likeness!” cried the stout yeoman, with intense relief. “St. George be my speed, but I am right glad on’t; for, since better may not be, I had rather, after all, fall into your grace’s hands than the claws of the devil!”
At this equivocal compliment a laugh, which even the king’s presence could not wholly repress, billowed through the listening ring.
“Gramercy for thy courtesy, good fellow,” said the king, laughing as heartily as any one; “but if I talk like a Frenchman, thou hast seen that I can fight like an Englishman—ha?”
“Ay, marry, that have I!” said the archer, grinning gleefully. “’Fegs! it was a goodly sight to see your grace at cuffs with yon big Frenchman, whose sword fell on your crest like my old father’s hammer on the anvil! But he found your grace too hard for him—no offence to you, Master Frenchman,” added he, suddenly recognizing Sir Eustace, who replied with a kindly smile.
This time the laugh was universal, even the guards at the door joining in; and Edward himself (who, like other kings of that despotic age, vastly enjoyed an occasional lapse from the rigid etiquette that fettered his ordinary life) chuckled as he said, with a very transparent show of sternness—
“For all this, Master Dickon, our own ears have heard thee speak ill of us and our dignity. What say’st thou to that?”
“I say,” replied the bold archer, sturdily, “that if your grace be the man I take you for, you will bear me no grudge for having an English tongue in my head, and speaking my mind as a free Englishman should do.”
“Well spoken!” cried the king, heartily. “Thou hast judged me aright, friend; and hadst thou spoken yet worse treason than to say I have not an English tongue in my head, thy good service on the causeway yesternight had atoned it all. Hold out thy hand.”
The soldier extended a palm as broad and hard as a trencher, and Edward heaped it with gold pieces from his own purse.
“Now, may God bless and keep your grace!” said the archer warmly, as he withdrew; “and Heaven send your grace many more such goodly frays, and ever an archer of Merry England to back you in ’em all!”