“Ay, Tremaine,” said the clear silvery voice of the maiden, assuming a sudden animation, and turning quickly away from Glendower to her page, “throw off my bird. You have often wished for the chance. Now, ladies and gallants, all, we shall see rare sport unless my falcon fails me.”
The happy page, blushing, however, to find all eyes directed towards himself, trotted out a few paces in advance of the group, and removing the hood from the eyes of the noble bird, held the falcon on his left wrist as he extended it over his horse’s head. The hawk shook himself for an instant, gazed around him until he caught sight of the herons, when he flapped his wings, and, as the page flung him off, darted away like an arrow in pursuit.
To any other person than Glendower, the turning of Isabel from him to her page would at such a moment, have seemed trivial, but the proud and sensitive nature of the lover instantly magnified it into a rebuke, and drawing his rein around somewhat haughtily, he gave up his original intention of keeping at her side, and dashed madly on, leading the pursuit, as the cavalcade galloped off in the direction where it was expected the quarry would fall. A gallant sight it was to see that gay party sweeping along the banks of the stream. The caparisoned steeds, silken scarfs, waving plumes, and proud demeanor of the nobles, knights and pages; and the spirited palfreys, flowing robes, and brilliant costumes of the maidens, with the trains of attendants pressing in the rear, gave the cavalcade a gorgeousness which later days, in reviving this courtly sport, have in vain attempted to imitate.
“No, she loves me not,” said Glendower as he galloped furiously on—“it is folly for me to pretend to win her regard. Well—”
“Ho, sir knight of the woful countenance,” shouted the merry voice of Isabel’s cousin as he drew up by Glendower, “you are leaving the route altogether, and faith your conduct will attract notice if it has not already done so. Come, man, in despair again—away with it—if you won’t ride at Isabel’s bridle and say things such as maidens love to hear, why e’en forget her for to-day and attend to the sport—see how her falcon mounts into the clouds; shade your eyes—there—by St. George he has the heron now.”
As the knight spoke, the hawk, which had been ascending above the heron spirally, gradually narrowing the circles as it rose, suddenly stooped from its height and shooting like a thunderbolt down on the quarry bore it to the earth. The shout of the hawkers announced that all had seen the stroke, and instantly spur and whip were put to every steed to reach the spot where the quarry fell, in order, if necessary, to assist the falcon. Glendower was among the first to lead the chase, for he felt that his conduct was attracting attention, and he resolved during the remainder of the day to adhere to the advice of Isabel’s cousin, let what might take place.
“A wager that I reach the quarry first, and win a smile from Isabel for assisting her falcon,” laughingly said the mercurial soldier, “ho! Sir Glendower, do you close with me?”
“Even so,” said Glendower; “I will distance you a score of paces and more, or my steed belies his former feats. Your fair cousin shall smile on me, or rebuff me fairly, for once.”
At the word, the two cavaliers darted forwards at an increased pace; and instantly every eye, forgetful of the quarry, was directed towards the race. Both the knights rode splendid horses, and as the animals were now pressed to show their greatest speed, their riders seemed borne along the earth as if they were mounted on the enchanted steeds of fairy land. The cavaliers behind encouraged them with shouts, while the ladies waved their scarfs and laughed gaily. For a few minutes the horses scoured along head and head; but, when within a few paces of where the two birds had fallen, Glendower suddenly dashed away from his competitor and reaching the quarry first, threw his bridle to a youthful page who had just arrived from the margin of the stream below, and springing from the saddle lost not a moment in assisting the falcon to overcome the tall and powerful bird against which hitherto it had maintained a doubtful fight.