Page:A C Doyle - The White Company.djvu/194

166 his hand. 'And I can see men-at-arms in yonder boats which ply betwixt the vessel and the shore. But methinks that we are very welcome here, for already they come forth to meet us.' A tumultuous crowd of fishermen, citizens, and women had indeed swarmed out from the northern gate, approached them up the side of the moor, waving their hands and dancing with joy, as though a great fear had been rolled back from their minds. At their head rode a very large and solemn man with a long chin and a drooping lip. He wore a fur tippet round his neck and a heavy gold chain over it, with a medallion which dangled in front of him.

'Welcome, most puissant and noble lord,' he cried, doffing his bonnet to Black Simon. 'I have heard of your lordship's valiant deeds, and in sooth they might be expected from your lordship's face and bearing. Is there any small matter in which I may oblige you?'

'Since you ask me,' said the man-at-arms, 'I would take it kindly if you could spare a link or two of the chain which hangs round your neck.'

'What, the corporation chain!' cried the other in horror. 'The ancient chain of the township of Lepe! This is but a sorry jest, Sir Nigel.'

'What the plague did you ask me for, then?' said Simon. 'But if it is Sir Nigel Loring with whom you would speak, that is he upon the black horse.' The Mayor of Lepe gazed with amazement on the mild face and slender frame of the famous warrior.

'Your pardon, my very gracious lord,' he cried. 'You see in me the mayor and chief magistrate of the ancient and powerful town of Lepe. I bid you very heartily welcome, and the more so as you are come at a moment when we are sore put to it for means of defence.'

'Ha!' cried Sir Nigel, pricking up his ears. 'Yes, my lord, for the town being very ancient, and the walls as old as the town, it follows that they are very ancient too. But there is a certain villainous and bloodthirsty