Page:A C Doyle - The White Company.djvu/431

Rh and fell dead without a groan, while fifteen of his bowmen and six of the men-at-arms were struck down at the same moment. The others lay on their faces to avoid the deadly hail, while at each side of the plateau a fringe of bowmen exchanged shots with the slingers and cross-bowmen among the rocks, aiming mainly at those who had swarmed up the cliffs, and bursting into laughter and cheers when a well-aimed shaft brought one of their opponents toppling down from his lofty perch.

'I think, Nigel,' said Sir Oliver, striding across to the little knight, 'that we should all acquit ourselves better had we our none-meat, for the sun is high in the heaven.'

'By Saint Paul!' quoth Sir Nigel, plucking the patch from his eye, 'I think that I am now clear of my vow, for this Spanish knight was a person from whom much honour might be won. Indeed he was a very worthy gentleman, of good courage, and great hardiness, and it grieves me that he should have come by such a hurt. As to what you say of food, Oliver, it is not to be thought of, for we have nothing with us upon the hill.'

'Nigel!' cried Sir Simon Burley, hurrying up with consternation upon his face, 'Aylward tells me that there are not ten-score arrows left in all their sheaves. See! they are springing from their horses, and cutting their sollerets that they may rush upon us. Might we not even now make a retreat?'

'My soul will retreat from my body first!' cried the little knight. 'Here I am, and here I bide, while God gives me strength to lift a sword.'

'And so say I!' shouted Sir Oliver, throwing his mace high into the air and catching it again by the handle. 'To your arms, men!' roared Sir Nigel. 'Shoot while you may, and then out sword, and let us live or die together!'