Page:A C Doyle - The White Company.djvu/90

64 You come with me, mon gros Jean; and as to you, little one, where did you say that you journeyed?'

'To Minstead.'

'Ah, yes, I know this forest-country well, though I was born myself in the Hundred of Easebourne, in the Rape of Chichester, hard by the village of Midhurst. Yet I have not a word to say against the Hampton men, for there are no better comrades or truer archers in the whole Company than some who learned to loose the string in these very parts. We shall travel round with you to Minstead, lad, seeing that it is little out of our way.'

'I am ready,' said Alleyne, right pleased at the thought of such company upon the road.

'So am not I. I must store my plunder at this inn, since the hostess is an honest woman. Holà, ma chérie, I wish to leave with you my gold-work, my velvet, my silk, my feather-bed, my incense-boat, my ewer, my naping linen, and all the rest of it. I take only the money in a linen bag, and the box of rose-coloured sugar, which is a gift from my Captain to the Lady Loring. Wilt guard my treasure for me?'

'It shall be put in the safest loft, good archer. Come when you may, you shall find it ready for you.' 'Now, there is a true friend!' cried the bowman, taking her hand. 'There is a bonne amie! English land and English women, say I, and French wine and French plunder. I shall be back anon, mon ange. I am a lonely man, my sweeting, and I must settle some day when the wars are over and done. Mayhap you and IAh, méchante, méchante! There is la petite peeping from behind the door. Now, John, the sun is over the trees; you must be brisker than this when the bugleman blows "Bows and Bills."'

'I have been waiting this time back,' said Hordle John gruffly.

'Then we must off. Adieu, ma vie! The two livres shall settle the score and buy some ribbons against the next kermesse. Do not forget Sam Aylward, for his heart shall