Page:Rewards and Fairies (Kipling, 1910).djvu/353

Rh Rahere's red cockscomb sign drawn below for such as cannot read." He looked slyly at me.

'"Then read it," said I, "and show thy learning." He was a vain little man, and he gave it us after much mouthing.

'"The charm, which I think is from Virgilius the Sorcerer, says: 'When thou art once dead, and Minos (which is a heathen judge) has doomed thee, neither cunning, nor speechcraft, nor good works will restore thee!' A terrible thing! It denies any mercy to a man's soul!"

'"Does it serve?" said the pilgrim, plucking at Hugh's cloak. "Oh, man of the King's blood, does it cover me?"

'Hugh was of Earl Godwin's blood, and all Sussex knew it, though no Saxon dared call him kingly in a Norman's hearing. There can be but one King.

'"It serves," said Hugh. "But the day will be long and hot. Better rest here. We go forward now."

'"No, I will keep with thee, my kinsman," he answered like a child. He was indeed childish through great age.

'The line had not moved a bowshot when De Aquila's great horn blew for a halt, and soon young Fulke—our false Fulke's son—yes, the imp that
 * lit the straw in Pevensey Castle —came thundering up a woodway.

'"Uncle," said he (though he was a man grown, he called me Uncle), "those young Norman fools who