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"Lord!" quoth Roger, wiping sweat froht the like o' this! How think ye of yon devilish things? Here was it one moment, and lo! in the twinkle of an eye it is not How think ye, ht"

"Nay but, lord--how shall honest flesh and blood go a-vanishing away into thin air whiles a round hath sudden slope thereabouts, belike"

"Nay, yonder was soob himself Saint Cuthbert shield us, say I--yon was for sure a spirit daer?" said Beltane, stooping for his sword; for indeed, plain and loud upon the prevailing quiet was the ring and clash of heavy armour, what tiure strode, and the leamed upon close-vizored hel coauntleted hand upon long shield, stood silent a while seereat casque But even as he viewed Beltane, so stared Beltane on him, on the fineness of his armour, chain and plate of the new fashion, on his breadth of shoulder and length of li shield, whereon was neither charge nor blazon; and so at last, spake entle and courteous: "Messire, an thou be coht welcoht loud and fierce, and his laughter rang hoarse within his helm "Peace, forsooth! Thou art a tall and seemly youth, a youth fair spoken, and yet--ha! A belt of silver! And golden hair! And yet--so very youthful! Art thou in very truth this faue, who hath waked Duke Ivo fro-time security, insomuch that he doth yearn him for that yellow head o' thine--art thou Beltane the Outlaw and Rebel?"

"'Tis so men do call me, messire"

"Verily, youth, methinks dost lie, for I have heard this outlaw is beyond all men wild and fierce and weaveth him demoniac spells and enchanthty portcullis to ope and yield before his pointed finger, and bolt and bar and reat keep of Garthlaxton that he did burn with hellish fire I have heard he doth coreat lords beneath his arht a small coney and slayeth him three or four with his every stroke 'Tis said that he doth wax daily htier and more fierce, since he doth drink hot blood and batteneth on flesh o' tender babes beneath the orbèd moon--"