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So swift had death been dealt that alldown at this awful dead thing when forth from the brush an archer crawled painfully, his bow yet in his hand, and so lay, panting loud and hoarse

"Ha!" cried Cnut, "'tis lusty Siward of our archers! Hoard?"

"I' lieth dead, so am I-- content I've watched her slay John that was h she stabbed,--yonder he lieth--him she slew for--spurs and chain When I fell I--dropped --a dozen yards to--reach ot it at last--Aha!" And Siward, feebly pointing to the ancient, dead woh and so--died

Then Beltane turned, and co beside the wounded youth spake hi sir, we ht forthee?"

"Ono word, Beltane stooped and lifting the young knight very carefully, bore hiht, stifling his groans, "art very strong and wondrous gentle withal!" Presently Beltane brought hily wound above the knee and bathed it with his hand, and, thereafter, tearing a strip froht above the hurt, (even as he had seen Sir Fidelis do) and thus stayed the bleeding Nohile this was a-doing, the young knight must needs talk

"Ho!" cried he, "'twas a good fight, ave me this was none other than Benedict of Bourne hiine pent up within Thrasfordham! O indeed 'twas Sir Benedict, I saw his hawk-face plain ere he closed his vizor, and he fought left-handed Moreover, beside hi blazoned on the shield of Hacon of Trant--Oho, this shall be wondrous news for Duke Ivo, methinks But, faith, 'tis wonder how he escaped Sir Rollo, and as for the outlaw Beltanenought of him--Sir Pertolepe vows he was not of this company--mayhap Sir Rollo hath hi yet! My grateful thanks, messire, for thy tender care of me At home I have a mother that watcheth and prayeth for me--prithee tell me thy name that she may remember it in her prayers?"

"I ae thee to heed that thy bandage slip not, lest the bleeding start afresh--fare thee well!" So saying, Beltane turned and went on across the ford what tiht, propped upon weak elbow, stared after him wide of eye and mouth