CHAPTER VII: THE ENROLMENT
Justice of Peace.-- Here, hand me down the statute--read the articles-- Swear, kiss the book--subscribe, and be a hero; Drawing a portion from the public stock For deeds of valour to be done hereafter-- Sixpence per day, subsistence and arrears.
THE RECRUITING OFFICER
An attendant upon the Archers having been dismounted, Quentin Durwardwas accommodated with his horse, and, in company of his martialcountrymen, rode at a round pace towards the Castle of Plessis, aboutto become, although on his own part involuntarily, an inhabitant of thatgloomy fortress, the outside of which had, that morning, struck him withso much surprise.
In the meanwhile, in answer to his uncle's repeated interrogations, hegave him an exact account of the accident which had that morningbrought him into so much danger. Although he himself saw nothing in hisnarrative save what was affecting, he found it was received with muchlaughter by his escort.
"And yet it is no good jest either," said his uncle, "for what, in thedevil's name, could lead the senseless boy to meddle with the body of acursed misbelieving Jewish Moorish pagan?"
"Had he quarrelled with the Marshals men about a pretty wench,as Michael of Moffat did, there had been more sense in it," saidCunningham.
"But I think it touches our honour that Tristan and his people pretendto confound our Scottish bonnets with these pilfering vagabonds--torquesand turbands, as they call them," said Lindesay. "If they have not eyesto see the difference they must be taught by rule of hand. But it 's mybelief, Tristan but pretends to mistake, that he may snap up the kindlyScots that come over to see their kinsfolks."
"May I ask, kinsman," said Quentin, "what sort of people these are ofwhom you speak?"
"In troth you may ask," said his uncle, "but I know not, fair nephew,who is able to answer you. Not I, I am sure, although I know, it may be,as much as other people; but they appeared in this land within a year ortwo, just as a flight of locusts might do."
"Ay," said Lindesay, "and Jacques Bonhomme (that is our name for thepeasant, young man--you will learn our way of talk in time)--honestJacques, I say, cares little what wind either brings them or thelocusts, so he but knows any gale that would carry them away again."
"Do they do so much evil?" asked the young man.
"Evil? why, boy, they are heathens, or Jews, or Mahommedans at theleast, and neither worship Our Lady, nor the Saints" (crossing himself)"and steal what they can lay hands on, and sing, and tell fortunes,"added Cunningham.
"And they say there are some goodly wenches amongst these," saidGuthrie; "but Cunningham knows that best."
"How, brother!" said Cunningham. "I trust ye mean me no reproach?"
"I am sure I said ye none," answered Guthrie.
"I will be judged by the company," said Cunningham. "Ye said as much asthat I, a Scottish gentleman, and living within pale of holy church, hada fair friend among these off scourings of Heathenesse."
"Nay, nay," said Balafre, "he did but jest. We will have no quarrelsamong comrades."
"We must have no such jesting then," said Cunningham, murmuring, as ifhe had been speaking to his own beard.
"Be there such vagabonds in other lands than France?" said Lindesay.
"Ay, in good sooth, are there--tribes of them have appeared in Germany,and in Spain, and in England," answered Balafre. "By the blessing ofgood Saint Andrew, Scotland is free of them yet."
"Scotland," said Cunningham, "is too cold, a country for locusts, andtoo poor a country for thieves."
"Or perhaps John Highlander will suffer no thieves to thrive there buthis own," said Guthrie.
"I let you all know," said Balafre, "that I come from the Braes ofAngus, and have gentle Highland kin in Glen Isla and I will not have theHighlanders slandered."
"You will not deny that they are cattle lifters?" said Guthrie.
"To drive a spreagh [to plunder] or so, is no thievery," said Balafre,"and that I will maintain when and how you dare."
"For shame, comrade!" said Cunningham, "who quarrels now? The youngman should not see such mad misconstruction--Come, here we are at theChateau. I will bestow a runlet of wine to have a rouse in friendship,and drink to Scotland, Highland and Lowland both, if you will meet me atdinner at my quarters."
"Agreed--agreed," said Balafre; "and I will bestow another to wash awayunkindness, and to drink a health to my nephew on his first entrance toour corps."
At their approach, the wicket was opened, and the drawbridge fell. Oneby one they entered; but when Quentin appeared, the sentinels crossedtheir pikes, and commanded him to stand, while bows were bent, andharquebusses aimed at him from the walls, a rigour of vigilance used,notwithstanding that the young stranger came in company of a party ofthe garrison, nay, of the very body which furnished the sentinels whowere then upon duty.
Le Balafre, who had remained by his nephew's side on purpose, gave thenecessary explanations, and, after some considerable hesitationand delay, the youth was conveyed under a strong guard to the LordCrawford's apartment.
This Scottish nobleman was one of the last relics of the gallant band ofScottish lords and knights who had so long and so truly served CharlesVI in those bloody wars which decided the independence of the Frenchcrown, and the expulsion of the English. He had fought, when a boy,abreast with Douglas and with Buchan, had ridden beneath the banner ofthe Maid of Arc, and was perhaps one of the last of those associates ofScottish chivalry who had so willingly drawn their swords for the fleurde lys, against their "auld enemies of England." Changes which had takenplace in the Scottish kingdom, and perhaps his having become habituatedto French climate and manners, had induced the old Baron to resign allthoughts of returning to his native country, the rather that the highoffice which he held in the household of Louis and his own frank andloyal character had gained a considerable ascendancy over the King, who,though in general no ready believer in human virtue or honour, trustedand confided in those of the Lord Crawford, and allowed him the greaterinfluence, because he was never known to interfere excepting in matterswhich concerned his charge.
[Douglas: fourth earl of Douglas. He was created Duke of Touraine in1423 by Charles VII of France.]
[Buchan: Regent of Scotland and grandson of Robert II. He entered theservice of Charles VII in 1420, and was appointed Constable of France.]
[Maid of Arc (1412-1431): Joan of Arc. She believed that God had calledher to liberate France from the curse of the English who were besiegingOrleans. In person she led the French troops from victory to victoryuntil she saw the Dauphin crowned as Charles VII at Rheims. She wasthen betrayed by her people into the hands of the English, who, in 1431,sentenced her to the flames.]
Balafre and Cunningham followed Durward and the guard to the apartmentof their officer, by whose dignified appearance, as well as with therespect paid to him by these proud soldiers, who seemed to respect noone else, the young man was much and strongly impressed.
Lord Crawford was tall, and through advanced age had become gaunt andthin; yet retaining in his sinews the strength, at least, if not theelasticity, of youth, he was able to endure the weight of his armourduring a march as well as the youngest man who rode in his band. He washard favoured, with a scarred and weather-beaten countenance, and an eyethat had looked upon death as his playfellow in thirty pitched battles,but which nevertheless expressed a calm contempt of danger, rather thanthe ferocious courage of a mercenary soldier. His tall, erect figure wasat present wrapped in a loose chamber gown, secured around him by hisbuff belt, in which was suspended his richly hilted poniard. He hadround his neck the collar and badge of the order of Saint Michael [apatron saint of France. In 1469, a military order was instituted in hishonour by Louis XI]. He sat upon a couch covered with deer's hide, andwith spectacles on his nose (then a recent invention) was labouringto read a huge manuscript called the Rosier de la Guerre, a code ofmilitary and civil policy which Louis had compiled for the benefit ofhis son the Dauphin, and upon which he was desirous to
have the opinionof the experienced Scottish warrior.
Lord Crawford laid his book somewhat peevishly aside upon the entranceof these unexpected visitors, and demanded, in his broad nationaldialect, what, in the foul fiend's name, they lacked now.
Le Balafre, with more respect than perhaps he would have shown to Louishimself, stated at full length the circumstances in which his nephew wasplaced, and humbly requested his Lordship's protection. Lord Crawfordlistened very attentively. He could not but smile at the simplicity withwhich the youth had interfered in behalf of the hanged criminal, but heshook his head at the account which he received of the ruffle betwixtthe Scottish Archers and the Provost Marshal's guard.
[Such disputes between the Scots Guards and the other constitutedauthorities of the ordinary military corps often occurred. In 1474, twoScotsmen had been concerned in robbing... a fishmonger of a large sumof money. They were accordingly apprehended by Philip du Four, Provost,with some of his followers. But ere they could lodge one of them,... inthe prison of the Chastellet, they were attacked by two Archers of theKing's Scottish Guard, who rescued the prisoner.... S.]
"How often," he said, "will you bring me such ill winded pirns to ravelout? How often must I tell you, and especially both you, Ludovic Lesly,and you, Archie Cunningham, that the foreign soldier should bear himselfmodestly and decorously towards the people of the country if you wouldnot have the whole dogs of the town at your heels? However, if you musthave a bargain [a quarrel, videlicet. S.], I would rather it were withthat loon of a Provost than any one else; and I blame you less for thisonslaught than for other frays that you have made, Ludovic, for it wasbut natural and kind-like to help your young kinsman. This simple bairnmust come to no skaith [same as scathe] neither; so give me the roll ofthe company yonder down from the shelf, and we will even add his name tothe troop, that he may enjoy the privileges."
"May it please your Lordship" said Durward.
"Is the lad crazed?" exclaimed his uncle. "Would you speak to hisLordship without a question asked?"
"Patience, Ludovic," said Lord Crawford, "and let us hear what the bairnhas to say."
"Only this, if it may please your Lordship," replied Quentin, "that Itold my uncle formerly I had some doubts about entering this service.I have now to say that they are entirely removed, since I have seen thenoble and experienced commander under whom I am to serve; for there isauthority in your look."
"Weel said, my bairn," said the old Lord, not insensible to thecompliment; "we have had some experience, had God sent us grace toimprove by it, both in service and in command. There you stand, Quentin,in our honourable corps of Scottish Bodyguards, as esquire to youruncle, and serving under his lance. I trust you will do well, for youshould be a right man at arms, if all be good that is upcome [that is,if your courage corresponds with your personal appearance. S.], and youare come of a gentle kindred.--Ludovic, you will see that your kinsmanfollow his exercise diligently, for we will have spears breaking one ofthese days."
"By my hilts, and I am glad of it, my Lord--this peace makes cowardsof us all. I myself feel a sort of decay of spirit, closed up in thiscursed dungeon of a Castle."
"Well, a bird whistled in my ear," continued Lord Crawford, "that theold banner will be soon dancing in the field again."
"I will drink a cup the deeper this evening to that very tune," saidBalafre.
"Thou wilt drink to any tune," said Lord Crawford; "and I fear me,Ludovic, you will drink a bitter browst [as much liquor as is brewed atone time] of your own brewing one day."
Lesly, a little abashed, replied that it had not been his wont for manya day; but that his Lordship knew the use of the company, to have acarouse to the health of a new comrade.
"True," said the old leader, "I had forgot the occasion. I will send afew stoups of wine to assist your carouse; but let it be over by sunset.And, hark ye--let the soldiers for duty he carefully pricked off; andsee that none of them be more or less partakers of your debauch."
"Your Lordship shall be lawfully obeyed," said Ludovic, "and your healthduly remembered."
"Perhaps," said Lord Crawford, "I may look in myself upon yourmirth--just to see that all is carried decently."
"Your Lordship shall be most dearly welcome;" said Ludovic; and thewhole party retreated in high spirits to prepare for their militarybanquet, to which Lesly invited about a score of his comrades, who werepretty much in the habit of making their mess together.
A soldier's festival is generally a very extempore affair, providingthere is enough of meat and drink to be had; but on the presentoccasion, Ludovic bustled about to procure some better wine thanordinary; observing that the old Lord was the surest gear in theiraught, and that, while he preached sobriety to them, he himself, afterdrinking at the royal table as much wine as he could honestly come by,never omitted any creditable opportunity to fill up the evening over thewine pot.
"So you must prepare, comrades," he said, "to hear the old histories ofthe battles of Vernoil and Beauge [in both these battles theScottish auxiliaries of France, under Stewart, Earl of Buchan, weredistinguished.... S.]."
The Gothic apartment in which they generally met was, therefore, hastilyput into the best order; their grooms were dispatched to collect greenrushes to spread upon the floor; and banners, under which the ScottishGuard had marched to battle, or which they had taken from the enemies'ranks, were displayed, by way of tapestry, over the table and around thewalls of the chamber.
The next point was, to invest the young recruit as hastily as possiblewith the dress and appropriate arms of the Guard, that he might appearin every respect the sharer of its important privileges, in virtue ofwhich, and by the support of his countrymen, he might freely brave thepower and the displeasure of the Provost Marshal--although the one wasknown to be as formidable as the other was unrelenting.
The banquet was joyous in the highest degree; and the guests gave ventto the whole current of their national partiality on receiving intotheir ranks a recruit from their beloved fatherland. Old Scottish songswere sung, old tales of Scottish heroes told--the achievements of theirfathers, and the scenes in which they were wrought, were recalled tomind; and, for a time, the rich plains of Touraine seemed converted intothe mountainous and sterile regions of Caledonia.
When their enthusiasm was at high flood, and each was endeavouring tosay something to enhance the dear remembrance of Scotland, it receiveda new impulse from the arrival of Lord Crawford, who, as Le Balafre hadwell prophesied, sat as it were on thorns at the royal board, untilan opportunity occurred of making his escape to the revelry of his owncountrymen. A chair of state had been reserved for him at the upperend of the table; for, according to the manners of the age and theconstitution of that body, although their leader and commander under theKing and High Constable, the members of the corps (as we should now say,the privates) being all ranked as noble by birth, their captain sat withthem at the same table without impropriety, and might mingle whenhe chose in their festivity, without derogation from his dignity ascommander.
At present, however, Lord Crawford declined occupying the seat preparedfor him, and bidding them "hold themselves merry," stood looking on therevel with a countenance which seemed greatly to enjoy it.
"Let him alone," whispered Cunningham to Lindesay, as the latteroffered the wine to their noble captain, "let him alone--hurry no man'scattle--let him take it of his own accord."
In fact, the old Lord, who at first smiled, shook his head, and placedthe untasted winecup before him, began presently, as if it were inabsence of mind, to sip a little of the contents, and in doing so,fortunately recollected that it would be ill luck did he not drink adraught to the health of the gallant lad who had joined them this day.The pledge was filled, and answered, as may well be supposed, with manya joyous shout, when the old leader proceeded to acquaint them that hehad possessed Master Oliver with an account of what had passed that day.
"And as," he said, "the scraper of chins hath no great love for thestretcher of throats, he
has joined me in obtaining from the King anorder, commanding the Provost to suspend all proceedings, under whateverpretence, against Quentin Durward; and to respect, on all occasions, theprivileges of the Scottish guard."
Another shout broke forth, the cups were again filled till the winesparkled on the brim, and there was an acclaim to the health of thenoble Lord Crawford, the brave conservator of the privileges and rightsof his countrymen. The good old Lord could not but in courtesy do reasonto this pledge also, and gliding into the ready chair; as it were,without reflecting what he was doing, he caused Quentin to come upbeside him, and assailed him with many more questions concerning thestate of Scotland, and the great families there, than he was well ableto answer, while ever and anon, in the course of his queries, the goodLord kissed the wine cup by way of parenthesis, remarking that socialitybecame Scottish gentlemen, but that young men, like Quentin, ought topractise it cautiously, lest it might degenerate into excess; uponwhich occasion he uttered many excellent things, until his own tongue,although employed in the praises of temperance, began to articulatesomething thicker than usual. It was now that, while the military ardourof the company augmented with each flagon which they emptied, Cunninghamcalled on them to drink the speedy hoisting of the Oriflamme, the royalbanner of France.
"And a breeze of Burgundy to fan it!" echoed Lindesay.
"With all the soul that is left in this worn body do I accept thepledge, bairns," echoed Lord Crawford; "and as old as I am, I trustI may see it flutter yet. Hark ye, my mates," (for wine had made himsomething communicative), "ye are all true servants to the Frenchcrown, and wherefore should ye not know there is an envoy come from DukeCharles of Burgundy, with a message of an angry favour?"
"I saw the Count of Crevecoeur's equipage, horses, and retinue," saidanother of the guests, "down at the inn yonder at the Mulberry Grove.They say the King will not admit him into the Castle."
"Now, Heaven send him an ungracious answer!" said Guthrie; "but what isit he complains of?"
"A world of grievances upon the frontier," said Lord Crawford; "andlatterly, that the King hath received under his protection a lady of hisland, a young Countess, who hath fled from Dijon, because, being a wardof the Duke, he would have her marry his favourite, Campobasso."
"And hath she actually come hither alone, my lord?" said Lindesay.
"Nay, not altogether alone, but with the old Countess, her kinswoman,who hath yielded to her cousin's wishes in this matter."
"And will the King," said Cunningham, "he being the Duke's feudalsovereign, interfere between the Duke and his ward, over whom Charleshath the same right, which, were he himself dead, the King would haveover the heiress of Burgundy?"
"The King will be ruled as he is wont, by rules of policy, and youknow," continued Crawford, "that he hath not publicly received theseladies, nor placed them under the protection of his daughters, the Ladyof Beaujeu, or the Princess Joan, so, doubtless, he will be guided bycircumstances. He is our Master--but it is no treason to say, hewill chase with the hounds, and run with the hare, with any prince inChristendom."
"But the Duke of Burgundy understands no such doubling;" saidCunningham.
"No," answered the old Lord; "and, therefore, it is likely to make workbetween them."
"Well--Saint Andrew further the fray!" said Le Balafre. "I had itforetold me ten, ay, twenty years since, that I was to make the fortuneof my house by marriage. Who knows what may happen, if once we come tofight for honour and ladies' love, as they do in the old romaunts."
"Thou name ladies' love, with such a trench in thy visage!" saidGuthrie.
"As well not love at all, as love a Bohemian woman of Heathenesse,"retorted Le Balafre.
"Hold there, comrades," said Lord Crawford; "no tilting with sharpweapons, no jesting with keen scoffs--friends all. And for the lady, sheis too wealthy to fall to a poor Scottish lord, or I would put in my ownclaim, fourscore years and all, or not very far from it. But here is herhealth, nevertheless, for they say she is a lamp of beauty."
"I think I saw her," said another soldier, "when I was upon guard thismorning at the inner barrier; but she was more like a dark lanternthan a lamp, for she and another were brought into the Chateau in closelitters."
"Shame! shame! Arnot!" said Lord Crawford; "a soldier on duty shouldsay naught of what he sees. Besides," he added after a pause, his owncuriosity prevailing over the show of discipline which he had thoughtit necessary to exert, "why should these litters contain this very sameCountess Isabelle de Croye?"
"Nay, my Lord," replied Arnot, "I know nothing of it save this, that mycoutelier was airing my horses in the road to the village, and fell inwith Doguin the muleteer, who brought back the litters to the inn, forthey belong to the fellow of the Mulberry Grove yonder--he of the Fleurde Lys, I mean--and so Doguin asked Saunders Steed to take a cup ofwine, as they were acquainted, which he was no doubt willing enough todo."
"No doubt--no doubt," said the old Lord; "it is a thing I wish werecorrected among you, gentlemen; but all your grooms, and couteliers, andjackmen as we should call them in Scotland, are but too ready to takea cup of wine with any one.--It is a thing perilous in war, and must beamended. But, Andrew Arnot, this is a long tale of yours, and we willcut it with a drink; as the Highlander says, Skeoch doch nan skial ['Cuta tale with a drink;' an expression used when a man preaches overhis liquor, as bons vivants say in England. S.]; and that 's goodGaelic.--Here is to the Countess Isabelle of Croye, and a better husbandto her than Campobasso, who is a base Italian cullion!--And now, AndrewArnot, what said the muleteer to this yeoman of thine?"
"Why, he told him in secrecy, if it please your Lordship," continuedArnot, "that these two ladies whom he had presently before convoyedup to the Castle in the close litters, were great ladies, who had beenliving in secret at his house for some days, and that the King hadvisited them more than once very privately, and had done them greathonour; and that they had fled up to the Castle, as he believed, forfear of the Count de Crevecoeur, the Duke of Burgundy's ambassador,whose approach was just announced by an advanced courier."
"Ay, Andrew, come you there to me?" said Guthrie. "Then I will be swornit was the Countess whose voice I heard singing to the lute, as I cameeven now through the inner court--the sound came from the bay windowsof the Dauphin's Tower; and such melody was there as no one ever heardbefore in the Castle of Plessis of the Park. By my faith, I thought itwas the music of the Fairy Melusina's making. There I stood--though Iknew your board was covered, and that you were all impatient--there Istood like--"
[The Fairy Melusina: a water fay who married a mortal on condition thatshe should be allowed to spend her Saturdays in deep seclusion. Thispromise, after many years, was broken, and Melusina, half serpent, halfwoman, was discovered swimming in a bath. For this breach of faith onthe part of her husband, Melusina was compelled to leave her home. Sheregularly returned, however, before the death of any of the lords of herfamily, and by her wailings foretold that event. Her history is closelyinterwoven with the legends of the Banshee and Mermaid.]
"--Like an ass, Johnny Guthrie," said his commander; "thy long nosesmelling the dinner, thy long ears hearing the music, and thy shortdiscretion not enabling thee to decide which of them thou didstprefer.--Hark! is that not the Cathedral bell tolling to vespers?--Sureit cannot be that time yet? The mad old sexton has toll'd evensong anhour too soon."
"In faith, the bell rings but too justly the hour," said Cunningham;"yonder the sun is sinking on the west side of the fair plain."
"Ay," said the Lord Crawford, "is it even so?--Well, lads, we must livewithin compass.--Fair and soft goes far--slow fire makes sweet malt--tobe merry and wise is a sound proverb.--One other rouse to the weal ofold Scotland, and then each man to his duty."
The parting cup was emptied, and the guests dismissed--the statelyold Baron taking the Balafre's arm, under pretence of giving him someinstructions concerning his nephew, but, perhaps, in reality, lest hisown lofty pace should seem in the public eye less
steady than became hisrank and high command. A serious countenance did he bear as he passedthrough the two courts which separated his lodging from the festalchamber, and solemn as the gravity of a hogshead was the farewellcaution with which he prayed Ludovic to attend his nephew's motions,especially in the matters of wenches and wine cups.
Meanwhile, not a word that was spoken concerning the beautiful CountessIsabelle had escaped the young Durward, who, conducted into a smallcabin, which he was to share with his uncle's page, made his new andlowly abode the scene of much high musing. The reader will easilyimagine that the young soldier should build a fine romance on such afoundation as the supposed, or rather the assumed, identification ofthe Maiden of the Turret, to whose lay he had listened with so muchinterest, and the fair cup bearer of Maitre Pierre, with a fugitiveCountess of rank and wealth, flying from the pursuit of a hated lover,the favourite of an oppressive guardian, who abused his feudal power.There was an interlude in Quentin's vision concerning Maitre Pierre, whoseemed to exercise such authority even over the formidable officer fromwhose hands he had that day, with much difficulty, made his escape. Atlength the youth's reveries, which had been respected by little WillHarper, the companion of his cell, were broken in upon by the return ofhis uncle, who commanded Quentin to bed, that he might arise betimes inthe morning, and attend him to his Majesty's antechamber, to which hewas called by his hour of duty, along with five of his comrades.