CHAPTER XIX.
DRESDEN.
It was some ten minutes before the men-at-arms rallied sufficiently fromtheir surprise to obey orders. Two bodies were then drawn up, andproceeded at a rapid pace toward the staircases leading to the wall, oneon each side of the turret in which they believed that the little bodyof audacious assailants were still lying. Having reached the wall, thesoldiers advanced, covering themselves with their shields, for they hadlearned the force with which an English clothyard shaft drawn by astrong hand flies. Many had been killed by these missiles passingthrough and through the cuirass and backpiece. No reply being obtainedto the summons to surrender, they proceeded to break in with theirbattle-axes the door of the little turret. Rushing in with ax and pike,they were astonished to find the place empty. A glance over the wallshowed the rope still hanging, and the manner of the escape becamemanifest. The fugitives were already out of sight, and the knights,furious at the escape of the men who had bearded them in the heart ofthe city with such audacity, and had slain the lord baron and several ofhis knights, gave orders that an instant pursuit should be organized. Itwas, however, a full half hour before the city gates were thrown open,and a strong troop of knights and mounted men issued out.
Cuthbert had been certain that an instant pursuit would be set on foot,and the moment that he was out of sight of the battlements he changedthe direction in which he had started, and turning at right angles,swept round the city, still keeping at a distance, until he reached theside next the mountains, and then plunged into the woods on the lowerslopes of the hills.
"They will," he said, as they halted breathless from their run, "followthe road toward the south, and scour the country for awhile before itoccurs to their thick German skulls that we have doubled back on ourtracks. Why, what is it, Cnut?"
This exclamation was provoked by the forester throwing himself on hisknees before Sir Cuthbert, and imploring his pardon for the dire straitinto which his imprudence had drawn him.
"It was a dire strait, certainly, Cnut. But if you got me into it, atleast you have extricated me; and never say more about it, for I myselfwas near committing the imprudence to which you gave way, and I can wellunderstand that your English blood boiled at the sight of the outrage tothe flag of England. Now, let us waste no time in talk, but, keeping tothe foot of this mountain, make along as far as we can to the west. Wemust cling to the hills for many days' march before we venture again totry to cross the plains. If possible, we will keep on this way until wereach the confines of the country of the Swiss, who will assuredly giveus hospitality, and who will care little for any threats of these Germanbarons, should they hear that we have reached their asylum."
By nightfall they had already traveled many leagues, and making a firein the wood, Cuthbert asked Cnut for an account of what had taken placeon the previous day.
"We ran for life, Sir Cuthbert, and had not noticed that you had beendrawn into the fray. Had we done so, we would have remained, and soldour lives with yours; but hoping that you had passed unnoticed in thecrowd, and that you would find some means to rejoin us we kept upon ourway. After running down three streets we passed a place where acourtyard with stables ranged round it was open. There were none about,and we entered, and taking refuge in a loft hid ourselves beneath someprovender. There we remained all night, and then borrowing some apparelwhich some of the stablemen had hung upon the walls, we issued into thetown. As we neared the great square we saw some men employed in erectinga platform in the midst, and a suspicion that all might not be right,and that you might have fallen into the hands of these German dogs,beset our minds. After much consultation we determined to see what theaffair meant, and making our way on to the walls which, indeed, wereentirely deserted, we took refuge in that turret where you saw us.Seeing the crowd gather, and being still more convinced that somemisfortune was about to occur, I again went back to the stables, where Ihad noticed a long rope used by the carters for fastening their loads tothe wagons. With this I returned, for it was clear that if we had tomingle in this business it would be necessary to have a mode of escape.Of the rest you are aware. We saw the knights coming out of the castle,with that portly baron, their lord, at their head. We saw the block andthe headsman upon the platform, and were scarcely surprised when youwere led out, a prisoner, from the gates. We judged that what did happenwould ensue. Seeing that the confusion wrought by a sudden attack frommen perched up aloft as we were, commanding the courtyard, and beingeach of us able to hit a silver mark at the distance of one hundredyards, would be great indeed, we judged that you might be able to slipaway unobserved, and were sure that your quick wit would seize anyopportunity which might offer. Had you not been able to join us, weshould have remained in the turret and sold our lives to the last, as,putting aside the question that we could never return to our homes,having let our dear lord die here, we should not, in our ignorance ofthe language and customs of the country, have ever been able to make ourway across it. We knew, however, that before this turret was carried wecould show these Germans how five Englishmen, when brought to bay, cansell their lives."
They had not much difficulty in obtaining food in the forest, for gameabounded, and they could kill as many deer as seemed fit to them. AsCnut said, it was difficult to believe that they were not back again inthe forest near Evesham, so similar was their life to that which theyhad led three years before. To Cnut and the archers, indeed, it was apleasanter time than any which they had passed since they had left theshores of England, and they blithely marched along, fearing little anypursuit which might be set on foot, and, indeed, hearing nothing oftheir enemies. After six days' travel they came upon a rude village, andhere Cuthbert learned from the people--with much difficulty, however,and pantomime, for neither could understand a word spoken by theother--that they were now in one of the Swiss cantons, and thereforesecure from all pursuit by the Germans. Without much difficulty Cuthbertengaged one of the young men of the village to act as their guide toBasle, and here, after four days' traveling, they arrived safely. Askingfor the residence of the burgomaster, Cuthbert at once proceededthither, and stated that he was an English knight on the return from theCrusades; that he had been foully entreated by the Lord of Fussen, whohad been killed in a fray by his followers; and that he besoughthospitality and refuge from the authorities of Basle.
"We care little," the burgomaster said, "what quarrel you may have hadwith your neighbors. All who come hither are free to come and go as theylist, and you, as a knight on the return from the Holy Land, have aclaim beyond that of an ordinary traveler."
The burgomaster was himself able to speak French, and summoning severalof the councilors of the town, he requested Cuthbert to give a narrativeof his adventures; which he did. The councilors agreed with theburgomaster that Cuthbert must be received hospitably; but the lattersaw that there was among many of them considerable doubt as to theexpediency of quarreling with a powerful neighbor. He therefore said tothe burgomaster:
"I have no intention, honorable sir, of taking up any prolongedresidence here. I only ask to be furnished with a charger and arms, andin payment of these I will leave this gold chain, the gift of KingRichard himself, as a gage, and will on my return to my country forwardto you the value of the arms and horse, trusting that you will returnthe chain to me."
The burgomaster, however, said that the city of Basle was not so poorthat it need take the gage of an honorable knight, but that the arms andcharger he required should be given him in a few hours, and that hemight pay the value in London to a Jew merchant there who had relationswith one at Basle. Full instructions were given to him, and he resolvedto travel down upon the left bank of the Rhine, until he reachedLorraine, and thence to cross into Saxony. The same afternoon thepromised horse and arms were provided, and Cuthbert, delighted again tobe in harness, and thanking courteously the burgomaster and council fortheir kindness, started with his followers on his journey north. Theselatter had been provided with doublets and other garments suitable tothe retinue of
a knight, and made a better show than they had done sincethey first left England.
Leaving Basle, they traveled along the left side of the Rhine by easystages. The country was much disturbed, owing to the return anddisbandment of so many of the troops employed in the Crusades. These,their occupation being gone, scattered over the country, and France andGermany alike were harassed by bands of military robbers. The wildcountry between the borders of Switzerland and Lorraine was speciallyvexed, as the mountains of the Vosges afforded shelter, into which thefreebooters could not be followed by the troops of the duke.
Upon the evening of the third day they reached a small inn standing in alonely position near the foot of the mountains.
"I like not the look of this place," Cuthbert said; "but as we hear thatthere is no other within a distance of another ten miles, we must e'enmake the best of it."
The host received them with extreme and even fawning civility, which byno means raised him in the estimation of Cuthbert or Cnut. A rough mealwas taken, and they then ascended to the rude accommodation which hadbeen provided. It was one large room barely furnished. Upon one sidestraw was thickly littered down--for in those days beds among the commonpeople were unknown. In a sort of alcove at the end was a couch with arough mattress and coverlet. This Cuthbert took possession of, while hisfollowers stretched themselves upon the straw.
"Methinks," Cnut said, "that it were well that one should keep watch atthe door. I like not the look of our host, and we are near the spotwhere the bands of the robbers are said to be busy."
Toward morning the archer on guard reported that he could hear the soundof many approaching footsteps. All at once sprang to their feet, andbetook themselves to their arms. Looking from the window they saw alarge party of rough men, whose appearance at once betokened that theywere disbanded soldiers--a title almost synonymous in those days withthat of robber. With the united strength of the party the truckle bedwas carried from the alcove and placed against the door. Cuthbert thenthrew open the window, and asked in French what they wanted. One of theparty, who appeared to be the leader, said that the party had bettersurrender immediately. He promised them good treatment, and said thatthe knight would be put to ransom, should it be found that the valuablesupon his person were not sufficient to pay the worshipful companypresent for the trouble which they had taken in waiting upon him. Thissally was received with shouts of laughter. Cuthbert replied quietlythat he had no valuables upon his person; that if they took him therewere none would pay as much as a silver mark for the ransom of them all;and that the only things that they had to give were sharp arrows andheavy blows.
"You talk bravely, young sir," the man said. "But you have to do withmen versed in fight, and caring but little either for knocks or forarrows. We have gone through the Crusades, and are therefore held to beabsolved from all sin, even that so great as would be incurred in thecutting of your knightly throat."
"But we have gone through the Crusades also," Cuthbert said, "and ourpersons are sacred. The sin of slitting our weazands, which you speakof, would therefore be so great that even the absolution on which yourely would barely extend to it."
"We know most of those who have served in the Holy Land," the man saidmore respectfully than he had yet spoken, "and would fain know with whomwe speak."
"I am an Englishman, and a follower of King Richard," Cuthbert said,"and am known as Sir Cuthbert of Evesham. As I was the youngest amongthe knights who fought for the holy sepulcher, it may be that myappearance is known to you?"
"Ah," the other said, "you are he whom they called the Boy Knight, andwho was often in the thick of the fray, near to Richard himself. Howcomes it, Sir Cuthbert, that you are here?"
"The fleet was scattered on its return," Cuthbert replied, "and I landedwith my followers, well-nigh penniless, at Zara, and have since made myway across the Tyrol. I have, then, as you may well suppose, neithersilver nor gold about my person; and assuredly neither Philip of Francenor John of Austria would give a noble for my ransom; and it would belong, methinks, to wait ere John of England would care to ransom one ofKing Richard's followers."
The brigands spoke for awhile among themselves, and then the leadersaid:
"You speak frankly and fairly, Sir Knight, and as you have provedyourself indeed a doughty giver of hard blows, and as I doubt not thatthe archers with you can shoot as straight and as fast as the rest ofthe Saxon breed, we will e'en let you go on your way, for your positionis but little better than ours, and dog should not rob dog."
"Thanks, good fellow," Cuthbert said. "We trust that in any case wemight have made a strong defense against you; but it would be hard ifthose who have fought together in the Holy Land should slay each otherin this lonely corner of Lorraine."
"Are you seeking adventures or employment, Sir Knight? For if so,myself and comrades here would gladly take service with you; and it maybe that with a clump of spears you might obtain engagement, either underthe Duke of Lorraine or he of Cleves."
"Thanks for your offer," Cuthbert replied; "but at present my face isturned toward England. King Richard needs all his friends; and there isso little chance of sack or spoil, even should we have--which Godforfend--civil war, that I fear I could ill reward the services whichyou offer me."
The leader and his men shouted an adieu to Cuthbert and departed for themountains, leaving the latter well pleased with his escape from a fightof which the result was doubtful.
Journeying on without further adventure, they came to Nancy, and werethere kindly received by the duke, who was not at that time upon goodterms with Philip of France, and was therefore well disposed toward theEnglish. Cuthbert inquired from him whether any news had been heard ofKing Richard? but received as a reply that the duke had heard nothing ofhim since he sailed from Palestine.
"This is strange," Cuthbert said, "for I myself have journeyed butslowly, and have met with many delays. King Richard should long ere thishave reached Saxony; and I fear much that some foul treatment hasbefallen him. On our way we found how bitter was the feeling among thoserelated to Conrad of Montferat against him; and the Archduke John isstill smarting from the blow which King Richard struck him at Ascalon.But surely they would not be so unknightly as to hinder so great achampion of Christendom as King Richard on his homeward way?"
"The Archduke John is crafty and treacherous," the duke said; "and theemperor himself would, I think, be not sorry to lay hand upon the Kingof England, were it only to do pleasure to Philip of France. Assuredly,however the anger and indignation of all Christendom will be arousedshould the king's passage be interrupted, for it were indeed a grossbreach of hospitality to seize upon a man who has the double claim ofbeing a champion of Christendom and a shipwrecked man. However, it isearly yet to be uneasy, and it may be that in a few days we may havenews of the arrival of the king in Saxony. He may have encountereddifficulties similar to those which you yourself have met with. Thecountry is everywhere disturbed, and it is not only in my forests thatbands of outlawed men are to be met with. At present there is peace inEurope. It may last indeed but a short time. But so long as itcontinues, so long must the mountains and woods be full of desperatemen. Were war declared between any two princes these would flock to thebanners of him who would pay them highest, and a war which could end inthe entire destruction of the armies of both combatants would be ablessing to Europe."
After entertaining Cuthbert courteously for three days, the Duke ofLorraine bade him adieu, and gave him an escort of men-at-arms to theborders of the Rhine, where he would find the way open to the domains ofthe Duke of Saxony. Without adventure Cuthbert and his followers arrivedat Dresden, and he immediately presented himself at the castle of theduke. The instant that he sent in his name as Sir Cuthbert of Evesham, aknight of King Richard, he was conducted to the presence of the duke andof his wife, the sister of King Richard.
"Are you bearer of news of my brother Richard?" the duke said, advancinga step to meet the young knight as he entered the hall.
"Alas! my lord
duke, I am not," Cuthbert said; "but had hoped to gaintidings from you."
"From me?" the duke said in surprise. "What should lead you to believethat I have any news of King Richard later than that which others havereceived? The last I heard of him was upon the day of his departure fromthe Holy Land, before the storm arose which scattered his fleet, and Iam ignorant whether he has foundered at sea, or whether, as somesuppose, his vessel may have been taken captive by the Moors."
"I bear you later tidings," Cuthbert said, "than those you havereceived. I was on board the ship with King Richard. We were wreckedupon the Island of Corfu and there hiring a small ship, we proceeded toZara. King Richard determined to make his way across the Tyrol to thisplace; but he thought that it would attract attention to him were heaccompanied by so large a party. Therefore he, with Sir Baldwin ofBethune, and a few followers, started north, while I with my men keptwest through the north of Italy, and then crossed by the pass overTrent."
"How long is it since you left my brother?" the duchess asked anxiously.
"It is now over a month since I bade him adieu," Cuthbert answered.
"Then he should have been heard of long since," the duchess said. "Whatfate can have befallen him?"
"Judging from my own experience," Cuthbert said, "I fear that he mayhave come to harm at the hands of the friends of Conrad of Montferat,who falsely allege that the death of their kinsman was caused by KingRichard. The Archduke John, too, owes him no good-will; and even theemperor is evilly disposed toward him. The king traveled under anassumed name; but it might well be that he would be recognized upon theway. His face was known to all who fought in the East; and his lordlymanner and majestic stature could ill be concealed beneath a merchant'sgarb. Still, lady, as I have been so long in making my way across, itmay be that King Richard has been similarly delayed without dangerbefalling him, and it could hardly be that so important a man as theKing of England would be detained, or come to any misfortune, withoutthe news being bruited abroad."
In spite of Cuthbert's reassuring words, the duke and duchess weregreatly alarmed at the news of King Richard's disappearance, althoughindeed consoled to find that their previous fears, that he had beendrowned in the storm or captured by the Moorish corsairs, wereunfounded.
They now requested from Cuthbert the story of what had befallen himsince he left the king; and this he related at some length. The duke wasgreatly interested, and begged Cuthbert at least to remain at his courtuntil some news might arrive of King Richard.
For a month Cuthbert tarried at the castle of the Duke of Saxony, wherehe was nobly entertained, and treated as a guest of much honor. Cnut andthe archers were delighted at the treatment they received, for never intheir lives had they been so royally entertained. Their Saxon tongue wasnigh enough akin to the language spoken here to be understood; and theirtales of adventure in the Holy Land rendered them as popular among theretainers of the duke as their master became with the duke and duchess.