CHAPTER XVII.
The opening of the door of the hall startled Iola from her slumber;and when she found where her head had been resting, a bright warmblush spread over her fair face. Though the lamp was by this timeglimmering low, the form and face of the woodman were instantlyrecognized by all the party in the hall; and an expression of gladnesscame over all their faces. He was instantly assailed by many questionswhich he could not answer; but he told all he knew; and one piece ofinformation was at all events satisfactory to both Chartley and Iola,namely, that the bishop had escaped. "There," he continued, settingdown the food and wine which he carried, "there is something torefresh you, young people, though good sooth, lady, I thought you wereby this time safe within the walls of the abbey, and would rather ithad been so."
"And so would I," answered Iola, though, perhaps, her heart was atthat moment a little doubtful; "but it could not be, Boyd, for thedoor in the cell was closed when I went back--I fancy the bishop hadlet it slip from his hand--and I could not return to the abbey withoutpassing through the midst of the armed men. Then as I was hurryingtowards your cottage for shelter and protection, I met with this nobleLord, who told me the soldiers were upon the road----"
"And proved a pleasanter protector than an old woodman, I doubt not,"replied Boyd, with a cynical smile.
Iola's face reddened again; but she replied frankly: "a noble, a kind,and a generous one certainly, to whom I shall ever feel indebted."
"One does not choose in a thunderstorm, my good friend," saidChartley, in his usual gay tone, "whether one will take refuge in apalace or a hermitage. The nearest place at hand is the best; and thisfair lady, I doubt not, cared not much whether it was a lord or awoodman that came to her aid, so that she got help at need. But nowlet us think of what is to be done. Morning will soon be here, andsome course of action must be determined."
"What course do you propose?" asked Boyd.
"Nay, I know not," answered Chartley. "The only thing I can think ofis to take the lady by the hand, and walk straight through these menback to the abbey with her. They cannot prove me to be a bishop, norher either, I suppose."
The woodman mused, and then, pointing to the provisions, he said, "Eatand drink, eat and drink; you can do that and think too--They cannotprove either of you to be the bishop. I wish you were anything sogood; but they can, perhaps, prove that you have, both of you, helpedthe bishop; and they can make treason out of that, I doubt not, afterthe proclamation. 'Tis an awkward case," he continued; "but if youwait awhile, the piper will bring us intelligence. The best spies inthe world are pipers, horse-doctors, and mendicant friars. Perhaps thetidings he brings may save you the trouble of decision."
"That is always something gained," replied Chartley; "for decision issometimes the hardest work we have to do; but yet I think any plan maybe the best after all; for they can prove but little against me, andnothing against this sweet lady. They can but suppose that I amconducting her back to the abbey from some visit or expedition, withwhich they have nought to do."
"Ha!" exclaimed the woodman, sternly; "thou would'st not risk her nameand fair fame, young lord? Some visit! What, in this garb, withoutcoif, or veil, or mantle--on foot, with no attendants? No, no. If shewere to be met and questioned, she must e'en tell the truth, for tosuffer prison, or to lose life itself, were such a thing probable,were but light to a taint upon her name."
"And who would dare utter such an insinuation in my presence?"exclaimed Chartley, his eye flashing at the thought. "By Heaven, ifany man did, I would cram it down his throat with my sword."
"So hot!" said the woodman, with a laugh. "If they did not utter it inyour presence, they might utter it behind your back, which were asbad. They might say--and how could you deny it?--that this lady hadbeen out of the abbey with you, roaming about no one knew whither,without motive, without cause, without excuse. No, no! That will notdo. Lord Chartley cannot fight or frighten two hundred men; and theywill have a reason for all this, depend upon it. If not, they'll makeone. 'Tis most unlucky that I knew not of these events before, or Iwould have found means to send to the abbey, and have the door fromthe cell opened; but it is now too late, I fear, and, at all events,we must wait for further intelligence. But fear not, lady, fear not.We will find resources, which are many here, though not quite soplentiful as the acorns on the trees."
"I am not afraid," answered Iola. "The king, I do not think, wouldkill me for guiding the bishop into the wood."
"But he might prevent your marrying the man of your heart," answeredthe woodman, with one of his grim smiles.
Iola's colour rose a little; but she replied boldly: "I have no man ofmy heart, Boyd; and therefore he could not do that either."
Chartley's eye had turned rapidly to Iola's face, as the woodmanspoke, with an anxious and inquiring look; but her frank reply seemedto relieve him, and he said, gaily: "Nevertheless, we must not riskanything where there is risk to you, dear lady. Methinks you are onewho would find even gesses of silk or gold cord difficult to wear; andwe must give Richard no excuse for putting them on, if we can helpit."
"Women are born to wear gesses of some kind or another, noble lord,"replied Iola; "and unhappy is the woman who cannot, content herselfwith them; but I trust you will consult your own safety withoutheeding mine."
"Not I, in faith!" answered Chartley, in a determined tone. "I willsee you back to the abbey, and safe in the hands of your friends, comewhat will--that is to say, if I have power to do so. They may take mylife or my liberty, but no man has power to make me break my word, orfail in my devoir."
"Well, well," said the woodman; "let us think of these things no more.Come, take some bread, good friend," he continued, speaking to theArab. "There is salt in it, and you can e'en taste the bottle too, Idare say, for you cannot tell what are the contents."
He then leaned his head upon his hand, as he lay stretched out by thefire, and seemed to fall asleep, while Iola and Chartley conversed inlow tones. But, though his eyes were closed, it was not with slumber;and at length, after an hour or somewhat more had passed, he and theArab both started up at once, the woodman exclaiming: "Hark! there isour messenger! Come forth with me, my lord, and meet him. Your trustyinfidel can stay and protect the lady."
Chartley followed at once, and the woodman strode rapidly across thecourt, but suddenly stopped, under the old arch of the gateway; and,laying his hand upon Lord Chartley's arm, he said, in a low serioustone: "Are you aware, my lord, that the Lady Iola St. Leger iscontracted in marriage to Arnold Lord Fulmer?"
Chartley stood and gazed at him in silence, with his brow contractedand his lip quivering. He could not or he would not reply, and thewoodman went on saying: "I am sorry, you did not know this. It shouldhave been told you before."
"It should, indeed," replied Chartley; and then, after a pause, headded: "But it matters not, she is not to blame. More than once I haveseen something hanging on her lips as if seeking utterance but afraidto venture forth. If I had told her what was growing upon my heart,she would have spoken."
"Most likely," answered the woodman; "for hers is a heart very soonseen through. 'Tis like a clear well, where one can trace all thepebbles in the bottom--their shape, their colour, and if anythingobscures them, it is but a light ripple from a passing wind."
"And yet she said but now that she had so love," replied Chartley,moodily.
"And that is true also," answered the woodman; "contracted in infancy,how can she love a man she does not even recollect?"
"Well, 'tis no matter," answered Chartley; "the vision of happinesswill pass away, and it is something to have served, protected,comforted her. Hark, the man is drawing near with a low and solemndirge, as if we were all to be slain and buried ere noon. There is thedawn too, coming in the east, if I mistake not. Let us go on, and stopthe piper's melancholy squeaking."
"'Tis but a sign he is not followed," replied the woodman, detaininghim. "Let us stay here, we might miss him in some of the turnings; Iwill whistle, however, to show h
im that we hear, and then perhaps hewill stop."
But the inveterate piper droned on, till he was within sight of thegates, and Chartley and the woodman went down to meet him.
"What news, what news?" they both demanded, eagerly.
"Bad tidings," answered the piper, shaking his head. "First, my lord,you owe me a gold angel."
"There are two," answered Chartley, sharply. "Now for the rest."
"Why then, it is but this," answered Sam. "The rogue, Catesby, hascome down with five hundred horse. He has sent on fifty to arrest yourlordship at Hinckley, before you are out of bed in the morning. Therest he keeps here to surround the wood, while good Sir John Godscroftsearches every nook and corner of it and the old castle and all, tofind the bishop and any one who may have aided in his escape from theabbey. They will not leave any stone unturned, depend upon it; andthey swear by their beards, God bless them, that every one who has hadany hand in it is a foul traitor, worthy of gibbet and post."
"Then are we in a strait indeed," exclaimed Chartley; "for with fourhundred and fifty men to watch the wood, and two hundred to search it,there is but little chance of escape. I care not for myself, woodman,if you can but save the lady without scaith or ill construction."
"On my life 'tis that that puzzles me most," answered Boyd; "there maybe help at hand, for I have provided some. Your own people, too, willbe back soon, for I have sent for them; but we have no force to copewith such a number."
"Nay," answered Chartley; "give me but ten men, and I will breakthrough their line, at least so as to lodge the lady in the abbey.Then as for my own fate, fall what may, I little care."
"Ten men you can have," answered the woodman; "but tell me first, mygood lord, what you intend to do?"
"Make at once for the nearest door of the abbey," replied Chartley."Their line must be thin around the wood, and on that side, perhaps,the thinnest. Grant that we fall in with some of Catesby's men, asmost like we shall, we can make head against them for a time, andinsure the lady's reaching the gates of the abbey."
"It were better," said Boyd, after thinking for a moment, "that whileone part keep the king's men engaged, two or three of the others carrythe lady quickly across the dell to the little gate. We have no otherchance that I see; but remember, my good lord, that you will beoverpowered and taken to a certainty."
"What matters it?" exclaimed Chartley. "Even were one to act on merecalculation, 'tis better to lose one than to lose two. Here we shouldbe both taken together, there we insure her escape. Let us waste nomore time in talking. How can we get the men?"
The woodman threw his eye over the edge of the hill on which they werestanding, and replied, "You can have them at once." Then putting hishorn to his lips, he blew a low and peculiar note; and, in a momentafter, several men were seen running up from amongst the trees andbushes which covered the descent. "We must lose no time," said thewoodman, "but forward with all speed, or we shall have the searchbegun and be cut off. You bring the lady forth while I speak to themen."
Chartley turned to go; but, pausing suddenly, he said: "Remember, mygood friend, it is on you that I rely to bear the lady safe to theabbey, while I engage the troopers. Think not on my safety for onemoment; but take some whom you can trust, and away with her at once. Iwould fain have seen her safe myself, but it must not be. The dream isat an end."
The woodman gazed at him with a well-pleased smile, which made hisstern countenance look bright and sweet; and Chartley, without waitingfor further words, hurried away into the ruin.
"There goes a nobleman indeed," said the woodman; and then, stridingforward, he met the men who were advancing upon the hill.
"How many men have you got, David?" he continued, addressing the firstman who came up.
"There are twelve of us," replied the man. "Three are wanting. Isuppose they have stopped them. Most of us slipped through unseen; andthe rest got through in different places, on telling their calling."
A short consultation then ensued, which, brief as it was, had hardlyceased when Chartley again came forth, bringing Iola with him. Herface was pale, and she was evidently agitated and alarmed; but she didnot suffer fear or hesitation to embarrass in any degree theproceedings of the others. Holding tight by Chartley's arm, with thewoodman and one of his men close behind them, and preceded andfollowed by the rest, divided into two bodies, she was led on, throughone of the narrowest paths, down to the bottom of the little rise onwhich the castle stood. They then crossed a somewhat wider road,running by the bank and fountain I have mentioned before, and thenplunged again into the thicker part of the wood. Hardly had they doneso however, when the sound of a horn was heard upon the right; and,turning back his head towards the woodman, Chartley said in a lowvoice, "The hunt has begun."
"Wary, wary," said the woodman. "Keep a sharp ear there in front, andhalt in time."
With a somewhat slower step they walked on for a couple of hundredyards further; and then the two men at the head of their littlecolumn suddenly stopped, one of them holding up his hand as a signalto those behind. The sun had not actually risen; but yet the greymorning light had spread over the whole sky; and, though the path wassomewhat dark and gloomy from the thick copse on either side and themanifold naked branches of the trees overhead, yet, the motions ofeach of the little party could be seen by the rest. All stopped at once;and a dead silence succeeded amongst themselves, through which, themoment after, the sound of voices and footsteps could be heard, at thedistance of a few paces from them. The woodman laid his finger on hislips and listened; but there was a smile upon his face which gavecourage to Iola, although the sounds seemed to be approaching fast. Sodistinctly were they heard indeed, the moment after, that it seemed asif a space of not more than five or six yards was left between thefugitives and the searchers; and Iola clung closer to Chartley's arm,and looked up in his face, as if asking what would come next. He didnot venture to offer any consolation, but by a look; and still the stepsand the voices came nearer.
"'Tis as thick as a hay stack," one man was heard to say to another,apparently close by.
"And we are set to find a needle in the pottle of hay," replied hiscompanion. "Why he may lurk here without our finding him all day."
"But if we find him we shall get a good reward," replied the first.
"Do not reckon upon that, or you will cheat yourself," said hiscompanion, in a scoffing tone. "At the best, the reward is but athousand marks. Then Sir John takes two tenths, and the captain onetenth, and the other head men two tenths more amongst them, so thatthere are but five hundred marks left for two hundred men, even ifCatesby and his people were out of the way, and, depend upon it,they'll share, so there wont be ten shillings a man."
"What a head you have for reckoning," said the other; "but go on. Iwonder where, in hell's name, we are going. Can you see the castle?"
"Not I," answered the other; "but we must follow this path to the endany way. There goes the horn that is to lead us."
And they seemed to proceed upon their way.
"Now, forward," said the woodman, in a low voice; and moving rapidlyon, they came to a large holly bush which concealed the mouth of thelittle foot track they were following from the very path which thesoldiers had taken. Cutting straight across it, they entered asomewhat thinner and more open part of the wood, from which the castlewas occasionally visible, so that any one above could have seen themwithout much difficulty; but it extended not far; and the danger wassoon past.
"I know where wo are now," said Iola, in a whisper. "We are close tothe cell."
"Hush!" said the woodman. "Hush!" But the unfortunate piper, who wasin the rear, stumbled over the root of a tree, and his pipes emitted amelancholy groan.
The woodman turned, and shook his fist at him; and the whole partyhalted to listen. No sound was heard however; and turning away to theright, by a gentle descent, they approached the spot where the foreststretched furthest into the valley.
"I will go forward and look out for a moment," said the woodman atl
ength, speaking to Chartley in a low voice. "As ill luck would haveit, I had the brushwood on the verge cut down last autumn, to preventrascals lurking about there, little thinking I should need it myself;"and creeping on from bush to bush and tree to tree, he at length got aview along the whole side of the wood fronting the slope on which theabbey stood. It was no pleasant sight that he beheld; for, at adistance of not more than a hundred and fifty yards apart, werestationed horsemen, watching every point of the wood. With his rightshoulder resting against a tree, and secured on the left by a thickholly, he remained for about a minute, carefully examining theproceedings of the soldiery. They moved not from the spots at whichthey had been placed; and the path which he had been hithertofollowing, wandering in and out amongst the trees upon the slope,passed at some little distance between two banks, till it reached thebottom of the descent, not a hundred and fifty yards from the littlepostern gate in the abbey wall, over which hung the bell profanelycalled the Baby of St. Clare.
Boyd saw at once, from the distance at which the men were stationed,that there was a great chance of the whole party reaching the entranceof the lane between the two banks, before more than two of thesoldiers could come up with them; and that if this were effected, Iolaat least was safe.
After finishing his contemplation quietly, the woodman returned to hisparty in the same manner as he had left them, taking perhaps evengreater precautions, and stooping almost to his knees, lest his greatheight should carry his head above the bushes. When he reached theothers he commanded, rather than explained, saying--
"Now, all upon the path as fast as possible. Robin lead the way to thepassage between the banks. Then follow me, wherever I go, and guard mefrom attack; let all the rest halt at the mouth of the lane, and keepit with a strong hand against pursuers. Now on! Quick, quick!"
The whole party rushed forward, except the piper, (who remained undercover of the wood,) much in the same order as that in which they hadhitherto proceeded. Iola was hurried on in the midst, with her heartbeating and her head confused, yet gazing round from time to time, andcatching with a quick and hurried glance the scene which immediatelyfollowed. She beheld the horsemen watching the forest; but, till shehad nearly reached the edge of the woodland, the party, which bore heralong amongst them, did not seem to attract any attention. Then,however, the two soldiers on each side put spurs to their horses, witha loud shout; and she felt herself instantly caught up in the arms ofthe woodman, carried along with extraordinary swiftness down thedescent, and into the hollow between the two banks.
Iola gazed back over her bearer's shoulder; and the last sight she sawwas the party of foresters occupying the mouth of the lane, whilethree or four armed horsemen were galloping upon them; and Chartley,with his drawn sword in his hand and the Arab beside him, stood alittle in advance of his companions, as if to meet the soldiers attheir first onset. They were close upon him; and, with a painfulshudder, she closed her eyes. When she opened them, the bank hid thescene from her view; and the next moment she heard the bell of theabbey ring sharply.