CHAPTER XLVI.
On the evening of the nineteenth of August, and at the hour ofhalf-past six, was seen riding alone, through the woodland, then lyingabout three miles to the right of the direct road from Lichfield toTamworth, a gentleman mounted on a powerful black horse. No pleasantride was it he was taking; for by this time, one of those violentthunder storms which so frequently interrupt the brief course of anEnglish summer, and which were both more severe and more frequent whenthe land was better wooded than it is at present, had broke upon theearth, after it had been menacing in the sky all the morning. I amfond of describing thunder storms, having watched many a one in allits changes for hours; and there is infinite variety in them too, sothat a dozen might be described, and no two alike; but, as I have doneso more than once before, I would certainly have said nothing of thisstorm, had it not been an historical one, and connected with anincident of some interest in English history. Suffice it, however,that the thunder seemed to shake the very earth, rattling amongst thetrees of the forest as if immense masses of stone had been castthrough them by some tremendous engine. The lightning gleamed allaround, before, behind, overhead, in amongst the trees, under thegreen leaves and boughs seeming to display for an instant all the darkrecesses of the forest, as if they had been suddenly lighted up by athousand torches, and then leaving them in blacker shade than before.For the roar of the thunder, for the flash of the lightning, thattraveller would have cared very little; but for the increasingdarkness of the day, which seemed to anticipate the setting of thesun, and for the deluge which poured from the sky, drenching himself,his horse, and his accoutrements, he did care. Had there been anywind, the rain would have been blinding; but it came pouring down insuch torrents, straight, even, unceasing, that what between thefailing light, the vapour rising from the hot ground, and theincessant dark drops, it was impossible to see for more than a hundredor a hundred and fifty yards along the road.
Yet the traveller turned his head often as he rode, looking hither andthither, wherever any opening in the wood appeared; and he went slowlytoo, as if he were in no haste, or uncertain of the way. Still, as heproceeded, he murmured to himself.
"This is most unfortunate. Perhaps 'twere better to go back; and yet,in this blinding deluge, I might again miss the road, and wanderHeaven knows whither. What will they think too? Would to Heaven I hadbrought the boy with me! True, he never was in this place in his lifebefore, any more than myself; but he seemed to have an instinct infinding his way."
He rode on for about ten minutes more, and then exclaimed joyfully:
"There are some felled trees! There may be a woodman's cottage or someforest but near--a horse, upon my life, and a woman's garments underthat shed. Woman, with all her faults, is ever a friend to thedistressed, a help in the time of peril;" and, turning his horse outof the path, he rode quickly over some cleared ground, man[oe]uvringskilfully amongst the felled trees and stumps with which the spot wasencumbered.
His course was directed towards a little open shed, into one side ofwhich the rain drove furiously; but immediately in the way, at thedistance of only a few feet from the shed itself, was a deep sawpit,at either end of which were piles of timber, which he could not passwithout going round. Just opposite, however, under the partial shelterwhich the shed afforded, was the form he had seen from the road; andclose by was the horse, a beautiful animal of pure Arab blood, coveredwith splendid housings of velvet and gold, which were getting soakedin the descending deluge. All that he could see of the woman was,that, in figure, she was slight and graceful; for her hood was drawnfar over her head; and she stood in the farther part of the shed toavoid the rain as much as possible. Her riding-suit, however, spoke nolowly station; and it was with a tone of gentlemanly deference thatthe stranger accosted her.
"Pardon me for addressing you, lady," he said; "for necessity compelsme to do so; and yet I fear, from finding you taking refuge here, thatmy application will be fruitless. I have lost my way in this wood; andI would fain know if I am near Tamworth, or if there be any placewhere I can obtain shelter in the neighbourhood."
"You are far from Tamworth," said a sweet musical voice, "five or sixmiles at least; and as to shelter, I have just sent an attendant tosee if there be any better place than this within a short distance. I,myself, am not aware of any. He will be back immediately," she added;"for I told him not to go far."
Perhaps there was a little apprehension in the latter part of herreply; for, although the dress of the stranger was that of a highrank, and his demeanour courteous, yet still he was a stranger; and,to say truth, his features and expression, though not marked by anyviolent passions, and hardly to be called repulsive, were notaltogether prepossessing.
"If you will permit me," he said, "I will wait till your attendantreturns, and crave a part of the roof that covers you."
What she replied he did not hear; for, at that instant, there was abright flash of lightning, which caused her to hide her eyes with herhand, followed instantly by a tremendous roar of the thunder thatdrowned every other sound. Before the rattling peal had ceased, for itseemed to go round and round the whole sky, the stranger was by herside, dismounted, and tying his horse at some distance from her own;and Iola, with her eyes unshrouded, was examining his appearanceattentively. He was a man in the prime of life, tall and well formed,but spare in person, and somewhat thin in face. The features weregood, but somewhat stern in character, with a forehead broad and high,and a slight wrinkle between the brows. The whole expression was graveand thoughtful, with a slight touch of shrewdness, and a cold,inquiring, calculating eye. The second look, however, was moresatisfactory to Iola than the first had been. That grave, even stern,looking man, was far more acceptable to her, as a companion at thatmoment, than one of the gay light flutterers of the court would havebeen. When his horse had been secured, the stranger pulled off hishat, which was of a foreign fashion, and shook the wet from the broadborder and the plume; and then, turning to the lady, he said:
"I fear I break in upon your privacy; but I am sure your kindness willforgive it, and trust that, if you have it in your power to give meany information or direction, you will do so. Your own heart willthank you; for it will be indeed a charity, and I shall be mostgrateful."
"I know nothing of your need, sir," replied Iola. "All you have toldme is your wish to reach Tamworth, which is far. If you will tell mewhat other information you may want, I will give it willingly, thoughI know but little with any certainty."
"Business of importance, indeed, carries me to Tamworth," he answered;"and I ought to have been there ere now; but we live in dangeroustimes, and the country is in a troublous state, so that at every stepone may stumble upon some body of hostile troops."
"That is true," replied Iola; "for I am seeking, myself, to get beyondthese two lines of adversaries. If I knew which you had to fear,perhaps I might give you information."
The stranger smiled. "Can you not tell me, in general terms, what youknow of the two armies?" he asked. "Then I may be able to judge."
"You fear to speak your faction to me," answered Iola; "and thereinyou do me wrong; for, believe me, if you were king Richard himself, Iwould not betray you to your enemy; nor, if the earl of Richmond, toking Richard. Yet, perhaps, you are wise to keep your own counsel."
"I have always found it so," said the other, with a laugh. "Not that Idoubt you, dear lady; for you do not look like one who would injureany one. But you can, as I have said, tell me generally."
"Well, then, I learn," said Iola, "that the king is at Leicester witha large force, the earl of Richmond at Lichfield; Sir William Stanley,on his march to join the king, moved yesterday to Atherston and theLord Stanley sought to pass through Fazely this morning, just betweenus and Tamworth. Whether he passed or not I cannot tell."
"Retiring before the earl of Richmond's army," said the stranger,musing. "But why think you he did not pass?"
"Because there were other troops in the village," answered Iola, "somethree or four hundred men,
I learned, under the Lord Chartley."
"Then is Chartley at Fazely?" exclaimed the other, with a glad look."How far is Fazely hence, dear lady?"
"About three or four miles, I am told," answered Iola; "but I know notthat Lord Chartley is there now. When I came thence this morning, thetroops of Lord Stanley demanded admission, and were refused. Strifewas likely to ensue; and I was told to fly and seek safety atLichfield."
"Then now I know who you are," said the stranger, taking her hand;"the Lady Iola St. Leger. Is it not so? I am a friend of LordChartley's; and he wrote, to me, that he and you would be at Lichfieldto-night."
Iola blushed, she hardly knew why, and, when the thunder had ceasedechoing, replied,
"You have guessed right, sir; but I knew not that Lord Chartley hadwritten to any one. May I not know your name?"
The stranger paused for a moment thoughtfully, and then answered, "Youwill think me discourteous; but yet, methinks, the rule I have laiddown it were best to adhere to. Much depends upon prudence in my case;and it were better to be over discreet than rash."
"Then, my good lord, I know you too," replied Iola, with one of hergay looks, beaming up for an instant, and then disappearing again likea meteor over the night sky. "Shall I tell you whom I believe you tobe?"
"No," replied the stranger. "That might make me more discourteousstill, and neither answer yes or no to your surmise. But deal with memerely as a friend of the Lord Chartley's, who wishes him well--as onelinked in the same cause with him, whose enemies are his enemies, andlet me hear anything you may judge necessary for me to know."
"I am quite sure I am right," answered Iola; "although it is a mysteryto me how you came hither alone, unattended, and certainly in a placeof danger."
"Good faith, it is a mystery to me too," replied the other; "but asimple mystery, dear lady, and a foolish one. The truth is, I lost myway. Now tell me, think you, from what you know, that I can crosssafely from this place to Tamworth?"
"No, indeed, my lord," replied Iola. "Lord Stanley's troops are mostlikely in possession of Fazely; for I much fear that Lord Chartley'smen would be soon overpowered."
"Then why did Chartley refuse to let him pass?" demanded the stranger."All that Stanley could desire was to retreat in peace; but he wascompelled to clear a passage, at any risk, otherwise the earl's armywould cut him off from the king's host."
"Lord Chartley was not there," said Iola. "He had gone forth, theyinformed me, early in the morning, and had not then returned; but Ican tell you little of the matter, for orders had been left to hurryme away in case of danger. However, if even you could pass Fazely, andcould reach Tamworth, you would be in more danger still: for partiesof the king's troops were in possession of that place at a late hourlast night."
"They have been removed farther back," said the stranger, nodding hishead significantly; "and Stanley is in full retreat too, if thisunfortunate affair has not delayed him. Yet, it would be dangerous toattempt to pass," he continued, musing; "for there is somethingstrange here; and one error were fatal. I must have fartherintelligence before I act."
"I trust we may have some soon," answered Iola; "for I know the slavewill not return without gathering tidings, if it be possible to getthem. I wish he would come, for, though it thunders less, the eveningis growing dark."
"Be not alarmed," replied the stranger. "As far as one arm can, I willprotect you, lady. I hold that point of chivalry to be the great andmost essential one, without which valour is the mere brute courage ofa bull, that teaches us to right the wronged, and to protect theweak."
"I trust you are reserved for nobler things than even that, my lord,"replied Iola, "and would not have you risk your life in my defence.'Tis only that I may have to ride to Lichfield, through this darkstormy night which makes me fear."
"Better not ride to Lichfield, at all," replied the stranger, "forLord Chartley's plans must have been altered by one circumstance oranother. He knew not yesterday that the earl of Richmond was to be atTamworth this night."
"I am but as a soldier, noble lord," replied Iola, with a faint smile,"and must obey my orders. But, hark! I hear a horse's feet--myfaithful Arab, come to bring me news."
"God send the tidings be good," said her companion; and, advancing tothe other end of the shed, he exclaimed: "Heaven, what is this? Inthis twilight, it seems like a spectre in a shroud!"
The next instant Ibn Ayoub rode up to the side of the shed, and sprangto the ground casting the bridle free upon his horse's neck. He glaredfor an instant at the stranger, with his black eyes flashing witheagerness; and, then turning to Iola, he put his hand upon his head,saying: "I have been long, lady; but, I could not help it. There isneither house nor hut, for a mile and a half; and Heaven was sendingdown streams of fire and water all the way."
"But what news from Fazely, Ibn Ayoub? What news from Fazely?" askedIola, eagerly.
The Arab gave a glance to the stranger, and she added: "Speak, speak!You may speak freely. This gentleman is a friend. I know him."
"Well, then, lady, bad news," answered the Arab. "Lord Stanley hadtaken the place, and gone on to Atherston. His rear guard hold itstill, however."
"But was there strife?" asked Iola, in eager terror.
"No," answered the Arab. "They dealt in words it seems; and when theyfound that this lord had two thousand men and they but three hundred,they gave up the place, upon condition that they might have half anhour to go whithersoever they would."
"But your lord, your lord?" asked Iola. "Had you no tidings of him?"
"God is good; I heard not of him," said Ibn Ayoub. "The woman of thehouse is all for king Richard, and could talk of nought but what LordStanley did, and told me how Lord Fulmer's force had marched out ofTamworth, going to join the king, and now lay a few miles off at aplace they call Pondhead."
"What shall we do then?" demanded Iola, in a tone of fear andbewilderment. "I know not where Pondhead is; and it may lie straightin our way to Lichfield."
"You had better come to that house," said Ibn Ayoub, "and rest therefor the night. The woman has a heart, though as turned the wrong way;and the lad, her son, seems a good youth. When I told her a lady washere in the wood, she cried out at once to bring you there forshelter, and offered all her house could afford, without askingwhether you were for the king or the earl. I told her afterwards,indeed, that your uncle was at the court, and high in favour. I wouldnot tell a lie; but that was the truth and could do no harm."
"Much good," said the stranger, now joining in the conversation forthe first time. "I fear this storm will last all night; and you musthave shelter. So, indeed, must I, for I must not venture rashly toTamworth till I hear more. I will now seek a boon at your hands. Letme go with you, as one of your attendants. Pass me as such on the goodwoman of the house--"
"You, my lord--you!" cried Iola; "will you venture thither?"
"Even so," he answered, calmly, "if you will so far favour me as totake me with you. I may return the kindness another day. If you haveany fear, however, that I may bring danger on you, I will not go."
"Oh no, 'twas not for that I feared," replied Iola. "'Twas the greatrisk to yourself. I thought of."
"No great risk, I trust," answered the other. "My face will not betrayme in this part of the world: The night is too nigh for strangers tocome in; and what this good man has said will smooth the way for us. Ican talk deftly of the good Lord Calverly, and speak of Richard'soverwhelming force, and Richmond's little band, as calm and scornfullyas Lovell or Catesby, nor ever seem to think that right and justice,and God's vengeful strength, can make head against a glittering armyand a kingly crown. Let us go on. I can play my part well. Do notforget yours, however. Speak to me, order me as a gentleman of youruncle's household, and, above all forget the words 'my lord.' Thisnight, at least, we will dry our garments by the fire.--To-morrow, myresting place may be a damper one."
"But by what name shall I call you?" asked Iola.
"Call me Harry--Harry Vane," answered her companion; "but
, I beseechyou, remember that all depends on care and prudence; and if I make anymistake in my due service, rate me well. Be a mere shrew towards mefor this night, though you be gentle as a dove, to my good friend LordChartley."
With many doubts and apprehensions, Iola yielded to the plan, and,mounting her horse, rode through the still pouring rain, with thestranger by her side and Ibn Ayoub directing them on the way. Manythings were arranged as they went, and the good Arab cautioned, whichindeed he did not require. They did not reach the door of the house,to which he led them, before the sun had completely set; but as theyturned towards the west, they saw a golden gleam on the horizon'sedge, and showing that the storm was breaking away.
Timidly, Iola opened the door of the house, which was a large one forthe times and the class of people to which it belonged, while the Arabgathered the bridles of the horses on his arm, and the strangerfollowed a step behind the lady. The scene within alarmed her morethan ever; for it was not like the little quiet farm house she hadvisited in the morning. The outer door opened at once into thekitchen, a large dingy room well grimed with smoke; and round a tablesat three or four stout, heavy-looking, countrymen, together with ahandsome youth, somewhat better dressed, while two or three younggirls were working busily at various household matters, and a stoutdame, with gown tucked up, was taking off, with her own hands, a heavypot, from a hook that suspended it above the fire.
"Hey, mother, mother!" cried the young man, turning round his head,"here's the lady the brown man told you of."
"Ha," said the good woman, setting down the pot and gazing at Iolawith a look of wonder, either at her beauty or the richness of herapparel. "Well, I wot you are not fit, my lady, to pass the night inwoods and thunderstorms."
"No, indeed," answered Iola. "One of my attendants told me you wouldkindly give me shelter for the night, and I will most gladly pay forany accommodation I receive. I was making my way to Lichfield,thinking to escape from all these scenes of strife; but it is toolate, I find, to go on."
"Ay, that it is," answered the bluff dame; and, at the same moment,the stranger whispered--
"A prouder tone, a prouder tone."
"Set me a seat by the fire, Harry Vane," said Iola, with a somewhatqueenly manner; "and then call in the slave. He is wetter than weare."
The stranger hastened to obey; and the good woman of the house laidfresh wood upon the fire, aided to remove Iola's hood and cloak, andoffered all attention.
The loftier tone had its effect; for it is a sad truth, that nothingis obtained in this world--not even respect--without exaction. Modestmerit! alack and a well-a-day, who seeks for it? and, if not sought,it cannot be found. One's pretensions should ever be a little morethan one's right--not too much indeed, for then, we shock our greatchapman, the world--but always enough to allow for abatement. Theworld will always make it; and such is worldly wisdom.
However that may be, there was no lack of kindness and hospitality.The guests were entertained with the best which the house afforded;the horses were fed and tended under Ibn Ayoub's own eye, for theywere to him as children; and the good dame and her daughters busiedthemselves to provide for Iola's comfort, tendering dry garments oftheir own, with many apologies for their coarseness, and admissionsthat they were unfit for such a great lady to wear.
While she was absent from the room, submitting to these cares, her sonconversed with the stranger; and even the ploughmen joined in to askquestions concerning the movements of the armies, and their probableresult. He played his part well, and with a shrug of the shoulderssaid, nobody could tell what might be the event. Richmond's army wasbut a pitiful handful, it was true; but it was increasing daily, andif the king did not force him to a battle soon, the two hosts might benearly equal. Then again, he added, suspicions were entertained thatsome of the great nobles were not well affected to the king.
"Why does not the earl of Northumberland bring up his forces?" heasked. "It is well known that he could lead six or seven thousand meninto the field; and there they are, either lingering in the North, oradvancing by such slow marches, that a dozen battles might be foughtwhile they are on the way. For my part, I hold it better not to beover zealous for any one. None can tell who may win at this rough gameof war; and the lower ones are always losers. If we take the lucklessside, then we have fines and confiscations for our pains, and if wehelp the winner we get but cold thanks, when he has secured the game.I will have nought to do with it, and was right glad when I was sentto guard my young lady to Lichfield."
About an hour and a half was passed, in a hurried desultory kind ofway, and then Iola sought repose. The stranger was provided with a bedin a room below, and a sleeping-place was offered to Ibn Ayoub in aroom over the stables. He would not use it, however; but, bringing insome dry straw, he placed it across Iola's door, and there lay down torest. There might be a struggle in his mind, between her and thehorses; but duty won the day.
For the next six hours Iola rested indeed, but slept little; for thespirit was busy if the body found repose. Whatever faith and trust inGod may do, we all know that there are sufferings to be endured, fromwhich our mortal nature shrinks, evils to be undergone that wring theheart of clay; and though 'twere wiser never to dream they may be,till they are, importunate experience will not let us rest in suchbright though fanciful security. If imagination be vivid, allprobable, all possible ills are called up to frighten us. If reason bepredominant, still we count the numbers of those enemies, to meet themas we may. Iola's thoughts were of Chartley all the night long.Waking, she tormented herself with doubt and apprehension for hissafety, and sleeping, she dreamed of him, and fancied he was incaptivity or dead. It was a relief to her when morning dawned; and sherose. The house was soon in all the busy bustle of a country life, andpeople were heard coming and going long before Iola had quitted herroom.
When at length she went down, however, she found all the men absent ontheir work; and the first greeting of the good dame was, "Ah, lady,lucky you stopped here, or you might have been caught. The earl ofRichmond and his rabble are all in Tamworth and the villages round.Fazely is full of his men; and Lord Stanley has retreated toAtherston. However, if you go on the road you were travelling, youwill now get to Lichfield quite safe; for they march on quite orderly'tis said; more so than our own people do, indeed."
"How many are there?" asked Iola. "Have you heard?"
"Well, nigh twenty thousand men, they say," replied the good woman;"but there is never believing such tales. Now, I will help you tobreak your fast in a minute, and send you on your way; for there is noknowing whether we may not have some of the rebels here before long."
"Where are my servants?" asked Iola. "They must have some food too."
"Oh, they will come, they will come," said the dame. "They are lookingto the horses. Mag, go and call them."
The meal was soon despatched, the horses brought round, and Iola'spurse produced to make payment for her entertainment. Here it was notrefused; for the mistress of the house was a prudent and carefulperson, who lost no opportunity of taking money where she could.
They rode away with many adieus and wishes for their fair journey, andthe morning was bright and clear. But as soon as they had reached thepublic road again, Iola checked her horse, saying, "Ride on a fewyards, Ibn Ayoub;" and then, turning to the stranger, she added, "Iknow not whether the information is to be depended on, my lord; butthe good woman told me just now, that the earl of Richmond's army isat Tamworth, and the villages round, even at Fazely. All kingRichard's troops are withdrawn, she says. So, if you can trust herreport, your way is clear."
"I saw a peasant come in from the north with a load of wood," said thestranger; "but I did not venture either to stay or ask any questions;for the man eyed me strongly. Be the tale true or false, however, theresult must be risked. I can be no longer absent. To you, dear lady, Ihave to return my most sincere thanks, for giving me what aid youcould in a very dangerous situation."
"Speak not of that, my lord," replied Iola; "but yet
one word beforeyou go. I am terrified and apprehensive regarding Lord Chartley. Iknow not what may have befallen him. I do beseech you, if you can findtime when you reach Tamworth, inquire into his fate, and should youfind him in difficulty, or danger, aid him to the best of your power.It would quiet many a painful thought too, if I could haveintelligence at Lichfield."
"I promise you upon my faith and word, dear lady," said her companion,riding closer and kissing her hand; "nought shall be left undone toaid him to the best of my power. Ay, and I will send you news too. So,now farewell; and God's protection be around you."
"And you," said Iola. Thus they parted.[5]
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[Footnote 5: This singular adventure of the earl of Richmond, when onhis way between Lichfield and Tamworth, and the fact of his passingthe night at a farm house, are not inventions of a romance writer, buthistorical facts.]
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