They would return the way they came,and they had far to go, and the dusk would
presently fall. The man was clingingto something which he could not hold.
Then
theother, who had manfully striven to obey his rescuers orders,promptly let go
and sank. I feel within me the strength of ten, Peter replied. In such weather
no man durst tempt the roads. May your lordships grace be decked with no
harsher crown! Trust your body to it, and swim but a stroke or two,enough to
keep your head up.
In two days the hour of destiny would strike, and howcould
men muster in a dissolving world?
Hehunts daily, but only in the park, for the
floods have narrowed hisvenue.
We are for Woodstock park, my lord, said
Darking.
Again he launched himself on theflood, and as his breast caught the
current he heard again a cry. Lord Avelard replied with a laugh in which to
Peters ear there wasa trace of disquiet. Nay, said Peter, there can be but one
commander, and I am he. Him he sent back hot-footto Darking to report what had
happened. Then with agroan of weariness he rolled out of the saddle and
attempted tolead it. The man was in a swoon, butas Peter rolled him over his
senses returned, and he was very sick.
I am Bohun, and it is right that I run
the chiefhazard.
Pity youhave drawn your folk from High Cotswold, where there
is nought butthorns a mans height.
Nevertheless, theycould be passed by men who
knew the ways of them.
He hadlooked for gross appetites, cruel jaws, lowering
brows, eyes hotwith the lust of power.
He heard far off the thin butfurious
notes of the horn.
At dawn on St Lucys day Peter rode to Marchington.
Again a
cry, but this time with achoke in it. My mind was not on London, for it
iscertain that we must revise our plan. Back to your homes, my darlings, she
cried. It soundedagain, a choked cry as from something in panic or pain.
He had
hunted in Wychwood often, and must knowsomething of the lie of the land.
As his
senses slipped from him, he thought clearly for one moment,I have seen the
Queen of Heaven. Again a cry, but this time with achoke in it. I must be the
one to blend the two into a singlearmy. Twas already sore with thedays work,
and now it has failed me utterly.
He would make his waydownstream, and cross at
the Burford bridge, which was intact.
Heaven send the weather letHarry go
forth. With bitten lipsPeter sat in his chamber, watching the grey mists droop
overSevern. He had no plan orpurpose except to keep touch with this lone
horseman.
Then with agroan of weariness he rolled out of the saddle and
attempted tolead it.
Lord Avelard replied with a laugh in which to Peters ear
there wasa trace of disquiet. There seemed to be a soundthere which was not the
stream. Thefates were kind to him, if only Darking moved his men west in time.
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