The Dragon of Wantley: His Tale

by Owen Wister

  CHAPTER VIII

  Contains a Dilemma with two simply egregious Horns.

  "Run instantly into the house," said Geoffrey to Elaine, and hedragged out his sword.

  But she stared at him, and nothing further.

  "Or no. Stay here and see me kill him," the boy added, pridefully.

  "Kill him!" said she, in amazement. "Do you suppose that papa, withall his experience, couldn't tell it was an imitation dragon? And youtalk of strategy! I have thought much about to-night,--and, Geoffrey,you must do just the thing that I bid you, and nothing else. Promise."

  "I think we'll hear first what your wisdom is," said he, shaking hishead like the sage youth that he was.

  "Promise!" she repeated, "else I go away at once, and leave you. Now!One--two--thrrr----"

  "I promise!" he shouted.

  "'Sh! Papa's window is just round the tower. Now, sir, you must goover yonder within those trees."

  "Where?"

  "There where the snow has dipped the branches low down. And leave mealone in the cellar with the Dragon."

  "With the Dragon? Alone? I did not know you counted me a lunatic,"replied Geoffrey. Then, after a look over the fields where the stormwas swirling, he gave attention to the point of his sword.

  "Where's your promise?" said she. "Will you break your word so soon?"

  A big gust of wind flung the snow sharp against their faces.

  "Did you expect----" began the young knight, and then said some wordsthat I suppose gentlemen in those old times were more prone to usebefore ladies than they are to-day. Which shows the optimists areright.

  Then, still distant, but not so distant, came another roar.

  "Geoffrey!" Elaine said, laying a hand upon his arm; "indeed, you musthear me now, and make no delay with contrary notions. There is nodanger for me. Look. He will first be by himself to clear the way ofwatchers. No one peeps out of windows when the Dragon's howling. Next,the rest will come and all go into papa's cellar for the wine. But wemust get these others away, and that's for you." She paused.

  "Well? Well?" he said.

  "It will go thus: the passage shall hide me, and the door of it beshut. You'll watch over by the trees, and when you see all have comeinside here, make some sort of noise at the edge of the wood."

  "What sort of noise?"

  "Oh,--not as if you suspected. Seem to be passing by. Play you are avillager going home late. When they hear that, they'll run away forfear of their secret. The Dragon will surely stay behind."

  "Why will he stay behind? Why will they run away?"

  "Dear Geoffrey, don't you see that if these men were to be seen incompany with the Dragon by one who till now knew them as monks, wherewould their living be gone to? Of course, they will get themselves outof sight, and the Dragon will remain as a sort of human scarecrow.Then I'll come out from the passage-door."

  "One would almost think you desired that villain to kill you," saidGeoffrey. "No, indeed. I'll not consent to that part."

  "How shall he kill me here?" Elaine replied. "Do you not see theDragon of Wantley would have to carry a maiden away? He would not dareto put me to the sword. When I come, I shall speak three words to him.Before there is time for him to think what to do, you will hear me say(for you must have now run up from the wood) 'the legend has cometrue!' Then, when I tell him that, do you walk in ready with yoursword to keep him polite. Oh, indeed," said the lady, with her eyessparkling on Geoffrey, "we must keep his manners good for him. For Ithink he's one of those persons who might turn out very rude in atrying situation."

  All this was far from pleasing to young Geoffrey. But Elaine showedhim how no other way was to be found by which Sir Francis could betrapped red-handed and distant from help. While the knight was bendinghis brows down with trying to set his thoughts into some order thatshould work out a better device, a glare shone over the next hillagainst the falling flakes.

  "Quick!" said Elaine.

  She withdrew into the cellar on the instant, and the great door closedbetween them. Geoffrey stood looking at it very anxiously, and thenwalked backwards, keeping close to the walls, and so round the towerand into the court, whence he turned and ploughed as fast as he couldthrough the deep drifts till he was inside the trees. "If they spy mysteps," he thought, "it will seem as though some one of the house hadgone in there to secure the door."

  Once more the glare flashed against the swiftly-descending curtains ofthe storm. Slowly it approached, sometimes illuminating a tree-trunkfor a moment, then suddenly gleaming on the white mounds where rockslay deeply cloaked.

  "He is pretty slow," said Geoffrey, shifting the leg he was leaningon.

  The Dragon thinketh to slake his thirst]

  A black mass moved into sight, and from it came spoutings of fire thatshowed dark, jagged wings heavily flapping. It walked a little andstopped; then walked again. Geoffrey could see a great snout and headrocking and turning. Dismal and unspeakable sounds proceeded from thecreature as it made towards the cellar-door. After it had got closeand leaned against the panels in a toppling, swaying fashion, came anoise of creaking and fumbling, and then the door rolled aside uponits hinges. Next, the blurred white ridge towards Oyster-le-Main wasdarkened with moving specks that came steadily near; and man by man ofthe Guild reached the open door crouching, whispered a word or two,and crept inside. They made no sound that could be heard above thehissing of the downward flakes and the wind that moaned always, butlouder sometimes. Only Elaine, with her ear to the cold iron key-holeof the passage-door, could mark the clink of armour, and shivered asshe stood in the dark. And now the cellar is full,--but not of graygowns. The candle flames show little glistening sparks in the blackcoats of mail, and the sight of themselves cased in steel, and eachbearing an empty keg, stirred a laughter among them. Then the kegswere set down without noise on the earthy floor among the bins. TheDragon was standing on his crooked scaly hind-legs; and to see thegrim, changeless jaw and eyes brought a dead feeling around theheart. But the two bungling fore-paws moved upwards, shaking like amachine, and out of a slit in the hide came two white hands thatlifted to one side the brown knarled mask of the crocodile. There wasthe black head of Sir Francis Almoign. "'Tis hot in there," he said;and with two fingers he slung the drops of sweat from his forehead.

  "Wet thy whistle before we begin," said Hubert, filling a jug for him.Sir Francis took it in both hands, and then clutched it tightly as asudden singing was set up out in the night.

  "Come, take a wife, Come, take a wife, Ere thou learnest age's treasons!"

  The tune came clear and jolly, cutting through the muffled noises ofthe tempest.

  "Blood and death!" muttered Hubert.

  Each figure had sprung into a stiff position of listening.

  "Quit thy roving; Shalt by loving Not wax lean in stormy seasons. Ho! ho! oh,--ho! Not wax lean in----"

  Here the strain snapped off short. Then a whining voice said, "Oh, Ihave fallen again! A curse on these roots. Lucifer fell only once, and'twas enough for him. I have looked on the wine when it was red, andmy dame Jeanie will know it soon, oh, soon! But my sober curse onthese roots."

  "That's nothing," said Hubert. "There's a band of Christmas singershas strolled into these parts to chant carols. One of them has stoppedtoo long at the tavern."

  "Do I see a light?" said the voice. "Help! Give me a light, and let mego home.

  "Quit thy roving; Shalt by loving----"

  "Shall I open his throat, that he may sing the next verse in heaven?"Hubert inquired.

  "No, fool!" said Sir Francis. "Who knows if his brother sots are notbehind him to wake the house? This is too dangerous to-night. Awaywith you, every one. Stoop low till ye are well among the fields, andthen to Oyster-le-Main! I'll be Dragon for a while, and followafter."

  Quickly catching up his keg, each man left the cellar like a shadow.Geoffrey, from the edge of the wood, saw them come out and di
ssolveaway into the night. With the tube of the torch at his lips, SirFrancis blew a blast of fire out at the door, then covered his headonce more with the grinning crocodile. He roared twice, and heardsomething creak behind him, so turned to see what had made it. Therewas Miss Elaine on the passage-steps. Her lips moved to speak, but fora short instant fear put a silence upon her that she found no voice tobreak. He, with a notion she was there for the sake of the legend,waved his great paws and trundled towards where she was standing.

  "Do not forget to roar, sir," said the young lady, managing her voiceso there was scarce any tremble to be heard in it.

  At this the Dragon stood still.

  "You perceive," she said to him, "after all, a dragon, like a mouse,comes to the trap."

  "Not quite yet," cried Sir Francis, in a terrible voice, and rushedupon her, meaning death.

  "The legend has come true!" she loudly said.

  A gleaming shaft of steel whistled across the sight of Sir Francis.

  "Halt there!" thundered Geoffrey, leaping between the two, and posinghis sword for a lunge.

  "My hour has come," Sir Francis thought. For he was cased in the stiffhide, and could do nothing in defence.

  "Now shalt thou lick the earth with thy lying tongue," said Geoffrey.

  A sneer came through the gaping teeth of the crocodile.

  "Valiant, indeed!" the voice said. "Very valiant and knightly, oh sonof Bertram of Poictiers! Frenchmen know when to be bold. Ha! ha!"

  "Crawl out of that nut, thou maggot," answered Geoffrey, "and tastethy doom."

  Here was a chance, the gift of a fool. The two white hands appearedand shifted the mask aside, letting them see a cunning hope on hisface.

  "Do not go further, sir," said Elaine. "It is for the good of us allthat you abide where you are. As I shall explain."

  "What is this, Elaine?" said Geoffrey.

  "Your promise!" she answered, lifting a finger at him.

  There was a dry crack from the crocodile's hide.

  "Villain!" cried Geoffrey, seizing the half-extricated body by thethroat. "Thy false skin is honester than thyself, and warned us. Backinside!"

  The robber's eyes shrivelled to the size of a snake's, as, with notenderness, the youth grappled with him still entangled, and withhands, feet, and knees drove him into his shell as a hasty travellertramples his effects into a packing-case.

  "See," said Elaine, "how pleasantly we two have you at our disposal.Shall the neighbours be called to have a sight of the Dragon?"

  "What do you want with me?" said Sir Francis, quietly. For he was aphilosopher.

  "In the first place," answered Geoffrey, "know that thou art caught.And if I shall spare thee this night, it may well be they'll set thycarcase swinging on the gallows-tree to-morrow morning,--or, beingChristmas, the day after."

  "I can see my case without thy help," Sir Francis replied. "Whatnext?"

  At this, Elaine came to Geoffrey and they whispered together.

  The Dragon perceiueth hymself to be entrapped]

  "Thy trade is done for," said the youth, at length. "There'll be nomore monks of Oyster-le-Main, and no more Dragon of Wantley. But thouand the other curs may live, if ye so choose."

  "Through what do I buy my choice?"

  "Through a further exhibition of thine art. Thou must play Dragonto-night once again for the last time. This, that I may show theecaptive to Sir Godfrey Disseisin."

  "And in chains, I think," added Elaine. "There is one behind thepost." It had belonged in the bear-pit during the lives of OrlandoCrumb and Furioso Bun, two bears trapped expressly for the Baron nearRoncevaux.

  "After which?" inquired Sir Francis.

  "Thou shalt go free, and I will claim this lady's hand from herfather, who promised her to any man that brought the Dragon to himdead or alive."

  "Papa shall be kept at a distance from you," said Elaine, "and willnever suspect in this dimness, if you roar at him thoroughly."

  "Then," continued Geoffrey, "I shall lead thee away as my spoil, andthe people shall see the lizard-skin after a little while. But thoumust journey far from Wantley, and never show face again."

  "And go from Oyster-le-Main and the tithings?" exclaimed Sir Francis."My house and my sustenance?"

  "Sustain thyself elsewhere," said Geoffrey; "I care not how."

  "No!" said Sir Francis. "I'll not do this."

  "Then we call Sir Godfrey. The Baron will not love thee very much,seeing how well he loves his Burgundy thou hast drank. Thou gavest himsermons on cold spring-water. He'll remember that. I think thou'lt besoon hanging. So choose."

  The Knight of the Voracious Stomach was silent.

  "This is a pretty scheme thou hast," he presently said. "And not thineown. She has taught thee this wit, I'll be bound. Mated to her,thou'lt prosper, I fear."

  "Come, thy choice," said Geoffrey, sternly.

  A sour smile moved the lips of Sir Francis. "Well," he said, "it hasbeen good while it lasted. Yes, I consent. Our interests lie together.See how Necessity is the mother of Friendship, also."

  The mask was drawn over his face, and they wound the chain about thegreat body.

  "There must be sounds of fighting," said Elaine. "Make them when I amgone into the house."

  "If I had strangled thee in thy prison, which was in my mind," saidthe voice of the hidden speaker, "this folly we--but there. Let it go,and begin."

  Then they fell to making a wonderful disturbance. The Dragon's voicewas lifted in horrid howlings; and the young knight continually bawledwith all his lungs. They chased as children in a game do: forward,back, and across to nowhere, knocking the barrels, clanking andclashing, up between the rows and around corners; and the dry earthwas ground under their feet and swept from the floor upward in a finefloating yellow powder that they sucked down into their windpipes,while still they hustled and jangled and banged and coughed and grewdripping wet, so the dust and the water mingled and ran black streamsalong their bodies from the neck downwards, tickling their backs andstomachs mightily. When the breath was no longer inside them, theystopped to listen.

  The house was stone still, and no noise came, save always the wind'ssame cheerless blowing.

  "How much more of this before they will awaken?" exclaimed Geoffrey,in indignation. "'Tis a scandal people should sleep so."

  "They are saying their prayers," said Sir Francis.

  "It is a pity thou art such a miscreant," Geoffrey said, heartily;"otherwise I could sweat myself into a good-humour with thee."

  But Sir Francis replied with coldness, "It is easy for the upper handto laugh."

  "We must at it again," said Geoffrey; "and this time I will let themhear thou art conquered." The din and hubbub recommenced. AndMistletoe could hear it where she quaked inside her closet holding thedoor with both hands. And the Baron could hear it. He was locked inthe bath-room, dreadfully sorry he had not gone to the Crusade. Quiteunknowingly in his alarm he had laid hold of a cord that set going theshower-bath; but he gave no heed at all to this trifle. And every manand woman in the house heard the riot, from the scullion up throughthe cook to Popham, who had unstrapped his calves before retiring, sothat now his lean shanks knocked together like hockey-sticks. LittleWhelpdale, freezing in his shirt-tail under the bed, was cryingpiteously upon all Saints to forget about his sins and deliver him.Only Miss Elaine standing in her room listened with calm; and she withnot much, being on the threshold of a chance that might turn untowardso readily. Presently a victorious shouting came from far down throughthe dark.

  "He is mine!" the voice bellowed. "I have laid him low. The Dragon istaken." At this she hastened to summon Sir Godfrey.

  "Why, where can he be?" she exclaimed, stopping in astonishment at hisroom, empty and the door open wide.

  Down in the cellar the voice continued to call on all people to comeand see the Dragon of Wantley. Also Elaine heard a splashing anddripping that sounded in the bath-room. So she ran to the door andknocked.

  "You can't come in!" said
the Baron angrily.

  "Papa! They've caught the Dragon. Oh why are you taking your bath atsuch a time?"

  "Taking my grandmother!" Sir Godfrey retorted in great dudgeon. But helet the rope go, and the shower stopped running. "Go to your room," headded. "I told you to lock your door. This Dragon----"

  "But he's caught, papa," cried Elaine through the key-hole. "Don't youhear me? Geoff----somebody has got him."

  "How now?" said the Baron, unlocking the door and peering out. "What'sall this?"

  His dressing-gown was extremely damp, for stray spouts from theshower-bath had squirted over him. Fortunately, the breast-plateunderneath had kept him dry as far as it went.

  "Hum," he said, after he had listened to the voice in the cellar."This is something to be cautious over."

  "If the people of this house do not come soon to bear witness of myconquest," said the voice in tones of thunder, "I'll lead this Dragonthrough every chamber of it myself."

  "Damnum absque injuria!" shrieked Sir Godfrey, and uttered much morehorrible language entirely unfit for general use. "What the Jeofailesdoes the varlet mean by threatening an Englishman in his own house? Ishould like to know who lives here? I should like to know who I am?"

  The Baron flew down the entry in a rage. He ran to his bedside andpulled his sword from under the pillows where he always kept it atnight with his sun-dial.

  "We shall see who is master of this house," he said. "I am not goingto--does he suppose anybody that pleases can come carting theirdragons through my premises? Get up! Get up! Every one!" he shouted,hurrying along the hall with the sword in his right hand and a lanternin his left. His slippers were only half on, so they made a slitheringand slapping over the floor; and his speed was such that the quiltedred dressing-gown filled with the wind and spread behind him till helooked like a huge new sort of bird or an eccentric balloon. Up anddown in all quarters of the house went Sir Godfrey, pounding againstevery shut door. Out they came. Mistletoe from her closet, squeaking.Whelpdale from under his bed. The Baron allowed him time to put on apair of breeches wrong side out. The cook came, and you could hear herpanting all the way down from the attic. Out came the nine house-maidswith hair in curl-papers. The seven footmen followed. Meeson andWelsby had forgotten their wigs. The coachman and grooms andstable-boys came in horse-blankets and boots. And last in theprocession, old Popham, one calf securely strapped on, and the otherdangling disgracefully. Breathless they huddled behind the Baron, whostrode to the cellar, where he flung the door open. Over in a cornerwas a hideous monster, and every man fell against his neighbour andshrieked. At which the monster roared most alarmingly, and all felltogether again. Young Geoffrey stood in the middle of the cellar, andsaid not a word. One end of a chain was in his hand, and he waitedmighty stiff for the Baron to speak. But when he saw Miss Elaine comestealing in after the rest so quiet and with her eyes fixed upon him,his own eyes shone wonderfully.

  At the sight of the Dragon, Sir Godfrey forgot his late excitement,and muttered "Bless my soul!" Then he stared at the beast for sometime.

  "Can--can't he do anything?" he inquired.

  "No," said Geoffrey shortly; "he can't."

  "Not fly up at one, for instance?"

  "I have broken his wing," replied the youth.

  "I--I'd like to look at him. Never saw one before," said the Baron;and he took two steps. Then gingerly he moved another step.

  "Take care!" Geoffrey cried, with rapid alarm.

  The monster moved, and from his nostrils (as it seemed) shot a plumeof flame.

  Popham clutched the cook, and the nine house-maids sank instantly intothe arms of the seven footmen without the slightest regard to howunsatisfactorily nine goes into seven.

  "Good heavens!" said the Baron, getting behind a hogshead, "what abrute!"

  "Perhaps it might be useful if I excommunicated him," said the Rev.Hucbald, who had come in rather late, with his clerical frock-coatbuttoned over his pyjamas.

  "Pooh!" said the Baron. "As if he'd care for that."

  "Very few men can handle a dragon," said Geoffrey, unconcernedly, andstroked his upper lip, where a kindly-disposed person might see therewas going to be a moustache some day.

  "I don't know exactly what you mean to imply by that, young man," saidthe Baron, coming out from behind the hogshead and puffing somewhatpompously.

  "Why, zounds!" he exclaimed, "I left you locked up this afternoon,and securely. How came you here?"

  Geoffrey coughed, for it was an awkward inquiry.

  "Answer me without so much throat-clearing," said the Baron.

  "I'll clear my throat as it pleases me," replied Geoffrey hotly. "HowI came here is no affair of yours that I can see. But ask FatherAnselm himself, and he will tell you." This was a happy thought, andthe youth threw a look at the Dragon, who nodded slightly. "I have aquestion to ask you, sir," Geoffrey continued, taking a tone andmanner more polite. Then he pointed to the Dragon with his sword, andwas silent.

  "Well?" said Sir Godfrey, "don't keep me waiting."

  "I fear your memory's short, sir. By your word proclaimed this morningthe man who brought you this Dragon should have your daughter to wifeif she--if she----"

  "Ha!" said the Baron. "To be sure. Though it was hasty. Hum! Had Iforeseen the matter would be so immediately settled--she's a greatprize for any lad--and you're not hurt either. One should be hurt forsuch a reward. You seem entirely sound of limb and without a scratch.A great prize."

  "There's the Dragon," replied Geoffrey, "and here am I."

  Now Sir Godfrey was an honourable man. When he once had given hisword, you could hold him to it. That is very uncommon to-day,particularly in the matter of contracts. He gathered his dressing-gownabout him, and looked every inch a parent. "Elaine," he said, "mydear?"

  "Oh, papa!" murmured that young woman in a die-away voice.

  Geoffrey had just time to see the look in her brown eye as she turnedher head away. And his senses reeled blissfully, and his brain blewout like a candle, and he ceased to be a man who could utter speech.He stood stock-still with his gaze fixed upon Elaine. The ninehouse-maids looked at the young couple with many sympathetic thoughrespectful sighings, and the seven footmen looked comprehensively atthe nine house-maids.

  Sir Godfrey smiled, and very kindly. "Ah, well," he said, "once I--buttush! You're a brave lad, and I knew your father well. I'll consent,of course. But if you don't mind, I'll give you rather a quickblessing this evening. 'Tis growing colder. Come here, Elaine. Comehere, sir. There! Now, I hate delay in these matters. You shall bemarried to-morrow. Hey? What? You don't object, I suppose? Then whydid you jump? To-morrow, Christmas Day, and every church-bell in thecounty shall ring three times more than usual. Once for the holyFeast, and may the Lord bless it always! and once for my girl'swedding. And once for the death and destruction of the Dragon ofWantley."

  "Hurrah!" said the united household.

  "We'll have a nuptials that shall be the talk of our grandchildren'schildren, and after them. We'll have all the people to see. And we'llbuild the biggest pile of fagots that can be cut from my timber, andthe Dragon shall be chained on the top of it, and we'll cremate himlike an Ancient,--only alive! We'll cremate the monster alive!"

  Elaine jumped. Geoffrey jumped. The chain round the Dragon loudlyclanked.

  "Why--do you not find this a pleasant plan?" asked the Baron,surprised.

  "It seems to me, sir," stuttered Geoffrey, beating his brains forevery next word, "it seems to me a monstrous pity to destroy thisDragon so. He is a rare curiosity."

  "Did you expect me to clap him in a box-stall and feed him?" inquiredthe Baron with scorn.

  "Why, no, sir. But since it is I who have tracked, stalked, and takenhim with the help of no other huntsman," said Geoffrey, "I make boldto think the laws of sport vest the title to him in me."

  "No such thing," said Sir Godfrey. "You have captured him in mycellar. I know a little law, I hope."

  "The law about wild beasts in Poictiers----" Geoffr
ey began.

  "What care I for your knavish and perverted foreign legalities overthe sea?" snorted Sir Godfrey. "This is England. And our Common Lawsays you have trespassed."

  "My dear sir," said Geoffrey, "this wild beast came into your premisesafter I had marked him."

  "Don't dear sir me!" shouted the Baron. "Will you hear the law forwhat I say? I tell you this Dragon's my dragon. Don't I remember howtrespass was brought against Ralph de Coventry, over in Warwickshire?Who did no more than you have done. And they held him. And there itwas but a little pheasant his hawk had chased into another'swarren--and you've chased a dragon, so the offence is greater."

  "But if--" remonstrated the youth, "if a fox----"

  "Fox me no foxes! Here is the case of Ralph de Coventry," replied SirGodfrey, looking learned, and seating himself on a barrel of beer."Ralph pleaded before the Judge saying, 'et nous lessamus nostrefaucon voler a luy, et il le pursuy en le garrein,'--'tis just yourposition, only 'twas you that pursued and not your falcon, which doesnot in the least distinguish the cases."

  "But," said Geoffrey again, "the Dragon started not on your premises."

  "No matter for that; for you have pursued him into my warren, that is,my cellar, my enclosed cellar, where you had no business to be. Andthe Court told Ralph no matter 'que le feisant leva hors de legarrein, vostre faucon luy pursuy en le garrein.' So there's goodsound English law, and none of your foppish outlandishries in Latin,"finished the Baron, vastly delighted at being able to display thelittle learning that he had. For you see, very few gentlemen in thosebenighted days knew how to speak the beautiful language of the law sofluently as that.

  "And besides," continued Sir Godfrey suddenly, "there is a contract."

  "What contract?" asked Geoffrey.

  "A good and valid one. When I said this morning that I would give mydaughter to the man who brought me the Dragon alive or dead, did I sayI would give him the Dragon too? So choose which you will take, forboth you cannot have."

  At this Elaine turned pale as death, and Geoffrey stood dumb.

  Had anybody looked at the Dragon, it was easy to see the beast wasmuch agitated.

  "Choose!" said Sir Godfrey. "'Tis getting too cold to stay here. What?You hesitate between my daughter and a miserable reptile? I thoughtthe lads of France were more gallant. Come, sir! which shall it be?The lady or the Dragon?"

  "Well," said Geoffrey, and his blood and heart stood still (and so didElaine's, and so did another person's), "I--I--think I will choose thel--lady."

  "Hurrah!" cheered the household once more.

  "Oh, Lord!" said the Dragon, but nobody heard him.

  "Indeed!" observed Sir Godfrey. "And now we'll chain him in mybear-pit till morning, and at noon he shall be burned alive by theblazing fagots. Let us get some sleep now."

  The cloud of slimly-clad domestics departed with slow steps, and manya look of fear cast backward at the captured monster.

  "This Dragon, sir," said Geoffrey, wondering at his own voice, "willdie of thirst in that pit. Bethink you how deep is his habit ofdrinking."

  "Ha! I have often bethought me," retorted Sir Godfrey, rolling hiseyes over the empty barrels. "But here! I am a man of some heart, Ihope."

  He seized up a bucket and ran to the hogshead containing hisdaughter's native cowslip wine.

  "There!" he observed when the bucket was pretty well filled. "Put thatin to moisten his last hours."

  Then the Baron led the way round the Manor to the court-yard where thebear-pit was. His daughter kept pace with him not easily, for theexcellent gentleman desired to be a decent distance away from theDragon, whom young Geoffrey dragged along in the rear.

  HVCKBALD BELIEVES HE WILL TAKE JVST A LITTLE SIP]