第1章

NormanLeslieofPitcullo，whosenarrativethereaderhasinhishands，refersmorethanoncetohisunfinishedLatinChronicle。 Thatwork，usuallyknownas\"TheBookofPluscarden，\"hasbeeneditedbyMr。FelixSkene，intheseriesof\"HistoriansofScotland\" (vol。vii。)。ToMr。Skene\'sintroductionandnotesthecuriousarereferred。HereitmaysufficetosaythattheoriginalMS。oftheLatinChronicleislost；thatofsixknownmanuscriptcopiesnoneisolderthan1480；thattwoofthesecopiescontainaPrologue；andthattheProloguetellsusallthathashithertobeenknownabouttheauthor。 ThedateofthelostLatinoriginalis1461，astheauthorhimselfavers。Healso，inhisPrologue，statesthepurposeofhiswork。 AtthebiddingofanunnamedAbbotofDunfermline，whomusthavebeenRichardBothwell，heistoabbreviate\"TheGreatChronicle，\" and\"bringituptodate，\"aswenowsay。Heistorecounttheeventsofhisowntime，\"withcertainothermiraculousdeeds，whichIwhowritehavehadcognisanceof，seen，andheard，beyondtheboundsofthisrealm。Also，lastly，concerningacertainmarvellousMaiden，whorecoveredthekingdomofFranceoutofthehandsofthetyrant，Henry，KingofEngland。TheaforesaidMaidenIsaw，wasconversantwith，andwasinhercompanyinhersaidrecoveryofFrance，andtillherlife\'sendIwaseverpresent。”After\"Iwaseverpresent\"thecopiesadd\"etc。，\"perhapsasignofomission。 Themonkishauthorprobablysaidmoreabouttheheroineofhisyouth，andthisthecopyistshavechosentoleaveout。 Theauthorneverfulfilledthispromiseoftelling，inLatin，thehistoryoftheMaidashercareerwasseenbyaScottishallyandfriend。NordidheeverexplainhowaScot，andafoeofEngland，succeededinbeingpresentattheMaiden\'smartyrdominRouen。Atleastheneverfulfilledhispromise，asfarasanyofthesixLatinMSS。ofhisChronicleareconcerned。EveryoneoftheseMSS—— doubtlessfollowingtheirincompleteoriginal——breaksoffshortinthemiddleofthesecondsentenceofChapterxxxii。Bookxii。Hereisthebrieffragmentwhichthatchaptercontains:- \"InthosedaystheLordstirredupthespiritofacertainmarvellousMaiden，bornonthebordersofFrance，intheduchyofLorraine，andtheseeofToul，towardstheImperialterritories。 ThisMaidenherfatherandmotheremployedintendingsheep；daily，too，didshehandlethedistaff；man\'slovesheknewnot；nosin，asitissaid，wasfoundinher，toherinnocencetheneighboursborewitness……\" HeretheLatinnarrativeoftheonemanwhofollowedJeanned\'Arcthroughgoodandeviltoherlife\'sendbreaksoffabruptly。Theauthordoesnotgivehisname；eventhenameoftheAbbotatwhosecommandhewrote\"isleftblank，asifithadbeenerasedintheoriginal\"(Mr。FelixSkene，\"LiberPluscardensis，\"inthe\"HistoriansofScotland，\"vii。p。18)。ItmightbeguessedthattheoriginalfellintoEnglishhandsbetween1461and1489，andthattheyblottedoutthenameoftheauthor，anddestroyedamostvaluablerecordoftheirconquerorandtheirvictim，Jeanned\'Arc。 AgainstthistheorywehavetosettheexplanationhereofferedbyNormanLeslie，ourauthor，intheRatisbonScotsCollege\'sFrenchMS。，ofwhichthisworkisatranslation。LeslieneverfinishedhisLatinChronicle，buthewrote，inFrench，thenarrativewhichfollows，decoratingitwiththedesignswhichMr。SelwynImagehascarefullycopiedinblackandwhite。 Possessingthisinformation，weneednotexamineMr。W。F。Skene\'slearnedbutunconvincingtheorythattheauthorofthefragmentaryLatinworkwasoneMauriceDrummond，outoftheLennox。ThehypothesisisthatofMr。W。F。Skene，andMr。FelixSkenepointsoutthedifficultieswhichbesettheopinionofhisdistinguishedkinsman。OurMonkisamanofFife。 Astotheveracityofthefollowingnarrative，thetranslatorfindsitminutelycorroborated，wherevercorroborationcouldbeexpected，inthelargemassofdocumentswhichfillthefivevolumesofM。 Quicherat\'s\"ProcesdeJeanned\'Arc，\"incontemporarychronicles，andinMSS。morerecentlydiscoveredinFrenchlocalornationalarchives。ThusCharlotteBoucher，BarthelemyBarrette，Noiroufle，theScottishpainter，andhisdaughterElliot，Capdorat，ay，evenThomasScott，theKing\'sMessenger，wereallreallivingpeople，tracesofwhoseexistence，withsomeoftheiradventures，survivefaintlyinbrownoldmanuscripts。LouisdeCoutes，theprettypageoftheMaid，aboyoffourteen，mayhavebeenhardlyjudgedbyNormanLeslie，buthecertainlyabandonedJeanned\'Arcatherfirstfailure。 So，afterexplainingthetruepositionandcharacterofourmonkishauthorandartist，weleavehisbooktothejudgmentwhichithastarriedforsolong。 CHAPTERI——HOWTHISBOOKWASWRITTEN，ANDHOWNORMANLESLIEFLEDOUT OFFIFE Itisnotofmyownwill，norformyownglory，thatI，NormanLeslie，sometimeofPitcullo，andinreligioncalledBrotherNorman，oftheOrderofBenedictines，ofDunfermline，inditethisbook。ButonmycomingoutofFrance，intheyearofourLordOnethousandfourhundredandfifty-nine，itwaslaidonmebymySuperior，Richard，AbbotinDunfermline，thatIshouldabbreviatetheGreatChronicleofScotland，andcontinuethesamedowntoourowntime。 {1}Hebademetell，moreover，allthatIknewofthegloriousMaidofFrance，calledJeannelaPucelle，inwhosecompanyIwas，fromherbeginningeventillherend。 Obedient，therefore，tomySuperior，Iwrote，inthisourcellofPluscarden，aLatinbookcontainingthehistoriesoftimespast，butwhenIcametotellofmatterswherein，asMarosays，\"parsmagnafui，\"Igrewwearyofsuchrude，barbarousLatinasaloneIamskilledtoindite，forofthemannerCiceronian，asitisnowpractisedbyclerksofItaly，Iamnotmaster:mybook，therefore，Ileftunfinished，breakingoffinthemiddleofasentence。Yet，consideringthecommandlaidonme，intheendIamcometothisresolve，namely，towritethehistoryofthewarsinFrance，andthehistoryoftheblessedMaid(sofaratleastasIwasaneyewitnessandpartakerthereof)，intheFrenchlanguage，beingthemostcommonlyunderstoodofallmen，andthemostdelectable。ItisnotmyintenttotellallthestoryoftheMaid，andallherdeedsandsayings，fortheworldwouldscarcelycontainthebooksthatshouldbewritten。ButwhatImyselfbeheld，thatIshallrelate，especiallyconcerningcertainaccidentsnotknowntothegeneral，byreasonofwhichignorancethewholetruthcanscarcebeunderstood。 For，ifHeavenvisiblysidedwithFranceandtheMaid，nolessdidHellmostmanifestlytakepartwithouroldenemyofEngland。Andofteninthislife，ifwelooknotthemoreclosely，andwiththeeyesoffaith，Sathanasshallseemtohavetheupperhandinthebattle，withwhoseveryimpandminionImyselfwasconversant，tomysorrow，asshallbeshown。 First，concerningmyselfImustsaysomefewwords，totheendthatwhatfollowsmaybethemorereadilyunderstood。 IwasborninthekingdomofFife，being，bysomefiveyears，theyoungeroftwosonsofArchibaldLeslie，ofPitcullo，nearSt。 Andrews，acadetofthegreatHouseofRothes。MymotherwasanEnglishwomanoftheDebatableLand，aStoreyofNetherby，andofme，inourcountryspeech，itusedtobesaidthatIwas\"amother\'sbairn。”ForIhadevermygreatestjoyinher，whomIlostereI wassixteenyearsofage，andsheinme:notthatshefavouredmeunduly，forshewasveryjust，butthat，withinourselves，weeachknewwhowasnearesttoherheart。Shewas，indeed，asaintlywoman，yetofamerrywit，andshehadgreatpleasureinreadingofbooks，andinromances。Beingalways，whenImight，inhercompany，Ibecameaclerkinsensibly，andwithoutlabourIcouldearlyreadandwrite，whereforemyfatherwasmindedtobringmeupforachurchman。Forthiscause，Iwassomedealdespisedbyothersofmyage，and，yetmore，becausefrommymotherIhadcaughttheSouthrontrickofthetongue。Theycalledme\"EnglishNorman，\"andmanyabattleIhavefoughtonthatquarrel，forIamastrueaScotasany，andIhatedtheEnglish(myownmother\'speoplethoughtheywere)fortakingandholdingcaptiveourKing，JamesI。ofworthymemory。Myfancy，likethatofmostboys，wasallforthewars，andfullofdreamsconcerningknightsandladies，dragonsandenchanters，aboutwhichtheotherladswerefainenoughtohearmetellwhatIhadreadinromances，thoughtheymockedatmeforreading。Yettheyoftcameillspeedwiththeirjests，formybrotherhadtaughtmetousemyhands:andtoholdaswordIwasinstructedbyoursmith，whohadbeenprenticetoHarryGow，theBurn-the-WindofPerth，andthebestmanathisweaponinbroadScotland。FromhimIgotmanyatrickoffencethatservedmyturnlater。 Butnowtheeviltimecamewhenmydearmothersickenedanddied，leavingtomehermemoryandhergreatchainofgold。Abittersorrowisherdeathtomestill；butanonmyfathertooktohimanotherwifeoftheBethunesofBlebo。Iblamemyself，ratherthanthislady，thatwedweltnothappilyinthesamehouse。Myfathertherefore，stillmindedtomakemeachurchman，sentmetoRobertofMontrose\'snewcollegethatstandsintheSouthStreetofSt。 Andrews，acitynotfarfromourhouseofPitcullo。Butthere，likeawaywardboy，Itookmorepleasureinthebattlesofthe\"nations\"—— asofFifeagainstGallowayandtheLennox；oringamesofcatch- pull，football，wrestling，hurlingthebar，archery，andgolf——thanindivinelearning——asoflogic，andAristotlehisanalytics。 YetIlovedtobeinthescriptoriumoftheAbbey，andtoseethegoodFatherPeterlimningtheblessedsaintsinblue，andred，andgold，ofwhicharthetaughtmealittle。OftenIwouldhelphimtogrindhiscolours，andheinstructedmeinthelayingofthemonpaperorvellum，withwhiteofegg，andinfixingandburnishingthegold，andindrawingflowers，andfigures，andstrangebeastsanddevils，suchasweseegrinningfromthewallsofthecathedral。IntheFrenchlanguage，too，helearnedme，forhehadbeentaughtatthegreatUniversityofParis；andinAvignonhadseenthePopehimself，BenedictXIII。，ofuncertainmemory。 MuchIlovedtobewithFatherPeter，whoselessonsdidnotirkme，butjumpedwithmyowndesiretoreadromancesintheFrenchtongue，whereoftherearemany。ButnevercouldIhavedreamedthat，indaystocome，thisartofpaintingwouldwinmemybreadforawhile，andthataLeslieofPitculloshouldbedrivenbyhungertosobaseandcontemnedahandiwork，unworthy，whenpractisedforgain，ofmyblood。 Yetitwouldhavebeenwellformetofolloweventhiscraftmore，andmysportsandpastimesless:DickonMelvillehadthenescapedabrokenhead，andI，perchance，abrokenheart。Butyouthisgivenovertovanitiesthatwaragainstthesoul，and，amongothers，tothatwickedgameoftheGolf，nowjustlycrieddownbyourlaws，{2} asthemotherofcursingandidleness，mischiefandwastery，ofwhichgame，asIverilybelieve，thedevilhimselfisthefather。 Itchanced，onanOctoberdayoftheyearofgraceFourteenhundredandtwenty-eight，thatIwasplayingmyselfatthisaccursedsportwithoneRichardMelville，astudentoflikeagewithmyself。Wewereevenlymatched，thoughDickonwastallandweighty，beinggreatofgrowthforhisage，whereasIwasofbutscantinches，slim，and，asmensaid，ofagirlishcountenance。YetIwaswellskilledinthegameoftheGolf，andhavedrivenaHollandballthelengthofanarrow-flight，thereorthereby。Butwhereforeshouldmysinfulsoulbenowinmindoftheseoldvanities，repentedof，Itrust，longago？ Aswetwain，DickonandI，wereknownforfellchampionsatthisunholysport，manyoftheotherscholarsfollowedus，layingwagersonourheads。Theywerebutawildsetoflads，for，asthen，therewasnot，asnowthereis，ahouseappointedforscholarstodwellintogetherunderauthority。Weworecolouredclothes，andourhairlong；goldchains，andwhingers{3}inourbelts，allofwhichthingsarenowmostrighteouslyforbidden。ButIcarriednowhingeronthelinks，asconsideringthatithamperedamaninhisplay。Sothegamewenton，nowDickonleading\"byahole，\"astheysay，andnowmyself，andgreatwagerswerelaidonus。 Now，attheholethatissethighabovetheEden，whenceyouseefaroverthecountry，andtheriver-mouth，andtheshipping，itchancedthatmyballlaybetweenDickon\'sandthehole，sothathecouldinnomannerwinpastit。 \"Youlaidmethatstimyofsetpurpose，\"criedDickon，throwingdownhisclubinarage；\"andthisisthethirdtimeyouhavedoneitinthisgame。” \"Itiscleanagainstcommonluck，\"quothoneofhisparty，\"andthegameandthemoneylaidonitshouldbeours。” \"BytheblessedbonesoftheApostle，\"Isaid，\'noluckismorecommon。To-daytome，to-morrowtothee!Layitofpurpose，I couldnotifIwould。” \"Youlie!\"heshoutedinarage，andgrippedtohiswhinger。 Itwasevermyfather\'scounselthatImusttaketheliefromnone。 Therefore，ashissteelwasout，andIcarriednone，Imadenomoreado，andthewordofshamehadscarcelefthislipswhenIfelledhimwiththeironclubthatweuseinsand。 \"Heisdead!\"criedtheyofhisparty，whiletheladsofmyownlookedaskanceonme，andhadmanifestlynomindtobepartakersinmydeed。 Now，Melvillecameofagreathouse，and，partlyinfearoftheirfeud，partlylikeoneamazedandwithoutanycounsel，Iranandleapedintoaboatthatchancedtolieconvenientonthesand，andpulledoutintotheEden。ThenceIsawthemraiseupMelville，andbearhimtowardsthetown，hisfriendsliftingtheirhandsagainstme，withthreatsandmalisons。Hislegstrailedandhisheadwaggedlikethelegsandtheheadofadeadman，andIwaswithouthopeintheworld。 Atfirstitwasmythoughttorowuptheriver-mouth，land，andmakeacrossthemarshesandfieldstoourhouseatPitcullo。ButI bethoughtmethatmyfatherwasanaustereman，whomIhadvexedbeyondbearingwithmylatewickedfollies，intowhich，sincethedeathofmymother，Ihadfallen。AndnowIwasbringinghimnocollegeprize，butablood-feud，whichhewasliketofindanillheritageenough，evenwithoutanevilandthanklessson。Mystepmother，too，wholovedmelittle，wouldinflamehisangeragainstme。Manydaughtershehad，andofgearandgoodsnomorethanenough。Robin，myelderbrother，hehadletpasstoFrance，whereheservedamongthemenofJohnKirkmichael，BishopofOrleans——hethatsmotetheDukeofClarenceinfairfightatBauge。 Thinkingofmyfather，andofmystepmother\'sillwelcome，andofRobin，abroadinthewarsagainstouroldenemyofEngland，itmaybethatIfellintoakindofhalfdream，theboatlullingmebyitsmovementonthewaters。SuddenlyIfeltacrashingblowonmyhead。 Itwasasifthepowderusedforartilleryhadexplodedinmymouth，withflashoflightandfierytaste，andIknewnothing。Then，howlongafterIcouldnottell，therewaswateronmyface，theblueskyandthebluetidewerespinninground——theyspunswiftly，thenslowly，thenstoodstill。Therewasafiercepainstoundinginmyhead，andavoicesaid- \"Thatgoodoar-strokewilllearnyoutostealboats!\" Iknewthevoice；itwasthatofamerchantsailor-manwithwhom，onthedaybefore，Ihadquarrelledinthemarket-place。NowIwaslyingatthebottomofaboatwhichfourseamen，whohadroweduptomeandhadbrokenmyheadasImeditated，werepullingtowardsamerchant-vessel，orcarrick，intheEden-mouth。Hersailswerebeingset；theboatwhereinIlaywastowingthatintowhichIhadleapedafterstrikingdownMelville。Fortwooftheship\'smen，beingonshore，hadhailedtheirfellowsinthecarrick，andtheyhadtakenvengeanceuponme。 \"Youscholarladsmustbetaughtbetterthanyourmasterslearnyou，\"saidmyenemy。 Andtherewiththeycarriedmeonboardthevessel，the\"St。 Margaret，\"ofBerwick，ladenwithacargoofdriedsalmonfromEden- mouth。Theymeantmenokindness，fortherewasanoldfeudbetweenthescholarsandthesailors；butitseemedtome，inmyfoolishness，thatnowIwasinluck\'sway。Ineednotgoback，withbloodonmyhands，toPitculloandmyfather。Ihadmoneyinmypouch，mymother\'sgoldchainaboutmyneck，aship\'sdeckundermyfoot，andtheseasbeforeme。ItwasnothardformetobargainwiththeshipmasterforapassagetoBerwick，whenceImightputmyselfaboardavesselthattradedtoBordeauxforwinefromthatcountry。ThesailorsImademyfriendsatnogreatcost，forindeedtheyweretheconquerors，andcouldaffordtoshowclemency，andholdmetoslightransomasaprisonerofwar。 Soweliftedanchor，andsailedoutofEden-mouth，noneofthoseonshoreknowinghowIwasaboardthecarrickthatslippedbythebishop\'scastle，andsounderthegreattowersoftheminsterandSt。Rule\'s，forthtotheNorthernSea。Despitemybrokenhead—— whichputitcomfortablyintomymindthatmaybeDickon\'swasnoworse——IcouldhavelaughedtothinkhowcleanIhadvanishedawayfromSt。Andrews，asifthefairieshadtakenme。Nowhavingtimetoreasonofitquietly，IpickeduphopeforDickon\'slife，rememberinghisheadtobeofthethickest。ThencameintomymindthemanyromancesofchivalrywhichIhadread，whereintheyoungsquirehastofleehiscountryforachanceblow，asdidMessirePatroclus，intheRomanceofTroy，whoslewamaninangeroverthegameofthechess，andmanyanotherknight，inthetalesofCharlemagneandhispaladins。Foreveritisthusthestoryopens，andmystory，methought，wasbeginningto-dayliketherest。 Now，nottoprovemorewearisomethanneedbe，andsovexthosewhoreadthischroniclewithmuchtalkaboutmyself，andsuchaccidentsoftravelasbesetallvoyagers，andchieflyintimeofwar，IfoundatradingshipatBerwick，andreachedBordeauxsafe，aftermuchsicknessonthesea。AndinBordeaux，withaverysoreheart，I changedthelinksofmymother\'schainthatwerelefttome——allbutfour，thatstillIkeep——formoneyofthatcountry；andso，withalighterpackthanspirit，IsetforthtowardsOrleansandtomybrotherRobin。 OnthisjourneyIhadgoodcausetoblessFatherPeteroftheAbbeyforhisteachingmetheFrenchtongue，thatwasofmoreservicetomethanallmyLatin。YetmyLatin，too，thelittleIknew，stoodmeingoodsteadatthemonasteries，whereoftenIfoundbedandboard，andnosmallkindness；Ilittledeemingthat，intimetocome，Ialsoshouldbeinreligion，anoldmanandweary，gladtospeakwithtravellersconcerningthenewsoftheworld，fromwhichI amnowthesetenyearsretired。YetIloveevenbettertocallbackmemoriesofthesedays，whenItookmypartinthefray。Ifthisbeasin，mayGodandtheSaintsforgiveme，forifIhavefought，itwasinarightfulcause，whichHeavenatlasthas ThewayswererudeandlongfromBordeauxtowntoOrleans，whitherI hadsetmyface，notknowing，whenIleftmyowncountry，thatthecitywasbeleagueredbytheEnglish。ForwhocouldguessthatlordsandknightsoftheChristianfaith，holdingcaptivethegentleDukeofOrleans，wouldbesiegehisowncity？——athingunheardofamongtheverySaracens，andadeedthatGodpunished。Yetthenewsofthisgreatvillainy，namely，theleaguerofOrleans，thennewlybegun，reachedmyearsonmylandingatBordeaux，andmademegreatlyfearthatImightnevermeetmybrotherRobinalive。Andthismydoubtprovedbuttootrue，forhesoonafterthistimefell，withmanyotherScottishgentlemenandarchers，desertedshamefullybytheFrenchandbyCharlesdeBourbon，ComtedeClermont，attheBattleoftheHerrings。ButofthisIknewnothing——as，indeed，thebattlewasnotyetfought——andonlypushedonforFrance，thinkingtotakeservicewiththeDauphinagainsttheEnglish。Myjourneywasthroughacountryruinousenough，for，thoughtheEnglishwereonthefurtherbankoftheLoire，thepartisansoftheDauphinhadmadearuinroundthemselvesandtheirholds，and，notbeingpaid，theyliveduponthecountry。 ThefurthernorthIheld，bywaysbrokenandruinedwithrainsandsuns，themorebareandruggedgrewthewholeland。Once，stoppinghardbyahamlet，IhadsatdowntomunchsuchfoodasIcarried，andwassharingmymealwithalittlebrownherd-boy，whotoldmethathewasdinnerless。Afewsheepandleankinepluckedatsuchscantgrassesasgrewamongrocks，andherbsuselessbutsweet- scented，whensuddenlyahornwasblownfromthetowerofthelittlechurch。Thefirstnoteofthatblasthadnotdiedaway，wheneverycowandsheepwasscamperingtowardsthehamletandakindof\"barmkyn\"{4}theyhadbuildedthereforprotection，andtheboyafterthem，runningwithhisbarelegsfordearlife。Forme，Iwastooamazedtorunintime，solayskulkinginthethicksweet- smellingherbs，whenceIsawcertainmen-at-armsgalloptothecrestofacliffhardby，andrideonwithcurses，fortheywerenotofstrengthtotakethebarmkyn。 SuchwasthefaceofFranceinmanycounties。Thefieldslayweedyanduntilled；thestarvingpeasant-folktooktothehighway，everymanpreyingonhisneighbour。Woodshadgrownup，andbrokeninupontheroads。Howbeit，thoughrobbersharbouredtherein，noneofthemheldtoransomawanderingpoorScotsscholar。 SlowlyItrudged，beingoftendelayed，andIwasnownearingPoictiers，andthoughtmyselfwellonmyroadtoChinon，where，asI heard，theDauphinlay，whenIcametoaplacewheretheroadshouldhavecrossedastream——notwide，butstrong，smooth，andverydeep。 Thestreamranthroughaglen；andabovetheroadIhadlongnotedthetowersofacastle。ButasIdrewcloser，Isawfirstthatthewallswereblackwithfireandroofless，andthatcarrionbirdswerehoveringoverthem，someenemyhavingfallenupontheplace:andnext，behold，thebridgewasbroken，andtherewasneitherfordnorferry!Alltheruinwasfresh，thecastlestillsmouldering，thekitesflockingandyellingabovethetrees，theplanksofthebridgeshowingthatthedestructionwasbutofyesterday。 Thismatterofthebrokenbridgecostmelittlethought，forIcouldswimlikeanotter。Buttherewasanothertravellerdownbythestreamwhoseemedmorenearlyconcerned。WhenIcameclosetohim，Ifoundhimstandinguptohiswaistinthewater，takingsoundingswithalongandheavystaff。Hiscordelier\'sfrockwastuckedupintohisbelt，hislongbrownlegs，withblackhairsthickonthem，werenaked。Hewasahuge，darkman，andwhenheturnedandstaredatme，Ithoughtthat，amongallmenoftheChurchandinreligionwhomIhadeverbeheld，hewasthefoulestandmostfiercetolookupon。Hehadanugly，murderousvisage，felleyesandkeen，andarightlongnose，hookedlikeafalcon\'s。Theeyesinhisheadshonelikeswords，andofalleyesofmanIeversaw，hiswerethemostpiercingandmostterrible。Onhisbackhecarried，asInoticedatthefirst，whatIneversawonacordelier\'sbackbefore，oronanybuthissince——anarbalest，andhehadboltsenoughinhisbag，thefeathersshowingabove。 \"Paxvobiscum，\"hecried，inaloud，gratingvoice，ashesawme，andscrambledouttoshore。 \"Etcumanimatua，\"Ianswered。 \"NomdeDieu!\"hesaid，\"youhavebottomedmyLatinalready，thatisscarcesodeepastheriverhere。Mymalisononthemthatbrokethebridge!\"Thenhelookedmeoverfiercely。 \"BurgundyorArmagnac？\"heasked。 Ithoughtthequestionstrange，asatravellerwouldscarcecaretopronounceforBurgundyinthatcountry。Butthiswasamanwhowoulddareanything，soIdeemeditbettertoanswerthatIwasaScot，and，sofar，ofneitherparty。 \"Tug-mutton，wine-sack!\"hesaid，thesebeingtwoofmanyillnameswhichtheFrenchgaveourcountrymen；for，ofallmen，theFrenchareleastgratefultous，who，underHeavenandtheMaid，havesettheirKingonhisthroneagain。 TheEnglishknewthis，iftheFrenchdidnot；andtheirgreatKing，HarrytheFifth，whenhefellillofSt。Fiacre\'ssickness，afterplunderingthatScotssaint\'sshrineofcertainhorse-shoes，silver- gilt，saidwellthat，\"gowherehewould，hewasbeardedbyScots，deadoralive。”ButtheFrencharenotathankfulpeople。 Ihadnoanswerveryreadytomytongue，sosteppeddownsilenttothewater-edge，andwasabouttakingoffmydoubletandhose，meaningtocarrythemonmyheadandswimacross。Buthebarredthewaywithhisstaff，and，forme，Igrippedtomywhinger，andwatchedmychancetoruninunderhisguard。Forthiscordelierwasnottoberespected，Ideemed，likeothersoftheOrderofSt。 Francis，andallmenofHolyChurch。 \"Answeracivilquestion，\"hesaid，\"beforeitcomestoworse: ArmagnacorBurgundy？\" \"Armagnac，\"Ianswered，\"oranythingelsethatisnotEnglish。 Clearthecauseway，madfriar!\" Atthathethrewdownhisstaff。 \"Igonorthalso，\"hesaid，\"toOrleans，ifImay，forthefoul\"manants\"andpeasantdogsofthiscountryhaveburnedthecastleofAlfonseRodigo，agoodknightthatheldtheminrightgoodorderthisyearpast。Hewasworthy，indeed，toridewiththatexcellentcaptain，DonRodrigodeVillandradas。King\'scaptainorvillagelabourer，allwasfishthatcametohisnet，andbuttwodaysagoI washishonourablechaplain。Buthemadethepeoplemad，andagreatcarousethatwekeptgavethemtheiropportunity。TheyhaveroastedthegoodknightAlfonse，andwouldhavedoneasmuchforme，hisalmoner，frockandall，ifwinehadanymasteryoverme。ButI gavethemtheslip。Heavenhelpsitsown!Natheless，Iwouldthatthisriverwerebetweenmeandtheirvengeance，and，foronce，I dreadthesmellofroastmeatthatisstillinmynostrils——pah!\" Andherehespatontheground。 \"Butonedoorcloses，\"hewenton，\"andanotheropens，andtoOrleansamInowbound，intheserviceofmyholycalling。” \"Thereis，indeed，causeenoughfortheshrivingofsoulsofsinners，Father，inthatcountry，asIhear，andaholymanlikeyouwillberightwelcometomany。” \"Theyneedlittleshrivingthatareoppositemyculverin，\"saidthisstrangepriest。\"ThoughnowIcarrybutanarbalest，thegunismymistress，andmypatronisthegunner\'ssaint，St。Barbara。Andevenwiththistoy，methinksIhavethelivesofascoreofgoddamsinmybolt-pouch。” IknewthatinthesewilddaysmanyclericswerecarelessastothatwhichtheChurchenjoinsconcerningtheeffusionofblood——nay，I havenamedJohnKirkmichael，BishopofOrleans，ashavinghimselfbrokenaspearonthebodyoftheDukeofClarence。TheAbbeofCerquenceaux，also，wasavaliantmaninreligion，andagoodcaptain，and，alloverFrance，clericsweregrippingtoswordandspear。ButsuchapriestasthisIdidnotexpecttosee。 \"Yourname？\"heaskedsuddenly，thewordscomingoutwithasoundlikethefirstgratingofasawonstone。 \"TheycallmeNormanLesliedePitcullo，\"Ianswered。\"Andyours？\" \"Myname，\"hesaid，\"isNoiroufle\"——andIthoughtthatneverhadI seenamansowellfittedwithaname；——\"inreligion，BrotherThomas，apoorbrotheroftheOrderofthemadSt。FrancisofAssisi。” \"Then，BrotherThomas，howdoyoumeantocrossthiswaterwhichliesbetweenyouandtheexerciseofyourholycalling？Doyouswim？\" \"Likeastonecannon-ball，and，forallthatIcanfind，thecursedwaterhasnobottom。Cross!\"hesnarled。\"Letmeseeyouswim。” Iwasgladenoughtobequitofhimsosoon，butInoticedthat，asIstrippedandpackedmyclothestocarryinabundleonmyhead，theholymansethisfootinthestirrupofhisweapon，andwaswindinguphisarbalestwithawindlass，aboltinhismouth，watchingatthesametimeaheronthatrosefromamarshonthefurthersideofthestream。Onthisbird，Ideemed，hemeanttotryhisskillwiththearbalest。 \"Adieu，BrotherThomas，\"Isaid，asItookthewater；andinafewstrokesIwasacrossandrunningupanddownonthebanktogetmyselfdry。\"Back!\"camehisgratingvoice——\"back!andwithoutyourclothes，youwine-sackofScotland，orIshoot!\"andhisarbalestwaslevelledonme。 IhaveoftenaskedmyselfsincewhatIshouldhavedone，andwhatwasthepartofabraveman。PerchanceImighthavedived，andswumdown-streamunderwater，butthenIhadbestowedmybundleofclothessomelittlewayoff，andBrotherThomascommandeditfromhissideofthestream。HewouldhavewaitedthereinambushtillI cameshiveringbackforhoseanddoublet，andIshouldbeinnobettercasethanIwasnow。Meanwhilehisweaponwaslevelledatme，andIcouldseethebolt-pointsetstraightformybreast，andglitteringinapaleblinkofthesun。Thebravestcourseiseverthebest。Ishouldhavethrownmyselfontheearth，nodoubt，andsocrawledtocover，takingmychanceofdeathratherthantheshameofobeyingunderthreatandforce。ButIwasyoung，andhadneverlookeddeathintheface，so，beingafraidandastonished，Imadewhatseemedthebestofanillbusiness，and，thoughmyfacereddensyetatthethoughtofit，Ileapedinandswambacklikeadogtoheel。 \"Beholdme，\"Isaid，makingasbraveacountenanceasImightinfaceofnecessity。 \"Welldone，NormanLesliedePitcullo，\"hesnarled，baringhisyellowteeth。\"ThisistheobediencewhichtheyoungowetotheChurch。Now，ferrymeover；youaremyboat。” \"Youwilldrown，man，\"Isaid。\"Notwhileyouswim。” Then，unbucklinghisfrock，hepackeditashehadseenmedo，bademeputitonmyhead，andsosteppedoutintothewater，holdingforthhisarmtoputaboutmyneck。Iwasforteachinghimhowtolayitonmyshoulder，andwasbiddinghimkeepstillasaplankofwood，buthesnarled- \"Ihavesailedonaboatoffleshbeforeto-day。” Todohimjustice，hekeptstillasalogofwood，andso，yieldingpartlytothestream，Ilandedhimsomewhatfurtherdownthantheplacewheremyownclotheswerelying。Tothemhewalked，andveryquietlypickingupmywhingerandmyraimentthathegatheredunderhisarm，heconcealedhimselfinathickbush，albeititwasleafless，wherenomancouldhavebeenawareofhim。Thisamazedmenotalittle，formodestydidnotseemanypartofhisnature。 \"Now，\"sayshe，\"fetchovermyarbalest。LyingwhereIamyouhavenoadvantagetoshootme，as，nomdeDieu!Iwouldhaveshotyouhadyounotobeyed。Andharkye，bytheway，unwindthearbalestbeforeyoucross；itiseverwelltobeonthesafeside。Andbesureyouwetnotthestring。”Hepushedhisfacethroughthebush，andheldinhismouthmynakedwhinger，thatshonebetweenhisshiningeyes。 NowagainIsayit，Ihavethoughtoverthismattermanyatime，andhaveevenlaughedaloudandbitterly，whenIwasalone，atthefigureofmeshiveringthere，onacoldFebruaryday，andatmyhelplessestate。Foranakedmanisnomatchforamanwithawhinger，andhewassittingonmyclothes。Sothisfriar，unworthyashewasofhisholycalling，hadmeatanavailoneveryside，nordoIyetseewhatIcoulddobutobeyhim，asIdid。AndwhenI landedfromthisfifthvoyage，helaughedandgavemehisblessing，and，whatIneededmore，somefieryspiritsfromawater-gourd，inwhichFatherThomascarriednowater。 \"Welldone，myson，\"hesaid，\"andnowwearecomrades。Mylifewasnotoversafeonyonderside，seeingthatthe\"manants\"hateme，andrespectnotmyhood，andtwoarebettercompanythanone，wherewearegoing。” Thisencounterwasthebeginningofmanyevils，andoftennowthepictureshinesuponmyeyes，andIseethegreywater，andhearthecoldwindwhistleinthedryreedsoftheriver-bankwhereonwesat。 Themanwasmymaster，Heavenhelpme!assurelyasSathanaswashis。Andthough，atlast，Islippedhisclutches，asyoushallhear(morereadilythan，Itrow，hewillscapehislordintheend，forhestilllives)，yetitwasanilldaythatwemet——anilldayformeandforFrance。Howbeitwejoggedon，hemerrilyenoughsingingasculduderysong，Isomethingsurly，underagreyFebruarysky，withakeenwindsearchingoutthethreadbareplacesinourraiment。 Mycomrade，ashecalledhimself，toldmewhatpassageshechoseinthehistoryofhislife:howhecametobefrocked(but\'cucullusnonfacitmonachum\')，andhow，inthetroublesofthesetimes，hehaddiscoveredinhimselfagreataptitudeforthegunner\'strade，ofwhichheboastednotalittle。Hehadbeeninoneandanotherofthesearmedcompaniesthattookservicewitheitherside，forhire，beingbetterwarriorsandmoreskilledthanthenoblesse，butacursetoFrance:for，inpeaceorwar，friendorfoe，theyplunderedall，andheldalltoransom。WithRodrigodeVillandradas，thatblood-houndofSpain，hehadbeenhighinfavour，butwhenRodrigowenttoharrysouthandeast，hehadtarriedatRuffec，withanotherthiefofthatnation，AlfonseRodigo。Allhistalk，aswewent，wasofslayingmeninfight；whomheslewhecarednotmuch，butchieflyhehatedtheEnglishandthemofBurgundy。Tohim，warwaswhathuntingandshootinggameistoothers；acruelandbloodypastime，whenChristiansarethequarry! \"JohntheLorrainer，andI，therearenootherstobenamedwithusattheculverin，\"hewouldbrag。\"Wetwoagainstanarmy，giveusgoodcover，andpowderandleadenballsenough。Hey!MasterJohnandImustshootamatchyet，againstEnglishtargets，andofthemthereareplentyunderOrleans。ButifImakenotthebetterspeed，thetownwillhavefallen，oryielded，rescueornorescue，andofrescuethereisnohopeatall。ThedevilfightsfortheEnglish，whowillsoonbeswarmingovertheLoire，andthatKingofBourgesofourswillhavetoflee，andgnawhorse\'sfodder，oatsandbarley，withyourfriendsinScotland。” ThiswasoneofthemanyungeneroustauntswhichtheFrenchmadeoftenagainstusScots，thathavebeentheirancientandlealbrethreninarmssincethedaysofKingAchaiusandCharlemagne。 \"TheDauphin，\"hewenton，\"forKingheisnone，andcrownedhewillneverbe，shouldbeinOrleans，leadinghismen；andlo!heistiedtothebeltoffatLaTremouille，andisdancingofballetsatChinon——amurrainonhim，andonthemthatmakehismusic!\"ThenhefelltocursinghisKing，athingterribletohear，andsotoaskingmequestionsaboutmyself。ItoldhimthatIhadfledmyowncountryforaman-slaying，hoping，mayHeavenforgiveme!tomakehimthinkthehigherofmeforthedeed。 \"Soweallbegin，\"saidhe；\"ashrewdblow，orafairwench；adeath，orabirthunlawful，\'tisalloneforthwearedriventotheworldandthewars。Yetyouhavestartedwell，——wellenough，andbetterthanIgaveyourgirl\'sfacecreditfor。Barsteelandrope，youmaycarrysomeFrenchgoldbacktostinkingScotlandyet。” Hegavemesomuchcreditasthisforadeedthatdeservednone，butrathercalledforrebukefromhim，who，howeverunworthy，wasinreligion，andworethegarboftheBlessedFrancis。Butveryfarfromfortifyingmeinvirtuouscourses，aswashisboundenduty，therewasnowickednessthathedidnottrytoteachme，tillpartlyIhatedhim，andpartly，Ifear，Iadmiredonesoskilledinevil。 Thetruthis，asIsaid，thatthisman，forthattime，wasmymaster。Hewaslearnedinalltheartsbywhichpoorandwanderingfolkcankeeptheirbelliesfullwanderingbytheway。Withwomen，uglyandterribleofaspectashewas，hehadagreatpower:apioussayingfortheold；awaywiththeyoungwhichhaseverbeenamysterytome，unless，assomeofthelearnedthink，allwomenarenaturallyloversofwickedness，ifstrengthandcouragegowithit。 Whatbywheedling，whatbybullying，whatbytalesofpilgrimagestoholyshrines(hewascomingfromJerusalembywayofRome，sohetoldallwemet)，heeverwonawelcome。 Othermoredevilishcantripsheplayed，oneofthematthepeasant\'shousewherewerestedonthefirstnightofourcommontravel。TheLentensupperwhichtheygaveus，withnolittlekindness，wasended，andweweresittinginthefirelight，BrotherThomasdiscoursinglargelyofhispilgrimages，andofhisfavouramongthehighclergy。Thus，atIknownotwhatconventoftheClarisses，{5} inItaly，theholySistershadpressedonhimarelicofMonsieurSt。Aignan，thepatronofthegoodtownofOrleans。Toseethisrelic，thefarmer，hiswife，andhissonsanddaughterscrowdedeagerly；itwasbutalittleblackenedfingerbone，yettheywerefaintotouchit，asisthecustom。Butthishewouldnotyetallow。 \"Perchancesomeofyou，\"hesaid，\"arealreadycorrupt，notknowingit，withthepoisonousbreathofthatdamnableHussiteheresy，whichisblowingfromtheeastlikewindofthepestilence，andyemayhavedoubtsconcerningtheverityofthismostholyandmiraculousrelic？\" Theyallcrossedthemselves，protestingthatnosuchwickedwhisperofSathanashadevercomeintotheirminds，norhadtheysomuchasheardofHussandhisblasphemies。 \"Nay，\"saidBrotherThomas，\"IcouldscarcelyblameyouifitwerepartlyasIsaid。Forinthislattertimeoftheworld，whenIhavemyselfmetJewsflockingtoBabylonexpectingthebirthofAntichrist，therebemanyfalsebrethren，whocarryaboutfeignedrelics，todeceivethesimple。Weshouldbelievenoman，ifhebe，asIam，astranger，unlessheshowsusasign，suchasnowIwillshowyou。Giveme，ofyourgrace，akerchief，oranapkin。”Thegoodwifegavehimacleanwhitenapkinfromheraumbry，andhetoreitupbeforetheireyes，shenotdaringtostayhishand。 \"Nownotethisholyrelicanditswonderfulpower，\"hesaid，holdingtheblackenedbonehighinhislefthand，andalloureyeswerefixedonit。\"Nowmark，\"hesaidagain，passingitoverthenapkin； andlo!therewasacleanwhitenapkininhishands，andofthetornshredsnotatrace! Wewerestillgaping，andcrossingourselveswithblessingsonthishappydayandourunworthyeyesthatbeheldamiracle，whenhedidathingyetmoremarvellous，ifthatmightbe，whichIscarceexpectanymanwillbelieve。Goingtothetable，andcatchingupaglassvesselonwhichthegoodwifesetgreatstore，hethrewitagainstthewall，andweallplainlyhearditshiverintotinklingpieces。 Then，crossingtheroomintothecorner，thatwasduskyenough，hefacedus，againholdingtheblessedrelic，whereonwestared，inholyfear。Thenherose，andinhishandwasthegoodwife\'sglassvessel，withoutcrackorflaw!{6} \"Such，\"hesaid，\"arethepropertiesofthismiraculousrelic；thereisnothingbrokenbutitwillmend，ay，abrokenlimb，asIcanproveonmyownsinfulbody，\"——thrustingouthisgreatbrownleg，whereon，assuredly，weresignsofafracture；\"ay，abrokenleg，or，mydeardaughters，abrokenheart。”Atthis，ofcourse，theywerealleagertotouchtheblessedrelicwiththeirpoorringsofbasemetal，suchastheywearwhoarenotrich。Nay，butfirst，hesaid，theymustgivetheirmitesforaconventoftheClarisses，thatwasbuildingatCastres，bythecareoftheholyColette，whomhemightcallhispatroness，unworthyashewas。 Thenheshowedusasafe-conduct，signedwiththatblessedwoman\'sownhand，suchasshewaswonttogivetothereligiousoftheOrderofSt。Francis。Byvirtueofthis，hesaid(and，bymiracle，foroncehesaidtruly，asIhadbuttoogoodcausetolearn)，hecouldgofreelyinandoutamongthecampsofFrench，English，andBurgundians。