第3章

Thenextmorningthebuglesweresoundedbyday-breakinthecourtofLordBoteler’smansion，tocalltheinhabitantsfromtheirslumbers，toassistinasplendidchase，withwhichtheBaronhadresolvedtoentertainhisneighbourFitzallen，andhisnoblevisitorSt。Clere。PeterLanaret，thefalconer，wasinattendance，withfalconsfortheknights，andterceletsfortheladies，iftheyshouldchoosetovarytheirsportfromhuntingtohawking。Fivestoutyeomenkeepers，withtheirattendants，calledRaggedRobins，allmeetlyarrayedinKendalgreen，withbuglesandshorthangersbytheirsides，andquarterstaffsintheirhands，ledtheslow-houndsorbrachets，bywhichthedeerweretobeputup。Tenbraceofgallantgreyhounds，eachofwhichwasfittopluckdown，singly，thetallestreddeer，wereledinleashesbyasmanyofLordBoteler’sforesters。Thepages，squires，andotherattendantsoffeudalsplendour，wellattiredintheirbesthunting-gear，uponhorsebackorfoot，accordingtotheirrank，withtheirboar-spears，long-bows，andcross-bows，wereinseemlywaiting。

Anumeroustrainofyeomen，calledinthelanguageofthetimesretainers，whoyearlyreceivedaliverycoatandasmallpensionfortheirattendanceonsuchsolemnoccasions，appearedincassocksofblue，bearingupontheirarmsthecognizanceofthehouseofBoteler，asabadgeoftheiradherence。

Theywerethetallestmenoftheirhandsthattheneighbouringvillagescouldsupply，witheverymanhisgoodbuckleronhisshoulder，andabrightburnishedbroadsworddanglingfromhisleathernbelt。Onthisoccasiontheyactedasrangersforbeatingupthethickets，androusingthegame。Theseattendantsfilledupthecourtofthecastle，spaciousasitwas。

Onthegreenwithout，youmighthaveseenthemotleyassemblageofpeasantry，convenedbyreportofthesplendidhunting，includingmostofouroldacquaintancesfromTewin，aswellasthejollypartakersofgoodcheeratHobFilcher’s。Gregorythejester，itmaywellbeguessed，hadnogreatmindtoexhibithimselfinpublicafterhisrecentdisaster；butOswaldthesteward，agreatformalistinwhateverconcernedthepublicexhibitionofhismaster’shouseholdstate，hadpositivelyenjoinedhisattendance。What！’’quothhe，shallthehouseofthebraveLordBoteler，onsuchabravedayasthis，bewithoutafool？Certes，thegoodLordSt。Clere，andhisfairladysister，mightthinkourhousekeepingasniggardlyasthatoftheirchurlishkinsmanatGayBowers，whosenthisfather’sjestertothehospital，soldthepoorsot’sbellsforhawk-jesses，andmadeanightcapofhislong-earedbonnet。And，sirrah，letmeseetheefoolhandsomely-speaksquibsandcrackersinsteadofthatdry，barren，musty，gibingwhichthouhastusedoflate；or，bythebones！theportershallhavetheetohislodge，andcobtheewiththineownwoodensword，tillthyskinisasmotleyasthydoublet。’’

TothissterninjunctionGregorymadenoreply，anymorethantothecourteousofferofoldAlbertDrawslot，thechiefpark-keeper，whoproposedtoblowvinegarinhisnosetosharpenhiswit，ashehaddonethatblessedmorningtoBragger，theoldhound，whosescentwasfailing。Therewasindeedlittletimeforreply，forthebugles，afteralivelyflourish，werenowsilent，andPeretto，withhistwoattendantminstrels，steppingbeneaththewindowsofthestrangers’apartments，joinedinthefollowingroundelay，thedeepvoicesoftherangersandfalconersmakingupachorusthatcausedtheverybattlementstoringagain。

Waken，lordsandladiesgay！

Onthemountaindawnstheday；

Allthejollychaseishere，Withhawkandhorse，andhuntingspear；

Roundsareintheircouplesyelling，Hawksarewhistling，hornsareknelling，Merrily，Merrily，minglethey，Waken，lordsandladiesgay！’’

Waken，lordsandladiesgay！

Themisthasleftthemountaingrey：

Springletsinthedawnarestreaming，Diamondsonthebrakearegleaming，AndforestershavebusybeenTotrackthebuckinthicketgreen；

Nowwecometochantourlay，Waken，lordsandladiesgay！’’

Waken，lordsandladiesgay！

Tothegreen-woodhasteawayWecanshowyouwherehelies，Fleetoffoot，andtallofsize；

Wecanshowthemarkshemade，When’gainsttheoakhisantlersfrayed；

Youshallseehimbroughttobay；

Waken，lordsandladiesgay！’’

Louder，louder，chantthelay，Waken，lordsandladiesgay！

Tellthem，youth，andmirth，andglee，Runacourseaswellaswe；

Time，sternhuntsman！whocanbaulk，Staunchashound，andfleetashawk？

Thinkofthis，andrisewithday，Gentlelordsandladiesgay！

Bythetimethislaywasfinished，LordBoteler，withhisdaughterandkinsman，FitzallenofMarden，andothernobleguests，hadmountedtheirpalfreys，andthehuntsetforwardindueorder。Thehuntsman，havingcarefullyobservedthetracesofalargestagontheprecedingevening，wereable，withoutlossoftime，toconductthecompany，bythemarkswhichtheyhadmadeuponthetrees，tothesideofthethicketinwhich，bythereportofDrawslot，hehadharbouredallnight。Thehorsemen，spreadingthemselvesalongthesideofthecover，waiteduntilthekeeperentered，leadinghisban-dog，alargeblood-hound，tiedinaleamorband，fromwhichhetakeshisname。

Butitbefellthus。Ahartofthesecondyear，whichwasinthesamecoverwiththeproperobjectoftheirpursuit，chancedtobeunharbouredfirst，andbrokecoververynearwheretheLadyEmmaandherbrotherwerestationed。Aninexperiencedvarlet，whowasnearertothem，instantlyunloosedtwotallgreyhounds，whosprungafterthefugitivewithallthefleetnessofthenorthwind。Gregory，restoredalittletospiritsbytheenliveningscenearoundhim，followed，encouragingthehoundswithaloudtayout，<>forwhichhehadtheheartycursesofthehuntsman，aswell_Tailliers-hors，_inmodernphrase，Tally-ho！

asoftheBaron，whoenteredintothespiritofthechasewithallthejuvenileardouroftwenty。Maythefouldfiend，bootedandspurred，ridedownhisbawlingthroat，withascytheathisgirdle！’’quothAlbertDrawslot；herehaveIbeentellinghim，thatallthemarkswerethoseofabuckofthefirsthead，andhehashalloedthehoundsuponavelvet-headedknobbler！BySaintHubert，ifIbreaknothispatewithmycross-bow，mayInevercastoffhoundmore！But，toit，mylordsandmasters！thenoblebeastishereyet；and，thankthesaints，wehaveenoughofhounds。’’

Thecoverbeingnowthoroughlybeatbytheattendants，thestagwascompelledtoabandonit，andtrusttohisspeedforhissafety。Threegreyhoundswereslippeduponhim，whomhethrewout，afterrunningacoupleofmiles，byenteringanextensivefurzybrake，whichextendedalongthesideofahill。Thehorsemensooncameup，andcastingoffasufficientnumberofslow-hounds，sentthemwiththeprickersintothecover，inordertodrivethegamefromhisstrength。Thisobjectbeingaccomplished，affordedanotherseverechaseofseveralmiles，inadirectionalmostcircular，duringwhichthepooranimaltriedeverywiletogetridofhispersecutors。Hecrossedandtraversedallsuchdustypathsaswerelikelytoretaintheleastscentofhisfootsteps；helaidhimselfclosetotheground，drawinghisfeetunderhisbelly，andclappinghisnoseclosetotheearth，lestheshouldbebetrayedtothehoundsbyhisbreathandhoofs。Whenallwasinvain，andhefoundthehoundscomingfastinuponhim，hisownstrengthfailing，hismouthembossedwithfoam，andthetearsdroppingfromhiseyes，heturnedindespairuponhispursuers，whothenstoodatgaze，makinganhideousclamour，andawaitingtheirtwo-footedauxiliaries。Ofthese，itchancedthattheLadyEleanor，takingmorepleasureinthesportthanMatilda，andbeingalessburdentoherpalfreythantheLordBoteler，wasthefirstwhoarrivedatspot，andtakingacross-bowfromanattendant，dischargedaboltatthestag。Whentheinfuriatedanimalfelthimselfwounded，hepushedfranticlytowardsherfromwhomhehadreceivedtheshaft，andLadyEleanormighthavehadoccasiontorepentofherenterprise，hadnotyoungFitzallen，whohadkeptnearherduringthewholeday，atthatinstantgallopedbrisklyin，anderethestagcouldchangehisobjectofassault，dispatchedhimwithhisshorthuntingsword。

AlbertDrawslot，whohadjustcomeupinterrorfortheyounglady’ssafety，brokeoutintoloudencomiumsuponFitzallen’sstrengthandgallantry。By’rLady，’’saidhe，takingoffhiscap，andwipinghissunburntfacewithhissleeve，wellstruck，andingoodtime！-Butnow，boys，doffyourbonnets，andsoundthemort。’’

Thesportsmenthensoundedatreblemort，andsetupageneralwhoop，which，mingledwiththeyelpingofthedogs，madethewelkinringagain。

ThehuntsmanthenofferedhisknifetoLordBoteler，thathemighttakethesayofthedeer，buttheBaroncourteouslyinsisteduponFitzallengoingthroughthatceremony。TheLadyMatildawasnowcomeup，withmostoftheattendants；andtheinterestofthechasebeingended，itexcitedsomesurprise，thatneitherSt。Clerenorhissistermadetheirappearance。TheLordBotelercommandedthehornsagaintosoundtherecheat，inhopestocallinthestragglers，andsaidtoFitzallen，MethinksSt。Clere，sodistinguishedforserviceinwar，shouldhavebeenmoreforwardinthechase。’’

Itrow，’’saidPeterLanaret，Iknowthereasonofthenoblelord’sabsence；forwhenthatmooncalf，Gregory，hallooedthedogsupontheknobbler，andgallopedlikeagreenhilding，asheis，afterthem，IsawtheLadyEmma’spalfreyfollowapaceafterthatvarlet，whoshouldbetrashedforover-running，andIthinkhernoblebrotherhasfollowedher，lestsheshouldcometoharm-Buthere，bytherood，isGregory，toanswerforhimself。’’

AtthismomentGregoryenteredthecirclewhichhadbeenformedroundthedeer，outofbreath，andhisfacecoveredwithblood。HekeptforsometimeutteringinarticulatecriesofHarrow！’’andWell-away！’’

andotherexclamationsofdistressandterror，pointingallthewhiletoathicketatsomedistancefromthespotwherethedeerhadbeenkilled。

Bymyhonour，’’saidtheBaron，Iwouldgladlyknowwhohasdaredtoarraythepoorknavethus；andItrustheshoulddearlyabyehisoutrecuidance，werehethebest，saveone，inEngland。’’

Gregory，whohadnowfoundmorebreath，cried，Help！an’yebemen！SaveLadyEmmnaandherbrother，whomtheyaremurderinginBrockenhurstthicket。’’

Thisputallinmotion。LordBotelerhastilycommandedasmallpartyofhismentoabideforthedefenceoftheladies，whilehehimself，Fitzallen，andtherest，madewhatspeedtheycouldtowardsthethicket，guidedbyGregory，whoforthatpurposewasmountedbehindFabian。Pushingthroughanarrowpath，thefirstobjecttheyencounteredwasamanofsmallstaturelying，ontheground，masteredandalmoststrangledbytwodogs，whichwereinstantlyrecognisedtobethosethathadaccompaniedGregory。Alittlefartherwasanopenspace，wherelaythreebodiesofdeadorwoundedmen；besidethese，wasLadyEmma，apparentlylifeless，herbrotherandayoungforesterbendingoverandendeavouringtorecoverher。Byusingtheusualremedies，thiswassoonaccomplished；whileLordBoteler，astonishedatsuchascene，anxiouslyinquiredatSt。Clerethemeaningofwhathesaw，andwhethermoredangerwastobeexpected？

Forthepresent，Itrustnot，’’saidtheyoungwarrior，whotheynowobservedwasslightlywounded；butIprayyou，ofyournobleness，letthewoodsherebesearched；forwewereassailedbyfourofthesebaseassassins，andIseethreeonlyonthesward。’’

Theattendantsnowbroughforwardthepersonwhomtheyhadrescuedfromthedogs，andHenry，withdisgust，shame，andastonishment，recognisedhiskinsman，GastonSt。Clere。ThisdiscoveryhecommunicatedinawhispertoLordBoteler，whocommandedtheprisonertobeconveyedtoQueenhoo-Hall，andcloselyguarded；meanwhileheanxiouslyinquiredofyoungSt。Clereabouthiswound。

Ascratch，atrifle！’’criedHenry；Iaminlesshastetobinditthantointroducetoyouone，withoutwhoseaidthatoftheleechwouldhavecometoolate-Whereishe？whereismybravedeliverer？’’

Here，mostnoblelord，’’saidGregory，slidingfromhispalfrey，andsteppingforward，readytoreceivetheguerdonwhichyourbountywouldheaponhim。’’

Truly，friendGregory，’’answeredtheyoungwarrior，thoushaltnotbeforgotten；forthoudidstrunspeedily，androarmanfullyforaid，withoutwhich，Ithinkverily，wehadnotreceivedit-Butthebraveforester，whocametomyrescuewhenthesethreeruffianshadnighoverpoweredme，whereishe？’’

Everyonelookedaround，butthoughallhadseenhimonenteringthethicket，hewasnotnowtobefound。TheycouldonlyconjecturethathehadretiredduringtheconfusionoccasionedbythedetentionofGaston。

Seeknotforhim，’’saidtheLadyEmma，whohadnowinsomedegreerecoveredhercomposure；hewillnotbefoundofmortal，unlessathisownseason。’’

TheBaron，convincedfromthisanswerthatherterrorhad，forthetime，somewhatdisturbedherreason，forboretoquestionher；andMatildaandEleanor，toforlornamessagehadbeendespatchedwiththeresultofthisstrangeadventure，arriving，theytooktheLadyEmmabetweenthem，andallinabodyreturnedtothecastle。

Thedistancewas，however，considerable；and，beforereachingit，theyhadanotheralarm。Theprickers，whorodeforemostinthetroop，halted，andannouncedtotheLordBotelerthattheyperceivedadvancingtowardsthemabodyofarmedmen。ThefollowersoftheBaronwerenumerous，buttheywerearrayedforthechase，notforbattle；anditwaswithgreatpleasurethathediscerned，onthepennonoftheadvancingbodyofmen-at-arms，insteadofthecognizanceofGaston，ashehadsomereasontoexpect，thefriendlybearingsofFitzosborneofDiggswell，thesameyounglordwhowaspresentattheMay-gameswithFitzallenofMarden。Theknighthimselfadvanced，sheathedinarmour，and，withoutraisinghisvisor，informedLordBoteler，that，havingheardofabaseattemptmadeuponapartofhistrainbyruffianlyassassins，hehadmountedandarmedasmallpartyofhisretainers，toescortthemtoQueenhoo-Hall。Havingreceivedandacceptedaninvitationtoattendthemthither，theyprosecutedtheirjourneyinconfidenceandsecurity，andarrivedsafeathomewithoutanyfurtheraccident。