nour, who has been driven into these courses by the tyranny of those above him. A more loyal man, your Grace, never wore neat’s leather, but when the mayor says “Yes,” can the clerk say “No”? Spare me, your lordship; spare a Kevin Strootman Jersey most penitent wretch, whose only prayer is that he may be allowed to serve King James to the last drop of his blood!’
‘Do you renounce the Duke of Monmouth?’ I asked, in a stern voice.
‘I do — from my heart!’ said he fervently.
‘Then prepare to die!’ I roared, whipping out my sword, ‘for I am one of his officers.’
At the sight of the steel the wretched clerk gave a perfect bellow of terror, and falling upon his face he wriggled and twisted, until looking up he perceived that I was laughing. On that he crawled up on to his knees once more, and from that to his feet, glancing at me askance, as though by no means assured of my intentions.
‘You must remember me, Master Tetheridge,’ I said. ‘I am Captain Clarke, of Saxon’s regiment of Wiltshire foot. I am surprised, indeed, that you should have fallen away from that allegiance to which you did not only swear yourself, but did administer the oath to so many others.’
‘Not a whit, Captain, Pele Jersey not a whit!’ he answered, resuming his old bantam-cock manner as soon as he saw that there was no danger. ‘I am upon oath as true and as leal a man as ever I was.’
‘That I can fully believe,’ I answered.
‘I did but dissimulate,’ he continued, brushing the flour from his person. ‘I did but practise that cunning of the serpent which should in every warrior accompany the courage of the lion. You have read your Homer, doubtless. Eh? I too have had a touch of the humanities. I am no mere rough soldier, however stoutly I can hold mine own at sword-play. Master Ulysses is my type, even as thine, I take it, is Master Ajax.’
‘Methinks Joe Smith Koszulki that Master Jack-inthe-box would fit you better,’ said I. ‘Wilt have a half of this cake? How came you in the flour-bin?’
‘Why, marry, in this wise,’ he answered, with Jamal Blackman Jersey his mouth full of dough. ‘It was a wile or ruse, after the Angel Correa Jersey fashion of the greatest commanders, who have always been famous for concealing their movements, and lurking where they were least expected. For when the fight was lost, and I had cut and hacked until my arm was weary and my edge blunted, I found that I was left alone alive of all the Taunton men. Were we on the field you could see where I had stood by the ring of slain which would be found within the sweep of my sword-arm. Finding that all was lost and that our rogues were fled, I mounted our worthy Mayor’s charger, seeing that the gallant gentleman had no further need for it, and rode slowly from the field. I promise Federico Bernardeschi Jersey you that there was that in my eye and bearing which prevented their horse from making too close a pursuit of me. One trooper did indeed throw himself across my path, but mine old back-handed cut was too much for him. Alas, I Xherdan Shaqiri Jersey have much upon my conscience? I have made both widows and orphans. Why will they br |
