returning home from his kinsman's house in the East Cheaping, attended only by his serving-man, when they were most savagely slain on their way home. Their bodies were this morning found at the grating under Dowgate, by the sentinel, who gave me this gold chain, which he found clutched in the death-grasp of my murdered friend; there is a medal attached to it which bears the arms of Sir Rudulf de Bracy! from whose neck the chain was doubtless torn in the deadly struggle." De Bracy's dark countenance grew black as a thunder-cloud, and then changed to a livid hue, while he fiercely replied

"This is a well-hatched conspiracy; but am I to be condemned because, forsooth, a chain thus marked has been found upon the murdered man ?-I lost it in a ruffle at the Conduit in the Chepe, some eight months since."

"Tis false !" said the young Knight, "thou had'st it round thy neck but yesterday-yet why need I argue with thee? -Bring forward his partner-here is one of thy accomplices." As he spoke, a man-at-arms led forward the ruffian Leof, strongly bound.

66.

"Ah, villain !" cried Sir Rudulf, while every nerve quivered with rage, art thou, too, leagued against me?"

66

Ay, Sir Knight," growled the ruffian, in reply, you deceived me, but I have now my revenge by cheating thee; nay, chafe it not, have looked on a sterner face than thine, and quailed not. Did you not tell us that the men we slew were Normans?-else should my dagger have been drawn against them."

"Peace, slave," said the King, interrupting Leof; "what ho! a guard there! -take this villain to the Chepe, and let him be hung forthwith.-And thou, Sir Rudulf, what hast thou to say to this charge?"

"My Leige," replied De Bracy, kneeling before the King, "I am innocent, so help me Heaven and St. George! and I claim the combat against any knight who shall gainsay me." He rose as he spoke, and unfastening the jewelled clasp which confined his hood at the throat, he drew it from his head, and threw it on the floor, crying out in a voice of thunder,

Here is my gage!"

All eyes were turned on the young Knight who had made the accusation, while he, striding forward, flung down his hood, seized the hand of Sir Rudolf, and in a firm and solemn tone, using the customary forms upon those occasions, said,

"Rudulf de Bracy, whom I hold by the hand, I do here charge thee that thou

hast treacherously slain my dear friend, Geoffrey Meryl; and this I am ready to maintain by my body, as a lawful man and a true knight; and that my appeal is true, so help me God and his saints!”

He rung the hand of De Bracy as he spoke, and flung it from him with disdain; the guilty Knight smiled darkly, and taking the hand of his accuser, said,

"Walter of Wallington, whom I hold by the hand, I do here charge thee that thou hast lied in thy throat; for, that I did not slay thy friend as thou hast alleged; and this I am ready to aver by my body as a true knight !"

"'Tis well," said the King; "sheriffs, see that they be delivered into the custody of our marshal; and let lists be prepared for the combat in Smithfield, by sun-rise

to-morrow."

The sheriffs left the hall, having in custody the two Knights, whose looks indicated their impatience at the delay. Walter of Wallington found means to speak a few words of comfort to Agnes, who dreaded the issue of his encounter with the giant Sir Rudulf.

"We would fain know what has caused this feud," said the King to FitzAlwaine; we thought our subjects had forgotten their differences, and that the Norman and Saxon were brothers."

"My Leige, I grieve to say 'tis not so," replied the mayor, with great reverence: "We have had many sad frays since your grace left England. On Lammasday there were six citizens slain in a ruffle at the Conduit in the Chepe. Your Grace has heard, too, of the arch-traitor, FitzOsbert, whom we took in the church of St. Mary-le-Bow ;-but here come De Antiloche and Durant, who can, perhaps, explain this matter unto your Grace."

As he spoke, the sheriffs approached, and resumed their seats; when, in answer to the King's enquiries, De Antiloche spoke,

66

My Liege," said he, "yon dark and stalwart Knight, as I am told, is smitten with the beauty of Mistress Agnes Meryl, whom he hath assailed with many pieces of gallantry, but without avail. 'Tis said she looks with a more kindly eye upon the fair-haired Knight, Sir Walter of Wallington, who was a bosom friend of the murdered gentleman. Sir Rudulf de Bracy thought that this preference was shown at the persuasion of her brother, and has often been heard to mutter revenge against the young Saxon, (whom God assoilize !) Sir Rudulf was seen last night by the watch, hastening from the spot where the murder was committed

pray Heaven he may clear himself f this charge!"

"Amen," said the King; we would not, for the brightest jewel in our crown, that De Bracy be the vanquished. We have known him as a brave knight-he did noble work by our side upon the Pay nim at Ascalon. They shall have a fair field-and may God defend the right!" Nothing further occurred to disturb e harmony of that evening, and it was late before the wassailers quitted the festive board, and sought their various homes, many of them to all appearance totally disqualified for business on the following day, though some were sober enough to bet upon the issue of the ap proaching combat.

the

I'll wager a butt of Malvoisey," said Ralph de Morden, the rich mercer of the Westcheap, to his neighbour and gossip as they reeled home. "Ay, a butt of the best, I'll wager that Sir Rudulf comes off unhurt. I have heard many say that he fought like a Sampson at the taking of Ascalon, where he slew nine Saracens with the good sword he now wears."

"He is a doughty knight, in good sooth," replied the other, but master Walter is a man of a strong frame, and though more fair and comely than De Bracy, he hath thewes and sinews that are well nigh a match for his adversary." "Pish!" ejaculated a voice so near that it made the two citizens start, and a man of spare habit advanced from behind them. "Ye talk folly, goodman merchant,” said he, addressing the one who had thus spoken, "Sir Rululf, my master, is a man for two such springalds as Walter of Wallington."

σε

"I cry your mercy, master Argentine," said the first citizen," and will allow that you, being a man of war, and a follower of the stout knight we speak of, are better able to judge of his prowess than us merchants, though trust me I have seen some knightly service done ère now."

"That may be, citizen Morden," replied the follower, but ye have not seen the fields that I have looked over. There are men of might among the Paynims, and beshrew me if they deal not in hard knocks, as my sconce hath ere now testified. By the mass, their maces make helm and burgonot ring like a kettle in a tinker's hand, and their arrows are of the sharpest !"

"I doubt it not, master Argentine," said the merchant, "" 'may I ask what brings ye into vintry ward at this hour, when Sir Rudulf dwells nigh unto MoorGate?"

"I am going to Kynulph, the armourer's house hard-by here, he has

a hood of mail to mend for our knight, and I must bear it home and get it in order for the combat to-morrow. Give you good even, my masters." As hé spoke he turned on his heel, and striding down Thames Street, entered a dark alley which led to the river side. Here dwelt Kynulph the Saxon. The red glare seen through the clefts of the closed door, with the heavy ring of the anvil told that his labours had not yet ceased. Argentine pushed open the door, and entered the smithy, where he found the Saxon and two of his men busily employed on a suit of harness. The appearance of Kynulph was that of a Cyelops, his frame and his height were perfectly herculean, and the expression of his countenance had not been improved by the loss of an eye, which had been struck out in one of the frequent frays between the Saxons and their still invetérate foes, the Normans Kynulph, under an assumed appearance of reckless boldness, disguised the combined qualities of craft and dissimulation: his hatred to the Normans was the most deeply rooted, and towards Sir Rudulf de Bracy he nourished the most implacable revenge, for some injuries real or supposed, which he had inflicted on his countrymen. It was not, then, with pleasurable feelings that he beheld Argentine, but dressing his coarse and dingy features in a smile, he extended his huge paw to his visitor, who returned the grasp with which he was greeted, though with not the same degree of pressure, which could be compared to that of the armourer's own vices. Argentine grinned with pain under the salute, but courtesy forbade him to complain, and after his palm had been released he enquired for the hood of mail.

"Ye might have had it at even-song yesterday, an ye had liked," said the armourer, taking it from a chest.

"Have ye tempered it well, gossip ?" enquired Argentine.

"Ay," replied the other, "It is tempered bravely, Sir Rudulf will need no

other."

This was uttered in a peculiar tone, and was noticed by Argentine.

"What mean ye, gossip ?" said he. "I mean," replied the other, "that it will bear thy master through twenty battles."

"'Tis well; and now I must away and get all in order for to-morrow. Good even, Master Kynulph."

And so saying he quitted the smithy, with the head-piece, little dreaming that, like another Lychas, he was carrying the means of the Knight's probable destruction.

"Fool," thou art deceived as well as thy master," said the armourer, fastening the door after him-" that hood is the last he will wear: he will need no other 'twill not bear the blow of a churl's quarter-staff: the first stroke of a mace or a pole-axe will shiver it to pieces?"

"Ah! ah! ah!" laughed his two men, "how the Norman villains will be humbled when they see their doughty knight's scull beaten in by our brave countryman."

"Whist !--some one may be abroad," said Kynulph. "Would that I could let Walter of Wallington know where to strike his enemy: that steel is so tempered, that a child might dash it to pieces.'

"I marvel whether he would take the 'vantage of De Bracy, an he knew it," said Gurth, one of the men," for he hath such notions of honour and honesty, that, beshrew me, if he would play false even with a Norman."

"Thou sayest true," replied the armourer, "and, as it is, we had better leave it to chance, for if they come to hand blows, it will be all over with Rudulf de Bracy ere you could say an Ave or a Pater Noster."

Before morning dawn workmen were employed in preparing the lists for the approaching combat. Ere the sun's beams had gilded the spires and towers of London, thousands were on the spot, eager to witness the fight. The King shortly appeared, and as the east began to brighten all was in readiness. At the appointed hour, Walter of Wallington's trumpet sounded, and shortly after, the usual ceremony having been gone through, that champion entered the lists armed at all points, and mounted on a strong but graceful war-horse. His challenge having been answered, Sir Rudulf de Bracy appeared, and after the customary charge, the mar shals delivered them their lances. A breathless silence pervaded the assembled multitude as the combatants reined back their snorting steeds, to take full room for their career; and while the Normans openly proclaimed their confidence in their champion, the Saxons offered up secret and fervent prayers for the success of

theirs.

At length the signal was given the trumpet bayed loudly, and with levelled lances the combatants flew to meet each other they encountered about mid-way, and Walter of Wallington's horse stumbling at that moment, his aim was lost, and the lance of the Norman hurled him to the ground with tremendous violence. Here the heralds interposed, and raised the fallen champion from the ground.

His hauberk of proof had protected him; and after draining a bowl of wine, he stood unhurt and ready to renew the combat.

"Saxon," said Sir Rudulf, who still kept on horseback," the lance is treacherous to thee-let us try the battle on foot." "Agreed," said Walter.

De Bracy leapt from his horse and unsheathed his sword; the heralds retired, and the horses were led away, when the combat was renewed with great fury.Although nature had given a powerful frame to the Saxon champion, yet this would have availed him but little, for Sir Rudulf's strength was greater than that of ordinary men; Walter was, therefore, obliged to observe the utmost caution, for the blows of his adversary were showered in tremendous succession; but they were all parried, and De Bracy, losing breath by the great exertion he had made, desisted for a moment, and contented himself with warding off the blows aimed at him; for Walter of Wallingford did not neglect to avail himself of this opportunity, and dealt his strokes with great skill and force. In the midst of the combat, the sword of De Bracy broke at the hilt, and he was left at the mercy of his antagonist.

"Strike, Saxon," said Sir Rudulf, looking sternly upon him- Rudulf de Bracy asks not mercy at thy hands." "Nay," replied Walter, "I scorn such 'vantage, and will continue the fight with mace or pole-axe, as the other weapons have failed."

De Bracy's dark countenance brightened as he heard this proposed, for it offered him an advantage; the mace being a weapon which his great strength so admirably qualified him to wield, he therefore replied eagerly,

"Well, as ye list ;" then speaking to the soldiers," a mace for myself and the Saxon," and they were brought and delivered to them.

On

They took their stand opposite to each other, about twelve yards distant, with flashing eyes and lowered brows. the signal being given, they advanced, De Bracy flourishing the ponderous weapon round his head, while Walter, keeping his left arm across his breast, carried his mace in his right hand, resting it on his shoulder. They stood for several moments, regarding each other with fixed looks; each apparently unwilling to strike the first blow. At length the Norman's huge weapon descended with frightful rapidity, and threatened destruction to his enemy. The blow would have felled a giant, had it taken effect; but it was avoided by Walter of Wallington, who, leaping on one side, escaped the danger.

A loud shout broke from the multitude on witnessing this dexterous shift, which irritated the choleric Norman, who was, perhaps, besides disconcerted at missing his aim. It cost him his life; for Walter springing forward, smote him on the head with such violence, that his hood of mail was shivered to pieces, and his skull was crushed like an egg-shell!-He fell to the ground as if struck by a thunderbolt!.

Immediately the lists were broken in, in spite of the threats and blows of the men-at-arms who kept the field; and all ranks crowded round the fallen champion, whose head was now supported on the knee of his follower Argentine. His face presented a hideous spectacle; the forehead being completely destroyed, and a stream of blood flowing in such profusion that every feature was disguised. A monk pushed his way through the crowd, crucifix in hand, and knelt by the side of the dying man.

There's Jardine mounts so high that three notches he makes,

stakes:

Though 'tis out of all bounds, 'tis told in for all
Heavy Hambrook, that heavy dispenses to all,
Who can lighten his can and encourage his call,
Is most nimble, most pleased, as 'tis quite in
his way
To bear spirits in glass which inspirit the clay.
Ruddy Rose, short and stout, but he's nimble
and light,

That the ball when he bowls it curls up to his sight:

Father Gibson, no father Confessor, but known As the oldest of Members (himself older grown) And enduring all weather in flannel and hose, His hat shields that prominent feature his nose. Just as straight and as firm as a spick and

span bat,

Ginger Smith takes his place in his straw one-
Effervescent as soda, as spruce as his beer,
looped hat;
He's quite certain to catch every ball mounted

near:

In the "Milky Way," Oldfield, the "Long
Stop," attends,
And the ball to the Wicket's short distances
sends;

batting,

"He hears thee not, priest," said the follower, "he is gone-speak, Sir Rudulf; my master, how is't with thee?"

At that moment the dying man's mailed hands were raised as if in prayer, but it was only for a moment; they fell listless to the ground-his head bowed-and Rudulf de Bracy slept with his fathers!

Without dwelling on the customary mutilation of the body of the vanquished, we have only to add, that, ere the month was out, Walter of Wallington became the husband of Agnes Meryl ;—and, as courage was then the greatest recommendation at court, he did not long remain unnoticed by the Lion-hearted Monarch, who advanced him to great favour and preferment. J. Y. A-N.

Not to shrink in the cause, like a minister ratting:

Bowyer's "Points," like good epigrams, strike And he bats well to bowls, though a tinker

to the s-core,

come o❜er;

Just as merit, when true, is by diffidence graced, So by artless desert as the foremost he's placed. Schabner's" Short Slip" is fine, and his batting is good,

wood;

And the balls leather wings fly away from the Could he run like " Delvall," (not by straining his voice),

He'd be first in his line, for his manner is choice:

There's Tombleson proves he's an artist in For he bowls wickets up that go down to his play,

sway;

And his hits are so sly, the leg ground only knows

That the ball will not rise though it race from his blows:

Sportive Hinaman, who sticks to the wicket like glue,

Though he bail his opponent, will cause him

to rue,

For his eye-aided fingers and stumps are so

near,

That all blockers, or block-heads, his quickness may fear:

A hard hitter, quick catcher, swift bowler and runner,

Is a youth of much promise, the Hants, Alton, Gunner.

And a pity 'tis true, 'tis a pity, that Greig, Though of elegant height, is contracted in leg; Yet, it seems, like Peg's Epitaph, wonderously cunning,

While his one leg stands still that his other leg's running.

Barber, Reilly, and Croft; Goldham, Price, Blogg and Gould,

And Dunell, Lowe, and others, in scores are enroll'd,

And the scorers, we shadow," wide balls" and their "byes,"

And apart from the Ladies, take " partners" and "ties."