登陆注册
5452800000102

第102章

A Battle in the Mountains When it was morning they arose early and ate a morsel; and Clement gave freely to the Warden and his helpmate on behalf of the fellowship; and then they saddled their nags, and did on the loads and departed; and the way was evil otherwise, but it was down hill, and all waters ran east.

All day they rode, and at even when the sun had not quite set, they pitched their camp at the foot of a round knoll amidst a valley where was water and grass; and looking down thence, they had a sight of the fruitful plain, wherein lay Cheaping Knowe all goodly blue in the distance.

This was a fair place and a lovely, and great ease would they have had there, were it not that they must keep watch and ward with more pains than theretofore; for Clement deemed it as good as certain that the wild men would fall upon them that night.

But all was peaceful the night through, and in the morning they gat to the way speedily, riding with their armour on, and their bows bent: and three of the men-at-arms rode ahead to espy the way.

So it befell that they had not ridden two hours ere back came the fore-riders with the tidings that the pass next below them was thick with the Strong-thieves.

The fellowship were as then in such a place, that they were riding a high bare ridge, and could not be assailed to the advantage of the thieves if they abode where they were; whereas if they went forward, they must needs go down with the road into the dale that was beset by the wild men. Now they were three-score and two all told, but of these but a score of men-at-arms besides Ralph, and Clement, who was a stout fighter when need was.

Of the others, some were but lads, and of the Chapmen were three old men, and more than one blencher besides. However, all men were armed, and they had many bows, and some of the chapmen's knaves were fell archers.

So they took counsel together, and to some it seemed better to abide the onset on their vantage ground.

But to Clement and the older men-at-arms this seemed of no avail.

For though they could see the plain country down below, they would have no succour of it; and Clement bade them think how the night would come at last, and that the longer they abode, the greater would be the gathering of the Strong-thieves; so that, all things considered, it were better to fall on at once and to try the adventure of the valley.

And this after some talk they yea-said all, save a few who held their skins so dear that their wits wandered somewhat.

So these timorous ones they bade guard the sumpter beasts and their loads; and even so they did, and abode a little, while the men-at-arms and the bowmen went forward without more ado; and Ralph rode betwixt Clement and the captain of the men-at-arms.

Presently they were come close to the place where the way went down into the valley, cleaving through a clayey bent, so that the slippery sides of the cleft went up high to right and left; wherefore by goodhap there were no big stones anigh to roll down upon them. Moreover the way was short, and they rode six abreast down the pass and were soon through the hollow way.

As he rode Ralph saw a few of the Strong-thieves at the nether end where the pass widened out, and they let fly some arrows at the chapmen which did no hurt, though some of the shafts rattled on the armour of the companions.

But when Clement saw that folk, and heard the noise of their shouting he lifted up a great axe that he bore and cried, "St. Agnes for the Mercers!" and set spurs to his horse.

So did they all, and came clattering and shouting down the steep road like a stone out of a sling, and drave right into the valley one and all, the wouldbe laggards following after; for they were afraid to be left behind.

The wild men, who, save for wide shields which they bore, were but evilly armed, mostly in skins of beasts, made no countenance of defence, but fled all they might towards the steep slopes of the valley, and then turned and fell to shooting; for the companions durst not pursue in haste lest they should be scattered, and overwhelmed by the multitude of foemen; but they drew up along the south side of the valley, and had the mastery of the road, so that this first bout was without blood-shedding. Albeit the thieves still shot in their weak bows from the hill-side, but scarce hurt a man.

Then the bowmen of the fellowship fell to shooting at the wild men, while the men-at-arms breathed their horses, and the sumpter-beasts were gathered together behind them; for they had no dread of abiding there a while, whereas behind them the ground was broken into a steep shaly cliff, bushed here and there with tough bushes, so that no man could come up it save by climbing with hand and knee, and that not easily.

Now when the archers had shot a good while, and some of the thieves had fallen before them, and men were in good heart because of the flight of the wild men, Ralph, seeing that these still hung about the slopes, cried out:

"Master Clement, and thou Captain, sure it will be ill-done to leave these men unbroken behind us, lest they follow us and hang about our hindermost, slaying us both men and horses."

"Even so," quoth the captain, who was a man of few words, "let us go.

But do thou, Clement, abide by the stuff with the lads and bowmen."

Then he cried out aloud: "St. Christopher to aid!" and shook his rein, and all they who were clad in armour and well mounted spurred on with him against the strong-thieves. But these, when they saw the onset of the horsemen, but drew a little up the hill-side and stood fast, and some of the horses were hurt by their shot.

So the captain bade draw rein and off horse, while Clement led his bowmen nigher, and they shot well together, and hindered the thieves from closing round the men-at-arms, or falling on the horses.

同类推荐
  • 太上洞神玄妙白猿真经

    太上洞神玄妙白猿真经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 薛仁贵征东

    薛仁贵征东

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • A Horse's Tale

    A Horse's Tale

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 澄空民间中医学精髓论

    澄空民间中医学精髓论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 牧牛图颂

    牧牛图颂

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 极夜的晨昏线

    极夜的晨昏线

    北纬58度26分39秒,东经131度12分11秒,呼叫幸存者…………人类被自己的创造物逼入了绝境,在最后的装甲部队覆灭后,幸存者们所能做的似乎只有苟延残喘。但是听啊,《晨昏线》在传唱:文明生生不息。在此存亡之际,为了文明的存续,无数个勇敢的意志,或尊或卑,以生命完成一场场传承的接力,而那首来自无名者的悲歌,便伴随着这一场场接力,鼓励着一代代后生的灵魂。于是这些灵魂,便成了这本书中的英雄们。
  • 年轻人不可不知的108件世界大事

    年轻人不可不知的108件世界大事

    《年轻人不可不知的108件世界大事》这本书便是从多如牛毛的历史事件中精选出来的最重要的108件世界大事。因此它可以被认为是世界史的浓缩本。本书通过对其进行简要的介绍,让读者了解历史事件发生的社会背景,重温事件发生的历史过程,知晓它发生后所产生的历史意义。正如他山之石,可以攻玉,希望读者从这些历史事件中汲取营养,获取有益于人生的经验。
  • 我才不是吃货

    我才不是吃货

    我没有怀孕,你为什么不信呢,我真的没有怀孕啊
  • 重生之惊世宠妃

    重生之惊世宠妃

    苦熬三年,为他受尽折磨,到头来却被残忍背叛,血溅高墙乾坤逆转,大梦初醒,一切又是旧时模样,同人不同心,今生怎可再任人欺凌,必是有仇报仇,有怨报怨!却不料一波未平,一波又起。朝堂局势波云诡谲,已死之人又现人间。但这一切都比不上不知何时站在身边的他,更让她头疼。看着躺在床上衣衫不整,目光暧昧,任君采撷模样的人。傅大小姐咬碎一口银牙,只怪他长得过于妖孽,让她怎么也下不了手把茶泼上去,只得半晌挤出一个字:滚!
  • 世界变成了游戏

    世界变成了游戏

    一个破烂的房子当中,有一位少年正在悄然无息的靠近,这位少年很谨慎,很小心,不发出任何的声音。呼吸尽量最小,脚步尽量最轻,静悄悄的摸到了墙壁这边。
  • 亲爱的快乐

    亲爱的快乐

    有些人家徒四壁,他不快乐,有些千万富翁,他也不快乐;有些人家庭破裂,他不快乐,有些家庭美满,他还是不快乐。什么是快乐?明明很简单的发音,都是四声,一气呵成。但它怎么就跟鬼一样,听过,就是没见过。
  • 斗罗之四十米大长刀

    斗罗之四十米大长刀

    天斗帝国,上三宗,玉家。一年一度的武魂觉醒,武魂殿动作频频的同时,玉家也不能免俗。此时在醒魂台下,一道孱弱的身影缓缓而上。不足一米的身高,消失了他稚子的年岁,有蜡黄的脸庞同样表达了他营养不良。很难想象,这种不太友好的现象,会在玉家出现。白嫩的小手顶在觉醒武魂的大块石碑上,一道耀眼的光芒之后,一旁负责备案的老者喝道:“先天魂力,二级,武魂,”“不认识!”老者看着眼前的武魂良久,而后发出了叹息。不过世间武魂千千万,不认识却也正常,随便给了个形象的名字之后,他便让测试的少年下去了。不过老者不知道的是,他的一句定言却是让一个少年的命运走向彼端。、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、南方,皇子之系尤为紧张,而在两大帝国的边界之处,身为全大陆最为强大的势力,此时也是暗地乱流不止。北方,经历一轮火热之后,时间便来到了严酷的寒冬之中,值此时节,却是玉家老爷举行大寿之刻。沉醉于喜庆的人全然没有看到,光影下一对充满冷漠的双眼。“魂力,先天二级,武魂,”“罗喉!”
  • 都市之神级天尊

    都市之神级天尊

    一场睡梦,苏承偶得奇遇,悄然被挂上了天尊标签,开始了自己的修炼人生。可是更为惊奇的是,一个新时代正在悄然降临,一个世界正在浮出水面。一次山外修行,一次天地异动,空间交叠,蓝星里逐渐出现了道道入口,与一个名为神墟又叫墟界的地方相交接,并随之爆发了生死之战,而这一切都为了争夺证道之机,也正是如此,蓝星开始了巨大的变化,全民武道修行悄然揭开。苏承也因此就这么开始了自己的证道之路......遇强而强,持剑斩荆棘,扫荡世间一切阻碍,挽狂澜于既倒,扶大厦之将倾,从此登临绝顶之上。
  • 从屠天开始的次元聊天群

    从屠天开始的次元聊天群

    “叮......系统开启中10%......30%......50%......80%......100%......恭喜宿主开启次元聊天群宿主:陈无???????????????嗯???!!!”“能不能帮我恢复全盛时期,不能扬了你!”
  • 灰姑娘生存笔记

    灰姑娘生存笔记

    成为已经嫁给王子的灰姑娘。但是现实往往比童话那一句“最后他们幸福的生活在一起”要来的复杂的多。灰姑娘版大逃杀,史上最惊心动魄的穿越童话,迷失在4次元童话中的绝对女王进化论。