Adventure Magazine Cover, August 18, 1921 — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Murkwood Spears The postern opened. His head held high, Giles de Gislac came forth, his daughter clinging to his arm. She was cloaked and hooded as for a journey. Thomas and Joseph followed grimly, bearing the fore- poles of a litter, the rear of which was sup- ported by two more men-at-arms. Old - Martha walked beside the litter, weeping the bitter tears of age. When these had passed, the soldiers of the garrison marched slowly out in column, armed at all points. Theirs was not the pride of race which forces a smile in the face of humiliation. They walked as men walk to meet shame, sullen and angry. mand could compel such a surrender. To starve within the walls would have been death, but death with glory. Their eyes, fixed on the towering form of Gislac and the girl by his side, bore witness to the strong love, the devoted obedience which had forced their acceptance of Umfraville’s bitter terms. Last of all, crowded close together, came the Saxon tenants with their wives and chil- dren. They still bore their bows; they glanced furtively from side to side, as if seeking escape. The change of masters was a harsh one for them. Umfraville nodded to his ancient enemy and bowed gallantly to Margaret. Then his eyes resting on the litter, he asked sus- piciously ‘This is the wounded man you spoke of?” “This is he,’”’ the conquered noble an- swered. “You will not refuse me the use of these four men to bear him whither I oO?” “Not I,”’ Umfraville assured him. ‘Let them go. I have your word that they will come back when they have borne him to shelter?”’ Gislac assented and turned to gaze sor- rowlully at the walls he had held so long and so gallantly. Since the days of the Conqueror High Tower had never known a master who was not a Gislac. The last of the name had lost it and with it had lost his daughter and the glory of his name. eee Umfraville suddenly pitied im. “By the mass, Gislac, I am half-sorry,” he cried out. “All my life I have hated you, yet now I could wish I had never raised a lance against you. God be with you, for an honest Norman and a brave- hearted gentleman!” Only their lord’s com- - 4I “T thank you,’ Gislac answered gently. “Kiss me, my daughter. We part here. The saints know when we shall meet again.”’ At a signal from Umfraville the escort rode back toward the camp. The homeless garrison followed with lagging steps down the hill, toward the silent trenches of their foes, through the wide gap in the camp. Margaret and old Martha stopped at Um- fraville’s pavilion, while grooms saddled horses for them. De Born rode up, eying the men-at-arms with greedy appreciation. ‘‘Half-mine, half-thine,” he reminded his ally. ‘Aye. You had best take over the castle before I go, else the Reiver will forestall you. Pick your men.” So, while Gislac looked on, his enemies divided his faithful retainers between them. Though the men-at-arms knew the next hour would bring them respite from starva- tion, food as much as their famished bodies craved, there was no joy in their hearts. Their faces were bitter; they looked at their old master as for direction. Gislac cleared his throat. He strove to put some of his ancient heartiness into his tones, but succeeded ill. “Tonight you enter into a new service, men,” he said ‘Be true to it as ye have been true to me. My honor rests on your obedience. We have been good comrades. God bless you!” No voice replied, but their hearts went out to him. The horses for the women were ready. Umfraville turned his charger’s head toward the west. “Come, Margaret,” he said; “we ride home!”’ “COME, LADS,” Gislac ordered. “Gently with the litter!” The darkness deepened. Ahead Gielac could hear the tramp of many hoofs across the plain. Somewhere among those riders Margaret rode, Margaret with the glowing eves, Margaret of the high heart. He thanked God for those good men of his that rode with her. They were Umfra- ville’s now; but they would love and serve her all the more for that. Behind him, like voices in a fog, the sounds of the camp rose up again. His departure had removed the constraint that held all those hundreds silent. Turning, he saw lights flash out from the arrow-slits in his castle walls. The fires rose Comiclo©okKS.com