第1章

NormanLeslieofPitcullo，whosenarrativethereaderhasinhishands，refersmorethanoncetohisunfinishedLatinChronicle。

Thatwork，usuallyknownas"TheBookofPluscarden，"hasbeeneditedbyMr。FelixSkene，intheseriesof"HistoriansofScotland"

(vol。vii。)。ToMr。Skene"sintroductionandnotesthecuriousarereferred。HereitmaysufficetosaythattheoriginalMS。oftheLatinChronicleislost；thatofsixknownmanuscriptcopiesnoneisolderthan1480；thattwoofthesecopiescontainaPrologue；andthattheProloguetellsusallthathashithertobeenknownabouttheauthor。

ThedateofthelostLatinoriginalis1461，astheauthorhimselfavers。Healso，inhisPrologue，statesthepurposeofhiswork。

AtthebiddingofanunnamedAbbotofDunfermline，whomusthavebeenRichardBothwell，heistoabbreviate"TheGreatChronicle，"

and"bringituptodate，"aswenowsay。Heistorecounttheeventsofhisowntime，"withcertainothermiraculousdeeds，whichIwhowritehavehadcognisanceof，seen，andheard，beyondtheboundsofthisrealm。Also，lastly，concerningacertainmarvellousMaiden，whorecoveredthekingdomofFranceoutofthehandsofthetyrant，Henry，KingofEngland。TheaforesaidMaidenIsaw，wasconversantwith，andwasinhercompanyinhersaidrecoveryofFrance，andtillherlife"sendIwaseverpresent。”After"Iwaseverpresent"thecopiesadd"etc。，"perhapsasignofomission。

Themonkishauthorprobablysaidmoreabouttheheroineofhisyouth，andthisthecopyistshavechosentoleaveout。

Theauthorneverfulfilledthispromiseoftelling，inLatin，thehistoryoftheMaidashercareerwasseenbyaScottishallyandfriend。NordidheeverexplainhowaScot，andafoeofEngland，succeededinbeingpresentattheMaiden"smartyrdominRouen。Atleastheneverfulfilledhispromise，asfarasanyofthesixLatinMSS。ofhisChronicleareconcerned。EveryoneoftheseMSS——

doubtlessfollowingtheirincompleteoriginal——breaksoffshortinthemiddleofthesecondsentenceofChapterxxxii。Bookxii。Hereisthebrieffragmentwhichthatchaptercontains:-

"InthosedaystheLordstirredupthespiritofacertainmarvellousMaiden，bornonthebordersofFrance，intheduchyofLorraine，andtheseeofToul，towardstheImperialterritories。

ThisMaidenherfatherandmotheremployedintendingsheep；daily，too，didshehandlethedistaff；man"slovesheknewnot；nosin，asitissaid，wasfoundinher，toherinnocencetheneighboursborewitness……"

HeretheLatinnarrativeoftheonemanwhofollowedJeanned"Arcthroughgoodandeviltoherlife"sendbreaksoffabruptly。Theauthordoesnotgivehisname；eventhenameoftheAbbotatwhosecommandhewrote"isleftblank，asifithadbeenerasedintheoriginal"(Mr。FelixSkene，"LiberPluscardensis，"inthe"HistoriansofScotland，"vii。p。18)。ItmightbeguessedthattheoriginalfellintoEnglishhandsbetween1461and1489，andthattheyblottedoutthenameoftheauthor，anddestroyedamostvaluablerecordoftheirconquerorandtheirvictim，Jeanned"Arc。

AgainstthistheorywehavetosettheexplanationhereofferedbyNormanLeslie，ourauthor，intheRatisbonScotsCollege"sFrenchMS。，ofwhichthisworkisatranslation。LeslieneverfinishedhisLatinChronicle，buthewrote，inFrench，thenarrativewhichfollows，decoratingitwiththedesignswhichMr。SelwynImagehascarefullycopiedinblackandwhite。

Possessingthisinformation，weneednotexamineMr。W。F。Skene"slearnedbutunconvincingtheorythattheauthorofthefragmentaryLatinworkwasoneMauriceDrummond，outoftheLennox。ThehypothesisisthatofMr。W。F。Skene，andMr。FelixSkenepointsoutthedifficultieswhichbesettheopinionofhisdistinguishedkinsman。OurMonkisamanofFife。

Astotheveracityofthefollowingnarrative，thetranslatorfindsitminutelycorroborated，wherevercorroborationcouldbeexpected，inthelargemassofdocumentswhichfillthefivevolumesofM。

Quicherat"s"ProcesdeJeanned"Arc，"incontemporarychronicles，andinMSS。morerecentlydiscoveredinFrenchlocalornationalarchives。ThusCharlotteBoucher，BarthelemyBarrette，Noiroufle，theScottishpainter，andhisdaughterElliot，Capdorat，ay，evenThomasScott，theKing"sMessenger，wereallreallivingpeople，tracesofwhoseexistence，withsomeoftheiradventures，survivefaintlyinbrownoldmanuscripts。LouisdeCoutes，theprettypageoftheMaid，aboyoffourteen，mayhavebeenhardlyjudgedbyNormanLeslie，buthecertainlyabandonedJeanned"Arcatherfirstfailure。

So，afterexplainingthetruepositionandcharacterofourmonkishauthorandartist，weleavehisbooktothejudgmentwhichithastarriedforsolong。

CHAPTERI——HOWTHISBOOKWASWRITTEN，ANDHOWNORMANLESLIEFLEDOUT

OFFIFE

Itisnotofmyownwill，norformyownglory，thatI，NormanLeslie，sometimeofPitcullo，andinreligioncalledBrotherNorman，oftheOrderofBenedictines，ofDunfermline，inditethisbook。ButonmycomingoutofFrance，intheyearofourLordOnethousandfourhundredandfifty-nine，itwaslaidonmebymySuperior，Richard，AbbotinDunfermline，thatIshouldabbreviatetheGreatChronicleofScotland，andcontinuethesamedowntoourowntime。

{1}Hebademetell，moreover，allthatIknewofthegloriousMaidofFrance，calledJeannelaPucelle，inwhosecompanyIwas，fromherbeginningeventillherend。

Obedient，therefore，tomySuperior，Iwrote，inthisourcellofPluscarden，aLatinbookcontainingthehistoriesoftimespast，butwhenIcametotellofmatterswherein，asMarosays，"parsmagnafui，"Igrewwearyofsuchrude，barbarousLatinasaloneIamskilledtoindite，forofthemannerCiceronian，asitisnowpractisedbyclerksofItaly，Iamnotmaster:mybook，therefore，Ileftunfinished，breakingoffinthemiddleofasentence。Yet，consideringthecommandlaidonme，intheendIamcometothisresolve，namely，towritethehistoryofthewarsinFrance，andthehistoryoftheblessedMaid(sofaratleastasIwasaneyewitnessandpartakerthereof)，intheFrenchlanguage，beingthemostcommonlyunderstoodofallmen，andthemostdelectable。ItisnotmyintenttotellallthestoryoftheMaid，andallherdeedsandsayings，fortheworldwouldscarcelycontainthebooksthatshouldbewritten。ButwhatImyselfbeheld，thatIshallrelate，especiallyconcerningcertainaccidentsnotknowntothegeneral，byreasonofwhichignorancethewholetruthcanscarcebeunderstood。

For，ifHeavenvisiblysidedwithFranceandtheMaid，nolessdidHellmostmanifestlytakepartwithouroldenemyofEngland。Andofteninthislife，ifwelooknotthemoreclosely，andwiththeeyesoffaith，Sathanasshallseemtohavetheupperhandinthebattle，withwhoseveryimpandminionImyselfwasconversant，tomysorrow，asshallbeshown。

First，concerningmyselfImustsaysomefewwords，totheendthatwhatfollowsmaybethemorereadilyunderstood。

IwasborninthekingdomofFife，being，bysomefiveyears，theyoungeroftwosonsofArchibaldLeslie，ofPitcullo，nearSt。

Andrews，acadetofthegreatHouseofRothes。MymotherwasanEnglishwomanoftheDebatableLand，aStoreyofNetherby，andofme，inourcountryspeech，itusedtobesaidthatIwas"amother"sbairn。”ForIhadevermygreatestjoyinher，whomIlostereI

wassixteenyearsofage，andsheinme:notthatshefavouredmeunduly，forshewasveryjust，butthat，withinourselves，weeachknewwhowasnearesttoherheart。Shewas，indeed，asaintlywoman，yetofamerrywit，andshehadgreatpleasureinreadingofbooks，andinromances。Beingalways，whenImight，inhercompany，Ibecameaclerkinsensibly，andwithoutlabourIcouldearlyreadandwrite，whereforemyfatherwasmindedtobringmeupforachurchman。Forthiscause，Iwassomedealdespisedbyothersofmyage，and，yetmore，becausefrommymotherIhadcaughttheSouthrontrickofthetongue。Theycalledme"EnglishNorman，"andmanyabattleIhavefoughtonthatquarrel，forIamastrueaScotasany，andIhatedtheEnglish(myownmother"speoplethoughtheywere)fortakingandholdingcaptiveourKing，JamesI。ofworthymemory。Myfancy，likethatofmostboys，wasallforthewars，andfullofdreamsconcerningknightsandladies，dragonsandenchanters，aboutwhichtheotherladswerefainenoughtohearmetellwhatIhadreadinromances，thoughtheymockedatmeforreading。Yettheyoftcameillspeedwiththeirjests，formybrotherhadtaughtmetousemyhands:andtoholdaswordIwasinstructedbyoursmith，whohadbeenprenticetoHarryGow，theBurn-the-WindofPerth，andthebestmanathisweaponinbroadScotland。FromhimIgotmanyatrickoffencethatservedmyturnlater。

Butnowtheeviltimecamewhenmydearmothersickenedanddied，leavingtomehermemoryandhergreatchainofgold。Abittersorrowisherdeathtomestill；butanonmyfathertooktohimanotherwifeoftheBethunesofBlebo。Iblamemyself，ratherthanthislady，thatwedweltnothappilyinthesamehouse。Myfathertherefore，stillmindedtomakemeachurchman，sentmetoRobertofMontrose"snewcollegethatstandsintheSouthStreetofSt。

Andrews，acitynotfarfromourhouseofPitcullo。Butthere，likeawaywardboy，Itookmorepleasureinthebattlesofthe"nations"——

asofFifeagainstGallowayandtheLennox；oringamesofcatch-

pull，football，wrestling，hurlingthebar，archery，andgolf——thanindivinelearning——asoflogic，andAristotlehisanalytics。

YetIlovedtobeinthescriptoriumoftheAbbey，andtoseethegoodFatherPeterlimningtheblessedsaintsinblue，andred，andgold，ofwhicharthetaughtmealittle。OftenIwouldhelphimtogrindhiscolours，andheinstructedmeinthelayingofthemonpaperorvellum，withwhiteofegg，andinfixingandburnishingthegold，andindrawingflowers，andfigures，andstrangebeastsanddevils，suchasweseegrinningfromthewallsofthecathedral。IntheFrenchlanguage，too，helearnedme，forhehadbeentaughtatthegreatUniversityofParis；andinAvignonhadseenthePopehimself，BenedictXIII。，ofuncertainmemory。

MuchIlovedtobewithFatherPeter，whoselessonsdidnotirkme，butjumpedwithmyowndesiretoreadromancesintheFrenchtongue，whereoftherearemany。ButnevercouldIhavedreamedthat，indaystocome，thisartofpaintingwouldwinmemybreadforawhile，andthataLeslieofPitculloshouldbedrivenbyhungertosobaseandcontemnedahandiwork，unworthy，whenpractisedforgain，ofmyblood。

Yetitwouldhavebeenwellformetofolloweventhiscraftmore，andmysportsandpastimesless:DickonMelvillehadthenescapedabrokenhead，andI，perchance，abrokenheart。Butyouthisgivenovertovanitiesthatwaragainstthesoul，and，amongothers，tothatwickedgameoftheGolf，nowjustlycrieddownbyourlaws，{2}

asthemotherofcursingandidleness，mischiefandwastery，ofwhichgame，asIverilybelieve，thedevilhimselfisthefather。

Itchanced，onanOctoberdayoftheyearofgraceFourteenhundredandtwenty-eight，thatIwasplayingmyselfatthisaccursedsportwithoneRichardMelville，astudentoflikeagewithmyself。Wewereevenlymatched，thoughDickonwastallandweighty，beinggreatofgrowthforhisage，whereasIwasofbutscantinches，slim，and，asmensaid，ofagirlishcountenance。YetIwaswellskilledinthegameoftheGolf，andhavedrivenaHollandballthelengthofanarrow-flight，thereorthereby。Butwhereforeshouldmysinfulsoulbenowinmindoftheseoldvanities，repentedof，Itrust，longago？

Aswetwain，DickonandI，wereknownforfellchampionsatthisunholysport，manyoftheotherscholarsfollowedus，layingwagersonourheads。Theywerebutawildsetoflads，for，asthen，therewasnot，asnowthereis，ahouseappointedforscholarstodwellintogetherunderauthority。Weworecolouredclothes，andourhairlong；goldchains，andwhingers{3}inourbelts，allofwhichthingsarenowmostrighteouslyforbidden。ButIcarriednowhingeronthelinks，asconsideringthatithamperedamaninhisplay。Sothegamewenton，nowDickonleading"byahole，"astheysay，andnowmyself，andgreatwagerswerelaidonus。

Now，attheholethatissethighabovetheEden，whenceyouseefaroverthecountry，andtheriver-mouth，andtheshipping，itchancedthatmyballlaybetweenDickon"sandthehole，sothathecouldinnomannerwinpastit。

"Youlaidmethatstimyofsetpurpose，"criedDickon，throwingdownhisclubinarage；"andthisisthethirdtimeyouhavedoneitinthisgame。”

"Itiscleanagainstcommonluck，"quothoneofhisparty，"andthegameandthemoneylaidonitshouldbeours。”

"BytheblessedbonesoftheApostle，"Isaid，"noluckismorecommon。To-daytome，to-morrowtothee!Layitofpurpose，I

couldnotifIwould。”

"Youlie!"heshoutedinarage，andgrippedtohiswhinger。

Itwasevermyfather"scounselthatImusttaketheliefromnone。

Therefore，ashissteelwasout，andIcarriednone，Imadenomoreado，andthewordofshamehadscarcelefthislipswhenIfelledhimwiththeironclubthatweuseinsand。

"Heisdead!"criedtheyofhisparty，whiletheladsofmyownlookedaskanceonme，andhadmanifestlynomindtobepartakersinmydeed。

Now，Melvillecameofagreathouse，and，partlyinfearoftheirfeud，partlylikeoneamazedandwithoutanycounsel，Iranandleapedintoaboatthatchancedtolieconvenientonthesand，andpulledoutintotheEden。ThenceIsawthemraiseupMelville，andbearhimtowardsthetown，hisfriendsliftingtheirhandsagainstme，withthreatsandmalisons。Hislegstrailedandhisheadwaggedlikethelegsandtheheadofadeadman，andIwaswithouthopeintheworld。

Atfirstitwasmythoughttorowuptheriver-mouth，land，andmakeacrossthemarshesandfieldstoourhouseatPitcullo。ButI

bethoughtmethatmyfatherwasanaustereman，whomIhadvexedbeyondbearingwithmylatewickedfollies，intowhich，sincethedeathofmymother，Ihadfallen。AndnowIwasbringinghimnocollegeprize，butablood-feud，whichhewasliketofindanillheritageenough，evenwithoutanevilandthanklessson。Mystepmother，too，wholovedmelittle，wouldinflamehisangeragainstme。Manydaughtershehad，andofgearandgoodsnomorethanenough。Robin，myelderbrother，hehadletpasstoFrance，whereheservedamongthemenofJohnKirkmichael，BishopofOrleans——hethatsmotetheDukeofClarenceinfairfightatBauge。

Thinkingofmyfather，andofmystepmother"sillwelcome，andofRobin，abroadinthewarsagainstouroldenemyofEngland，itmaybethatIfellintoakindofhalfdream，theboatlullingmebyitsmovementonthewaters。SuddenlyIfeltacrashingblowonmyhead。

Itwasasifthepowderusedforartilleryhadexplodedinmymouth，withflashoflightandfierytaste，andIknewnothing。Then，howlongafterIcouldnottell，therewaswateronmyface，theblueskyandthebluetidewerespinninground——theyspunswiftly，thenslowly，thenstoodstill。Therewasafiercepainstoundinginmyhead，andavoicesaid-

"Thatgoodoar-strokewilllearnyoutostealboats!"

Iknewthevoice；itwasthatofamerchantsailor-manwithwhom，onthedaybefore，Ihadquarrelledinthemarket-place。NowIwaslyingatthebottomofaboatwhichfourseamen，whohadroweduptomeandhadbrokenmyheadasImeditated，werepullingtowardsamerchant-vessel，orcarrick，intheEden-mouth。Hersailswerebeingset；theboatwhereinIlaywastowingthatintowhichIhadleapedafterstrikingdownMelville。Fortwooftheship"smen，beingonshore，hadhailedtheirfellowsinthecarrick，andtheyhadtakenvengeanceuponme。

"Youscholarladsmustbetaughtbetterthanyourmasterslearnyou，"saidmyenemy。

Andtherewiththeycarriedmeonboardthevessel，the"St。

Margaret，"ofBerwick，ladenwithacargoofdriedsalmonfromEden-

mouth。Theymeantmenokindness，fortherewasanoldfeudbetweenthescholarsandthesailors；butitseemedtome，inmyfoolishness，thatnowIwasinluck"sway。Ineednotgoback，withbloodonmyhands，toPitculloandmyfather。Ihadmoneyinmypouch，mymother"sgoldchainaboutmyneck，aship"sdeckundermyfoot，andtheseasbeforeme。ItwasnothardformetobargainwiththeshipmasterforapassagetoBerwick，whenceImightputmyselfaboardavesselthattradedtoBordeauxforwinefromthatcountry。ThesailorsImademyfriendsatnogreatcost，forindeedtheyweretheconquerors，andcouldaffordtoshowclemency，andholdmetoslightransomasaprisonerofwar。

Soweliftedanchor，andsailedoutofEden-mouth，noneofthoseonshoreknowinghowIwasaboardthecarrickthatslippedbythebishop"scastle，andsounderthegreattowersoftheminsterandSt。Rule"s，forthtotheNorthernSea。Despitemybrokenhead——

whichputitcomfortablyintomymindthatmaybeDickon"swasnoworse——IcouldhavelaughedtothinkhowcleanIhadvanishedawayfromSt。Andrews，asifthefairieshadtakenme。Nowhavingtimetoreasonofitquietly，IpickeduphopeforDickon"slife，rememberinghisheadtobeofthethickest。ThencameintomymindthemanyromancesofchivalrywhichIhadread，whereintheyoungsquirehastofleehiscountryforachanceblow，asdidMessirePatroclus，intheRomanceofTroy，whoslewamaninangeroverthegameofthechess，andmanyanotherknight，inthetalesofCharlemagneandhispaladins。Foreveritisthusthestoryopens，andmystory，methought，wasbeginningto-dayliketherest。

Now，nottoprovemorewearisomethanneedbe，andsovexthosewhoreadthischroniclewithmuchtalkaboutmyself，andsuchaccidentsoftravelasbesetallvoyagers，andchieflyintimeofwar，IfoundatradingshipatBerwick，andreachedBordeauxsafe，aftermuchsicknessonthesea。AndinBordeaux，withaverysoreheart，I

changedthelinksofmymother"schainthatwerelefttome——allbutfour，thatstillIkeep——formoneyofthatcountry；andso，withalighterpackthanspirit，IsetforthtowardsOrleansandtomybrotherRobin。

OnthisjourneyIhadgoodcausetoblessFatherPeteroftheAbbeyforhisteachingmetheFrenchtongue，thatwasofmoreservicetomethanallmyLatin。YetmyLatin，too，thelittleIknew，stoodmeingoodsteadatthemonasteries，whereoftenIfoundbedandboard，andnosmallkindness；Ilittledeemingthat，intimetocome，Ialsoshouldbeinreligion，anoldmanandweary，gladtospeakwithtravellersconcerningthenewsoftheworld，fromwhichI

amnowthesetenyearsretired。YetIloveevenbettertocallbackmemoriesofthesedays，whenItookmypartinthefray。Ifthisbeasin，mayGodandtheSaintsforgiveme，forifIhavefought，itwasinarightfulcause，whichHeavenatlasthas

ThewayswererudeandlongfromBordeauxtowntoOrleans，whitherI

hadsetmyface，notknowing，whenIleftmyowncountry，thatthecitywasbeleagueredbytheEnglish。ForwhocouldguessthatlordsandknightsoftheChristianfaith，holdingcaptivethegentleDukeofOrleans，wouldbesiegehisowncity？——athingunheardofamongtheverySaracens，andadeedthatGodpunished。Yetthenewsofthisgreatvillainy，namely，theleaguerofOrleans，thennewlybegun，reachedmyearsonmylandingatBordeaux，andmademegreatlyfearthatImightnevermeetmybrotherRobinalive。Andthismydoubtprovedbuttootrue，forhesoonafterthistimefell，withmanyotherScottishgentlemenandarchers，desertedshamefullybytheFrenchandbyCharlesdeBourbon，ComtedeClermont，attheBattleoftheHerrings。ButofthisIknewnothing——as，indeed，thebattlewasnotyetfought——andonlypushedonforFrance，thinkingtotakeservicewiththeDauphinagainsttheEnglish。Myjourneywasthroughacountryruinousenough，for，thoughtheEnglishwereonthefurtherbankoftheLoire，thepartisansoftheDauphinhadmadearuinroundthemselvesandtheirholds，and，notbeingpaid，theyliveduponthecountry。

ThefurthernorthIheld，bywaysbrokenandruinedwithrainsandsuns，themorebareandruggedgrewthewholeland。Once，stoppinghardbyahamlet，IhadsatdowntomunchsuchfoodasIcarried，andwassharingmymealwithalittlebrownherd-boy，whotoldmethathewasdinnerless。Afewsheepandleankinepluckedatsuchscantgrassesasgrewamongrocks，andherbsuselessbutsweet-

scented，whensuddenlyahornwasblownfromthetowerofthelittlechurch。Thefirstnoteofthatblasthadnotdiedaway，wheneverycowandsheepwasscamperingtowardsthehamletandakindof"barmkyn"{4}theyhadbuildedthereforprotection，andtheboyafterthem，runningwithhisbarelegsfordearlife。Forme，Iwastooamazedtorunintime，solayskulkinginthethicksweet-

smellingherbs，whenceIsawcertainmen-at-armsgalloptothecrestofacliffhardby，andrideonwithcurses，fortheywerenotofstrengthtotakethebarmkyn。

SuchwasthefaceofFranceinmanycounties。Thefieldslayweedyanduntilled；thestarvingpeasant-folktooktothehighway，everymanpreyingonhisneighbour。Woodshadgrownup，andbrokeninupontheroads。Howbeit，thoughrobbersharbouredtherein，noneofthemheldtoransomawanderingpoorScotsscholar。

SlowlyItrudged，beingoftendelayed，andIwasnownearingPoictiers，andthoughtmyselfwellonmyroadtoChinon，where，asI

heard，theDauphinlay，whenIcametoaplacewheretheroadshouldhavecrossedastream——notwide，butstrong，smooth，andverydeep。

Thestreamranthroughaglen；andabovetheroadIhadlongnotedthetowersofacastle。ButasIdrewcloser，Isawfirstthatthewallswereblackwithfireandroofless，andthatcarrionbirdswerehoveringoverthem，someenemyhavingfallenupontheplace:andnext，behold，thebridgewasbroken，andtherewasneitherfordnorferry!Alltheruinwasfresh，thecastlestillsmouldering，thekitesflockingandyellingabovethetrees，theplanksofthebridgeshowingthatthedestructionwasbutofyesterday。

Thismatterofthebrokenbridgecostmelittlethought，forIcouldswimlikeanotter。Buttherewasanothertravellerdownbythestreamwhoseemedmorenearlyconcerned。WhenIcameclosetohim，Ifoundhimstandinguptohiswaistinthewater，takingsoundingswithalongandheavystaff。Hiscordelier"sfrockwastuckedupintohisbelt，hislongbrownlegs，withblackhairsthickonthem，werenaked。Hewasahuge，darkman，andwhenheturnedandstaredatme，Ithoughtthat，amongallmenoftheChurchandinreligionwhomIhadeverbeheld，hewasthefoulestandmostfiercetolookupon。Hehadanugly，murderousvisage，felleyesandkeen，andarightlongnose，hookedlikeafalcon"s。Theeyesinhisheadshonelikeswords，andofalleyesofmanIeversaw，hiswerethemostpiercingandmostterrible。Onhisbackhecarried，asInoticedatthefirst，whatIneversawonacordelier"sbackbefore，oronanybuthissince——anarbalest，andhehadboltsenoughinhisbag，thefeathersshowingabove。

"Paxvobiscum，"hecried，inaloud，gratingvoice，ashesawme，andscrambledouttoshore。

"Etcumanimatua，"Ianswered。

"NomdeDieu!"hesaid，"youhavebottomedmyLatinalready，thatisscarcesodeepastheriverhere。Mymalisononthemthatbrokethebridge!"Thenhelookedmeoverfiercely。

"BurgundyorArmagnac？"heasked。

Ithoughtthequestionstrange，asatravellerwouldscarcecaretopronounceforBurgundyinthatcountry。Butthiswasamanwhowoulddareanything，soIdeemeditbettertoanswerthatIwasaScot，and，sofar，ofneitherparty。

"Tug-mutton，wine-sack!"hesaid，thesebeingtwoofmanyillnameswhichtheFrenchgaveourcountrymen；for，ofallmen，theFrenchareleastgratefultous，who，underHeavenandtheMaid，havesettheirKingonhisthroneagain。

TheEnglishknewthis，iftheFrenchdidnot；andtheirgreatKing，HarrytheFifth，whenhefellillofSt。Fiacre"ssickness，afterplunderingthatScotssaint"sshrineofcertainhorse-shoes，silver-

gilt，saidwellthat，"gowherehewould，hewasbeardedbyScots，deadoralive。”ButtheFrencharenotathankfulpeople。

Ihadnoanswerveryreadytomytongue，sosteppeddownsilenttothewater-edge，andwasabouttakingoffmydoubletandhose，meaningtocarrythemonmyheadandswimacross。Buthebarredthewaywithhisstaff，and，forme，Igrippedtomywhinger，andwatchedmychancetoruninunderhisguard。Forthiscordelierwasnottoberespected，Ideemed，likeothersoftheOrderofSt。

Francis，andallmenofHolyChurch。

"Answeracivilquestion，"hesaid，"beforeitcomestoworse:

ArmagnacorBurgundy？"

"Armagnac，"Ianswered，"oranythingelsethatisnotEnglish。

Clearthecauseway，madfriar!"

Atthathethrewdownhisstaff。

"Igonorthalso，"hesaid，"toOrleans，ifImay，forthefoul"manants"andpeasantdogsofthiscountryhaveburnedthecastleofAlfonseRodigo，agoodknightthatheldtheminrightgoodorderthisyearpast。Hewasworthy，indeed，toridewiththatexcellentcaptain，DonRodrigodeVillandradas。King"scaptainorvillagelabourer，allwasfishthatcametohisnet，andbuttwodaysagoI

washishonourablechaplain。Buthemadethepeoplemad，andagreatcarousethatwekeptgavethemtheiropportunity。TheyhaveroastedthegoodknightAlfonse，andwouldhavedoneasmuchforme，hisalmoner，frockandall，ifwinehadanymasteryoverme。ButI

gavethemtheslip。Heavenhelpsitsown!Natheless，Iwouldthatthisriverwerebetweenmeandtheirvengeance，and，foronce，I

dreadthesmellofroastmeatthatisstillinmynostrils——pah!"

Andherehespatontheground。

"Butonedoorcloses，"hewenton，"andanotheropens，andtoOrleansamInowbound，intheserviceofmyholycalling。”

"Thereis，indeed，causeenoughfortheshrivingofsoulsofsinners，Father，inthatcountry，asIhear，andaholymanlikeyouwillberightwelcometomany。”

"Theyneedlittleshrivingthatareoppositemyculverin，"saidthisstrangepriest。"ThoughnowIcarrybutanarbalest，thegunismymistress，andmypatronisthegunner"ssaint，St。Barbara。Andevenwiththistoy，methinksIhavethelivesofascoreofgoddamsinmybolt-pouch。”

IknewthatinthesewilddaysmanyclericswerecarelessastothatwhichtheChurchenjoinsconcerningtheeffusionofblood——nay，I

havenamedJohnKirkmichael，BishopofOrleans，ashavinghimselfbrokenaspearonthebodyoftheDukeofClarence。TheAbbeofCerquenceaux，also，wasavaliantmaninreligion，andagoodcaptain，and，alloverFrance，clericsweregrippingtoswordandspear。ButsuchapriestasthisIdidnotexpecttosee。

"Yourname？"heaskedsuddenly，thewordscomingoutwithasoundlikethefirstgratingofasawonstone。

"TheycallmeNormanLesliedePitcullo，"Ianswered。"Andyours？"

"Myname，"hesaid，"isNoiroufle"——andIthoughtthatneverhadI

seenamansowellfittedwithaname；——"inreligion，BrotherThomas，apoorbrotheroftheOrderofthemadSt。FrancisofAssisi。”

"Then，BrotherThomas，howdoyoumeantocrossthiswaterwhichliesbetweenyouandtheexerciseofyourholycalling？Doyouswim？"

"Likeastonecannon-ball，and，forallthatIcanfind，thecursedwaterhasnobottom。Cross!"hesnarled。"Letmeseeyouswim。”

Iwasgladenoughtobequitofhimsosoon，butInoticedthat，asIstrippedandpackedmyclothestocarryinabundleonmyhead，theholymansethisfootinthestirrupofhisweapon，andwaswindinguphisarbalestwithawindlass，aboltinhismouth，watchingatthesametimeaheronthatrosefromamarshonthefurthersideofthestream。Onthisbird，Ideemed，hemeanttotryhisskillwiththearbalest。

"Adieu，BrotherThomas，"Isaid，asItookthewater；andinafewstrokesIwasacrossandrunningupanddownonthebanktogetmyselfdry。"Back!"camehisgratingvoice——"back!andwithoutyourclothes，youwine-sackofScotland，orIshoot!"andhisarbalestwaslevelledonme。

IhaveoftenaskedmyselfsincewhatIshouldhavedone，andwhatwasthepartofabraveman。PerchanceImighthavedived，andswumdown-streamunderwater，butthenIhadbestowedmybundleofclothessomelittlewayoff，andBrotherThomascommandeditfromhissideofthestream。HewouldhavewaitedthereinambushtillI

cameshiveringbackforhoseanddoublet，andIshouldbeinnobettercasethanIwasnow。Meanwhilehisweaponwaslevelledatme，andIcouldseethebolt-pointsetstraightformybreast，andglitteringinapaleblinkofthesun。Thebravestcourseiseverthebest。Ishouldhavethrownmyselfontheearth，nodoubt，andsocrawledtocover，takingmychanceofdeathratherthantheshameofobeyingunderthreatandforce。ButIwasyoung，andhadneverlookeddeathintheface，so，beingafraidandastonished，Imadewhatseemedthebestofanillbusiness，and，thoughmyfacereddensyetatthethoughtofit，Ileapedinandswambacklikeadogtoheel。

"Beholdme，"Isaid，makingasbraveacountenanceasImightinfaceofnecessity。

"Welldone，NormanLesliedePitcullo，"hesnarled，baringhisyellowteeth。"ThisistheobediencewhichtheyoungowetotheChurch。Now，ferrymeover；youaremyboat。”

"Youwilldrown，man，"Isaid。"Notwhileyouswim。”

Then，unbucklinghisfrock，hepackeditashehadseenmedo，bademeputitonmyhead，andsosteppedoutintothewater，holdingforthhisarmtoputaboutmyneck。Iwasforteachinghimhowtolayitonmyshoulder，andwasbiddinghimkeepstillasaplankofwood，buthesnarled-

"Ihavesailedonaboatoffleshbeforeto-day。”

Todohimjustice，hekeptstillasalogofwood，andso，yieldingpartlytothestream，Ilandedhimsomewhatfurtherdownthantheplacewheremyownclotheswerelying。Tothemhewalked，andveryquietlypickingupmywhingerandmyraimentthathegatheredunderhisarm，heconcealedhimselfinathickbush，albeititwasleafless，wherenomancouldhavebeenawareofhim。Thisamazedmenotalittle，formodestydidnotseemanypartofhisnature。

"Now，"sayshe，"fetchovermyarbalest。LyingwhereIamyouhavenoadvantagetoshootme，as，nomdeDieu!Iwouldhaveshotyouhadyounotobeyed。Andharkye，bytheway，unwindthearbalestbeforeyoucross；itiseverwelltobeonthesafeside。Andbesureyouwetnotthestring。”Hepushedhisfacethroughthebush，andheldinhismouthmynakedwhinger，thatshonebetweenhisshiningeyes。

NowagainIsayit，Ihavethoughtoverthismattermanyatime，andhaveevenlaughedaloudandbitterly，whenIwasalone，atthefigureofmeshiveringthere，onacoldFebruaryday，andatmyhelplessestate。Foranakedmanisnomatchforamanwithawhinger，andhewassittingonmyclothes。Sothisfriar，unworthyashewasofhisholycalling，hadmeatanavailoneveryside，nordoIyetseewhatIcoulddobutobeyhim，asIdid。AndwhenI

landedfromthisfifthvoyage，helaughedandgavemehisblessing，and，whatIneededmore，somefieryspiritsfromawater-gourd，inwhichFatherThomascarriednowater。

"Welldone，myson，"hesaid，"andnowwearecomrades。Mylifewasnotoversafeonyonderside，seeingthatthe"manants"hateme，andrespectnotmyhood，andtwoarebettercompanythanone，wherewearegoing。”

Thisencounterwasthebeginningofmanyevils，andoftennowthepictureshinesuponmyeyes，andIseethegreywater，andhearthecoldwindwhistleinthedryreedsoftheriver-bankwhereonwesat。

Themanwasmymaster，Heavenhelpme!assurelyasSathanaswashis。Andthough，atlast，Islippedhisclutches，asyoushallhear(morereadilythan，Itrow，hewillscapehislordintheend，forhestilllives)，yetitwasanilldaythatwemet——anilldayformeandforFrance。Howbeitwejoggedon，hemerrilyenoughsingingasculduderysong，Isomethingsurly，underagreyFebruarysky，withakeenwindsearchingoutthethreadbareplacesinourraiment。

Mycomrade，ashecalledhimself，toldmewhatpassageshechoseinthehistoryofhislife:howhecametobefrocked(but"cucullusnonfacitmonachum")，andhow，inthetroublesofthesetimes，hehaddiscoveredinhimselfagreataptitudeforthegunner"strade，ofwhichheboastednotalittle。Hehadbeeninoneandanotherofthesearmedcompaniesthattookservicewitheitherside，forhire，beingbetterwarriorsandmoreskilledthanthenoblesse，butacursetoFrance:for，inpeaceorwar，friendorfoe，theyplunderedall，andheldalltoransom。WithRodrigodeVillandradas，thatblood-houndofSpain，hehadbeenhighinfavour，butwhenRodrigowenttoharrysouthandeast，hehadtarriedatRuffec，withanotherthiefofthatnation，AlfonseRodigo。Allhistalk，aswewent，wasofslayingmeninfight；whomheslewhecarednotmuch，butchieflyhehatedtheEnglishandthemofBurgundy。Tohim，warwaswhathuntingandshootinggameistoothers；acruelandbloodypastime，whenChristiansarethequarry!

"JohntheLorrainer，andI，therearenootherstobenamedwithusattheculverin，"hewouldbrag。"Wetwoagainstanarmy，giveusgoodcover，andpowderandleadenballsenough。Hey!MasterJohnandImustshootamatchyet，againstEnglishtargets，andofthemthereareplentyunderOrleans。ButifImakenotthebetterspeed，thetownwillhavefallen，oryielded，rescueornorescue，andofrescuethereisnohopeatall。ThedevilfightsfortheEnglish，whowillsoonbeswarmingovertheLoire，andthatKingofBourgesofourswillhavetoflee，andgnawhorse"sfodder，oatsandbarley，withyourfriendsinScotland。”

ThiswasoneofthemanyungeneroustauntswhichtheFrenchmadeoftenagainstusScots，thathavebeentheirancientandlealbrethreninarmssincethedaysofKingAchaiusandCharlemagne。

"TheDauphin，"hewenton，"forKingheisnone，andcrownedhewillneverbe，shouldbeinOrleans，leadinghismen；andlo!heistiedtothebeltoffatLaTremouille，andisdancingofballetsatChinon——amurrainonhim，andonthemthatmakehismusic!"ThenhefelltocursinghisKing，athingterribletohear，andsotoaskingmequestionsaboutmyself。ItoldhimthatIhadfledmyowncountryforaman-slaying，hoping，mayHeavenforgiveme!tomakehimthinkthehigherofmeforthedeed。

"Soweallbegin，"saidhe；"ashrewdblow，orafairwench；adeath，orabirthunlawful，"tisalloneforthwearedriventotheworldandthewars。Yetyouhavestartedwell，——wellenough，andbetterthanIgaveyourgirl"sfacecreditfor。Barsteelandrope，youmaycarrysomeFrenchgoldbacktostinkingScotlandyet。”

Hegavemesomuchcreditasthisforadeedthatdeservednone，butrathercalledforrebukefromhim，who，howeverunworthy，wasinreligion，andworethegarboftheBlessedFrancis。Butveryfarfromfortifyingmeinvirtuouscourses，aswashisboundenduty，therewasnowickednessthathedidnottrytoteachme，tillpartlyIhatedhim，andpartly，Ifear，Iadmiredonesoskilledinevil。

Thetruthis，asIsaid，thatthisman，forthattime，wasmymaster。Hewaslearnedinalltheartsbywhichpoorandwanderingfolkcankeeptheirbelliesfullwanderingbytheway。Withwomen，uglyandterribleofaspectashewas，hehadagreatpower:apioussayingfortheold；awaywiththeyoungwhichhaseverbeenamysterytome，unless，assomeofthelearnedthink，allwomenarenaturallyloversofwickedness，ifstrengthandcouragegowithit。

Whatbywheedling，whatbybullying，whatbytalesofpilgrimagestoholyshrines(hewascomingfromJerusalembywayofRome，sohetoldallwemet)，heeverwonawelcome。

Othermoredevilishcantripsheplayed，oneofthematthepeasant"shousewherewerestedonthefirstnightofourcommontravel。TheLentensupperwhichtheygaveus，withnolittlekindness，wasended，andweweresittinginthefirelight，BrotherThomasdiscoursinglargelyofhispilgrimages，andofhisfavouramongthehighclergy。Thus，atIknownotwhatconventoftheClarisses，{5}

inItaly，theholySistershadpressedonhimarelicofMonsieurSt。Aignan，thepatronofthegoodtownofOrleans。Toseethisrelic，thefarmer，hiswife，andhissonsanddaughterscrowdedeagerly；itwasbutalittleblackenedfingerbone，yettheywerefaintotouchit，asisthecustom。Butthishewouldnotyetallow。

"Perchancesomeofyou，"hesaid，"arealreadycorrupt，notknowingit，withthepoisonousbreathofthatdamnableHussiteheresy，whichisblowingfromtheeastlikewindofthepestilence，andyemayhavedoubtsconcerningtheverityofthismostholyandmiraculousrelic？"

Theyallcrossedthemselves，protestingthatnosuchwickedwhisperofSathanashadevercomeintotheirminds，norhadtheysomuchasheardofHussandhisblasphemies。

"Nay，"saidBrotherThomas，"IcouldscarcelyblameyouifitwerepartlyasIsaid。Forinthislattertimeoftheworld，whenIhavemyselfmetJewsflockingtoBabylonexpectingthebirthofAntichrist，therebemanyfalsebrethren，whocarryaboutfeignedrelics，todeceivethesimple。Weshouldbelievenoman，ifhebe，asIam，astranger，unlessheshowsusasign，suchasnowIwillshowyou。Giveme，ofyourgrace，akerchief，oranapkin。”Thegoodwifegavehimacleanwhitenapkinfromheraumbry，andhetoreitupbeforetheireyes，shenotdaringtostayhishand。

"Nownotethisholyrelicanditswonderfulpower，"hesaid，holdingtheblackenedbonehighinhislefthand，andalloureyeswerefixedonit。"Nowmark，"hesaidagain，passingitoverthenapkin；

andlo!therewasacleanwhitenapkininhishands，andofthetornshredsnotatrace!

Wewerestillgaping，andcrossingourselveswithblessingsonthishappydayandourunworthyeyesthatbeheldamiracle，whenhedidathingyetmoremarvellous，ifthatmightbe，whichIscarceexpectanymanwillbelieve。Goingtothetable，andcatchingupaglassvesselonwhichthegoodwifesetgreatstore，hethrewitagainstthewall，andweallplainlyhearditshiverintotinklingpieces。

Then，crossingtheroomintothecorner，thatwasduskyenough，hefacedus，againholdingtheblessedrelic，whereonwestared，inholyfear。Thenherose，andinhishandwasthegoodwife"sglassvessel，withoutcrackorflaw!{6}

"Such，"hesaid，"arethepropertiesofthismiraculousrelic；thereisnothingbrokenbutitwillmend，ay，abrokenlimb，asIcanproveonmyownsinfulbody，"——thrustingouthisgreatbrownleg，whereon，assuredly，weresignsofafracture；"ay，abrokenleg，or，mydeardaughters，abrokenheart。”Atthis，ofcourse，theywerealleagertotouchtheblessedrelicwiththeirpoorringsofbasemetal，suchastheywearwhoarenotrich。Nay，butfirst，hesaid，theymustgivetheirmitesforaconventoftheClarisses，thatwasbuildingatCastres，bythecareoftheholyColette，whomhemightcallhispatroness，unworthyashewas。

Thenheshowedusasafe-conduct，signedwiththatblessedwoman"sownhand，suchasshewaswonttogivetothereligiousoftheOrderofSt。Francis。Byvirtueofthis，hesaid(and，bymiracle，foroncehesaidtruly，asIhadbuttoogoodcausetolearn)，hecouldgofreelyinandoutamongthecampsofFrench，English，andBurgundians。