Winning His Spurs | Page 6

been chased by the father of the captured child, there was not a
moment of hesitation in promising their aid to rescue her from a man
whom they regarded as a far more bitter enemy, both of themselves and
their race.
"I fear we shall be too late to cut them off," Cnut said, "they have so
long a start; but at least we will waste no time in gossiping."

Winding a horn to call together some of the members of the band who
had scattered, and leaving one at the meeting-place to give instructions
to the rest, Cnut, followed by those assembled there, went off at a
swinging trot through the glades towards Wortham Castle.
After a rapid calculation of distances, and allowing for the fact that the
baron's men--knowing that Sir Walter's retainers and friends were all
deep in the forest, and even if they heard of the outrage could not be on
their traces for hours--would take matters quietly, Cnut concluded that
they had arrived in time.
Turning off, they made their way along the edge of the wood to the
point where the road from Evesham ran through the forest.
Scarcely had the party reached this point when they heard a faint clatter
of steel.
"Here they come!" exclaimed Cuthbert.
Cnut gave rapid directions, and the band took up their posts behind the
trees, on either side of the path.
"Remember," Cnut said, "above all things be careful not to hit the child,
but pierce the horse on which she is riding. The instant he falls, rush
forward. We must trust to surprise to give us the victory."
Three minutes later the head of a band of horsemen was seen through
the trees. They were some thirty in number, and, closely grouped as
they were together, the watchers behind the trees could not see the form
of the child carried in their midst.
When they came abreast of the concealed outlaws, Cnut gave a sharp
whistle, and fifty arrows flew from tree and bush into the closely
gathered party of horsemen. More than half their number fell at once;
some, drawing their swords, endeavoured to rush at their concealed
foes, while others dashed forward in the hope of riding through the
snare into which they had fallen. Cuthbert had levelled his crossbow,
but had not fired; he was watching with intense anxiety for a glimpse of

the bright-coloured dress of the child. Soon he saw a horseman separate
himself from the rest and dash forward at full speed. Several arrows
flew by him, and one or two struck the horse on which he rode.
The animal, however, kept on its way.
Cuthbert levelled his crossbow on the low arm of a tree, and as the rider
came abreast of him touched the trigger, and the steel-pointed quarrel
flew true and strong against the temple of the passing horseman. He fell
from his horse like a stone and the well-trained animal at once stood
still by the side of his rider.
Cuthbert leapt forward, and to his delight the child at once opened her
arms and cried in a joyous tone,--
"Cuthbert!"
The fight was still raging fiercely, and Cuthbert, raising her from the
ground, ran with her into the wood, where they remained hidden until
the combat ceased, and the last survivors of the Baron's band had
ridden past towards the castle.
Then Cuthbert went forward with his charge and joined the band of
outlaws, who, absorbed in the fight, had not witnessed the incident of
her rescue, and now received them with loud shouts of joy and triumph.
"This is a good day's work indeed for all," Cuthbert said; "it will make
of the earl a firm friend instead of a bitter enemy; and I doubt not that
better days are dawning for Evesham Forest."
A litter was speedily made with boughs, on this Margaret was placed,
and on the shoulders of two stout foresters started for home, Cnut and
Cuthbert walking beside, and a few of the band keeping at a short
distance behind, as a sort of rear-guard should the Baron attempt to
regain his prey.
There was now no cause for speed, and Cuthbert in truth could scarce
drag one foot before another, for he had already traversed over twenty

miles, the greater portion of the distance at his highest rate of speed.
Cnut offered to have a litter made for him also, but this Cuthbert
indignantly refused; however, in the forest they came upon the hut of a
small cultivator, who had a rough forest pony, which was borrowed for
Cuthbert's use.
It was late in the afternoon before they came in sight of Evesham Castle.
From the distance could be seen bodies of armed men galloping
towards it, and it was clear that