proud of his noble hound, and the northern English baron was, of
course, an admirer of the chase, and a judge of the animal's
merits.

"A right able dog," he said. "I think, fair sir, King Richard
hath not an ALAN which may match him, if he be as stanch as he is
swift. But let me pray you--speaking in all honour and kindness
--have you not heard the proclamation that no one under the rank
of earl shall keep hunting dogs within King Richard's camp
without the royal license, which, I think, Sir Kenneth, hath not
been issued to you? I speak as Master of the Horse."

"And I answer as a free Scottish knight," said Kenneth sternly.
"For the present I follow the banner of England, but I cannot
remember that I have ever subjected myself to the forest-laws of
that kingdom, nor have I such respect for them as would incline
me to do so. When the trumpet sounds to arms, my foot is in the
stirrup as soon as any--when it clangs for the charge, my lance
has not yet been the last laid in the rest. But for my hours of
liberty or of idleness King Richard has no title to bar my
recreation."

"Nevertheless," said De Vaux, "it is a folly to disobey the
King's ordinance; so, with your good leave, I, as having
authority in that matter, will send you a protection for my
friend here."

"I thank you," said the Scot coldly; "but he knows my allotted
quarters, and within these I can protect him myself.--And yet,"
he said, suddenly changing his manner, "this is but a cold return