"Sir," I said, "I thank you heartily for your offer. You come of as good
a house as mine, and yours is the brag of the Border, as mine is of the
kingdom of Fife. If you can put your pride in your pouch, faith, so can
I; the rather that there is nothing else therein, and so room enough and
to spare. But, as touching what this gentle demoiselle has said, I may
march also, may I not, when the Maid rides to Orleans?"

"Ay, verify, with my goodwill, then you may," he cried, laughing, while
the lass frowned.

Then we clapped hands on it, for a bargain, and he did not insult me by
the offer of any arles, or luck penny.

The girl was helped to horse, setting her foot on my hand, that dirled as
her little shoe sole touched it; and the jackanapes rode on her saddle-
bow very proudly. For me, I ran as well as I might, but stiffly enough,
being cold to the marrow, holding by the father's stirrup-leather and
watching the lass's yellow hair that danced on her shoulders as she rode
foremost. In this company, then, so much better than that I had left, we
entered Chinon town, and came to their booth, and their house on the
water-side. Then, of their kindness, I must to bed, which comfort I
sorely needed, and there I slept, in fragrant linen sheets, till compline
rang.




CHAPTER V--OF THE FRAY ON THE DRAWBRIDGE AT CHINON CASTLE