"And you are as good at mending armour as you are at marring it," the king
said, "you will be a rare craftsman one of these days. 'Tis a rare pity so
promising a swordsman should be lost to our army. Wouldst like to change
your calling, boy, and take to that of arms?"

"It is my hope to do so, sir," Walter answered modestly, "and his grace the
Prince of Wales has already promised me that I shall some day ride behind
him to the wars."

"Ah! Edward," the king ejaculated, "how is this? Have you been already
enlisting a troop for the wars?"

"No, sir," the young prince replied, "but one day, now some four years
since, when I was riding with my Lord Talbot and others in the fields near
the Tower I did see this lad lead his play-fellows to the assault of an
earthen castle held by others, and he fought so well and gallantly that
assuredly no knight could have done better, until he was at last stricken
senseless, and when he recovered I told him that should he choose to be a
man-at-arms I would enlist him in my following to the wars."

The king laughed.

"I deemed not that the lads of the city indulged in such rough sports; but
I wonder not, seeing that the contingent which my good city of London
furnishes me is ever one of the best in my army. We shall see the lad at
work again tomorrow and will then talk more of it. Now let us bestow upon
him the prize that he has so well earned."

Walter bent on one knee, and the queen handed to him a sword of the best
Spanish steel, which was the prize given by the city to the victor. The