world or the next; if it had not been for you, these bones of mine
would long since have been picked by my cousins, the Spanish wolves.
But let the gold tarry in your keeping: it were better King Edward's
good crowns should not be, after all else that has been, in my hands."

"But, Gaston, you will need fitting out for the service of Sir
William Beauchamp."

"What! What mean you, Sir Eustace?" cried Gaston. "What have I
done that you should dismiss me from your followers?"

"Nay, kind Gaston, it were shame that so finished a Squire should be
bound down by my poverty to be the sole follower of a banner which
will never again be displayed at the head of such a band as the
Lances of Lynwood."

"No, Sir Eustace, I leave you not. Recall your brother's words, 'Go
not back to old ways and comrades,' quoth he; and if you cast me off,
what else is left for me? for having once served a banneret, no other
shall have my service. Where else should I find one who would care
a feather whether I am dead or alive? So there it ends--put up your
pieces, or rather, give me one wherewith to purvey a new bridle for
Brigliador, for the present is far from worthy of his name."

Accordingly, the Gascon Squire still remained attached to Eustace's
service, while the trusty Englishman, John Ingram, performed the
more menial offices. Time sped away at the court of Bordeaux; the
gallant Du Guesclin was restored to liberty, after twice paying
away his ransom for the deliverance of his less renowned brethren
in captivity, and Enrique of Trastamare, returning to Castile, was