The Last of the Barons — Volume 10 by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton
page 47 of 86 (54%)
page 47 of 86 (54%)
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A knight on horseback advanced from the rest. Hastings lowered the
point of his sword. "Sir, we yield this fortress to your hands upon one condition,--our men yonder are willing to submit, and shout with you for Henry VI. Pledge me your word that you and your soldiers spare their lives and do them no wrong, and we depart." "And if I pledge it not?" said the knight. "Then for every warrior who guards this bridge count ten dead men amongst your ranks." "Do your worst,--our bloods are up! We want life for life! revenge for the subjects butchered by your tyrant chief! Charge! to the attack! charge! pike and bill!" The knight spurred on, the Lancastrians followed, and the knight reeled from his horse into the moat below, felled by the sword of Hastings. For several minutes the pass was so gallantly defended that the strife seemed uncertain, though fearfully unequal, when Lord Montagu himself, hearing what had befallen, galloped to the spot, threw down his truncheon, cried "Hold!" and the slaughter ceased. To this nobleman Hastings repeated the terms he had proposed. "And," said Montagu, turning with anger to the Lancastrians, who formed a detachment of Fitzhugh's force--"can Englishmen insist upon butchering Englishmen? Rather thank we Lord Hastings that he would spare good King Henry so many subjects' lives! The terms are granted, my lord; and your own life also, and those of your friends around you, |
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