第47章

``Ifthelongletterswerebows，andtheshortlettersbroadarrows，Imightknowsomethingofthematter，’’saidthebraveyeoman；``butasthematterstands，themeaningisassafe，forme，asthestagthat’sattwelvemilesdistance。’’

``Imustbeclerk，then，’’saidtheBlackKnight；

andtakingtheletterfromLocksley，hefirstreaditovertohimself，andthenexplainedthemeaninginSaxontohisconfederates。

``ExecutethenobleCedric！’’exclaimedWamba；

``bytherood，thoumustbemistaken，SirKnight。’’

``NotI，myworthyfriend，’’repliedtheknight，``Ihaveexplainedthewordsastheyareheresetdown。’’

``Then，byStThomasofCanterbury，’’repliedGurth，``wewillhavethecastle，shouldwetearitdownwithourhands！’’

``Wehavenothingelsetotearitwith，’’repliedWamba；``butminearescarcefittomakemammocksoffreestoneandmortar。’’

``’Tisbutacontrivancetogaintime，’’saidLocksley；``theydarenotdoadeedforwhichI

couldexactafearfulpenalty。’’

``Iwould，’’saidtheBlackKnight，``thereweresomeoneamonguswhocouldobtainadmissionintothecastle，anddiscoverhowthecasestandswiththebesieged。Methinks，astheyrequireaconfessortobesent，thisholyhermitmightatonceexercisehispiousvocation，andprocureustheinformationwedesire。’’

``Aplagueonthee，andthyadvice！’’saidthepioushermit；``Itellthee，SirSlothfulKnight，thatwhenIdoffmyfriar’sfrock，mypriesthood，mysanctity，myveryLatin，areputoffalongwithit；andwheninmygreenjerkin，IcanbetterkilltwentydeerthanconfessoneChristian。’’

``Ifear，’’saidtheBlackKnight，``Ifeargreatly，thereisnooneherethatisqualifiedtotakeuponhim，forthenonce，thissamecharacteroffatherconfessor?’’

Alllookedoneachother，andweresilent。

``Isee，’’saidWamba，afterashortpause，``thatthefoolmustbestillthefool，andputhisneckintheventurewhichwisemenshrinkfrom。Youmustknow，mydearcousinsandcountrymen，thatImorerussetbeforeIworemotley，andwasbredtobeafriar，untilabrain-fevercameuponmeandleftmejustwitenoughtobeafool。Itrust，withtheassistanceofthegoodhermit’sfrock，togetherwiththepriesthood，sanctity，andlearningwhicharestitchedintothecowlofit，IshallbefoundqualifiedtoadministerbothworldlyandghostlycomforttoourworthymasterCedric，andhiscompanionsinadversity。’’

``Hathhesenseenough，thinkstthou?’’saidtheBlackKnight，addressingGurth。

``Iknownot，’’saidGurth；``butifhehathnot，itwillbethefirsttimehehathwantedwittoturnhisfollytoaccount。’’

``Onwiththefrock，then，goodfellow，’’quoththeKnight，``andletthymastersendusanaccountoftheirsituationwithinthecastle。Theirnumbersmustbefew，anditisfivetoonetheymaybeaccessiblebyasuddenandboldattack。Timewears——awaywiththee。’’

``And，inthemeantime，’’saidLocksley，`