The Company was already well-nigh through
the village; but, as the knight and his squires closed up upon
them, they heard the clamor of a strident voice, followed by a
roar of deep-chested laughter from the ranks of the archers.
Another minute brought them up with the rear-guard, where every
man marched with his beard on his shoulder and a face which was
agrin with merriment. By the side of the column walked a huge
red-headed bowman, with his hands thrown out in argument and
expostulation, while close at his heels followed a little
wrinkled woman who poured forth a shrill volley of abuse, varied
by an occasional thwack from her stick, given with all the force
of her body, though she might have been beating one of the forest
trees for all the effect that she seemed likely to produce.
"I trust, Aylward," said Sir Nigel gravely, as he rode up, "that
this doth not mean that any violence hath been offered to women.
If such a thing happened, I tell you that the man shall hang,
though he were the best archer that ever wore brassart."
"Nay, my fair lord," Aylward answered with a grin, "it is
violence which is offered to a man.
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