See! they are springing from
their horses, and cutting their sollerets that they may rush upon
us. Might we not even now make a retreat?"
"My soul will retreat from my body first!" cried the little
knight. "Here I am, and here I bide, while God gives me strength
to lift a sword."
"And so say I!" shouted Sir Oliver, throwing his mace high into
the air and catching it again by the handle.
"To your arms, men!" roared Sir Nigel. "Shoot while you may, and
then out sword, and let us live or die together!"
CHAPTER XXXVII.
HOW THE WHITE COMPANY CAME TO BE DISBANDED.
Then up rose from the hill in the rugged Cantabrian valley a sound
such as had not been heard in those parts before, nor was again,
until the streams which rippled amid the rocks had been frozen by
over four hundred winters and thawed by as many returning
springs. Deep and full and strong it thundered down the ravine,
the fierce battle-call of a warrior race, the last stern welcome
to whoso should join with them in that world-old game where the
stake is death.
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