talk of their deeds."

"By my hilt!" cried the other, "if you were to cross the narrow
sea you would find them as thick as bees at a tee-hole. Couldst
not shoot a bolt down any street of Bordeaux, I warrant, but you
would pink archer, squire, or knight. There are more
breastplates than gaberdines to be seen, I promise you."

"And where got you all these pretty things?" asked Hordle John,
pointing at the heap in the corner.

"Where there is as much more waiting for any brave lad to pick it
up. Where a good man can always earn a good wage, and where he
need look upon no man as his paymaster, but just reach his hand
out and help himself. Aye, it is a goodly and a proper life.
And here I drink to mine old comrades, and the saints be with
them! Arouse all together, me, enfants, under pain of my
displeasure. To Sir Claude Latour and the White Company!"

"Sir Claude Latour and the White Company!" shouted the
travellers, draining off their goblets.

"Well quaffed, mes braves! It is for me to fill your cups again,
since you have drained them to my dear lads of the white jerkin.
Hola! mon ange, bring wine and ale. How runs the old stave?--

We'll drink all together
To the gray goose feather
And the land where the gray goose flew."