"
"In the blessed name of Our Lady," said the Abbot, "think you that I
am Petrus Eremita, to go forth the leader of an host?"
"Nay," said the Sub-Prior, "let some man skilled in war lead our
people--there is Julian Avenel, an approved soldier."
"But a scoffer, a debauched person, and, in brief, a man of Belial,"
quoth the Abbot.
"Still," said the monk, "we must use his ministry in that to which he
has been brought up. We can guerdon him richly, and indeed I already
know the price of his service. The English, it is expected, will
presently set forth, hoping here to seize upon Piercie Shafton, whose
refuge being taken with us, they make the pretext of this unheard-of
inroad."
"Is it even so?" said the Abbot; "I never judged that his body of satin
and his brain of feathers boded us much good."
"Yet we must have his assistance, if possible," said the Sub-Prior;
"he may interest in our behalf the great Piercie, of whose friendship
he boasts, and that good and faithful Lord may break Foster's purpose.
I will despatch the jackman after him with all speed.--Chiefly,
however, I trust to the military spirit of the land, which will not
suffer peace to be easily broken on the frontier. Credit me, my lord,
it will bring to our side the hands of many, whose hearts may have
gone astray after strange doctrines. The great chiefs and barons will
be ashamed to let the vassals of peaceful monks fight unaided against
the old enemies of Scotland.
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