Cedric, the Forester Read online

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  _NOW HE RAISED HIMSELF ON HIS ARM AND CLAIMED THEVICTORY_]

  CEDRIC THE FORESTER

  BY BERNARD MARSHALL

  D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK : LONDON : MCMXXVI

  COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

  Copyright, 1920-1921, by The Sprague Publishing Company PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  DP Transcriber's notes can be found at the end of the book.

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  CEDRIC THE FORESTER

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  Contents

  - CHAPTER I--THE SIEGE OF CASTLE MOUNTJOY

  - CHAPTER II--THE TAPPING ON THE DUNGEON WALL

  - CHAPTER III--CEDRIC THE FORESTER

  - CHAPTER IV--THE CHAMPION OF MOUNTJOY

  - CHAPTER V--THE FESTIVAL OF THE ARCHERS

  - CHAPTER VI--WOLF'S HEAD GLEN

  - CHAPTER VII--THE OUTLAWS OF BLACKPOOL

  - CHAPTER VIII--"THE FORTRESS OF THE MONKSLAYER"

  - CHAPTER IX--CHURL AND OVERLORD

  - CHAPTER X--THE PASS OF THE EAGLES

  - CHAPTER XI--BY KIMBERLEY MOAT

  - CHAPTER XII--THE IRON COLLAR

  - CHAPTER XIII--ON THE ROAD TO RUNNYMEDE

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  *ILLUSTRATIONS*

  Now he raised himself on his arm and claimed the victory

  Two huge stones, hurled by Alan the Armorer, came down on the heads of the luckless churls in the moat

  Dame Franklin and the old soldier were frozen in their places

  The force of my blow drove him backward, but my weapon pierced him not

  We had gone scarce half a mile when 'twas plainly to be seen that my little mare was no match for the long-limbed steeds of the Carletons

  While I spoke my mother had grown pale as death

  Then Elbert did come to the mark and, with a merry grin, sent five arrows toward the target

  We made a procession through the field, all the men and maidens shouting and dancing and making a most merry and heartening din

  He gave no inch of ground save to leap from side to side in avoiding my downward strokes

  In a twinkling armed and mounted men were all about us

  Old Marvin had his cross-bow ready drawn, and he shot young Montalvan through the face at the very first onset

  Hard we rode, indeed, and with little mercy on our mounts

  The water at the ford was filled with mounted men and bullock carts, laden with spoil and making their difficult way through the swift-flowing current

  The leader had his great sword thrust aside by Cedric's bow, then was seized about the waist and hurled to the rocks below

  Both were red of face with hurry, and their horses were well lathered and breathing hard

  Then with loud menaces I drove him to the wall where I made him stand with hands above his head

  Sir Cedric rose to his feet and for a moment looked from one to the other of our company

  With a mighty shout, we rode down upon the bridge, trusting all to the darkness and the fury of our attack