The King's Esquires Part 6

"That's bad," said the King--"for the poor horses," he added hastily.

"I wish we had had them fastened up below."

As he spoke he glanced forward at where, a good distance apart, three very beautiful chargers were doubly haltered to the rail, and whinnying uneasily and pawing at the deck, and then made an uneasy gesture, for a puff of wind filled out the two big sails of the clumsy vessel and made it careen, so that the royal pa.s.senger made a s.n.a.t.c.h at a rope which was hanging loose and gave to his touch, when he made another s.n.a.t.c.h and caught at Saint Simon to save himself from falling.

"A bad, a clumsy vessel!" he cried angrily. "Here, I'm tired with our long two days' ride. I think I'll go into the cabin and lie down. Give me your arm, Denis." And, steadying himself by the lad, he went below, lay down at once, and dismissed his attendant, who returned on deck, to be met by Saint Simon.

The two young men, gazed silently at each other, and with mirth in their eyes.

"The sea doesn't respect kings," said Saint Simon merrily.

"Nor anybody else," replied Denis; "so don't let us holloa till we are out of the wood."

"You mean across the water."

"Yes," said Denis. "It may be our turn next. I wish we were over in England now."

"What, are you afraid?" cried Saint Simon.

"Yes--for my poor horse. I'm afraid of his breaking away. Look how he is straining at his halter, and how rough his coat is. It looked like satin yesterday. If he broke loose what should we do?"

"Try to tie him up again," said Saint Simon bluntly. "But if one gets loose the others will follow, and then--"

He stopped short and spread his legs as wide as he could, for the vessel was beginning to dance in the chopping sea.

"Well, and what then?" cried Denis.

"Our wild-goose journey would be at end, for those horses would go overboard as sure as we stand here."

"What!" cried Denis excitedly.

"What I have said. My charger is safe to make a dash for the side, and rise at it; and he'd go over like a skimming bird, and the others would follow at once."

He had hardly spoken when the skipper of the vessel, a heavy, sun-tanned-looking man in scarlet cap, high boots and petticoat, came up to them.

"Look here, young masters," he cried, "I don't often take cattle in my boat, and when I do I have them slung down into the hold. My deck isn't a safe place for beasts, and if those three don't break loose before long I'm no shipman."

"Then what is to be done?" cried Denis hurriedly.

"If the--" He stopped short, for Saint Simon gave him a sharp jerk with his elbow and continued his speech.

"--Comte's horse were to be lost overboard he'd never forgive us."

"No," said Denis, recovering himself. "Look here, you have plenty of ropes. Call some of your men to help; we must put slip-knots round above their hoofs and tie them in different places, so that they couldn't get away."

"Yes, that's right," said the skipper. "But won't they kick?"

"No," replied Denis; "we can manage that if your men will help."

No time was lost, for the need for doing something grew more and more evident; and with the young men standing by to calm and caress each beautiful steed in turn, running nooses were placed round their fetlocks, and the ropes' ends slipped through ring-bolt and round belaying pin, to be made fast, so that before half an hour had pa.s.sed the horses were thoroughly secured, and stood staring-eyed and shivering, ready to burst out into a piteous whinnying if the young men attempted to move away.

It was a rough pa.s.sage, growing worse hour after hour till nightfall, and the cares that had come upon them were so onerous that the two young men were too busy and excited to feel any qualms themselves. Not only were there the horses, but their companion below made no little call upon their attention, and in turn they descended into the rough cabin to see what they could do. But the second time that Saint Simon approached the spot where his suffering sovereign lay he was ordered back.

"Send Denis," he said. "You go on deck again and mind that nothing happens to my horse."

"He's very ill," said Saint Simon, who did not look at all sorry, but more disposed to laugh, as he joined Denis, who was dividing his attention among the three horses, and patting each in turn.

"Then why did you leave him?"

"Because he wants you. He's ashamed to let me see how bad he is."

"Is he so very ill then?" said Denis.

"He thinks he is; but you had better make haste down."

Denis hurriedly went below, to find that the sea entertained not the slightest respect for the stricken monarch, who uttered a low groan from time to time, and grew less king-like in his sufferings.

"This is very bad, Denis," he said, "and it doesn't seem fair. Why am I ill, and you going about as if we were on dry land?"

"I wish I could suffer for you, my master," said the lad earnestly.

"Thank you. That's very good," said the King; "but unfortunately you can't. Denis, my lad, it takes all the bravery out of a man when he is like this. Do you think the shipmaster would call it cowardly if I were to send word for him to turn the vessel round and make sail back for Havre de Grace?"

"I don't think he would notice it, my--Comte," said Denis earnestly; "but I don't think he could do it now."

"Why?" cried the King.

"Because the wind is growing stronger, and blowing hard from behind, driving us fast for the other coast; and even if he could turn we should not get back."

"No," said the King. "But this is very horrible, Denis, my lad.--Are the horses safe?"

"Yes, sir, quite."

"Ah! that's right," moaned the King. "Say sir, not Sire, on your life."

_Boomp_! _Rush_!

"What's that?" cried the King, in a startled voice, sitting up, but falling back with a groan. "Oh, how my head swims! Can you swim, Denis, boy?" he moaned.

"Yes, sir; but no one could swim in a sea like this."

_Boomp_! _Crash_! _Rush_!

"What's that, boy?" groaned the King again. "Why don't you tell me?

Didn't I ask before?"

"It was a big wave, sir, leaping at the vessel's bows, and curling over and rushing along the deck."

"How dreadful!" said the King. "Why is it so dark? Is it the sea flooding the ship?"