Ivanhoe

"I," said Prince John to his attendants, but not in direct reply,--"I

will see how he can draw his own; and woe betide him unless his skill

should prove some apology for his insolence!"

"It is full time," said De Bracy, "that the 'outrecuidance' [19] of

these peasants should be restrained by some striking example."

Waldemar Fitzurse, who probably thought his patron was not taking the

readiest road to popularity, shrugged up his shoulders and was silent.

Prince John resumed his retreat from the lists, and the dispersion of

the multitude became general.

In various routes, according to the different quarters from which

they came, and in groups of various numbers, the spectators were seen

retiring over the plain. By far the most numerous part streamed towards

the town of Ashby, where many of the distinguished persons were lodged

in the castle, and where others found accommodation in the town itself.

Among these were most of the knights who had already appeared in the

tournament, or who proposed to fight there the ensuing day, and who, as

they rode slowly along, talking over the events of the day, were greeted

with loud shouts by the populace. The same acclamations were bestowed

upon Prince John, although he was indebted for them rather to the

splendour of his appearance and train, than to the popularity of his

character.

A more sincere and more general, as well as a better-merited

acclamation, attended the victor of the day, until, anxious to withdraw

himself from popular notice, he accepted the accommodation of one of

those pavilions pitched at the extremities of the lists, the use of

which was courteously tendered him by the marshals of the field. On his

retiring to his tent, many who had lingered in the lists, to look upon

and form conjectures concerning him, also dispersed.

The signs and sounds of a tumultuous concourse of men lately crowded

together in one place, and agitated by the same passing events, were now

exchanged for the distant hum of voices of different groups retreating

in all directions, and these speedily died away in silence. No other

sounds were heard save the voices of the menials who stripped the

galleries of their cushions and tapestry, in order to put them in safety

for the night, and wrangled among themselves for the half-used bottles

of wine and relics of the refreshment which had been served round to the

spectators.

Beyond the precincts of the lists more than one forge was erected; and

these now began to glimmer through the twilight, announcing the toil of

the armourers, which was to continue through the whole night, in order

to repair or alter the suits of armour to be used again on the morrow.