Читать «Айвенго / Ivanhoe» онлайн - страница 52

His opponents, desperate as they were, bore back from an arm which carried death in every blow, and it seemed as if the terror of his single strength was about to gain the battle against such odds, when a knight, in blue armour, who had until this time kept himself behind the other assailants, spurred forward with his lance, and taking aim, not at the rider but at the steed, wounded the noble animal mortally.

“That was a felon stroke!” exclaimed the Black Knight, as the steed fell to the earth, bearing his rider along with him.

And at this moment Wamba blew the horn. The sudden sound made the attackers stop for a second and Wamba did not hesitate to run and help the Black Knight to rise.

“Shame on you, cowards!” exclaimed the knight in blue armour, who seemed to lead the attackers, “do you fly from the empty blast of a horn blown by a Jester?”

Animated by his words, they again attacked the Black Knight, who now stood with his back against an oak and defended himself with his sword. The leader of the attackers galloped against the Black Knight hoping to kill him with his lance, but Wamba suddenly attacked his horse with a sword. Both horse and man fell to the ground, but the situation of the Black Knight continued to be very dangerous, because he began to feel tired from defending himself against several well armed men. At that moment a band of yeomen came out of the forest, headed by Locksley and the Friar, who soon killed all the attackers. The Black Knight thanked his deliverers with dignity.

“It is important to know,” he said, “who have been my unprovoked enemies. – Take off the helmet of that Blue Knight, Wamba.”

The Jester quickly came to the leader of the attackers, who lay under his wounded horse unable to run or to fight, and took off his helmet.

“Waldemar Fitzurse!” said the Black Knight in astonishment; “what could make you take part in a murder? Who sent you?”

“Your father’s son,” answered Waldemar.

“You do not ask for your life, Waldemar,” said the King.

“He that is in the lion’s clutch,” answered Fitzurse, “knows it were needless.”

“Take it, then, unasked,” said Richard. – “Take your life, but with this condition, that in three days you will leave England and never will you mention that it was my brother who sent you to kill me. Let this knight have a steed, Locksley, I see your yeomen have caught those which were running loose, and let him depart unharmed.”

“But that I judge I listen to a voice whose commands must not be disputed,” answered the yeoman.

“You guessed right, Locksley,” said the Black Knight, “I am Richard of England!”

At these words the yeomen at once kneeled down before him, and at the same time tendered their allegiance, and implored pardon for their offences.

“Rise, my friends,” said Richard, in a gracious tone. Your sins are forgiven, you have rescued your sovereign today. And you, brave Locksley—”

“Don’t call me Locksley, my King, – I am Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest.”

“King of robbers, and Prince of good fellows!” said the King.