“I thank you, Sir Christopher, for your good opinion,” said the soldier, “but I have seen little service since we parted among the Turbans, of whom somehow your wine sets me a thinking, at all to my mind.  As for fighting these naked savages, who have nothing but children’s bows and stone hatchets, while our men-at-arms are clad in bullet-proof steel from head to heel, methinks there is little manhood required therefor, and for what I have done in that way, I confess myself somewhat ashamed.”

“It doth please me to hear thee speak thus, Philip,” replied the knight.  True valor is ever joined with generosity, and despises to take advantage of superior strength to crush the weaker.  But fear not that I have any service of the kind for thee.  I came not among these innocent natives to bring a sword, but the olive branch of peace.  I would see them peaceful, and united, and happy, not broken into hostile clans, and delighting in murdering one another.”

“I spoke not,” said the soldier, “as desiring to make terms with you, Sir Christopher, well knowing that you would ask nothing which an honest man would be unwilling to perform, and am only too happy to enter your service.”

“So be it, Philip,” said the knight.  “Henceforth be here thy home.”

“Truly,” exclaimed the soldier, stretching out his legs with a sigh of relief, “there is some difference between lying in a prison, or even talking with Master Spikeman in the bushes, as I did but just now, and being with good wine and noble gentlemen.”

“Didst meet on thy way that most puritanical of Puritans, the praying, cheating, canting, hypocritical, long-faced Master Spikeman?” cried Arundel.  “I wonder what new mischief he hath now on foot, for it is his meat?”

“Master Miles Arundel,” said the knight, “thy language is too intemperate to be excused even by thy youth.  Check the bitterness of thine expression, and know that he who rules his own spirit is greater than he who wins a kingdom.”

A flash of haughty resentment lighted up the eyes of the young man at the reproof, but as he saw that no offence was designed, he answered: 

“I expect never to win a kingdom, but as for this villain—­”

“Peace, I entreat thee, my young friend,” interrupted Sir Christopher.  “I am curious to hear of Philip’s treatment in his confinement, if he will favor us with an account thereof?”

Hereupon the soldier recounted to them all that had passed in his prison, including his interview with Spikeman, and attack on the jailer, and also the conversation in the wood, except those parts which had relation to Prudence.

“I see not,” said Arundel, upon the conclusion of the narrative, “why the wily Assistant should be thine enemy, but he clearly is.  Thou art honored in this respect as well as I.”

“My mind doth misgive me that you are right,” said Philip.  “Away from him.  He seems an arch villain, though in his presence the feeling changes, for he hath a tongue to wile a bird from the bough.”