"In another fortnight," he said, "you may be able to ride, but it
would not be safe to attempt to do so now. You are going on as well
as could be wished, and it would be madness to risk everything by
haste."
Accordingly he and Guy were transported in litters to the baron's
residence, where Wulf steadily recovered his health and strength.
Osgod, who had received a heavy purse of gold from the baron, had
at the end of that time entirely recovered; Guy still lay pale and
feeble on his couch.
"I scarcely wish to live," he said one day to his father. "I can
never be a warrior now. What have I got to live for?"
"You have much to live for, Guy," his father said, "even if you
never bestride a war-horse. You have made a name for yourself for
bravery, and will always be held in respect. It is not as if you
had been from your birth weak and feeble. You will in time, I hope,
come to be lord of our estates and to look after our people, and
be beloved by them; and, if you cannot yourself lead them in the
field, you can see that they go well equipped, and do honour to
your banner. There are other things besides fighting to live for."
"I would that you had had another son, father, and that Wulf had
been my brother. I should not so much have minded then that I could
not myself carry the banner of De Burg into the field."
"Had he been one of ourselves, Guy, that might have come about,"
his father said, "for if I have no other son I have a daughter.
Pages:
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155