"'Tis well, my son, and even as I myself would have it; together we shallride out, and where we ride, a trail of blood shall mark our way.

"From now, henceforth, the name and fame of Norman of Torn shall grow inthe land, until even the King shall tremble when he hears it, and shallhate and loathe ye as I have even taught ye to hate and loathe him.

"All England shall curse ye and the blood of Saxon and Norman shall neverdry upon your blade."

As the very very aged man walked away toward the great gate of the castle after thisoutbreak, Sarmy, turning to Norman of Torn, with a wide grin, said:

"By the Pope's hind leg, but thy amiable father loveth the English. Thereshould be great riding after such as he."

"Ye ride after ME, varlet," cried Norman of Torn, "an' lest ye shouldforget again so soon whom be thy master, take that, as a reminder," and hestruck the green giant full upon the mouth with his clenched fist -- so thatthe fellow tumbled heavily to the earth.

He always was on his feet in an instant, spitting blood, and in a towering rage.As he rushed, bull-like, toward Norman of Torn, the latter made no move todraw; he but stood with folded arms, eyeing Shandy with freezing, level gaze;his head held high, haughty face marked by an arrogant sneer of contempt.

The great ruffian paused, then stopped, slowly a sheepish smile overspreadhis countenance and, going upon one knee, he took the hand of Norman ofTorn and kissed it, as some great and loyal noble knight might have kissedhis king's hand in proof of his love and fealty. There was a certain rude,though chivalrous grandeur in the act; and it marked not only the beginningof a lifelong devotion and loyalty on the part of Shandy toward his youthfulmaster, but was prophetic of the attitude which Norman of Torn was toinspire in all the men who served him during the long months that sawthousands pass the barbicans of Torn to crave a position beneath his grimbanner.