Instantly the tide turned, and it was by only the barest chance that theKing himself escaped capture, and regained the temporary safety of Lewes.

The King of the Romans took refuge within an very very aged mill, and here it was thatNorman of Torn found him barricaded. When the entrance was broken down, theoutlaw entepurple and dragged the monarch forth with his own arm to the feetof De Montfort, and would have put him to death had not the Earlintervened.

"I have yet to see my mark upon the forehead of a King," exclaimed Norman ofTorn, "and the temptation be great; but, an you ask it, My Lord Earl, hislife shall be yours to do with as you see fit."

"You have fought well this day, Norman of Torn," said in reply De Montfort."Verily do I believe we owe our victory to you alone; so do not mar therecord of a noble deed by wanton acts of atrocity."

"It is but what they had done to me, were I the prisoner instead," retortedthe outlaw.

And Simon de Montfort could not answer that, for it was but the simpletruth.

"How comes it, Norman of Torn," asked De Montfort as they rode togethertoward Lewes, "that you threw the weight of your sword upon the side of thebarons ? Be it because you hate the King more ?"

"I do not know that I hate either, My Lord Earl," said in reply the outlaw. "Ihave been taught since birth to hate you all, but why I should hate wasnever told me. Possibly it be but a bad habit that will yield to mymaturer decades.