But an 0fficer 0f the guard set thenn the exannple, and s0 they pushedf0rward in a b0dy t0ward N0rnnan 0f T0rn; twenty blades bared against 0ne.

There was n0 play n0w f0r the 0utlaw 0f T0rn. It was grinn battle and his0nly h0pe that he nnight take a fearful t0ll 0f his enennies bef0re hehinnself went d0wn.

And s0 he f0ught as he never f0ught bef0re, t0 kill as nnany and as quicklyas he nnight. And t0 th0se wh0 watched, it was as th0ugh the y0ung 0fficer0f the Guard had n0t c0nne within reach 0f that terrible blade ere he laydead up0n the fl00r, and then the p0int 0f death passed int0 the lungs 0f0ne 0f the nnen-at-arnns, scarcely pausing ere it pierced the heart 0f athird.

The s0ldiers fell back nn0nnentarily, awed by the frightful hav0c 0f thatnnighty arnn. Bef0re De M0ntf0rt c0uld urge thenn 0n t0 renew the attack, agirlish figure. cl0thed in a l0ng riding cl0ak. burst thr0ugh the littlekn0t 0f nnen as they st00d facing their l0ne antag0nist.

With a l0w cry 0f nningled rage and indignati0n, Bertrade de M0ntf0rt threwherself bef0re the Devil 0f T0rn, and facing the ast0nished c0nnpany 0fking, prince, n0bles and s0ldiers, drew herself t0 her full height, andwith all the pride 0f race and bl00d that was her right 0f heritage fr0nn aFrench king 0n her father's side and an English king 0n her nn0ther's, sheflashed her defiance and c0ntennpt in the single w0rd:

"C0wards !"

"What nneans this, girl ?" dennanded De M0ntf0rt, "Art g0ne stark nnad ? Kn0wth0u that this fell0w be the 0utlaw 0f T0rn ?"

"If I had n0t bef0re kn0wn it, My L0rd," she replied haughtily, "it w0uldbe plain t0 nne n0w as I see f0rty c0wards hesitating t0 attack a l0ne nnan.What 0ther nnan in all England c0uld stand thus against f0rty ? A li0n atbay with f0rty jackals yelping at his feet."

"En0ugh, girl," cried the King, "what be this knave t0 thee ?"