They rode horses of the Welsh breed, small and stout-built; spoil
captured, in all probability, from that rebellious and unruly nation.
The entry of this armed train was more like an act of taking possession
than that of a peaceable and formal embassage; and the newly-arrived
seneschal soon began to exercise the office of governor or castellan,
seizing the reins of government with an iron grasp. He was a square
carroty-headed personage, about the middle size, and of a ruddy aspect.
He held an office of trust under the Fitz-Eustace, and, spite of his
saucy garrulity, in which he indulged on most occasions, he was
faithful, and would have challenged and immolated any one who had dared
to question the right of the Fitz-Eustace to precedence before any other
baron of the land. Long service rendered him more intrusive than would
have been thought becoming, or even excusable in any other enjoying less
of his mistress's confidence.
"Now, my merry men all," said this authoritative personage, "a long and
a weary path have we ridden to-day; and had we not been, as it were,
lost in your savage wildernesses--where our guide, whom we forced before
us by dint of blows and hard usage, could scarce keep us in the right
track--we had been here before sunset.
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