The lights were put out, and the lads retired with more than usual
quietness, only for the murmur of whispering.
All night Myles's sleep was more or less disturbed by dreams in which he
was now conquering, now being conquered, and before the day had fairly
broken he was awake. He lay upon his cot, keying himself up for the
encounter which he had set upon himself to face, and it would not be
the truth to say that the sight of those knives hidden in the straw
the night before had made no impression upon him. By-and-by he knew the
others were beginning to awake, for he heard them softly stirring, and
as the light grew broad and strong, saw them arise, one by one, and
begin dressing in the gray morning. Then he himself arose and put on his
doublet and hose, strapping his belt tightly about his waist; then he
sat down on the side of his cot.
Presently that happened for which he was waiting; two of the younger
squires started to bring the bachelors' morning supply of water. As they
crossed the room Myles called to them in a loud voice--a little uneven,
perhaps: "Stop! We draw no more water for any one in this house, saving
only for ourselves. Set ye down those buckets, and go back to your
places!"
The two lads stopped, half turned, and then stood still, holding the
three buckets undecidedly.
In a moment all was uproar and confusion, for by this time every one
of the lads had arisen, some sitting on the edge of their beds, some
nearly, others quite dressed.
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