“Stay where you are,” replied Og. “The king will be here anon. Nay, Xit hath not deceived you,” he added, seeing them look at the dwarf; “he was sent to bring you into the royal presence, but since then, his Majesty having been informed by the Constable of the Tower that you are on duty here, would not have you disturbed, but is coming hither himself.”
“His Highness will be here in a trice,” said Xit, perceiving that the royal party was drawing nigh. “Take pattern by me, and demean yourselves properly.”
In another moment, Edward and his attendants came up. The three gigantic warders were now standing together, and as their big burly frames were bent towards the youthful and fragile-looking king, it was like three sturdy oaks inclining to a slender reed.
“A boon! a boon! an please your Majesty!” exclaimed the three giants, in concert. “A boon we crave at your royal hands.”
“Name it, good fellows,” replied Edward, well pleased by their appearance.
“Fain would we be allowed some part, however humble, at your Majesty’s approaching coronation,” said Magog, who acted as spokesman for the others.
“The request is granted as soon as preferred,” replied Edward, graciously. “The lord chamberlain shall assign you a fitting part in the ceremony.”
“Gramercy, my gracious liege,” cried the three giants together.
“Bestow upon them ten broad pieces each, Sir John,” said Edward to the constable, “as an earnest of our future favor.”
“Your Majesty is over-bountiful,” rejoined Magog, modestly. “Howbeit, I make bold to say that your Highness hath not three trustier subjects than my brothers and myself.”
“Not three taller subjects, certes,” rejoined Edward; “and I doubt not trusty as tall. There must be no pageant or court show without these lusty fellows,” he added, to Sir John Gage.
“‘Tis what they are specially fit for, my gracious liege,” said the constable. “Your august father loved to see their burly figures in a pageant.”
“Your Majesty’s condescension makes us proud,” said Gog. “We shall hold our heads higher ever afterwards.”
“No occasion for that,” rejoined Xit. “Marry, your heads are too much i’ the air already.”
“Let us now to the Bloody Tower, good Sir John,” said Edward to the constable. “You promised to show me the chamber where the murder of the young princes was done.”
“I will conduct your Highness thither at once,” replied Gage.
“Nay, I must have thy company, my merry little knave,” cried Edward, seeing Xit look at him beseechingly. “I have conceived a liking for thee. Thy humor pleases me. Follow in my train.”
Made supremely happy by the permission thus graciously accorded him, Xit strutted after the royal party like a peacock with its tail displayed in the sun.
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Chapter IX
IN WHAT MANNER MAUGER, THE HEADSMAN, FORETOLD THAT CERTAIN LORDS SHOULD DIE BY HIS HAND
On reaching the wide, deep archway of the Bloody Tower, then secured at either end by strong gates and a ponderous portcullis, the royal party came to a halt, and a few moments were occupied by Edward in examining the beautiful groining and tracery of the vaulted roof. His curiosity satisfied in this respect, the young monarch was conducted by Sir John Gage to a postern on the east side of the gateway, which led to a small, gloomy stone chamber, or rather vault, wherein, according to tradition, the victims of the ruthless Gloucester’s cruelty were interred.
The constable would fain have dissuaded the young king from entering this dismal vault, and the gate porter who was with them appeared extremely reluctant to show it, but Edward had set his mind upon seeing the place, and was resolved to go in. There was nothing in the appearance of the chamber to reward the young monarch’s curiosity. It was built of stone with a ribbed ceiling, and looked confined and gloomy, being imperfectly lighted by two narrow grated embrasures. But it had a very strange occupant, and, on beholding him, Edward at once comprehended why admittance had not been more readily accorded him.
The aspect and demeanor of this personage were savage and repulsive, and even the king’s presence did not seem to inspire him with much awe, though he rose on Edward’s appearance, and made a clumsy attempt at an obeisance. The upper part of his frame was strongly, though not stoutly built, the arms being remarkably muscular, but his lower limbs were less powerful, and he seemed to be halt of the right leg. His physiognomy was singularly repulsive, the nose being broad and flat, and the eyes fierce and bloodshot; the forehead bald, and the hue of the skin dull and earthy. His cheeks were clothed with a shaggy black beard, and the sable locks left on either side of his head were wild and unkempt. His habiliments were of red serge, but above his doublet he wore a leathern jerkin, which was sullied with dark stains, as if of gore. On his right hip he carried a broad two-edged knife, protected by a sheath. But the implement that proclaimed his revolting office was an executioner’s axe. This he had not the grace to lay aside, but continued to lean upon it while standing before the king. Another axe, similar in size and form, was reared against the wall, and near it stood a two-handed sword, sometimes, though but rarely, employed in capital punishments. When the headsman arose, it instantly became apparent that the seat he had occupied was the block—and, moreover, that it was a block which had been frequently used.