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Sir Nigel: Abbey

Now what the brother called the "Devil" was a great yellow horse, held at the Abbey for the debt of his owner, Franklin Aylward; such a horse, it was said, was not to be found betwixt the Abbey and the king's stables at Windsor. It was a sorry day that brought the horse to the Abbey, for no one there could be found who would or could ride him or conquer him; he had indeed nearly killed the Brother and the subprior.

Abbot John and the monks, intent upon seeing, with their own eyes, this terrible creature, hurried down the stairs and gained the wall of the meadow, where, looking over its top, they beheld the magnificent horse standing fetlock-deep in the meadow grass. Upon this wild scene there arrived, riding his pony, the young Squire Loring, small of stature, but with muscles of steel and a soul of fire; his face, though tanned with the weather, was delicate of feature. His whole appearance made him a mark for the sight of any passer-by, but at the first glance the brown face set in its golden hair and beard, and the daring light of the quick, reckless, laughing eyes, made the one strong memory left behind.

The horse was at the moment trampling his latest victim, and Nigel, springing from his pony, was over the wall and at battle with the creature, proving himself master. Some discussion arose among the monks as to the killing of the yellow horse, or the giving him to Nigel as a punishment; the last suggestion finally won, and Nigel proceeded to further subdue the heretofore untamable creature called Pommers.

The horse tried to unseat his rider, but Nigel held fast and at last they were over the four-foot gate and away. Then took place the most notable ride ever known to that part of the world, and the author's description recording it is a gem worth reading; also it is the key to Nigel's whole character. A nearly forgotten ballad upon the subject has the following refrain: The Doe that sped on Hinde Head, The Kestril on the winde, And Nigel on the Yellow Horse Can leave the world behinde.