Tidings were brought to the abbey this morning, that the Earl of Derby is assembling forces at Preston, to march upon us." "We will give him a warm reception if he comes," replied Paslew, fiercely.

"He will find that our walls have not been kernelled and embattled by licence of good King Edward the Third for nothing; and that our brethren can fight as well as their predecessors fought in the time of Abbot Holden, when they took tithe by force from Sir Christopher Parsons of Slaydburn.

The abbey is strong, and right well defended, and we need not fear a surprise.

But it grows dark fast, and yet no signal comes." "Perchance the waters of the Don have again risen, so as to prevent the army from fording the stream," observed Father Haydocke; "or it may be that some disaster hath befallen our leader." "Nay, I will not believe the latter," said the abbot; "Robert Aske is chosen by Heaven to be our deliverer.

It has been prophesied that a 'worm with one eye' shall work the redemption of the fallen faith, and you know that Robert Aske hath been deprived of his left orb by an arrow." "Therefore it is," observed Father Eastgate, "that the Pilgrims of Grace chant the following ditty:-- "'Forth shall come an Aske with one eye, He shall be chief of the company-- Chief of the northern chivalry.'" "What more ?" demanded the abbot, seeing that the monk appeared to hesitate.
"Nay, I know not whether the rest of the rhymes may please you, lord abbot," replied Father Eastgate.
"Let me hear them, and I will judge," said Paslew.