smote him in the back, smote him
running! What reward would you have, man?"

"None," answered Dick in a surly voice. "My reward is that, whatever
happens, yon filthy French knave will never mock honest English folk
again. Or so I think, though the arrow barely reached him. Yet, Sire,"
he added after a pause, "you might knight my master, Hugh de Cressi, if
you will, since but for him I should have feared to risk that shot."

Then turning aside, Dick unstrung his bow, and, pulling the remains of
the apple out of his pouch, began to munch it unconcernedly.

"Hugh de Cressi!" said the King. "Ah! yes, I mind me of him and of the
rogue, Acour, and the maid, Red Eve. Well, Hugh, I am told you fought
gallantly at Blanche-Tague two days gone and were among the last to
cross the Somme. Also, we have other debts to pay you. Come hither, sir,
and give me your sword."

"Your pardon, my liege," said Hugh, colouring, "but I'll not be knighted
for my henchman's feats, or at all until I have done some of my own."

"Ah, well, Master Hugh," said the King, "that's a right spirit. After
the battle, perhaps, if it should please God that we live to meet again
in honour. De Cressi," he added musingly, "why this place is called
Crecy, and here, I think, is another good omen. At Crecy shall de Cressi
gain great honour for himself and for St. George of England. You are
luck bringers, you two. Let them not be separated in the battle, lest
the luck should leave them. See to it, if it please you, my lord of
Warwick. Young de Cressi can draw a bow; let him fight amongst the
archers and have liberty to join the men-at-arms when the time comes. Or
stay; set them near my son the Prince, for there surely the fight will
be hottest.

"And now, you men of England, whatever your degree, my brothers of
England, gentle and simple, Philip rolls down upon us with all the might
of France, our heritage which he has stolen, our heritage and yours.
Well, well, show him to-day, or to-morrow, or whenever it may be, that
Englishmen put not their faith in numbers, but in justice and their own
great hearts. Oh, my brothers and my friends, let not Edward, whom you
are pleased to serve as your lawful King, be whipped off the field of
Crecy and out of France! Stand to your banners, stand to your King,
stand to St. George and God! Die where you are if need be, as I will.
Never threaten and then show your backs like that knave the archer shot
but now. Look, I give my so