that bough, Brother." '"And it is certain," said Hugh, "that"--he
pointed to the old man--"Harold was forced to make his promise to the
Great Duke."

'"Very strongly, forced," said De Aquila. He had never any pride in the
Duke William's dealings with Harold before Hastings. Yet, as he said,
one cannot build a house all of straight sticks.

'"No matter how he was forced," said Henry, "England was promised to my
Father William by Edward the Confessor. Is it not so?" William of Exeter
nodded. "Harold confirmed that promise to my Father on the bones of the
Saints. Afterwards he broke his oath and would have taken England by
the strong hand."

'"Oh! La! La!" Rahere rolled up his eyes like a girl. "That ever England
should be taken by the strong hand!"

'Seeing that Red William and Henry after him had each in just that
fashion snatched England from Robert of Normandy, we others knew not
where to look. But De Aquila saved us quickly.

'"Promise kept or promise broken," he said, "Harold came near enough to
breaking us Normans at Santlache."

'"Was it so close a fight, then?" said Henry.

'"A hair would have turned it either way," De Aquila answered. "His
house-carles stood like rocks against rain. Where wast thou, Hugh, in
it?"

'"Among Godwin's folk beneath the Golden Dragon till your front gave
back, and we broke our ranks to follow," said Hugh.

'"But I bade you stand! I bade you stand! I knew it was all a deceit!"
Harold had waked, and leaned forward as one crying from the grave.

'"Ah, now we see how the traitor himself was betrayed!" said William of
Exeter, and looked for a smile from the King.

'"I made thee Bishop to preach at my bidding," said Henry; and turning
to Harold, "Tell us here how thy people fought us?" said he. "Their sons
serve me now against my Brother Robert!"

'The old man shook his head cunningly. "Na--Na--Na!" he cried. "I know
better. Every time I tell my tale men stone me. But, Thanes, I will tell
you a greater thing. Listen!" He told us how many paces it was from some
Saxon Saint's shrine to another shrine, and how many more back to the
Abbey of the Battle.

'"Ay," said he. "I have trodden it too often to be out even ten paces.
I move very swiftly. Harold of Norway knows that, and so does Tostig my
brother. They lie at ease at Stamford Bridge, and from Stamford Bridge
to the Battle Abbey it is--" he muttered over many numbers and forgot
us.

'"Ay," said De Aquila, all in a muse. "