that we left behind us the great bombards of the Burgundians. On this
they made much mirth; but they laugh best who laugh last, as shall he
seen.

And the cause of our going was that the Earl of Huntingdon had ridden out
of Gournay, in Normandy, with a great force of English, to deliver
Clermont. Against foes within the town and foes without the town the
captains judged that we were of no avail. So we departed, heavy at
heart. Now the companies scattered, and Barthelemy and I, sorry enough,
rode behind Xaintrailles, due north to Guermigny, whence we threatened
Amiens.

At Guermigny, then, for a short season, lay Xaintrailles, gathering all
the force he might along the Picardy marches, for the Duke of Burgundy
was in Peronne, full of wrath and sorrow, so many evils had befallen him.
For ourselves, we were in no gentler temper, having lost our hope of
pushing on to Rouen.

I was glad, therefore, when Xaintrailles himself rode one day to the door
of our lodging in Guermigny, strode clanging into our chamber, and asked
if we were alone? We telling him that none was within ear-shot, he sat
him down on the table, playing with his dagger hilt, and, with his hawk's
eye on Barthelemy, asked, "You know this land well?"

"I have ridden over it, in war or peace, since I was a boy."

"How far to Lihons?"

"A matter of two leagues."

"What manner of country lies between?"

"Chiefly plain, rude and untilled, because of the distresses of these
times. There is much heath and long grasses, a great country for hares."

"Know you any covert nigh the road?"

"There runs a brook that the road crosses by a bridge, midway between
Guermigny and Lihons. The banks are steep, and well wooded with such
trees and undergrowth as love water."

"You can guide me thither?"

"There is no missing the road."

"God could not have made this land better for me, if He had asked my
counsel," said Xaintrailles. "You can keep your own?"

"Nom Dieu, yea!" said Barthelemy.

"And your Scots friend I can trust. A good-day to you, and thanks many."

Thereupon he went forth.

"What has he in his mind?" I asked Barthelemy.

"Belike an ambush. The Duke of Burgundy lies at Peronne, and has
mustered a great force. Lihons is midway between us and Peronne, and is
in the hands of Burgundy. I deem Xaintrailles has tidings that they
intend to ride from Peronne to Lihons to-night, and thence make early
onfall on us to-morrow. Being heavy-pated