"
The Prince laughed. "It would indeed be to ask too much, Robert,
that you should keep on your course when much honor was to be
gathered so close to you. But now I pray you that you will come
back with us to Winchelsea, for well I know that my father would
fain thank you for what you have done this day."
But Robert Knolles shook his head. "I have your father's command,
sire, and without his order I may not go against it. Our people
are hard-pressed in Brittany, and it is not for me to linger on
the way. I pray you, sire, if you must needs mention me to the
King, to crave his pardon that I should have broken my journey
thus."
"You are right, Robert. God-speed you on your way! And I would
that I were sailing under your banner, for I see clearly that you
will take your people where they may worshipfully win worship.
Perchance I also maybe in Brittany before the year is past."
The Prince turned to the task of gathering his weary people
together, and the Basilisks passed over the side once more and
dropped down on to their own little ship. They poled her off from
the captured Spaniard and set their sail with their prow for the
south. Far ahead of them were their two consorts, beating towards
them in the hope of giving help, while down Channel were a score
of Spanish ships with a few of the English vessels hanging upon
their skirts.
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