"
But Robert Knolles shook his head. "We know not what are in these
woods, or behind these hills," said he, "and when I know nothing
it is my wont to prepare for the worst which may befall. It is
but prudence so to do."
"Your enemies might find some harsher name for it," said Astley
with a sneer. "Nay, you need not think to scare me by glaring at
me, Sir Robert, nor will your ill-pleasure change my thoughts. I
have faced fiercer eyes than thine, and I have not feared."
"Your speech, Sir James, is neither courteous nor good," said
Knolles, "and if I were a free man I would cram your words down
your throat with the point of my dagger. But I am here to lead
these men in profit and honor, not to quarrel with every fool who
has not the wit to understand how soldiers should be led. Can you
not see that if I make attempts here and there, as you would have
me do, I shall have weakened my strength before I come to that
part where it can best be spent?"
"And where is that?" asked Percy. "'Fore God, Astley, it is in my
mind that we ride with one who knows more of war than you or I,
and that we would be wise to be guided by his rede. Tell us then
what is in your mind."
"Thirty miles from here," said Knolles, "there is, as I am told, a
fortalice named Ploermel, and within it is one Bambro', an
Englishman, with a good garrison. No great distance from him is
the Castle of Josselin where dwells Robert of Beaumanoir with a
great following of Bretons.
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