"
"Indeed, Robert," said Percy, "it is in my mind that this
Frenchman speaks very wisely and well."
"And when we have taken the castle--what then?" asked Knolles.
"Then you could go upon your way, fair sir, and we upon ours. Or
if it please you better you could draw together on yonder hill and
we on this one, so that the valley lies between us. Then if any
cavalier wished to advance himself or to shed a vow and exalt his
lady, an opening might be found for him. Surely it would be shame
if so many brave men drew together and no small deed were to come
of it."
Nigel clasped his captive's hand to show his admiration and
esteem, but Knolles shook his head.
"Things are not ordered thus, save in the tales of the minstrels,"
said he. "I have no wish that your people at Evran should know
our numbers or our plans. I am not in this land for knight
errantry, but I am here to make head against the King's enemies.
Has no one aught else to say?"
Percy pointed to the small outlying fortalice upon the knoll, on
which also flew the flag of the bloody head. "This smaller
castle, Robert, is of no great strength and cannot hold more than
fifty men. It is built, as I conceive it, that no one should
seize the high ground and shoot down into the other. Why should
we not turn all our strength upon it, since it is the weaker of
the twain?"
But again the young leader shook his head.
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