"Sir," said he, "I have ever served most loyally my lord your
father and yourself, and shall continue so to do so long as I have
life. Dear sir, I must now acquaint you that formerly I made a
vow if ever I should be in any battle under your command that I
would be foremost or die in the attempt. I beg therefore that you
will graciously permit me to honorably quit my place among the
others, that I may post myself in such wise as to accomplish my
vow."
The Prince smiled, for it was very sure that vow or no vow,
permission or no permission, Lord James Audley would still be in
the van. "Go, James," said he, shaking his hand, "and God grant
that this day you may shine in valor above all knights. But hark,
John, what is that?"
Chandos cast up his fierce nose like the eagle which smells
slaughter afar. "Surely, sir, all is forming even as we had
planned it."
From far away there came a thunderous shout. Then another and yet
another.
"See, they are moving!" cried the Captal de Buch.
All morning they had watched the gleam of the armed squadrons who
were drawn up in front of the French camp. Now whilst a great
blare of trumpets was borne to their ears, the distant masses
flickered and twinkled in the sunlight.
"Yes, yes, they are moving!" cried the Prince.
"They are moving! They are moving!" Down the line the murmur
ran. And then with a sudden impulse the archers at the hedge
sprang to their feet and the knights behind them waved their
weapons in the air, while one tremendous shout of warlike joy
carried their defiance to the approaching enemy.
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