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Abbeville。 〃Oh； without doubt well enough。 It is she who should wonder
how it fares with us。 Let us hope that； having naught else to do； she
remembers us in her prayers； since in such a case even one woman's
prayers are worth something； for does not a single feather sometimes
turn the scale？〃
〃I think that Eve would rather fight than pray；〃 answered Hugh； with a
smile； 〃like old Sir Andrew； who would give half his remaining days to
sit here with us this afternoon。 Well； he is better where he is。 Dick；
that knave Acour sent only insolent words in answer to my challenge；
which I despatched to him by the knight I took and spared at Caen。〃
〃Why should he do more； master？ He can find plenty of ways of dying
without risking a single combat with one whom he has wronged and who
is therefore very dangerous。 You remember his crest； mastera silver
swan painted on his shield。 I knew it； and that is why I shot that
poor fowl just before you killed young Clavering on the banks of
Blythe； to teach him that swans are not proof against arrows。 Watch
for the swan crest； master； when the battle joins； and so will I； I
promise you。〃
〃Ay； I'll watch；〃 said Hugh grimly。 〃God help all swans that come my
way。 Let us pray that this one has not taken wing； for if so I； too；
must learn to fly。〃
Thus they talked of these and other things amongst the hum of the
great camp； which was like to that of bees on a lime…tree in summer；
and whilst they talked the blue August sky became suddenly overcast。
Dense and heavy clouds hid up its face； a cold and fitful wind began
to blow； increasing presently to a gale which caused the planted
standards； blazoned with lions rampant and with fleurs…de…lis； and the
pennons of a hundred knights set here and there among the long battle
lines； first to flap and waver and then to stand out straight as
though they were cut of iron。
A word of command was called from rank to rank。
〃Sheath bows！〃 it said； and instantly thousands of slender points were
lifted and sank again； vanishing into the leathern cases which the
archers bore。
Scarcely were these snug when the storm broke。 First fell a few heavy
drops； to be followed by such a torrent that all who had cloaks were
glad to wear them。 From the black clouds above leapt lightnings that
were succeeded by the deep and solemn roll of thunder。 A darkness fell
upon the field so great that men wondered what it might portend； for
their minds were strained。 That which at other times would have passed
without remark； now became portentous。 Indeed； afterward some declared
that through it they had seen angels or demons in the air； and others
that they had heard a voice prophesying woe and death； to whom they
knew not。
〃It is nothing but a harvest tempest；〃 said Dick presently； as he
shook the wet from him like a dog and looked to the covering of his
quiver。 〃See； the clouds break。〃
As he spoke a single red ray from the westering sun shot through a
rift in the sky and lay across the English host like a sword of light；
whereof the point hung over the eastern plain。 Save for this flaming
sword all else was dark； and silent also； for the rain and thunder had
died away。 Only thousands of crows； frightened from the woods； wheeled
to and fro above； their black wings turning to the redness of blood as
they crossed and recrossed that splendid path of light； and their
hoarse cries filling the solemn air with clamour。 The sight and sounds
were strange； nor did the thickest…headed fellow crouched upon Crecy's
fateful plain ever forget them till his dying day。
The sky cleared by slow degrees； the multitudes of crows wheeled off
toward the east and vanished； the sun shone out again in quiet glory。
〃Pray God the French fight us to…day；〃 said Hugh as he took off his
cloak and rolled it up。
〃Why； master？〃
〃Because； Dick； it is written that the rain falls on the just and the
unjust； and the unjust； that is the French； or rather the Italians
whom they hire； use these new…fangled cross…bows which as you know
cannot be cased like ours； and therefore stretch their strings in
wet。〃
〃Master；〃 remarked Dick； 〃I did not think you had so much witthat
is； since you fell in love； for before then you were sharp enough。
Well； you are right； and a little matter like that may turn a battle。
Not but what I had thought of it already。〃
Hugh was about to answer with spirit； when a sound of distant shouting
broke upon their ears； a very mighty sound； and next instant some
outposts were seen galloping in； calling： 〃Arm！ Arm！ The French！ The
French！〃
Suddenly there appeared thousands of cross…bow men； in thick； wavering
lines； and behind them the points of thousands of spears； whose
bearers as yet were hidden by the living screen of the Italian
archers。 Yes； before them was the mighty host of France glittering in
the splendid light of the westering sun； which shone full into their
faces。
The irregular lines halted。 Perhaps there was something in the aspect
of those bands of Englishmen still seated in silence on the ground；
with never a horse among them； that gave them pause。 Then； as though
at a word of command； the Genoese cross…bow men set up a terrific
shout。
〃Do they think to make us run at a noise； like hares？〃 said Hugh
contemptuously。
But Grey Dick made no answer； for already his pale eyes were fixed
upon the foe with a stare that Hugh thought was terrible； and his long
fingers were playing with the button of his bow…case。 The Genoese
advanced a little way； then again stood and shouted； but still the
English sat silent。
A third time they advanced and shouted more loudly than before； then
began to wind up their cross…bows。
From somewhere in the English centre rose a heavy； thudding sound
which was new to war。 It came from the mouths of cannons now for the
first time fired on a field of battle； and at the report of them the
Genoese； frightened； fell back a little。 Seeing that the balls fell
short and did but hop toward them slowly； they took courage again and
began to loose their bolts。
〃You're right； master；〃 exclaimed Grey Dick in a fierce chuckle；
〃their strings /are/ wet；〃 and he pointed to the quarrels that； like
the cannon balls； struck short； some within fifty paces of those who
shot them； so that no man was hurt。
Now came a swift command； and the English ranks rose to their feet；
uncased their bows and strung them all as though with a single hand。 A
second command and every bow was bent。 A third and with a noise that
was half hiss and half moan； thousands of arrows leapt forward。
Forward they leapt； and swift and terrible they fell among the ranks
of the advancing Genoese。 Yes； and ere ever one had found its billet；
its quiver…mate was hastening on its path。 Thenoh！ the sunlight
showed it allthe Genoese rolled over by scores； their frail armour
bitten through and through by the grey English arrows。 By scores that
grew to hundreds； that grew till the poor； helpless men who were yet
unhurt among them wailed out in their fear； and； after one short；
hesitant moment； surged back upon the long lines of men…at…arms
behind。
From these arose a great shout： 〃/Trahison！