Puck of Pook's Hill by Rudyard Kipling
page 89 of 231 (38%)
page 89 of 231 (38%)
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'And so we found it, but in the end De Aquila was right.
'A little later in the year, armed men rode over the hill, the Golden Horseshoes flying behind the King's banner. Said De Aquila, at the window of our chamber: "How did I tell you? Here comes Fulke himself to spy out his new lands which our King hath promised him if he can bring proof of my treason." '"How dost thou know?" said Hugh. '"Because that is what I would do if I were Fulke, but _I_ should have brought more men. My roan horse to your old shoes," said he, "Fulke brings me the King's Summons to leave Pevensey and join the war." He sucked in his cheeks and drummed on the edge of the shaft, where the water sounded all hollow. '"Shall we go?" said I. '"Go! At this time of year? Stark madness," said he. "Take _me_ from Pevensey to fisk and flyte through fern and forest, and in three days Robert's keels would be lying on Pevensey mud with ten thousand men! Who would stop them--Fulke?" 'The horns blew without, and anon Fulke cried the King's Summons at the great door, that De Aquila with all men and horse should join the King's camp at Salisbury. '"How did I tell you?" said De Aquila. "There are twenty Barons 'twixt here and Salisbury could give King Henry good land service, but he has been worked upon by Fulke to send South and call me--_me_!--off the Gate |
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