land holders were loyal, and which disaffected. They discussed the
morrow's journey, the roads, the chances of food and forage for the
multitude. In short, they acted like men of business who provide
for the morrow ere they close their eyes in sleep.

Then Drogo informed them that he had three prisoners, on whom he
claimed the royal judgment: traitors, and disaffected men whom he
had apprehended in the act of travelling the country, in order by
their harangues to stir up the peasantry to resist the royal arms.

"Who are these doughty foes?"

"Sir Ralph, son of the rebellious baron of Herstmonceux; the mayor
of the disaffected town of Hamelsham; and a young friar, formerly a
favourite page of the Earl of Leicester."

"Why didst thou not hang them on the first oak big enough to
sustain such acorns?"

"I reserved them for the royal judgment, so close at hand."

"Let us see them ere we depart in the morning, and we shall
doubtless make short work of them."

Night reigned without the occasional challenge of the sentinel
alone broke the hush which brooded during the hours of darkness
over the host encamped at Walderne.

Morning broke with roseate hues. All nature seemed to arise at
once. The trumpets gave their shrill signal, the troops arose to