u, Watkin, draw not to
your mouth, as is your wont, but to your shoulder. You are so used to
the wine-pot that the string must needs follow it. Nay, stand loose, and
give space for your drawing arms, for they will be on us anon."

He ran back and joined his comrades in the front, who had now risen to
their feet. Behind them a half-mile of archers stood behind the hedge,
each with his great warbow strung, half a dozen shafts loose behind him,
and eighteen more in the quiver slung across his front. With arrow
on string, their feet firm-planted, their fierce eager faces peering
through the branches, they awaited the coming storm.

The broad flood of steel, after oozing slowly forward, had stopped about
a mile from the English front. The greater part of the army had then
descended from their horses, while a crowd of varlets and hostlers led
them to the rear. The French formed themselves now into three great
divisions, which shimmered in the sun like silvery pools, reed-capped
with many a thousand of banners and pennons. A space of several hundred
yards divided each. At the same time two bodies of horsemen formed
themselves in front. The first consisted of three hundred men in one
thick column, the second of a thousand, riding in a more extended line.

The Prince had ridden up to the line of archers. He was in dark armor,
his visor open, and his handsome aquiline face all glowing with spirit
and martial fire. The bowmen yelled at him, and he waved his hands to
them as a huntsman cheers his hounds.

"Well, John, what think you now?" he asked. "What would my noble father
not give to be by our side this day? Have you seen that they have left
their horses?"

"Yes, my fair lord, they have learned their lesson," said Chandos.
"Because we have had good fortune upon our feet at Crecy and elsewhere
they think that they have found the trick of it. But it is in my mind
that it is very different to stand when you are assailed, as we have
done, and to assail others when you must drag your harness for a mile
and come weary to the fray."

"You speak wisely, John. But these horsemen who form in front and ride
slowly towards us, what make you of them?"

"Doubtless they hope to cut the strings of our bowmen and so clear a way
for the others. But they are indeed a chosen band, for mark you,
fair sir, are not those the colors of Clermont upon the left, and
of d'Andreghen upon the right, so that both marshals ride with the
vanguard?"