the hay, and pursue our journey in the morning. From our travel-stained
appearance any who may meet us will take us for two wayfarers going to
take service in the army at Amiens."

It was not until nearly midnight that they came upon such a place as
they sought, then after passing a little village they found a shed
standing apart. Entering it they found that it was tenanted by two cows.
Groping about they presently came upon a heap of forage, and taking off
their outer garments lay down on this, covering themselves thickly with
it. The shed was warm and comfortable and they were soon asleep, and
awaking at daybreak they found that their clothes had dried somewhat.
The sun was not yet up when they started, but it soon rose, and ere noon
their garments had dried, and they felt for the first time comfortable.
They met but few people on the road, and these passed them with ordinary
salutations.

They had by this time left Amiens on the right, and by nightfall
were well on their way towards Calais. Early in the morning they had
purchased some bread at a village through which they passed; Walter's
Norman-French being easily understood, and exciting no surprise or
suspicion. At nightfall they slept in a shed within a mile of the
ruins of the castle of Pres, and late next evening entered the English
encampment at New Town. After going to his tent, where he and Ralph
changed their garments and partook of a hearty meal, Walter proceeded
to the pavilion of the prince, who hailed his entrance with the greatest
surprise.

"Why Sir Walter," he exclaimed, "what good saint has brought you here?
I have but an hour since received a message from the Count of Evreux
to the effect that you were a prisoner in the bands of Sir Phillip de
Holbeaut, with whom I must treat for your ransom. I was purporting to
send off a herald tomorrow to ask at what sum he held you; and now you
appear in flesh and blood before us! But first, before you tell us your
story, I must congratulate you on your gallant defence of the Castle of
Pres, which is accounted by all as one of the most valiant deeds of the
war. When two days passed without a messenger from you coming hither,
I feared that you were beleaguered, and started that evening with six
hundred men-at-arms. We arrived at daybreak to finding only a smoking
ruin. Luckily among the crowd of dead upon the breach we found one of
your men-at-arms who still breathed, and after some cordial had been
given hi