Here a horseman was seen approaching, and when he came near enough, a knight, armed cap-a-pie, was disclosed.
"Friend or foe?" said Alain to his companion.
"If a foe, I pity him."
"See, the Baron rides forth alone to meet him!"
They met about a furlong from the party; entered into long and amicable conference, and soon returned to the group on the hill; the order brought news which changed their course, they turned to the west, and instead of riding for Sussex, followed the track of the Icknield Street for Devizes and the west.
This brought them across the scene of the midnight encounter, and Alain's quick eyes soon detected the traces of the combat.
"Look, there has been a fight here—see how the ground is trampled, and here is a broken sword—ah! the ground is soaked with blood—there has been a gallant tussle here—would I had seen it."
Osric was not yet so enthusiastic in the love of strife.
Alain's exclamations brought several of the riders around him; and they scrutinised the ground closely, and they speculated on the subject.
The Baron smiled grimly, and thought—