She looked at her watch just then. ‘Why,’ she said, ‘we have been here just ten minutes, and it is time to start again, if you are rested sufficiently.’
So he helped her to mount, and they crossed the river. It was not very deep, but still she got the skirts of her dress quite wet, for the water was high enough for that.
However, the gallop in the hot sun on the other side soon dried them.
In an hour and a half they were on the top of a hill from which they could see the town of Arecarp in the valley beneath.
The sun was shining brightly on the tents of the army as it lay round the town, and at some distance the camp of the enemy appeared. But still all looked peaceful.
The Prince gazed carefully at the armies. After a moment he said:
‘There has been no fighting since I left the city this morning, nor has the position altered at all. I fancy Merrymineral has sent ambassadors to demand surrender from Lord Licec.’
The Princess smiled.
‘He will never surrender,’ she said.