The account of Ralph Lisle's favourable condition was joyfully received throughout the garrison, and the news had already spread to Newport.
"So I hear there was a young lad slain last night in a drunken brawl after the revels," said the same rough fisherman who had spoken with Bowerman the day before, to a countryman whom he met coming out of Carisbroke.
"Ay, so they say; leastways, if it warn't two or three as was killed. Holy Thomas! they castle folk be a woundy lot of gallants. They'd as soon kill each other as the French, so long as there's nought else to kill."
"Marry, and you're right; but I hear there'll be blows anon."
"Ay, sayest so? Well, well; but where away? All's quiet i' the land, bean't it?
"Seemingly. But there's them as'll be moving soon. They've not done with the White Rose yet. Howsever, 'tis blows in France as'll soon be going. 'Tis rumoured over t'other side o' the water that our Captain's a-going over there with a power of men."
"No! you don't say so; and who's he going to fight?"
"Why the French, to be sure; all along o' the Duke of Bretagne having helped King Henry when he were in hiding there."
"Then 'tis the King of France as backs the t'other side--eh?"
"Ay, ay; and another powerful princess."