Unprepared for the question, I remained silent, and, doubtless, looked very guilty.
"Come," continued he severely; "I fear me that, young as you are, you have been following the multitude to do evil; and let me warn you that it is a game which ever, in the end, brings those who play at it to grief."
"Nay, sir knight," protested I earnestly, "I was tempted into an adventure which——"
"An adventure!" repeated Sir Thomas, shaking his head sternly. "Beware, boy. In the days of my youth I had many an adventure, and credit me, nothing can be more true than that the end of that mirth is sadness."
"Let me explain."
"Nay, nay. Enough of this. The king marches at sunrise; and see that you are in readiness to follow the prince's banner."
It was after my narrow escape, and not in the most celestial mood, that I accompanied the invading army, and took part in the various enterprises till we reached Airaines, and found that the Somme was between us and the province towards which we looked for safety.
[CHAPTER XV]
HUNTING A KING
It is necessary, having conducted the English army, and myself, to Airaines, to go back for a few weeks to describe the effect which the march of the invaders produced on Philip of Valois, and to explain how he assembled a host so formidable as to daunt even King Edward's brave warriors.