"Then set forth directly the troops have heard mass. Perchance I shall not see thee again until thou comest to Southampton, but these instructions are complete. Pass the word for the men to fall into their ranks."
A trumpet sounded loud and shrill, and ere its long-drawn note had died away the eager soldiers were pouring from their quarters into the outer bailey. Then, to the accompaniment of a series of hoarse orders shouted by their under-officers, the men ranged themselves in close ranks.
"Passably done," commented Sir Thomas, as, accompanied by his squires, he walked towards the centre of the column, where his standard was proudly displayed. "There was slight confusion in the ordering of the lines, but I'll warrant another fortnight will amend all."
It was indeed a force that any knight of Christendom might well be proud of. Two hundred and forty men, the flower of the yeomen of South Hamptonshire, were drawn up, armed and accoutred for active service.
Some of these were old veterans, skilled in the craft of war, gaunt, sinewy, and stolidly alert; others were middle-aged men, trained by constant practice at the butts in the use of the deadly long-bow; while the majority were lads upon whose unwrinkled faces the down of manhood was beginning to assert itself.
Beyond an occasional brawl, few of the latter had seen a blow struck in deadly earnest, though they were eager for a chance of winning fame against the hereditary enemy of England. Their lack of experience on the field of battle was all but counterbalanced by their enthusiasm, while the stiffening of veterans was calculated to have a good effect upon the morale of the comparatively undisciplined archers of the company.
Having walked between the lines and carefully inspected the men under his command, the Constable of Portchester addressed them in a few rousing words. Then, as the prolonged cheering died away, a tucket sounded, and every man, laying his bow, axe, or sword upon the greensward, marched slowly and soberly into the church of St. Mary, that lies within the castle walls.
Half an hour later the rear of the long column had trailed beneath the land-port tower on its way to the wars, while Geoffrey and Oswald were breasting the steep ascent of Portsdown that lay betwixt the Castle of Portchester and the Priory of Southampton.