Quickly the men went on their errand, and ere long thick columns of smoke arose from the sodden logs, till the heat gaining the mastery, the dull red flames began to throw out a comforting glow. Then, with the arrival of the victualling wains, drawn by peasants pressed into service, the camp began to show signs of cheerfulness, in spite of the almost continuous downfall of icy rain. Yet the utmost order and decorum prevailed in the English lines—a striking contrast to the boisterous laughter and merriment that was wafted on the winds from around the watch fires of the French camp.
At intervals officers passed slowly along the lines intent on seeking out their friends, whom, perchance, they were to see and converse with for the last time; priests and friars, too, threaded their way amongst the soldiery, hearing confessions and giving spiritual consolation to all who desired their ministrations.
Thus the time passed till it was midnight. At intervals the rain ceased, and the pale moonbeams glittered upon the damp grass and the waving foliage of the neighbouring woods. Most of the English troops had fallen asleep, slumbering fitfully under the canopy of heaven. Others conversed in low tones, or offered up prayers for the safety of their comrades and themselves, and for the successful issue of the coming struggle. Still the French camp maintained its state of revelry, for food and wine were in abundance, and, with every prospect of delivering a crushing defeat upon their numerically weaker foes, the mercurial spirits of the Frenchmen rose high. They had forgotten their defeats at Crécy and Poictiers; time had erased the memory of the English longbow.
"The night drags slowly on," remarked Oswald, drawing his saturated cloak more closely around his shoulders. "Would that we had something to do to bring some warmth to our bodies."
"We'll not lack for warmth ere the sun sets again," replied Geoffrey. "But what discord those Frenchmen are making. Could we but let loose a troop of lances through the camp there would be no little advancement occasioned by the deed. But who cometh?"
At that moment a soldier walked swiftly along the front of the line of recumbent men. The moonbeams glistened on his armour that a long cloak failed entirely to conceal.
"Halt! who comes?" demanded Geoffrey, barring the stranger's way with drawn sword.
"A friend! Why hast thou challenged me?" replied the man in a deep voice.
"'Tis not permitted to pass without the lines," replied the squire. "I pray thee keep close to the fires, lest an over-zealous archer feather thy back with an arrow."
"Thanks for thy warning, fair sir; I will pay heed unto. But I pray thee, who art thou, what is thy condition?" asked the man with a trace of authority in his speech.