"Perchance in their jollity we may hear some smattering of news," replied Gripwell, and flinging down his burden with a gesture of utter fatigue, he seated himself upon it, with his head resting on his arms. Geoffrey hastened to follow his example. In the constant throng their action seemed natural. The two guards barely condescended to notice them, since they were some distance from the tent, which was that of no less a personage than Charles d'Albert, Constable of France.
"A curse on thy luck, my Lord of Marle," exclaimed an excited voice. "I have not cast a main this night. I owe thee two English earls and four knights already."
"Nay, Falconberg, 'tis five knights by my reckoning. Without doubt these rascally Islanders will be cheap enough ere to-morrow even, but be that as it may, one cannot ignore the rules of the game."
"I cannot understand the Duc de Bourbon," grumbled the first speaker. "Though I am willing to admit that he has prior claim to the person of the King of England, he will not risk his share of the spoil. Surely my offer of twenty thousand crowns and the Duke of York will be sufficient inducement?"
"I am weary of casting the dice," replied Bourbon. "Ere dawn I shall be too tired even to ride down a single English knight."
"Peste! The battle will be over in a quarter of an hour. Our first division is strong enough to sweep these English off the face of the earth. My Lord d'Alençon, the second division, which thou hast command of, must be mounted, since there will be no other work left than to ride down and slay the light-footed archers. As for thy division, my Lord Falconberg, there will be nothing left for it to do."
"Unless it be to shout encouragement to thy men," replied Falconberg with a laugh. "Alas! these poor Englishmen. But let's proceed. Who'll throw with me for my last three knights?"
"We have learnt what is worth a bushel of gold, Squire Geoffrey," whispered Gripwell. "Let us away. As it is, the hour is wellnigh spent."
Resuming their loads, the two comrades made for the nearest fire, and, having cast the faggots upon the smouldering embers, retraced their footsteps towards the shelter of the woods. On the way they fell in with a party of soldiers in search of a load of wine that had gone astray between the camp and the village of Agincourt, and, imitating their staggering gait and drunken song, they contrived to get clear of the line of tents without being challenged. Then, taking advantage of the narrow path through the forest, the two comrades succeeded in slipping away unnoticed by their maudlin companions.
"Now let us hasten," whispered Gripwell. "Yet be cautious, for we know not whether any enemy hath entered this part of the wood since we came hither."