"Haste thee also," came from Sir Geoffrey, "for thine is the vanguard."
O what pride for one so young—to be ordered to the front of a secret foray!
Nevertheless, in the very street, as Richard rode to the camp of his bowmen, he was met and halted by the prince.
"Richard of Wartmont," he said, but not loudly, "thou hast thy orders?"
Richard bowed low.
"So have I mine!" exclaimed the prince. "Not all the fortune of this campaign is to be thine alone. Thou shalt see me with my sword out before thou art older. There are blows to strike, and I am to be in the mêlée, as becomes me. Haste thee now, and fare thee well until I see thee again."
It had been ill to answer in words, but Richard bowed again and rode onward.
It was at the gate that he met Sir Peter Legh with further instructions. A good knight was Sir Peter and broad in the shoulders, but he stood a fathom and half a handbreadth in his stature—a sore antagonist for any man to face in field or tourney, and having experience of many a hard-fought field.
"Thou of Wartmont," he said dryly, "since I am to have company of thee and thine, well. It is De Harcourt's word to me. He is my commander. Thou mayest lead older and better men fairly enough. I will tell thee what to do."
"I was ahead of all but thee in the gate of Caen," responded Richard a little freely, for he was but young in temper. "Thou wilt not find me a pace behind thee if so be there is fighting or climbing to be done."