That night, though there was some little coming and going betweenthe Tofters and the Brimsiders, yet either flock slept on their own side ofthe river. Moreover, before the midst of the night, cometh David to thewood-side, and had with him all men defensible of the Tofts and thehouses thereabout, and most of the women also many of whom bore spearor bow, so that now by the wood-side, what with them of the Tofts and thefolk who joined them thereto from the country-side about Hazeldale, therewere well-nigh ten hundreds of folk under weapons; and yet more came inthe night through; for the tidings of the allegiance of Brimside wasspreading full fast.
Betimes on the morrow was King Christopher afoot, and he and Jackand David and Gilbert, and they twelve in company, went down to thebanner by the water-side; and to them presently came Oliver Marson andten other of the captains of Brimside, and did them to wit that the Baronwere fain if they would come to his pavilion and hold counsel therein, forthat he was not so sick but he might well speak his mind from where helay. So thither they went all, with good will, and the Baron greeted themfriendly, and made what reverence he might to Christopher, and bade himsay what was his mind and his will. But Christopher bade them whowere his elders in battle to speak; and the Baron laughed outright and said:"Meseemeth, Lord King, thou didst grow old yesterday at my costs; butsince thou wilt have me to speak, I will even do so. And to make mattersthe shorter, I will say that I wot well what ye have to do; and that is, to fallupon the Earl Marshal's folk ere they fall upon us. Now some folk deemwe should fare to Brimside and have a hosting there; but I say nay;whereas it lieth out of the road to Oakenham, and thereby is our road,meseemeth; and it is but some six days' riding hence, save, as is most like,two of those days be days of battle But if we go straight forward withbanners displayed, each day's faring shall be a day of hosting and gathering; for I tell thee, Lord King, the fame of thee has by now gone farin this country-side. Wherefore I say no more, since I wax weary, thanthis: to the road this morning, and get we so far as Broadlees ere night-fall, for there we shall get both victual and folk."