Orleans said that by ten in the morning each knight would have a hundred Englishmen. But plague on it, would the darkness never go and daylight come to let them sweep away the starving English at once! If they could but lay their hands upon them, these island dogs would be like a foolish, whimpering cur in the fangs of a great Russian bear. Would the laggard hours of darkness never accomplish the weary march from midnight to sunrise ? The knights retired to their tents, but sleep was impossible because of their triumphant anticipations, and the first glimmer of daylight saw them clad in full armour, with their impatient, well-fed steeds champing the bit and stamping the ground with their iron-shod hoofs. As the earliest rays of the sun gilded the helmets of the French knights, word was brought that the English were forming into order of battle. They were massing within a field of fresh-sown corn, near the village of Maisoncelles. On their right was a thick wood, and across the main road to their left was a smaller wood. On account of the rain which had fallen all through the night, the newly-ploughed land was heavy, and the soldiers moved to their places with considerable difficulty. They had had a trying experience during the wet, dark hours, and the long marches and scanty diet had weakened their bodies though they had not destroyed their courage. The King had encamped below some rising ground, with the forces of the Duke of Exeter and the Duke of York on each side of him. In front he had placed his trusty archers. Each man had a strong staff about six feet in length, which bore at each end a sharp iron point. Two active, well-armed forces were hidden in the woods to the right and left of the main body, with orders to attack vigorously when the French knights charged. The French army was in three lines. On each side of the road to Agincourt and in front of the village were two strong divisions under the Constable of France. On the right and left, near the woods where the two English companies were lying in ambush, were two forces under the command of the Admiral of France and the Earl of Vendome. These formed the first line. Behind them, on the other side of Agincourt, were three divisions under the Dukes of Alençon and Bar, while the rear consisted of three divisions under the Earls of Fauconberg and Maine. Altogether the French leaders had brought some 80,000 fighting men within striking distance in and around Agincourt. To oppose them King Henry had some 5000 bowmen and 1000 lancers. A river swelled by many hours heavy rain barred his retreat, and Calais was some forty-five miles away. When all his plans had been arranged King Henry spent some time among his soldiers. He wore a plain suit of armour, so that he could not be recognised. The first man who encountered him was the valiant braggart Pistol, who challenged him and demanded his name. "Harry le Roy," was the reply. "Le Roy!" said Pistol, “a Cornish name; art thou of Cornish crew?" "No, I am a Welshman." 66 Know'st thou Fluellen? Tell him, I'll knock his leek about his pate upon Saint Davy's Day." With this boast Pistol passed on. Low voices were heard in the darkness, and presently Gower and Fluellen drew near the King. Fluellen was telling Gower that he was foolish for speaking in a loud tone when the enemy was so near. "Why, the enemy is loud," replied Gower, "you hear him all night." "If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, is it meet, think you, that we should also, look you, be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, in your own conscience now? If you would take the pains but to examine the wars of Pompey the Great, you shall find, I warrant you, that there is no tiddle-taddle nor pibble-pabble in Pompey's camp." They disappeared in the darkness. Three soldiers conversing in earnest tones then drew near the King. One, whose names was Bates, was deploring the critical situation of the army, and said that he would give anything to be out of France, even if it were to be up to the neck in the river Thames. Another, named Williams, spoke of the heavy responsibility which lay upon the shoulders of the Kings whose word compelled men to fight in quarrels which did not belong to them. He thought that when all came to the test of trial before the throne of God a King would have to bear the weight of all the blood which had been spilled in battle. Henry joined in the discussion, but Williams returned a sharp answer and was evidently ready to quarrel. His anger rose when he was told that if the season had been a convenient one he would have been taught better manners. After a few hot words gloves were exchanged and each said that he would wear the glove in his helmet so that when they met again there would be no failure of recognition. "If ever thou come to me," said Williams, "and N |