310 WHISPERS FROM FAIRVLAND. [vI.

 

a comparatively small force might have held an army
at bay, whilst if the passage had once been forced,
a body of men well placed in the woods on either
side would have proved most awkward and incon-
venient to any attacking party.

‘ Through the pass I had to go, and as I neared it
I could not help thinking how easily what I have de-
scribed might have been done if the baron whom I
was about to attack had received warning of my
coming. I knew not that he dad such warning, but
still less did I know that he had not the wisdom or
knowledge of war to take the measures to which I
have alluded. Had he done so, I and my people —
could hardly have avoided a complete and most
humiliating defeat.

‘Unfortunately for him, however, my neighbour was
what you Englanders would call a thundering fool.
Instead of occupying the pass or the wood, he, having
some foolish scruple about staying in his own territory,
which the river divided from mine, remained on the
other side, and drew up his forces on the open plain
about a quarter of a mile from the ford, with a forest
behind him anda morass on one side. The conse-
quence was that I was enabled to pass the dangerous
point and to cross the river with my men without any
difficulty. Then the baron whom I was about to in-
vade thought it was time to move, and accordingly
advanced in front of his men, waving a white flag
in token of his wish to parley. It was never my
habit, however, to do anything of the kind when once
I had set out upon an expedition for a certain pur-
pose. Parleying is only “jawing” one against the