"Guards stand at the door and, I doubt, will not let us pass." "I wish to see the place where we are to fight to-morrow," answered Hugh, "so as to form my judgment of it, if only we may come there." At this moment an English lad of Sir Geoffrey's household chanced to pass by, having come to ask as to the feeding of the horse which Hugh should ride.

Dick caught him by the arm and asked whether he could get them out of the house secretly, so that the Guards would not see them, and conduct them to the spot called the Place of Arms, where they understood they were to fight.
The lad, whose name was David Day, replied somewhat doubtfully that he could do so by a back door near the kitchen, and guide them also, but that they must protect him from the anger of Sir Geoffrey.

This Hugh promised to do.

So presently they started, carrying their weapons, but wearing no mail because of the intense heat, although Dick reminded his master how they had been told that they should not venture forth without body armour.
"I have a sword and you have bow and axe," answered Hugh, "so we'll risk it.

In leather-lined mail we should surely melt." So they put on some light cloaks made of black silk, with hoods to them, such as the Venetians wore at their masques, for David knew where these were to be found.