Our horses will be landed the first thing in the morning, and we will then ride whithersoever you may bid us." "Thanks, Sir John," the countess replied.

"In that case I would that you ride by Rennes, towards which the army of the Duke of Normandy is already advancing.

The garrison there is commanded by Sir William of Caddoudal, a good and valiant knight." The horses were landed on the following morning, and accompanied by the four young squires and the men-at-arms, and followed by the twenty archers on foot, Sir John Powis set out for Rennes.

They arrived there, but just in time, for the assailants were closing round the city.

They were received with the greatest cordiality by the governor, who assigned apartments to Sir John and the squires, and lodged the men-at-arms and archers near them.
In a day or two the whole of the French army came up, and the siege commenced.