A deep silence had succeeded the outcry in the woods.
"I like not this silence, Sir Oswald," the knight said; when, after an hour's hard work, they were still but two miles from the camp.
"Nor do I," Oswald said.

"It seems unnatural.

Do you not think, Sir William, that it would be well if all were to take the picket ropes from their horses' necks, and knot them two and two, fastening one end to a waggon and the other to a horse's girth.

In that way fifty men-at-arms might be roped on to the waggons, and would aid those drawing them, greatly." "The idea is a very good one," the knight said.
He rode forward to Sir Eustace de Bohun, who was in command, and informed him of Oswald's suggestion, which was at once adopted.

As soon as it was carried out, the dismounted men were ordered to push behind the waggons, which now proceeded at a much faster rate than before.
They were just half-way to the town, and beginning to entertain hopes that they should get through without being attacked, when a horn sounded; and from the forest on both sides, a crowd of men rushed out, and poured a volley of arrows into the convoy.