The thatched roof of the hall rose out of a cluster of shingled huts on a mound defended by moat and palisade.

No smoke came from the dwelling, and no man was visible, but not for nothing was Jehan named the Hunter.

He was aware that every tuft of reed and scrog of wood concealed a spear or a bowman.

So he set his head stiff and laughed, and hummed a bar of a song which the ferry-men used to sing on Seine side.
"A man does not fight to win his home," he told his horse, "but only to defend it when he has won it.

If God so wills I shall be welcomed with open gates: otherwise there will be burying ere nightfall." In this fashion he rode steadfastly toward the silent burg.