I mentioned it to Clarence.
"I think you are right," said he; "it is the obvious thing for them to try." "Well, then," I said, "if they do it they are doomed." "Certainly." "They won't have the slightest show in the world." "Of course they won't." "It's dreadful, Clarence.

It seems an awful pity." The thing disturbed me so that I couldn't get any peace of mind for thinking of it and worrying over it.

So, at last, to quiet my conscience, I framed this message to the knights: TO THE HONORABLE THE COMMANDER OF THE INSURGENT CHIVALRY OF ENGLAND: YOU fight in vain.

We know your strength--if one may call it by that name.
We know that at the utmost you cannot bring against us above five and twenty thousand knights.
Therefore, you have no chance--none whatever.
Reflect: we are well equipped, well fortified, we number 54.

Fifty-four what?
Men?
No, MINDS--the capablest in the world; a force against which mere animal might may no more hope to prevail than may the idle waves of the sea hope to prevail against the granite barriers of England.