Well, he being gone,
and many of his wisest warriors slain, the rest ran into gates again;
but when the Westlanders beset Higham and thought to have it good cheap,
the monks and their men warded it not so ill but that the Westlanders
broke their teeth over it. Forsooth, they turned away thence
and took most of the castles and strong-houses of the Abbot's lands;
burned some and put garrisons into others, and drave away a mighty
spoil of chattels and men and women, so that the lands of Higham
are half ruined; and thereby the monks, though they be stout enough
within their walls, will not suffer their men to ride abroad.
Whereby, being cooped up in a narrow place, and with no deeds to hand
to cheer their hearts withal, they are grown sour and churlish."
"But, brother," said Ralph, "howsoever churlish they may be,
and howso timorous, I cannot see why they should shut their gates
in our faces, a little band, when there is no foe anear them."
"Ralph," said Hugh, "thou must think of this once more, that the Dry
Tree is no good let-pass to flourish in honest men's faces;
specialiter if they be monks. Amongst the brothers of Higham
the tale goes that those Champions have made covenant with the devil
to come to their above whensoever they be not more than one to five.
Nay, moreover, it is said that there be very devils amongst them;
some in the likeness of carles, and some (God help us)
dressed up in women's flesh; and fair flesh also, meseemeth.
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