When he came to the outer gateway of the court he tied up the mare, and carried the crockery in on his own back boldly. The scullions saw him, and called him into the kitchen to see his crockery, without the least intention of paying for what they took. A man of rank belonging to the court came in, and stared fixedly at Hereward. “You are mightily like that villain Hereward, man,” quoth he. “Anon?” asked Hereward, looking as stupid as he could. “If it were not for his brown face and short hair, he is as like the fellow as a churl can be to a knight.” “Bring him into the hall,” quoth another, “and let us see if any man knows him.” Into the great hall he was brought, and stared at by knights and squires. He bent his knees, rounded his shoulders, and made himself look as mean as he could. Ivo Taillebois and Earl Warrenne came down and had a look at him. “Hereward!” said Ivo. “I will warrant that little slouching cur is not he. Hereward must be half as big again, if it be true that he can kill a man with one blow of his fist.” “You may try the truth of that for yourself some day,” thought Hereward. “Does any one here talk English? Let us question the fellow,” said Earl Warrenne. “Hereward? Hereward? Who wants to know about that villain?” answered the potter, as soon as he was asked in English. “Would to Heaven he were here, and I could see some of you noble knights and earls paying him for me; for I owe him more than ever I shall pay myself.” “What does he mean?” “He came out of the isle ten days ago, nigh on to evening, and drove off a cow of mine and four sheep, which was all my living, noble knights, save these pots.” “And where is he since?” “In the isle, my lords, wellnigh starved, and his folk falling away from him daily from hunger and ague-fits. I doubt if there be a hundred sound men left in Ely.” “Have you been in thither, then, villain?” “Heaven forbid! I in Ely? I in the wolf’s den? If I went in with naught but my skin, they would have it off me before I got out again. If your lordships would but come down, and make an end of him once for all; for he is a great tyrant and terrible, and devours us poor folk like so many mites in cheese.” “Take this babbler into the kitchen, and feed him,” quoth Earl Warrenne; and so the colloquy ended. Into the kitchen again the potter went. The king’s luncheon was preparing; and he listened to their chatter, and picked up this at least, which was valuable to him,--that the witches’ story was true; that a great attack would be made from Aldreth; that boats had been ordered up the river to Cotinglade, and pioneers and entrenching tools were to be sent on that day to the site of the old causeway.