The young men looked at each other. Then Geoffrey spoke— "Your Majesty may rely on our carrying out your gracious commands, or we shall perish in the attempt. We have but one thing to suggest, and that is that our three faithful servants may accompany us; they can ride our own horses and they will be of great service to us." The King and Lord Clinton conversed in low tones, then Clinton announced their decision. "His Majesty agrees to your request," he said; "we think it will attract less observation and suspicion if three gentlemen be accompanied by their serving men than if they travelled alone: it is a wise suggestion on your part." Then the King and Lord Clinton arose from their seats and prepared to depart. The King extended his hand, which the young men again knelt to kiss, and he bade them farewell. Lord Clinton shook hands warmly with them. "Adieu! _mes braves gens_," he said: "God grant you a safe and successful journey. We shall next meet in London, I trust. Farewell, farewell." And so they left the tent. The young men stood in silence for a moment, then Geoffrey spoke— "The King has laid a heavy trust upon us," he said, "and therein has conferred on us great honour, for we shall now be doing service to our own dear country as well as to his. Let us ask a greater King than Philip, even our Heavenly Father, to bless our enterprise." With one impulse the young men knelt, and for a few minutes held silent converse with God. Ere they left the tent William spoke. "In this matter, my brothers, we need a leader whom we swear to obey in all things. I propose that Geoffrey be our captain." "Nay," urged Geoffrey; but ere he could proceed further Ralph intervened. "I consent, and that most heartily," he said. Geoffrey grasped the hands of his two comrades and said— "Let it be as you wish, my brothers, and my first word of command is to horse! to horse!" It was a lovely night, the stars shone brilliantly in the autumnal sky, a light refreshing breeze had sprung up. Outside the tent six horses stood awaiting their riders. Three of these were held by Lord Clinton's grooms; they were great Flemish war-horses of a renowned breed, beside which the three English horses, held by the Sussex lads, looked small and insignificant. Yet these latter were wiry and strong; happily they were in excellent condition and fit for the long journey before them. Before they mounted their horses the Englishmen closely inspected every part of the harness, to assure themselves that nothing was amiss. The lads' horses were examined with equal care, and the weapons of their riders underwent Geoffrey's keen scrutiny. Every man was armed with a brace of pistolets and with poniard and dagger. The inspection was over, and, at the word of command, the six men swung into their saddles. "Slowly through the camp," said Geoffrey in a low voice.