"
The armourer learnt in the city that several ships for the North had
already dropped down the river, and that three others were hastily
completing their lading, and would follow by the next tide. He learnt from
a trader that one of them was considered especially fast, and being
acquainted with the owner, he took the armourer with him, and arranged for
a passage for him and the boy.
"You will have to be on board this afternoon," the owner said. "The
shipmaster will not waste a tide, but as soon as it turns will up anchor
and make his way down the river in the dark. He knows the channel well, and
there will be light enough to enable him to hold on his course all night.
The east wind may return again, and he might be caught; so he has decided
to start as soon as the last bale is on board. He knows the sands well, and
you may reckon on a speedy passage if the wind holds as it is, or even if
it goes round to the east again, when he is once abreast of Harwich."
On returning to Westminster Ulred learnt from Beorn that Fitz-Urse was
there no longer, having, as the servant said, left for Normandy.
"I am just starting, Ulred. Which will be at York first, you or I?"
"It depends upon the wind, my lord. A ship can sail night and day, but a
horse and rider must take some rest. It may be that we shall lay to at
night, but that must depend upon the shipmaster. If the breeze holds and
the ship goes on without stopping, methinks we shall be there before you.
Pages:
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342