upon the inside of Conan’s hunting-horn, of his horse’s reins, and of his gloves.  Conan, having unwittingly put on his gloves and handled the reins of his horse, lifted his hands to his face, and the touch having filled him with poisonous infection, he died soon after, to the great sorrow of his people, for he was an able and brave man, and inclined to justice.  And he who had betrayed him quitted before long the army of Conan, and informed Duke William of his death.”

Conan is not the only one of William’s foes whom he was suspected of making away with by poison:  there are no proofs; but contemporary assertions are positive, and the public of the time believed them, without surprise.  Being as unscrupulous about means as ambitious and bold in aim, William was not of those whose character repels such an accusation.  What, however, diminishes the suspicion is that, after and in spite of Conan’s death, several Breton knights, and, amongst others, two sons of Count Eudes, his uncle, attended at the trysting-place of the Norman troops and took part in the expedition.

Dives was the place of assemblage appointed for fleet and army.  William repaired thither about the end of August, 1066.  But for several weeks contrary winds prevented him from putting to sea; some vessels which made the attempt perished in the tempest; and some of the volunteer adventurers got disgusted, and deserted.  William maintained strict discipline amongst this multitude, forbidding plunder so strictly that “the cattle fed in the fields in full security.”  The soldiers grew tired of waiting in idleness and often in sickness.  “Yon is a mad-man,” said they, “who is minded to possess himself of another’s land; God is against the design, and so refuses us a wind.”

About the 20th of September the weather changed.  The fleet got ready, but could only go and anchor at St. Valery at the mouth of the Somme.  There it was necessary to wait several more days; impatience and disquietude were redoubled; “and there appeared in the heavens a star with a tail, a certain sign of great things to come.”  William had the shrine of St. Valery brought out and paraded about, being more impatient in his soul than anybody, but ever confident in his will and his good fortune.  There was brought to him a spy whom Harold had sent to watch the forces and plans of the enemy; and William dismissed him, saying, “Harold hath no need to take any care or be at any charges to know how we be, and what we be doing; he shall see for himself, and shall feel before the end of the year.”  At last, on the 27th of September, 1066, the sun rose on a calm sea and with a favorable wind; and towards evening the fleet set out.  The Mora, the vessel on which William was, and which had been given to him by his wife, Matilda, led the way; and a figure in gilded bronze, some say in gold, representing their youngest son, William, had been placed on the prow, with the face towards England.  Being a better