“True,” answered the Prince, looking round him.  “It were madness, I trow, for the six of us to make the attack alone.  Yet did not Jonathan and his armour bearer fall unawares upon a host and put them to flight?  Methinks some holy Father has told such a tale to me.  Still thou art right, good John.  We must not risk losing all because it has been given to godly men in times of old to work a great deliverance.  See here, friends, what we will do.  Our comrades cannot be very far away.  Hark!  Surely it is the baying of the hound I hear yonder over that wooded ridge!  Good Bernard, do thou to horse, gallop to them as fast as thou canst, and tell them of the hap upon which we have fallen.  Bid them follow fast with thee, but leave the dogs and horses behind with the huntsmen, lest their noise betray our approach.  Master Huntsman may seek to withhold them from the quest, but when he knows that I, the Prince, with but four of my comrades to help me, have gone on in advance, and that we are even then approaching the robbers’ cave, he will not only bid them all go, but will come himself doubtless, with the best of his followers, and give us what help he may.  Lose no time.  To horse, and away!  And when thou hast called the band together, come back in all haste to this spot.  The forest trackers will be put upon the trail, and will follow us surely and swiftly.  You will find us there before you, lying in ambush, having fully reconnoitred.  Be not afraid for us.  Honest John will see that we run not into too great peril ere we have help.  Is it understood?  Good!  Then lose not a moment.  And for the rest of us, we will follow these sturdy Gascons, who will secretly lead us to the haunt of the outlaws.”

Bernard was off almost before the last words had been spoken, and very soon they heard from the sounds that he had mounted his horse and was galloping in the direction in which, from the faint baying of the hounds, he knew the hunting party to be.

John looked somewhat anxious as the Prince signed to Gaston and Raymond to lead the way upon the robbers’ track; but he knew the determined nature of the Prince, and did not venture open remonstrance.  Yet Edward’s quick eye caught the uneasy glance, and he replied to it with frank goodwill.

“Nay, fear not, honest John; I will run into no reckless peril, for my sweet mother hath ever been forward to counsel me that recklessness is not true bravery.  Some peril there must needs be —­ without it there could be no glory; but that danger shall not be added to by any hardihood such as my royal Sire would chide in me.  Trust me; I will be prudent, as I trust I may yet show that I can be bold.  We will use all due caution in approaching this hiding place, and if it will pleasure thee, I will promise not to leave thy side before our friends come to our aid.”