"Have you then cause," he asked, "to think that these men are about to venture an attempt upon you ?" "They have come in two great galleys," answered the mayor, "with two bank of oars on either side, and great store of engines of war and of men-at-arms.

At Weymouth and at Portland they have murdered and ravished.

Yesterday morning they were at Cowes, and we saw the smoke from the burning crofts.

To-day they lie at their ease near Freshwater, and we fear much lest they come upon us and do us a mischief." "We cannot tarry," said Sir Nigel, riding towards the town, with the mayor upon his left side; "the Prince awaits us at Bordeaux, and we may not be behind the general muster.

Yet I will promise you that on our way we shall find time to pass Freshwater and to prevail upon these rovers to leave you in peace." "We are much beholden to you!" cried the mayor "But I cannot see, my lord, how, without a war-ship, you may venture against these men.