The Crane was a hardy fighter, but the mystery baffled him, and he became cautious, and--after the fashion of his kind credulous.

Bit by bit Jehan shepherded him into the trap he had prepared.

He had but one man to the enemy's six, and must drain that enemy's strength before he struck.

Meantime the little steadings went up in flames, but with every blaze seen in the autumn dusk the English temper grew more stubborn.

They waited confidently on the reckoning.
It came on a bleak morning when the east wind blew rain and fog from the sea.