human
Where shall we go now?
gpt
I will guide thee, my boy, replied the missionary.
human
Thou and I may make good our escape, if we are prudent.
gpt
How on earth can we get away from the Normans? groaned Ned.
human
Some of them are between us, already, and all the rest of England. I don't see how we are to get through William's army.
gpt
We must get out of the battle, first, said Father Brian.
human
Then we'll ride away around into the Norman camps at the seashore. We would do well to obtain speech with him in the morning. Now that he hath slain King Harold and considereth himself the ruler of England, he will gladly welcome any from among the Saxons who cometh to him with a peaceful tongue. Be thou mindful of that, my boy. I am glad that thou art able to speak French to him.
gpt
So am I, said Ned, with some energy.
human
I'd really like to have a good talk with William the Conqueror. But, oh, Father Brian! this hath been an awful affair. They will not need so many surgeons or ambulances or hospitals as civilised armies would. As soon as any man is down, somebody killeth him. They do not seem to know what mercy is.
gpt
That they do not, said Father Brian.
human
Thou wilt bear in mind, however, that the killing of King Harold and all of his best men giveth to William of Normandy all the good title he hath to the crown of England. If Harold had escaped all alone from this battle-field he would be king still.
gpt
The English elected him fairly, replied Ned.
human
Not one voter among them put in a ballot for the duke. I suppose they won't try to do any more against him after this, though. Let him have it, then. All I can say is that I hope there will never be another invasion of England by anybody.
gpt
No man may foretell concerning that matter, said the missionary.
human
There hath been much fighting on this island. Even Ireland herself hath been attacked many a time, and she might be again. It is my opinion, though, my boy, that England will for ever continue to be English, whoever is king, even as Ireland continueth Irish.
gpt
Most likely thou art right, replied Ned.
human
The duke may bring in droves on droves of Normans and all sorts. He won't think of killing off the Angles, and Saxons, and Danes, and Welsh, and Scotch. We don't, when they come to America. Every kind that lands among us becometh American, and I shouldn't wonder if even the Normans became Englishmen.
gpt
Better for them to become civilised, said the missionary, thoughtfully.
human
The duke will kill none unless it may be a few earls and other high men who may stand in his way, or such commoners as resist him. I think he will speak all others fairly and make peace with them. Were he not to do so, there are axes enough left in England to make away with all that the Senlac battle hath left of his army.
gpt
That's so! exclaimed Ned.
human
I've seen some of them. Anyhow, I don't want to be an English earl just now. It wouldn't be safe.
gpt
Come! said Father Brian.
human
Faster! The farther we get away from Senlac the safer we will be from sword and spear. It is getting very dark. I am glad of it.
gpt
Now do I wish I knew, he declared, emphatically,
human
Ho! whose tent is this?