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There was brine in it from the unruly eastern sea, and the sourness of marsh water, and the sweetness of marsh herbage. As the forest thinned into scrub again it came stronger and fresher, and he found himself sniffing it like a hungry man at the approach of food. "If my manor of Highstead is like this," he told himself, "I think I will lay my bones there."
Jehan leaped to the ground and kissed him on both cheeks. "We have met before, friend," he said, and he took between his palms the joined hands of his new liege. "Two years back on the night of Hastings," said the man. "But for that meeting, my lord, you had tasted twenty arrows betwixt Highstead and the forest." Part 3 "I go to visit my neighbours," said Jehan next morning.
Harm could not come to him when air and scene woke in his heart such strange familiarity. A last turn of the road showed Highstead before him, two furlongs distant. The thatched roof of the hall rose out of a cluster of shingled huts on a mound defended by moat and palisade. No smoke came from the dwelling, and no man was visible, but not for nothing was Jehan named the Hunter.
The thralls wrought cheerfully for him, for he was a kindly master, and the freemen of the manor had no complaint against one who did impartial justice and respected their slow and ancient ways. As for skill in hunting, there was no fellow to the lord of Highstead between Trent and Thames. Inside the homestead the Lady Hilda moved happily, a wife smiling and well content.
He returned to Highstead unscathed, and a week later came a message from Aelward. "Meet me," it ran, "to-morrow by the Danes' barrow at noon, and we will know whether Englishman or Frenchman is to bear rule in this land." Jehan donned his hauberk and girt himself with his long sword. "There will be hot work to-day in that forest," he told Arn, who was busied with the trussing of his mail.
"We are within a mile of Highstead," he told him. "Better go warily, for the King's law runs limpingly in the fanlands. I counsel that a picket be sent forward to report if the way be clear. Every churl that we passed on the road will have sent news of our coming." "So much the better," said Jehan. "Man, I come not as a thief in the night. This is a daylight business.
"What ails you, Frenchman?" said Aelward. "It is but a half-grown girl of my father's begetting." "I have vowed not to pass that bridge till yonder lady bids me." "Then for the pity of Christ bid him, sister. He and I are warm with play and yearn for a flagon." In this manner did Jehan first enter the house of Galland, whence in the next cowslip-time he carried a bride to Highstead.
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