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Page 415
while the men ate. Then the bedlam began again and even increased. Simon breathed a sigh of relief. The army was going to move. He watched a little longer, until he saw some handsomely caparisoned horses being led toward the largest tent on the field. Then he gestured Echtor closer.
''I will take four men and follow the royal party. You follow the army with the rest of the menthree for the head, three for the rear guard. When they settle for the night, we will meet at Orcop Hill. If they should not stop but strike west toward Wales, send two men to Builthor to the nearest of Prince Llewelyn's men they can findwith as much information as you can glean about their intentions."
The next few hours were quite exhausting. There was no keeping up with the horses, of course, but Simon and his men found where Henry and his companions had turned off the road and were then able to follow their trail, which led due west to the Wye. They had ridden along the river, apparently having the escort test places that looked fordable. The heavy rains of the preceding week had filled the river, however. A man might swim it, as could horses, but for the baggage wains there was no passage except the one near Hereford.
Simon rejoiced at the persistence in looking for a crossing. Apparently Henry intended to move his army west, which could only mean he planned an attack. Owing to the care with which the river had been examined, Simon had caught up with the party just before they reached Hereford. He saw Henry and the leaders enter the town while the escort turned back. Simon did not bother to wait for the royal party to emerge or to follow the escort. He returned to the camp on Orcop Hill and sent out Siorl and six of the men, who had lounged away the two days watching an empty pass, to watch instead the roads leading north and west from Hereford.

 
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