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Page 362
those kegs of oil that had not fit on the wagons and to drag the most flammable materials close around the buildings so that even what was made of stone would collapse. Nor did they ride away when the fires were set, but lingered to reignite anything that seemed likely to go out. Then Siward conceived the idea of sending out groups of men to burn any shepherds' shelters or woodcutters' huts in the vicinity and collect the sheep from the fields and the hogs from the woods.
"And if the swineherd is stubborn," Siward said, "just shoot him. The pigs will soon go wild and terrify the whole neighborhood."
Walter laughed. "Yes, and if there is peace and this land goes back into the king's hands, we may be invited to hunt the hogs down and thus have good sport."
Being unable to think of any further ways to create havoc, the three knights were waiting somewhat impatiently for the small parties they had dispatched to return, when one of the guards who had been watching from a small rise of land shouted a warning and came galloping back toward them. A large party of armed men led by a mailed knight was coming from the direction of Huntingdon.
"I hope we have not lingered too long," Walter said worriedly.
But he was the only one who was worried. Bassett and Siward with large, vicious grins on their faces, shouted orders to their men to form for battle. They had agreed not to attack the king directly because they knew Richard would not approve, but if Henry was fool enough to ride out and contest their winnings, they were prepared cheerfully to whip him and his men until they fled like beaten curs.
Although he knew it to be hopeless, Walter was about to protest against this unnecessary clash. They had accomplished their purpose and would lose nothing at all by retreating from the area. Then he realized that whoever was leading that party, it would not be Henry. The king was not a physical coward, but the barons and ministers now with him would never permit him to risk himself in defense of a minor manor that was not even crown property. Walter laughed as he ranged Beau beside Bassett's destrier and fewtered the lance he had not used in Almondbury because he took no pleasure in skewering defenseless serfs. There had been no fighting worth

 
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