A little stream wound about through
the ground, with a few willows here and there; there was only a thread
of water in it in this hot summer tide, but its course could easily be
traced by the deep blue-green of the rushes that grew plenteously in
the bed. Geese were lazily wandering about and near this brook, and a
herd of cows, accompanied by the town bull, were feeding on quietly,
their heads all turned one way; while half a dozen calves marched
close together side by side like a plump of soldiers, their tails
swinging in a kind of measure to keep off the flies, of which there
was great plenty. Three or four lads and girls were sauntering about,
heeding or not heeding the cattle. They looked up toward us as we
crowded into the last close, and slowly loitered off toward the
village. Nothing looked like battle; yet battle sounded in the air;
for now we heard the beat of the horse-hoofs of the men-at-arms coming
on towards us like the rolling of distant thunder, and growing louder
and louder every minute; we were none too soon in turning to face
them. Jack Straw was on our side of the road, and with a few gestures
and a word or two he got his men into their places.
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