William Bull, who had been in our service since my childhood, good
fishermen and fighters both; indeed one of them, William Bull, had
served in the French wars.

"We knew that you were coming, Master, so we bided here for you," said
William, who having once been an archer was armed with a bow and a short
sword, whereas Jack had only an axe, also a knife such as we used on the
smacks for cleaning fish.

I nodded, and we went on to the market-place and joined the throng of
men, a vast number of them, who were gathered there to defend Hastings
and their homes. Nor were we too soon, for the French ships were already
beaching within a few yards of the shore or on it, their draught being
but small, while the sailors and men-at-arms were pushing off in small
boats or wading to the strand.

There was great confusion in the market-place, for as is common in
England, no preparation had been made against attack though such was
always to be feared.

The bailiff ran about shouting orders, as did others, but proper
officers were lacking, so that in the end men acted as the fancy took
them. Some went down towards the beach and shot with arrows at the
Frenchmen. Others took refuge in houses, others stood irresolute,
waiting, knowing not which way to turn. I and my two men were with those
who went on to the beach where I loosed some arrows from my big black
bow, and saw a man fall before one of them.

But we could do little or nothing, for these Frenchmen were trained
soldiers under proper command. They formed themselves into companies