Further, she saw and knew me, for she waved her hands to me, then
pointed towards the sea, why, I did not guess at the time. I stopped,
purposing to try to rescue her though the front of the house was
flaming, and the attempt must have ended in my death. But at that moment
the roof fell in, causing the fire to spout upwards and outwards. This
was the last that I saw of my mother, though afterwards we found her
body and gave it burial with those of many other victims.

There was no time to stay, for the conquering French were pouring up the
street behind us, shooting as they came and murdering any laggards whom
they could catch. On we went up the steep slope of the Minnes Rock. I
would have fled on into the open country, but the lady Blanche had no
strength left. Twice she sank to the ground, stricken with terror and
weariness, and each time prayed me not to leave her; nor indeed did I
wish to do so. The end of it was that William Bull and I between us
half carried her with much toil to the cave of which I had spoken to my
mother. The task was heavy and slow, since always we must scramble over
sheer ground. What is more, a party of the French, seeing our plight,
followed us. Perhaps some of them guessed who the lady was, for there
were many spies in Hastings who might have told them, and desired to
capture and hold her to ransom.

At the least they came on after us and a few others, women all of them,
who had joined our company, being unable to travel further, or trusting
to William Bull and myself to protect them.

We reached the cave, and thrusting the women along it, William and I
stood in the mouth and waited. He had no bow and all my arrows were gone
save three, but of these I, who was noted for my archery, determined
to make the best use I could. So I drew them out, and having strung