at once.

By the time they reached the river, however, they were thoroughly
exhausted. They had marched thirty-six miles without rest, along
bad roads and through woods, and were unable to go farther. The
queen urged that the river should be crossed, but the leaders of
the force were of opinion that it was better to halt. Edward would
be able to follow them across the river, and were he to attack
them when in disorder, and still further wearied by the operation
of making the passage, he would certainly crush them. Moreover,
a further retreat would discourage the soldiers, and as a battle
must now be fought, it was better to fight where they were,
especially as they could choose a strong position. The queen gave
way, and the army encamped on a large field in front of the town.
The position was well calculated for defence, for the country
around was so broken and intercepted with lanes and deep hedges
and ditches, that it was extremely difficult of approach.

In the evening Edward came up, his men having also marched some
six-and-thirty miles, and encamped for the night within three miles
of the Lancastrian position. The queen's troops felt confident of
victory. In point of numbers they were superior to their antagonists,
and had the advantage of a strong position. Sir Thomas Tresham
had, as he proposed, left his wife and son at Exeter when the force
marched away.

"Do not be despondent, love," he said to his weeping wife, as he
bade her goodbye. "Everything is in our favour, and there is a
good hope of a happy termination to this long struggle. But, win
or lose, be assured it is the last time I will draw my sword. I