"
I summoned the girls who were staring, white-faced, from the attic
window-place. In three minutes they were gone, though it is true that
one of them, the braver, wished to bide with her mistress.
I watched them start up the street with other fugitives who were pouring
out of Hastings, and came back to my mother. As I did so a great shout
told me that the French fleet had been sighted.
"Hubert," she said, "take this key and go to the oak chest in my
sleeping room, lift out the linen at the top and bring me that which
lies wrapped in cloth beneath."
I did so, returning with a bundle that was long and thin. With a knife
she cut the string that tied it. Within were a bag of money and a sword
in an ancient scabbard covered with a rough skin which I took to be that
of a shark, which scabbard in parts was inlaid with gold.
"Draw it," said my mother.
I did so, and there came to light a two-edged blade of blue steel,
such as I had never seen before, for on the blade were engraved strange
characters whereof I could make nothing, although as it chanced I could
read and write, having been taught by the monks in my childhood.
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