He had made his voice harsh and croaking , like a raven 's . ' `` Truth , '' said I. `` But for Hugh , his help and patience and long-suffering , I could never have kept the Manor . '' ' `` Nor thy life either , '' said De Aquila . `` Hugh has saved thee not once , but a hundred times . Be still , Hugh ! '' he said . `` Dost thou know , Richard , why Hugh slept , and why he still sleeps , among thy Norman men-at-arms ? '' ' `` To be near me , '' said I , for I thought this was truth . ' `` Fool ! '' said De Aquila . `` It is because his Saxons have begged him to rise against thee , and to sweep every Norman out of the valley . No matter how I know . It is truth . Therefore Hugh hath made himself an hostage for thy life , well knowing that if any harm befell thee from his Saxons thy Normans would slay him without remedy . And this his Saxons know . Is it true , Hugh ? '' ' `` In some sort , '' said Hugh shamefacedly ; `` at least , it was true half a year ago . My Saxons would not harm Richard now . I think they know him -- but I judged it best to make sure . '' ` Look , children , what that man had done -- and I had never guessed it !
Night after night had he lain down among my XXXXX , knowing that if one Saxon had lifted knife against me , his life would have answered for mine . '
Aquila Hugh Norman Normans Richard Saxons men-at-arms raven sort year