Does he tell how we were out all day riding the Marsh , and how I near perished in a quicksand , and coughed like a sick ewe for ten days after ? '' cried De Aquila . ' `` No , '' said Hugh . `` But here is the prayer of Gilbert himself to his master Fulke . '' ' `` Ah , '' said De Aquila . `` Well I knew it was Fulke . What is the price of my blood ? '' ' `` Gilbert prayeth that when our Lord of Pevensey is stripped of his lands on this evidence which Gilbert hath , with fear and pains , collected -- '' ' `` Fear and pains is a true word , '' said De Aquila , and sucked in his cheeks . `` But how excellent a weapon is a pen ! I must learn it . '' ' `` He prays that Fulke will advance him from his present service to that honour in the Church which Fulke promised him . And lest Fulke should forget , he has written below , ` To be Sacristan of Battle ' . '' ` At this De Aquila whistled . `` A man who can plot against one lord can plot against another . When I am stripped of my lands Fulke will whip off my Gilbert 's foolish head . None the less Battle needs a new Sacristan . They tell me the Abbot Henry keeps no sort of rule there . '' ' `` Let the Abbot wait , '' said Hugh . `` It is our heads and our lands that are in danger . This parchment is the second part of the tale .
The first has gone to XXXXX , and so to the King , who will hold us traitors . ''
Aquila Fulke Henry Hugh Sacristan day days prayeth quicksand second