`` But will the war come our ways , think you ? '' ' `` Not from the North , '' said De Aquila . `` But the sea is always open . If the Barons gain the upper hand Robert will send another army into England for sure , and this time I think he will land here -- where his father , the Conqueror , landed . Ye have brought your pigs to a pretty market ! Half England alight , and gold enough on the ground '' -- he stamped on the bars beneath the table -- `` to set every sword in Christendom fighting . '' ' `` What is to do ? '' said Hugh . `` I have no keep at Dallington ; and if we buried it , whom could we trust ? '' ' `` Me , '' said De Aquila . `` Pevensey walls are strong . No man but Jehan , who is my dog , knows what is between them . '' He drew a curtain by the shot-window and showed us the shaft of a well in the thickness of the wall . ' `` I made it for a drinking-well , '' he said , `` but we found salt water , and it rises and falls with the tide . Hark ! '' We heard the water whistle and blow at the bottom . `` Will it serve ? '' said he . ' `` Needs must , '' said Hugh . `` Our lives are in thy hands . ''
So we lowered all the gold down except one small chest of it by De XXXXX 's bed , which we kept as much for his delight in its weight and colour as for any of our needs .
Aquila Christendom Conqueror England Hugh Jehan Pevensey Robert drinking-well war