He breaks into his proper voice -- `` I warned the old tod and his neighbours long ago that they 'd come to trouble with their side-sellings and bye-dealings ; but we can not have half Sussex hanged for a little gun-running . Are ye content , lads ? '' ' `` I 'd commit any treason for two demi-cannon , '' said Sebastian , and rubs his hands . ' `` Ye have just compounded with rank treason-felony for the same bribe , '' says Sir John . `` Wherefore to horse , and get the guns . '' ' ` But Master Collins meant the guns for Sir Andrew Barton all along , did n't he ? ' said Dan . ` Questionless , that he did , ' said Hal . ` But he lost them . We poured into the village on the red edge of dawn , Sir John horsed , in half-armour , his pennon flying ; behind him thirty stout Brightling knaves , five abreast ; behind them four wool-wains , and behind them four trumpets to triumph over the jest , blowing : Our King went forth to Normandie . When we halted and rolled the ringing guns out of the tower , 't was for all the world like Friar Roger 's picture of the French siege in the Queen 's Missal-book . ' ` And what did we -- I mean , what did our village do ? ' said Dan . ` Oh ! Bore it nobly -- nobly , ' cried Hal . ` Though they had tricked me , I was proud of them . They came out of their housen , looked at that little army as though it had been a post , and went their shut-mouthed way . Never a sign ! Never a word ! They 'd ha ' perished sooner than let Brightling overcrow us .
Even that villain , Ticehurst Will , coming out of the Bell for his morning ale , he all but runs under Sir XXXXX 's horse . ' ''
Collins Dan John Normandie Queen Sussex half-armour knaves overcrow pennon