`` And for mine own part , my lord duke , '' he added , `` an ye had men enough , I would fall on even at this present . For , look ye , at the peep of day the watches of the night are over ; but by day they keep neither watch nor ward -- only scour the outskirts with horsemen . Now , then , when the night watch is already unarmed , and the rest are at their morning cup -- now were the time to break them . '' `` How many do ye count ? '' asked Gloucester . `` They number not two thousand , '' Dick replied . `` I have seven hundred in the woods behind us , '' said the duke ; `` seven hundred follow from Kettley , and will be here anon ; behind these , and further , are four hundred more ; and my Lord Foxham hath five hundred half a day from here , at Holywood . Shall we attend their coming , or fall on ? '' `` My lord , '' said Dick , `` when ye hanged these five poor rogues ye did decide the question . Churls although they were , in these uneasy , times they will be lacked and looked for , and the alarm be given . Therefore , my lord , if ye do count upon the advantage of a surprise , ye have not , in my poor opinion , one whole hour in front of you . '' `` I do think so indeed , '' returned Crookback . `` Well , before an hour , ye shall be in the thick o n't , winning spurs . A swift man to Holywood , carrying Lord Foxham 's signet ; another along the road to speed my laggards ! Nay , Shelton , by the rood , it may be done ! '' Therewith he once more set his trumpet to his lips and blew . This time he was not long kept waiting . In a moment the open space about the cross was filled with horse and foot . Richard of Gloucester took his place upon the steps , and despatched messenger after messenger to hasten the concentration of the seven hundred men that lay hidden in the immediate neighbourhood among the woods ; and before a quarter of an hour had passed , all his dispositions being taken , he put himself at their head , and began to move down the hill towards Shoreby . His plan was simple .
He was to seize a quarter of the town of XXXXX lying on the right hand of the high road , and make his position good there in the narrow lanes until his reinforcements followed .
Dick Gloucester Holywood Kettley Shoreby fall hour laggards morning rood