We took our places at the rear as the soldiers tramped south once more. Many of the recruits looked dull-eyed with the long boredom of the march; but several who had been limping now wore new shoes. The whiffler Snodin was again marching just in front of me; he reeked like a beer keg.
Soon after leaving Godalming, we crossed the border into Hampshire. We were in the western fringes of the Weald, mostly flat, forested country, massive old oaks among elm and beech. Areas of hunting ground were fenced in with high, strong wooden palings. We marched through tunnel-like lanes where the trees sometimes met overhead, a green dimness with spatters of bright sunlight on the road. A rich loamy smell came from the woodland. Once I saw a dozen bright butterflies dancing in a patch of sunlight. On the march there had been a constant sound of birds flapping away at our approach, but the butterflies ignored us as we passed, many of the men turning to watch them.
Again we halted near midday, in a broad, wooded lane near a stream. The horses were led to the water and the men crowded round the carts to receive the rations bought at Godalming. I heard complaints that there was only fruit and bread and cheese again, though a fat man who was the company purser pleaded the limited buying power of the new coins. One man called out, ‘We’ve got our bows, let’s hunt our own supplies. Come on, Goddams, let’s get some rabbits or partridges, maybe a deer!’
There were shouts of agreement. Sir Franklin, like Leacon still mounted, turned and stared with an outraged expression. Leacon dismounted hastily and went up to the men.
‘No!’ he called out. ‘This land is fenced, it’s the hunting ground of some gentleman or even the King! I won’t have you breaking the law!’
‘Come, Captain!’ someone called out. ‘We’re country lads, we can soon catch something.’
‘Ay! Master Purser’s keeping us short. We can’t fight on empty bellies!’
‘And what if you meet a forester?’ Leacon asked.
To my surprise Pygeon spoke up, his words tumbling over each other in his nervousness. ‘God made the forests and game to serve man, sir, not to be fenced in for the sport of those who have full bellies!’ There were more shouts of agreement, and for the first time I sensed a challenge to Leacon’s authority. The whiffler Snodin marched across, purple-faced. ‘Rebellious bastard!’ he shouted right in Pygeon’s face, adorning it with spittle.
‘Drunken old cunt,’ I heard Sulyard murmur. Several men laughed. Leacon stared them down. Many lowered their eyes but not all. Some crossed their arms and looked defiant.
‘Maybe you’re right!’ Leacon said loudly. ‘I’m a poor farmer’s son myself, I’ve no time for enclosers of land! But if you take game and meet a forester then you’ll hang, soldiers or no. And that’ll be a fine thing to be said of a company of the warbow! I promise when we get to Liphook I’ll make sure you get a good meal, if I have to hold Master Purser upside down and shake the last groat from his doublet!’
‘Can I help you shake him, Captain?’ Carswell called. As in the village the day before, his humour broke the tension and the men laughed.
After eating, many of the men went to a spot on the wattle fence enclosing the hunting park, ostentatiously pissing against it. After my own repast of bread and bacon, I walked over to where Leacon sat. He had handled the angry soldiers skilfully, and it was hard to realize this was the same man as the agonized figure I had spoken with the night before. ‘How are you and your friends bearing up with the ride?’ he asked. I sensed a new reserve in his voice.
‘Stiff and sore, but that is only to be expected.’
‘Your colleague’s young clerk finds it hard, I think.’
‘Feaveryear is managing. Just.’ I looked at Leacon keenly, wondering if he regretted his confidences. ‘A couple of men were arguing just now over whether a bowl was theirs or the King’s,’ I said to make conversation.
‘Yes, some brought their own but many had to have bowls and spoons issued from the stores. A wooden bowl may be a prized possession in a poor family. It is the same with the bows: only those with good ones, like Llewellyn, were allowed to bring their own. Most are standard issue from the armouries. It is the poorer men who hadn’t equipment to bring, and yet their pay will be docked. Strange, is it not?’ He smiled mirthlessly.
Dyrick came up to us, nodding to Leacon before addressing me. ‘Master Shardlake, I would speak with you confidentially, if I may.’
We sat together at the side of the road. The rest of us were tanned now, but Dyrick’s face was still red, sunburned skin peeling off one cheek above the coppery stubble on his lean face. He said, ‘Master Hobbey has turned part of the priory lands into a hunting park. Only a small one, but well stocked with game.’ He gave me one of his hard looks. ‘He is to hold his first hunting party in ten days’ time. Many local gentlefolk will be present. It will be an important event for my client.’
‘I hope we shall be gone by then.’