By the time the Duke and Ugrin reached the river, they found that anumber of Mongols had already got across. These, after some hardfighting they successfully beat back, and that with considerable loss;and as the survivors disappeared into the woods on the opposite side ofthe river, the Duke and Ugrin led their victorious troops back to thecamp, where they were received with acclamations and triumph. They hadlost hardly any of their men and were highly elated by their victory.
The night following this success was one of the quietest in the camp.The rapid and easy victory they had won had redoubled everyone's hopesthat, upon the advance of the entire army the Mongols would perishutterly and completely, as if they had never been.
Most of the men in camp lay down, with the exception of the King, thesentries, and some of the generals.
The King allowed himself but a very short rest; for, from his manyconversations with the unfortunate King Kuthen, he was well aware of theoverwhelming numbers and strength of the Mongols, and he was determinedthat the enemy should never find him anything but prepared and on thealert.
KAilmAin and Bishop Ugrin also approved these prudent measures; but thearmy as a whole was so worn out by long watches and merry-making thatrest it must have.
It was a dark night, and the wind blew the tents about; the camp fireshad been purposely extinguished, though it was spring-time and chilly.
Twice in the course of the night the King left his tent, made the roundof the camp, and satisfied himself as to the strength of the woodenbulwarks. The Duke, the Commander of the Templars, HA(C)dervAiry thePalatine, and his son Paul, as well as Ugrin, all lay in the King'stent, on carpets, dozing, but not sleeping, while the King merely putoff his armour, and stretched himself on the camp bedstead for an houror two.
All was still save for the wind, and in the intervals between the gustsnothing was to be heard but some terrific snores, and the stamping ofthe horses.
Now and again those who were fully awake thought they heard shouts ofmerriment, showing that there were still some not too tired to beamusing themselves; then the wind roared again, and all other soundswere lost.