Page:The Hastings Guide.pdf/54

mans. A few troops, however, of the vanquished had still the courage to turn upon their pursuers ; and having got into a valley that was full of deep ditches, they bravely made a new stand. There had been formerly in that place a camp, well known to them, but not to the enemy ; and the entrenchments being covered with shrubs and bushes, many of the Norman horse, pressing onwards in the ardour of pursuit, fell head long into them, while many others were killed by the hands of the English, who here obtained some revenge for the slaughter and dishonour of the day. By this unexpected stand, many of the noblest of the Normans were cut down ; Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, was dangerously wounded by a blow with a stone, while he was earnestly entreating the Duke to retire, and not hazard his person against desperate men, whom the nature of the place so much assisted : but that intrepid Prince, neither regarding the counsel nor the example of the person who gave it, continued the combat till he had driven them out of this strong ground, and completed his victory. -