over the country as often as tlcy pleafed, for there were in theft forefts well hedged roads, which pre* vented them from being attacked, and Cherbourg is one of the ftrongeft caftles. The garrifon of Valognes were exceedingly vexed that they could not hurt the Englifh, by ha-raffing the country. Sir Oliver du Guefclin, bro-ther to the conftable, imagined that if he could, by means of the foreft, approach in a cunning Way hear to Cherbourg, to reconoitre it ; particularly if he could any how befiege it ; or if at leaft he could feize the town, which lies at fome little dis-tance from the caftle, he would fo ftrongly fortify it that the garrifon could not quit or enter the caftle without great lofs. • Sir Oliver determined to try this proje£t ; and taking with him about fifteen lances, and guides who were acquainted with the roads through the foreft, he fet out one morning from Valognes, con-tinuing his march until he had pafied through the foreft oppofite to Cherbourg. That fame day fir John Arundel had vifited the town to amufe him-felf, and had brought with him a fquire of Navarre, called John Coq, to fhew him the town. He was there informed that the French were -at hand re-connoitring the place. c My lord/ faid John Coq, c I have heard that fir Oliver du Guefclin, the con-stable's brother, has pafied the wood, and is exa-mining our caftle : for God's fake, let him be pur-fucd. I think I can conduct: you in fuch manner that he muft fall into our hands, fo that we may conquer them all.* f By my faith,' replied fir John, ' lam i6