Sir Walter Manny, a week after these challenges had been sent, and when he imagined the king of France had received them, collected about forty lances, upon whom he knew he could depend, and rode through Brabant night and day; so that he came to Hainault, and entered the wood of Blayton, before any of his followers knew where and why they were thus hastening: he then told some of his intimates, that he had made a promise in England, before the nobles and ladies, that he would be the first that would enter France, and take some castle or strong town, and perform some gallant deed of arms; and that his intention was to push on as far as Mortaigne, to surprise the town, which was part of the kingdom of France. Those to whom he opened himself cheerfully consented to follow him. They then regirthed their horses, tightened their armour, and rode in close order: having passed through the wood of Blayton, they came at one stretch, a little before sunrise, to Mortaigne, where luckily they found the wicket open. Sir Walter alighted with some of his companions, and having passed the wicket in silence, and placed there a guard, he then with his pennon marched down the street before the great tower, but the gate and the wicket were close shut. The watch of the castle heard their voice, and seeing them from his post, began to blow his horn, and to cry out "Treason! treason!" This awakened the soldiers and inhabitants, but they did not make any sally from the fort. Sir Walter, upon this, retreated handsomely into the street, and ordered those houses to be set on fire that were near the castle: full fifty houses were burnt that morning, and the inhabitants much frightened, as they concluded they must all have been taken prisoner; but sir Walter and his company marched away, and came straight to Condé, where they passed by the pond and the river Haynes, taking the road to Valenciennes; leaving which on the right hand, they came to Avesnes, and took up their quarters in the abbey. They then pushed forward towards Bouchain, and managed matters so well with the governor, that the gates of the castle were opened to them: they crossed a river that empties itself into the Scheld, which rises near Arleux. Afterward they came to a very strong castle, called Thin-l'Evêque, that belonged to the bishop of Cambray, which was so suddenly surprised, the governor and his wife were taken in it. Sir Walter placed a strong garrison there, and made his brother, sir Giles Manny, governor, which gave much disturbance to the Cambresians, as this castle was but a short league from the city of Cambray. When sir Walter had performed these enterprises, he returned into Brabant towards the king, his lord, whom he found at Mechlin, and related to him all that he had done.