noon
`` It is over fifty miles , but how much more I do not know . I am a native of the province , but I have never travelled along this road , which can be but little used . East of Montargis the traffic goes by the great road through Melun to Paris ; while the traffic of Orleans , of course , goes north through Etampes . '' They rode on until noon , and then dismounted by a stream , watered and fed the horses , partook of a meal from the contents of their saddlebags , and then rested for four hours to recruit the strength of their horses . The soldiers mostly stretched themselves on the sward and slept . A few of the gentlemen did the same , but most of them sat chatting in groups , discussing the enterprise upon which they were engaged . Francois and Philip went among their men with Captain Montpace , inspected the horses , examined their shoes , saw that fresh nails were put in where required , chatting with the men as they did so .