“Yousaytruly，Hugh，“saidBambro’。”Iknowhimandthosewhoridebehindhim。ThirtystoutermenormoreskilledinarmsarenottobefoundinChristendom。Itisinmymindthatcomewhatmaytherewillbemuchhonorforallofusthisday。EverinmyheadIhavearhymewhichthewifeofaWelsharchergavemewhenIcrossedherhandwithagoldenbraceletaftertheintakingofBergerac。ShewasoftheoldbloodofMerlinwiththepowerofsight。Thusshesaid-
“’Twixttheoak-treeandtheriverKnightlyfameaidbraveendeavorMakeanhonorednameforever。’
MethinksIseetheoak-tree，andyonderistheriver。Surelythisshouldbetidesomegoodtous。”
ThehugeGermanSquirebetrayedsomeimpatienceduringthisspeechofhisleader。Thoughhisrankwassubordinate，nomanpresenthadmoreexperienceofwarfareorwasmorefamousasafighterthanhe。Henewbrokebrusquelyintothetalk。”WeshouldbebetteremployedinorderingourlineandmakingourplansthanintalkingoftherhymesofMerlinorsucholdwives’tales，“saidhe。”Itistoourownstrongarmsandgoodweaponsthatwemusttrustthisday。AndfirstIwouldaskyou，SirRichard，whatisyourwillifperchanceyoushouldfallinthemidstofthefight？”
Bambro’turnedtotheothers。”Ifsuchshouldbethecase，fairsirs，IdesirethatmySquireCroquartshouldcommand。”
Therewasapausewhiletheknightslookedwithsomechagrinateachother。ThesilencewasbrokenbyKnolles。
“Iwilldowhatyousay，Richard，“saidhe，“thoughindeeditisbitterthatwewhoareknightsshouldservebeneathasquire。Yetitisnotforustofalloutamongourselvesnowatthislastmoment，andIhaveeverheardthatCroquartisaveryworthyandvaliantman。Therefore，IwillpledgeyouonjeopardyofmysoulthatIwillaccepthimasleaderifyoufall。”
“SowillIalso，Richard，“saidCalverly。
“AndItoo！”criedBelford。”ButsurelyIhearmusic，andyonderaretheirpennonsamidthetrees。”
Theyallturned，leaningupontheirshortspears，andwatchedtheadvanceofthemenofJosselin，astheirtroopwounditswayoutfromthewoodlands。InfrontrodethreeheraldswithtabardsoftheermineofBrittany，blowingloudlyuponsilvertrumpets。
BehindthemagreatmanuponawhitehorseborethebannerofJosselinwhichcarriesninegoldentorteausuponascarletfield。
Thencamethechampionsridingtwoandtwo，fifteenknightsandfifteensquires，eachwithhispennondisplayed。Behindthemonalitterwasborneanagedpriest，theBishopofRennes，carryinginhishandstheviaticumandtheholyoilsthathemightgivethelastaidandcomfortoftheChurchtothosewhoweredying。TheprocessionwasterminatedbyhundredsofmenandwomenfromJosselin，Guegon，andHelleon，andbytheentiregarrisonofthefortress，whocame，astheEnglishhaddone，withouttheirarms。
Theheadofthislongcolumnhadreachedthefieldbeforetherearwereclearofthewood，butastheyarrivedthechampionspicketedtheirhorsesonthefartherside，behindwhichtheirbannerwasplantedandthepeoplelinedupuntiltheyhadinclosedthewholelistswithadensewallofspectators。
WithkeeneyestheEnglishpartyhadwatchedthearmorialblazonryoftheirantagonists，forthoseflutteringpennonsandbrilliantsurcoatscarriedalanguagewhichallmencouldread。InfrontwasthebannerofBeaumanoir，bluewithsilverfrets。Hismotto“J’aymequim’ayme“wascarriedonasecondflagbyalittlepage。
“Whoseistheshieldbehindhim-silverwithscarletdrops？”
askedKnolles。
“ItishisSquire，WilliamofMontaubon，“Calverlyanswered。”AndtherearethegoldenlionofRochefortandthesilvercrossofDuBoistheStrong。Iwouldnotwishtomeetabettercompanythanarebeforeusthisday。See，therearetheblueringsofyoungTintiniac，whoslewmySquireHubertlastLammastide。WiththeaidofSaintGeorgeIwillavengehimerenightfall。”
“BythethreekingsofAlmain，“growledCroquart，“wewillneedtofighthardthisday，forneverhaveIseensomanygoodsoldiersgatheredtogether。YonderisYvesCheruel，whomtheycallthemanofiron，CarodeBodegatalsowithwhomIhavehadmorethanonebickering-thatishewiththethreeerminecirclesonthescarletshield。Theretooisleft-handedAlaindeKaranais;bearinmindthathisstrokecomesonthesidewherethereisnoshield。”
“Whoisthesmallstoutman“-askedNigel-“hewiththeblackandsilvershield？，BySaintPaul！，heseemsaveryworthypersonandonefromwhommuchmightbegained，forheisnighasbroadasheislong。”
“ItisSirRobertRaguenel，“saidCalverly，whoselongspellofserviceinBrittanyhadmadehimfamiliarwiththepeople。Itissaidthathecanliftahorseuponhisback。Bewareafullstrokeofthatsteelmace，forthearmorisnotmadethatcanabideit。
ButhereisthegoodBeaumanoir，andsurelyitistimethatwecametogrips。”
TheBretonleaderhadmarshaledhismeninalineoppositetotheEnglish，andnowhestrodeforwardandshookBambro’bythehand。
“BySaintCadoc！，thisisaveryjoyousmeeting，Richard，“saidhe，“andwehavecertainlyhituponaveryexcellentwayofkeepingatruce。”
“Indeed，Robert，“saidBambro’，“weoweyoumuchthanks，forIcanseethatyouhavebeenatgreatpainstobringaworthycompanyagainstusthisday。SurelyifallshouldchancetoperishtherewillbefewnoblehousesinBrittanywhowillnotmourn。”
“Nay，wehavenoneofthehighestofBrittany，“Beaumanoiranswered。”NeitheraBlois，noraLeon，noraRohan，noraConan，fightsinourranksthisday。Andyetweareallmenofbloodandcoat-armor，whoarereadytoventureourpersonsforthedesireofourladiesandtheloveofthehighorderofknighthood。Andnow，Richard，whatisyoursweetwillconcerningthisfight？”
“Thatwecontinueuntiloneorothercanendurenolonger，forsinceitisseldomthatsomanybravemendrawtogetheritisfittingthatweseeasmuchasispossibleofeachother。”
“Richard，yourwordsarefairandgood。Itshallbeevenasyousay。Fortherest，eachshallfightaspleaseshimbestfromthetimethattheheraldcallstheword。Ifanymanfromwithoutshallbreakinuponusheshallbehangedonyonderoak。”
Withasalutehedrewdownhisvisorandreturnedtohisownmen，whowerekneelinginatwinkling，manycoloredgroupwhilsttheoldbishopgavethemhisblessing。
Theheraldsroderoundwithawarningtothespectators。Thentheyhaltedatthesideofthetwobandsofmenwhonowstoodinalonglinefacingeachotherwithfiftyyardsofgrassbetween。
Thevisorshadbeenclosed，andeverymanwasnowcasedinmetalfromheadtofoot，somefewglowinginbrass，thegreaternumbershininginsteel。Onlytheirfierceeyescouldbeseensmolderinginthedarkshadowoftheirhelmets。Soforaninstanttheystoodglaringandcrouching。
Thenwithaloudcryof“Allez！”theheralddroppedhisupraisedhand，andthetwolinesofmenshuffledasfastastheirheavyarmorwouldpermituntiltheymetwithasharpclangofmetalinthemiddleofthefield。Therewasasoundasofsixtysmithsworkingupontheiranvils。Thenthebabelofyellsandshoutsfromthespectators，cheeringonthispartyorthat，roseandswelleduntileventheuproarofthecombatwasdrownedinthatmightysurge。
Soeagerwerethecombatantstoengagethatinafewmomentsallorderhadbeenlostandthetwobandsweremixedupinonefuriousscrambling，clatteringthrong，eachmantossedhitherandthither，thrownagainstoneadversaryandthenagainstanother，beatenandhustledandbuffeted，withonlytheonethoughtinhismindtothrustwithhisspearortobeatwithhisaxagainstanyonewhocamewithinthenarrowslitofvisionleftbyhisvisor。
ButalasforNigelandhishopesofsomegreatdeed！，Hiswasatleastthefateofthebrave，forhewasthefirsttofall。WithahighhearthehadplacedhimselfinthelineasnearlyoppositetoBeaumanoirashecould，andhadmadestraightfortheBretonleader，rememberingthatintheoutsetthequarrelhadbeensoorderedthatitlaybetweenthem。Buterehecouldreachhisgoalhewascaughtintheswirlofhisowncomrades，andbeingthelightermanwassweptasideanddashedintothearmsofAlaindeKaranais，theleft-handedswordsman，withsuchacrashthatthetworolleduponthegroundtogether。Lightfootedasacat，Nigelhadsprungupfirst，andwasstoopingovertheBretonSquirewhenthepowerfuldwarfRaguenelbroughthismacethuddingdownupon，theexposedbackofhishelmet。WithagroanNigelfelluponhisface，bloodgushingfromhismouth，nose，andears。Therehelay，trampledoverbyeitherparty，whilethatgreatfightforwhichhisfierysoulhadpantedwasswayingbackandforwardabovehisunconsciousform。
ButNigelwasnotlongunavenged。ThehugeironclubofBelfordstruckthedwarfRagueneltotheground，whileBelfordinturnwasfelledbyasweepingblowfromBeaumanoir。Sometimesadozenwereonthegroundatonetime，butsostrongwasthearmor，andsodeftlywastheforceofablowbrokenbyguardandshield，thatthestrickenmenwereoftenpulledtotheirfeetoncemorebytheircomrades，andwereabletocontinuethefight。
Some，however，werebeyondallaid。CroquarthadcutataBretonknightnamedJeanRousselotandhadshornawayhisshoulder-piece，exposinghisneckandtheupperpartofhisarm。Vainlyhetriedtocoverthisvulnerablesurfacewithhisshield。Itwashisrightside，andhecouldnotstretchitfarenoughacross，norcouldhegetawayonaccountofthepressofmenaroundhim。Foratimeheheldhisfoemenatbay，butthatbarepatchofwhiteshoulderwasamarkforeveryweapon，untilatlastahatchetsankuptothesocketintheknight’schest。AlmostatthesamemomentasecondBreton，ayoungSquirenamedGeoffreyMellon，wasslainbyathrustfromBlackSimonwhichfoundtheweakspotbeneaththearmpit。ThreeotherBretons，EvanCheruel，CarodeBodegat，andTristandePestivien，thefirsttwoknightsandthelatterasquire，becameseparatedfromtheircomrades，andwerebeatentothegroundwithEnglishallaroundthem，sothattheyhadtochoosebetweeninstantdeathandsurrender。TheyhandedtheirswordstoBambro’andstoodapart，eachofthemsorelywounded，watchingwithhotandbitterheartsthemeleewhichstillsurgedupanddownthefield。
Butnowthecombathadlastedhalfanhourwithoutstintorrest，untilthewarriorsweresoexhaustedwiththeburdenoftheirarmor，thelossofblood，theshockofblows，andtheirownfuriousexertions，thattheycouldscarcetotterorraisetheirweapons。Theremustbeapauseifthecombatwastohaveanydecisiveend。”Cessez！，Cessez！，Retirez！”criedtheheralds，astheyspurredtheirhorsesbetweentheexhaustedmen。
SlowlythegallantBeaumanoirledthetwenty-fivemenwhowerelefttotheiroriginalstation，wheretheyopenedtheirvisorsandthrewthemselvesdownuponthegrass，pantinglikewearydogs，andwipingthesweatfromtheirbloodshoteyes。ApitcherofwineofAnjouwascarriedroundbyapage，andeachinturndrainedacup，saveonlyBeaumanoirwhokepthisLentwithsuchstrictnessthatneitherfoodnordrinkmightpasshislipsbeforesunset。Hepacedslowlyamongsthismen，croakingforthencouragementfromhisparchedlipsandpointingouttothemthatamongtheEnglishtherewasscarceamanwhowasnotwounded，andsomesosorelythattheycouldhardlystand。Ifthefightsofarhadgoneagainstthem，therewerestillfivehoursofdaylight，andmuchmighthappenbeforethelastofthemwaslaiduponhisback。
VarletshadrushedforthtodrawawaythetwodeadBretons，andabraceofEnglisharchershadcarriedNigelfromthefield。WithhisownhandsAylwardhadunlacedthecrushedhelmetandhadwepttoseethebloodlessandunconsciousfaceofhisyoungmaster。Hestillbreathed，however，andstretcheduponthegrassbytheriversidethebowmantendedhimwithrudesurgery，untilthewateruponhisbrowandthewinduponhisfacehadcoaxedbackthelifeintohisbatteredframe。Hebreathedwithheavygasps，andsometingeofbloodcrepthackintohischeeks，butstillhelayunconsciousoftheroarofthecrowdandofthatgreatstrugglewhichhiscomradeswerenowwagingonceagain。
TheEnglishhadlainforaspacebleedingandbreathless，innobettercasethantheirrivals，savethattheywerestilltwenty-nineinnumber。Butofthismustertherewerenotninewhowerehalemen，andsomeweresoweakfromlossofbloodthattheycouldscarcekeepstanding。Yet，whenthesignalwasatlastgiventoreengagetherewasnotamanuponeithersidewhodidnottottertohisfeetandstaggerforwardtowardhisenemies。
ButtheopeningofthissecondphaseofthecombatbroughtonegreatmisfortuneanddiscouragementtotheEnglish。Bambro’liketheothers，hadundonehisvisor，butwithhismindfullofmanycareshehadneglectedtomakeitfastagain。Therewasanopeninganinchbroadbetwixtitandthebeaver。Asthetwolinesmettheleft-handedBretonsquire，AlaindeKaranais，caughtsightofBambro’sface，andinaninstantthrusthisshortspearthroughtheopening。TheEnglishleadergaveacryofpainandfellonhisknees，butstaggeredtohisfeetagain，tooweaktoraisehisshield。AshestoodexposedtheBretonknight，GeoffreyDuboistheStrong，struckhimsuchablowwithhisaxthathebeatinthewholebreast-platewiththebreastbehindit。Bambro’felldeaduponthegroundandforafewminutesafiercefightragedroundhisbody。
ThentheEnglishdrewback，sullenanddogged，bearingBambro’
withthem，andtheBretons，breathinghard，gatheredagainintheirownquarter。Atthesameinstantthethreeprisonerspickedupsuchweaponsaswerescattereduponthegrassandranovertojointheirownparty。
“Nay，nay！”criedKnolles，raisinghisvisorandadvancing。”Thismaynotbe。Youhavebeenheldtomercywhenwemighthaveslainyou，andbytheVirginIwillholdyoudishonored，allthree，ifyoustandnotback。”
“Saynotso，RobertKnolles，“EvanCheruelanswered。”Neveryethastheworddishonorbeenbreathedwithmyname，butIshouldcountmyselffaineantifIdidnotfightbesidemycomradeswhenchancehasmadeitrightandproperthatIshoulddoso。”
“BySaintCadoc！hespeakstruly，“croakedBeaumanoir，advancinginfrontofhismen。”Youarewellaware，Robert，thatitisthelawofwarandtheusageofchivalrythatiftheknighttowhomyouhavesurrenderedishimselfslaintheprisonerstherebybecomereleased。”
TherewasnoanswertothisandKnolles，wearyandspent，returnedtohiscomrades。”Iwouldthatwehadslainthem，“saidhe。”Wehavelostourleaderandtheyhavegainedthreemenbythesamestroke。”
“Ifanymorelaydowntheirarmsitismyorderthatyouslaythemforthwith，“saidCroquart，whosebentswordandbloodyarmorshowedhowmanfullyhehadbornehimselfinthefray。”Andnow，comrades，donotbeheavy-heartedbecausewehavelostourleader。
Indeed，hisrhymesofMerlinhaveavailedhimlittle。BythethreekingsofAlmain！，Icanteachyouwhatisbetterthananoldwoman’sprophecies，andthatisthatyoushouldkeepyourshoulderstogetherandyourshieldssoclosethatnonecanbreakbetweenthem。Thenyouwillknowwhatisoneithersideofyou，andyoucanfixyoureyesuponthefront。Also，ifanybesoweakorwoundedthathemustsinkhishandshiscomradesonrightandleftcanbearhimup。NowadvancealltogetherinGod’sname，forthebattleisstilloursifwebearourselveslikemen。”
InasolidlinetheEnglishadvanced，whiletheBretonsranforwardasbeforetomeetthem。TheswiftestofthesewasacertainSquire，GeoffreyPoulart，whoboreahelmetwhichwasfashionedasacock’shead，withhighcombabove，andlongpointedbeakinfrontpiercedwiththebreathing-holes。HethrustwithhisswordatCalverly，butBelfordwhowasthenextinthelineraisedhisgiantclubandstruckhimacrushingblowfromtheside。Hestaggered，andthenpushingforthfromthecrowd，heranroundandroundincirclesasonewhosebrainisstricken，theblooddrippingfromtheholesofhisbrazenbeak。Soforalongtimeheran，thecrowdlaughingandcock-crowingatthesight，untilatlasthestumbledandfellstone-deaduponhisface。Butthefightershadseennothingofhisfate，fordesperateandunceasingwastherushoftheBretonsandthesteadyadvanceoftheEnglishline：
Foratimeitseemedasifnothingwouldbreakit，butgap-toothedBeaumanoirwasageneralaswellasawarrior。Whilsthisweary，bleeding，hard-breathingmenstillflungthemselvesuponthefrontoftheline，hehimselfwithRaguenel，Tentiniac，AlaindeKaranais，andDuboisrushedroundtheflankandattackedtheEnglishwithfuryfrombehind。Therewasalonganddesperatemeleeuntiloncemoretheheralds，seeingthecombatantsstandgaspingandunabletostrikeablow，rodeinandcalledyetanotherintervaloftruce。
Butinthosefewminuteswhilsttheyhadbeenassaulteduponbothsides，thelossesoftheEnglishpartyhadbeenheavy。TheAnglo-BretonD’ArdainehadfallenbeforeBeaumanoir’ssword，butnotbeforehehadcutdeeplyintohisenemy’sshoulder。SirThomasWalton，RichardofIrelandoneoftheSquires，andHulbiteethebigpeasanthadallfallenbeforethemaceofthedwarfRaguenelortheswordsofhiscompanions。Sometwentymenwerestillleftstandinguponeitherside，butallwereinthelaststateofexhaustion，gasping，reeling，hardlycapableofstrikingablow。
Itwasstrangetoseethemastheystaggeredwithmanyalurchandstumbletowardeachotheronceagain，fortheymovedlikedrunkenmen，andthescalesoftheirneck-armorandjointswereasredasfishes’gillswhentheyraisedthemTheyleftfoulwetfootprintsbehindthemonthegreengrassastheymovedforwardoncemoretotheirendlesscontest。
Beaumanoir，faintwiththedrainofhisbloodandwithatongueofleather，pausedasheadvanced。”Iamfainting，comrades，“hecried。”Imustdrink。”
“Drinkyourownblood，Beaumanoir！”criedDubois，andthewearymenallcroakedtogetherindreadfullaughter。
ButnowtheEnglishhadlearnedfromexperience，andundertheguidanceofCroquarttheyfoughtnolongerinastraightline，butinonesobentthatatlastitbecameacircle。AstheBretonsstillpushedandstaggeredagainstittheythrustitbackoneveryside，untiltheyhadturneditintothemostdangerousformationofall，asolidblockofmen，theirfacesturnedoutward，theirweaponsbristlingforthtomeeteveryattack。ThustheEnglishstood，andnoassaultcouldmovethem。Theycouldleanagainsteachotherbacktobackwhiletheywaitedandallowedtheirfoementotirethemselvesout。AgainandagainthegallantBretonstriedtomakeawaythrough。Againandagaintheywerebeatenbackbyashowerofblows。
Beaumanoir，hisheadgiddywithfatigue，openedhishelmetandgazedindespairatthisterrible，unbreakablecircle。Onlytooclearlyhecouldseetheinevitableresult。Hismenwerewearingthemselvesout。Alreadymanyofthemcouldscarcestirhandorfoot，andmightbedeadforanyaidwhichtheycouldgivehiminwinningthefight。Soonallwouldbeinthesameplight。ThenthesecursedEnglishwouldbreaktheircircletoswarmoverhishelplessmenandtostrikethemdown。Dowhathemight，hecouldseenowaybywhichsuchanendmightbeprevented。Hecasthiseyesroundinhisagony，andtherewasoneofhisBretonsslinkingawaytothesideofthelists。Hecouldscarcecredithissenseswhenhesawbythescarletandsilverthatthedeserterwashisownwell-triedsquire，WilliamofMontaubon。
“William！，William！”hecried。”Surelyyouwouldnotleaveme？”
Buttheother’shelmetwasclosedandhecouldhearnothing。
Beaumanoirsawthathewasstaggeringawayasswiftlyashecould。
Withacryofbitterdespair，hedrewintoaknotasmanyofhisbravesascouldstillmove，andtogethertheymadealastrushupontheEnglishspears。Thistimehewasfirmlyresolved，deepinhisgallantsoul，thathewouldcomenofootback，butwouldfindhisdeaththereamongsthisfoemenorcarveapathintotheheartoftheirranks。Thefireinhisbreastspreadfrommantomanofhisfollowers，andamidthecrashingofblowstheystilllockedthemselvesagainsttheEnglishshieldsanddrovehardforanopeningintheirranks。
Butallwasvain！，Beaumanoir’sheadreeled。Hissenseswereleavinghim。Inanotherminuteheandhismenwouldhavebeenstretchedsenselessbeforethisterriblecircleofsteel，whensuddenlythewholearrayfellinpiecesbeforehiseyes，hisenemiesCroquart，Knolles，Calverly，Belford，allwerestretcheduponthegroundtogether，theirweaponsdashedfromtheirhandsandtheirbodiestooexhaustedtorise。ThesurvivingBretonshadbutstrengthtofalluponthemdaggerinhands，andtowringfromthemtheirsurrenderwiththesharppointstabbingthroughtheirvisors。Thenvictorsandvanquishedlaygroaningandpantinginonehelplessandblood-smearedheap。
ToBeaumanoir’ssimplemindithadseemedthatatthesuprememomenttheSaintsofBrittanyhadrisenattheircountry’scall。
Already，ashelaygasping，hisheartwaspouringforthitsthankstohispatronSaintCadoc。Butthespectatorshadseenclearlyenoughtheearthlycauseofthissuddenvictory，andahurricaneofapplausefromoneside，withastormofhootingfromtheothershowedhowdifferentwastheemotionwhichitraisedinmindswhichsympathizedwiththevictorsorthevanquished。
WilliamofMontaubon，thecunningsquire，hadmadehiswayacrosstothespotwherethesteedsweretethered，andhadmountedhisowngreatroussin。Atfirstitwasthoughtthathewasabouttoridefromthefield，butthehowlofexecrationfromtheBretonpeasantschangedsuddenlytoayellofapplauseanddelightasheturnedthebeast’sheadfortheEnglishcircleandthrusthislongprickspursintoitsside。Thosewhofacedhimsawthissuddenandunexpectedappearance。Timewaswhenbothhorseandridermusthavewincedawayfromtheshoweroftheirblows。Butnowtheywereinnostatetomeetsucharush。Theycouldscarceraisetheirarms。Theirblowsweretoofeebletohurtthismightycreature。Inamomentithadplungedthroughtheranks，andsevenofthemwereonthegrass。Itturnedandrushedthroughthemagain，leavingfiveothershelplessbeneathitshoofs。Noneedtodomore！，AlreadyBeaumanoirandhiscompanionswereinsidethecircle，theprostratemenwerehelpless，andJosselinhadwon。
Thatnightatrainofcrestfallenarchers，bearingmanyaprostratefigure，marchedsadlyintoPloermelCastle。Behindthemrodetenmen，allweary，allwounded，andallwithburningheartsagainstWilliamofMontaubonforthefoultrickthathehadservedthem。
ButoveratJosselin，yellowgorse-blossomsintheirhelmets，thevictorswereborneinontheshouldersofashoutingmob，amidthefanfareoftrumpetsandthebeatingofdrums。SuchwasthecombatoftheMidwayOak，wherebravemenmetbravemen，andsuchhonorwasgainedthatfromthatdayhewhohadfoughtintheBattleoftheThirtywasevergiventhehighestplaceandthepostofhonor，norwasiteasyforanymantopretendtohavebeenthere，forithasbeensaidbythatgreatchroniclerwhoknewthemall，thatnotoneoneithersidefailedtocarrytohisgravethemarksofthatsternencounter。
XXIV。HOWNIGELWASCALLEDTOHISMASTER
Mysweetladye，“wroteNigelinascriptwhichitwouldtaketheeyesoflovetoread，“therehathbeenamostnoblemeetinginthefourthsennightofLentbetwixtsomeofourownpeopleandsundrymostworthypersonsofthiscountry，whichended，bythegraceofourLady，insofineajoustthatnomanlivingcancalltomindsofairanoccasion。MuchhonorwasgainedbytheSieurdeBeaumanoirandalsobyanAlmainnamedCroquart，withwhomIhopetohavesomespeechwhenIamhaleagain，forheisamostexcellentpersonandveryreadytoadvancehimselfortorelieveanotherfromavow。FormyselfIhadhoped，withGodde’shelp，toventurethatthirdsmalldeedwhichmightsetmefreetohastetoyoursweetside，butthingshavegoneawrywithme，andIearlymetwithsuchscatheandwasofsosmallcomforttomyfriendsthatmyheartisheavywithinme，andinsoothIfeelthatIhavelosthonourratherthangainedit。HereIhavelainsincetheFeastoftheVirgin，andhereIamlikestilltobe，forIcanmovenolimb，saveonlymyhand;butgrievenot，sweetlady，forSaintCatharinehathbeenourfriendsinceinsoshortatimeI
hadtwosuchventuresastheRedFerretandtheintakingoftheReaver’sfortalice。Itneedsbutonemoredeed，andsickerlywhenIamhaleoncemoreitwillnotbelongereIseekitout。Tillthen，ifmyeyesmaynotrestuponyou，myheartatleastiseveratthyfeet。”
Sohewrotefromhissick-roomintheCastleofPloermellateinthesummer，butyetanothersummerhadcomebeforehiscrushedheadhadmendedandhiswastedlimbshadgainedtheirstrengthoncemore。Withdespairheheardofthebreakingofthetruce，andofthefightatMauroninwhichSirRobertKnollesandSirWalterBentleycrushedtherisingpowerofBrittany-afightinwhichmanyofthethirtychampionsofJosselinmettheirend。
Then，whenwithrenewedstrengthandhighhopesinhishearthewentforthtosearchforthefamousCroquartwhoproclaimedhimselfeverreadynightordaytomeetanymanwithanyweapon，itwasonlytofindthatintryingthepacesofhisnewhorsetheGermanhadbeencastintoaditchandhadbrokenhisneck。InthesameditchperishedNigel’slastchanceofsoonaccomplishingthatdeedwhichshouldfreehimfromhisvow。
TherewastruceoncemoreoverallChristendom，andmankindwassatedwithwar，sothatonlyinfar-offPrussia，wheretheTeutonicknightswagedceaselessbattlewiththeLithuanianheathen，couldhehopetofindhisheart’sdesire。Butmoneyandhighknightlyfamewereneededereamancouldgouponthenortherncrusade，andtenyearswereyettopassereNigelshouldlookfromthebattlementsofMarienbergonthewatersoftheFrischeHaff，orshouldendurethetortureofthehotplatewhenboundtotheHolyWodenstoneofMemel。Meanwhile，hechafedhisburningsouloutthroughthelongseasonsofgarrisonlifeinBrittany，brokenonlybyonevisittothechateauofthefatherofRaoul，whenhecarriedtotheLordofGrosboisthenewsofhowhissonhadfallenlikeagallantgentlemanunderthegatewayofLaBrohiniere。
Andthen，thenatlast，whenallhopewaswell-nighdeadinhisheart，therecarneonegloriousJulymorningwhichbroughtahorsemanbearingalettertotheCastleofVannes，ofwhichNigelnowwasseneschal。Itcontainedbutfewwords，shortandclearasthecallofawar-trumpet。ItwasChandoswhowrote。HeneededhisSquireathisside，forhispennonwasinthebreezeoncemore。HewasatBordeaux。ThePrincewasstartingatonceforBergerac，whencehewouldmakeagreatraidintoFrance。Itwouldnotendwithoutabattle。Theyhadsentwordoftheircoming，andthegoodFrenchKinghadpromisedtobeatgreatpainstoreceivethem。LetNigelhastenatonce。Ifthearmyhadleft，thenlethimfollowafterwithallspeed。Chandoshadthreeothersquires，butwouldverygladlyseehisfourthonceagain，forhehadheardmuchofhimsinceheparted，andnothingwhichhemightnothaveexpectedtohearofhisfather’sson。SuchwastheletterwhichmadethesummersunshinebrighterandtheblueskyseemofastillfairerblueuponthathappymorninginVannes。
ItisawearywayfromVannestoBordeaux。Coastwiseshipsarehardtofind，andwindsblownorthwhenallbraveheartswouldfainbespeedingsouth。AfullmonthhaspassedfromthedaywhenNigelreceivedhisletterbeforehestooduponthequay-sideoftheGaronneamidthestackedbarrelsofGasconwineandhelpedtoleadPommersdownthegang-planks。NotAylwardhimselfhadaworseopinionoftheseathanthegreatyellowhorse，andhewhinniedwithjoyashethrusthismuzzleintohismaster’soutstretchedhand，andstampedhisringinghoofsuponthegoodfirmcobblestones。Besidehim，slappinghistawnyshoulderinencouragement，wastheleanspareformofBackSimonwhohadremainedeverunderNigel’spennon。
ButAylward，wherewashe？，Alas！，twoyearsbeforeheandthewholeofKnolles’companyofarchershadbeendraftedawayontheKing’sservicetoGuienne，andsincehecouldnotwritetheSquireknewnotwhetherhewasaliveordead。Simon，indeed，hadthriceheardofhimfromwanderingarchers，eachtimethathewasaliveandwellandnewlymarried，butasthewifeinonecasewasafairmaid，andinanotheradark，whileinthethirdshewasaFrenchwidow，itwashardtoknowthetruth。
Alreadythearmyhadbeengoneamonth，butnewsofitcamedailytothetown，andsuchnewsasallmencouldread，forthroughthelandwardgatesthererolledoneconstantstreamofwagons，pouringdowntheLibourneRoad，andbearingthebootyofSouthernFrance。
Thetownwasfulloffoot-soldiers，fornonebutmountedmenhadbeentakenbythePrince。Withsadfacesandlongingeyestheywatchedthepassingofthetrainofplunder-ladencarts，piledhighwithrichfurniture，silks，velvets，tapestries，carvings，andpreciousmetals，whichhadbeentheprideofmanyalordlyhomeinfairAuvergneorthewealthyBourbonnais。
LetnomanthinkthatinthesewarsEnglandalonewasfacetofacewithFrancealone。Thereisgloryandtosparewithouttriflingwiththetruth。TwoProvincesinFrance，bothrichandwarlike，hadbecomeEnglishthrougharoyalmarriage，andthese，GuienneandGascony，furnishedmanyofthemostvaliantsoldiersundertheislandflag。SopooracountryasEnglandcouldnotaffordtokeepagreatforceoverseas，andsomustneedshavelostthewarwithFrancethroughwantofpowertoupholdthestruggle。Thefeudalsystemenabledanarmytobedrawnrapidlytogetherwithsmallexpense，butattheendofafewweeksitdispersedagainasswiftly，andonlybyawell-filledmoney-chestcoulditbeheldtogether。TherewasnosuchchestinEngland，andtheKingwasforeverathiswits’endhowtokeephismeninthefield。
ButGuienneandGasconywerefullofknightsandsquireswhowerealwaysreadytoassemblefromtheirisolatedcastlesforaraidintoFrance，andthesewiththeadditionofthoseEnglishcavalierswhofoughtforhonor，andafewthousandoftheformidablearchers，hiredforfourpenceaday，madeanarmywithwhichashortcampaigncouldbecarriedon。SuchwerethematerialsofthePrince’sforce，someeightthousandstrong，whowerenowridinginagreatcirclethroughSouthernFrance，leavingabroadwaleofblackenedandruinedcountrybehindthem。
ButFrance，evenwithhersouthwesterncornerinEnglishhands，wasstillaverywarlikepower，farricherandmorepopulousthanherrival。SingleProvincesweresogreatthattheywerestrongerthanmanyakingdom。Normandyinthenorth，Burgundyintheeast，BrittanyinthewestandLanguedocinthesouthwereeachcapableoffittingoutagreatarmyoftheirown。ThereforethebraveandspiritedJohn，watchingfromParisthisinsolentraidintohisdominions，sentmessengersinhothastetoallthesegreatfeudatoriesaswellastoLorraine，Picardy，Auvergne，Hainault，Vermandois，Champagne，andtotheGermanmercenariesoverhiseasternborder，biddingallofthemtoridehard，withbloodyspur，dayandnight，untiltheyshouldgathertoaheadatChartres。
ThereagreatarmyhadassembledearlyinSeptember，whilstthePrince，allunconsciousofitspresencesackedtownsandbesiegedcastlesfromBourgestoIssodun，passingRomorautin，andsoonwardtoVierzonandtoTours。Fromweektoweekthereweremerryskirmishesatbarriers，briskassaultsoffortressesinwhichmuchhonorwaswon，knightlymeetingswithdetachedpartiesofFrenchmenandoccasionalspear-runningswherenoblechampionsdeignedtoventuretheirpersons。Houses，too，weretobeplundered，whilewineandwomenwereinplenty。Neverhadeitherknightsorarchershadsopleasantandprofitableanexcursion，sothatitwaswithhighheartandmuchhopeofpleasantdaysatBordeauxwiththeirpocketsfullofmoneythatthearmyturnedsouthfromtheLoireandbegantoretraceitsstepstotheseaboardcity。
Butnowitspleasantandmartialpromenadechangedsuddenlytoveryseriousworkofwar。AsthePrincemovedsouthhefoundthatall，supplieshadbeenclearedawayfrominfrontofhimandthattherewasneitherfodderforthehorsesnorfoodforthemen。Twohundredwagonsladenwithspoilrolledattheheadofthearmy，butthestarvingsoldierswouldsoonhavegladlychangeditallforasmanyloadsofbreadandofmeat。ThelighttroopsoftheFrenchhadprecededthenandburnedordestroyedeverythingthatcouldbeofuse。NowalsoforthefirsttimethePrinceandhismenbecameawarethatagreatarmywasmovingupontheeasternsideofthem，streamingsouthwardinthehopeofcuttingofftheirretreattothesea。Theskyglowedwiththeirfiresatnight，andtheautumnsuntwinkledandgleamedfromoneendofthehorizontotheotheruponthesteelcapsandflashingweaponsofamightyhost。
Anxioustosecurehisplunder，andconsciousthattheleviesofFrancewerefarsuperiorinnumbertohisownforce，thePrinceredoubledhisattemptstoescape;buthishorseswereexhaustedandhisstarvingmenwerehardlytobekeptinorder。Afewmoredayswouldunfitthemforbattle。Therefore，whenhefoundnearthevillageofMaupertuisapositioninwhichasmallforcemighthaveachancetoholditsown，hegaveuptheattempttooutmarchhispursuers，andheturnedatbay，likeahuntedboar，alltusksandeyesofflame。
Whilstthesehigheventshadbeeninprogress，NigelwithBlackSimonandfourothermen-at-armsfromBordeaux，washasteningnorthwardtojointhearmy。AsfarasBergeractheywereinafriendlyland，butthenceonwardtheyrodeoverablackenedlandscapewithmanyarooflesshouse，itstwobaregable-endsstickingupward-a“Knolles’miter“asitwasafterwardcalledwhenSirRobertworkedhissternwilluponthecountry。Forthreedaystheyrodenorthward，seeingmanysmallpartiesofFrenchinalldirections，buttooeagertoreachthearmytoeasetheirmarchinthesearchofadventures。
ThenatlastafterpassingLusignantheybegantocomeintouchwithEnglishforagers，mountedbowmenforthemostpart，whowereendeavoringtocollectsupplieseitherforthearmyorforthemselves。FromthemNigellearnedthatthePrince，withChandoseverathisside，washasteningsouthandmightbemetwithinashortday’smarch。AshestilladvancedtheseEnglishstragglersbecamemoreandmorenumerous，untilatlastheovertookaconsiderablecolumnofarchersmovinginthesamedirectionashisownparty。Theseweremenwhosehorseshadfailedthemandwhohadthereforebeenleftbehindontheadvance，butwerenowhasteningtobeintimefortheimpendingbattle。Acrowdofpeasantgirlsaccompaniedthemupontheirmarch，andawholetrainofladenmuleswereledbesidethem。
Nigelandhislittletroopofmen-at-armswereridingpastthearcherswhenBlackSimonwithasuddenexclamationtouchedhisleaderuponthearm。
“Seeyonder，fairsir，“hecried，withgleamingeyes，“therewherethewastrelwalkswiththegreatfardeluponhisback！，Whoishewhomarchesbehindhim？”
Nigellooked，andwasawareofastuntedpeasantwhoboreuponhisroundedbackanenormousbundleverymuchlargerthanhimself。
Behindhimwalkedaburlybroad-shoulderedarcher，whosestainedjerkinandbatteredheadpiecegavetokenoflongandhardservice。
Hisbowwasslungoverhisshoulder，andhisarmswereroundthewaistsoftwobuxomFrenchwomen，whotrippedalongbesidehimwithmuchlaughterandmanysaucyanswersflungbackovertheirshoulderstoascoreofadmirersbehindthem。
“Aylward！”criedNigel，spurringforward。
Thearcherturnedhisbronzedface，staredforaninstantwithwildeyes，andthen，droppinghistwoladies，whowereinstantlycarriedoffbyhiscomrades，herushedtoseizethehandwhichhisyoungmasterhelddowntohim。”Now，bymyhilt，SquireNigel，thisisthefairestsightofmylifetime！”hecried。”Andyou，oldleather-face！，Nay，Simon，Iwouldputmyarmsroundyourdriedherringofabody，ifIcouldbutreachyou。HereisPommerstoo，andIreadinhiseyethatheknowsmewellandisasreadytoputhisteethintomeaswhenhestoodinmyfather’sstall。”
Itwaslikeawhiffoftheheather-perfumedbreezesofHankleytoseehishomelyfaceoncemore。Nigellaughedwithsheerjoyashelookedathim。
“ItwasanilldaywhentheKing’sservicecalledyoufrommyside，“saidhe，“andbySaintPaul！，Iamrightgladtoseteyesuponyouoncemore！，Iseewellthatyouareinnowisealtered，butthesameAylwardthatIhaveeverknown。Butwhoisthisvarletwiththegreatbundlewhowaitsuponyourmovements？”
“Itisnolessthanafeather-bed，fairsir，whichhebearsuponhisback，forIwouldfainbringittoTilford，andyetitisoverlargeformewhenItakemyplacewithmyfellowsintheranks。Butindeedthiswarhasbeenamostexcellentone，andI
havealreadysenthalfawagonloadofmygearbacktoBordeauxtoawaitmyhomecoming。YetIhavemyfearswhenIthinkofalltherascalfoot-archerswhoarewaitingthere，forsomefolkhavenograceorhonestyintheirsouls，andcannotkeeptheirhandsfromthatwhichbelongstoanother。ButifImaythrowmylegoveryondersparehorseIwillcomeonwithyou，fairsir，forindeeditwouldbejoytomyhearttoknowthatIwasridingunderyourbanneronceagain。”
SoAylward，havinggiveninstructionstothebearerofhisfeather-bed，rodeawayinspiteofshrillprotestsfromhisFrenchcompanions，whospeedilyconsoledthemselveswiththoseofhiscomradeswhoseemedtohavemosttogive。Nigel’spartywassoonclearofthecolumnofarchersandridinghardinthedirectionofthePrince’sarmy。Theypassedbyanarrowandwindingtrack，throughthegreatwoodofNouaille，andfoundbeforethemamarshyvalleydownwhichranasluggishstream。Alongitsfartherbankhundredsofhorseswerebeingwatered，andbeyondwasadenseblockofwagons。Throughthesethecomradespassed，andthentoppedasmallmoundfromwhichthewholestrangescenelayspreadbeforethem。
Downthevalleytheslowstreammeanderedwithmarshymeadowsoneitherside。Amileortwolowerahugedroveofhorsesweretobeseenassembleduponthebank。TheywerethesteedsoftheFrenchcavalry，andthebluehazeofahundredfiresshowedwhereKingJohn’smenwerecamping。InfrontofthemounduponwhichtheystoodtheEnglishlinewasdrawn，buttherewerefewfires，forindeed，savetheirhorses，therewaslittleforthemtocook。
Theirrightrestedupontheriver，andtheirarraystretchedacrossamileofgrounduntiltheleftwasintouchwithatangledforestwhichguardeditfromflankattack。Infrontwasalongthickhedgeandmuchbrokenground，withasingledeeplyruttedcountryroadcuttingthroughitinthemiddle。UnderthehedgeandalongtheWholefrontofthepositionlayswarmsofarchersuponthegrass，thegreaternumberslumberingpeacefullywithsprawlinglimbsinthewarmraysoftheSeptembersun。Behindwerethequartersofthevariousknights，andfromendtoendflewthebannersandpennonsmarkedwiththedevicesofthechivalryofEnglandandGuienne。
WithaglowinhisheartNigelsawthosebadgesoffamouscaptainsandleadersandknewthatnowatlasthealsomightshowhiscoat-armorinsuchnoblecompany。TherewastheflagofjeanGrailly，theCaptaldeBuch，fivesilvershellsonablackcross，whichmarkedthepresenceofthemostfamoussoldierofGascony，whilebesideitwavedtheredlionofthenobleKnightofHainault，SirEustaced’Ambreticourt。ThesetwocoatsNigelknew，asdideverywarriorinEurope，butadensegroveofpennonedlancessurroundedthem，bearingchargeswhichwerestrangetohim，fromwhichheunderstoodthatthesebelongedtotheGuiennedivisionofthearmy。FartherdownthelinethefamousEnglishensignsfloatedonthewind，thescarletandgoldofWarwick，thesilverstarofOxford，thegoldencrossofSuffolk，theblueandgoldofWilloughby，andthegold-frettedscarletofAudley。Intheverycenterofthem，allwasonewhichcausedallotherstopassfromhismind，forclosetotheroyalbannerofEngland，crossedwiththelabelofthePrince，therewavedthewar-wornflagwiththeredwedgeuponthegoldenfieldwhichmarkedthequartersofthenobleChandos。
AtthesightNigelsetspurstohishorse，andafewminuteslaterhadreachedthespot。Chandos，gauntfromhungerandwantofsleep，butwiththeoldfirelurkinginhiseye，wasstandingbythePrince’stent，gazingdownatwhatcouldbeseenoftheFrencharray，andheavywiththought。NigelsprangfromhishorseandwaswithintouchofhismasterwhenthesilkenhangingoftheroyaltentwastornviolentlyasideandEdwardrushedout。
Hewaswithouthisarmorandcladinasobersuitofblack，butthehighdignityofhisbearingandtheimperiousangerwhichflushedhisfaceproclaimedtheleaderandthePrince。Athisheelswasalittlewhite-hairedecclesiasticinaflowinggownofscarletsendal，expostulatingandarguinginatorrentofwords。
“Notanotherword，myLordCardinal，“criedtheangryprince。”I
havelistenedtoyouoverlong，andbyGod’sdignity！thatwhichyousayisneithergoodnorfairinmyears。Harkyou，John，I
wouldhaveyourcounsel。WhatthinkyouisthemessagewhichmyLordCardinalofPerigordhascarriedfromtheKingofFrance？，HesaysthatofhisclemencyhewillletmyarmypassbacktoBordeauxifwewillrestoretohimallthatwehavetaken，remitallransoms，andsurrendermyownpersonwiththatofahundrednoblesofEnglandandGuiennetobeheldasprisoners。Whatthinkyou，John？”
Chandossmiled。”Thingsarenotdoneinthatfashion，“saidhe。
“ButmyLordChandos，“criedtheCardinal，“IhavemadeitcleartothePrincethatindeeditisascandaltoallChristendomandacauseofmockingtotheheathen，thattwogreatsonsoftheChurchshouldturntheirswordsthusuponeachother。”
“ThenbidtheKingofFrancekeepclearofus，“saidthePrince。
“Fairson，youareawarethatyouareintheheartofhiscountryandthatitstandethnotarightthatheshouldsufferyoutogoforthasyoucame。Youhavebutasmallarmy，threethousandbowmenandfivethousandmen-at-armsatthemost，whoseeminevilcaseforwantoffoodandrest。TheKinghasthirtythousandmenathisback，ofwhichtwentythousandareexpertmen-at-arms。Itisfittingthereforethatyoumakesuchtermsasyoumay，lestworsebefall。”
“GivemygreetingstotheKingofFranceandtellhimthatEnglandwillneverpayransomforme。Butitseemstome，myLordCardinal，thatyouhaveournumbersandconditionveryreadyuponyourtongue，andIwouldfainknowhowtheeyeofaChurchmancanreadalineofbattlesoeasily。Ihaveseenthattheseknightsofyourhouseholdhavewalkedfreelytoandfrowithinourcamp，andImuchfearthatwhenIwelcomedyouasenvoysIhaveintruthgivenmyprotectiontospies。Howsayyou，myLordCardinal？”
“FairPrince，Iknownothowyoucanfinditinyourheartorconsciencetosaysuchevilwords。”
“Thereisthisred-beardednephewofthine，RobertdeDuras。Seewherehestandsyonder，countingandprying。Harkhither，youngsir！，IhavebeensayingtoyouruncletheCardinalthatitisinmymindthatyouandyourcomradeshavecarriednewsofourdispositionstotheFrenchKing。Howsayyou？”
Theknightturnedpaleandsankhiseyes。”Mylord，“hemurmured，“itmaybethatIhaveansweredsomequestions。”
“Andhowwillsuchanswersaccordwithyourhonor，seeingthatwehavetrustedyousinceyoucameinthetrainoftheCardinal？”
“Mylord，itistruethatIaminthetrainoftheCardinal，andyetIamliegemanofKingJohnandaknightofFrance，soIprayyoutoassuageyourwrathagainstme。”
ThePrincegroundhisteethandhispiercingeyesblazedupontheyouth。”Bymyfather’ssoul！，Icanscarceforbeartostrikeyoutotheearth！，ButthisIpromiseyou，thatifyoushowthatsignoftheRedGriffininthefieldandifyoubetakenaliveinto-morrow’sbattle，yourheadshallmostassuredlybeshornfromyourshoulders。”
“Fairson，indeedyouspeakwildly，“criedtheCardinal。”I
pledgeyoumywordthatneithermynephewRobertnoranyofmytrainwilltakepartinthebattle。AndnowIleaveyou，sire，andmayGodassoilyoursoul，forindeedinallthisworldnomenstandingreaterperilthanyouandthosewhoarearoundyou，andIredeyouthatyouspendthenightinsuchghostlyexercisesasmaybestprepareyouforthatwhichmaybefall。”，SosayingtheCardinalbowed，andwithhishouseholdwalkingbehindhimsetoffforthespotwheretheyhadlefttheir’horses，whencetheyrodetotheneighboringAbbey。
TheangryPrinceturneduponhisheelandenteredhistentoncemore，whilstChandos，glancinground，heldoutawarmwelcominghandtoNigel。
“Ihaveheardmuchofyournobledeeds，“saidhe。”Alreadyyournamerisesasasquireerrant。Istoodnohigher，norsohigh，atyourage。”
Nigelflushedwithprideandpleasure。”Indeed，mydearlord，itisverylittlethatIhavedone。ButnowthatIambackatyoursideIhopethatintruthIshalllearntobearmyselfinworthyfashion，forwhereelseshouldIwinhonorifitbenotunderyourbanner。”
“Truly，Nigel，youhavecomeataverygoodtimeforadvancement。
Icannotseehowwecanleavethisspotwithoutagreatbattlewhichwillliveinmen’smindsforever。InallourfightsinFranceIcannotcalltomindanyinwhichtheyhavebeensostrongorwesoweakasnow，sothattherewillbethemorehonortobegained。Iwouldthatwehadtwothousandmorearchers。ButI
doubtnotthatweshallgivethemmuchtroubleeretheydriveusoutfromamidstthesehedges。HaveyouseentheFrench？”
“Nay，fairsir，Ihavebutthismomentarrived。”
“Iwasabouttorideforthmyselftocoasttheirarmyandobservetheircountenance，socomewithmeerethenightfall，andweshallseewhatwecanoftheirorderanddispositions。”
Therewasatrucebetwixtthetwoforcesfortheday，onaccountoftheill-advisedanduselessinterpositionoftheCardinalofPerigord，HencewhenChandosandNigelhadpushedtheirhorsesthroughthelonghedgewhichfrontedthepositiontheyfoundthatmanysmallpartiesoftheknightsofeitherarmywereridingupanddownontheplainoutside。ThegreaternumberofthesegroupswereFrench，sinceitwasverynecessaryforthemtoknowasmuchaspossibleoftheEnglishdefenses;andmanyoftheirscoutshadriddenuptowithinahundredyardsofthehedge，wheretheyweresternlyorderedbackbythepicketsofarchersonguard。
ThroughthesescatteredknotsofhorsemenChandosrode，andasmanyofthemwereoldantagonistsitwas“Ha，John！”ontheoneside，and“Ha，Raoul！”“Ha，Nicholas！”“Ha，Guichard！”upontheother，astheybrushedpastthem。Onlyonecavaliergreetedthemamiss，alarge，red-facedman，theLordClermont，whobysomestrangechanceboreuponhissurcoatabluevirginstandingamidgoldensunbeams，whichwastheverydevicewhichChandoshaddonnedfortheday。ThefieryFrenchmandashedacrosstheirpathanddrewhissteedbackontoitshaunches。
“Howlongisit，myLordChandos，“saidhehotly，“sinceyouhavetakenituponyourselftowearmyarms？”
Chandossmiled。”Itissurelyyouwhohavemine，“saidhe，“sincethissurcoatwasworkedforthebythegoodnunsofWindsoralongyearago。”
“Ifitwerenotforthetruce，“saidClermont，“Iwouldsoonshowyouthatyouhavenorighttowearit。”
“Lookforittheninthebattleto-morrow，andIalsowilllookforyours，“Chandosanswered。”Therewecanveryhonorablysettlethematter。”
ButtheFrenchmanwascholericandhardtoappease。”YouEnglishcaninventnothing，“saidhe，“andyoutakeforyourownwhateveryouseehandsomebelongingtoothers。”，So，grumblingandfuming，herodeuponhisway，whileChandos，laughinggayly，spurredonwardacrosstheplain。
TheimmediatefrontoftheEnglishlinewasshroudedwithscatteredtreesandbusheswhichhidtheenemy;butwhentheyhadclearedtheseafairviewofthegreatFrencharmylaybeforethem。Inthecenterofthehugecampwasalongandhighpavilionofredsilk，withthesilverliliesoftheKingatoneendofit，andthegoldenoriflamme，thebattle-flagofoldFrance，attheother。Likethereedsofapoolfromsidetosideofthebroadarray，anddwindlingawayasfarastheireyescouldsee，werethebannersandpennonsofhighbaronsandfamousknights，butabovethemallflewtheducalstandardswhichshowedthatthefeudalmusterofallthewarlikeprovincesofFrancewasinthefieldbeforethem。
WithakindlingeyeChandoslookedacrossattheproudensignsofNormandy，orBurgundy，ofAuvergne，ofChampagne，ofVermandois，andofBerry，flauntingandgleamingintheraysofthesinkingsun。Ridingslowlydownthelinehemarkedwithattentivegazethecampofthecrossbowmen，themusteroftheGermanmercenaries，thenumbersofthefoot-soldiers，thearmsofeveryproudvassalorvavasorwhichmightgivesomeguideastothepowerofeachdivision。Fromwingtowingandroundtheflankshewent，keepingeverwithincrossbow-shotofthearmy，andthenatlasthavingnotedallthingsinhismindheturnedhishorse’sheadandrodeslowlyback，heavywiththought，totheEnglishlines。
XXV。HOWTHEKINGOFFRANCEHELDCOUNSELATMAUPERTUIS
ThemorningofSunday，thenineteenthofSeptember，intheyearofourLord1356，wascoldandfine。AhazewhichrosefromthemarshyvalleyofMuissoncoveredbothcampsandsetthestarvingEnglishmenshivering，butitclearedslowlyawayasthesunrose。
IntheredsilkenpavilionoftheFrenchKing-thesamewhichhadbeenviewedbyNigelandChandostheeveningbefore-asolemnmasswasheldbytheBishopofChalons，whoprayedforthosewhowereabouttodie，withlittlethoughtinhismindthathisownlasthourwassonearathand。Then，whencommunionhadbeentakenbytheKingandhisfouryoungsonsthealtarwasclearedaway，andagreatred-coveredtableplacedlengthwisedownthetent，roundwhichJohnmightassemblehiscouncilanddeterminehowbestheshouldproceed。Withthesilkenroof，richtapestriesofArrasroundthewallsandEasternrugsbeneaththefeet，hispalacecouldfurnishnofairerchamber。
KingJohn，whosatuponthecanopieddaisattheupperend，wasnowinthesixthyearofhisreignandthethirty-sixthofhislife。Hewasashortburlyman，ruddy-facedanddeep-chested，withdarkkindlyeyesandamostnoblebearing。ItdidnotneedthebluecloaksewedwithsilverliliestomarkhimastheKing。
Thoughhisreignhadbeenshort，hisfamewasalreadywidespreadoverallEuropeasakindlygentlemanandafearlesssoldier-afitleaderforachivalrousnation。Hiselderson，theDukeofNormandy，stillhardlymorethanaboy，stoodbesidehim，hishandupontheKing’sshoulder，andJohnhalfturnedfromtimetotimetofondlehim。Ontheright，atthesamehighdais，wastheKing’syoungerbrother，theDukeofOrleans，apaleheavy-featuredman，withalanguidmannerandintoleranteyes。OntheleftwastheDukeofBourbon，sad-facedandabsorbed，withthatgentlemelancholyinhiseyesandbearingwhichcomesoftenwiththepremonitionofdeath。Allthesewereintheirarmor，saveonlyfortheirhelmets，whichlayupontheboardbeforethem。
Below，groupedaroundthelongredtable，wasanassemblyofthemostfamouswarriorsinEurope。AttheendnearesttheKingwastheveteransoldiertheDukeofAthens，sonofabanishedfather，andnowHighConstableofFrance。Ononesideofhimsatthered-facedandcholericLordClermont，withthesameblueVirginingoldenraysuponhissurcoatwhichhadcausedhisquarrelwithChandosthenightbefore。Ontheotherwasanoble-featuredgrizzly-hairedsoldier，Arnoldd’Andreghen，whosharedwithClermontthehonorofbeingMarshalofFrance。NexttothemsatLordJamesofBourbon，abravewarriorwhowasafterwardsslainbytheWhiteCompanyatBrignais，andbesidehimalittlegroupofGermannoblemen，includingtheEarlofSalzburgandtheEarlofNassau，whohadriddenoverthefrontierwiththeirformidablemercenariesatthebiddingoftheFrenchKing。TheridgedarmorandthehangingnasalsoftheirbassinetswereenoughinthemselvestotelleverysoldierthattheywerefrombeyondtheRhine。AttheothersideofthetablewerealineofproudandwarlikeLords，Fiennes，Chatillon，Nesle，deLandas，deBeaujeu，withthefierceknighterrantdeChargny，hewhohadplannedthesurpriseofCalais，andEustacedeRibeaumont，whohaduponthesameoccasionwontheprizeofvalorfromthehandsofEdwardofEngland。SuchwerethechiefstowhomtheKingnowturnedforassistanceandadvice。
“Youhavealreadyheard，myfriends，“saidhe，“thatthePrinceofWaleshasmadenoanswertotheproposalwhichwesentbytheLordCardinalofPerigord。Certesthisisasitshouldbe，andthoughIhaveobeyedthecallofHolyChurchIhadnofearsthatsoexcellentaPrinceasEdwardofEnglandwouldrefusetomeetusinbattle。Iamnowofopinionthatweshouldfalluponthematonce，lestperchancetheCardinal’scrossshouldagaincomebetwixtourswordsandourenemies。”
Abuzzofjoyfulassentarosefromthemeeting，andevenfromtheattendantmen-at-armswhoguardedthedoor。WhenithaddiedawaytheDukeofOrleansroseinhisplacebesidetheKing。
