gedy of

hness of the Prince, who was certainly a very impetuous leader; but it is ill work buffeting the dead, and profitless also. A

er spending a night in the town, riding along the bank of the Charente in the direction of Angoulême. I had no

uspicion of rain in the air. Partly to restore the circulation, and partly to ease my horse-fo

where I intended to break my journey. Presently, however, I caught sight of something which put all thought of food and rest out of my head. A body of cavalry had halted on

I thought, "and in any case it

plain, ready directly danger threatened to mount and ride. As soon, however, as I dre

me time previously. Leaving them, I proceeded to the main body, and in passing a g

ndering about h

question to you! Where are Coligny and the tro

e have not a gun, nor ev

t does i

arching and countermarching for hours, with no other result as yet th

"we shall rejoin our infantry only in the next world. We are scarcely fifteen h

ssly, "the Prince has fought ag

messieurs; Anjo

peated on all sides; men running to their horses mounted hurrie

n us to-day," said Roger. "You would hav

I make o

ride with us, and I promise we will not disgrace you. A fai

e," replied the other; "with our number

came riding along our ranks. He had opened his helmet;

which we have waited. Let us begin the campaign w

very one gripped his sword firmly. For, in spite of cheers, and of brave looks, a desperate enterprise lay

e. Like a wall of rock they stood, and our front rank went down before them. We withdrew a space, and once more sprang forward, but

heard Condé's voice ringing high a

ting a passage for himself, while num

oger Braund in stentoria

parry a blow. But the enemy surged round us like waves in a storm. They hammered us in front, in

l struggle there rose the omin

ght at those in front of him. The noble band of Englishmen followed, the battle flamed up afresh; r

nd though some fought on with intrepid bravery, the maj

ess. As soon as my senses returned, I drew rein and gazed across the plain. It presented a melancholy sight. Here was a little band of wearied troopers spurring hard from

be done, and with a heavy heart I turned reluctantly away. Removing my helmet so that the fresh air might blow upon m

nd ashamed; we had met with a bitter defeat; our

at last of the horseman at my

when the news reaches him he will re

ght had long since fallen when, by some lucky chance, we stumbled upon our infantr

ere already there, eagerly discussing the news, and they plied me with anxious questions. I

ooper. He was weak and faint from loss of blood, and, gallantly

gny kindly; "can you tell us wha

with straining ears for the man's reply. Steadying himself, he g

dead, my lord,"

ur leader. "Kill

blood after the

face look so stern. "Think well, my man, before

. I was not a yard away

e Admiral, "for if this be true

d, and he was thrown heavily. I

most gallant attempt!" remar

so away. He had taken off his helmet, and was talking to one of the enemy's officers. I

t was th

y of soldiers came galloping to that part of the field. Then th

answered D

the chance. One of Monseigneur's officers"-we learned afterwards that it was Mon

ed him in

ed the trooper, "and then he fell forward dead. They wrapped his bo

le chance of your h

, my

p his wounds, while every one began discussing the mournful story he had told. In the midst of the

answering questions, while from time to time a single horseman, or half a dozen in a body, trailed

ishmen told me you were there. 'Tis a sorry beginning to the campaign, eh? But, after all, 'tis but o

not with his co

g, but their friends are not anxious; they have lost t

a number of our comrades speedily assembled. Felix gave me food

laimed one in surprise; "what

mber, I came upon t

ong that we can afford to divide our forces. Condé's rashness

I remarked, and was greeted by cries of "What do you mean?" "

slowly, "is dead; and if my accou

, "no, no; there must b

breathless silence, I repeated the story which the

rnestness. "If I meet him on foot or in the saddle, in victory or in defeat

was not the

shaw! I tell you, Monseigneur is as much the murderer as if his own fingers had pulled the t

rning my English comrade, but Felix, who was too excited to sleep, promised to bring me any information that he could gather.

rought me very welcome news. Roger had arrived during the night

d," I said; "he was in the

ater bravery than Edmond Le Blanc! He is a gallant fe

ngenerous speech, as he continued: "however, he is unhurt, which is the main thin

last of the str

very kind to give us breathing time. According to ou

t with a war

aid Felix, "all will go well. We are to be joined by s

r breakfast I came across Roger, wh

ght," he said; "there was no need to

ashamed! We ha

Cheer up, Edmond, there is no disgrace in being beaten by twice