ious V

mmand; the disaster at Jarnac became more and more a dream; the retreat to Niort was conducted without th

o the night, he toiled, and never grew weary; at one time inspecting his troops, at another strengthening his defences; now e

, the great-hearted Queen of Navarre, came riding into our camp at Niort, bringing her son, Henry of Beam, and her nephew Henry, the son of the murdered Condé. True a

r to avenge the death of the Prince we all regret. Behold also Condé's son, now become my own child. He succee

, such a shout arose that few have ever heard its like. The whole army cheered and cheered again with one voice; hundreds of swo

all the world at his feet, and crowned with victory; but after his most glorious triumph he did not look more noble than on that memorable day at Niort. He was, as I have said, a

voice-"your cause is mine. I swear to defend our religion, and to perseve

Monseigneur but met us that day, I warrant he would n

Edmond," remarked Roger Braund that evenin

e prevented his

ve saved the day. However, he will have an oppo

ldiers, and for the troops from Languedoc. D

" said he; "we shall ru

received the news with satisfaction. A great grief had befallen our leader. His brother, the kindly genial Sieur Andelot, whom all men loved, had broken down under the

licit trust in our gallant leader. The dead Condé's troops were especially eager for the fray, and as they mounted an

y outnumbered us by several thousands, but that did not damp our ar

formation that they had encountered a strong force of hostile cavalry. Our preparations for battle were a

ready to spring up at the first note of warning. For the Admiral's personal attendants there was no sleep whatever. We passed our tim

fine preparation for a battle! Edmond, rub the dust from

led. "Those fellows just went comfortabl

"it may be our turn to laugh next. And,

eadily at our approach, as if wishing to lure us into some cunning trap. But Coligny was not to be tempted; he ke

m," cried Felix, i

ly. "Anjou has some skilful soldier a

pitched his camp. Rude breastworks, from which the muzzles of several guns peeped out, had bee

hade of anxiety on his usually serene face. It was a heavy responsibility he had to bear, for, should his t

cheerfully-for our English comrade often came over for a chat when we

he is half afraid now of meeting with a second Jarnac. De Pilles"-the commander of o

" laughed Roger, "but not always so easy in practice

they will fight well here,

sault dec

uncil presently. But I take it that we must attack. Monseigneu

kely to retreat!"

ward; but we shall hear the

tion among ourselves. There were various opinions given, the older men declaring Monseigneur was

hing was actually disclosed, we soon became awa

ur tent, "'twill be a pity if Roche

blue sky. The country was bathed in sunlight, and the green, leafy foliage of the numerous trees on our left made a delightful picture. The waters of the little stream

ay, and the noble Coligny, serene a

Cause to which we have pledged our lives is overthrown. Our religion will be destroyed, our wives and little ones slain, we ourselves shall

cheer that, echoing far and wide, sounded li

eart beat fast as De Pilles, a rough and fearless fighter, went for

are stuck fast! He cannot get them out! Ah, see

a troop of Italian cavalry, their helmets gl

ost!" muttered

. See, he is forming up his men. Ah, bravo! b

Though their animals floundered in the soft soil they struggled on valiantly; they reached the guns, they wheeled and circle

ore flung themselves on the handful of gunners. My heart stood still when, for a

cheer after cheer as the baffled horsemen slowly climbed the hill. De Pilles had saved his guns, and in

, opened fire against the breastworks, the infantry marched steadily forward, two

courage, forced us back again and again; their position seemed impregnable, and

ose behind the Admiral when he tu

e, "ride to De Courcy Lamont, and tell him to charge home. Tell him that unless

r of the guns, the savage cries of angry men closely locked in deadly combat. Already Monseigneur's

troopers were faint and weary; many were more or less seriously wounded; t

s!" said their leader. "

"we will die for the A

ntlemen," said D

pted but for the love these gallant men bore to our great chie

ance. From a trot to a canter, from a canter to a gallop, and then with one mighty rush we swept down on the foe

mber Jarnac!" we shouted hoarsely, as our stra

until, like a living whirlwind, we flun

l!" cried our l

er, and then we were in the midst of them.

n and were trampled underfoot in the horrible press; we were tossed and buffeted from side to side, but we fought on with savage

Our charge had not been made in vain! Back went the enemy, slowly and st

ho was bare-headed and wounded, "th

ps scattered in flight. Forward we went in hot pursuit, but suddenly everything became dark to me; the strick