Itchanced,oneday,thatIwassittingandsunningmyselfinthewarmSeptemberweather,onasettleinasecureplacehardbytheChapelGate。WithmewasBarthelemyBarrette,foritwasthedayofOurLady\'sFeast,thatverydaywhereonwehadfailedbeforeParislastyear,andtherewastruceforthesacredseason。Wefelltodevisingofwhathadbefallenthatdayyear,andwithoutthoughtI
toldBarthelemyofmyescapefromprison,andso,littlebylittle,IopenedmyhearttohimconcerningBrotherThomasandallhistreasons。
NeverwasmanmoreastoundedthanBarthelemy;andhebademeswearbytheBlessedTrinitythatallthistalewastrue。
\"Mayhapyouwerefevered,\"hesaid,\"whenyoulayinthecasementseat,andsawtheMaidtakenbydeviceofthecordelier。”
\"IwasnomorefeveredthanIamnow,andIswear,bywhatoathyouwill,andbythebonesofSt。Andrew,whichthesesinfulhandshavehandled,thatFlavy\'sfacewassettheotherwaywhenthatcrycame,\'Downportcullis,updrawbridge,closegates!\'AndnowthatIhavetoldyoutheverytruth,whatshouldIdo?\"
\"BrotherThomasshouldburnforthis,\"quothBarthelemy;\"butnotwhilethesiegeendures。HecarriestoomanyEnglishlivesinhismunition-box。Norcanyouslayhiminsinglecombat,oratunawares,forthemanisapriest。NorwouldFlavy,whoknowsyounot,listentosuchastory。”
Sotherehesat,frowning,andpluckingathisbeard。\"Ihaveit,\"
hesaid;\"D\'AulonisnofurtheroffthanBeaulieu,whereJeandeLuxembourgholdshimtillhepayshisransom。Whenthesiegeisraised,ifeverwearetohavesuccour,thenpurchasesafe-conducttoD\'Aulon,takehistestimony,andbringittoFlavy。”
Ashespoke,somestirinthestillairmademelookup,andsuddenlythrowmybodyaside;anditwaswell,foraswordsweptdownfromthelowparapetaboveourheads,andsmoteintothebackofthatsettlewhereonweweresitting。
EreIwellknewwhathadchanced,Barthelemywasonhisfeet,hiswhingerflewfromhishand,andhe,leapingupontotheparapet,wasfollowingafterhimwhosmoteatme。
Inthesamemomentaloudgratingvoicecried——\"TheMaidshallburn,andnottheman,\"andaflashoflightwentpastme,thewhingerflyingovermyheadandclippingintothewaterofthemoatbelow。”
RisingasIbestmight,butheedfully,Ispiedovertheparapet,andtherewasBarthelemycomingback,hisnakedswordinhishand。
\"Thedevilturnedasharpcornerandvanished,\"hesaid。\"Andnowwherearewe?WehaveaworsefoewithinthanallthemenofBurgundywithout。Theregoesthedevil\'stally!\"hecried,andthrewthelittlecarvenrodfarfromhimintothemoat,whereitfellandfloated。
\"Nomansawthisthatcouldbearwitness;mostareinchurch,whereyouandIshouldhavebeen,\"Isaid。
Thenwelookedoneachotherwithblankfaces。
\"Mypostisfarfromhis,andmyharnessisgood,\"saidBarthelemy;
\"butforyou,beware!\"Thenceforth,ifIsawanycowlofacordelierasIwalked,Ieventurnedandwenttheotherway。
Iwasofnoavailagainstthiswolf,whomallmenpraised,soserviceablewashetothetown。
OnceanarbalestboltstruckmystafffrommyhandasIwalked,andIwasfaintotakeshelterofacorner,yetsawnotwhencetheshotcame。
Onceagreatstonefellfromaturret,andbrokeintodustatmyfeet,anditisnotmymindthatacannon-ballhadloosenedit。
Thusmylifewentbyindreadandwatchfulness。Nomorebitterpenancemaymandreethanwasmine,tobenearthisdevil,andhavenopowertoavengemydeadlyquarrel。Thereweremanyheavyheartsinthetown;for,onceitwastaken,whatmancoulddeemhislifesafe,orwhatwomanherhonour?Butthoughtheylaydownandroseupinfear,andweredevouredbydesireofrevenge,theirswasnosuchthirstasmine。
Sothedayswenton,anddarkenedtowardsthepromisedseasonofMartinmas,buttheredawnednolightofhope。Now,ontheWednesdaybeforeAllSaints,IhadclamberedupintothetoweroftheChurchoftheJacobins,onthenorth-eastofthecity,whencetherewasaprospectfarandwide。Withmewereonlytwooftheyoungestofthefathers。IlookeddownintothegreatforestofPierrefonds,andupanddownOise,andbeheldthearmyofourenemiesmovingindiversways。ThebannersoftheEnglishandtheirlongarraywerecrossingtheDukeofBurgundy\'snewbridgeofwood,thathehadbuildedfromVenette,andwiththemthemenofJeandeLuxembourgtroopedtowardsRoyaulieu。Onthecrestoftheirbastille,overagainstourPierrefondsGate,matcheswerelightedandmenwerewatchingindoubleguard,andthesameontheothersideofthewater,attheGateMargny。PlainlyourfoesexpectedarescuesenttousofCompiegnebyourparty。Buttheforest,fivehundredyardsfromourwall,laysilentandpeaceable,aseaofbrownandyellowleaves。
Then,whiletheEnglishandBurgundianmen-at-arms,thathadmarchedsouthandeast,weredrawnupinorderofbattleawaytotherightbetweenwoodandwater,behold,trumpetssounded,faintenough,beingfaroff。Thentherewasaglitterofthepalesunonlonglinesoflance-points,underthebannersofFrenchcaptains,issuingoutfromtheforest,overagainsttheenemy。Wewhostoodonthetowergazedlongatthesetwoarmies,whichweremarshalledorderly,withnomorethanabowshotandahalfbetweenthem,andeverymomentwelookedtoseethemchargeuponeachotherwiththelance。
MuchweprayedtotheSaints,fornowallourhopewasonthisonecast。TheyofBurgundyandofEnglanddismountedfromtheirhorses,fortheEnglisheverfightbestonfoot,andtheydeemedthattheknightsofFrancewouldrideinuponthem,andfallbeneaththeEnglishbows,asatAzincourandCrecy。We,too,lookedfornoughtelse;buttheFrencharrayneverstirred,thoughhereandthereaknightwouldgallopforthtodoavaliance。Seldomhasmanseenastrangersightinwar,fortheEnglishandBurgundianscouldnotcharge,beingheavy-armedmenonfoot,andtheFrenchwouldnotmoveagainstthem,weknewnotwherefore。
Allthisspectaclelayfaroff,tothesouth,andwecouldnotbesatisfiedwithwonderingatitnorturnawayoureyes,when,ontheleft,atrumpetrangoutjoyously。Then,allofuswheelingroundasoneman,wesawthemostblessedsight,wheretoourbackshadbeenturned;for,intotheChapelGate——thatis,fartotheleftofthePierrefondsGateonthenorth-east——werestreamingcattle,sheepandkine,prickedonandhastenedbyacompanyofahundredmen-at-
arms。TheyhadcomebyforestpathsfromChoisyway,andanonallourgunsontheboulevardofthePierrefondsGateburstforthatonceagainsttheEnglishbastilleoveragainstit。Nowthisbastille,asIhavesaid,hadneverbeenstronglybuilded,and,insomesort,wasnotwhollyfinished。
Afteronegreatvolleyofgunsagainstthebastille,we,lookingdownintoourboulevardofthePierrefondsGate,sawtheportcullisraised,thedrawbridgelowered,andagreatarrayofmen-at-armscarryingladdersrushout,andchargeuponthebastille。Then,throughthesmokeandfire,theystrovetoscaletheworks,andforthespaceofhalfanhourallwasroarofguns;butatlengthourmencameback,leavingmanyslain,andtherunninglibbardsgrinnedontheflagofEngland。
Imightendurenolonger,but,clamberingdownthetowerstairsasbestImight,forIwasstilllame,IlimpedtomylodgingsattheJacobins,didonmyharness,and,takingahorsefromthestable,I
mountedandrodetothePierrefondsGate。ForBrotherThomasandhismurderouswaysIhadnownocareatall。
Never,sure,sawanymansuchasight。Ourboulevardwasfull,notonlyofmen-at-arms,butofallwhocouldcarryclubs,burgessesarmed,oldmen,boys,yea,womenandchildren,somewithrustyswords,somewithcarpenters\'axes,somebearingcudgels,somewithhammers,spits,andknives,allclamouringfortheportcullistoriseandletthemforth。Theirfaceswereleanandfierce,theireyeswerelikeeyesofwolves,fornow,theycried,wasthehour,andtheprophecyoftheMaidshouldbefulfilled!Verily,thoughshelayinbonds,herspiritwaswithusonthatday!
Butstillourportculliswasdown,andthelongtailofangrypeoplestretchedinwards,fromtheinnermouthoftheboulevard,alongthestreet,surginglikeaswollenlochagainstitsbarrier。
OnthecrestoftheboulevardwasFlavy,batoninhand,lookingforthacrossfieldandforest,watchingforIknewnotwhat,whilestillthepeopleclamouredtobeletgo。Buthestoodlikethestatueofaman-at-arms,andfromthebastilleoftheBurgundiansthearrowsrainedaroundhim,whoalwayswatched,andwasstill。
Nowtheguardsofthegatehadhardworktokeeptheangrypeopleback,wholeapedandtoreatthemen-at-armsarrayedinfrontofthem,andyelledforeagernesstoissueforthandfight。
Suddenly,onthecrestoftheboulevard,Flavythrewuphisarmandgaveonecry-
\"Xaintrailles!\"
Thenheroaredtodrawupportcullisandopengates;themen-at-armschargedforth,themultitudetrampledovereachothertobefirstinfield,Iwassweptonandalongwiththemthroughthegate,andoverthedrawbridge,likeastrawonawave,and,lo!alittleonourleftwasthebannerofPothondeXaintrailles,hisforemostmendismounting,therearguardjustridingoutfromtheforest。Thetwobandsjoined,wefromCompiegne,thefourhundredofXaintraillesfromthewood,and,liketwoswollenstreamsthatmeet,weracedtowardsthebastille,underarainofarrowsandballs。Nothingcouldstayus:aboyfellbymysidewithanarrowthrillinginhisbreast,buthisbrotherneveroncelookedround。IknewnotthatI
couldrun,butrunIdid,thoughnotsofastasmany,andbeforeI
reachedthebastilleourladderswereup,andthethrongwasclambering,falling,risingagain,andflowingfuriouslyintothefort。Thetownsfolkhadnothoughtbuttoslayandslay;fiveorsixwouldbeatthethroatofoneBurgundianman-at-arms;hammersandaxeswerebreakinguparmour,kniveswerescratchingandsearchingforacrevice;women,liftinggreatstoneballs,wouldstaggeruptodashthemontheheadsofthefallen。Ofthewholegarrison,one-half,ahundredandsixtymen-at-arms,wereputtothesword。OnlyPothondeXaintrailles,andthegentlemenwithhim,asknowingthemannerofwar,savedandheldtoransomcertainknights,asMessireJacquesdeBrimeu,theSeigneurdeCrepy,andothers;
while,formyownpart,seeingaknightassailedbyaknotofclubmen,Istruckinonhispart,forgentlebloodmusteveraidgentleblood,andso,notwithoutshrewdblowsonmysalade,ItooktoransomMessireCollartdeBertancourt。
Thereafter,verylate,andinthetwilightofOctoberthetwenty-
fifth,weturnedbacktoCompiegne,leavingtheenemies\'bastilleinaflamebehindus,whileinfrontwereblazingthebonfiresofthepeopleofthegoodtown。And,inCompiegne,weheardhowtheEnglishandthemainarmyofBurgundianshadturned,lateintheday,andcrossedbytheDukeofBurgundy\'sbridge,leavingmentokeepguardthere。Soourvictorywasgreat,andwisehadbeentheprudenceoftheFrenchcaptains,subtletybeingthemotherofvictory;for,withoutablowstruck,theyhadkeptJeandeLuxembourg,andtheEarlsofHuntingdonandArundel,waitingidleallday,whiletheirgreatbastillewastakenbyXaintraillesandthetownsfolk,andfoodwasbroughtintoCompiegne。ThusforthesecondtimeIpassedanightofjoyinabeleagueredtown,fortherewasmusicineverystreet,thechurchesfullofpeoplepraisingGodforthisgreatdeliverance,menandmaidsdancingaroundbonfires,yetgoodwatchwaskeptatthegatesandonthetowers。Nextdayweexpectedbattle,butourspiesbroughtintidingsthatBurgundiansandEnglishhaddecampedinthedawn,theirmendeserting。Thatdaywasnotlessjoyfulthanthenighthadbeen;foratRoyaulieu,intheabbeywhereJeandeLuxembourghadlain,thetownsfolkfoundallmannerofmeat,andofwinegreatplenty,sorightgoodcheerwemade,foritcostusnothing。
CHAPTERXXVIII——HOWTHEBURGUNDIANSHUNTEDHARES,WITHTHEENDOF
THATHUNTING
\"Tellme,whattidingsofhim?\"BarthelemyBarretteaskedme,onthedayafterthatunboughtfeastatRoyaulieu。
HewassittinginthenoondaysunonthebridgeofCompiegne,andstrangeitwastoseetheplacesobatteredyetsopeacefulafterfivemonthsofwar。TheOiseslidingbyandripplingonthepierswasnotmorequietthanthisbridgeofmanybattles,yetblackinplaceswithdried-upbloodofmenslain。\"TidingscanIfindnone,\"
Ianswered。\"Hewhosawthecordelierlastwasonguardintheboulevardduringthegreatcharge。HemarkedBrotherThomaslevelhiscouleuvrinenowandagain,asweranforthebastille,andcriedouttohimtoaimhigher,forthattheballwouldgoamongstus。”
\"Youwerehistarget,Imakenodoubt,\"saidBarthelemy,\"butbyreasonofthethronghehadnocertainaim。”
\"Afterwebrokeintothebastille,Icanfindnomanwhohasseteyesonhim,\"andIcursedthecordelierforveryrage。
\"Heiswellaway,ifhestaysaway:youandIneedscarceanylongerprayforeyesinthebacksofourheads。Butwhatmakewenext?\"
\"Ihavebutonethought,\"Isaid:\"toplucktheMaidoutofthehandsoftheEnglish,fornowmensaythatsheissoldtothembyJeanofLuxembourg。TheymeantotakehertoArras,andsobyCrotoyatthemouthofSeine,andacrossNormandytoRouen。SaveherFrancemust,forthehonourofFrance。”
\"Mymindisthesame,\"hesaid,andfellintoamuse。\"Hencethestraightroad,andtheshortest,\"hesaidatlast,\"isbyBeauvaisontoRouen,whereshewilllieinchains,\"anddrawinghisdaggerhescratchedlinesonthebridgeparapetwithitspoint。\"HereisCompiegne;there,fartothewest,isthesea,andhereisRouen。
Thatstraightline,\"whichhescratched,\"goestoRouenfromCompiegne。Here,midway,isBeauvais,whereofwespoke,whichtownwehold。Butthere,betweenusandBeauvais,isClermont,heldbyCrevecoeurfortheBurgundians,andhere,midwaybetweenBeauvaisandRouen,isGournay,whereKyrielandtheLordHuntingdonliewithagreatforceofEnglish。Doyoucomprehend?WemustfirsttakeClermonterewecanridetorescuetheMaidatRouen!\"
\"TheKingshouldhelpus,\"Isaid。\"ForwhatisthearmythathasdeliveredCompiegnebutasetofprivatebands,underthisgentleman\'sflagorthat,somewithBoussac,somewithXaintrailles,somewithadozenothers,andvictualsarehardtocomeby。”
\"Ay,manyapeacefulmansitsbythefireandtellshowgreatcaptainsshouldhavedonethis,andmarchedthere,neverthinkingthatmenfightontheirbellies。AndtheKingshouldhelpus,andmarchwithD\'AlenconthroughNormandyfromthesouth,whileourcompaniestakeClermontifwemay,anddrivebacktheEnglishandBurgundians。ButyouknowtheKing,andmensaythattheArchbishopofReimsopenlydeclaresthattheMaidisrightlypunishedforherpride。Hehassetupamadshepherd-boytotakeherplace,Heavenhelphim!whocanfightaswellasthatstonecanswim,\"andhedroppedaloosestoneoverthebridgeintothewater。
\"Whoeverstaysathome,wetakethefield,\"Isaid;\"letusseekcounselofXaintrailles。”
WeroseandwenttotheJacobins,whereXaintrailleswaslodged,andtherefoundhimathisdejeuner。
Hewasatallyoungknight,straightasalance,leanasagreyhound;forallhisdayshisswordhadwonhismeat;andhewashardy,keen,andbright,witheyesofsteelinascarredface,andhisbrowwasalreadywornbaldwiththehelmet。Whenhewalkedhislegssomewhatstraggledapart,byreasonofhismuchriding。
Xaintraillesreceivedusinthebestmanner,wetellinghimthatwehadriddenwiththeMaid,thatIwasofherownhousehold,andthattosaveherwewerewillingtogofar,andwellknewthatundernobannercouldwebesoforwardasunderhis。
\"IwouldallmycompanywereashonestasItakeyoutwaintobe,\"
hesaid,\"andIgladlyreceiveyouundermycolourswithanymenyoucanbring。”
\"Messire,IhaveahandfulofhorseoftheMaid\'scompany,\"saidBarthelemy,hardily;\"butwhendowemarch,forto-dayisbetterthanto-morrow。”
\"Assoonasmaybe,\"saidtheknight;\"theMarechaldeBoussacleadsusagainstClermont。ThattownwecannotleavebehinduswhenwesetforthfromBeauvais。But,withthesegreatbombards,whichwehavewonfromtheBurgundians,wemayhavereasonofClermont,andthen,\"clappinghishandstogether,andlookingup,\"thenforRouen!
Weshallburstthecageandfreethebird,Godwilling!\"
Hestoodlikeoneinprayer,crossinghimself,andourheartsturnedtohiminloyalty。
\"IfbuttheKingwillsendaforcetojoinhandswithLaHireinLouviers,theEnglishshallhavenewsofyou,Messire!\"Imadeboldtosay。
\"Ay,if!\"quothXaintrailles,andhisfacegrewdarker,\"butwemustmakegoodspeedyforthemidwinterdrawsnigh。”
Therewithwelefthim,and,infewdays,weremarchingonClermont,draggingwithlongtrainsofhorsesthegreatbombardsoftheBurgundians。
TooursummonsMessiredeCrevecoeuransweredknightly,thatClermonthewouldholdtilldeathorrescue,sowesettobatteringhishouseabouthisears。But,alas!afterfourdaysasentinelofourssaw,toolate,anEnglishknightwithninemenslipthroughthevines,undercoverofdarkness,andwinaposterngateinthetownwall。Soonweheardajoy-fireofgunswithinClermonttown,andforebodedtheworst。AtmidnightcameapeasanttoXaintrailles,withtidingsthatarescuewasridingtoClermont,andnextmorningitwasbootsandsaddlesandaway,sohastilythatweleftbehindusthegreatbombardsoftheBurgundians。Onthistheymademuchmirth;buttheylaughbestwholaughlast,asshallheseen。
AndthecauseofourgoingwasthattheEarlofHuntingdonhadriddenoutofGournay,inNormandy,withagreatforceofEnglish,todeliverClermont。Againstfoeswithinthetownandfoeswithoutthetownthecaptainsjudgedthatwewereofnoavail。Sowedeparted,heavyatheart。Nowthecompaniesscattered,andBarthelemyandI,sorryenough,rodebehindXaintrailles,duenorthtoGuermigny,whencewethreatenedAmiens。
AtGuermigny,then,forashortseason,layXaintrailles,gatheringalltheforcehemightalongthePicardymarches,fortheDukeofBurgundywasinPeronne,fullofwrathandsorrow,somanyevilshadbefallenhim。Forourselves,wewereinnogentlertemper,havinglostourhopeofpushingontoRouen。
Iwasglad,therefore,whenXaintrailleshimselfrodeonedaytothedoorofourlodginginGuermigny,strodeclangingintoourchamber,andaskedifwewerealone?Wetellinghimthatnonewaswithinear-shot,hesathimdownonthetable,playingwithhisdaggerhilt,and,withhishawk\'seyeonBarthelemy,asked,\"Youknowthislandwell?\"
\"Ihaveriddenoverit,inwarorpeace,sinceIwasaboy。”
\"HowfartoLihons?\"
\"Amatteroftwoleagues。”
\"Whatmannerofcountryliesbetween?\"
\"Chieflyplain,rudeanduntilled,becauseofthedistressesofthesetimes。Thereismuchheathandlonggrasses,agreatcountryforhares。”
\"Knowyouanycovertnightheroad?\"
\"Thererunsabrookthattheroadcrossesbyabridge,midwaybetweenGuermignyandLihons。Thebanksaresteep,andwellwoodedwithsuchtreesandundergrowthaslovewater。”
\"Youcanguidemethither?\"
\"Thereisnomissingtheroad。”
\"Godcouldnothavemadethislandbetterforme,ifHehadaskedmycounsel,\"saidXaintrailles。\"Youcankeepyourown?\"
\"NomDieu,yea!\"saidBarthelemy。
\"AndyourScotsfriendIcantrust。Agood-daytoyou,andthanksmany。”
Thereuponhewentforth。
\"Whathasheinhismind?\"IaskedBarthelemy。
\"Belikeanambush。TheDukeofBurgundyliesatPeronne,andhasmusteredagreatforce。LihonsismidwaybetweenusandPeronne,andisinthehandsofBurgundy。IdeemXaintrailleshastidingsthattheyintendtoridefromPeronnetoLihonsto-night,andthencemakeearlyonfallonusto-morrow。Beingheavy-patedmenofwar,andbemusedwiththeirstrongwine,theyknownot,belike,thatwehavemorewithusthanthesmallgarrisonofGuermigny。Andwearetoawaitthemontheroad,Idoubtnot。YoushallseementhatwearyourcrossofSt。Andrew,butnotofyourcolour。”
IshamenottosaythatofbushmentsinthecolddawnIhadseenasmuchasIhadstomachfor,underParis。Butifanycaptainwaswaryinwar,andknewhowtodiscoverwhatsoeverhisenemydesigned,thatcaptainwasXaintrailles。NonethelessIhopedinmyheartthathissecrettidingsoftheBurgundianonfallhadnotcomethroughapriest,andnamelyacordelier。
Dawnfoundusmounted,andridingatafoot\'s-pacethroughthegreatplainwhichliesroughanduntilledbetweenGuermignyandLihons。
Allgreyandstillitwas,saveforacockcrowingfromafarmsteadhereandthereonthewidewold,brokenonlybyalineoftreesthatranacrosstheway。
Underthesetrees,whichweremainlypoplarsandthickundergrowthofaldersaboutthesteepbanksofalittlebrook,wewerehalted,andheretookcover,ourmenlyingdown。
\"Letnomanstir,orspeak,savewhenIspeaktohim,whateverbefalls,onperilofhislife,\"saidXaintrailles,whenwewerealldisposedinhiding。ThentouchingmeontheshoulderthatIshouldrise,hesaid-
\"Youareyoungenoughtoclimbatree;areyoureyesgood?\"
\"Icommonlywasthefirstthatsawthehareinherform,whenwewentcoursingathome,sir。”
\"Thenupthistreewithyou!keepoutlookalongtheroad,andhideyourselfasbestyoumayintheboughs。Throwthisrussetcloakoveryourharness。”ItwasshrewdlychillinthegreyNovembermorning,ahoarfrostlyingwhiteonthefields。Itookthecloakgladlyandbestowedmyselfinthetree,sothatIhadawideviewdownLihonsway,whenceweexpectedourenemies,theroadrunningplaintoseeforleagues,likearibbon,whenoncethelowsunhadscatteredthemists。Itwasalongwatch,andaweary,myhandsbeinghalffrozeninmysteelgauntlets。Manyofourmenslept;ifeverawayfarercrossedthebridgehardbyhewasstopped,gagged,andtrussedinarope\'send。Butwayfarerswerefew,andallwerewanderingafoot。Iwassorryfortwolasses,whocrossedonsomebusinessoftheirfarm,buttherewasnoremedy。
Thesediversionspassedthetimetillnighnoon,whenIwhisperedtoXaintraillesthatIsawcloudsofdusttheroadsbeingverydryaleagueaway。HesentBarthelemyandanothertowakenanythatslept,andbadeallbereadyataword。
Nowtherecameshoutsonthewind,criesofvenerie,loudlaughter,andsnatchesofsongs。
Andnow,upinmyperch,ImyselfbrokeintoalaughatthatIsaw。
\"Silence,\"fool!\"whisperedXaintrailles。\"Whylaughyou,inthenameofBehemoth?\"
\"TheBurgundiansarehuntinghares,\"Iwhispered;\"theyareridingalldisorderly,someontheroad,somehereandthereabouttheplain。Onemanhasnolance,anotherisunhelmeted,manyhavelefttheirharnessbehindwiththebaggage!\"EvenasIspokeroseupagreathuntingcry,andapointofthechasewasblownonatrumpet。
TheforemostBurgundianswerespurringlikemadmenaftersomebeast,throwingatitwiththeirlances,andsoonIsawafoxmakingourwayforitsverylife。
\"Tohorse,\"criedXaintrailles,and,leavingthirtymentoholdthebridge,thewholeofourcompany,withspearsinrest,drovedownonthesehare-huntersofBurgundy。
Twohundredpickedmeninall,fullyarmed,werewe,andwescatteredtheforemostridersastheyhadscatteredthehares。
Saddleswereemptied,archerswerecutdownorspearederetheycoulddrawbows,theBurgundianswerespurringfortheirlives,manycriedmercy,andweretakentoransom,ofwhomIhadmyshare,asI
shalltell。
Butafewmenmadearightgoodend。ThomasKyriel,aknightofEngland,stoodtohisbanner,hisarchersralliedaboutit,withthreeorfourknightsofBurgundy。There,unhelmetedforthemostpart,theychosethewayofhonour,buttheywereofnoavailwheresomanylanceswerelevelledandsomanyswordswerehewingatsofew。Therewasagreatslaughter,butGeoffreydeThoisy,nephewtotheBishopofTournay,pluckedfromdangerfortune,forhesoborehimthathebeingfullyarmedwetookhimforMessireAntoinedeVienne,averygoodknight。Forhiscouragewesparedhim,butAntoine,beingunhelmetedandunknown,wassmittenontheheadbyBarthelemyBarrette,withablowofacasse-tete。
ForthisBarthelemymademuchsorrow,notonlythatsogoodaknightwasslain,butthathehadlostagreatransom,wherebyheshouldhavebeenarichman。Yetsuchisthefortuneofwar!Whichthatdaywasstrangelyseen;foraknighthavingyieldedtomebecausehishorsethrewhim,andhelostforamomentallsensewiththefallandfoundmybootonhisneckwhenhecametohimself,whoshouldhebebutMessireRobertHeron,thesamewhomItookatOrleans!
Who,whenheknewme,tookoffhissaladeforgreaterease,and,sittingdownonarockbytheway,sworeasneverIheardmanswear,French,English,Spaniard,orScot;andatlengthlaughed,andsaiditwasfortuneofwar,andsowascontent。Thisskirmishbeingthusended,wereturned,blitheandrichmeneveryoneofus,whatwithprisoners,horses,arms,andallmanneroftreasuretakenwiththebaggage。ThatnightwesleptlittleinGuermigny,butfeastedanddrankdeep。Formyownpart,IknownotwellwhereIdidsleep,orhowIwontowhatbed,whichshamesmesomedealafteralltheseyears。
OnthemorrowweleftGuermignytothegarrisonoftheplacefortheirill-fortune,androdebacktowardsCompiegne。
AndthiswasthesportthattheBurgundianshadinhare-hunting。
ThisBattleoftheHareswasthemerriestpassageofarmsforourparty,andbourdesweremadeonit,andsongssung,asbytheEnglishonthatotherBattleoftheHerrings。Now,moreover,I
mightbecalledrich,whatwithransoms,whatwithmyshareoftheplunderinhorses,rings,chainsofgold,jewels,silverdishes,andrichcloths,outofthebaggageoftheenemy。VerilylackofwealthcouldnomoresunderElliotandme!ForPothonwasasopenofhandashewashighofheart,andwasnogreedycaptain,whereforemenfollowedhimthemoregladly。
CHAPTERXXIX——SHOWETHHOWVERYNOBLEWASTHEDUKEOFBURGUNDY
Allthiswaswell,butwewerenonearerRouen,andthefreeingoftheMaid,onthistwentiethofNovember,thanwehadbeenwhenthesiegeofCompiegnebrokeup,onthetwenty-sixthofOctober。
TheDukeofBurgundy,welearned,waslikeamanmadwhenheheardoftheBattleoftheHares。NothingwouldservehimthatdaybuttoleadallhishosttoGuermignyfromPeronne,whencehewouldhavegotlittlecomfortofvengeance,forwewereinaplaceofsafety。
ButJeandeLuxembourgtoldhimthathemustnotventurehisnobilityamongroutierslikeus,whereinhepleasedtheDuke,butspokefoolishly。Fornoman,behedukeorprince,canbeofbetterbloodthanweoftheHouseofRothes,nottospeakofXaintraillesandmanyothergentlemenofourcompany。
TheDuke,then,putnothisnoblepersoninanyjeopardy,but,morewisely,hesentmessengersaftermyLordofHuntingdonthatheshouldbringuptheEnglishtoaidtheBurgundianhare-hunters。ButHuntingdonhaddepartedtoRouen,wherethenlayHenry,KingofEngland,aboyonwhomandonwhoseHouseGodhasavengedtheMaidwithterriblejudgments,andwillyetthemoreavengeher,blessedbeHisname!
TheDukeofBurgundycomfortedhimselfafterhiskind,forwhenhedidpluckuphearttogoagainstGuermigny,he,findingusdeparted,sackedtheplace,andrazedittotheveryground,andsowithdrewtoRoye,andtherewaitedforwhathelpEnglandwouldsendhim。NowRoyeissomesixteenleaguesduenorthofCompiegne。
Sothedayswentby,forMessireLefebvreSaint-Remy,thepursuivant,washuntingformyLordofHuntingdon,allupanddownNormandy,andatlastcametoRouen,andtothepresenceoftheDukeofBedford,theuncleoftheEnglishKing。AllthisImyselfheardfromMessireSaint-Remy,whoisstillapursuivant,andalearnedman,andamakerofbooks。
Bedfordthen,whowasbusyhoundingthatdevil,Cauchon,sometimeBishopofBeauvais,againsttheMaid,senttheComtedePercheandMessireLoysRobsart,tobidtheDukeofBurgundybeofwhatcouragehemight,forsuccourofEnglandheshouldhave。WhereinBedfordwasnotrueprophet。
Ofallthiswe,inCompiegne,knewsomuchasthatitwaswisertostriketheDukeatRoye,beforehecouldaddEnglishtalbotstohisBurgundianharriers。Thereforeallthecaptainsofcompanies,asBoussac,Xaintrailles,AlainGiron,AmadeedeVignolles,andLoysdeNaucourt,musteredtheirseveralcompanies,tothenumberofsomefivethousandmen-at-arms。WehadnewsofsixhundredEnglishmarchingtojointheDuke,andonthemwefellatCouty,hardbyAmiens,andthereslewLoysRobsart,agoodknight,oftheOrderoftheGarter,anddrovetheEnglishthatfledintothecastleofCouty,andwetookalltheirhorses,leavingthemshamed,fortheykeptnoguard。
ThencewerodetowithinaleagueofRoye,andthencesentaherald,inalldueform,tochallengetheDuketoopenbattleforhishonour\'ssake。Thiswedid,becausewehadnostoreofvictual,andmustfightorridehome。
TheDukereceivedtheherald,andmadeasifhewouldhearhimasbeseemsagentlemanunderchallenge。Buthiswisecounsellorsforbadehim,becausehewassonoble。
Wewerebut\"routiers,\"theysaid,andhadnoPrinceinallourcompany;sowemusteventarrytillthemorrow,andthentheDukewouldfight。IntruthheexpectedtheEnglish,whowerefootingittoCastleCouty。
IstoodbyXaintrailleswhenthepursuivantborebackthismessage。
Pothonspatontheground。
\"Shallwebemorenobleto-morrowthanto-day,orto-morrowcanthishuxterofmaids,theDuke,belessnoblethanheis,everydaythathesoilsknighthood?\"
Thereonhesenttheheraldback,tosaythattheDukeshouldhavebattleathisgatesifhegavenobetteranswer,forthatwaitforhispleasurewecouldnot,forwantofvictuals。
AndsowedrewhalfaleaguenearertoRoye。
TheDukesentbackourheraldwithwordthatofvictualshewouldgiveushalfhisownstore;forhehadread,asIdeem,theromanceofRichardLion-Heart,anothermannerofmanthanhimself。Wesaidnoughttothis,notchoosingtodineinsuchhighcompany,butrodeupunderthewallsofRoye,defyingtheDukewithopenribaldry,suchasnomanantcouldbearbuthewouldtakecudgelinhandtodefendhishonour。Ourintentwas,iftheDukeacceptedbattle,tofightwithnonebuthim,ifperchancewemighttakehim,andholdhimashostagefortheMaid\'slife。
Howbeit,soverynoblewastheDukethisday,thathedidnotputlanceinrestasbelikehewouldhavedoneonthemorrow,but,drawinguphismenonfoot,behindcertainmossesandmarshes,allinfirmarray,hekepthimselfcoybehindthem,andnottoofarfromthegateofRoye。
Tocrossthesemossesandmarsheswasbeyondourcunning,norcouldwefastallthatnight,andseeiftheDukewouldfeelhimselflessnoble,andmorewarlike,onthemorrow。
So,withcursesandcriesofshame,weturnedbridle,and,forthatwecouldnotholdtogether,beinginlackofmeat,thecompaniesbrokeup,andwenteachtohisownhold。
IhaveheardMessireGeorgesChastellaintell,intimesthatwerestilltocome,howfiercelytheDukeofBurgundyborehimincouncilthatnight,afterthatwehadallgone,andhowheblamedhispeoplewhowouldnotlethimfight。But,afterhehadwellsupped,heevenletthisadventureslipby,asbeingordainedbythewillofGod,who,doubtless,holdsinveryhighhonourmenofbirthprincely,andsuch,aboveall,asletsellyoungvirginstothetormentors。AndthusendedourhopetosavetheMaidbytakingcaptivetheDukeofBurgundy。
CHAPTERXXX——HOWNORMANLESLIETOOKSERVICEWITHTHEENGLISH
\"Whatmakewenow?\"IaskedofBarthelemyBarrette,oneday,afterthecompanieshadscattered,asIhavesaid,andwehadgonebackintoCompiegne。\"WhatstrokemayFrancenowstrikefortheMaid?\"
Hehunghisheadandpluckedathisbeard,erehespoke。
\"Tobeasplainwithyouasmyheartiswithmyself,Norman,\"heansweredatlast,\"deliverance,orhopeofdeliverance,seeInone。
TheEnglishhavethebirdinthecage,andRouenisnotastrengththatcanbetakenbysuddenonslaught。And,wereitso,whereisourforce,inmidwinter?Iratherputmyfaith,thatcanscarcemovemountains,insomesubtlemeans,ifanymanmightdevisethem。”
\"Wecannotsitidlehere,\"Isaid。\"Andforthreelongmonthstherewillbenomovingofarmiesinopenfield。”
\"AndinthreemonthsthesedogsoffalseFrenchdoctorsofPariswillhavetriedandcondemnedtheMaid。Formypart,IridewithmyhandfulofspearstotheLoire。PerchancethereisyetsomehopeintheKing。”
\"ThenIridewithyou,grantedyourgoodwill,forImustneedstoTours,andIhaveovermuchtreasureinmywallettoridealone。”
Indeed,Iwasnowarichman,morebyluckthanbyvalour;andthoughIsaidnoughtofit,Ihopedthatmylongwooingmightnowcometoahappyend。
Barthelemyclaspedhandsgladlyonthatoffer;andnottomakealongtale,heandhismenweremyescorttoTours,andthenceherodetoSullytoseetheKing。
Ihadnoheartforgladsurprisesthistime,buthavingsentonalettertomymaster,byaKing\'smessengerwhorodefromCompiegneerewedid,IwasexpectedandwelcomedbyElliotandmymaster,withallthejoythatmightbe,afterourlongseverance。Andinmymaster\'shandsIlaidmynewlygottengear,andheardprivilyfromhimthat,withhisgoodwill,Iandhisdaughtermightwedsosoonasshewould。
\"Forsheispiningwithgrief,andprayer,andfasting,andmarriageisthebestremedeforsuchmaladies。”
OfthisgraceIwasrightglad;yetChristmaswentbyandIdarednotspeak,forElliotseemedsetonfarotherthingsthanmirth,andwaseverandearlyinthechurches,aboveallwhenserviceandprayerwereofferedupfortheMaid。Shewasverywillingtohearallthetaleofthelongsiege,andherface,thatwasthinandwan,unlikeherbrightcountenanceofold,flushedscarletwhensheheardhowwehadbeardedandshamedthenobleDukeofBurgundy,andwhatwordsXaintrailleshadspokenconcerninghisnobleness。
\"ThereisonetrueknightleftinFrance!\"shesaid,andfellsilentagain。
Then,webeingaloneinthechamber,Itriedtotakeherhand,butshedrewitaway。
\"Mydearlove,\"shesaid,\"Iknowallthatisinyourheart,andallmylovethatisinmineyouknowwell。Butinminethereisnocareforhappinessandjoy,andtospeakasplainasamaidenmay,Ihavenownowilltomarry。WhiletheSisteroftheSaintsliesinduresse,orifshebeunjustlyslain,Ihavesetupmyresttoabideunwed,forever,astheBrideofHeaven。And,ifthelastevilbefallher,aswellIdeemitmust,IshallwithdrawmefromtheworldintothesisterhoodoftheClarisses。”
Hadthegreatmid-beamoftherooffallenandsmittenme,Icouldnothavebeenstrickenmoredumbanddead。Myfaceshowedwhatwasinmymindbelike,for,lookingfearfullyandtenderlyonme,shetookmyhandbetweenhersandcherishedit。
\"Mylove,\"Isaidatlast,\"youseeinwhatcaseIam,thatcanscarcespeakforsorrow,afterallIhaveventured,andlaboured,andwon,foryouandfortheMaid。”
\"AndI,\"sheanswered,\"beingbutagirl,canventureandgivenothingbutmypoorprayers;andifshenowperish,thenImustpraythemorecontinuallyforthegoodrestofhersoul,andtheforgivenessofherenemiesandfalsefriends。”
\"Sure,shehathalreadythecertainpromiseofParadise,andeveninthisworldherlifeiswiththeSaints。Andifmenslayherbody,weneedherprayersmorethansheneedsours。”
ButElliotsaidnoword,beingverywilful。
\"ConsiderwhatmanneroffriendtheMaidis,\"Isaid,\"whodesiresnothingbutjoyandhappylifetoallwhomsheloves,asshelovesyou。Verily,Iamrightwellassuredthat,couldsheseeusinthishour,shewouldbidyoubehappywithme,andnotchoosepenanceforloveofher。”
\"Ifsheherselfbidsmedoasyoudesire,\"saidElliotatlast,\"thenIwouldnotbedisobedienttothatDaughterofGod。”
HereItooksomecomfort,fornowathoughtcameintomymind。
\"But,\"saidElliot,\"aswereadoftherichmanandLazarus,betweenherandusisagreatgulffixed,andnonemaycomefromhertous,orfromustoher。”
\"Elliot!\"Isaid,\"ifeithertheMaidbedelivered,orifshesendsyousureandcertaintidingsunderherownhandthatshewillsyoutoputoffthishumour,willyouthenbepersuaded,andmakenomoredelay!\"
\"Indeed,ifeitherofthesemiraclesbefall,orboth,rightgladlywillIobeybothyouandher。ButnowherSaints,methinks,havelefther,weariedbythewickednessofFrance。”
\"Iasknomore,\"Ianswered,\"for,Elliot,eithertheMaidshallbefree,orsheshallsendyouthiscommand,oryoushallseemyfacenomore。”
Mypurposewasnowclearbeforeme,evenasIexecutedit,asshallbeseen。
\"Indeed,ifmyvowmustbekept,nevermayIagainbeholdyou;foroh!mylove,myheartwouldsurelybreakintwain,beingalreadyweakwithgriefandfasting,andwearywithprayer。”
Whereonshelaidherkindarmsaboutmyneck,and,despitemymanhood,Iweptnolessthanshe。
ForHolyWritsayswell,thathopedeferredmakeththeheartsick;
andminewassickuntodeath。
OfmyresolveIspokenowordmoretoElliot,lesthercounselshouldchangewhensheknewthejeopardywhereintoIwasfirmlymindedtogo。AndtomymasterIsaidnomorethanthatIwasmindedtoridetotheCourt,andforthatendIturnedintomoneyapartofmytreasure,formoneyIshouldneedmorethanarms。
Onematterinespecial,whichIdeemedshouldstandmeinthegreateststead,IpurchasedforgoldofthepottingeratTours,thesamewhohadnursedmeaftermywound。ThisdraughtIbestowedinasilverphial,gravenwithstrangesigns,andIkeptitevercloseandsecret,foritwasmychiefmainstay。
SecretlyasIwrought,yetIdeemthatmymasterhadsomeunderstandingofwhatwasinmymind,thoughItoldhimnothingofthewordsbetweenmeandElliot。ForIwasinnowaywithouthopethat,whenthebitternessofhergriefwasoverpast,Elliotmightchangehercounsel。Andagain,Iwouldnothavehimdeviseanddisputewithher,asnow,wherebyIverywellknewthatshewouldbebutthemoreunhappy,andthemoresetontakingherownwilfulway。
IthereforesaidnomorethanthatitbehovedmetoseesuchcaptainsaswereabouttheKing。
ThereafterIbadethemfarewell,noramIdisposedtowriteconcerningwhatpassedatthepartingofElliotandme。ForthriceerenowIhadlefthertopassintothemouthofwar,butnowIwentintootherperil,andwithfainterhope。
IdidindeedridetotheCourt,whichwasatSully,andthereImet,asIdesired,BarthelemyBarrette。Hegreetedmewell,andwasrichlyclad,andprosperoustobehold。Butitgavemegreaterjoythathespokeofsomesecretenterprisewhichshouldshortlybeputinhand,whenthespringcame。
\"ForIhavegoodintelligence,\"hesaid,\"thattheBastardofOrleanswillrideprivilytoLouvierswithmen-at-arms。NowLouviers,whereLaHireliesingarrison,isbutsevenleaguesfromRouentown,andwhatsecretenterprisecanhepurposethere,savetobreakthecageandsetfreethebird?\"
InthishopeItarriedlong,intendingtoridewiththespearsofBarthelemy,andplacingmytrustontwoknightssogoodandskilledinwarasLaHireandtheBastard,theMaid\'soldcompanionsinfight。
Butthedayswaxedlong,anditwasMarchthethirteentherewerodenorth,andalreadythedoctorshadbeguntoentraptheMaidwiththeirquestions,whereoftherecouldbebutoneend。
Withoutadventureverynotable,ridingmuchatnight,throughforestsandbyways,wecametoLouviers,wheretheyreceivedusjoyfully。ForitwasverywellknownthattheEnglishweremindedtobesiegethistown,thatbravedthemsoneartheirgatesatRouen,andthattheyonlyheldbacktilltheyhadslaintheMaid。Whileshelivedtheydarednotstiragainstus,knowingwellthattheirmenfearedtofollowtheirflag。
Now,indeed,Iwasingoodhope,butalas!therewerelongcounselsofthecaptains,therewasmuchharryingofNormandy,andsomeoutlyingbandsofEnglishweretrapped,andprisonersweretaken。
ButofanassaultonRouenweheardnoword,and,indeed,theadventurewasdesperate,though,forthehonourofFrance,Imarvelyetthatitwasnotputtothetouch。
\"Thereisnoughttobedone,\"Barthelemysaidtome;\"IcannottakeRouenwithahandfulofspears,andthecaptainswillnotstir。”
\"Then,\"saidI,\"farewell,forundertheliliesIfightneveragain。
Onechanceremains,andIgotoproveit。”
\"Man,youaremad,\"heansweredme。\"Whatdesperateperilareyoumindedtorun?\"
\"Iammindedtoendthismatter,\"Isaid。\"Myhonourandmyverylifestanduponit。Askmenotwhy,andswearthatyouwillkeepthissecretfromallmen,ifyouwoulddothelastservicetome,andtoHer,whomwebothlove。Itellyouthat,helpmeorhinderme,Ihavenochoicebutthis;yetsomuchIwillsaytoyou,thatI
putmyselfinthisjeopardyformyhonourandthehonourofScotland,andformylady。”
\"Thedaysarepastfortheoldchivalry,\"hesaid;\"butnomorewords。IswearbySt。Ouentokeepyourcounsel,andifmoreIcando,withoutmeremadnessandriskoutofallhope,Iwilldoit。”
\"Thisyoucandowithoutrisk。LetmehavetheaccoutrementsofoneoftheEnglishmenwholieinward,andletmeridewithyourbandatdaybreakto-morrow。Itiseasytotellsomefeignedtale,whenyouridebackwithoutme。”