 St. Bartholomew's Eve by G. A. Henty This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit LibriVox.org. Read by Anna Christensen. CHAPTER X. THE QUEEN OF NAVAR. The sun had just risen when Major Patram, accompanied by four men in the attire of peasants, went down to the port. Two of them wore steel caps and had the appearance of discharged soldiers. The other two looked like fresh countrymen and wore the low caps in use by the peasantry on their heads, carrying steel caps slung by cords from their shoulder. All four had swords stuck into their leatheren belts. Similar groups and hundreds might have been seen all over France, making their way to join the forces of the contending parties. The craft upon which the traitor led them was a small one of four or five tons burden, manned by three men and a boy. You understand, Johann. If you meet with no interruption, you will land your passengers at the mouth of the Sudre. But if you should come across any of the craft that have been hovering about the coast, and find that they are too fast for you, put them ashore wherever they may direct. If you are too hotly chased to escape after landing them, you had best also disembark and make your way back by land, as best you can, leaving them to do what they will with the boat. As like as not they would cut your throats, do they take you? And if not, would want to know whom you had landed and other matters. I do not want to lose the craft, which has done me good service in her time, and is a handy little coaster, but I would rather lose it than that you should fall into the hands of their Bordeaux boats and get into trouble. The fact that you made for shore to land passengers would be sufficient to show that those passengers would have some importance. Now good luck to you, Master Phillip. I trust to see you back here again before long. They kept straight out from La Rochelle to the Isle of Olerro, and held close along to its shore, lest boats coming out from the Charente might overhaul them. From the southern end of the island it was only a run of some eight miles into the mouth of the Soudre. A brisk wind had blown, and they made the forty miles voyage in seven hours. They could see several white sails far to the south as they ran in, but had met with nothing just quiet on the way. They were rowed ashore in the little boat the craft carried, and landed among some sandhills, among which they had once struck off and walked bristly for a mile inland, so as to avoid any questioning from persons they might meet as to where they had come from. Jacques and his brother carried bags slung over their shoulders, and in these was a store of food with which the merchant had provided them, and two or three flasks of good wine, so that they might make a day's journey at least without having to stop to purchase food. It was two o'clock when they landed, and they had there for some five hours of daylight, and before this had faded they had passed Rouen, situated on the Charente. They did not approach the town, but keeping behind it came down upon the road running along the shore three miles beyond it, and walked along it until about ten o'clock, by which time all were thoroughly tired with their unaccustomed exercise. Leaving the road they found a sheltered spot among the sandhills, ate a hearty meal, and then lay down to sleep. They were afoot again at daylight. The country was sparsely populated. They passed through a few small villages, but no place of any importance, until late in the afternoon they approached Blayet after a long day's tramp. As they thought that here they might learn something of the movements of the large body of Catholic troops Philip had heard of as guarding the passage of the Doudogne, they determined to enter the town. They passed through the gates half an hour before they were closed and entered a small cabaret. Here, calling for some bread and common wine, they sat down in a corner and listened to the talk of the men who were drinking there. It was all about the movements of troops, and the scraps of news that had come in from all quarters. I don't know who they can all be arming against, one said. The Queen of Navarre has no troops, and even if a few hundreds of Huguenots joined her, what could she do? As to Condé and the Admiral, they had been hunted all over France since they left Noyer. They say they hadn't seen fifty men with them. It seems to me they are making a great fuss about nothing. I have just heard a report. A man who had two or three minutes before entered the room said, to the effect that they arrived four days since at La Rochelle, with some five or six hundred men who joined them on the way. An exclamation of surprise broke from his hearers. Then Michel had trouble, one exclaimed. La Rochelle is a hard nut to crack in itself, and if the Prince and the Admiral have got in, the Huguenots from all the country round will rally there, and may give a good deal of trouble after all. What can the Catholic lords have been about that they managed to let them slip through their hands in that way? They must have seen for some time that they were making for the one place where they would be safe, unless indeed they were making down for Navarre. That would account for the way in which all the bridges and fords across rivers are being watched. I expect they are watching both ways, another said. These Huguenots always seem to know what is going on, and it is likely enough that while our people all thought that Cunday was making for Germany, there was not a Huguenot throughout France who did not know that he was coming west to La Rochelle, and if so, they will be moving in all directions to join him there. And that is why Descarre has got such a force at all the bridges. I heard from a man who came in yesterday that Delos is watched just as sharply from the Garonne through Cohoor right on to Espionne, and he heard the Réda Gaye and along the Aveirot the troops hold the bridges and fords as if they expected an enemy. No doubt, as soon as they heard that Cunday and his party are in La Rochelle, they would close round them and catch them in a trap. That will be as good as any other way, and save much trouble. It is a long chase to catch a pack of wolves scattered all over the country, but one can make short work of them all when you get them penned up in an enclosure. Philip cast a warning glance at his companions, for he felt so inclined to retort himself that he feared they might give away to a similar impulse. Shaquille and his brother, however, were munching their bread stolidly, while Paris was looking at the speaker, with a face so full of admiring ascent to his remark that Philip had their struggle hard to repress a laugh. It must be owned, another of the group said, that these wolves bite hard. I was in Paris last year with a count de Casseau. Well, we laugh when we saw the three parties of white wolves ride out from St. Denis, but I tell you there was no laughing when they got among us. We were in the constables' troupe, and though, as far as I know, we were all pretty stout men at arms, and were four to one against them at least. We had little to boast of when the fight was over. At any rate, I got a mark of the wolves' teeth, which has put a stop to my hunting, as you see. And he held out his arm. I left my right hand on the field of battle. It was in the fight round Conde. A young cubanot, for he was smooth-faced and but a youth, shredded off with a sweeping back-kended blow as if it had been a twig. So there was no more wolf-hunting for me. But even if I had my right hand back again, I should not care for any more such rough sport as that. Philip congratulated himself that he was sitting with his back to the speaker, for he remembered the incident well, and it was his arm that had struck the blow. His visor had been up, but as his face was shaded by the helmet and cheekpieces, and the man could have obtained but had passed and glanced at him, he felt sure on refluxion that he would not be recognized. Oh, well, we shall do better this time, the first speaker said. We are better prepared than we were then, and accept La Rochelle in four or five small towns. Every place in France is in our hands. I expect the news will be that the Prince and Calogne and the others have taken ship for England. Then when that pestilent queen of Navarre and her boy are in our hands, the whole thing will be over, and the last edict will be carried out, and each Huguenot will have the choice between the mass and the gallows. Well, I will have one more stoop of wine, and then I will be off, before we march at daybreak. How many ride out with you, the man who had lost his hand asked? A hundred. The towners voted the funds, and we marched to join Descarre tomorrow. I believe we are not going to Périgweaux, but are to be stationed somewhere on the lower Derogne to prevent any of the Huguenots from the south making their way to La Rochelle. The frequenters of the cabaret presently dropped off. Jaquille, who acted as spokesman, had unentering asked the landlord if they could sleep there, and he said there was plenty of good hay in the loft over the stable. As his duties were now over, he came across to them. Which way are you going, lads? He asked. Are you bound like the others to join one of the lords on the Derogne? No, Jaquille said. We are bound for all gay. We come from near there. I thought your tongue had a smack of gaskin in it. Yes, we came from across the border. We are tired of hard work in the vineyards, and are going to take up with our own trade, for my comrade here and I served under deeper sock in Italy. We would rather enlist under our own lord than under a stranger. Yes, that I can understand, the landlord said, but you have funded no easy work traveling at present, when every bridge and fort across the rivers is watched by armed men, and all who pass are questioned sharply as to their business. Well, if they won't let us pass, Jaquille said carelessly, we must join some leader here, though I should like to have had a few days at home first. Your best plan would have been to have gone by boat to Bordeaux. There has been a strong wind from the west for the last three days, and it would save you many a mile of weary tramping. That it would, Jaquille said, but could one get a passage? There will be no difficulty about that. There is not a day passes, now that the wind is fair, that three or four boats do not go off to Bordeaux with produce from their farms and vineyards. Of course you wouldn't get up without paying. Of course you wouldn't get up without paying, but I suppose you are not without something in your pockets. There is a cousin of mine, a farmer, who is starting in the morning, and has chartered a boat to carry his produce. If I say a word to him I have no doubt he would give the four of you a passage for a crown. What do you say, my comrades? Jaquille said. It would save us some thirty or forty miles walking, and perhaps some expense for ferries, to say nothing of trouble with the troops, who are apt enough moreover to search the pockets of those who pass. I think it would be a good plan, his brother replied, and the other two also assented. Very well then, the landlord said, my cousin will be here in the morning, for he was going to leave two or three barrels of last year's vintage with me. By the way, I daresay he will be easy with you as to the passage money, if you agree to help him carry up his barrels to the magazines of the merchants he deals with, and aid him with his other goods. It will save him from having to employ men there, and those porters of Bordeaux know how to charge pretty high for their services. I will make you up a basket for your journey. Shall I say a bottle of wine each and some bread, and a couple dozen eggs, which I will get boiled hard for you? That will do well, landlord Jaquille said, and we thank you for having put us in the way of saving our legs to-morrow. What time do you think your cousin will be in? He will have his cart at the gate by the time they open them. He is not one to waste time, besides every minute is of importance, for with this wind he may well hope to arrive in Bordeaux in time to get his cargo discharged by nightfall. That was a lucky stroke indeed, Philips said when they had gained the loft, and the landlord, having hung up a lantern, had left them alone. Half our difficulties will be over when we get to Bordeaux. I had begun to fear, from what we heard of the watch they are keeping at the bridges, that we should have found it a very difficult matter at crossing the rivers. Once out of Bordeaux, the sea-row is the only stream we shall have to cross, and that is but a small river, and is not likely to be watched, for no one making his way from the south to La Rochelle would keep to the west from the Guérinée. They were downstairs by six, had a meal of bread and spiced wine, and soon after seven there was a rumble of cards outside, and two of them stopped at the cabaret. They were laden principally with barrels of wine, but in one the farmer's wife was sitting surrounded by baskets of eggs, vows and ducks, and several casks of butter. Three of the casks of wine were taken down and carried into the house. The landlord had a chat apart with his cousin, who then came forward to where they were sitting at the table. My cousin told me that you want to go to Bordeaux, and are willing to help load my boat, and to carry the barrels to the warehouse at Bordeaux in return for a passage. Well, I agree to the bargain. The warehouse is not very far from the wharf, but the men there charge an extortionate price. We will do your work, Jacqui said. But how am I to know that when you land you will not slip away without fulfilling your share of the bargain? The farmer asked. You look honest fellows, but soldiers are not gentry to be always depended upon. I mean no offence, but business is business, you know. Jacqui put his hand in his pocket. Here is a crown, he said. I will hand it over to you as earnest. If you do not do your work, you can keep that to pay the hire of the men to carry your barrels. That is fair enough, the farmer said, pocketing the coin. Now let us go without delay. The landlord had already been paid for the supper of the night before, the lodging and the contents of the basket, and without more words they set out with a cart to the riverside. Here the boat was in waiting, and they had once set to work with the drivers of the two carts to transfer their contents into it. As they were as anxious as the farmer that no time should be lost, they worked hard, and in a quarter of an hour all was on board. They took their places in the boat, the farmer, his wife, and the two boatmen being separated from them by a pile of barrels. The sail was at once hoisted, and as the west wind was still blowing strongly, Blayet was soon left behind. This is better than walking by a long way, Philip said. We are out of practice, and my feet are tender from the tramp from the coast. It would have taken us two days to get to Bardot, even if we had had no trouble in crossing the Dordogne, and every hour is of importance. I hope we may get out of the city before the gates close, then we shall be able to push on all night. They passed several islands on their way, and after four hours run saw the walls and spires of Borg, where the Dordogne unites with the Gérionne to form the great estuary, known as the Gérionne des. At three o'clock they were alongside the wharves of Bardot. They stowed away their steel caps and swords, and at once prepared to carry up the barrels. Do you make an excuse to move off, master, Paris said. We three will soon get these barrels into the store, and it is no fitting work for you. Honest work is fitting work, Paris, and me thinks that my shoulders are stronger than yours. I have had my sale, and I am going to pay for it by my share of the work. The store was newer than Philip had expected to find it. A wide road ran along by the riverbank, and upon the other side of this was a line of low warehouses, all occupied by the wine merchants, who purchased the produce of their vineyards from the growers, and, after keeping it until matured, supplied France and foreign countries with it. Several ships lay by the wharves, some were bound for England, others for Holland, some were freighted with the northern parts of France, and some of smaller sites for Paris itself. Several men came up to offer their services as soon as the boat was alongside, and these, when they saw that the owner of the wines had brought men with them, who would transport the wine to the warehouses, indulged in some rough jeers before moving away. In the first place Philip and his companions, aided by the boatmen, carried the cargo ashore, while the farmer crossed the road to the merchant with whom he dealt. His store was not more than 50 yards from the place of landing, and as soon as he returned the work began. In an hour and a half, the whole of the barrels were carried over. The farmer's wife had seen to the carriage of her portion of the cargo to the inn, her husband frequented on these occasions. It was close to the marketplace, and there she would, as soon as the market opened in the morning, dispose of them, and by nine o'clock they would be on board again. When the last barrel was carried into the store, the farmer handed Jack Quay the crown he had taken as pledge for the performance of the bargain. You are smart fellows, he said, and nimble. The same number of these town fellows would have taken double the time that you have done, and it must have had six at least to have got the wine safely stored before nightfall. We are well contented with our bargain, Jack Quay said. It is better to work hard for two hours than to walk for two days. So good day to you, master, for we shall want to get on our way at once, and do not want to spend our money in the wine shops here. Possessing themselves of their steel caps and swords again, they made their way through the busy town to the south gates, through which a stream of peasants with carts, horses, and donkeys was passing out, having disposed of the produce they had brought in. Where are you bound to? You too with steel caps, the officer at the gate asked. Jack Quay and his brother had paused, while Philip and Paris, who had stowed their caps in the bundles they carried, went on without stopping, as it had previously been agreed that in case of one or more of his followers being stopped, Philip should continue his way, as it was urgent that he should not sever anything to delay him in the delivery of his message. He waited, however, a quarter of a mile from the gates, and the two men then rejoined him. We had no difficulty, sir, Jack Quay said. We said that we had once served, and we're going to do so again, having grown sick working in the vineyards, and that we had come up from Blayet with a cargo of wine and had taken our discharge, and were now bound, for all gay, to see our families before joining a force, before joining the force of the Viscount de Roulac, under whom our father held a farm, would no doubt be putting in the field. That was sufficient, and he let us go on without further question, except that he said that we should have done better by going up Sente or Cognac and taking service with a force there, instead of making this long journey up to All Gay. They walked steadily on until, when it was nearly midnight, they arrived at a small village on the banks of the Siro, as the inhabitants would have been in bed hours before. They made up their minds not to attempt to find a shelter there, but to cross by the bridge and sleep in the first clump of trees they came to. As they approached the bridge, however, they saw a fire burning in the center of the road. Two men were sitting beside it, and several others lay round. Soldiers, Philip said, it would not do to try to cross at this time of night. We will retire beyond the village and wait until morning. They turned off into a vineyard as soon as they were outside the village, and lay down among the vines that had some weeks before been cleared of their grapes. How far does this river run before it becomes affordable, Jackwee? I do not know, sir. There are hills run along a line with the Guaranae some 10 or 12 miles back, and I should say that when we get there we shall certainly find points at which we might cross this stream. That would waste nearly a day, and time is too precious for that. We will go straight on in the morning. Our story has been good enough this far. There is no reason why I should not carry us through. Accordingly, as soon as the sun was up, they entered the village and went into a cabaret and called for wine and bread. You are traveling early, the landlord said. Yes, we have a long tramp before us, so we thought we had better perform part of it before breakfast. These are busy times. Folks are passing through one way or the other all day. It is not for us innkeepers to grumble, but peace and quiet are all we want about here. These constant wars and troubles are our ruin. The growers are afraid to send their wine to market, for many of these armbands are no better than brigands, and think much more robbing and plundering than they do of fighting. I suppose by your looks you are going to take service with some lord or other. Jaquie repeated the usual tale. Well, well, every man to his liking, the landlord said. But for my part I can't think what Frenchmen want to fly to each other's throats for. We have got 30 soldiers quartered in the village now, though what they are doing here is more than I can imagine. We shall be glad when they are gone, for they are a rough lot, and their leader gives himself as many airs as if he had conquered the place. I believe they belong to a force that is lying in Bozé, some five weeks away. One would think that the Queen of Navarre had got a big Kuganon army together, and was marching north. I should not think she could raise an army, Philip said carelessly, and if she is wise she will stop quietly down and bairn. There is a rumour here, the landlord said, that she is at Narac, with only a small party of gentlemen, and that she is on her way to Paris to assure the King that she has no part in these troubles. I don't know whether this has anything to do with the troops, who, as I hear, are swarming all over the country. They say that there are 1500 men at Argané. I am afraid we shall trouble at this bridge, Philip said, as the landlord left them. They seem to be a rough lot, and this truculent lieutenant might not be satisfied with a story that his betters would accept without question. We will ask our host if there is any place where the river can be folded without going too far up. We can all swim, and as the river is no great width, we can make a shift to get across even if the fort is a bad one. The landlord presently returned. Jaquie put the question. By your account of those fellows at the bridge, we might have trouble with them? As like as not, the landlord said, they worry and vex all who come past. Insult quiet people, and have seen several who have happened to have no papers of domicile about them and set them off to Bazaar. They killed a man who resented their rough usage two days ago. There has been talk in the village of sending a complaint of their conduct to the officer at Bazaar, but perhaps he might do nothing, and if he didn't, it would only make it the worst for us. Well, we don't want troubles, Jaquie said. And therefore, if we could pass the river without having to make too wide a detour, we would do so. Do you know of any fords? Yes, there are two or three places where it can be crossed when the water is low, and as there has been no rain for some weeks past, you will be able to cross now easily enough. There is one four miles higher up. You will see a clump of bullet trees on the side of the river, and there was a pile of stone some five feet high on the other side. You enter the river close by the trees, and then keep straight for the pile of stones, which is some 50 yards higher up, but the ford crosses the river at an angle. Well, we will take that way then, Jaquie said. It is better to lose an hour than to have trouble here. An hour later, the party arrived at the ford and crossed it without difficulty, the water being little above their wastes. Some miles farther, they saw ahead of them the towers of Bazaar, and struck off from the road they were traversing to pass to the east of it. They presently came upon a wide road. This must be the road to Naraq, Philip said. There are neither rivers nor places of any side to be passed now. The only danger is from bodies of horse watching the road. And if I mistake not, sir, there is one of them approaching now, Paris said, pointing ahead. As he spoke, the heads and shoulders of a body of horsemen were seen as they rode up from a dip the road made into a hollow half a mile away. Philip glanced around. The country was flat, and it was too late to think of concealment. We will go quietly on, he said. We must hope they will not interfere with us. The troop consisted of some twenty men, two gentlemen riding at their head, and as they came up they checked their horses. Were there come ye, and where are you bound? We come from Bordeaux, sir, and we are bound for our gay. Jaquie replied. My comrade and I served under Debrussock when we were mere lads, and we have a fancy to try the old trade again, and our young cousins also want to try their medal. You are a Gaskin by your tongue? That is so, Jaquie said, and it is for that reason we are going south. We would rather fight in a company of our own people than with strangers. Whom have you been serving at Bordeaux? I am from the city, and know most of those in and round it. We have not been working there, sir. We came from near Bleyé, and made the journey thence to Bordeaux, by a boat with our master, Jaquie Blosie, who was bringing to Bordeaux a cargo of his wines. Why waste time, Raoulou, the other gentlemen said impatiently. What matter if they come from Bordeaux or Bleyé? These are not of those whom we are here to arrest. Anyhow, they are not Huguenot lords, but look what they say they are. But whether men at arms or peasants they concern us not. Maybe while we are questioning them a party of those we are in search of, maybe traversing some other road, let us be riding forward. He roughly pricked his horse with his spur, and the troop rode on. I think you were wrong to be so impatient, Louis, the one who had acted as interrogator said. Anyone see with half an eye that those two fellows were, as they said, old men at arms. There was a stiffness and a straightness about men who had been under the hand of the drill sergeant, and I could swear that fellow was a gaskin, as he said. But I am not so sure as to when the young fellow was with him. I was about to question him when you broke in. He did not look to me like a young peasant, and I should not be at all surprised if he is some Huguenot gentleman, making his way to Iraq with three of his followers. Well, if it was so, Louis, he would not swell the Queen's army to any dangerous extent. I am glad you didn't ask him any questions, for if he declared himself a Huguenot, and to do them justice the Huguenots will never deny their faith. I suppose it would have been our duty to have fallen upon them and slaughtered them, and though I am willing enough to draw with numbers at any of the equal, and it is a fair fight, I will take no part in the slaughter of men when we are twenty to one against them. Three or four men, more or less, at Iraq will make no difference. The Queen of Novar has bet some fifty men in all, and whenever the orders come to seize her and her son, it may be done easily enough whether she has fifty or a hundred with her. War is all well enough, Roy. But the slaughtering of solitary men is not an occupation that suits me. I am a good Catholic, I hope, but I have horrors as methodicals of defenceless people only because they want to worship in their own way. I look to the Pope as the head of my religion on Earth, but why should I treat as a mortal enemy a man who does not recognize the Pope's authority? That is dangerous doctrine, Louis. Yes, but why should it be? You and I were both at the colloquy at Edoisei, and we saw that the cardinal of Lorraine and all the bishops failed totally to answer the arguments of the Huguenot minister, Bisa. The matter was utterly beyond me, and had Bisa argued ten times as strongly as he did, it would no way have shaken my faith. But I contend that if Lorraine himself and the bishops could not show this man to be wrong, there can be nothing in these people's interpretation of scripture that can be so terrible as to deserve death. If they become dangerous to the state, I am ready to fight against them as against any other enemies of France. But I can say nothing that can excuse the persecutions of massacres, and if these men be enemies of France, a which is yet no proof has been shown. It is because they have been driven to it by persecution. Louis, my cousin, the other said, it is dangerous indeed in these days to form an opinion. You must remember our great statesman, La Habatelle, has fallen into some disgrace, and has been deprived of rank and dignity because he has been an advocate of toleration. I know that, Roy, but I also know there are members of our nobles and gentlemen who, although staunch Catholics, are sick of seeing the king acting as a tool of Philip of Spain and the Pope, and who shudder as I do at beholding France stained with blood from end to end simply because people choose to worship God in their own way. You must remember that these people are not the ignorant scum of our towns, but that among them are a large number of our best and wisest heads. I shall fight no less staunchly when fighting has to be done because I am convinced that it is all wrong. If they are in arms against the king, I must be in arms for him. But I hope nonetheless that when arms are laid down there will be a cessation of persecution, at any rate a cessation of massacre. It is bringing disgrace on us in the eyes of all Europe, and I trust that there may be a league among us to withstand the geeses, and to insist that there shall be in France no repetition of the atrocities by which Philip of Spain and the Duke of Elva are trying to stamp out the reform religion in the Netherlands. Well, I help at any rate, Louis, his cousin said impatiently, that you will keep those opinions to yourself, for assuredly they will bring you into disgrace, and may even cost you your possessions and your head if they are uttered in the presence of any friend of the geeses. End of Chapter 10. Saint Bartholomew's Eve by G. A. Henty This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit LibriVox.org. Read by Anna Christensen. Chapter 11. Jean of Navarre It is lucky, Philip said to Jaquie, as they proceeded on their way after the troop had ridden on, that he did not think of asking us if he were Huguenots. I was expecting it myself, sir, Jaquie said, and I was turning it over in my conscience how I could answer. There could be but one answer, Jaquie, though no doubt it would have cost us our lives. I should not deny my faith, even to save my life, sir, if the question were put to me, are you a Huguenot? But I think that when four lives are at stake, it is lawful to take any opening there may be to get us out of it. But how would there have been an opening, Jaquie? Well, sir, you see, if he had asked, are you Huguenots? I think I could have said no with a clear conscience, seeing that you are an Englishman. Your religion may be like ours, but you are not a Huguenot. And although Paris does not seem to mean to have quite made up his mind as to what he is, assuredly I should not call him a Huguenot. So you see, sir, that is only two out of the four are Huguenots. There would have been no lie to my saying no to that question. But if he had said, are you Catholics, then I must have answered no, seeing that none of us go to mass. Hmm, it is a nice question, Philip said, but seeing that the Catholics never keep their owes and their promises to what they call heretics, I think that one would be justified, not in telling a lie, for nothing can justify that, but in revealing oneself of a loophole such as one would scorn to use to others. I should be sorry to have the question asked me, though seeing I am not myself a Huguenot, although I am fighting with them, I think that I could reply no, especially as it is not a question of my own life only, but one involving the whole cause of the Huguenots. If I were in your place, I don't know what I should do, but as you say that you could do it without your conscience pricking you, I certainly should not put pressure upon you to say yes. However, I hope you may never be asked the question, and that we shall meet with no more interruptions until we get to Naraq. There can be little doubt that at present the Catholics have received no orders to seize the queen or son at Naraq, although they have orders to prevent her at all costs from going forward to Paris, except under escort, and are keeping a sharp lookout to prevent her from being joined by parties of Huguenots who would render her force formidable. I should hope that by this time we are past the last of their bands. Those we met just now doubtless belong to the force gathered in Bazaar, and it is in the direction of the North rather than the West that the Catholics are most vigilant. If she succeeds in making her way through them, it will be well-nigh a miracle. Now that we are well past Bazaar, we will leave the road and make our way across the fields, for it is upon the roads that any watch there may be will be set. It was a long day's journey, and at eight o'clock in the evening, they lay down in a wood ten miles from Naraq, having walked fully fifty miles since crossing the river Si'ran. I am very glad, Monser Philip, that we were not here four hours earlier. Why, Pari? Because, sir, in that case you would have insisted on pushing on to Naraq, so as to enter it before the gate is closed, and in that case I doubt whether with the best will I could have gone that far, and I am sure that Jaquie and Roger could not have done so. No, indeed, Jaquie said. I have done my last inch for the last four hours I felt as if I were walking upon hot irons, so sore are my feet, and indeed I could not have travelled at all if I had not taken your advice and gone barefoot. They had brought some wine and bread in a little village to which they had passed, and as soon as they had finished their supper they lay down to sleep. They were up next morning long before daybreak, and were at the gates of Naraq before they opened. A group of countrymen were gathered there, and as soon as a drawbridge was lowered, they entered the town with them. They observed that there were sentries all around the walls, and that a keen watch was kept. As Philip was aware, the majority of the inhabitants there were Huguenots, and the governor was a noble Eben, and it was doubtless for this reason that the Queen of Navarre had halted here, as Naraq was a strong town, and not to be taken without a regular siege. They had no difficulty in ascertaining where the Queen was lodged. Early as it was, several Huguenot gentlemen, armed to the teeth, were gathered round the door. Philip, leaving his companions behind him, went up to the group and addressing one of them, said, I am the bearer of a message for the Queen. It is important. May I pray you, sir, to cause this ring to be conveyed to her. It is a token that she will recognize. The gentleman glanced at the ring. She may well do that, he said, seeing that it bears her own cognizance. The Queen is already up, and I will cause it to be sent into her at once. Two minutes later another gentleman came out. Her Majesty will at once see the messenger who has brought the ring, he said, and Philip at once followed him into the house. He was conducted to a room where a lady was sitting, whom he recognized by the description he had read of her as the Queen of Navarre. Beside her stood a lad of fifteen. You come from the admiral, she said. Have you dispatches for me? I have a paper sewn up in my boot, Your Majesty, but it was read over to me several times in case either water or wear should render it illegible. He has reached La Rochelle safely, as I heard three days since, the Queen said, but with a small following. He and the Prince had over five hundred with them when they rode in, Your Majesty, and parties were arriving hourly to swell his force. On the day I left he was going out to attack Nior, and that captured he was going to move south. That was the message I was charged to deliver. You will find him either in Cognac or in the front of that town. That is good news indeed, the Queen said. For I should have had to make the wide detour to pass round the Chéronté, all the towns and bridges being held by our enemies. It would be difficult enough to cross the intervening rivers. Indeed, as the news that I had started hence would arrive long before I did myself, it would be hopeless to elude their vigilance, and I should have had to take a long bend to the east, and might well have been cut off before I could reach him. And who are you, sir, that the Admiral should think fitted in trust so important a message to you? I am English-born, madame, and my name is Philip Fletcher. My mother was French, being the daughter of the Count de Mouly, and she sent me over to reside with her sister, the Countess of Leveau, in order that I might fight for the cause of the religion by the side of my cousin François. I rode with him through the last campaign in the train at François, Dylanouie, and having had the good fortune to attract the notice of the Prince of Condé and the Admiral, they selected me to bear this message to you, thinking that, being but a lad, I should better escape suspicion and question than a French gentleman would do, especially as he would risk being recognized, while my face would be altogether unknown. Now, if your majesty would permit me, I will open the lining of my shoe. You will find, however, that the despatch contains but few words. At first the Admiral thought only to give me a message, but he afterwards wrote what he had said, in order that should any evil befall me by the way, one of the three men who accompanied me should take my shoe and bring it to your majesty. By this time he had slid open the lining of his shoe with his knife and handed the little piece of paper to the Queen. It contained only the words, all goes well, I am hoping to see you. You will find me in or near, Cognac. There was no signature. You have done good service to the cause, Monsieur Fletcher, the Queen said. How did you manage to pass south, for I hear that every bridge and fort is guarded by the Catholics. Philip gave a brief account of his journey. You have acted prudently and well, Yen Sir, and fully justified the Admiral's confidence in your prudence. What are your orders now? They are simply to accompany your majesty on your way north, if it be your pleasure to permit me to ride in your train. I shall do that right willingly, Sir, and it will be a pleasure for my son to hear from your lips a full account of your journey hither, and something of your native land, in which it may be that he will be some day compelled to take refuge. You shall ride by my side, Monsieur Philip, the young Prince said. You look as if you could laugh and joke. These jugonaut lords are brave and faithful, but they have ever serious faces. Hush, Henry! It is not fitting to speak so. They are brave and good men. That may be, Mother, but they weary me dreadfully, and I am sure it would be much more cheerful having this English gentleman as my companion. The Yen Prince was tall for his age, active and sinewy. His mother had brought him up as if he had been a peasant boy. As a child he had run about barefoot, and as he grew had spent much of his time among the mountains. Sometimes with shepherds, sometimes engaged in the chase. Jean herself had a horror of the corruption of the French court, and strobe to make her son hearty and robust, with simple tastes and appetites, and preferring exercise, hard work, and hunter's food to the life of the town. He had practiced constantly in arms, and his mother regretted nothing so much as the fact that, next to the King and his brother, he stood in succession to their French throne, and would have been far happier that he should rule someday over the simple and hearty people of Navarre. The first thing to do, Mangeur Fletcher, the Queen said, is to obtain more suitable garments for yourself and your followers. This my Chamberlain shall see about without delay. I will then present you to the gentlemen who accompany me. They are about a small party, but we have received premises from many others who will join us on our way. I might tell you it is already arranged that I shall set forward this evening. Mangeur Descarres has, I hear, some 4,000 gentlemen under arms, but these are widely scattered, and I hope to have a sufficient force to overcome them at any point we may make for. Some friends have secretly collected two or three boats near Tournai, where there has been a small party the Catholics assembled. Once past the Guérinée, we shall feel safe for a time. Would it please you that I should ride on first to Tournai, Your Majesty, and ascertain that the Guérins in there are not alert and have no suspicion that you are about to cross so close to them? Being a stranger here I could pass on unsuspected, while were any of the gentlemen with you seen near Tournai, it would create suspicion that you yourself were about to cross in the neighborhood. I thank you for that offer, the Queen said, and will speak to you about it later on. As Philip had been furnished with money, he did not trouble the Queen's Chamberlain, but at once purchased clothes for himself and his three followers. Together with breasts and backpaces for Jaquie and Roger, on his return to the Queen after an hour's absence, he was informed that Prince Henry had meant inquiries for him, and was shown into a room where the young Prince was sitting down to his breakfast, the Queen being engaged in business with some of her counsellors. Ah, that is right, Montjeur Fletcher. I have been waiting breakfast for you half an hour. Come, set you down with me. I warrant you have been too busy since you arrived in Iraq to think of a meal. I don't think, Prince, Philip began, that it would be seemingly that I... Nonsense, the Prince interrupted. We are not at the Court of France, thank goodness, and we have no ceremony at bayre, besides the simple gentleman made down with the King any day. So sit down without any more delay, and let me hear all your adventures. Philip still hesitated, and the Prince said, I told my mother that I was going to have you to breakfast with me, and I believe she was well satisfied that I should, to our time, be out of her way. This removed any doubt from Philip's mind, and he had once sat down with the Prince and ate a hearty meal, after which he chatted with him for an hour, telling him about the journey from La Rochelle, the rescue of the Huguenots near New York, and some of the adventures in the last war. And you were with my cousin, Condé, and the admiral in the Battle of Saint Denis? What luck you have had, Montjeur Fletcher. I hope that day will come when I too shall take part in war, and be a great leader like the admiral, but I would rather that it was against Spaniards or others than against Frenchmen. The door opened, and the Queen entered. Philip rose hastily, but she motioned him to be seated. No ceremony, I beg of you, Master Philip. I am glad to find you here with my son. I have spoken to some of my friends if you're offered to go to Tornay. But they think not well of it. It is a small place, and a stranger would be sure to be questioned. But it was agreed that if he would ride through Alguay, he might do us great service. Five leagues from Tornay, Fontaray, the Seneschal of Armagnac, will be waiting for me in the morning with a troop of horse and a regiment of infantry. If the governor of Alguay has news of his coming, he may send out a force to attack him, or should he not feel strong enough for that, he may at least think that I am intending to join the Seneschal, and in that case he may send out troops to bar the roads leading thither from the river. As many will be passing through Alguay on their way to join Descarre, the passage of a gentleman and two-minute arms will excite no attention, and if you put up for a short time at an inn, you may be able to gather whether there has been any movement of the troops, or whether there is any talk of the departure of any this evening. Should all be quiet, you can join me on the road, or ride direct to the village of Villanue Diagnoy, where the Seneschal will arrive some time tonight. If you should hear of any movement of the troops, ride down on the other side of the river till within two miles of Tornay. Then, if you place your minute intervals of three or four hundred yards apart, you will be sure to see us cross, and can give us warning of danger, and such indications as you may gather as to the points where the troops are likely to be posted. We shall cross about midnight. I will gladly undertake the mission, Velop said. I will go out and procure some horses at once. That is unnecessary, the queen said. We have brought several spare horses with us, and I have already ordered for to be settled for you. You have no armor, I see. I would rather ride without it, Your Majesty, especially on such a mission as the present. Besides, if in full armor I might well be accosted and asked to whose party I belong, while riding in as I am unarmed, save for my sword, I should have the air of a gentleman of the neighborhood who had merely ridden in on business or to learn the latest news. The queen smiled up previously. You see, Henry, this gentleman, although about to undertake a dangerous business, does not proceed rashly or hastily, but thinks coolly as to the most prudent course to pursue. You will understand, Mandra Fletcher, that several of the gentlemen with me have volunteered for this duty, and that we have accepted your offer solely because they could scarcely end our gay without meeting some who know them, while you, being a stranger, do not run this risk. Moreover, madam, I have another advantage, were any of them questioned and asked directly, are you a Huguenot? They could not but answer yes, whereas with that question put to me I could reply no, seeing that I am an English Protestant, and in no way, saving my sympathies, a Huguenot. That is an advantage, certainly, but it may be the question will be put, are you a Catholic? In that case, Your Majesty, I could only reply no, but me thinks the other question is the most likely one. I wish I were going to ride with Mandra Fletcher, mother. That is impossible, Henry. Prescures a Gascon gentleman that has been down at one time or other to bear. Do not be anxious for adventures. They will come in time, my son, and plenty of them, would that you could pass your life without one. But in these troubled times, and with France divided against itself, that is too much to hope. Should you, by any chance, Mandra Fletcher, fail to rejoin us at Villeneux Diagnue, you may ever take us further on. But run no risk to do so. You know whether we are bound, and I trust that when we arrive there we may find you before us. I myself will retain the ring that you brought me, and will return it to the admiral. But wear this in remembrance of one in whose service you risked your life, and she handed him a diamond ring, which he knew enough of gems to be aware was of considerable value. And take this dagger, the Prince said, taking a small and beautifully tempered weapon from his belt. It is but a bodkin, but it is a famous steel. It was sent me by Philip of Spain at a time when he was trying to cajole my mother, and is one of the best workmanship of Toledo. Philip expressed his thanks to the Gifts in suitable words, and then taking leave of the Queen and Prince went down to the courtyard. He or he found Paris in the two-minute arm standing at the head of three powerful horses, while one of the Queen's retainers held a very handsome animal in readiness for himself. Her Majesty begs you to accept these horses, sir, as a slight token of her goodwill. In five minutes the party had issued from Narac. Paris is usual keeping close behind Philip, and the two-minute arms riding a few lengths behind. This is truly a change for the better, Monsignor Philip, Paris said. We entered Narac as tillers of the soil. We ride out in nightly fashion. Yes, Paris, it is good to be on the back of a fine horse again, and this one I am riding is worthy of the place beside Victor and Robin. Yes, he is as good as either of them, sir. I am not sure that he is not better. We, too, are well content with the Queen of Narac's generosity, for our stewards gave us, before we started, each a purse of twenty crowns, which has been a wonderful sell to our sore feet. I trust there will be no more occasion to use them for a time. I hope not. It was a long journey, but it was fortunate that we pushed on as we did, for had we been twelve hours later, we should not have found the Queen at Narac. And why does not your honour stay to ride with her? Paris asked. I hope to join her again tonight. We are going through Al Gaye, where I hope to gather such news of the movements of the Catholic troops as may be of use to her. Al Gaye was about fifteen miles distance from Narac, and as there was no occasion for haste, and Philip did not wish the horses to have the appearance of being ridden fast, they took three hours in traversing the distance. When they neared the town he said to Paris, I shall not take you with me. If there should be trouble, though I do not see how this can welcome about, four men could do no more than one. Therefore, Paris, do you follow me no nearer than is sufficient to keep me in sight? The other two will follow you at an equal distance, together or separately. Should any accident befall me, you are on no account to ride up or meddle in the business. I told you what my instructions are, and it will be your duty to carry them out if I am taken. You will put up your horse, and mingling with the soldiers and townspeople, find out if there is any movement in the wind, or whether any troops have already gone forward. Jaquille and Roger will do the same, and you will meet in exchange news. If you find that anything has been done, or is going to be done, towards putting more guards on the river, or dispatching a force that might interfere with the passage of the queen, from Tonnet to Villeneuve Diagonoi, Roger and Jaquille will ride it to the point where I told you the crossing is to be made, and will warn the queen of the danger. I leave you free to ride with them, or to stay in the town till you learn what has happened to me. If you should find that there is no movement of troops, you and the others will be free either to ride to Pontier, or to make your way back to Cognac, and to join my cousin and give him news of what has happened to me. If I am only held as a prisoner, the admiral will dealt with exchange of Catholic gentlemen for me. He is sure to take many prisoners with the capture of the towns. He then called the two men at arms up, and repeated the instructions to them. But maybe not strike in should you get into trouble, master. Roger and I would far rather share whatever may befall you. No, Jaquille. It would be worse in every way. Force could be of no avail, and it would lessen my chance of escape where you beside me. Single-handed I might get through and trust to the speed of my horse. It taken I might plan some mode of escape. In either case it would hamper me where you there. Above all it is important that my mission should be fulfilled. Therefore my commands on that head are strict. I do not apprehend troubles in any way. But if it should occur, you will at once torn your horses down the first street you come to, so that you may in no way be connected with me. Paris will of course turn first. You will follow him, see where he stables his horse, then go on to some other cabaret, and having put up your horses go back to the place where he has stopped. Wait till he joins you outside, then arrange for the hour at which you are to meet again, and then go off in different directions, together the news of which we are in search. Take no further thought about me at all. Give your whole minds to the safety of the Queen. Upon that depends greatly the issue of this war, where she and her son to fall into the hands of the Catholics. It would be a fatal blow to the cause. So saying he rode on again at the head of the party, when within a quarter of a mile of the town he again called Paris up to him. Paris, do you take this ring and dagger? Should I be taken I shall assuredly be searched to see whether I am the bearer of dispatches. I should grieve to lose these gifts, as much as I should to fall into the hands of the Catholics. Keep them for me until you learn that there is no chance of my ever returning to claim them, and then give them to my cousin, and beg him in my name to return the ring to the Queen of Avar and the dagger to the young prince. I like not all these provisions, Paris said to himself. Hitherto the master has never, since I first knew him, given any commands to me as to what was to be done in case he were captured or killed. It seems to me that the danger here is as nothing to the danger he has often run before, and he must have some sort of herboding of evil. If I were not a Huguenot, I would vow a score of pounds of candles to be burnt at the shrine of the Holy Virgin, if the master gets safe out of yonder town. Philip rode on across the bridge and entered the gates without question. Up to this time his followers had kept close behind him. But now, in accordance with his instructions, they dropped behind. He continued his way to the principal square, rode up to an inn, entered a courtyard, and gave his horse to the stableman. Give it a feed, he said, and put it in the stable. I shall not require it until the afternoon. Then he went into the public room, called for food and wine, and sat down. The tables were well-knifeful, for there were many strangers in the town. After our first glance the newcomer then paid him any attention. Purring the two men had, in accordance with his instructions, past the inn they had seen him enter and put up at other places. There was a loud buzz of conversation, and Philip listened intently to that between four gentlemen who had just sat down at the table next to him. Three of them had come in together, and the fourth joined them just as Philip's meal was brought in. Well, have you heard any news of the governors, Magnal? One of them asked the last-comer. Bad news. Condé and the admiral were not letting the grass grow under their feet. They had captured not only Nior as we heard yesterday, but Parthené. Pest that is bad news indeed! What a blunder it was to let them slip through our fingers, when they might have seized them with two or three hundred men in Burgundy. It seems to me that they are making just the same mistake here, another put in. As Jean of Navarre's will now is dangerous as the admiral himself, why don't they seize her in her cub and carry them to Paris? Because they hope that she will go willingly over on a court, Saint-Amon. La Morte Fanamot has been negotiating with her for the last fortnight on behalf of the court. It is clearly far better that she should go there of her own will, than that she should be taken there a prisoner. Her doing so would seem a desertion of the Huguenot cause, and would be a tremendous blow to them. On the other hand, if she were taken there as prisoner, it would drive many a Huguenot to take up arms who is now content to rest quiet. And, moreover, the Protestant princes of Germany and Elizabeth of England would protest, for whatever the court may say of the admiral. They can hardly affirm that Jean of Navarre is thinking of making war against Charles, for any other reason than the defence of her faith. Besides, she can do no harm at Navarre, and we can always lay hands on her when we lie. At any rate, there is no fear of her getting farther north. The rivers are too well guarded for that. I don't know, another said, after the way in which Condé and the admiral, though hampered with women and children, made their way across France, I should never be surprised at anything. You see, there is not a place where she has not friends. These pestilent Huguenots are everywhere. She looked at warning of danger, and guides across the country, peasants who know every barrow through the fields and every shallow in the rivers. It would be far better to make sure of her and her son by seating them at Narac. Besides, Saint-Termin said, there are reports of movements of Huguenots all over Guyenne, and I heard a rumour last night that the Sanichel of Armagnac has got a considerable gathering together. These Huguenots seem to spring out of the ground. Six weeks ago no one believed that there was a corner of France where they could gather a hundred men together. And now they are everywhere in arms. I think, Magnon said, that you need not be uneasy about the Queen of Navarre. I am not at liberty to say what I have heard, but I fancy that before many hours she would be on her way to Paris, willingly or unwillingly. As for the Sanichel, he and the others will be hunted down as soon as this matter is settled. A day or two sooner or later will make no difference there, and until the Queen is taken the troops will have to stay in their present stations. My only fear is that, seeing she can have no hope of making her way north, she will slip away back to Navarre again. Once there she could not be taken without a deal of trouble. Whatever is to be done must be done promptly. Without direct orders from the court no step can be taken in so important a matter, but the orders may arrive any hour, and I think you will see that there will be no loss of time in executing them. And a rock could not stand a long siege even if it were strongly garrisoned, and the handful of men she has got with her could not defend the walls for an hour. I hope she may not take the alarm too soon. For, as you say, once back in Navarre would be difficult indeed to take her. It is no joke hunting a bear among the mountains, and as her people are devoted to her she could play hide and seek among the valleys and hills for weeks, higher months, before she be laid hold of. It is well for our cause, Magnon, that she is not a man. She would be as formidable a foe as the admiral himself. Huguenot as she is, one can't help respecting her. Her husband was a poor creature beside her. He was ready to swallow any bait offered him, while even if it would seat her son on the throne of France, she would not stir a hand's breadth from what she thinks is right. Philip finished his meal and then went out into the square. The news was satisfactory. No order had yet arrived for the seizure of the queen, and though one was evidently looked for to arrive in the course of a few hours. It would then be too late to take any steps until nightfall at the earliest, and by nine o'clock the queen would have left Narok. No movement was intended at present against the Sennichal, nor did the idea that the queen might attempt to join him seem to be entertained. It was possible, however, that such a suspicion might have occurred to the governor, and that some troops might secretly be sent off later. He must try to learn something more. Confident that he could not be suspected of being awkward what he was, a Catholic gentleman, for his garments were of much wider hue than those affected by the Huguenots. He strolled quietly along, pausing and looking into shops when he happened to pass near groups of soldiers or gentlemen talking together. So he spent two or three hours. No word had reached his ear indicating that any of the speakers were anticipating a sudden call to horse. He saw that Paris was following him, keeping it some distance away, and pausing whenever he paused. He saw no signs of the other two men, and added not that they were, as he had ordered, spending their time in wine shops frequented by the soldiers, and listening to their talk. Feeling convinced that no orders had been given of the assembly of any body of troops, he sat down for a time at a small table in front of one of the principal wine shops and called for a bottle of the best wine, thinking that the fact that he was alone would be less noticeable than if he continued to walk the streets. Presently a party of four or five gentlemen sat down at a table a short distance off. He did not particularly notice them at first, but presently glancing that way saw one of them looking hard at him, and a thrill of dismay ran through him, as he recognized the gentleman addressed to his Rahu, the leader of the party that had stopped him near Bazaar. He had, however, presence of mind enough to look indifferently at him, and then to continue sipping his wine. The possibility that this gentleman with his troop should have come to a gay had never entered his mind, and though the encounter was the most unfortunate one, he trusted that the complete change in his appearance would be sufficient to prevent his recognition, although it was evident by the gaze fixed on him, that the gentleman had an idea that his face was familiar. To move now would heighten suspicion of any existed, and he therefore sat quiet, watching the people who passed in front of him, and revolving in his mind the best course to be taken should Rahu address him. The latter had just spoken to his cousin, who was sitting next to him. Do you know that young gentleman, Louis? He asked, I seem to know his face well, and yet he does not know me, for he just now glanced at me without recognizing me. You know most of the gentry in this neighborhood. Do you know him? No, I cannot say that I do, Rahu, though I too seem to have a recollection of his face. It is a sort of face one remembers too. I should think his family must belong to the North, for you do not often see men of that complexion about here. He looks very young, not above 19 or 20, but there is a look of earnestness and resolution about his face that would point to his being seven years older. Dismissing the matter from his mind, Rahu joined in the conversation round him. Presently he grasped his cousin's arm. I know now where we saw the face, Louis. He was one of the four fellows we stopped two days since near Bazaar. Impossible, Rahu. Those men were peasants. The two of them had served for some time in the army. The others, and he stopped. You see it yourself, Louis. One of the others was a dark, active man. The other was but a lad, a tall, well-built young fellow with fair complexion and gray eyes. I thought of it afterwards, and wonder where he got that skin and hair from. I put it down that it was a trace of English blood. Of which there was a good deal left in Guyane, and some of the other provinces they held long ago. I certainly see the likeness now you mentioned it, Rahu. But it can hardly be the same. This is a gentleman. He is certainly that. Whoever he may be, how could a gentleman be masquerading about as a peasant? That is what I am going to find out, Louis. He may have been a Huguenot making his way down to join the Queen of Iraq. He may be one of her trained there, who has gone out in disguise to reconnoiter the country and see what forces of ours were in the neighborhood, and where are posted. That may be his mission here, but this time he has chosen to come in his proper attire. That can hardly be his attire if he was one of Jean and Navarre's followers. He may have got a suit for that purpose, but assuredly the colors are too gay for a Huguenot in her terrain. For my part, I see nothing suspicious about his appearance. There, he is paying his reckoning and going. And I am going after him, Rahu said. There is something strange about the affair, and there may be some plot. Do you come with me, Louis? Monjeur de Eston. I have a little matter of business on hand. Will you come with me? End of Chapter 11. Recorded August 2008. St. Bithole Museum by G. A. Henty. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit LibriVox.org. Read by Anna Christensen. Chapter 12. An Escape from Prison. Glancing half-round as he turned away from the wine-shop, Philip saw Rahu and two of his companions rising. He walked off in a leisurely manner, and a few paces farther turned down a side street. He heard steps following him, and then a voice said, Hold, young sir, I would have a word with you. Philip turned with an expression of anger and with an expression of angry surprise. Are you addressing me, sir? I would have you know that I am not accustomed to be spoken to in that fashion, and that I bear an insult from no one. Rahu laughed. Are you equally particular, sir, when you are going about in peasants' clothes? I am not good at riddles, sir. Philip said hotly, and can only suppose that your object is to pick a quarrel with me, though I am not conscious of having given you offence. However, that matters little. I suppose you are one of those galants who air their bravery when they think they can do so with impunity. On the present occasion you may per chance find that you are mistaken. I am a stranger here, and know of no place where this matter can be settled, nor am I provided with a second. But I am quite content to place myself in the hands of one of these gentlemen, if they will act for me. I am sure, Rahu, there is some mistake. Louis began, putting his hand on his cousin's shoulder, but the others shook it off angrily. He was of a passionate and overbearing temper, and Philip's coolness, and the manner in which he had turned the tables upon him and challenged him to a duel, and flamed him to the utmost. Hands off, Louis, he said. Do you think that I, Rahu de Fonte, am to be crowed over by this youth? He has challenged me to fight, and fight he shall. You provoked him, Louis said firmly. You gave him provocation such as no gentleman of honour could suffer. It was not for this that I came out with you, but because you said that you wished to unravel what may be a plot. I will cut it, which will be easier than unraveling it, Rahu replied. It is shorter and easier work to finish the matter with a sword thrust, with a sword thrust, than to provide for his being swung at the end of a rope. We had best waste no time in empty braggadocio, Philip said coldly, but proceeded once to some quiet spot where this matter can be settled undisturbed. I think the young gentleman is right. Bonjour de Estan, a gentleman of the court, said gravely. The matter has gone too far for anything else now, and I am bound to say that your adversary, of whose name I am ignorant, has borne himself in a manner to merit my esteem, and that as your cousin will, of course, act for you, I shall be happy to place my services at his disposal. Let us go beyond the gates. Rahu said abruptly, turning on his heel and retracing his steps up the lane to the main street. I thank you, sir, for offering to stand by one of whose very name you are ignorant. Philip said, as accompanied by Bonjour de Estan, he followed the others. It is, however, right that you should know. My name is Philip Fletcher. On my father's side I am English. On my mother's I am of noble French blood. Being cousin to François de Laville, whose mother and mine were daughters of the Count de Moulis. Two distinguished families of Poteau. Bonjour de Estan, said courteously. It needed not that to tell me that you are of good blood. I regret much that this encounter is going to take place. Bonjour Rahu de Fontaine was in the wrong and so rudely healing you, and I cannot blame you for taking it up sharply. Although, seeing your age and his, and that he is a good swordsman, it might have been more prudent to have overlooked his manner. In less indeed. And he smiled. Bonjour Rahu was right, and that you are engaged in some weighty matter here, and preferred to run the risk of getting yourself killed rather than have it inquired into. The Countess of Laville and her son are both Stonchuganans, and you may well be on business here that you would not care to have investigated. You have not asked my name, sir. It is Charles de Estan. I am a cousin of the Duc de Guise, and am naturally of the court party. But I can esteem a brave enemy and regret to see one engage in an encounter in which he must needs be overmatched. I am a fair swordsman, sir, Philip said, though my arm may lack somewhat of the strength it will have in a few years. But had it been otherwise, I should have still taken the course I have. I do not say that your conjecture is a correct one, but at any rate I would prefer the most unequal fight to being seized in question. One can but be killed once, and it were better that it should be by thrusting the open air than a long imprisonment, ending perhaps with death at the stake. Mangeur de Estan said no more. In spite of his relationship with the Guises, he, like many other French Catholic nobles, disapproved of the persecutions of the Huguenots, and especially of the massacres perpetrated by the lower orders in the towns, men for whom he had the profoundest contempt. He felt sorry for his companion, whose youth and fearless demeanor moved him in his favor. And who, he deaded not, had come to a gate to confer with some of the Huguenots, who were to be found in every town. Issuing from the gates, they went for a quarter of a mile along the road, and then Raoult led the way into a small wood. Here, without a word being spoken, Raoult and Philip threw aside their cloaks and doublets. Gentlemen, Mangeur de Estan said, Surely this quarrel might be arranged without fighting. Mangeur de Fontaine addressed my principal, doubtless under a misapprehension, with some roughness, which was not unnaturally resented. If Mangeur de Fontaine will express his regret, which he certainly could do without loss of dignity, for the manner in which he spoke, my principal would, I am sure, gladly accept his apology. That is my opinion also, Louis de Fontaine said, and I have already expressed it to my cousin, and I have said that I will do nothing of the sort. Raoult said, I am fighting not only in my own quarrel, but in that of the king. Being well assured in my mind that this young man, whether he be, as he now appears, a gentleman of birth, or whether, as I saw him last, a peasant boy, is engaged in some plot hostile to his majesty. Then there is nothing more to be said. Mangeur de Estan said gravely, but before you begin, I may tell you, Mangeur de Fontaine, that this gentleman belongs to a family no less noble than your own. He has confided to me his name and position, which I think it well not to divulge. Now, Louis, we may as well stand aside. We have done our best to stop this quarrel, and to prevent what I cannot but consider a most unequal contest from taking place. These last words were going in the extreme, de Fontaine. Mangeur de Estan stood high at court, and was a gentleman of unblemished reputation, and often appealed to on questions of honor. And this declaration that he considered the combat to be an unequal one was the more irritating since he was himself conscious of the fact. However, he could not recoil now, but with an angry expression aface drew his sword and stood on guard. Philip was no less ready. The easy attitude he assumed, with his weight for the most part on his left leg, differed so widely from the forward attitude then in fashion among French dualists, that Mangeur de Estan, convinced that he knew nothing of sword play, shrugged his shoulders prudently. The moment, however, that the swords greeted against each other, and Philip put aside with a sharp torn of the wrist a lunge which his opponent intended at once to finish the combat, the expression of his face changed. The lad did not speak boastfully when he said he was a fair swordsman. He muttered to himself. He does not fight in our fashion, but at least he knows what he is about. For some minutes the fight continued. Waou's temper rising higher and higher as he found every attack baffled by a foe he had despised, and to refuse to fall back even an inch, however hotly he pressed him. He had at first intended either to wound or disarm him, but soon he fought to kill. At last there was a fierce rally, ending by Philip parrying a home thrust and returning it with lightning swiftness, running Waou defundained through the body with such force that the hilt of his sword struck against his chest, and he sank lifeless to the ground. By our lady young gentleman, Mangeur de Estan exclaimed, but you have done well. You said that you are a fair swordsman. Truly you are of the highest class. Waou's temper has led him into many a duel, and he has always wounded or killed his man. Who could have thought that he would receive his death blow at the hands of a youth? But whom have we here? Pest. This is awkward. As he spoke, Count D'Abo, the governor of Algay, with a body of troopers, wrote up. He had ridden to within a mile or two of Naraq, and questioning persons from the town learned that everything was quiet there, and that no fresh body of Huguenots had arrived. He was on his way back when, hearing the clash of swords, he had ridden into the wood to inquire into its meaning. What is this? he exclaimed. Why, what is this? Mangeur de Fontaine. Your cousin, Count Raou, dead. Louis, who was leaning over his cousin, looked up. Alas, I fear that it is so. Mangeur de Comte. My poor cousin has fallen in a duel. What a misfortune, and at such a moment! Is it not scandalous at a time like this, when every gentleman's sword is needed in defense of our king and faith, they should indulge in private quarrels? And is it you, Mangeur de Fontaine, who has done his majesty this bad service? For by this time Philip had resumed his cloak and doublet. No, I only stood a second to his opponent. Who has behaved fairly and honorably in the matter, as I am sure Count Louis will testify. Your word is quite sufficient, Mangeur de Fontaine. And who is this gentleman, who has thus slain one who had no mean reputation as a swordsman? The quarrel arose through a recontra in the street. Count Raou was, as was his nature, hasty, and put himself in the wrong. The gentleman resented his language, and a meeting was at once arranged. Count Louis and myself were with Raou, and as his opponent was alone, and it was not desirable to draw others into the matter. I offered to act as his second, and he accepted it once. We came here. Count Louis and I made a final effort to persuade Raou to apologize for his language. He refused to do so, and they fought, and you see the consequence. But who is this stranger, the governor asked again. Count Raou did not feel it necessary to ask. Count, and I think, as he waived the point, and the affair is now terminated, it would be well that his opponent should be permitted to withdraw without questions. That is all very well for you, Mangeur de Fontaine, as a party in a private quarrel, but as governor of Agais, it is my duty to satisfy myself as to who this stranger who has killed an officer of the king may be. He turned his horse, and for the first time obtained a view of Philip, who, seeing the impossibility of escape, had been standing quietly by. Why, it is but a youth, he exclaimed. You say you slew Count Raou in a fair fight, Mangeur de Estang. In his fair fight is ever I saw, Mangeur de Comtaine. Who are you, sir? The governor asked Philip. I am a stranger traveling through Agais on private business. Philip said quietly. But what is your name and family, sir? I am English, Philip replied. My name is Philip Fletcher. A Huguenot I will be bound, the governor said angrily. Not at all, Count. I am of the religion of my nation, a Protestant. It is the same thing. The governor said. It is clear that, for whatever purpose you may be in Agais, you are here for no good. This is a serious matter, Mangeur de Estang. As I have said, I know nothing of his gentleman count. I saw him for the first time a little over half an hour ago, and on every account I wish that I had not seen him. He has killed my friend Raou, deprived his majesty of a staunch adherent, and has got himself into trouble. But for all that, I am assured by his conduct and bearing in this business that he is an honorable gentleman, and I entreat you, as a personal favor count, that you allow him to go free. I would do much to oblige you, Mangeur de Estang, but he is an Englishman, and a Protestant by his own confession, and therefore can only be here to aid the men who have risen in rebellion, and to conspire with the king's enemies. He will be put in close charge, and when the present pressing affairs have been put out of hand, I doubt not we shall find means of learning a good deal more about this mysterious person, who claims to be English, but who yet speaks our language like a Frenchman. As to that matter, I can satisfy you at once, Philip said. My mother was a French lady, a daughter of the count de Molie of Poteau. A Huguenot family, if I mistake not, the governor said coldly. Well, we have other things to think of now. Captain Coteau plays two troopers one on each side of this person. I authorize you to cut him down if he tries to escape. Let four others dismount and carry the body of the count de Fontaine into the city. You will, of course, take the command of his troop, Count Louis, seeing that, if I mistake not, you are his nearest relative, and the heir to his possessions. As Philip was led through the streets, he caught sight of Paris, who made no sign of recognition as he passed. He was taken to the castle and confined in a room in a turret, looking down upon the river. The window was closely barred, but otherwise the room, though small, was not uncomfortable. It contained a chair, a table, and a couch. When the door was barred and bolted behind him, Philip walked to the window and stood looking out at the river. The prospect seemed dark. The governor was unfavorably disposed towards him now, and when the news came on the morrow that the Queen of Navarre had slipped through his fingers, his exasperation would no doubt be vented on him. What was now but a mere suspicion would then become almost a certainty, and it would, as a matter of course, be assumed that he was their matters concerned with their flight. That he was a protestant was alone sufficient to condemn him to death, but his connection with the Queen's flight would, beyond all question, seal his fate. Paris, he felt sure, would do all that he could for him. But that could amount to almost nothing. Even if he had the means of filing through or removing the bars, it would need a long-stopped rope to enable him to descend to the water's edge, a hundred feet below him, and that he could obtain possession of either file or rope, seem to him as absolutely impossible. Nevertheless, he said to himself, I will let Paris know where I am confined. I do not see that it can do any good, but he is a fellow of resource. I have great faith in him, and though I can see no plausible plan of escape, he, being without, may try something. I have no doubt that his first endeavor will be to find out where I am confined. I warn't he will know my cap if he sees it. He is an isle like a hawk, and if he sees anything outside one of the windows, he will suspect it once that it is a signal, and when he once looks closely at it, he will may get its orange tint, and these three long cocks of others. So saying, he thrust one of his arms to the bars with the cap, which he allowed to hang down against the wall below. There he stood for two hours, closely examining every boat that came along. At last he saw one rode by two men with a third sitting in the stern, and he had no difficulty in making out, as it came closer, that this was Paris, who was gazing at the castle. Presently he saw him suddenly clap his hands and speak to the rowers. These did not look up, but continued to row on in the same leisurely way as before, nor did Paris again glance at the window. Satisfied that his signal had been observed, Philip withdrew it, but continued to watch the boat. It went half a mile higher up, then turned and flitted quietly down the stream again. When he had seen it pass the bridge, he threw himself down on the couch. There was nothing more for me to do, he said, the matter is in Paris' hands now. He listened for a time to the tramp of a century backwards and forwards outside his door, and then fell off to sleep, from which he did not awake until he heard the bars withdrawn and the key turned in the lock. Then a man accompanied by two soldiers entered, and placed a chicken, a bottle of wine, and a loaf of bread on the table. Manjour d'Estaing sends this with his compliments, he said, and then Philip was again left alone. Two hours after it became dark, he thought he heard a confused sound as of the trampling of a number of horsemen in the courtyard of the castle. He went to the door and placing his ear against it was convinced that he was not mistaken. It looks as if an expedition were about to start somewhere, he said to himself. If they are bound from a rock, they will arrive there too late, for the queen will by this time be setting out. They cannot intend to scale the walls tonight, and the gates will have been shut long ago. They are probably going into ambush somewhere near, so as to ride in in the morning. I wish I could be certain they are bound in that direction. There was certainly no idea of an expedition this morning, but it is possible that the messenger with the order for the rest of the queen and prince may have arrived this afternoon, and the governor was losing no time. I'd trust it is so, and not that news has come from some spy in a rock that she will be leaving the place tonight. If it is so, this party may be setting out to strengthen the guards on the river, or to occupy the roads by which she would travel were her purpose to join the Senegal. I'd trust that Paris and the others are on the alert, and not wasting their time in thinking about me. And that if this troop make along the river, they will ride to warn the queen in time. Hearing nothing, she will assume that the road is clear, and that she can go on fearlessly. It is enough to drive one mad being cooped up here when the whole success of the cause is at stake. The character of the sentry's walk had changed. He had been relieved some four hours before, and his walk at times ceased as if he were leaning against the wall to rest himself. Well, at times he gave in an impatient stamp with his feet. I expect that he had forgotten to relieve him, Philip said to himself. If a strong body has gone out, that might very well be. Another half hour passed, and then he heard steps ascending the stone staircase, and the sentry exclaimed angrily. Suprised! Comrade, I began to think I was going to be kept all night in my post, that everyone had ridden out with that party that started half an hour ago. Now then, the orders are, permit no one to approach, refuse even to allow officers to visit the prisoner with that special order of the governor. That is all. Now I am off for a tanker of spice wine, which I think I have earned well, for it is a good hour after my time of relief. Then Philip heard his footsteps descending the stairs, while a man who had relieved him walked bristly up and down in front of the door. In a minute or two he stopped. Then Philip turned with a start from the window at which he was standing, as he heard through the keyhole a loud whisper. Monser Philip! Are you asleep? It is I. Why, paris, he exclaimed, running to the door and putting his mouth to the keyhole. How did you come here? I will tell you that later, master. The thing is now to get you out. The bolts here are easy enough to draw, but this lock puzzles me. I have brought up two thin saws in an auger, and thought to cut round it, but there is a plate of iron outside. And there is one inside, too, paris. How about the hinges? There is no doing anything with them, master. The ironwork goes right across the door. There is nothing forward, but to cut right round the iron plate. That won't take very long, the saws are good, paris. Philip heard a rasping sound, and in a short time the auger passed to the woodwork. Two other holes adjoining the first were soon made, and then the end of a saw was pushed through. If you can make a hole large enough at the bottom of the plate, paris, and pass me the other saw through, I can work that way to meet you. It would take too long to make, sir. I have plenty of oil, and it won't take me long to saw round the plate. I only brought the second saw in case the first should break. Ah, but this oak is pretty nearly as hard as iron. It took over an hour's work before the cut was complete. When it was nearly finished, paris said. Be ready to seize the piece that is cut out as soon as I am through with it, master. Otherwise it may fall down as the door opens, and make a clatter that will be heard all over the castle. As the last piece was thawed through, Philip pressed the door, and as it opened, seized the portion cut out, drew it backward, and laid it gently on the stone floor. Then he rose and grasped paris' hand. My brave paris, you have accomplished what I thought was an impossibility. Now what is the next thing to be done? The next thing is to unwind this rope from my body. It is lucky I am so lean that it did not make me look bulky. It is not very thick, but it is new and strong, and there are knots every two feet. Roger is waiting for us below in a boat. Where is Jaquie? Jaquie has ridden off. He learned before sunset that orders had been issued for the troops to assemble. He and Roger had taken the four horses beyond the wall an hour after you were arrested, and had left them at a farmer's a mile away. So he arranged with me that he should follow the troop on foot, which he could do, as there are footmen as well as horses in the party that has gone out. Then as soon as he discovered which way they were going, he would slip off and make for the farmhouse and mount. If they were bound for Narok, he will wait for us at the point on the other side of the river. If they follow the river down, he will ride at full speed, make a circuit, and mourn the queen of the danger. He will have plenty of time to do that, as the column will have to move at the pace of the infantry. Ah, that is a load off my mind, Parish. While they were speaking, they had unwound the rope, fastened one end to the battlement, and lowered the other down. I will go first, master. I am the lightest, and will study the rope for you from below. In two or three minutes, Philip felt that the rope was no longer tight, and at once swung himself over and lowered himself down. The water washed the foot of the wall, and he stepped directly into the boat, which Roger was keeping in its place with a pole while Parish held the rope. An exclamation of thankfulness broke from the two men as his feet touched the gunway of the boat. And then, without a word, Roger began to pull the boat along against the tide, keeping close to the foot of the wall. Once fairly beyond the castle, the pole was laid in, and the two men took the oars, and the boat shot across the river. Then they rode up under the opposite bank, until a voice from above them said, Is all well? Is monster Philip with you? All is well, Jaquie, Philip exclaimed delighted, but the fact that his follower was there showed that the troops had gone in the direction that did not threaten the safety of the Queen. They leapt ashore and pushed the boat off to allow it to float down with the stream. It was a mile to the spot where the horses had been left. On the way Philip heard how his escape had been affected. I saw you go out from the town, Muncher, and could not for the life of me make out what was going to happen. I did not know the gentleman you were walking with, but I recognized the two in front of you as the officers of the troop that had questioned us near Baza. One of them was talking angrily to the other, as it seemed to me that you were going willingly and not as a prisoner, and especially as you were going out of the town. I thought that it was my business to wait until you returned. I saw half an hour later some porcemen coming up the street, and someone said it was a governor who had been out with a party. It gave me a bad turn when I saw you walking as a prisoner in the middle of them. I saw you glance at me, but of course made no sign, and I followed until you entered the castle. When I was walking away I saw a crowd. Pushing forward I found they were surrounding four soldiers who were carrying a body on their shoulders, and made out at once it was the officer who had been talking so angrily to his companion. Then I understood what had puzzled me before, and why you had gone outside the walls. The rest was easy to guess. The governor had come along. You had been questioned, and had been arrested as Huguenot. It was evident that no time was to be lost, and that if you were to be got out it must be done quickly. I hurried away to the cabaret where Jaquie and Roger were drinking. We talked the matter over, and agreed that the first thing was to get the four horses out of the town. So I went to the inn where you had put up, said I was your servant, paid the reckoning, and took away the horse. Then I got my own and joined the other two who were mounted and ready. They each took a horse and rode off, settling to leave them at some farmhouse a short distance away, explaining there that the town was so full they could find no room for them. Directly they started I set off to have a look around the castle. The great thing was to know where they had lodged you. If it was in a cell looking outward, I thought that, knowing I should be searching for you, you would make a signal. On the land side I could see nothing, and then went back and waited till Jaquie and Roger arrived. Then we took a boat, and as you know rode up, and I soon made out your cap outside the wall. Then as we rode back where a range matters, Jaquie was to carry out your formal orders, find out about the movement of the troops, and warn the Queen of danger threatened. Roger was to be at the foot of the wall with a boat as soon as it became dark. I was to undertake to get you out. The first thing to do was to get a rope. This I carried to a quiet place on the wall, not at it, and put it round me under my doublet. Then there was nothing to do but to wait. I went several times to hear if Jaquie had any news, and was glad when he told me that most of the troops were ordered to be under arms at eight o'clock. This would make matters simpler for me, for with numbers of people going in and coming out of the castle, it would be easy to slip in unnoticed. As soon as it was dark, Jaquie and I went down a lane, and they gave me a steel cap and breast piece, and took my cap and exchange. Then I went up towards the castle. The gates were open, and I was told that they would not be closed until midnight, as so many were coming out and going in, and there was no hostile force anywhere in these parts. Presently, numbers of gentlemen began to arrive with their retainers, and I soon went in with a party of footmen. The courtyard was full of men, and I was not long before I found the staircase leading up to the top of the wall on the river side. I went up boldly, and halfway found a door partly open. Looking in, I saw that it was evidently used by some gentlemen, who had gone down in haste to join the party below, so I shut the door and waited. I heard the troops start, and guests from the quiet that followed the greater portion of the garrison had left. I felt pretty sure that there would be a sentry at your door, and waited until the time I thought he would be expecting relief. Then I went up. He was in a mighty hurry to get down, and did not stop to see who I was, or to ask any questions. Which was well for him, for I had a knife in my hand, and did a stab to him before he could utter a cry. Everything went off well, and you know the rest, sir. You managed wonderfully, Pari. I thought over every plan by which you might aid me to escape, but I never thought of anything so simple as this. Nor, indeed, did I see any possible way of your freeing me. How are we going to get our horses? The farmer will think that we are a party of thieves. They are in an open shed, Jaquie said. I told the farmer that our reason for bringing them out of the town was that you might have to start with orders any time of the night, and that it would be troublesome getting them out from townstables, and having the gates open for them to pass out, while on foot you could issue from the post room without trouble. I paid him for the corn when I left them. The horses, indeed, were gut out without any stirrer in the house, indicating that its occupants were awakened. Give me your sword, Pari. Phillips, that is he mounted. I trust that we shall meet with no enemies on the road. Still, we may do so, and I should not like to be unarmed. You have your ark of us. This had been brought in the boat by Roger, and on landing, Pari had exchanged a skill cap and breast piece for his own cap. The road to Villanieu Diagonoi was a cross-country one. It would be impossible to follow in the dark. Consequently, after keeping on the main road for half an hour, they turned off a road to the right, road until they entered a wood, and there alighted. Shall I light a fire, sir? Pari asked. It is not worthwhile, Pari. It must be getting on to midnight now, and we must be in the saddle again at daybreak. By this time they will no doubt found that I have escaped. The first time they send up a man to leave you, the open door will be noticed. They will certainly make no search tonight, and tomorrow they will have something else to think about. For doubtless, some splat in a rock will. As soon as the gates are open, take the news to the governor's party that the queen has left. Two hours brisk ride in the morning took them within sight of a Villanieu Diagonoi. Riding across the bridge over the river low, they entered the town. The street was full of troops, and three gentlemen standing at the door of an inn looked with suspicion on the gay coloring of Philip's costume, and as he alighted they stepped forward to a costume. May I ask who you are, sir? One said advancing. And what is your business here? Certainly you may, Philip said, as he dismounted. My name is Philip Fletcher. I am here at the order of Her Majesty, the Queen of Navarre. Who, I trust, has arrived here safely. The Queen arrived here three hours since, Monsieur Fletcher, and I may say that she did you the honour to inquire it once if a gentleman of your name had arrived. I should have met her at the river near Tornay, but the governor of Algay laid an embargo on me. Yet thanks to these three faithful fellows I got safely out of his clutches. We shall march in an hour, Monsieur Fletcher, and as soon as the Queen is up I will see that she is acquainted with your coming. Allow me to introduce myself. Gaston de Robert. Breakfast is ready in this cottage, and we were about to sit down when we saw you writing up. I shall be glad if you will share it with us. These are my comrades. Mangeur du Vivier, Mangeur Hakur, and Mangeur Paré. He then called a sergeant. The sergeant, to see that Mangeur Fletcher's servants had been at arms of a good meal. I think they must have wanted, Philip said. They have been so busy in my service that I doubt if they have eaten since breakfast yesterday. I myself slept well. Thanks to the courtesy of Mangeur de Gaston, who was good enough to send up an excellent coupon and a bottle of wine to my cell. You know Mangeur de Gaston. Gaston de Robert asked courteously. He is a man of high repute, and though connected with the guises, he is said to be opposed to them in their crusades against us. I had only the honour of meeting him yesterday, Philip said as I sat down to table. But he behaved like a true gentleman and did me the honour of being my second in an unfortunate affair into which I was forced. Who was your opponent? May I ask, sir? Count Raouw de Fontaine. Ah, a doubly swordsman, Gaston de Robert exclaimed. But one of our bitterest opponents in this province. You are fortunate indeed to have escaped without a serious wound, for he has been engaged in many duels, and but few of his opponents have escaped with their lives. He will neither prosecute you, nor fight more duels. Philip said quietly, before I had the misfortune to kill him. The others look at him with astonishment. Do I, do I understand rightly, Mangeur Fletcher, that you have slain Raouw de Fontaine in a duel? That is the case, Philip replied. Mangeur de Gaston, as I have said, acted as my second. Count Louis de Fontaine, acted for his cousin. You have pardoned me having asked you the question again. Diorbert said, but really it seemed well-nigh impossible that a gentleman who, as I take it, can yet scarcely be of age, should have slain Raouw de Fontaine. I lack four years yet of being of age. Philip said, for it will be another month before I am seventeen. But I have had good teachers, both English and French, and our games and exercises at school naturally bring us forward in point of strength and stature in comparison with your countrymen of the same age. Still, doubtless, it was as much due to good fortune as the skill that I gained my success. I assuredly had no desire to kill him, the less so because, to a certain extent, the duel was of my making. There was, as it seemed to me, no choice between fighting him and being denounced by him as a spy. Therefore, when he accosted me roughly, I took the matter up hotly, and there was nothing forward but an encounter. As I have said, I meant only to wound him, but his skill and his imputuality were so great that I was forced in self-defense to run him through. After all, I gained nothing by the duel, that the governor with a troop of horse came up just as it concluded, and as I could give no satisfactory account of myself, I was hauled off a prisoner to the castle. And how did you escape thence? Gaston asked. Philip gave an account of the manner in which his servant had rescued him. Parble, you are fortunate in your servant. I would that so should a knave, but there, the trumpets are sounding, I will take you at once to the queen, who is doubtless ready to mount. End of Chapter 12. Recorded August 2008