 St. Bartholomew's Eve by G. A. Hendy. 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 4 An Experiment Marie Veylon, after remaining six weeks at the Chateau, returned to England and Philip, with a party of twelve men, escorted her to La Rochelle. Her visit was cut somewhat short at the end by the imminence of the outbreak of hostilities, in which case she might have found a difficulty in traversing the country. Moreover, La Rochelle would probably be besieged soon after the war began. For being both an important town and port, the Catholics would be anxious to obtain possession of it, and so cut off the Huguenots from escape to England, besides rendering it difficult for Elizabeth to send a force to their assistance. It has been a pleasant time, the Countess said on the morning of her departure, and your presence has taken me back five and twenty years, Marie. I hope that when these troubles are passed, you will again come over and spend a happier time with me. I was going to say that I will look well after Philip, but that I cannot do. He has cast his lot in with us, and must share our perils. I am greatly pleased with him, and I am glad that Francois will have him as a companion in arms. Francois is somewhat impulsive and liable to be carried away by his ardour. And Philip, although the younger, is, it seems to me, the more thoughtful of the two. He is one I feel I can have confidence in. He is grave, yet merry, light-hearted in a way, and yet I think, prudent and cautious. It seems strange, but I shall part with Francois with the more comfort in the thought that he has Philip with him. Don't come back more English than you are now, Marie, for truly, you seem to me to have fallen in love with the ways of these islanders. I will not try to, Emily, but I should not like the customs that it not seem to me that they are better than my own. In England, Protestants and Catholics live side-by-side in friendship, and there is no persecution of anyone for his religion. The Catholics who have suffered during the present reign have done so not because they are Catholics, but because they have plotted against the Queen. Would that in France men would agree to worship each in his own way, without rank or animosity? Well, tell Lucie that I am very sorry she didn't come over with you, and that it is only because you tell me how occupied she is that I am not furiously angry with her. Tell her too, she went on earnestly, that I feel she is one of us, still a Huguenot, a French woman, and one of our race, or she would never have allowed her only son to come over to risk his life in our cause. I consider her a heroine, Marie. It is all very well for me, whose religion is endangered, whose friends are in peril, whose people are persecuted, to throw myself into the strife and to send Francois into the battle. But with her, working there with an invalid husband and her heart, as it must needs be, wrapped up in her boy, it is splendid to let him come out here to fight side by side with us for the faith. Whose idea was it first? My husband's. Gaspar guards Philip almost in the light of a sun. He is a rich man now, as I told you, and Philip will become his heir. Though he has no desire that he should settle in France, he wished him to take his place in our family here, to show himself worthy of his race, to become a brave soldier, to win credit and honour, and to take his place perhaps someday in the front ranks of the gentry of Kent. They were worldly motives, Marie, and our ministers would denounce them as sinful. But I cannot do so. I am a Huguenot, but I am a Countess of France, a member of one noble family and married into another. And though, I believe, a staunch Huguenot and is ready to lay down my life for our religion as any man or woman in France, yet I cannot give up all the tradition of my rank, and hold that fame and honour and reputation and courage are mere snares. But such were not Lucie's feelings in letting him go. I will be bound. Nor yours. Mind partly, Marie said. I am the wife now of a traitor, the one honoured in his class. But have still a little of your feelings, Emily. And remember that the blood of the Di Mouli run in Philip's reigns, and hope that he will do credit to it. I don't think that Lucie has any such feelings. She is wrapped up in duty, first her duty to God, secondly her duty to her crippled husband, whom she adores. And I think she regarded the desire of Philip to come out to fight in the Huguenot ranks as a call that she ought not to oppose. I know she was heartbroken at parting with him, and yet she never showed it. Lucie is a noble character, everyone who knows her loves her. I believe the very farm labourers would give their lives for her, and a more utterly unselfish creature never live. Well, she must take a holiday and come over with you next time you come, Marie. I hope that these troubles may soon be over, though that is a thing one cannot foretell. After seeing his aunt safely on board a ship at La Rochelle, Philip prepared to return to the Chateau. He and his aunt had stayed two nights to the house of Maitre Pertromb. On his returning there, the latter asked, Have you yet found a suitable servant, Mangeur Philip? No, my cousin has been inquiring among the tenantry, but the young men are all bent on fighting, and indeed there are none of them who would make the sort of servant one wants in a campaign. A man who can not only groom horses and clean arms, but who knows something of war, can forge for provisions, cook, wait at table, and has intelligence. One wants an old soldier who has served in the same capacity as possible. I only ask because I have had a man pestering me to speak to you about him. He happened to see you right off when you were here last, and apparently became impressed with the idea that you would be a good master. He is a cousin of one of my men, and heard I suppose from him that you were likely to return. He has been to me three or four times. I have told him again and again that he was not the sort of man I could recommend, but he persisted in begging me to let him see you himself. What sort of fellow is he? Well, to tell you the truth, he's a sort of ne'er-do-well, the merchant laughed. I grant that he has not had much chance. His father died when he was a child, and his mother soon married again. There is no doubt that he was badly treated at home, and when he was twelve he ran away. He was taken back and beaten time after time, but in a few hours he was always off again, and at last they let him go his own way. There is nothing he hasn't turned his hand to. First he lived in the woods, I fancy, and they say he was the most arranged young poacher in the district, though he was so cunning that he was never caught. At last he had to give that up. Then he fished for a bit, but he couldn't stick to it. He has been always doing odd jobs, turning his hand to whatever turned up. He worked in a shipyard for a bit, then I took him on as sort of an errand boy and porter. He didn't stop long, and the next I heard of him he was a servant and a priest. He has been a dozen other things, and for the last three or four months he has been in the stables where your horse was standing. I fancy you saw him there. Some people think he is half a fool, but I don't agree with him. He is as sharp as a needle to my mind. But, as I say, he has never had a fair chance. A fellow like that without friends is sure to get roughly treated. Is he a young man of about one or two and twenty? Philip asked. I remember a fellow of about that age brought out the horse, and as he seemed to me a shrewd fellow, and had evidently taken great pains in grooming rubbin, I gave him a crown. I thought he needed it, for his clothes were old and tattered, and he looked as if he hadn't had a hearty meal for a week. Well, Major Bertrand, can you tell me if, among other occupations, he has ever been charged with theft? No, I have never heard that brought against him. Why did he leave you? It was from no complaint as to his honesty. Indeed he left of his own accord after a quarrel with one of the men, who was, as far as I could learn, in the wrong, but I did not even hear that he had left until a week after, and it was too late then to go thoroughly into the matter. Boys are always troublesome, and as everyone had warned me that Pruy would not turn out badly, I gave the matter but little thought at the time. Of course, you will not think of taking the luckless rascal as your servant. I don't know. I'll have a talk with him anyhow. A fellow like that would certainly be handy, but whether he could be relied upon to behave discreetly and soberly, and not to bring me into discredit is a different matter. Is he here now? He is below. Shall I send him up here to you? No, I will go down and see him in the courtyard. If he comes up here, he would perhaps be awkward and unnatural, and would not speak so freely as he would in the open air. The merchant shook his head. If you take the vagabond, remember a monster, Philip, that is altogether against my advice. I would never have spoken to you about him if I had imagined for a moment that you would think of taking him. A fellow has never kept any employment for two months. How could he be fit for a post of confidence and be able to mix as your body servant with the households of honorable families? But you yourself said, Major Petrom, that he has never had a fair chance. Well, I will see him anyhow. He descended into the courtyard and could not help smiling as his eyes fell upon a figure seated on the horse block. He was looking out through the gateway and did not at first see Philip. The expression of his face was dull and almost melancholy. But as Philip's eyes fell on him, his attention was attracted by some passing object in the street. His face lit up with amusement. His lips twitched and his eyes twinkled. A moment later, and the transient humor passed, and the dull, listless expression again stole over his face. Paris! Philip said sharply. The young fellow started to his feet as if shot upwards by a spring, and as he turned and saw who had addressed him, took off his hat and bowing, stood twisting it round his fingers. Major Petrom tells me that you want to come with me as a servant, Paris. But when I asked him about you, he does not give you such a character as one would naturally require in a confidential servant. Is there anyone who will speak for you? Not a soul, the young man said doggedly. And yet, Manjour, I am not a bad fellow. What can a man do when he is not a friend in the world? He picks up a living as he can. Everybody looked at him with suspicion. There was no friend to take his part, and so people vent their ill-humors upon him till the time comes when he revolt to the injustice and strikes back. Then he has to begin it all over again somewhere else. And yet, sir, I know that I could be faithful and true to anyone who would not treat me like a dog. You spoke kindly to me in a stable and gave me a crown. No one had ever given me a crown before, but I cared less for that than for the way you spoke. Then I saw you start and you spoke pleasantly to your men, and I said to myself, that is a master I would serve if he would let me. Try me, sir, and if you do not find me faithful, honest and true to you, tell your men to string me up to a bow. I do not drink and have been in so many services that, rag it as you see me, I can yet behave so as not to do discredit to you. Philip hesitated. There was no mistaking the earnestness with which the youth spoke. Are you a Catholic or a Huguenot? He asked. I know nothing of the difference between them, Paré replied. How should I? No one has ever troubled about me one way or the other. When my mother lived, I went to mass with her. Since then I have gone nowhere. I have had no Sunday clothes. I know that the bondeaux has taken care of me, or I should have died of hunger long ago. The priest I was with used to tell me that the Huguenots were worse than he then. If that were so, why should they let themselves be thrown out into prison, and even put to death, whether then stay away from their churches? As for me, I know nothing about it. They say Manjour is a Huguenot, and if he were good enough to take me into his service, of course, I should be a Huguenot too. That is a poor reason, Paré, Philip said smiling. Still, may find better reasons in time. However, you are not a Catholic, which is the principal thing at present. Well, I will try you, I think. Perhaps, as you say, you have never had a fair chance yet, and I will give you one. I believe what you say, that you will be faithful. The young fellow's face lit up with pleasure. I will be faithful, sir. If I were other words, I should deserve to be cut in pieces. As for wages, Philip said, I will pay you what you deserve. We will slit all that when we see how we get along together. Now follow me, and I will get some suitable clothes for you. There was no difficulty about this. Clothes were not made to fit closely in those days, and Philip soon procured a couple of suits suitable for the serving man of a gentleman of condition. One was a riding suit with high boots, doublet, and trunks of silver color, and of strong, tough material. A leather sword belt and sword, and a low hat thickly lined and quilted and capable of resisting a heavy blow. The other suit was for wear in the house. It was a dark green cloth of a much finer texture than the riding suit, with cloth stockings of the same color coming up above the knee, and then meeting the trunks or puffed breeches. A small cap with turned up brim, furnished with a few of the tail feathers of a black cock, completed the costume. A dagger being worn in the belt. Four woolen shirts, a pair of shoes, and a cloak were added to the purchases, which were placed in a ballast to be carried behind the saddle. Is there any house where you can change your clothes, Paris? Of course, you could do it at Monjibre Troms, but some of the men I brought up with me will be there, and it would be just as well that they did not see you in your present attire. I can change at the stable, sir, if you will trust me with the clothes. Certainly I will trust you. If I trust you sufficiently to take you as my servant, I can surely trust you in a matter like this. Do you know of anyone who has a stout nag for sale? Paris knew of several, and giving Philip an address the latter was not long in purchasing one, was saddle and bridle complete. He ordered this to be sent at once to the stables where Paris had been employed, with directions that it was to be handed over to a servant. It was one o'clock in the day when Madame Veylon embarked, and it was late in the afternoon before Philip returned to Monjibre Troms' house. What have you done about that vagabond Paris? I have hired him, Philip said. You don't say that you have taken him after what I had told you about him, the merchant exclaimed. I have indeed. He pleaded hard for a trial, and I'm going to give him one. I believe that he will turn out a useful fellow. I am sure that he is shrewd, and he ought to be full of expedience. As to his appearance, good food and decent clothes will make him another man. I think he will turn out a merry fellow when he is well fed and happy. And I must say, Madame Veylon, that I am not fond of long faces. Lastly, I believe that he will be faithful. Well, well, well. I wash my hands of it all together, Monjibre Philip. I am sorry I spoke to you about him, but I never for a moment thought you would take him. If harm comes of it, don't blame me. I will hold you fully acquitted, Philip laughed. I own that I've taken quite a feisty to him, and believe that he will turn out well. An hour later one of the domestics came in with word that Monjibre Philip's servant was below, and wished to know if he had any commands for him. Tell him to come up, Philip said, and a minute later, per we entered. He was dressed in his dark green costume. He had had his hair cut, and presented an apparent so change that Philip would hardly have known him. By my faith, the merchant said, you have indeed transformed him. He is not a bad-looking varlet, now that he has got rid of that tangled crop of hair. Paris bowed low at the compliment. Fine feathers make fine birds, Monjibre Tram, Rupai Paris. It is the first time I've had the opportunity of proving the truth of the proverb. I am greatly indebted to Monjur for recommending me to my master. It is not much recommendation you got from me, Paris. The merchant said bluntly, for a more troublesome young scamp I never had in my warehouse. Still, as I told Monjur Philip, I think everything has been against you, and I do hope now that this English gentleman is giving you a chance that you will take advantage of it. I mean to, sir, the young fellow said earnestly, and without a trace of the mocking smile with which he had first spoken. If I do not give my master satisfaction, it will not be for want of trying. I shall make mistakes at first. It will all be strange to me, but I feel sure that he will make allowances. I can at least promise that you will find me faithful and devoted. Has your horse arrived, Paris? Yes, sir. I saw him watered and fed before I came out. Is it your wish that I should go round to the stables where your horse and those of your troop are and take charge of your horse at once? No, Paris. The men will look after him as usual. We will start at six in the morning. Be at the door on horseback at that hour. Pierre bowed and withdrew. I do not feel so sure as I did that you have made a bad bargain, Monsure Philip. As far as appearances go at any rate, he would pass muster, except that his cheeks want feeling out a bit. He is a nimble, active-looking young fellow, and with that little moustache of his and his hair cut short, he is by no means ill-looking. I really should not have known him. I think at present he means what he says, though whether he will stick to it is another matter altogether. I think he will stick to it, Philip said quietly, putting aside what he said about being faithful to me, he is sure enough to see that it is a better chance than he is ever allowed to have again of making a start in life. He has been leading a dog's life ever since he was a child, and to be well-fed and well-clothed and fairly treated will be a wonderful change to him. My only fear is that he may get into some scrape at the chateau. I believe that he is naturally full of fun, and fun is a thing that the Huguenots, with all their virtues, hardly appreciate. A good thrashing will tame him of that, the merchant said. Philip laughed. I don't think I shall be driven to try that. I don't say that servants are never thrashed in England, but I have not been brought up among the class who beat their servants. I think I should be able to manage him without that. If I can't, we must part. I suppose there is no doubt, Monge Bertrand, how long a shell will go when the troubles begin? I think not. All preparations are made on our part, and as soon as the news comes that Condé and the Admiral have thrown their flags to the wind, we shall seize the gates, turn out all who oppose us, and declare for the cause. I do not think it can be much longer delayed. I sent a trustee servant yesterday to fetch back my daughter, who, as I told you, has been staying with a sister of mine five or six leagues away. I want to have her here before the troubles break out. It will be no time for damsels to be wondering about the country when swords are once out of their scabbards. The next morning, the little trip started early for Moire Shell, paris riding gravely behind Philip. The latter presently called him up to his side. I suppose you know the country round here well. Every foot of it. I don't think there is a pond in which I have not laid my lines, nor a streamlet of which I do not know every pool, nor a wood that I have not slept in, nor a hedge where I have not laid snares for rabbits. I could find my way about as well by night as by day. And you know, sir, that may be of use if you ever want to send a message into the town when the geese have got their troops lying outside. Philip looked sharply at him. Oh, you think it would be likely that the geese will soon be besieging La Rochelle? Anyone who keeps his ears open can learn that, paris said quietly. I haven't troubled myself about these matters. It made no difference to me whether the Huguenots or the Catholics were on the saddle. Still, one doesn't keep one's ears closed, and people talk freely enough before me. The latter's half a fool. He pays no attention to what is being said. People say, so they would go on talking, and now I'd go on rubbing down a horse or eating my black bread with a bit of cheese or an onion, or whatever I might be about. And looking as if I did not even know they were there. But I gather that the Catholics think that the geese is in Queen Catherine and Philip of Spain and the Pope are going to put an end to the Huguenots altogether. From those on the other side, I learned that the Huguenots will take the first step in La Rochelle, and that one fine morning, the Catholics are likely to find themselves bundled out of it. Then it doesn't need much sense to see that, ere long, we shall be having a Catholic army down here to retake the place. That is, if the Huguenot lords are not strong enough to stop them on their way. And you think the Catholics are not on their guard at all? Not they, Pierre said contemptuously. They have been strengthening the walls and building fresh ones, thinking that an attack might come from without from the Huguenots. And all the time, the people of that religion in the town have been laughing in their sleeves and pretending to protest against being obliged to help with the new works, but really paying and working willingly. Why? They even let the magistrates arrest and throw into prison a number of their party without saying a word, so that the priests and the commissioners should think they have got it entirely their own way. It has been fun watching it all, and I had made up my mind to take to the woods again directly it began. I had no part in the play and did not wish to run any risk of getting a ball from my head, whether from a Catholic or a Huguenot archivist. Now of course it is all different. Monjour is a Huguenot and therefore so am I. It is the Catholic bullets that will be shot at me and as no one likes to be shot at, I shall soon hate the Catholics cordially and shall be ready to do them any ill turn that you may desire. And you think that if necessary, Paris, you could carry a message into the town even though the Catholics were camped around it? Paris nodded, I have never seen a siege master and don't know how close the soldiers might stand round a town, but I think that if a rabbit could get through, I could, and if I could not get in by land, I could manage somehow to get in by water. But such matters as this do not come within your service, Paris. Your duties are to wait on me when not in the field, to stand behind my chariot meals and to see that my horses are well attended to by the stable-barlets. When we take the field, you will not be wanted to fight, but we'll look after my things. We'll buy food and cook it, get dry clothes ready for me to put on if I come back soaked with rain, and keep an eye upon my horses. Two of the men at arms will have special charge of them. They will groom and feed them, but if they are away with me, they cannot see after getting forwards for them, and it will be for you to get hold of that, either by buying it from the villagers or employing a man to cut it. At any rate, to see that there is food for them as well as for me when the day's work is done. I understand that, master, but there are times in a lad who can look like a fool, but is not altogether one, can carry messages and make himself very useful if he does not place over much value on his life. When you want anything done, no matter what it is, you have only to tell me, and it will be done if it is possible. In the afternoon of the second day, after starting, they approach the chateau, the old sergeant of the band, who, with two of his men, was riding a hundred yards ahead, checked his horse and rode back to Philip. There was something of importance doing, won't you, Philip? The flag is flying over the chateau. I have not seen it hoisted since before my lord's death, and I can make out horsemen galloping to and fro from the gates. We will gallop on then, Philip said, and in ten minutes they arrived. Francois ran down the steps as Philip alighted in the courtyard. I am glad you have come, Philip. I had already given orders for a horseman to ride to meet you and tell you to hurry on. The dais cast at last. There was a meeting yesterday at the admirals. A messenger came to my mother from my cousin, Francois de la Nuit. The admiral in Conde had received news from my friend at court that there had been a secret meeting of the Royal Council, and that it had been settled that the prince should be thrown into prison and called when he executed. The Swiss troops were to be divided between Paris or Lyon and Portiers. The edict of toleration was to be annulled. An instant step taken is to press Huguenot worship by the sternest measures. In spite of this news, the admiral still urged patience, but his brother, D'Angelo, took the lead among the party of action and pointed out that if they waited until they, the leaders, were all dragged away to prison. Resistance by the Huguenots would be hopeless. Since the last war, over 3,000 Huguenots have been put to violent deaths. Was this number to be added to indefinitely? Were they to wait until their wives and children were in the hands of the executioners before they moved? His party were in the majority and the admiral reluctantly yielded. Then there was a discussion as to the steps to be taken. Some proposed a seizure of Or Lyon in other large towns and that with these in their hands they should negotiate with the court for the dismissal of the Swiss troops as neither toleration nor peace could be hoped for as long as the forces at the disposal of the Cardinal of Lorraine and his brothers. This council however was overruled. It was pointed out that at the beginning of the last war the Huguenots held fully a hundred towns but nearly all were rested from their hands before its termination. It was finally resolved that all should be prepared for striking a heavy blow and that the rising shall be arranged to take place throughout France on the 29th of September. That an army shall take the field, disperse the Swiss, seize if possible the Cardinal of Lorraine and at any rate petition the King for a redress of grievances for a removal of the Cardinal from his councils and for sending all foreign troops out of the kingdom. We have, you see, a fortnight to prepare. We have just sent out messengers to all our Huguenot friends warning them that the day is fixed that their preparations are to be made quietly and that we will notify them when the hour arrives. All are exhorted to maintain an absolute silence upon the subject while seeing that their tenants and retainers are in all respects ready to take the field. Why have you hoisted your flag, Francois? That will only excite attention. It is my birthday, Philip, and the flag is supposed to be raised in my honour. This will serve as an excuse for the assemblage of our friends and the gathering of the tenants. It has been arranged, as you know, that I, and of course you, are to ride with Delannouie who is a most gallant gentleman and that our contingent is to form part of his command. I am heartily glad that this long suspense is over and that at last we are going to meet the treachery of the court by force. Too long have we remained passive while thousands of our friends have in defiance of the edicts been dragged to prison and put to death. Fortunately, the court is, as it was before the last war, besotted with the belief that we are absolutely powerless and we have every hope of taking them by surprise. I also am glad that war has been determined upon, Philip said. Since I have arrived here, I have heard nothing but tales of persecution and cruelty. I quite agree with you that the time has come when the Huguenuts must either fight for their rights, abandon the country altogether and go into exile as so many have already done or renounce their religion. Ah, I see you have a new servant, Philip. He is an active, likely-looking fellow, but rather young. He can know nothing of campaigning. I believe he is a very handy fellow with plenty of sense and shrewdness and if he can do the work I would rather have a man of that age than an older one. It is different with you. You are a Francois, count de la Ville and your servant, whatever his age, would hold you in respect. I am younger and have far less consequence and an old servant might want to take me under his tuition. Moreover, if there was hard work to be done for me, I would rather have a young fellow like this doing it than an older man. You are always making out that you are a boy, Philip. You don't look it and you are going to be playing a man's part. I mean to play it as far as I can, Francois, but that does not make me a day older. Well, mind, not a word to a soul as to the day fixed on. For the next fortnight, the Scenic de Chateau was a busy one. Huguenot gentlemen came and went. The 50-minute arms who were to accompany Francois were inspected and their arms and armor served out to them. The tenetre came up in small parties and were also provided with weapons, offensive and defensive, from the armory, so that they might be in readiness to assemble for the defense of the Chateau at the shortest notice. All were kept in ignorance as to what was really going on, but it was felt that a crisis was approaching and there was an expression of grim satisfaction on the stern faces of the men that showed they rejoiced at the prospect of a termination to the long passive suffering which they had borne at the hands of the persecutors of their faith. Hither too, they themselves had suffered but little, for the Huguenots were strong in the south of Porteau, while in New York the nearest town to the Chateau, if not in an absolute majority, were far too strong to be molested by the opposite party. Nevertheless here and in all other towns, public worship was suspended and it was only in the Chateau and castles of the nobles so the Huguenots could gather to worship without fear of interruption or outrage. There was considerable debate as to whether François's troop should march to join the admiral at Chateau sur Lyon or should proceed to the southeast where parties were nearly equally balanced but the former course was decided upon. The march itself would be far more perilous but as Condé, the admiral and his brother Dianne Lowe would be with the force gathered there, it was the most important point and moreover, François de la Nuit would be there. So well was the secret of the intended movement kept that the French court which was then at Moe had no idea of the danger that threatened and when a report of the intentions of the Huguenots came from the Netherlands it was received with incredulity. A spy was, however, sent to Chateaune to report upon what the admiral was doing and he returned with the news that he was at home and was busily occupied in superintending his vintage. On the evening of the 26th the troop 50 strong mustered in the courtyard of the Chateau all were armed with breast and back pieces and steel caps and carried lances as well as swords. In addition to this troop were Phillips four-minute arms and four-picked men who were to form François's bodyguard one of them carrying his banner. He took as his body servant a man who had served his father in that capacity. He and Paris were lighter armor than the others and carried no lances. François and Philip were both in complete armor Philip dawning for the first time that given to him by his uncle. Neither of them carried lances but were armed with swords light battle axes and pistols. Before mounting service was held the pastor offered up prayers for the blessing of God upon their arms and for his protection over each and all of them in the field. The countess herself made them a stirring address exhorting them to remember that they fought for the rights to worship God unmalusted and for the lives of those dear to them. Then she tenderly embraced her son and Philip. The trumpet sounded to horse and the party rode out from the gates of the Chateau. As soon as they were away the two young leaders took off their helmets and handed them to their attendants who were behind them. Next to these came their eight bodyguards who were followed by the captain in his troop. It may be that this armor will be useful on the day of battle Philip said but at present it seems to me François that it would much rather be without it. I quite agree with you Philip. If we had only to fight with gentlemen armed with swords I would gladly go into battle unprotected but against men with lances one needs a defense. However I do not care so much now that I've got rid of the helmet which in truth is a heavy burden. Me he thinks François the armor will air long be abandoned now the archivists is in canon are coming more and more into use against them they gave no protection and it were better me thinks to have lightness and freedom of action then to have the trouble of wearing all that's iron stuff merely as a protection against lances. You have been trained to wear armor and therefore feel less inconvenience but I have never had as much as a breastplate on before and I feel at prison as if I had almost lost the use of my arms. I think that at any rate I shall really get rid of these arm pieces the body armor I don't mind so much now that I'm fairly in the saddle the leg pieces are not as bad as those on the arms I was scarcely able to walk in them still now that I am mounted I do not feel them much but if I am to be any use in the melee I must have my arms free and trust to my sword to protect them. I believe that some have already given them up Phillip and if you have your sleeves well watered and quilted I think you might if you like give up the armor the men at arms are not so protected and it is only when you meet a noble and full armor that you would be at a disadvantage. I don't think it would be a disadvantage for I could strike twice with my arms free to once with them so confined. There is one thing you will soon become accustomed to the armor. Not very soon I fancy Francois you know you have been practicing in it almost since you are a child and yet you admit that you feel a great difference still I dare say as a novelty wears off I shall get accustomed to it to some extent. End of chapter 4 Recorded February 2008 Saint Bartholome's Eve by G.A. Hendy 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 5 Taking the Field A guy thoroughly acquainted with the country wrote ahead of the party carrying a lantern fixed at the back of his saddle. They had after leaving the Chateau began to mount the lofty range of hills behind. The road crossing these was a mere track and they were glad when they began to send on the other side. They crossed the plain river some 10 miles above Portiers. A few miles farther forwarded the Vienne crossed the garden pay at a bridge at the village of Montmoreil and an hour later halted in a wood just as daylight was breaking having ridden nearly 50 miles since leaving the Chateau. So far they had kept to the south of the direct course in order to cross the rivers and other sources. Every man carried provisions for himself and his horse and as soon as they had partaken of a hardy meal the armor was unstrapped and all threw themselves down for a long sleep sentries being first placed with orders to seize any peasants who might enter the wood together fuel. With the exception of the sentries who were changed every hour the rest slept until late in the afternoon when the horses were again fed and groomed and another meal was eaten at sunset the armor was buckled on again and they started they crossed the Créus at the bridge of Argento about midnight and riding through La Chateau halted before morning in a wood two miles from St. Amon here the day was past as a previous one had been. Tell me Francois Philip said as they were waiting for the sun to go down something about your cousin Dylan Oui as we were to ride with him it is well to know something about him. How old is he? He is 36 and there is no bravery gentlemen in France as you know he's of a Breton family one of the most illustrious of the province. He is connected with the great houses of Chateau Brionne and Mette of Monne as a boy who was famous for the vigor and strength that he showed in warlock exercises but was in other respects I have heard of an indolent disposition and showed no taste for reading or books of any kind as usual among the sons of noble families who went up to the court of Henry the second as a page and when there became seized within order for study especially that of ancient and modern writers who treated on military subjects as soon as he reached manhood he joined the army in Piedmont under Marshall Deepersock that being the best military school of the time on his return he showed the singular and affectionate kindness of his nature his mother unfortunately while he was away had become infected with the spirit of gambling and the king who had noted the talent and kindest position of the young page thought to do him a service by preventing his mother he therefore took the management of our affairs entirely out of her hands appointing a royal officer to look after them now most young men would have rejoiced becoming masters of their estates but the first thing that Francois did on his return was to go to the king and solicit as a personal favor that his mother should be reinstated in the management of our estates this was granted but a short time afterwards she died Dila Nui retired from court and settled in Brittany upon his estates which were extensive shortly afterwards Deandolo Colligny's brother who was about to a spouse madam was L. D. Role the richest heiress in Brittany paid a visit there he had lately embraced our faith and was bent upon bringing over others to it and he brought down with him to Brittany a famous preacher named Cormel his preaching in the Chateau attracted large numbers of the people and although Brittany's perhaps the most Catholic province in France he made many converts among these was Dila Nui then recognizing his talent and influence Deandolo had made special efforts to induce him to join the ranks of the Huguenots and succeeded my cousin who previous to that had I believe no special religious views became a firm Huguenot as you might expect from such a man he is in no way a fanatic and holds to the views that we learn from the preachers of Geneva he is a staunch Huguenot but he is gentle courtly and polished and has I believe the regard of men of both parties he is a personal friend of the geese's and was appointed by them as one of the group of nobles who accompanied Mary Stuart to Scotland when the war broke out in 1562 after the massacre of Assy he joined the standard of Condé he fought a drow and distinguished himself by assisting the Admiral to draw off our beaten army in good order the assassination of François de Guise as you know put an end to that war Dila Nui bitterly regretted the death of Guise and after peace was made where he has lived quietly for the last four years I have seen him several times because he has other states in Poteau within a day's right of us I have never seen a man I admire so much he is all for peace though he is a distinguished soldier while deeply religious he has yet the manners of a noble of the court party he has no pride and he is loved by the poor as well as by the rich he would have done anything to have avoided war but you will see that now the war has begun he will be one of our foremost leaders I can tell you Philip I consider myself fortunate indeed that I am going to ride in the train of so brave and accomplish a gentleman during the day they learned from a peasant of a Ford crossing the Cher two or three miles below St. Amon and during a village near the crossing place they found a peasant who was willing for a reward to guide them across the country to Jibriere on the lore their first guide had returned from their first halting place and the peasant being placed on a horse the lead their pace was much slower than it had been the night before and it was almost daybreak when they passed the bridge at Brier having ridden over 40 miles they rode two or three miles into the mountains after crossing the lower air and then halted we must give the horses 24 hours here Francois said I don't think it is above 20 miles on de Chatillon Surlion but it is all through the hills and it is of no use arriving there with the horses so knocked up as to be useless for service we have done three tremendous marches and anyhow we shall be there long before the majority of the parties from the west and south can arrive the Admiral and Condé will no doubt be able to gather sufficient strength from Champagne and the north of Burgundy for his purpose of taking the court by surprise I am afraid there is but little chance of their succeeding though it is hardly possible that so many parties of Huguenots can have been crossing the country in all directions to the admirals without an alarm being given Moe is some 60 miles from Chatillon and if the court get the news only three or four hours before Condé arrives there they will be able to get to Paris before he can cut them off in fact even while they were speaking the court was in safety the Huguenots of Champagne had their rendezvous at Rousseau a little more than 20 miles from Moe and they began to arrive there in the afternoon of the 28th the prince of Condé who was awaiting them feeling sure that the news of the movement must in a few hours at any rate be known at Moe march for himself there late in the evening and sees the bridge the news however had as he feared already reached the court and the messages had been dispatched and all haste order up 6,000 Swiss troops who were stationed at Chateau three 30 miles higher up on the marn during the hours that elapsed before their arrival the court was in a state of abject alarm but at one o'clock the Swiss arrived and two hours later the court set out under their protection for Paris the prince of Condé who had with him but some 400 gentlemen for the most part armed only with swords met the forces that passed by Lognay he engaged in a slight skirmish with it but being unable with his light arm followers to affect anything against a solid body of the Swiss mountaineers armed with their long pikes he fell back to await reinforcements and the court reached Paris and safety a messenger had arrived at Chateau and with the news when Francois and Philip wrote in the castle gates did open and we're standing in excited groups discussing the news ah there is my cousin Dylan we Francois exclaimed as he elited from his horse this is good fortune I was wondering what we should do if you did not find him here and he made his way to where a singularly handsome gentlemen was talking with several others ah Francois is that you well arrived indeed gentlemen this is my cousin and namesake Francois de la vieil he has written across France to join us is that your troop Francois and during the gate now ah yes I see your banner by my faith it is the best a clear body we have seen yet they make a brave show with their armor and lances the Count does has indeed shown her goodwill right to worthy and it is no small credit to you that you should have brought them from cross the other side of Po too and yet have arrived here before many who live within a few leagues of the castle and who is this young gentlemen with you it is my cousin Philip Fletcher son of my mother's sister Lucy I spoke to you of his coming to us when we were at La Ville three months since he has come over and ordered that he may venture his life on behalf of our religion and family I am glad to welcome you young sir we are you see connections I being Francois first cousin on his father's side and you on that of his mother your spirit and coming over here shows that you inherit the bravery of your mother's race and I doubt not that we shall find the mixture with this dirty stock of England will have added to its qualities would that your queen would but take her proper place as head of a league of the Protestants of Europe our cause would then be well my one without the need of striking a blow is it true cousin that the court has escaped to Paris yes I would that Condé had been a few hours longer before they took the alarm another day and he would have had such a gathering as it would have puzzled the Swiss to have got through his forces were double yesterday and eight hundred have written forth from here this morning to join him I myself though I made all speed arrived but two hours since and she'll with all who come in this evening ride forward tomorrow the admiral and his brother the cardinal of Chateaune will go with us D'Andalos already with Condé now as your troop is to ride with mine I will see that they are disposed for the night together and that their wants are attended to my men have picketed their horses just outside the castle moat for as you see we are credit here with gentlemen and their and it would be impossible to make room for all I will take your officer to the finish who will see that your men are provided with bread meat and wine Ha Captain Mon Pace you are in the command of the troop I see I thought the Countess would send so experienced a soldier with them and I am proud to have such a well appointed troop behind me none so well armed and orderly have yet arrived my own up present our 40 strong and have like you made their way across France from Po too I could not bring my Britons he said turning to Francois the Huguenots they're about a handful among the Catholics happily on my estates they're good friends together but I could not call away my men from their homes at a time like this now Captain Mon Pace I will show you where your men are to Bivouac next to my own then if you'll come with me to the Sunnishill ration shall be served out to them are your horses fit for another journey this morning but the journey is not long the road is heavy they had 24 hours rest before that which they needed sorely having traveled from L'Oville in three days draw a good supply of forage for them from the magazines Dila Nui said see that the saddle bags are well filled in the morning there was another heavy days work before them and then they can take a good rest Francois and Philip accompanied the troop and waited until they saw that they were supplied with provisions and forage and with straw for lying down then they've reentered the castle Dila Nui presented them to many of his friends and then took them to the Admiral he quite fulfilled the anticipations that Philip had formed of him he was a tall figure with a grave but kindly face he was dressed entirely in black with puffed trunks doublet to match and a large turned down collar as was usual he wore over his shoulder to loose jacket with a very high collar the empty sleeves hanging down on either side one writing the arms were thrust into these he wore a low soft cap with a narrow brim all around the expression on his face with its short pointed beard mustache and closely turned whiskers was melancholy the greatest captain of his age he was more reluctant than any of his followers to enter upon civil war and the fact that he felt that it was absolutely necessary to save Protestantism from being extinguished in blood in no way reconciled him to it he received Francois and his cousin kindly I am glad he said to the former to see the representative of the Lovios here your father was a dear friend of mine and fell fighting bravely by my side I should have been glad to have had you writing among my friends but it is better still for you to be with your cousin Dila Nui who is far more suitable as a leader and guide for youth than I am you can follow no better example I am glad also he said turning to Philip to have another of the old family of the D. Mouli here and to find that though transpended to England it still retains its affection for France I trust the air long I may have many of your countrymen fighting by my side we have the same interests and if the Protestant nations would unite the demand for the right of all men Catholic and Protestant to worship according to their contents could no longer be denied I regret that your Queen does not permit free and open worship so afford some sort of excuse to Catholic Kings and Princes still I know that this law is not put rigidly into force and that the Catholics doing fact exercise the right to their religion without hindrance or persecution and above all that there is no violent ill will between the people of the two religions would it were so here were it not that you're going to ride with my good friend here I would have said a few words to you praying you to remember that you are not fighting for worldly credit and honor but for a holy cause and it behooves you to bear yourselves gravely and seriously but no such advice is needed to those who come under his influence leaving the count Dylan Nowee in conversation with the Admiral Francois and Philip made their way to the hall where the tables were laid so that all who came at whatever hour could at once obtain food their own servants who were established in the castle weighed upon them I think that lucky of yours will turn out a very useful fellow Philip Francois said as they left the hall he is quick and willing and he turned out our dinner yesterday in good fashion it was certainly far better cooked than it had been by Charles a day before I fancy Paris has done a good deal of cooking in the open air Philip said and we shall find that he is capable of turning out to some dishes from very scanty materials I am very glad to hear it for though I am ready to eat horse flesh if necessary I see not why because we happen to be at war when you had to spoil one's teeth by gnawing each meat as hard as a leather soldiers are generally bad cooks they are in too much haste to get their food at the end of a long day's work to waste much time with the cooking ah here comes on to we again will you order your troop to be again in the saddle at five o'clock in the morning delivial the count said I start with a party of two hundred at that hour there will be my own men and yours the rest will be gentlemen and their personal retainers I wish it would have been three hours later France was that is the count left them and moved away giving similar orders to the other gentlemen I own I hate moving before it's light there is nothing ruffles the temper so much just getting up in the dark fumbling with your buckles and straps and finding everyone else just as surly and crosses you feel yourself it was considered a necessary part of my training that I should turn out exercise myself all times of the night it was the part of my exercises that I hated the most Philip laughed it will not make much difference here Francois I don't like getting out of a warm bed myself on a dark winter's morning but as there will be certainly no undressing tonight and we shall really have to get up and shake the straw off of us it will not much matter by half past five it will be beginning to get light at any rate we should not mine it tomorrow as it will be really our first day of military service up to a late hour fresh arrivals continued to pour in and the cooks and servants of the castle were kept hard at work administering to the wants of the hungry and tired men there was no regular set meal each man feeding as he was disposed after it became dark all the gentlemen family gathered in the upper part of the great hall and they're set talking by the light of the tortures till nine then the admiral with a few the nobles who had been in consultation with him joined them and a quarter of an hour later our pastor arrived and prayers were read then a number of retainers came in with trusses of straw which were shaken down thickly beside the walls and as soon as this was done all present prepared to lie down the trumpet will sound gentlemen Francois do the new we said in a loud voice at half past four but this will only concern those who as it has already been arranged will ride with me the rest will set out with the admiral at seven I pray each of you who go with me to bid a servant cut off a goodly portion of bread and meet to take along to a one in a saddlebags for a ride will be a long one and we are not likely to be able to obtain refreshments on our way I should have thought Francois said as they lay down on the straw I fill up side though should have passed through plenty of places where we could obtain food whether we go direct to Paris or by the road by like me we pass through Namor and Meilun these places may not open their gates to us Francois and in that case probably we should have to go through Montauru and Rousseau and it may be considered that those who have already gone through to joint one day may have pretty well stripped both places of provisions the trumpets sounded at half past four the tortures were once relighted by the servants and the gentlemen belonging to la nuise party rose and their servants assisted them to buckle on their armor they gave them instructions as to taking some food with them and prepared for the journey by an attack on some cold joints that have been placed on a table at the lower end of the hall there was a scene of bustling confusion in the courtyard as the horses were brought up by the retainers the admiral himself was there to see the party off and as they mounted each issued out and joined the men darn up outside before starting the minister according to Huguenot custom held a short service and then with a salute to the admiral la nuise took his place at their head and rode away with him went some 20 or 30 gentlemen behind whom were their body servants after these some 50 minute arms and the troops of la nuise and the deal as soon as soon as they were off la nuise ranked in his horse so as to ride in the midst of his friends and try to galey with them as they went along an hour and a half brisk riding took them to Montargui instead of keeping straight on as most of those present expected the two men who were riding a short distance in advance of the column turned sharp off to the left in the middle of the town I am going to give you a surprise gentlemen deal a nuise said with a smile I will tell you what it is when we are once outside the place I suppose one of the gentlemen from the province who was riding next to Philip said we are going to strike the main road from Olyon north to ride through Entempe and take posts between Versailles and Paris on the south side of the river while the prince and following bellugger the place on the north it is a bold plan that's to divide our forces but I suppose the animals party will follow us and by taking posts on the south side of the river we shall straighten Paris for provisions gentlemen the count said from the streets of Martargy I can now tell you the mission which the Admiral has done me the honor to confide to me it was thought best to keep the matter an absolute secret until we were fairly on our way because although we hope and believe that there is not a man in Chatillon who was not to be trusted there may possibly be a spy for the geese is there and it would have been wrong to run the risk of a trail well my friends our object is the capture of Olyon an exclamation of surprise broke for many of his heroes it seems a bold enterprise to undertake with but a little over two hundred men La Noe went on with a smile but we are friends there Diandolo has been for the last 10 days in communication with one of them we may of course expect to meet with a stout resistance but with the advantage of surprise and with so many gaulant gentlemen with me I have no shadow of fear as to the result I need not point out to you how important its possession will be to us it will keep open a road to the south will afford a rallying place for all our friends in this part of France and the news of its capture will give immense encouragement to our co-religionist throughout the country besides it will counterbalance the failure to seize the court and will serve as an example to others to attempt to obtain possession of strong places we shall ride at an easy pace today for that distance is long and the country hilly we could not hope to arrive there until too late to finish our work before dark moreover most of our horses that already had very hard work during the past few days we have started early in order that we may have a halt of four hours in the middle of the day we are to be met tonight by our friend the master of Grélo five miles this side of the city he will tell us what arrangements have been made for facilitating our entrance this is a glorious undertaking Philip is it not Francois said until now I've been thinking how unfortunate we were being too late to ride with Conde but now I see what I thought was a loss has turned you do not think Conde will be able to do anything against Paris Philip asked certainly not at present what can some 1500 horsemen in as many infantry and it will have no more force than that for another three or four days do against Paris with its walls and its armed population and the geese and their friends and retainers to say nothing of the 6000 Swiss if our leaders thought they were going to fight at once they would hardly have sent 200 plenty of time to get through this and other expeditions and then to join the prince in front of Paris before any serious fighting takes place do you know how far is across the hills to Orléans Philip asked the gentleman next to him on the other side it is over 50 miles but how much more I do not know I am a native of the province but I have never traveled along this road which can be but little used east of Montarghi the traffic goes by the Great Road through my Lou to Paris while the traffic of Orléan of course goes north through Ejam Pay they rode on until noon and then dismounted by a stream watered and fed the horses partook of a meal from the content of their saddlebags and then rested for four hours to recruit the strength of their horses the soldiers mostly stretch themselves on the sword and slept a few of the gentlemen do the same but most of them started chatting in groups discussing the enterprise upon which they were engaged France and Philip went among their men with Captain Mont Pace inspected the horses examined their shoes saw that fresh nails were put in where required chatting with the men as they did so I felt sure we would not be long before we were engaged on some stirring business the Captain said the Count Dylan Louise not want to let the grass grow under his feet I saw much of him in the last campaign and the Count your father had a very high opinion of his military abilities at first he was looked upon somewhat doubtfully in our camp seeing that he did not keep a long face but was ready with a jest and a laugh with high and low and that he did not affect the sliverness of costume favored by our party but that soon passed off when it was seen how zealous he was in the cause how were you to share in any dangerous business well he set an example to all by the cheerfulness with which he bore if a tea you can hardship next to the admiral himself and his brother Diandolo there was no officer more highly thought of by the troops this is certainly a bold enterprise that he has undertaken now we are going to make a dash early on it is a big city for some two hundred men to capture even though no doubt we have numbers of friends within the walls all the more glory and credit to us won't pace France was a galey why they knew the early on this capture will send a thrill through France and will everywhere encourage our friends to rise against our oppressors we are sure to take them by surprise but they will believe that all the Huguenots in this part of France are hastening to join the prince at four o'clock the party got in motion again and an hour after dark entered a little village among the hills about five miles north of the town Dila Nui at once place a cordon of centuries with orders that neither man woman nor child was to be allowed to leave it orders were issued to the startled peasants that all were to keep within their doors at the peril of their lives the horses were picketed in the street and the soldiers stowed in barns trusses of straw were strewn round of fire for La Nui and the gentlemen who followed him at eight o'clock two vedettes thrown forward some distance along the road rode in with a horseman it was the master of Grillo who as he rode up to the fire was heartily greeted by the count I am glad to find you here count he said I knew you to be a man of your word but in warfare things often occur to upset the best calculations is everything going on well at or long Dila Nui asked everything I have made all my arrangements a party of five and twenty men I can depend on well tomorrow morning at seven o'clock gather near the gate the side of the town they will come up in twos and threes and just as the guard are occupied and unbarring the gate they will fall upon them the guard is 15 strong and as they will be taken by surprise they will be able to offer but a faint to resistance of course you with your troop will be lying in readiness near as soon as they have taken possession of the gateway the party will issue out and wave a white flag as a signal to you that all is clear and you will be in before the news that the gateway has been seized can spread after that you will know what to do in addition to the men who are to carry out the enterprise you will shortly be joined by many others word has been sent round to our partisans that they may speedily expect deliverance and bidding them to be prepared whenever they are called upon to take up their arms and join those who come to free them a large number of the towns work are secretly either wholly with us or well disposed towards us and although some will doubtless take up arms on the other side I think that with the advantage of the surprise and with such assistance as our party can give you there is every chance of bringing the enterprise to a successful issue one of our friends who has a residence within a bow shot of the gates has arranged with me that your troop arriving there before daylight shall at once enter his grounds where they will be concealed from the sight of any country people going toward the city from the upper windows the signal can be seen and if you are mounted and ready you can be there in three or four minutes and it will take longer than that before the alarm can spread and the Catholics must are strongly enough to recapture the gate Admiral be arranged the count said warmly with a plan so well laid our scheme can hardly fail of success if we only do our part as well as you have done yours or the Ong is as good as one now gentlemen I advise you to toss off one more goblet of wine and then to wrap yourselves up in your cloaks for a few hours sleep we must be in the settle soon after four so as to be off the road by five at that hour the troop led by the master of Grey Lowe turned in at the gate of the Chateau the owner was awaiting them and gave them a cordial welcome the man were ordered to dismount and stand by their horses while the leaders followed their host into the house where a repass had been laid for them while some servitors took out baskets of bread and flagans of wine to the troopers at half past six groups of countrymen were seeing making their whale on the road towards the gate and a quarter of an hour later the troop mounted and formed up in readiness to issue out as soon as the signal was given their host placing himself at an upper window once he could obtain a view of the city gate it was just seven when he called out the gate is opening and immediately afterwards they had begun the work the country people outside are running away and panic ah there is a watch flag two servitors at the gate of the Chateau threw it open and headed by La Noe and the gentlemen of the party they issued out and galloped down the road at full speed as they approached the gate some men ran out waving their caps and swords well done La Noe exclaimed as he wrote up now scatter and call out all our friends to aid us in the capture the troop had been already divided into four parties each led by gentlemen familiar with the town François and Philip with the men from Laville formed the party led by the count himself the news of the tumult at the gate had spread and just as they reached the marketplace the body of horseman equal in strength to their own rode towards them for God and the religion La Noe shouted as he led the charge ignorant of the strength of their assailants and having mounted in haste at the first alarm the opposing band hesitated and before they could set their horses into a gallop the Huguenots were upon them the impetus of the charge was irresistible man and horses rolled over while those in the rear turned and rode away and the combat was over before Scarce a blow had been struck a party of infantry hastening up were next encountered these offered a more stubborn resistance rode into the square at the sound of the conflict the upper windows of the house were opened and the citizens looked out in alarm at the struggle but the Catholics having either orders nor plan dared not venture out while the Huguenots mustered rapidly with arms in their hands and rendered valuable assistance to the horseman in attacking and putting to flight the parties of Catholic horse in foot as they hurriedly came up in an hour all resistance has ceased and Orlyong was taken the countered ones issued a pockumation to the citizens assuring all peace of the persons of protection and guaranteeing to the citizens immunity from all interference with personal property and the right of full exercise of their religion the charge of the gates was given over to the Huguenot citizens parties of horse were told off to patrol the streets to see that the order was preserved and to arrest any using threats or violence to the citizens and in a very few hours the town resumed its usual appearance now that all fear of persecution was at an end large numbers of the citizens who had hithered to conceal their leadings towards the new religion and la nui saw a satisfaction that the town could be safely left to the keeping of the Huguenot adherents with the assistance only of a few men to act as leaders these he selected from the gentleman of the province who had come with him and as soon as he had entered upon their duties he felt free to turn his attention elsewhere two days were spent in appointing a council the leading citizens the Huguenots of course being in the majority to them was entrusted the management of the affairs of the town and the maintenance the young nobleman appointed as governor was to have entire charge of military matters all Huguenots capable of bearing arms should be formed up in companies each of which was to appoint its own officers they were to practice military exercises to have charge of the gates and walls and to be prepared to defend them in case a hostile force should light siege to the town three of the nobles were appointed to see to the victuring of the town and all citizens were called upon to contribute a sum according to their means for this purpose a few old soldiers were left to drill the new levies to see that the walls were placed in a thorough condition of defense and above all to aid the leaders in suppressing any attempt at the ill treatment of Catholics or the desecration of their churches by the Huguenot portion of the populace when all arrangements were made for the peace and safety of the town Dila Nui dispatched most of the gentlemen with him and their followers to join the Prince of Condévie for Paris retaining only his cousin Francois Philip the troop from L'Ville in his own band of 40 minute arms end of chapter five recorded February 2008 Saint Bartholomew's Eve by G. A. Henty this is a Libervox recording all Libervox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer visit Libervox dot org read by Anna Christensen chapter six the battle of Saint Denis François Dila Vieux and Philip had fought by the side of La Nuit in the engagements in the streets of Orleans but had seen little of the count afterwards his time being fully employed and completing the various arrangements to ensure the safety of the town they had been lodged in the house of one of the Huguenot citizens and had spent their time walking about the town or in the society of some of the younger gentlemen of their party Are you both ready for service again? The Count Dila Nui who had sent for them to come to his lodgings asked on the evening of the third day after the capture of Orleans quite ready The horses have all recovered from their fatigue and are in condition for a fresh start Are we bound for Paris? May I ask? No, François we are going on a recruiting tour partly because we want more men but more to encourage our people by the sight of an armed party and to show the Catholics that they had best stay their hands and leave us alone for the present I take a hundred men with me including your troop and my own which I hope largely to increase sometimes we shall keep in a body sometimes break up into two or three parties always we shall move rapidly so as to appear released expected and so spread an easiness as to where we may next appear in the south we are as I hear holding our own I shall therefore go first to Brittany and if all is quiet there raise another 50 men we shall travel through terrain and Andrew as we go and then she'll sweep around by Normandy and La Prochette and so up to Paris so you see we shall put a good many miles of ground under our feet before we join the prince in that way not only shall we swell our numbers and encourage our friends but we shall deter many of the Catholic gentry from sending the retainers to join the army of the geese's it will be a pleasant ride cousin Francois said and I hope that we shall have an opportunity of doing some good work before we reach Paris and especially that we shall not arrive there too late to join in the coming battle I do not think that there is much fear of that the count replied the prince has not sufficient strength to attack Paris and for my part I think that it would have been far better when it was found that his plan of seizing the court had failed to have drawn off at once he can do nothing against Paris and his presence before it will only incite the inhabitants against us and increase their animosity it would have been better to have applied the force and reducing several strong towns where as at Orléans the bulk of the inhabitants are favorable to us in this way we should weaken the enemy strengthen ourselves and provide places of refuge to our people in case of need however it is too late for such regrets the prince is there and we must take him what sucker we can I was pleased with you both in their fights upon the day we entered you both behaved like brave gentlemen and good swordsman I expected no less from you Francois but I was surprised upon your English cousin so skilled with his weapon he is a better swordsman than I am Francois said which is a shame to me since he is two years my junior is he indeed the count said in surprise I had taken him to be at least your equivalent years let me think you are but 18 in some months but a month over 18 Francois said and Philip has just past 16 you will make a dodgy warrior when you attain your full strength Philip I saw you put aside a thrust from an officer in the Malay and strike him from his horse with a backhanded cut with your sword dealt with a figure that left nothing to be desired I know that I'm too fond of using the edge sir Philip said honestly my English masters taught me to do so and although my French instructors at home were always impressing upon me that the point was more deadly than the edge I cannot break myself altogether from the habit there is no need to do so the count said of late the point has come into fashion among us and doubtless it has its advantages but often a done right blow will touch a man from a saddle when you would in vain try to find with a point a joint in his armor but you have been well taught indeed if you are better swordsman than my cousin whose powers I have tried to reveal and found him to be an excellent swordsman for his age I have had many masters Philip said both my French and English teachers were good swordsman and it was seldom a Frenchman who had been in the wars pass through Canterbury that my uncle did not engage him to give me a few lessons thus being myself very anxious to become a good swordsman and being fond of exercises I naturally picked up a great many tricks with a sword you could not have spent better if you had an intention of coming over to take part in our troubles here your grandfather Dimoulie was said to have been one of the best swordsman in France and you may have inherited some of his skill I own that I felt rather uneasy at the charge of two such young cockerels though I could not refuse when they count us my aunt begged me to let you ride with me but in future I shall feel easy about you seeing that you can both take your own part stoutly well order your men to be ready and mounted in the marketplace open for us to ride for that six Philip had every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of his new servant in the town as it revealed perry behave circumspectly and quietly assuming a grave countenance in accordance with the surroundings keeping his arms and armor brightly polished and waiting at tables orderly as if he had been used to nothing else in all his life I am glad to hear it sir perry said when Philip informed him that they would start on the following morning I love not towns and here where there's not to do but polish your armor and stand behind your chair at dinner the time goes might be heavily you will have no cause to grumble on that account perry I fancy for your ride will be a long one I do not expect we shall often have a roof over our heads all the better sir so long as the ride finishes before the cold weather sets in fond as I am of sipping with the stars over me I own that when the snow was on the ground I prefer a roof over my head at six o'clock the party started only two other gentlemen were with it both of them were like the count from Brittany the little group chatted gaily as they wrote along unless they happen to encounter parties of Catholics going north to join the royal army there was so far as I knew no chance of their meeting any body of the enemy on their westward ride the town of and dome Le Mans and the Val were all strongly Catholic and devoted to the geese's these must be skirted Renee and Brittany must also be avoided for all these towns were strongly garrisoned and could turn out a force far too strong for La Nuit to cope with upon the March perry was not only an invaluable servant but the life of the troop he being full of fun and frolic and making even the grave of a soldier smile at his cellies when they halted he was indefatigable and seeing after Phillips comforts he cut both of the trees best suited for the purpose of making a couch and surprised his master and friend swaw by his ingenuity in turning out excellent dishes from the scantious materials he would steal away in the night to procure foul and eggs from neighboring farmhouses and although Phillips orders were that he was to pay the full price for everything he required Philip found when he gave an account a fortnight later of how he had spent the money he had given him that there was no mention of any payment for these articles when he waited perry for this the latter replied I did not pay for them sir not in order to save you money but for the sake of the farmers and their families it would have been worse than cruelty to have aroused them from sleep the loss of a follower to and a dozen eggs were nothing to them if they missed them at all they would say that a fox had been there and they would think no more of it if on the other hand I had waked them up in the middle of the night to pay for these trifles they would have been scared out of their life thinking when I knocked that some band of robbers was at the door and their anger at being this to serve they would have been capable of shooting me and it is so you see sir I acted for the best of all parties two chickens out of scores was a loss not worth thinking of while the women escaped the panic and terror that my waking them up would have caused them when I can pay I will assuredly do so since that is your desire but I am assured you will see that under such circumstances it would be a crime to wake people from their sleep for the sake of a few so's Philip laughed besides sir these people were either they would be right glad to minister to those who were fighting on their behalf if they were Catholics if they were Catholics they would rob and murder us without mercy therefore they may think themselves fortunate indeed to escape it at so trifling a cost from the punishment they deserve that is all very well peri but the orders are strict against plundering and if the admiral were to catch you you would get a sound thrashing with a stir brother I have risk more than that sir many times in my life and if I am caught I will give them leave to use the strap but you will see him under a fill up that if the war goes on these niceties will soon become out of fashion at present the human outlords and gentlemen have money in their pockets to pay for what they want but after a time money will become scarce they will see that the armies of the king live on plunder as armies generally do and when cash run short they will have to shut their eyes and let the men provide themselves as best they can I hope the war won't last long enough for that peri but at any rate we have money in our pockets at present and pay for what we require though I do not pretend that it is a serious matter to take a hen out of a coop without as you say alarming the whole family however remember my orders are that everything we want is to be paid for I understand sir and you will see that the next time we reckon up accounts every item shall be charged for so that there will be nothing on your conscience Philip laughed again I shall be attentive that is the case peri and I hope that your contents will be as clear as mine will be on the third of November just a month after leaving Orleans Dylan we with his troop augmented to 300 join the print of condé before Paris during the interval he had traversed the west of France by the route he had marked out for himself had raised 50 more men among the Huguenots of Brittany and had been joined on the route by many gentlemen with parties of the retainers several bodies of Catholics have been met and dispersed two or three small towns where the Huguenots have been ill-treated and massacured were entered the ring leaders and the persecutions have been hung and the authorities have been compelled to pay a heavy fine under threat of the whole time being committed to the flames everywhere he passed La Nuit had caused proclamations to be scattered far and wide to the effect that any ill-treatment of Huguenots would be followed by his return and by the heaviest punishment being inflicted upon all whom elested them and so having given great encouragement to the Huguenots and scattered terror among the persecutors having ridden great distances and astonished the people of the western provinces by his energy and activity La Nuitie joined the Prince of Condé with 300 men. He was heartily welcomed on his arrival. He was heartily welcomed on his arrival at the Huguenot camp at St. Denis. Francois Delaville and Philip Fletcher had thoroughly enjoyed the expedition. They had often been in the saddle from early morning till late at night and had felt the benefit of having each two horses as when the party halted for a day or two they were often sent out with Hathor troop to visit distant places to see friends to bring into the camp people to attack the Huguenots to enter small towns throw open prisons and carry off the Huguenots confined there and occasionally to hang the leaders of local massacres. In these cases they were always accompanied by one or other of the older leaders in command of the party. Their spare chargers enable them to be on horseback every day while Hathor troop rested in turn. Sometimes their halts were made in small towns and villages but more often they big walked in the open country being thus the count considered more watchable and less apt to be surprised. On their return from these expeditions per we always had a meal prepared for them. In addition to the ration of meat and bread chicken and eggs he often contrived to serve up other and danger food. His old poaching habits were not forgotten. As soon as the camp was formed he would go out and set snares for hairs traps for birds and lay lines in the nearest stream while fish and gain of some sort were genuinely added to the fair. said one evening. I thought so. We left. I marked him once or twice behind a chariot early on and we thought then that he looked too grave to be honest and there was a twinkle in his eye that accorded badly with the gravity of his face and his sober attire. Well there can be no doubt that in war a man who is a spice of the rogue in him makes the best of servants provided he is but faithful to his master and respects his goods if he does those of no one else. Your rogue is necessarily a man of resources and one of that kind will on a campaign make his master comfortable where one with an overstupulous Charlotte will well nice star I had such a man when I was with Prasalk in northern early but one day he went out to never returned. Whether the provost Marshall did me the ill service of hanging him or whether he was shot by the peasants I never knew but I missed him sorely and often went fasting to bed when I should have had a good supper had he been with me. It is lucky for you both that you haven't to depend upon the grim I have no doubt that the countess that she was doing well by my cousin when she appointed him to go with him and I can believe that he would give his life for him but for all that if he had to depend upon him for your meals you very badly indeed Dela Nui was much disappointed on joining the prince at finding the latter's force had not swollen to larger dimensions he had with him after the arrival of the force the count had brought from the west but 2000 tours of these a large personal retainers a fifth only were provided with lances and a large number had no defensive armor a foot soldiers he had about the same numbers of horse and of these about half were armed with archivists the rest being pikeman the force under the command of the constable de Montmorency inside the walls of Paris was known to be enormously superior in strength and the Huguenots were unable to understand why he did not come out to give them battle they knew however the count a Remberg was on his way from the Netherlands with 1700 horse sent by the Duke of Alba to the support of the Catholics and they suppose that Montmorency was waiting for this reinforcement on the 9th of November news arrived that a Remberg was approaching and de Andelo with 500 horse and 800 of the best trained archivists was dispatched to seize Pussy and so prevent a Remberg entering Paris the next morning the constable learning that Condé had weakened his army by this detachment marched out from Paris seldom have two European armies met with a greater disparity of numbers for while Condé had about 1500 horse and 1200 foot the constable marched out with 16,000 infantry of whom 6,000 were Swiss and 3,000 horse he had 18 pieces of artillery while Condé was without a single cannon as soon as his force was seen pouring at from the gates of Paris the Huguenot trumpets blew to arms all wore over their coats or armor a white scarf the horseman would ride it into three bodies Dela Nui and his following form part of that under the personal command of Condé we long to be here in time for this battle Philip Francois said but I think this is rather more than we are bargained for they must be nearly 10 to one against us there was one thing all of the Swiss are good soldiers the rest of their infantry are for the most part Parisians and though these gentry have proved themselves very valiant in the massacre of unarmed Huguenot men women and children I have no belief in their valor when they to meet with men with swords in their hands I would however that D'Angelo with his 500 horse and 800 archivist all picked men were here with us even if I remember with his 1700 horse were ranged under the Constable as it is I can hardly believe that Condé and the Admiral will really lead us against this huge mass I should think that they can but be going to maneuver so as to fall back in good order and show a firm face to the enemy their footmen would be of no use to them and as I do not think their horse are more than twice our strength we might turn upon them when we get get away from their infantry and beyond the range of their cannon as soon however as the troops were fairly beyond the gates of Saint Denis the leaders place themselves at the front of the three columns and with a few inspiring words led them forward Coligny was on the right La Roche Foucault Guenni and other leaders on the left and the column commanded by Condé himself in the center Condé with a number of nobles and gentlemen would in front of the line behind them came the minute arms with lances while those armed only with swords and pistols followed Coligny on the right was most advanced and commenced the battle by charging furiously down upon the enemy's left facing Condé with a great mass of the Catholic infantry without a moment's hesitation that the little band of about 500 horse charged right down upon them fortunately for them it was a Parisians and not the Swiss upon whom their assault fell the force and impetus of their rush was too much for the Parisians who broke at the onset threw away their arms and flood in a disorderly mob towards the gates of Paris never mind those cowards the print shouted there is Nobler game and followed by his troops he wrote at the Constable who with a thousand horse had taken his post behind the infantry before this body of Calvary could advance to meet the Huguenots the latter were among them and a desperate hand-to-hand Malay took place gradually the Huguenots won their way into the mass although the old Constable fighting a splendid example to his troops Robert Stuart a scotch gentleman in Condé's train fought his way up to him and demanded his surrender the Constable's reply was a blow with a hilt of the sword which nearly struck Stuart from his horse knocking out three of his teeth a moment later the Constable was struck by a pistol ball but whether it was fired by Stuart himself or one of the gentlemen by his side was never known the Constable fell but the fight still raged the royalist recovered from the first shock were now pressing their adversaries Condé's horse was shot by a musket ball and then following pinned him to the ground so that he was enabled to extricate himself Dilla and a we followed by François and Philip who were fighting by his side and other gentlemen saw his peril and rushing forward drove back Condé's assailants two gentlemen leaping from their horses extricated the prince from his fallen steed and after hard fighting placed him on a horse before one of them and the troops repulsing every attack made on them fell slowly back to St. Denis on the right hand was owned against the enemy but on the left the Huguenots encountering Marshal de Montmorency the eldest son of the Constable and suffering heavily from the archivists in the artillery fire had been repulsed and the Catholics here had gained considerable advantages the flight of a large portion of the infantry and the disorder caused in the cavalry by the charges of Condé and Coligny prevented the Marshal from following up as advantage and as the Huguenots fell back upon St. Denis the royal is retired into Paris where the wounded Constable had already been carried victory was claimed by both sides but belonged to neither each party had lost about 400 men a matter of much greater consequence to the Huguenots than to the Catholics the more so is a large proportion of the slain on their side with gentlemen of rank upon the other hand the loss of the Constable who died next day paralyzed for a time the Catholic forces a staunch and even bigoted Catholic and opposed to any terms of toleration being granted to the Huguenots he was opposed to the ambition of the Geeses and was the head of the world's party as distinguished from that of Lorraine Catherine who was the moving spirit of the court hesitated to give the power he possessed as Constable into hands that might use it against her and persuaded the King to besow the supreme commander the army upon his brother Henry Duke of Enrou the divisions in the court caused by the death of the Constable and the question of a successor prevented any fresh movements of the army and enabled the Prince of Conday after being rejoined by Deando those force to retire unmilested three days after the battle the advanced guard of the warlist having been driven back into Paris by Deando on his return one in his disappointment being absent from the battle he fell fiercely upon the enemy and pursued them hotly to the gates burning several windmills close under the walls on the evening of the battle Dila Nohwi had presented his cousin and Philip to the Prince speaking in high terms of the bravery they displayed in the battle and they received Conday's thanks for the part they had taken in his rescue from the hands of the Catholics the count himself had praised them highly but I gently chided Francois for the rations he had shown it is well to be brave Francois but that is not enough a man who is brave without being prudent may with fortune escape as you have done from a battle without serious wounds but he cannot hope for such fortune many times and his life would be a very short one several times today you were some links ahead of me in the Malay and once or twice I thought you lost if I was too closely pressed myself to render you assistance it was the confusion alone that saved you your life is a valuable one you are the head of an old family and have no right to throw your life away nothing could have been more gaunt than your behavior Francois but you must learn to temper bravery by prudence your cousin showed his English blood and breeding when we charged he was half a link behind me and at that distance he remained throughout the fight except when I was very highly pressed when he at once closed up beside me more than once I glanced around at him and he was fighting with the coolness of a veteran it was he who called my attention to Condé's fall which in the moulay might have passed a notice by me until it was too late to save him he kept his pistols and his holsters throughout their fray and it was only when they pressed as so hotly as we were carrying off the print that he used them and as I observed with effect I doubt that there was a pistol save his undischarged at that time they were reserved that he maintained for the crisis of the fight master Philip I trust you have a but small opportunity which heaven forbid I should say that you would make a name for yourself as a sure of the as well my cousin Francois if he were to tempers enthusiasm with coolness the evening before the Hughan's retired from Saint Denis the count sent for Francois and his cousin as you have heard he said we retired tomorrow morning we have done all and more than all they could have been expected from such a force we have kept Paris shut up for ten weeks and have maintained a position in face of a force commanded by the constable of France of well my ten fold our strength we are now going to march east to affect a junction with a force under Duke Cossamere he is to bring us over six thousand horse three thousand foot and four cannon the march will be toils them but the admiral's skill will I doubt not enable us to allude the force with which the enemy will try to bar our way the admiral ascending off the sure d r ble whom you both know to the south of France in order that he may explain to our friends they are the reason for our movement to the east for otherwise the news that we had broken up from before Paris may cause great discouragement I have proposed to him that you should both accompany him you have frequently written under his orders during our expedition to the west and he knows your qualities he has godly consented to receive you as his companions it will be pleasant for him to have two gentlemen with him he takes with him his own following of eight men six of his band fell on the battle the admirals of opinion that this is somewhat too small a force for safety four minute arms who ride behind you will double his force two of yours fell in the fight I believe Francois I have taken two others from the troops to fill their places your men all came out of it Philip did they not yes sir they were all wounded but none of them seriously and are all fit to ride you will understand Francois that in separating you from myself I'm doing so for your sakes alone it will be the admiral's policy to avoid fighting doubtless air we affect junction with the Germans very many will succumb to cold and hardship you are not as yet inured to this work and I would rather not run the risk of your career's ending from such causes if I thought there was a prospect of fighting I should keep you with me but being as it is I think it is better you should accompany the sure dear of they the mission is a dangerous one and will demand activity energy and courage all of which you possess but in the south you will have another of gaining credit than you would in an army like this where as they approved you the enemy every man is brave another reason I may own is that in this case I consider your youth to be an advantage we get hardly have sent one gentlemen in such a mission alone and with two of equal rank in age each with eight followers difficulties and dissensions might have arisen while you would both be content to accept the orders of the sure Diablay without discussion and to look up to him as a leader of your party although they would rather have remained with the army the lads at once thanked the count and stated their willingness to accompany the sure Diablay whom they both knew and liked being like Diablay cheerful and have good spirits not dimming it necessary to maintain at all times a stern and grave aspect or a ruggedness of manners as well as somber garments Diablay at once took them across to Diablay's tent my cousin and his kinsmen will gladly ride with you and place themselves under your orders Diablay I can warmly recommend them to you though they are young I can guarantee that you will find them if it comes to blows as youthful as most men ten years are senior and at any mission that you may entrust to them I think that you can rely upon their discretion but of that you will judge for yourself when you know some with more of them they will take with them eight minute arms all of whom will be stout fellows so that with your own men you can traverse the country without fear of any party you are likely to fall in with I shall be glad to have your cousin and his kinsmen with me Diablay I say courtesy between you and I Di-Lena-Wee I would infamely rather have two bright young fellows of spirit than one of our tough old warriors who deem it sinful to smile and I've got a text handy for every occasion it is not a very bright world for us at present and I see now the use of making it sadder by always wearing a gloomy countenance the next morning the party started in road south avoiding the places held by the Catholics they visited many of the chateau of a few guanot gentlemen to whom Diablay communicated the instructions he had received from admiral as to the assemblage of troops and the necessity for raising such a force as would compel the royalists to keep a considerable army in the south and so less than the number who would gather to oppose as march eastward after stopping for a short time in Navarre and communicating with some of the principal leaders in that little kingdom they turned eastward they were now passing through a part of the country where party's spirit was extremely bitter and were obliged to use some caution as they were charged to communicate with men who were secretly well-affected to the cause but who living within reach to the bigoted parliament of Toulouse dare not openly avow their faith Toulouse had from the time the troubles first began distinguished itself for the ferocity with which it had persecuted the Huguenots yielding obedience to the various royal edicts of toleration most reluctantly and sometimes openly disobeying them thus for many miles round the city those of the reformed faith lived in continual dread conducting their worship with extreme secrecy when some many however only need the approach of a Huguenot army to throw away the mask and take up arms and it was with these that D.R. Blade was specially charged to communicate great caution was needed in doing this as the visit of a party of Huguenots would if denounced have called down upon them the vengeance of the parliament who were animated not only by a hatred of the Huguenots but by the desire of enriching themselves by the confiscation of the states and goods of those who they persecuted the visits consequently were genuinely made after nightfall the men at arms being left a mile or two away D.R. Blade found everywhere a fierce desire to join in the struggle restrained only by the fear of the consequences to wives and families during absence send an army capable of besieging and capturing Toulouse and there is not one of us who will not rise and give his blood for the cause putting into the field every man he can raise and spending his last crown but unless such a force approaches we dare not move we know that we are strictly watched and that on the smallest pretext we and our families will be dragged to prison tell the admiral that our hearts and our prayers are with him and that nothing in the world would please us so much as to be fighting under his banner but until there is a hope of capturing Toulouse we dare not move such was the answer at every castle chateau and farmhouse where they called many of the Huguenots contributed not only the money they had in their houses but their plate in jewels for money was above all things needed to fulfill the engagements that the admiral had made with the German mercenaries who were on their march to join them sometimes Philip and Francois both accompanied their leader on his visits sometimes they went separately they were always able to obtain from the leading men the names of neighbors who were favorable to the cause in the way of money they succeeded beyond their expectations for as the gentlemen in the district had not like those where the parties were equally divided impoverished themselves by placing the retainers in the field they were able to contribute comparatively large sums to the cause they had at heart end of chapter six recorded February 2008