The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-30


he is grown old enough to bear arms, let !
him come to me, and | will give him ser
vice.
Maillotiu du Ba0 ohafed angrily, and
would have cut the boy down had not the
Black Knight declared it to have become
a personal matter.
"Strike the poor forester's boy" said
he, land you strike mel"
And so the life of the boy was saved;
and Du Brac muttered, as he turned
away:
Il tell you that boy will live to give us
troubled"
And his words were prophetic.
Eight years had passed since the massa-
ere Of Alsdorf and the prince who had in
stigated that wicked work still plotted and |
fought for power. He had not yet come |
TO the ducal throne of Bergundy, though |
the event was not far distant. Philip the
Good still lived, and reigned in name, but
Charles the Bold, his son and heir, was
the responsible prince and arbitrator,
| 1t was early in the day-a day of late
autumn-clear, bright and beautiful. The
air was crisp and bracing. Upon a broad
plain, at the foot of slope upon which
stood the town Of Month Hery, was mar
shalled an army under the banner of
Louis Of France. The DISTANCE from Paris
was not more than five leagues.
Little more than a good bow-shot dis
tant, with an Insignificant tributary of the
Essonne between them, lay another army,
spread over a greater territory, and dis
playing various banners. A final effort was
to be made to hurl Louis from his throne,
His own brother, the Duke of Berry, vas
at the head of the iDsurgent force, aided
by Charles of Burgundy.
1t was dubious prospect for King
: Louis. The coalition against him was
t strong, and led by veteran chieftans; but
, he did not falter. 1t was evident that the
: main battle was to be fought upon his
D right. Against that wing, on the opposite
? side, were marshalled the forces of Bers
gundy and the Low Countries, under
t Charles the Bold, and to meet them Louis
e had appointed his well-tried, faithful
/ henchman, knight and baron, Sir John St.
Q Hubert.
d In low-rooted cot, close by where rest
Il ed the right wing of the royal forces, sat
two generals engaged in looking over
IL rons John st. Hubert and Odin Lavalette
st. Hubert was a man of fifty, tall and
e muscular, and cased in armor, only his
o head being bare. Lavalette was his lieu,
tenant, TO whom Sir John was giving di.
}, rectlons for the coming battle. While
they thus conferred, door was noise
n less!y opened, and youth entered unan.
nounced.
"Ah, Leon!" cried st. Hubert, as the
youth approached, you have come just il
W time, Have you examined the fords be.
z. low us?'
t, Not only thar, my lord" answered the
- boy, but have discovered the disposition
l. OF the enemy beyond"
y The youth then hurried away, and when
ne had gone, and the door had been closed
'e behind him, said Lavaette:
lie Sir John, | wish you would tell me ex
l. acty who that boy is ="
% If you will keep the story to yourself
1t l will give it to you. Do you call to mine
u it is now little more than eight years
= past-the fearful tragedy of Alsdor
Castle? The boy Leon was a branC
d plucked from that burning. He is a won
derful boy. Ahl / think the lad is com
e ing. Remember, Il have told you this IL
l. confidence. You will not speak of it tC
n another"
t, Layalette gave the promise required
# aud directly afterwards Leon entered, &C
: cOmpa1ied by Sir Andrew Neville.
IT st. Hubert very soon made the English
; knight comprehend what was required Of
: him, and when he had gone the old gener.
e al turnedto Leon, the two being at thai
q moment alone
" Hark! Hal there sounds ClermonfG
It trumpet! My dear boy, here is the pack.
n ct. II come from the field this day alive
you will return it to me; ii | fall it il
k yours.
, i pledge my word, my lord" returned
/, the boy, taking the packet. Directly at
If forwards Sir John and his devoted protegc
IS we're 10 their saddles, and at word from
|, his chief the latter dashed away to mar.
q shall the forces of st. Hurbert.
i While they were surveying the field 6
s messenger came dashing up from the
: king, eager and breathless.
+ My lord" he said, addressing the
q Baron st. Hubert, ''the enemy have
brought up from Charities ten large can
0 non, and have already made arrangements
J, to place then on yonder height. His ma
q Jesty says you must clear that hill and cap.
D ture those mighty eDgines!"
st. Hubert comprehended the whole 10
a moment. A glance at the eminence il
: question, which was small bill, vel
( wooded, close upon their right flank, told
3 him that the opening OF cannon upon them
10 that place would be fatal; and he as
readily understood the intent of the king,
| The enemy were moving up the heavy ord
) nance. believing that the presence thereof
8 was not suspected by their adversaries
and sudden and well-directed dash was
only required to change the bearing of the
5 whole thing.
J ed"
SO spoke the baron; and now to do the
e work. He could not lead the charge uu
that hill 10 person, for he must look to his
main army, which had sufficient work be.
/ fore them. In this dilemma he resolved
: to send Leon to lead the important charge.
The thing was quickly decided 10 his own
I mind, aud as quickly conveyed to our
: hero. aud the baron then said:
Here ia my truncheon. Il will be a suf.
d hcient badge of authority with those who
fare to obey. Be careful, my boyI-Be