Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-26


the forces of Burgundy and the Low
Countries, under Charles the Bold,
and to meet them Louis had appointed
his well-tried, faithful henchman,
knight and baron, Sir John st. HUI
bert.
10 a low-Foofed cot close by where
rested the right wing of the royal
forces, sat two generals engaged in
looking over a roughly-drawn map.
They were the barons John st. Hubert
and Odin Lavalette. st. Hubert was
a man of fifty, tall and muscular, and
cased in armor, only his head being
bare. Lavalette was his lieutenant, to
hwltom'Sir John was giving directions
for the coming battle. While they
thus conferred a door was noiselessly
opened, and a youth entered unan-
nounced.h -A-'sE1
All, Leonln cried St. Hubert, as
the youth approached, you have come
Just in time. Have you examined the
fords below usY' Gag
"Not only that, my lord" answered
the boy, "but | have discovered the
disposition of the enemy beyond"
The youth then hurried away, and
when he had gone, and the door had
been closed behind him, said Lava
lette
l"Sir John, l wish you would tell
me exactly who that boy isl
If you viii keep the story to
yourself | viii give it to you. Do you
call to mind-it is now a little more
than eight years past the fearful
tragedy Of Alsdorf Castle? The boy
Leon was a brand plueked from that
burning. He is a wonderful boy,
Ali | think the lad is coming. Re
member-I have told you this in con-
fdence. You will not speak of it to
another"
Layalette gave the promise required,
and directly afterward Leon entered,
accompanied by Sir Andrew Neville.
st. Hubert very soon made the En-
glish knight comprehend what was
required of him, and when he had
gone the old general turned to Leon,
the two being at that moment alone.
Harkl hal there sounds Cler-
mont's trumpet My dear boy, here is
a packet, If | come from the field
this day alive, you will return it to me
if | fall, it is yours.
Il pledge my word, my lord,' re-
turned the boy, taking the packet.
Directly afterWard Sir John and his
devoted protege were in their saddles,
aud at a word from his chief the lat
ter dashed away to marshal the forces
of st, Hubert.
While they were surveying the field
a messenger came dashing up from the
king, eager and breathless.
m lord" he said, addressing the
baron St. Hubert, the enemy have
brought up from Charities ten large
cannon, and have already made ar
engagements to place them on yonder
hight. His majesty says you must
clear hat hill and capture those
mighty engines
st. Hubert oomprehended the whole
in a moment. A glance at the emf
nenoe in question. which was a small
hill, well wooded, close upon their
right flank, told him that the opening
of cannon upon them in that place
would be fatal and he as readily I'M
derstood the intent of the king. The
enemy were moving up the heavy ord
nance, believing hat the presence
thereof was not suspected by their adj
versaries, and a sudden and we'll d.
rected dash was only required to
change the bearing of the whole thing.
Tell the king his order shall be
obeyed."
So spoke the baron; and now to do
the work. He could not lead the
charge up that hill in person, for he
must look to his main army, which
had sufficient work before them. In
this dilemma he resolved to send Leon
to lead the important charge. The
thing was quickly decided in his own
mind, and as quickly conveyed to our
hero, and the baron then said:
Here is my truncheon. 1t will be
a sufficient badge of authority with
those who are to obey. Be careful,
my boy! Be brave, but be cireum-
spect. God bless and keep you. There
-awayFa
Drawing his sword and waving. ii
above his head, Leon dashed away to
the head of the stalwart foresters, who
had been set apart as a reserve force.
These men were the immediate re-
taineFs and tenants Of st. Hubert
about two hundred and fifty in mum.
Der, armed with swords and pixies.
these last being formidable weapons.
with shafts twelve feet in length. and
heads of steel, heavy and sharp. Every
man of them had known Leon from
his prattling boyhoOd, and had como
to love him for his goodness and truth
as well as for his proves and bravery.
He first exhibited to them the COLDER
~truncheOn Of the baron, and then. In
few words, told them what he had beer
ordered 10 40.
MY brave, true hearts he con.
Guided, IF we capture those great
guns we save the day. The king look
to US, and is anxious. Will you fol
low me2'
The shout Of assent made the wei
kin ring.
Leon, with keen glance and clos,
, calculation, had marked the move
ments on the hill, and was spurrinI
forward at the top of his speed. A
the foot Of the hill, with not NOR
than three hundred yards between
himself and the advance guard of tn
enemy, he turned and gave the orde
/, for the sweeping to the right and lef
of the rear divisions. His order wa
instantly repeated to the chiefs o
division, and in a few moments NOR