The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-12-23

tumn-clear, bright and beautiful. The air |
was crisp and bracing. Upon broad plain,
at the foot Of the slope upon which stood the
town of MONTH Hery, was marshalled an
army under the banner of Louis OF France,
The distance from Paris was not more than
five leagues.
Little more than good bow, shot distant,
with an Insignificant tributary of the Essonne
between them, lay another army, spread over
a greater territory, and displaying various
banners. A final effort was to be made to
hurl Louis from his throne. His own brother
the Duke of Berry, was at the head of the
insurgent force, aided by Charles OF Bur-
guudy.
1t was a dubious prospect for King Louis.
The coalition against him was strong, and led
by veteran chieftains; but he did not falter.
1t was evi dent that the main battle was to be
fought upon his right. Against that wing, on
the opposite side, we're marshalled the forces
of Burgundy and the Low Countries, under
Charles the Bold, and to meet them Louis
had appointed his well-tried, faithful bench
man, knight and baron, Sir John st. HUI
bert.
In a low-roofed cot, close by where rested
the right wing of the royal forces, sat two
generals engaged in looking over 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 whom Sir John was
giving directions for the coming battle. While
they thus conferred a door was noselessly
opened, and youth entered unannounced.
"Ah, nLeonw cried st. Hubert, as the
youth approached, "you have come just in
time. Have you examined the lords below
us?"
"Not only that, my lord," answered the
how "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 Lavalette:
"Sir John, I wish you would tell me ex-
actly who that boy is"
eff you will keep the story to yourself I
will give ii 10 you.-Do you call to mind-it
is now little more than eight years past -
the fearful tragedy at Alsdorf Castle? The
boy Leon was a brand pucked from that
burning. He is a wonderful boy. All!
think the lad is coming. Remember, II have
told you this in confidence. You will not
speak of it to another"
Lavalette gave the promise required, and
directly afterwards Leon entered, accompa-
MED by Sir Andrew Neville.
st. Hubert very soon made the English
knight comprehend what was required of him.
and when he had gone the old general turn
ed to Leon, the two being at that moment
| alone.
clark! Ha! there sounds Clermont's
trumpet! My dear boy, here is packet. If
I come from the field this day alive, you will
return it to me; if l fall, it is yours"
Il pledge my word, my lord," returned the
boy, taking the packet. Directly afterwards
Sir John and his devoted protege were in
their saddles, and at word from his chief
the latter dashed away to marshal the forces
Of st. Hubert.
While they were surveying the field mes
seDger came dashing up from the king, eager
and breathless.
"My lord" be said, addressing the Baron
st. Hubert, ''the enemy have brought up
from Charities ten large cannon, and have
already made arrangements to place them on
yonder height. His majesty says you must
clear that bill and capture those mighty en-
gnesp'
st. Hubert comprehended the whole in a
moment. A glance at the eminence in ques-
ton, which was 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 understood
the intent of the king. sThe enemy were moy-
ing up the heavy ordnance, believing that the
presence thereof was not suspected by their
adyersaries. and sudden and we'll directed
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 the
hill in person, for he must look to bis 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 suffi-
cent badge of authority with those who are
to obey. Be careful, my boy BE brave, but
be circumspect.-Go bless and keep you'll
There-awayp'
Drawing his sword and waving it 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 retainers
and tenants of ST. Hubert; about two humid.
red and fifty in number; armed with swords
and pixies, these last being formidable weap-
ons,, 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 come to love him for his
goodness..and truth, as well as for his proves
and bravery. He first exhibited to them the
golden truncheon OF the baron, and then. in
Few words, told them what he had been Or
dered to do.
"My brave, true hearts, he concluded,
IF we capture those great guns we save the
day. The king looks to us, and is anxious.
Will you follow me?''
| The shout of assent made the elkin ring,
Leon, with keen glance and close calcula
ton, had marked the movements on the hill.
and was squirting forward at the top of his
speed. AT the foot of the hill, with not more
than three hundred yards between himself
ana the advance guard of the enemy, he turn
| for fhn
the right and left of the rear divisions. His
order was instantly repeated to the chiefs of
DIVISION, and in few moments more the for
esters were completely enveloping the hill.
onward and upward swept the youthful lead
er. bearing his light target to keep the fying
arrows from his throat, while his followers
pressed close to bis tracks.
Upon the summit of the hill the Bourbon
nals and Spaniards, to the number of full
| might. Their chief was none other than
Jean H., the Duke de Bourbon. Three hun
dred archeIs and pkemen were arranged to
resist the attacking column, while the rest
| worked at the cannon. Three of the buoe
pieces had been placed in position and loaded.
and the duke, with his own hand, was pre-
pared to discharge the first, when the shock
came. A crowd of his men had been driven
before the muzzle of the gun he was about to
AAAos "non ~ uioPPeu Tue ualcn-StOck and
sprang to the front. But single glance told
him he was too late.
Like a thunderbolt dashed young Leon
upon the pikemen of Bourbonnais, turning
aside the weapons that were aimed at him.
and striking down two men in his course
And his orders had been obeyed to the very
letter.. So promptly had the leaders of the
second and third divisions come up as thew
had been directed, that the enemy was struck
on all hands at the same instant, and panic
Selling them at once, they fled pell nell.
Leon ana not make any pursuit, but set at
had brought them upon the field.
Three OF the guns were already loaded, and
the matches lighted, and as soon as they
could be trained upon the Duke of Berry's
flank they were discharged. The moral effect
of the enormous pieces of ordnance was of
greater moment than the physical. Conster-
nation and awe resulted in fear; and fear be-
gat generalization and flight.
Leon piled the battery until he had driven
the Allies beyond reach of his proectiles, and
fI,ov,h af hn1 n1,f IS I,