National Republican., 1878-12-23
"what Is all this ?" De Langwolf demanded,

"Oh. good sir noble knightl-he Is my
boy my own Leon Oh, spare him spare
l..l :"
"Pshaw let the brat live," said the Black
chief
".But this little viper Is as spiteful as tiger"
returned Du Bac. "Zounds he came near
knocking ono OF my mon over with n club.
Look at him. Look at his eyes. He don't ask
for life. tell you he must die. II he lives,
he will live to give us trouble"
mo" persisted the Bohemian. "John Of
Luxembourg and all his family arc dead, and
that fills I measure. Here, my good woman, J,
take your boy, and when lie Is grown old
enough to bear arms, let him come to me, aud
will give him service"
Maiiotin du Bac chafcd angrily, and would
have cut the boy down had not the Black
Knight declared It to have become a personal
matter.
Strike the poor forestcr's boy" said he, "snd
you strike mor'
And so the life of tho boy was saved and
Du Bac muttered, as he turned away:
II tell you that boy will live to give us
trouble!"
And his words were prophetic.
! Eight years had passed since the massacre
Of Alsdorf, and the prince who had nstigatod
that wicked work still plotted and fought for
power. He had not yet come to the ducal
throne Of Burgundy, 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 au.
tumn--clear bright, and beautiful The air
was crisp and bracing. Upon broad plain
at the foot Of the slope upon Which stood tho
town Of Mont--rHery, was marshalled an
army under the banner of Louis Of France
Tho distance from Paris was not more than
five leagues.
Little more than good bow. shot distance,
with an insignificant tributary Of the Essonne
between them, lay another army, spread over
greater territory, and displaying various ban.
ners. 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
insurgcnt force, aided by Charles of Bur
gundy.
Ii was q dubious prospect for King Louis
The coalition against him was strong, and 10
by veteran chicftains; but he did not falter.
II was evident that the main battle was to be
fought upon his right Against that wing, on
the opposite side, werc marshalled the forces
of Burgundy and the Low Countries, under
Charles the Bold, and to meet them Louis had
appointed his wcll-tried, faithful henchman,
knight, and baron, Sir John st. Hubert.
In low-roofcd cot, close by where rested
the right wing Of the royal forces sat two
generals engaged in looking over roughly
Hubert aud Odiu Lavalettc. st, Hubert was
q man Of fifty tall and muscular and cascd In
armor, only his head being bare. Llvalette
was his lieutenant, to whom Sir John was
giving directions for the coming battle. While
they thus conferred u door was noiseessly
opened, and youth entered unannounced.
"Ah, Leon " cried st. Hubert as the youth
approached, you have come just In time.
Have you examined the fords below us 2"
Not only that, my lord, answ cred the boy,
"but have discovered the disposition of the
enemy beyond"
The youth then hurried away aud when ho
had gone, and the door had becn closed behind
him, said Lavaletto:
Sir John, I wish you would tell me exactly
who that boy is."
IF you will keep tho story to yourself
will give 1t to you. Do you cali to mind-it Is
now little more than eight years past-the
fearful tragedy of Alsdorf CastleH The boy
Leon was brand pluckcd from that burning
lie Is u wonderful boy. All! l think the lad
Is comirg. Remember-I have told you this
in confidence. You will not speak Of 1t to an.
other"
Lavalette gave the promise required, and
directly aftcrwnrd Leon entered, accompanied
by Sir Andrew Neville
st. Hubert very soon mado the English
knight comprehend what was required Of him,
and wLen he had gone the old general turned
to Leon, the two being at that moment alone
"Hark! ! ila there sounds CIermOnt's trum
pet! My dear boy, hero Is packet II come
from the field this day alive, you will return
il to inc if fall, II is yours"
II pledge my word, my lord )" returned the
boy, taking the packet. Directly afterwsrd
Sir John aud his devoted protcge were in their
saddles, aud at word from his chief the latter
dashed away to marshal the forces of st. Hu.
bert.
While they wcro surveying the field q mes
scmger came dashing up from the king, eager
, and hreathlcs5.
MY lord" he said, addressing tho Baron st.
Hubert the enemy have brought up from
Chartrcs ten large cannon, and have already
made arrangements to place them on yOndeT
height. His majesty says you must clear that
hill and capture those mighty cngiuesw
St. Hubert comprehcnJed the whole in a
moment. A glance at the emneucc in ques-
tiOn, which was n small hill, well wooded, close
upon their light flank, told him that the open.
ing Of cannon upon them in that place would
bo fatal and he rs readily understood the in
tent of the king. The enemy were moving up
the heavy ordnance, believing that tho pres.
enco thereof was not suspected by their adver.
sarics, aud sudden aud woll.directcd dash
was only required to change the bearing OF the
whole thing.
Tell the king his order shall be obeyed."
So spoke the baron; aud now to do the work.
lie could not lead the charge up that hill in
person, Ht must look 10 MS nlalu VI,
which had sufficient work before them. Iu
this dilemma he resolved to send Leon to lead
, the important charge. Tho thing wag quickly
decided in his own mind and us quickly con-
vcyed to our hero and the baron then said
"Hcre is my trunchcon. 1t will he a suni O.
ciCmt badge OF authority with those who are to
obey. BE careful, my boy! BE brave, but he
circumspect. Good bless and keep you! There
-awuyw
Drawing his sword and waving It above his
head, Leon dashed away to the head of the
, stalwart lorcstcrs, who had been SGT apart as
reserve force.
These men were the immediate retainers aud
tenants Of st. Iubert-ubOut $50 in number
: armed with swords and pixies, these last being
formidable weapons, with shafts twelve feet IN
length, aud the heads Of steel heavy and
sharp. Every man of them had known Leon
from his pmttling boyhood, aud had come 10
love him lor his goodness aud truth, as well as
for his prowess and bravery. lie first cx-
hibitcd to them the golden trunchcon of the
baron, aud then, in few words, told them what
he had been ordered to do.
My brave true hearts he concluded, "if we
capture those great guns VIC save the day. The
king looks to Us, aud is anxious. win you