Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-12-27

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, sand eased
in armor only his head being bare. Lavalette
was his lieutenant. to whom Sir John was
giving directions for the coming battle. While
thev thus conferred II door was noiselessly
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 u.s.
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 be-
hind him, SAID Lnvaette
Sir John. wish you would tell Inc exact
ly who that boy is.
"If You will keep the story to yourself l
will give it to You. Do you call to mind
1t is now a little more than eight years past -
the fearful tragedy of Alsdorf Castle The
boy Leon was u brand plucked from that
burning. He is wonderful boy. ALI think
the lad il coming Eemember,-I have told
you this in confidence. You will not speak
oft to another.
Lavalette gave the promise required and
directly afterwards Leon entered, accompa-
MED 10y 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
turned to Leon, the two being at the moment
alone.
'.Hark Ha there sounds Clermont'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, returned the
boy, taking the packet. Directly afterwards
Sir John and his devoted protegc were in
their saddles, and at a word from his chief
the latter dashed away to marshal the forces
of st. Hubert
While they were surveying the field a mes
senger came dashing up from the king, eager
and breathless.
My lord" he said addressing the Baron
st. Hubert. the enemy have brought up
from Chartres ten large cannon, and have
already made arrangements to place them on
yonder height. Ills majesty says you must
clear that hill and capture those mighty en-
gines :"
St. Hubert comprehenied the whole in a
moment. glance nj the eminence III ques-
ton, 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 un-
derstood the intent OF the king Tie enemy
were moving up the heavy ordnance, believ-
ing that the presence thereof was not sus-
pected by their adyersaries, and a sudden
and well-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 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 nv truncheou. 1t will be a suih-
eient badge of authority with those who are
to obey. Be careful, my boy Be brave, but
be circumspect. God bless and keep you =
| There-away "
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
reserve force
These men were the immediate retainers
and tenants of st. Hubert about two hun
bred and fifty in number armed with swords
and pixies, these last being formidable wea
pons, 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 PROV
ess and bravery. He first exhibited to them
the golden truncheon of the baron. and then,
IN few words told them what he had been
| ordered to do.
My brave true hearts, he concluded, III
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 welkin ring.
Leon, with keen glance and close calcula-
ton, had marked the movements on the bill,
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
and the advance guard of the enemy, he
turned and gave the order for the sweeping
to the right and left OF the rear divisions.
His order was instantly repeated to the chiefs
of division, and in few moments more the
foresters were completely enveloping the hill.
Onward and upward swept the youthful
leader, bearing his light target to keep the
flying arrows from his throat, while his fol
| lowers pressed close to his tracks.
Upon the summit OF the hill the Bourbon
nais and Spanisrds. to the number of full
five hundred, were working with all their
might. Their chief was none other than
Jean H., the Duke de Bourbon. Three
hundred srchers and pikemen were arrang-
cd to resist the attacking column. while the
rest worked at the cannon. Three of the
huge pieces had been plac, d in position and
loaded, and the duke. with his own hand,
was prepared to discharge the first. when
the shock came. A crowd of his own men
had been driven before the muzzle of the gun
he was about to fire. when he dropped the
match-stock and sprang to the front. But
a single glance told him he was too late.
Like a thunderb1lt dashed young Leon
upon the pikemen of Bourbonnais. turning
aside the weapons that were aimed at him,
nd u MOI
And his orders had been obeyed to the very
letter. So promptly had the leaders Of the
second aud third divisions come up as they
had been directed, that the enemy was
struck on all hands at the same instant,
and panic Selling them at once, they fed
pell NEIL. Leon did not make any pursuit,
but set at work to turn the cannon against |
those who 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 piece of oIdin-
snce was OF greater moment than the physi |
cal. Consideration and awe resulted in |
fear and fear begst decentralization and |
flight.
Leon piled the battery until he had driven |
the Allies beyond rescn of his prOjectiles.
and then he thought of his guardian. 1t
was now past noon, and the battle had ragged .
furiously all the time. Ever and anon our
hero had taken a view of the field below
him, and be knew very nearly how the bat
tie was going. The royal forces were surely
gaining and as soon as he felt justified in
leaving the captured hill, he made arrange
ments to rejoin his chief Leaving half the
troop to guard the ordinance, under COM
mand OF his most trusty lieutenant, he sum-
moned the remainder to follow him to the
plain where the conflict was raging lie
had seen that the forces of Sir Hubert were
closely engaged with those of Burgundy,
and he knew that every arm was needed
lie spurred on at the top of his speed-tor
his horse had been resting for several hours
and he reached the scene OF battle mona
too soon. Even as he came up he found the
Baron st. Hubert and Lsvalette on foot.
side by side, opposed to superior number.
fighting for life.
"A LeOn 10 the rescue p" he shouted, land
q stout Burgundian axman went down be-
meath q well-drected blow of his trenchant
blade.
"A Leon 10 The rescue was the battle
cry of those who had followed him. and in
few moments the Burgundians were broken
and routed.
Our hero had reined up his painting steed
ny us Ruhrulhh slue, anu was upon tne
point OF addressing him when lock of
terror suddenly convulsed the good baron's
face. and he cried out to his prots. to be-
ware
Leon had time to turn his head, and to
avoid the blow aimed at him Ii was Mail
lotin du BAG whom he saw, standing in his
stlrrups, and aiming at him a jAvelln. With |
a quick, powerful jerk OF the rein he drew
back his horse. and the jivein grazed his
throat and struck ST. Hubert, who was in
the act OF mounting horse that he had at
that moment caught by the bride. The
bsron's helm had been shattered, and the
iuriously HURLED barb striking where tho ,
plates were broken, ielled him to the earth.
In moment leon was upon his feet. and
by his dear guardians side and, at the
same momeht. he heard the loud summons
John St. Hubert. knight and baron,