The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-23

bracing Upon broad plain at the foot of the slope
upon which stood the town of Month Hery. was mar
shaled army under the banner of Louis OF France
The distance from Paris was not more than nve
leagues.
Little more than good bow shot distant, with an
insignificant tributary OF the Essonne between thein
lay another army spread greater territory and
displaying various banners final effort was 10 De
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 Burgundy
1t dubious prospect for King Louis. The
chieftains; but he did not falter 1t was evident
that the main battle was to be fought upon his right
Against that wing on the opposite sac were mar
tries under Charles the Bold aud to meet them Louis
had appointed his well tried, faithful henchman,
knight and baron, Sir John st. Hubert
In low rooted cot, close by where rested the right
wing of the royal forces sat two generals engaged IN
looking over roughly drawn map. Lney were u 1ne
bert a man Of fifty, tall and muscular and cased
in armor, only his head being bare. Lavalette was
tons for the coming battle. While they thus con-
fcrred a door was noiselessly opened and youth
entered unannounced.
preached, ''you have come Just in time Have you
examined the fords below us?
''Not only that, my lord answered the boy, hut
have discovered the disposition of the enemy be-
yond."
The youth then hurried away and when he had
and the door had been closed behind him, said
''sr John, wish you would tell me exactly who
Lnnt boy 49,
IF you will keep the story to yourself will 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 plucked
from the burning He is a wonderful boy. All !!
think the lad is coming Remember. l have told
you this in confidence. You will not speak OF it to
another"
Lavalette gave the promise required. and directly
afterward Leon entered. accompanied 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 turned to Leon. the two
being at that moment alone
'.Hark Ha there sounds Clermonts trumpet
My dear boy, here is packet. If come from the
field this day alive you will return it to me; If fa'
Il pledge my word. my lord" returned the boy.
taking the packet Directly afterwara SIR 1onn ana
word from his chief the latter dashed away to mar
shall the forces of ST. Hubert.
While they were surveying the field o messenger
came dashing mp from the King. eager and breath
less.
my lord" he said, addressing the Baron st. HUI
bert. 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 hill and capture those mighty en-
gines!"
st. Hubert comprehended the whole in a moment.
glance at the eminence in question. which was
small hill, we'll wooded close upon tE~r right flank
told him that the opening Of cannon upon them in
that place would be fatal. and he readily under
stood the intent of the King. The enemy were NOV
ing up the heavy ordinance believing that the pres
encc thereof not suspected by their adversaries.
and sudden and well directed dash was only re-
CURED 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 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
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 sufhcient
badge Of authority with those who are TO obey. re
careful, my boy BE brave, but be circumspect
God bless and keep you !-There-away y
Drawing his sword and waving it above his head.
Leon dashed away to the head Of the stalwar fores
tiers who had been set apart as a reserve force.
These men the Immediate retsiners and ten
ants of St Hubert: about two hundred and nfty IN
number: armed with swords and pixies, these last
being formidable weapons, with shafts twelve feet in
length and heads of steel, heavy and sharp. Every
hood and had come love him for his goodness and
truth. as well for his prowess and bravery. He
first exhibited them the golden truncheon OF the
baron, and then, in few words, told them what ne
had been ordered to do
my brave, true hearts," he concluded "if we cap
ture those great guns we save the day. The king
looks to u.s. and is anxious. Will you follow me?'
The shout Of assent made the welkin ring.
Leon with keen glance and close calculation, had
forward the top Of his speed At the foot OF the
hill with not more than three hundred yards be-
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 the foresters were completely en-
veloping the hill Onward and upward swept tho
Youthful leader bearing his light target to keep the
flying arrows from his throat, while his followers
Upon the summit Of the hill the Bourbonnais and
Spanards, to the number Of full ivc hundred, were
working with all their might. Their chief was none
other than Jean H., the Duke de Bourbon. Three
hundred archers and pikemen were arranged to re.
sist the attacking column while the rest WORKED as
placed 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 muzze Of the gun he was about to
fire when he dropped the matchstock and sprang to
the front. But a single glance told him nc was TOO
late
Like th,lnderbolt dashed young Leon upon tho
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 they 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 did not make any pursuit.
but 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 a. they could pc trained
The moral effect Of the enormous pieces OF ordnance
was of greater moment than the physical. Consterna
ton and awe resulted In rear ana rear Degas demor
Leon piled the battery until he had driven the allies
beyond the reach Of his projectes. and then he
thought of his guardian. 1t now past noon, and
the battle had ragged furiously all the time Ever and
anon hero had taken view of the field below
him and he knew very nearly how the battle was
going. The royal forces surely gaining. and
soon he felt justified in leaving the captured hill
he made arrangements to re1oin his chief leaving
half the troop to guard the ordnance. under com
mand OF his most trusty lieutenant. he summoned
the remainder to follow him to the plain where the
conflict was raging. He had seen that the forces OF
Sir Hubert closely engaged with those of Bur.
gundy, and he knew that every arm was needed He
spurred on AZ the top Of his speedfor his horse had
been resting for several hours-and he reached the
scene Of battle none too Even as he came up
he found the Barons st. Hubert and Lavalctte on
foot side by side, opposed to superior number.
lighting for life.
"a Leon to the rescued he shouted, and stout Bur-
cundisn axman went down beneath well directed
blow Of his trenchant blade.
"A Leon to the rescued the battle cry OF those
who had followed him. and in few moments the
Burgundians were broken and routed.
our hero had refined up his painting steed by his
guardian side. and upon the point of address
ing him when look Of terror suddenly convused
the good barons face and he cried out to his pro-
tege to bewarel
Leon had time TO turn his head and to avoid the
blow aimed ut him. II Maiotn du BAG whom
he saw standing in his stirrups, and aiming ut him
javelin. With quick. powerful jerk of the rein he
drew back his horse, and the javelin grazed his
throat and struck st. Hubert. who in the act OF
N hnra hat be had aft lint IN mt u