The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-24

their might. Their chief was none other
chan Jean IT,, the Duke de Bourbon. Three
hundred archees and pikemen were arranged!
"a, .rar;st the attacking column, while TIE
rest worked at the cannon. Three Oh tue
huge pieces had been placed In position md
loaded, and the duke: with his own hand,
was prepared to discharge the first when
tile shock came A crowd OF his own men
had been driven before the muzzle OF the
gun he was about tn fire, when he dropped
| the match-ssock aud sprang to the front.
But single glance told him be was TOO late.
| Like tnunderbolt dashed young Leon
upon the pikemen OF Bourbonpafs, turning
| aside the weapons that were aimed at him,
| and striking down two menin his course.
Aud his orders had been obeyed 10 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 oil bands at the same instant, and panic
seizing them at once, they fled pell-mell.
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 pieces OF ordnance
was Of greater moment than the physical.
CONSERVATION and awe resulted in fear, and
fear begas generalization and flight. -
Leon piled the battery until he had driven
the Allies beyond reach OF his proiectiles,
and then he thought Of bis guardian. :, 1t
was now past noon. and The battle had
ragged furiously oil the time. Ever and anon
our hero had taken view Of the field below
him, aud he knew very nearly how the bat
tie was going. royal forces were surely
gaining; and rs 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 lieutenent, he sum-
monedthe remainder to follow him to the
plain where, the, conflict was raging. He
had seen that the forces OF Sir Hubert were
closely engaged with those Of Burgundy,
and he knew that every arm was needed.
He spurred on at the top OF bis speed, for
his horse had been resting for several hours,
and he reached the scene OF battle none too
soon. Even as he came up be found the
Rarons st. Hubert and Lavalette on foot,
side by side, opposed to superior number,
fighting for life * 80
:. 4 Leon TO the rescue Z" he shouted, and
a stout Burgundian aXman went down be-
meath well-directed blow OF his tren chant
blade. ~.
81 Leon to the rescue !" was the battle
cry of those who had followed him, and in
q few moments the Burgundians were
broken and routed.
Our hero had riened I'D his painting steed
by his guardians side, and was upon the
point OF addressing him when look OF ter
ror suddenly convuSed the good baron's
face, and he cried out to his prOte5e TO be-
ware!
Leon had time to turn his head and to
avoid the blow aimed at him. 1t was Mail
lotin du BAG whom he saw standing in his
stifrups and aiming at him iavelin. With
q quick, powerful jerk of the rein he drew
back his horse, and the jarelin 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
baron's helm had been. shattered, and the
barb, striking where the
plates were broken, felled him to the earth.
In moment Leon was upon his feet and by
his dear guardian's side, and at the same
moment be heard the loud summons:
.tJohn ST. Hubert, knight and baron,
yield thee my prisoner!" -.. -....s.
1t was Maillotin du BAG. p
"He yields not yet. vain braggart +"
shouted Leon, and, as he spoke, he stood
above the PROSTATE knight. with sword and
buckler in hand, his feet planted one upon
either side of the revered and beloved form.
Erect he bore himself, the fire of his eyes
flashing through the interstices Of the Topped
visor, and every cord and muscle sprung to
the work of protecting the sacred charge:
s.Ha!" shouted Du Bac. when be saw the
youth thus standing astride the fallen baron,
sis it thou, my hero? L faith, iii take the
pair OF you, but punish you first for your
insolence. What think you OF the weight
of that blade?"
Evidently hefuthre Provost OF Burgun-
dy, to become butcher-in-chief Of Charles
the Bold, thought to cleaye the skull OF the
yenturesome youth from crown to chin, but
he struck ut one who was quick to see and
quick to act. Without changing his posi-
ton OF body to the variation Of hair, Leon:
threw. up his left arm, with his circular tar,
get affixed thereto, and the slightly comic
surface, highly tempered and polished,
turned aside the descending blade as though
it had been lath OF wood.
Du Bac raised his sword u second time.
The above we publish as q specimen chapter;
but the continuation OF this story will be
found only in the N. Y. Ledger. Ask for
the number dated January 4, which can
now be had at any news-ofiice or book,
store. If YOU are not within reach OF a
YOU can have the Ledger mailed
to you for one year by serdng three dol
lars to Robert Bonner, publisher, $50 Will
Vnrlr