Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-05-17
BY ALEXANDER DUMAS.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Na,yreS.


yayres and then to Bordeaux, when
we shall be able to judge better Of
your respect and devotion"
At the word, ''Vayres." the deputies
ooked at each other uneasily. The
queen remarked it, and, turning to
the captain Of Ler guard, said, who
commands at Yayres?"
"A new gov ernUr your Majesty
"A sure man, | hope"
"A prOtege of NJ. d'Epernon."
If So let us 90 on"
Madam said NJ de Meilleraye, 81
advise your Majesty not to precede the
army. 1t is best to have force to
command an entrance"
Il think that NJ. de Meilleraye is
right" said the cardinal
And | think he is wrong" said the
queen; "the king is strong enough in
himself
The marshal bowed. let your Ma
jesty give her orders"
The queen then gave directions to
assemble the guards and a few other
Toops, the king placed himself at their
head on horseback, and they proceeded
quickly toward Yayres. The army
would arrive four or five hours after
ward
The king was barely twelve years of
age, but was an excellent cavalier,
ind managed his horse with grace
Brought up under the eyes of the
queen, and prosecuted by the constant
IF -, I
with Impotence for his majority,
which was to take place in the fol
lowing September. This campaign
pleased him, as it gave him more Iiber-
~, and he rode proudly at the head Of
his men, chatting with VI. de Neil
leraye about the campaigns of the late
king
They soon perceived the towers of
the Fort of VayreS, but not a move
ment was visible, although it seemed
impossible that they had not been per-
ceiyed by the sentinels.
M de Mazarin," said the king. cone
thing surprises me-"
What, monSicgneur?'
Il thought that Il careful governor
ought to know what is passing outside
the fortress; and that when a king
was approaching, he would at least
send to meet him"
"Oh. never mind" said the queen.
With a forced laugh, never mind cere-
monies; [ care more for fidelity. Do
you not see, sire, your own fag-the
dag of Francis |. and Henry IV.-wav-
ing over the citadel?'
They advanced, and perceived works
which had evidently been recently
made. A single sentinel was prone
nading; all else was quiet
Well" said NJ. de MaZarin. 81 am
no soldier, and do not know the duties
of a governor, but certainly this mode
of acting seems to me strange"
Let us advance" said the marshall.
we shall soon see"
At last the sentinel cried, "Oui
viye?"
THE king" replied NJ. de MeilIeraye.
At these words Anne of Austria ey
pected TO hear officers and soldiers
summoned, and the gates thrown open.
but nothing of the kind took place:
the sentinel merely stopped his walk.
and cried "HaItr'
The king grew pale with anger:
Anne OF Austria bit her lips till the
blood came; and Mazarin swore in
Italian
However. the cry of "The king was
repeated from sentinel to sentinel.
and at last man appeared on the
ramparts surrounded by the garrison.
lie raised his stick in the air. and the
drums beat, the soldiers presented
arms, and 4 salute was fired.
See said the queen, they begin
to remember themselves. Better late
than never; let us pass in"
Pardon, madam" said the marshal,
but l do not see that they open the
gates. VIII your Majesty permit me
to advise you?"
What marshall"
TO retire, while we reconnoitre the
place"
The queen replied, mo! adv nee,
and see if they dare to refuse us en-
trance"
The young king delighted, spurred
You cannot pass" cried the senti
mel.
1T is the king" cried his attendants
Back cried the sentinel again
and the muskets of the soldiers whI
guarded this first post appeared ovel
the parapet
NJ de Meilleraye seized the kings
bride and made him turn, calling GU
to the queens coachman to do The
same. Then leaving fifty men to guart
them, he assembled the rest, and agai1
advanced toward the entertainments
saying, Take your trumpet, Guitant
put your handkerchief on the end O.
your sword, and summon this imperti
ent governor to let us in
Guitant obeyed, and, protected by
these signs, advanced.
"Qui vive?" cried the sentinel, again
"a herald" said Guitant, showing
his insignia.
A door opened and an officer VIII
waited there, said, What do 70,
want?"
ITO speak to the governor"
Here 1 am said the man they ha
seen on the ramparts.
Guitant saw that he was very pale
but calm and polite. DO you refus
to open the gates of fortress to til
king and queen regent?" said he.
YES"