The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-25
IN. d'Aurianrn

IN. dAuriacw
ne Rone's voice stopped any fur
ther talk. and 1 spurred to his side.
MY compliments to the Condo de
heyVa and ask him not to waste time
splitting at de Rethelois-teu him ia
leave sufficient force to hold the
garrison In check, and move across the
river towards st. Gobains-report yolr-
self to me at the ford"
galloped off, and when 1 reached
the Spaniard, whom 1 found with soma
uIillculty, discovered that he had all
ieaay anticipated de Rone's orders, and
Hdu besides cut off a sortie from the
city. There was nothing for it, there
Iore, but to wish de Leyva a pleasant
DAY and to go on to the ford.
And now a pale band of orange
stretched across the east and daylight
rapidly came. A. fair breeze sprang
up with the sun, blowing the vapor
INTO long feathery clouds that rolled
slowly to the west. SO heavy was the
fire de Rethelois kept up from the
citadel that its square keep was en-
tirely hidden by the smoke; but as 7
rode towards the ford down the long
slope that ended in the Red mills, I
saw on my right the whole of de Rone's
army advancing to the river in long,
even columns, and on my left, where
they appeared to have sprung UP by
magic, two strong bodies of cavalry,
whilst behind them, marching as rap
IDLY as our own troops, and in as per-
feet order, came the men or ARGUES
and Ivry, of Fontaine Franchise, and
all the hundred fights Of Henry of Ma
Yarre. ..--
BY this time had come to the out
post, and found the matched roof of
the cottage in flames, the result of
stray shell that had dropped through
it and blown down half of the re-
naming walls. 1t was clearly empty,
but as / trotted past the thorn hedge
saw, about fifty PAGES or so to my,
rght, single hOrseman under a tree.
His hands We're tied behind him, and
cord, which hung from a branch
overhead, ended in a moose secured.
lightly but firmly round his neck His
position was such that if the horse
moved away from beneath him he
would hang, and the poor wretch was
absorbed in coaxing the animal to re-
main steady; but the trooper he be-
strobe had already scented the coming
Battle. His ears were cooked, mis- tail
held out in an arch, and he was paw
ing at the ground with his fOrefOot I
could not hear what the man was
saying, but his lips We're moving, 1
doubt not with mingled prayers and
curses, and I could see that he was
trying to restrain the animal by the
pressure of his knees. Another look
showed me it was Nicholas, the SER
geant, and knowing there was little
leisure to lose if the knave was to bs
saved, l put spurs to my beast ana
headed towards him. 1 was just in
time, for as I started the old trooper
gave loud neigh, flourished his heels
in the air and gallOped off towards the
enemy, with his name and tail stream
ing in the wind \ touch Of my sword
freed Nicholas, but it was a narrow af-
a iT nd he inc h.
| and as he lay there l noticed that his
ears had been cropped close to his
head, and that the wounds were quite
fresh. He recovered himself in about
a minute, for the dog was tough as
leather and was about to pour forth
his thanks and tell me how he came
in such plight, but, sincerely sorry as
l was, l had to cut him short s..
Keep the story for another das%
Nicholas" 1 said, and follow the ex-
ample of your horse, who 1 see is a
loyal subject, and has gone straight
back to the king"
l reached the ford just before the
general, and saw that our right flank
had already crossed the river in the
far distance. Opposite US the Royal
lists appeared to be in some confusion;
but in a moment they We're restored TO
order, and moved steadily on.
The king is there" burst out Belin,
anu a III SIIlIle passed. over dc INtls
features as he nodded his head slightly
in token of assent. AS Belin spoke
a group of about half a dozen riders
galloped from the enemy's van, and.
coming straight toward us, halted q
bare hundred PAGES or so from the
river bank. The leading horseman was
mounted on a bay charger, and IT need
ed not a second glance, nor a look at
the white plumes in his helmet, to tell
that 1t was Henry himself. Close be-
side him was a short, dark. thiCk-set
man, with the jewel of the Order o.
France at his neck. He managed the
gray he rode with infinite skill. and
with his drawn sword pointed towards
us, seemed to be urging something on
the king.
who is that?" I asked.
THE kings viper" answered Belin,
"who will sting him some day; do you
not know Biron? Mordieu" he added,
turning to de Rome, shall we end the
war, general; we could do it with a
bit of lead that wouldn't cost the tenth
part of a tester?'
No" he replied-"drop that he
Numbered to a musketeer who was
posing his piece, and the man. fell
back with a disappointed air.
"Peste" grumbied Belin, I'VE might
have all been in Paris with In the
week, whereas now it will take a fort
night at the least"
COR a month, or year. or never
eh, Belin," gibed de Tavannes.
do you think the fair Angelique will
be constant?" asked another
Belin glanced at the laced favor in
his hat with a smile and answered:
God bless our ladies! They know how
tC be constant-see there, messieurs,"
and he pointed to q single figure.
mounted on a barb, that rode out Of
the. French lines and galloped forward
alone and unattended, to the side OF the
king. We saw as the barb approached
that the figure was that of a womat- >
IT'S Gabrielle, the Duchess de Betr
fort herself!' exclaimed de Tavannes,
and then gave tongue in a ringing
cheer which was taken up by us all.
and the king, bowling slightly to u5
tie, till its echoes reached us from even
the furthest wings.
De Rome lifted his plumed hat in re-
Spouse to Madame d'Estrees greeting,
and rolled down the long line of bat
from his saddle, put his hand on the
barb's reins, and turning the horses
head, galloped his mistress to a place
Of safety. AS they reached the mound
whereon the royal guidon was display
ed, we heard the opening bars oe the
Pont d'Audemer march, and IS tncy
ceased a red tongue of flame licked out
from behind a cornfield, and a masked
battery opened on us.
To be Continued.