New-York tribune., 1906-04-08

more extended line
The Prince had ridden up to the line o
archers. He was in dark armOr, his vizo
open, and his handsome aquIlIne face all glow
ing with spirit and martial fire. The bOwmeI
yelled at him, and he waved his hands 20 then
as a huntsman cheers his hounds.
We'll, John, what think YOU now" h,
asked. What would my noble father not
give to be by our side this day, Have vol
seen that thev have left their horses"
Yes my fair lord, they have learned then
lesson. said ChandOS Because we have
had good fortune upon our feet at Crecv and
elsewhere they think that they have found the
trick of it. But 1t IS in my mind that 1t IS very
different to stand when YOU are aSsailed, as
we have done, and to assail others when YOU
must drag your harness for a mile and come
weary TO the fray"
" You speak wisely, John. But these horse
men who form in front and ride slowly towards
us, what make YOU OF them
" Doubtless they hope to cut the strings of
our bOwmen and so clear a way for the Others.
But they are indeed chosen band: for mark
you, fair sir, are not those the Colors of Cler-
mont upon the left, and of d d'Andreghen upon
the right, so that both Marshals ride with the
vanguard"
by Gods souli John cried the Prince.
. it is very sure that you can see more with
one eye than any man in this army with two.
But 1T IS even as you say. And this larger
band behind2"
They should be Germans fair sir. by the
fashion of their harness"
The two bodies of hOrSernen had moved
slowly over the plain with a space of nearly
quarter of mile between them Now, hav-
ing come two bow-shotS from the hostile line
they halted. All that they could see of the
English was the long hedge, with an Occa-
siOnal twinkle of steel through its leafv
branches, and behind that the Spear-heads of
the men-at-arTns rising from amidst the brush
wood and the vines. A lovely autumn country
side with changing many-tInted foliage lay
80 oNr.1,a. H.,f.. 81 ill
sunshine and nothing save those Pickering
htful CLEANS to tell of the silent and lurking
enemy who barred their way. But the bold
spirit of the French cavaliers rose the higher
to the danger The clamOr of their war
cries hlled the air, and theV tossed their Den-
noned spears over their heads in menace and
defiance. From the English line it was a noble
sight, the gallant, paving Curveting horses.
the many-colored twinkling riders. the swoop
and wave and toss of plume and banner
Then a buge rang forth. With a sudden
yell every spur struck deep. every lance was
laid IN rest, and the whole gallant squadron
flew like a gllttering thunderbOlt for the cen
ter of the English line.
A hundred yards they had crossed. and vet
another hundred; but there was no move
ment IN front of them, and no sound save their
own hOarSe battle-CrieS and the thunder of
their horses. Ever swifter and Swifter they
flew From behind the hedge it was vision
Of horses, white. bay, and black their necES
stretched, their nOStrils diStended. their bel
lies to the ground. whilst of the rider one could
see but a shield with a plume-tufted vizor
above it. and a spear-head twinkling in front
Then of a sudden the Prince raised his hand
and gave a cry. Chandos echoed it. it swelIed |
down the line and with one mighty chorus Of
twanging strings and kissing shafts the long
pent storm broke at last
Alas for the noble steedsl Alas for the gal |
liant menl When the lust of battle was over. |
who would not grieve TO see that noble squad |
ron break into red ruin before the rain of ar |
rows beating upon the faces and breasts of /
the horses The front rank crashed down. |
and the Others piled themselves upon the top of |
them, unable TO check their speed or 10 Swerve |
aside from the terrible wall of their shattered |
comrades which had so suddenly sprung uD |
before them. Fifteen feet high was that /
blood-spurting mound of screaming, kicking |
horses, and writhing struggling men. Here |
and there on the fanks horseman cleared /
himself and dashed for the hedge, only to /
have his steed slain under him and to be hurled /
from his saddle OF all the three hundred gal /
liant riders, not one ever reached that fatal |
hedge.
But now in long rolling wave of steel the /
German battalion roared swiftly onward They |
opened in the center to pass that terrible |
mound of death and then spurred swiftly in /
upon the archerS They were brave men, we'll |