Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01
S | R N IG E L
Continued from page 10

strange scene lay spread before them.
Down the valley the slow stream meandered,
with marshy meadows on either side A mile or
two lower huge drove of horses were to be
seen assembled upon the bank. They were
the steeds of the French cavalry. and the blue
haze of a hundred fires showed where King
Johns men were camping. In front of the
mound upon which they stood the English line
drawn, but there were fewer fires, for in
deed, their horses, there was little for
them to cook. Their right rested upon the
river, and their array stretched across a mile of
ground, until the left was in touch with tan
gled forest which guarded it from flank attack.
In front was a long thick hedge and much
broken ground, with a single deeply rutted
country road cutting through it in the middle.
Under the hedge and along the whole front
of the position lay swarIns of archers upon the
grass, the greater number slumbering peace
fully with sprawling limbs in the warm rays
of the September sun. Behind were the quar-
tiers of the various knights and from end to
end flew the banners and pennons marked with
the devices of the chivalry of England and
Guienne.
With a glow in his heart, Nigel saw those
badges of famous captains and leaders and
knew that now az last he also might show his
coat-arInor in such noble company. There was
the flag of Jean Orally, the CAPITAL de Buch,
five silver shells on a black cross, which
marked the presence of the most famous
soldier of Gascony while beside it waved the
red lion of the noble Knight of Hainaut, Sir
Eustace dAmbreticourt. These two coats
Nigel knew, as did every warrior in Europe;
but dense grove of pennoned lances sur
rounded them, bearing charges which were
strange to him, from which he understood that
these belonged to the Guenne division of the
army. Farther down the line the famous
English enSigns 1oated the wind: the
scarlet and gold of Warwick the silver star of
Oxford, the golden cross of Suffolk, the blue
and gold of Willoughby, and the gold-fretted
scarlet of Audley. In the very center of them
all one which caused all others to pass
from his mind; for close to the royal banner of
England, crossed with the label of the Prince
there waved the war-worn flag with the red
wedge upon the golden field which marked the
quarters of the noble Chandos.
AT the sight Nigel set spurs to his horse and
a few minutes later had reached the spot
Chandos, gaunt from hunger and want of
sleep, but with the old fire lurking in his eve
was standing by the Princes tent, gazing down
at what could be seen of the French array and
heavy with thought. Nigel sprang from his
horse, and was within touch of his master
when the silken hanging of the royal tent was
torn violently aside and Edward rushed out.
He was without his armor and clad in a
sober suit of black; but the high dignity of his
bearing and the imperious anger which flushed
his face proclaimed the leader and the Prince
At his heels was little white-haired ecclesiastic
in flowing gown of scarlet sendal, expostu-
lating and arguing in torrent of words.
Not another word, my. Lord Cardinal" "
cried the angry Prince. l have listened to
you overlong, and by Gods dignity! that
which you say is neither good nor fair in my
ears, Hark you, John, | would have your
counsel What think you is the message
which my Lord Cardinal of Perigord has car
ried from the King of France? He says that
of his clemency he will let my army pass back
to Bordeaux if We will restore to him all that
we have taken, remit all ransoms, and sur
render my own person with that of a hundred
mobiles of England and Guienne to be held
as prisoners. What think you, John?"
Chandos smiled Things are not done in
that fashion" said he.
g But my Lord Chandos, - cried the Cardinal
81 have made it clear to the Prince that in
deed it is a scandal to all Christendom and a
cause of mocking to the heather, that two
great sons of the Church should turn their
swords thus upon each other"
Then bid the King of France keep clear
of US, said the Prince.
Fair son, you aware that you are in the
heart of his country, and that it standeth not
Alright that he should suffer you to go forth as
you came. You have but small army three
thousand bowmen and five thousand men-at-
arms at the most, who seem in evil case for
want of food and rest. The King has thirty
thousand men at his back, of which twenty
thousand are expert men-at-arms. 1t is
fitting therefore that you make such terms
as you may. lest worse befall
4" Give my greetings to the King of France