arriages; boxes
and bales lay strewn around, and directly a carriage appeared the whole
mob rushed at it, fighting like the _canaille_ of Paris. Once past the
bridge, however, it was possible to increase the pace, and at Briare I
began to make inquiries as to where the Marshal was most likely to be
found.

"On the plain between this and Blenau," said an officer who had
received orders to stop at Briare with a few troops. "Do you bring any
fresh news from Gien?"

"None, except that the place is upside down with fear. Conde has
managed to startle the Court."

"He would do more than that if we were under any general but Turenne,
and even he will have need of all his skill."

Far away in the distance the houses were still burning, and now and
again a fresh sheet of flame would leap skyward. Here and there I met
with riderless horses, and men bringing in wounded comrades. They all
told the same story. Conde had fallen upon Hocquincourt, and simply
swept his army away. His quarters were in ruins, many of his infantry
were killed, and his cavalry had become a mere rabble.

"Everything depends on Turenne," said a wounded officer whom I knew
slightly. "If he can hold his ground, all may yet be well, but the
odds are terribly against him."

At length I reached the plain where the Marshal had drawn up his
troops, and, though quite unversed in real soldiering, I could see that
he had chosen a position of great strength. Beyond the plain were a
marsh and a wood--one on the left, the other on the right--with a
narrow causeway over which the enemy must pass, between them. The wood
was filled with infantry, while a battery of artillery was stationed so
as to command the causeway.

Noticing a group of officers at the entrance to the plain, I rode over
and asked where I should have the most chance of finding Marshal
Turenne.

"With the cavalry, monsieur," one of them answered courteously, and
glancing at my green scarf, added, "Do you come from Gien?"

"Yes, with a message from the Cardinal."

"Ah," said another, "I suppose this business has frightened the Court?
Conde has made a good start, but he will meet his equal now."

"The Marshal is overweighted," remarked a third man, gloomily. "His
Majesty can trust us to die here, but I doubt if we can stop the prince
from breaking through. He has four men to our one."

This did not sound very cheerful, and before long I heard that several
officers of the highest ra