y.
From every window sped the leaden messengers into our midst; from
behind each barricade flashed a flame of fire.

"The houses must be cleared!" exclaimed the general. "Let the
musketeers clear them one by one!" and he ordered us to seek shelter,
though he himself continued in the open, coolly directing the
operations.

With fierce cries the musketeers swarmed into the buildings, and at the
point of the bayonet drove the enemy from room to room, slaying all
those who refused to surrender. I had thought the fight on the plain
of Blenau terrible, but it was child's play to this. Stoutly and
gallantly the rebels fought, but one by one the houses fell into our
hands; the barricades were torn down, and again the signal sounded for
the cavalry to advance.

Alas! Already many of the gay gentlemen who had ridden so joyously
through St. Martin had fallen; but there was no time to mourn their
loss. Turenne was in front, and the folds of the King's banner,
shot-torn and blackened, were fluttering in the breeze. In after years
our gracious monarch's colours were borne in many a hot encounter, but
never, I think, in a more desperate fray than the struggle at St.
Antoine, between--shame on those who made it possible--Frenchmen and
Frenchmen.

No war is good to look upon in cold blood, when the lust of battle has
died away, but a cruel fight between men of the same blood and race is
abominable. Yet, on that day, I question if it made any of us more
gentle to know that our enemies were Frenchmen.

"Forward!" cried our chief, and with a rush we swept the street from
end to end, crying, "_Vive le Roi!_" as if victory were already won.

Then, suddenly, the roar of the guns greeted us, and, under cover of
the smoke, Conde leaped into our midst at the head of his household
troops. From the first I have maintained that the prince did France a
foul wrong in setting himself against his rightful monarch, but it
cannot be denied that he was a splendid soldier. With his war-cry
ringing high and clear above the tumult he came at us; the fight grew
terrible; our infantry, unable to avoid the horses, fell back in
confusion, leaving a scattered handful of cavaliers to continue the
contest alone. Seeing his advantage, the prince flung every available
horseman at us, and, though fighting desperately, we were driven back
by force of numbers.

Again and again we returned to the charge, and many gallant feats of
arms were performed,