ant display. It might have seemed some mighty
tournament that was there arrayed, as the two armies stood confronting
each other, rather than a stern battle for the possession of a kingdom;
and well might old Froissart declare, "It was a pleasure to see such
hosts."

But it would be presumptuous to attempt to embellish a tale after
Froissart has once touched it. To him, then, I leave it to tell how
the rank of banneret was conferred on the gallant old Chandos, how the
Prince prayed aloud for a blessing on his arms, how he gave the signal
for the advance, and how the boaster, Tello, fled in the first
encounter. The Lances of Lynwood, in the division of the Duke of
Lancaster, well and gallantly did their part in the hard struggle with
the brave band of French, whose resistance was not overcome till the
Black Prince himself brought his reserved troops to the aid of his
brother.

With the loss of only one man-at-arms, the Lances of Lynwood had taken
several prisoners. It was high noon, and the field was well-nigh
cleared of the enemy, when Sir Reginald drew his rein at the top of a
steep bank clothed with brushwood, sloping towards the stream of the
Zadorra, threw up his visor, wiped his heated brow, and, patting his
horse's neck, turned to his brother, saying, "You have seen sharp work
in this your first battle-day, Eustace."

"It is a glorious day!" said Eustace. "See how they hurry to the
water." And he pointed over the low shrubs to a level space on the
bank of the river, where several fugitives, on foot and horseback, were
crowding together, and pressing hastily forward.

"Ha!" cried Sir Reginald, "the golden circlet! Henry of Trastamare
himself!" and at the same instant he sprang to the ground. "You," said
he, "speed round the bushes, meet me at the ford they are making for."
This was directed to Gaston, and ere the last words were spoken, both
Sir Reginald and Eustace were already beginning to hurry down the bank.
Gaston rose to his full height in his stirrups, and, looking over the
wood, exclaimed, "The Eagle crest! I must be there. On,
Ashton--Ingram, this way--speed, speed, speed!" and with these words
threw himself from his horse, and dashed after the two brothers, as
they went crashing, in their heavy armour, downwards through the
boughs. In less than a minute they were on the level ground, and Sir
Reginald rushed forward to intercept Don Enrique, who was almost close
to the river. "Yield, yield,