against them, and each time fell back
again, leaving the slope behind them covered with dead men and horses;
and I shouted aloud when I saw the artillery move up and the reserves
advancing. As soon as I saw that the square was broken and a terrible
melee was going on, I knew that all was over, and could restrain my
impatience no longer, so I mounted my horse with, I may say, small hope
of finding you alive, seeing that you rode behind Enghien, whose white
plumes I could see ever in front of the line."

"It has been a marvellous victory, Paolo, and there can be no doubt that
Enghien has covered himself with glory. It was his quick eye that saw
what there was to be done, his brain that instantly directed the blow
where alone it could be effectual, and his extraordinary bravery that
roused the enthusiasm of those around him to a point at which no man
thought of his life. But for him it was a lost battle."

"Well, master, I am glad that we have won the battle, but that is as
nothing to me in comparison that you have come out of it safely, and I
think, master, that we have a right to say that we helped in some degree
to bring about the victory by discovering that ambuscade down in the
hollow."

"That had not occurred to me, Paolo," Hector laughed. "No doubt it was
a fortunate discovery, for had the musketeers lain hidden there until we
were beaten back after our first charge, and then poured their fire into
us, it would doubtless have thrown us into some confusion, and might
even have caused a panic for a while."

"Now, master, if you will mount this horse I will be off and catch
another; there are scores of them running about riderless, some of them
belonging to the marshal's men, but many more to the Germans, and a few
that galloped off riderless each time Enghien fell back."

"Don't take one of those, Paolo; it might be claimed by its master's
lackeys; get one of the best German horses that you can find. You might
as well get two if you can, for I want a second horse while I am here
with the prince."

CHAPTER IX: HONOURS

In half an hour Paolo returned leading two horses. By their trappings
and appearance both had evidently belonged to officers.

"Take off the trappings," Hector said, "then put a saddle on one for
me; shift your own saddle on to the other, and picket your own with the
spare horses of the staff, then we will ride over and get my saddle,
bridle, holsters, and trappings. The horse has carried