ne whereby, he said, the
mountains might be crossed, and a descent made upon the plains of the
marquisate of Saluzzo. The young constable went in person to examine the
spots pointed out by the shepherd; and, the statement having been
verified, it did not seem impossible to get the whole army over, even the
heavy artillery; and they essayed this unknown road. At several points,
abysses had to be filled up, temporary bridges built, and enormous rocks
pierced; the men-at-arms marched on foot, with great difficulty dragging
their horses; with still greater difficulty the infantry hauled the
cannon over holes incompletely stopped and fragments of yawning rock.
Captains and soldiers set to work together; no labor seems too hard to
eager hope; and in five days the mountain was overcome, and the army
caught sight of the plain where the enemy might be encountered. A small
body of four hundred men-at-arms, led by Marshal de Chabannes, were the
first to descend into it; and among them was Bayard. "Marshal," said he
to Chabannes, "we are told that over the Po yonder is Sir Prosper Colonna,
with two thousand horse, in a town called Villafranca, apprehending
nought and thinking of nought but gaudies. We must wake up his wits a
little, and this moment get into the saddle with all our troops, that he
be not warned by any." "Sir Bayard," said the marshal, "it is right well
said; but how shall we cross the River Po, which is so impetuous and
broad?" "Sir," said Bayard, "here is my Lord de Morette's brother, who
knows the ford; he shall cross first, and I after him." So they mounted
their horses, crossed the Po, and "were soon there, where Sir Prosper
Colonna was at table and was dining, as likewise were all his folk."
Bayard, who marched first, found the archers on guard in front of the
Italian leader's quarters. "Yield you and utter no sound," cried he,
"else you are dead men." Some set about defending themselves; the rest
ran to warn Colonna, saying, "Up, sir; for, here are the French in a
great troop already at this door." "Lads," said Colonna to them, "keep
this door a little till we get some armor on to defend ourselves." But
whilst the fight was going on at the door Bayard had the windows scaled,
and, entering first, cried out, "Where are you, Sir Prosper? Yield you;
else you are a dead man." "Sir Frenchman, who is your captain?" asked
Colonna. "I am, sir." "Your name, captain?" "Sir, I am one Bayard of
France, and