assistance only of a few men to act as leaders.
These he selected from the gentlemen of the province who had come
with him and, as soon as these had entered upon their duties, he
felt free to turn his attention elsewhere.

Two days were spent in appointing a council of the leading
citizens, the Huguenots of course being in the majority. To them
was intrusted the management of the affairs of the town, and the
maintenance of order. The young nobleman appointed as governor was
to have entire charge of military matters. All Huguenots capable of
bearing arms were to be formed up in companies, each of which was
to appoint its own officers. They were to practise military
exercises, to have charge of the gates and walls, and to be
prepared to defend them, in case a hostile force should lay siege
to the city.

Three of the nobles were appointed to see to the victualling of the
town; and all citizens were called upon to contribute a sum,
according to their means, for this purpose. A few old soldiers were
left to drill the new levies, to see that the walls were placed in
a thorough condition of defence, and above all to aid the leaders
in suppressing any attempt at the ill-treatment of Catholics, or
the desecration of their churches, by the Huguenot portion of the
population.

When all arrangements were made for the peace and safety of the
town, De la Noue despatched most of the gentlemen with him, and
their followers, to join the Prince of Conde before Paris;
retaining only his Cousin Francois, Philip, the troop from Laville,
and his own band of forty men-at-arms.

Chapter 6: The Battle Of Saint Denis.

Francois de Laville and Philip had fought by the side of La Noue,
in the engagement in the streets of Orleans; but had seen little of
the Count afterwards, his time being fully employed in completing
the various arrangements to ensure the safety of the town. They had
been lodged in the house of one of the Huguenot citizens, and had
spent their time walking about the town, or in the society of some
of the younger gentlemen of their party.

"Are you both ready for service again?" the Count de la Noue, who
had sent for them to come to his lodgings, asked on the evening of
the third day after the capture of Orleans.

"Quite ready," Francois replied. "The horses have all recovered
from their fatigue, and are in condition for a fresh start. Are we
bound for Paris, may I ask?"

"No, Francois, we are going on a recruiti