t, being sorely wounded and
weakened by loss of blood; but as he was carried off the field, his
litter came alongside one in which L'Estrange, a Huguenot
gentleman, also sorely wounded, was being borne. Doubtless the
Admiral's face expressed the deep depression of his spirit; and
L'Estrange, holding out his hand to him, said:

"Yet is God very gentle."

The words were an echo of those which formed the mainspring of the
Admiral's life. His face lit up, and he exclaimed:

"Thanks, comrade. Truly God is merciful, and we will trust him
always."

He was much pleased when the two young princes, both unhurt,
rejoined him. He issued orders to his officers to rally their
troops as they came in, to evacuate Parthenay, and march at once to
Niort.

The gallant De Mouy was appointed to command the city, and three or
four days were spent there in rallying the remains of the army.
Scarce had they reached Niort when the Queen of Navarre arrived
from La Rochelle, whence she had hastened, as soon as she had heard
the news of the defeat. The presence of this heroic woman speedily
dispelled the despondency among the Huguenots. Going about among
them, and addressing the groups of officers and soldiers, she
communicated to them her own fire and enthusiasm. Nothing was lost
yet, she said; the Germans had failed them, but their own valour
had been conspicuous, and with the blessing of God matters would
soon be restored. Already the delay of the Catholics in following
up their victory had given them time to rally, and they were now in
a position to give battle again.

Leaving a strong garrison at Niort, Coligny moved with a portion of
his army to Saintes; while the southern troops, from Dauphine and
Provence, marched to Angouleme. These troops were always difficult
to retain long in the field, as they were anxious for the safety of
their friends at home. They now clamoured for permission to depart,
urging that the news of the defeat of Moncontour would be the
signal for fresh persecutions and massacres, in the south. Finally
they marched away without Coligny's permission and, after some
fighting, reached Dauphine in safety.

In the meantime Niort had been attacked. De Mouy defended the place
stoutly, and sallied out and repulsed the enemy. His bravery,
however, was fatal to him. A Catholic named Maurevel, tempted by
the fifty thousand crowns that had been offered for the
assassination of Coligny, had entered the Protestant camp,
pre