uchesse. Berenger, who had
never made the Captain hear anything that he did not know before, looked
about for some interpreter whose voice might be more effectual, but
found himself being conducted to the spiral stair of the church steeple;
and suddenly gathering that some new feature in the case had arisen,
followed the old man eagerly up the winding steps to the little square
of leaden roof where the Quinet banner was planted. It commanded a wide
and splendid view, to the Bay of Biscay on the one hand, and the inland
mountains on the other; but the warder who already stood there pointed
silently to the north, where, on the road by which Berenger had come,
was to be seen a cloud of dust, gilded by the rays of the rising sun.

Who raised it was a matter of no doubt; and Berenger's morning orisons
were paid with folded hands, in silent thanks-giving, as he watched
the sparkling of pikes and gleaming of helmets--and the white flag of
Bourbon at length became visible.

Already the enemy below were sending out scouts--they rode to the top of
the hill--then a messenger swan his horse across the river. In the camp
before the bridge-tower men buzzed out of their tents, like ants whose
hill is disturbed; horses were fastened to the cannon, tents were
struck, and it was plain that the siege was to be raised.

Captain Falconnet did his ally the honour to consult him on the
expedience of molesting the Guisards by a sally, and trying to take some
of their guns; but Berenger merely bowed to whatever he said, while he
debated aloud the PROS and CONS, and at last decided that the garrison
had been too much reduced for this, and that M. le Duc would prefer
finding them drawn up in good order to receive him, to their going
chasing and plundering disreputable among the enemy--the Duke being here
evidently a much greater personage than the King of Navarre, hereditary
Governor of Guyenne though he were. Indeed, nothing was wanting to the
confusion of Berenger's late assailants. In the camp on the north side
of the river, things were done with some order; but that on the other
side was absolutely abandoned, and crowds were making in disorder for
the ford, leaving everything behind them, that they might not have their
retreat cut off. Would there be a battle? Falconnet, taking in with his
eye the numbers of the succouring party, thought the Duke would allow
the besiegers to depart unmolested, but remembered with a sigh that
young king had