iterally, lost children], detached
from that smaller party, approached him so near as twice a pike's
length. Seeing it impossible to retreat undiscovered, Quentin called
out aloud, "Qui vive? [who goes there?]" and was answered, by "Vive
Li--Li--ege--c'est a dire [that is to say]" (added he who spoke,
correcting himself), "Vive--la France!"

Quentin instantly fired his harquebuss--a man groaned and fell, and he
himself, under the instant but vague discharge of a number of pieces,
the fire of which ran in a disorderly manner along the column, and
showed it to be very numerous, hastened back to the main guard.

"Admirably done, my brave boy!" said Crawford. "Now, callants, draw in
within the courtyard--they are too many to mell with in the open field."

They drew within the courtyard and garden accordingly, where they found
all in great order and the King prepared to mount his horse.

"Whither away, Sire!" said Crawford; "you are safest here with your own
people."

"Not so," said Louis, "I must instantly to the Duke. He must be
convinced of our good faith at this critical moment, or we shall have
both Liegeois and Burgundians upon us at once."

And, springing on his horse, he bade Dunois command the French troops
without the house, and Crawford the Archer Guard and other household
troops to defend the lusthaus and its enclosures. He commanded them
to bring up two sakers and as many falconets (pieces of cannon for the
field), which had been left about half a mile in the rear; and, in the
meantime, to make good their posts, but by no means to advance, whatever
success they might obtain; and having given these orders, he rode off,
with a small escort, to the Duke's quarters. The delay which permitted
these arrangements to be carried fully into effect was owing to
Quentin's having fortunately shot the proprietor of the house, who
acted as guide to the column which was designed to attack it, and whose
attack, had it been made instantly, might have had a chance of being
successful.

Durward, who, by the King's order, attended him to the Duke's, found the
latter in a state of choleric distemperature, which almost prevented his
discharging the duties of a general, which were never more necessary;
for, besides the noise of a close and furious combat which had now
taken place in the suburb upon the left of their whole army--besides the
attack upon the King's quarters, which was fiercely maintained in the
centre--a third col