You have coasted their lines and observed their
countenance. Would you ride down upon them, as my brother has advised,
or how would you order the matter?"

De Ribeaumont, a tall dark-eyed handsome man, paused ere he answered.
"Sire," he said at last, "I have indeed ridden along their front and
down their flanks, in company with Lord Landas and Lord de Beaujeu, who
are here at your council to witness to what I say. Indeed, sire, it is
in my mind that though the English are few in number yet they are
in such a position amongst these hedges and vines that you would be
well-advised if you were to leave them alone, for they have no food and
must retreat, so that you will be able to follow them and to fight them
to better advantage."

A murmur of disapproval rose from the company, and the Lord Clermont,
Marshal of the army, sprang to his feet, his face red with anger.

"Eustace; Eustace," said he, "I bear in mind the days when you were of
great heart and high enterprise, but since King Edward gave you yonder
chaplet of pearls you have ever been backward against the English!"

"My Lord Clermont," said de Ribeaumont sternly, "it is not for me to
brawl at the King's council and in the face of the enemy, but we will
go further into this matter at some other time. Meanwhile, the King has
asked me for my advice and I have given it as best I might."

"It had been better for your honor, Sir Eustace, had you held your
peace," said the Duke of Orleans. "Shall we let them slip from our
fingers when we have them here and are fourfold their number? I know not
where we should dwell afterwards, for I am very sure that we should be
ashamed to ride back to Paris, or to look our ladies in the eyes again."

"Indeed, Eustace, you have done well to say what is in your mind,"
said the King; "but I have already said that we shall join battle this
morning, so that there is no room here for further talk. But I would
fain have heard from you how it would be wisest and best that we attack
them?"

"I will advise you, sire, to the best of my power. Upon their right is a
river with marshes around it, and upon their left a great wood, so that
we can advance only upon the center. Along their front is a thick hedge,
and behind it I saw the green jerkins of their archers, as thick as the
sedges by the river. It is broken by one road where only four horsemen
could ride abreast, which leads through the position. It is clear then
that if we are to drive t