hem back we must cross the great hedge, and
I am very sure that the horses will not face it with such a storm of
arrows beating from behind it. Therefore, it is my council that we fight
upon foot, as the English did at Crecy, for indeed we may find that our
horses will be more hindrance than help to us this day."

"The same thought was in my own mind, sire," said Arnold d'Andreghen the
veteran Marshal. "At Crecy the bravest had to turn their backs, for what
can a man do with a horse which is mad with pain and fear? If we advance
upon foot we are our own masters, and if we stop the shame is ours."

"The counsel is good," said the Duke of Athens, turning his shrewd
wizened face to the King; "but one thing only I would add to it. The
strength of these people lies in their archers, and if we could throw
them into disorder, were it only for a short time, we should win the
hedge; else they will shoot so strongly that we must lose many men
before we reach it, for indeed we have learned that no armor will keep
out their shafts when they are close."

"Your words, fair sir, are both good and wise," said the King, "but I
pray you to tell us how you would throw these archers into disorder?"

"I would choose three hundred horsemen, sire, the best and most forward
in the army. With these I would ride up the narrow road, and so turn
to right and left, falling upon the archers behind the hedge. It may be
that the three hundred would suffer sorely, but what are they among so
great a host, if a road may be cleared for their companions?"

"I would say a word to that, sire," cried the German Count of Nassau, "I
have come here with my comrades to venture our persons in your quarrel;
but we claim the right to fight in our own fashion, and we would count
it dishonor to dismount from our steeds out of fear of the arrows of the
English. Therefore, with your permission, we will ride to the front,
as the Duke of Athens has advised, and so clear a path for the rest of
you."

"This may not be!" cried the Lord Clermont angrily. "It would be strange
indeed if Frenchmen could not be found to clear a path for the army of
the King of France. One would think to hear you talk, my Lord Count,
that your hardihood was greater than our own, but by our Lady of
Rocamadour you will learn before nightfall that it is not so. It is for
me, who am a Marshal of France; to lead these three hundred, since it is
an honorable venture."

"And I claim the same right