oop, and the
body of Englishmen, now, alas! sadly reduced in numbers, rode last of
all, and occasionally one of the troopers would gallop up to our leader
with information of the enemy's movements.

We appeared to have gained a good start, as it was not until noon of the
next day that our rearguard was driven in, and we got a clear view of
the hostile troops. They followed us closely, hanging like leeches on
our rear, but refraining from making any determined attack. Still, in
order to protect our own main body, we were forced several times to
turn at bay. In these combats the fiercest fighting always centred round
the troop of Englishmen carrying the captured flag.

"Roger is a gallant fellow," I remarked after one of these occasions,
"but too venturesome. It would be more prudent to hide the trophy."

"Faith!" cried Felix, "you have strange ideas! I would hold it as high
as I could, till my arm was numbed. I hear they have hung our banners in
Notre Dame, so that the Parisians may see what fine fellows they are. If
I could capture a flag, Edmond, they should cut me in little pieces
before I let it go. Were I your English friend I would not change places
with Coligny himself."

"Well," I said laughing, "you may have a chance to obtain your wish
soon, for, whether it pleases our leaders or not, they will be compelled
to fight. This retreat cannot continue much longer. And if the Germans
desert us, there is likely to be a second Jarnac."

"Rubbish!" exclaimed he lightly; "we should gain the greater honour by
the victory!"

Our German allies had become very sullen during the last day or two, and
the evening we reached Montcontour they broke out into open threats.
They declared angrily that unless their arrears of pay were immediately
made up they would not fight.

The evening was almost as miserable as that after the battle of Jarnac.
Monseigneur, with a strong, well-equipped army, was close on our heels,
ready to swoop down upon us at any moment. Our own men were weary and
disheartened, and now we had to contend with the anger of our allies.

"Let the poltroons go!" exclaimed Felix scornfully. "We will fight and
win without them," and all the young hot-heads among our comrades
applauded him. But the veterans were wiser, and openly showed their
pleasure when it was announced that our leader had, by another splendid
sacrifice, appeased his mutinous followers. But, even with the Germans
ready to do their duty, our p