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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Won by the Sword, by G.A. Henty
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Won by the Sword
+       A Story of the Thirty Years' War
+
+Author: G.A. Henty
+
+Release Date: January, 2004  [EBook #4931]
+Posting Date: June 13, 2009
+Last Updated: March 11, 2018
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WON BY THE SWORD ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Martin Robb
+
+
+
+
+
+
+WON BY THE SWORD
+
+A STORY OF THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR
+
+
+By G.A. Henty
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+MY DEAR LADS,
+
+In my preface to the Lion of the North I expressed a hope that I might
+some day be able to continue the history of the Thirty Years' War. The
+deaths of Gustavus and his great rival Wallenstein and the crushing
+defeat of the Swedes and their allies at the battle of Nordlingen
+brought the first period of that war to a close. Hostilities, indeed,
+never ceased, but the Swedes no longer played the leading part on the
+Protestant side that they had hitherto occupied. Oxenstiern, the great
+chancellor of Sweden, saw that the only hope of eventual success lay in
+engaging France in the struggle, and he and the Duke of Weimar went
+to Paris and pointed out to Richelieu that unless France intervened,
+Austria must become the master of all Germany, and as the ally of Spain
+would have it in her power to completely dominate France. Richelieu
+perceived the opportunity, made a treaty with the Swedes and Weimar, and
+engaged to grant large subsidies to the former, and to send an army to
+cooperate with the latter. Then began the second period of this long and
+terrible struggle, France now taking the place that Sweden had hitherto
+occupied, and bearing the brunt of the conflict. She emerged triumphant
+with her territories largely increased, while Austria was crushed and
+humiliated, and Spain was dethroned from her position as the dominating
+power of Europe. The success of France was greatly due to the fact that
+her armies were led by two of the greatest military geniuses of all
+times, viz., Conde and Turenne, men of very different types, but equally
+great as commanders, and equally at the time of which we are speaking
+devoted to the cause of France. Both were men of extraordinary personal
+courage, and although one was as prudent and careful of the lives of his
+troops as the other was impetuous and careless at what cost he won his
+victories, they worked together with a harmony that could have hardly
+been expected among men so differently constituted. Although, in
+the subsequent wars of the Fronde they took different sides, their
+friendship, except during a short period of alienation, was never
+shaken, and their admiration for each other's genius never abated.
+
+Yours sincerely,
+
+G.A. HENTY
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I: A STROKE OF GOOD FORTUNE
+
+
+A mounted officer, followed by two orderlies, was proceeding at a brisk
+trot from Paris to St. Denis, in October, 1639, when he came upon a
+large party of boys, who, armed with sticks, were advancing in something
+like military order against a wall on the top of a low hill.
+
+“What are you doing?” he asked the lad who appeared to be the leader.
+
+“We are playing at war, sir. We are advancing against the fortress of La
+Motte. This is the regiment of Turenne.”
+
+“And who are you at other times?” the officer asked with a smile.
+
+“My name is Hector Campbell, sir.”
+
+“Then you are not French?”
+
+“No, sir; my father was an officer in the Scotch regiment. He was killed
+at the siege of La Rochelle.”
+
+“And who is taking care of you?”
+
+“I live with Angus MacIntosh. He was a sergeant in my father's company.
+He was badly wounded at La Rochelle, and not being fit for further
+service, he took a cabaret near the barracks. The officers are very
+kind. They allow him a sum for taking care of me. Of course I am often
+in barracks, and have learned the drill, and I have heard and read about
+battles and sieges, so I am chosen to command.”
+
+“And so you know something of the battles in which Turenne was engaged?”
+
+“I think I know about them all, sir, both in Holland and on the Rhine,
+and have seen plans of the battles. Of course this is not at all like
+La Motte, which was on the top of a high rock, so that when Turenne was
+ordered to attack with his regiment after the general's son had failed,
+he had to pass not only through a heavy fire, but through the huge
+stones that the enemy hurled down. It was grand; and he did well at
+all the other sieges. Then, again, there was Saverne. See how he
+fought there, and stormed the place when even the Swedes, who are good
+soldiers, had failed. I think he is going to be the greatest of our
+captains.”
+
+“Turenne is only a learner in the art of war,” the other said gravely.
+
+“I think he has learnt more than any of the rest,” the boy said boldly;
+“and all the soldiers love him more than any of the other generals, for
+he takes such care of them, and does not treat them as if they were dirt
+under his feet, only meant to obey orders, and go and get killed when
+told.”
+
+“You have heard him very much over praised,” the officer said quietly.
+“I think that he does his best; but he is a young man yet, not older
+than I am. His advance has been due to fortune rather than to his own
+merits.”
+
+“I don't think so,” the boy said sturdily. “Do you think that he would
+be a lieutenant general at twenty-eight, and that all the soldiers would
+speak of him as they do, if it were only fortune? Look how he captured
+Landrecies and Solre, and drove the Austrians back from Maubeurge, and
+aided the Duke of Weimar to thrash them at Weilenweir, and stormed the
+main fort of Breisach! He has been successful in all his enterprises,
+and now it is said he is to command in Italy, where things have been
+going on badly. The cardinal would not have chosen him had he not
+considered that no one could do better than he.”
+
+The officer laughed. “Well, young sir, I see that you are so well
+acquainted with the sieges and battles of our time that I cannot argue
+with you.”
+
+“I did not mean that, sir,” the boy said in some confusion. “I was only
+saying what our soldiers think, and it is natural that I, being only a
+boy, should make him my hero, for he went to the wars when he was a year
+younger than I am, and at fourteen carried a musket as a volunteer
+under Maurice of Nassau, and for five years he was in all the battles in
+Holland, and raised the first battery that opened on Bois-le-duc.”
+
+“And do you receive no pension as the son of an officer killed in
+battle?”
+
+“No, sir. When the living soldiers often have to go months without their
+pay, the sons of dead ones can hardly expect to be thought of. But I
+don't care; in two years I shall be old enough to enlist, and I shall go
+to the frontier and join Hepburn's Scottish brigade, who are now, they
+say, in the French service.”
+
+“They are fine soldiers--none better,” the officer said. “But why does
+not the colonel of your father's regiment ask for a commission for you?”
+
+“The regiment is not in favour with the cardinal,” the boy replied with
+a smile. “They are too Protestant for his eminence, and the colonel is
+not a man to ask favours if he is likely to be refused.”
+
+“Well,” the officer said, “it is clear to me that you are a lad of
+spirit, and that you have done your best to prepare yourself for your
+profession as a soldier by studying military history, and I think it
+hard that, as the son of an officer who died in battle for France,
+France should have done nothing for you. I have some little influence
+myself. What is the name of this cabaret that Sergeant MacIntosh keeps?”
+
+“The Scottish Soldier, sir. It is near the gate of the barracks of St.
+Denis.”
+
+“Do not go out tomorrow afternoon. I will have a talk with him, and
+maybe I can be of some assistance to you.”
+
+So saying, he touched his horse's flank with his heel and rode on, while
+the boys continued their play. The next afternoon the lad remained at
+home, to the surprise of the sergeant.
+
+“What keeps you in today, Hector? It is rare indeed that you are indoors
+in the afternoon.”
+
+“An officer came along while we were playing,” the lad said, “and
+asked me some questions. I told him who I was. He said that he had some
+influence, and might be able to assist me.”
+
+“What sort of assistance?” the sergeant grumbled. “He must have
+influence indeed if he can get you a pension.”
+
+“I don't think it was that,” the boy said. “I said that I should like to
+enlist as a volunteer.”
+
+The sergeant laughed. “Well, they do take volunteers as young as you
+are, Hector, but they must be cadets of a noble family. You will have to
+wait another couple of years before they will enlist you, much less take
+you as a volunteer.”
+
+There were a good many Scottish soldiers sitting in the room, when an
+officer rode up to the door and dismounted.
+
+“It is a general officer,” one of the men said, looking out of the
+window, and as the door opened and the officer entered, all stood up and
+saluted.
+
+“Sit down, men,” he said. “I am not here to disturb you, but to have a
+talk with Sergeant MacIntosh. Have you a room, sergeant, where we can
+speak privately?”
+
+“Yes, general,” the sergeant said, saluting again, and led the way into
+a little room generally devoted to the use of noncommissioned officers.
+The officer caught Hector's eye, and beckoned to him to follow.
+
+“Do you know me, sergeant?”
+
+“Yes, general, you are Viscount Turenne.”
+
+Hector gave an involuntary exclamation of horror at the thought of the
+freedom with which he had the day before discoursed with this famous
+commander. Military officers at that time did not wear any set uniforms,
+and indeed there was very considerable latitude among the soldiers, and
+it was only because he was followed by two attendants that the boy had
+taken him to be an officer, probably a young captain. The quietness of
+his dress had not even led him to believe that he belonged to a noble
+family.
+
+“This lad tells me that he is the son of Captain Campbell of the
+Scottish regiment?”
+
+“That is so, general.”
+
+“And also that you were a sergeant in his father's company, and have
+since taken care of him.”
+
+“I have done the best I could for him, general; but indeed the officers
+of the regiment allow me quite as much as the lad's food costs.”
+
+“He seems to be a careful student of military history, sergeant?”
+
+“That he is, sir. I don't think there has been a battle, or even a
+skirmish, in the past ten years which he cannot tell you the ins and
+outs of. He will sit here for hours as quiet as a mouse when some
+soldiers from the wars come in, and sometimes he gets books lent him
+with the plans of battles and sieges, and when he is not doing that he
+is in the barrack yard watching the men drill. I believe he knows all
+the words of command as well as any captain in the Scottish regiment. As
+to handling his musket, I have taught him that myself, and the use of
+a sword, too, since he was ten years old, and the men of his father's
+company have taken pleasure in teaching the lad all they knew in that
+way.”
+
+“He reminds me of my own boyhood,” the general said. “I like his looks,
+and it seems to me that he has the making of a good officer. All the
+officers of the regiment are men of good Scottish families, and as such
+can serve in any capacity. I have often need of a young officer who can
+carry my messages on a field of battle, and can be trusted to understand
+their import and deliver them faithfully. Now, Campbell,” he said,
+turning to the lad, who was standing with flushed face and eyes beaming
+with delight and gratitude, “I will give you the choice. I will either
+appoint you a volunteer for a year, in which time, if your conduct is
+satisfactory, I will name you lieutenant, or I will take you directly
+into my own household. My object in either case would be to produce an
+officer likely to be useful to his Majesty.
+
+“I should certainly not have adopted that course had it not been that
+you appear already to have learned the duties of a soldier, and to
+be acquainted with the ordinary drill and with the necessities of a
+soldier's life. If you enter my household you will find it no child's
+play, certainly no life of ease and comfort. I do not spare myself, nor
+do I spare the officers immediately under me. In a regiment you would
+learn better, perhaps, the duties of a regimental officer, but with me
+you will have more opportunities of learning the art of war, and of some
+day becoming a distinguished officer, always supposing that you are
+not shot down in battle or die of fatigue and hardship. Which do you
+choose?”
+
+“Oh, sir, how can I thank you for your goodness? There is nothing in the
+world that I should like so much as to be in your service.”
+
+“So be it,” the general said. “I shall obtain an appointment for you as
+lieutenant attached to my household. At first, you will simply have to
+carry messages for me; but when I have learnt more of your character I
+shall employ you as one that I can trust.
+
+“Sergeant, here is a purse, use the contents in furnishing the lad with
+clothes suitable for his position, and let him call on me in three days
+at the hotel of the Duc de Bouillon, where I am staying.
+
+“Can you ride?” he asked suddenly.
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“I will see to the matter of a horse for you. I shall be leaving at the
+end of a week to join the army in Italy. And remember always, lad,” he
+added with a smile, “that I am still but a learner in the art of war.”
+
+So saying he nodded kindly to him and the sergeant, went out, returned
+the salute of the soldiers, mounted his horse, which his orderly was
+holding for him, and rode off.
+
+“Well, well,” said the sergeant, who with Hector had followed him out,
+“the like of this I never saw before: to think that the Viscount of
+Turenne should visit the cabaret of a soldier, and should have deigned
+to offer you a position in his household! I can scarce believe that I
+am not dreaming. How did it all come about, and how have you thus gained
+his favour?”
+
+“I am ashamed to say, sergeant, that I gained it by my presumption; now
+that I know who he was, I may say by my insolence. A party of us were
+having a mimic battle. We were acting as the regiment of Turenne at the
+storming of La Motte. I was in command, and so acting as Turenne, when
+a gentleman, who, by his appearance and age, and by the fact that two
+troopers rode behind him, I took to be a captain in the army, came up
+and questioned me as to what we were doing. I told him, then he talked
+about Turenne. I said I thought he was our greatest general. He, that
+Turenne was only a learner in the art of war. I upheld him, and spoke
+of the battles and sieges in which he had taken part. Then he asked me
+about myself, and I told him my birth and bringing up, and he said he
+might be of assistance to me, and would call here and see you.”
+
+“Well, well, it almost passes belief, Hector, that a boy like you should
+have dared to enter into an argument with an officer, even if only, as
+you believed, a captain. And to think that this has come of it, instead
+of his having laid his whip across your back, as you deserved. Your
+fortune is made, lad, that is, if you behave yourself. Turenne is a
+great soldier; and more than that, from what I have heard he is loved by
+his men more than any other general, and they will do anything for
+him. His regiment here, though he was but nineteen when he obtained
+his command, was admitted to be one of the best drilled and the best
+disciplined of any in the service.
+
+“He saw to everything himself, spent his whole time in drilling them
+as if he had been only a lieutenant with nothing but his sword for his
+fortune, instead of a great noble. When he was with de la Valette
+and Weimar, and the army had to fall back and were well nigh starved,
+Turenne sold his plate and his carriages to buy food for the men. He had
+his own baggage thrown out of the wagons to make room for those who
+were too weak to march; and on one occasion gave up his own horse to a
+soldier who was sinking from fatigue and hunger, and himself marched on
+foot. He always leads his troops in battle, and wherever he goes they
+will follow. He was right in saying that he does not spare himself. The
+soldiers believe that he does without any sleep when on a campaign, for
+he is for ever going round seeing that everything is in order, that the
+outposts are properly placed and vigilant, and that the soldiers have
+food, and such comfort as can be obtained. Now let us go in and tell my
+comrades of your good fortune. There is not a man in the regiment who
+will not be glad to hear of it. I will go across with you myself to the
+colonel's lodging.”
+
+“But please, sergeant, do not say a word about my folly; only say that
+the general, coming across a party of us playing at war, questioned me,
+and finding that I was the son of a Scottish officer who had been killed
+at La Rochelle, and that I had worked hard at getting up the history
+of the wars, and longed much to go into the army, had promised to come
+round the next day, and said that he might be able to aid me.”
+
+“I understand, lad. Yes, it is better that your foolishness should not
+be known.”
+
+The colonel was greatly pleased when he heard of what had happened.
+
+“I had intended myself to have asked for a commission for you when you
+were a couple of years older,” he said to Hector, “but I was by no means
+sure of getting it, for the cardinal is not partial to the regiment.
+Turenne, however, stands high in his favour--in spite of the fact that
+his brother, the Duc de Bouillon, has left Richelieu's party, and is
+regarded by him as an enemy--so we may be sure that your commission will
+be at once signed. You must sup with me and the officers of the regiment
+tonight. There is not one who will not rejoice that your father's son
+has met with such good fortune, for assuredly you could not have entered
+the army under better auspices.
+
+“It is just like Turenne to have thus come forward to assist the son of
+a brave soldier killed in action. As a rule, I am sorry to say that the
+officers of our army concern themselves but little with the affairs
+of the soldiers under their command. Of course in our regiment it is
+different, as we have many gentlemen of well known Scottish families
+serving in the ranks, and most of the others are our own clansmen,
+or come from our dales. We all cling together as countrymen among
+strangers, though indeed we can hardly regard them as strangers, seeing
+that Scotland and France have ever been allies, and that our Queen Mary
+was a French princess. And now that Scotland has given kings to England,
+and English troops fought side by side with the French under Henry of
+Navarre against the Spaniards and Guises, and, although not in strict
+alliance, are alike enemies of the Spaniards, we can scarce feel
+ourselves as strangers here. Besides, is not a French princess wife of
+King Charles?
+
+“I do not say that either England or France has altogether forgotten the
+long wars between them, but that is a very old story now, and as long
+as Spain threatens to extend her power over all Europe, so long are we
+likely to remain good friends. If the power of Spain is once broken, old
+quarrels may break out again, but I trust that that will not be in my
+time, for assuredly the regiment, although willing to fight against all
+other enemies of France, would refuse to march against our countrymen.
+Now, Sergeant MacIntosh, I know that you must be anxious to get back to
+your inn. You will have a busy time this afternoon unless I am greatly
+mistaken. Leave Campbell with me.
+
+“In the first place, it will be as well that he should not be down
+there, for the fun is likely to get fast and furious. There is not a
+man in the regiment who knew his father but will be drinking the lad's
+health, and it were better that he should go tomorrow through the
+barracks and shake their hands, than that he should be among them there.
+You can tell them that I have taken the boy off, so that they may not
+think that he stayed away on his own account. We will see him fitted
+out. It is a matter that touches the honour of the regiment that the
+son of our old comrade should make a fair show in the household of the
+viscount.”
+
+“The general has left me a purse for that purpose, colonel.”
+
+“It was a kindly thought, but let the lad start with it in his pocket.
+It is our duty to see that he has everything befitting his father's
+son.”
+
+As soon as the sergeant left, the colonel said, “Now, Campbell, do you
+go into the anteroom. I shall be ready to go out with you in half an
+hour.”
+
+Orderlies were then despatched to the various officers' lodgings, and in
+a few minutes they assembled. The colonel told them what had happened,
+and said that in his opinion it concerned the honour of the regiment to
+see that their comrade's son was properly equipped.
+
+All those who had known Captain Campbell were greatly pleased with the
+news, and there was not a dissenting voice when the colonel proposed
+that there should be a general subscription of two days' pay. He
+himself, however, and Captain Campbell's friends, gave a much larger
+amount, and the total was amply sufficient for the equipment of a young
+man of good family joining the army. Hector was then called in and
+informed of what had taken place, and heartily congratulated by the
+officers. He was greatly affected by their kindness and the proof of the
+estimation in which his father had been held.
+
+“We had always intended to do this,” the colonel said, “when the time
+came for your entering the army, for we felt that it would indeed be
+a discredit to the regiment were you to go into the world without the
+equipment that a Scottish gentleman should have. Now, Captain Mackenzie
+and Captain Home, I will ask you to act as furnishers. You know what
+is required for a young officer on the staff of a general like Viscount
+Turenne, who would be called upon to accompany him to court, and must
+do him no discredit; besides which, he must of course have clothes for
+a campaign. He will not need arms, for I have kept for him his father's
+sword and pistols. See that the tailors undertake to get his clothes
+ready quickly, for he is to accompany Turenne to Italy in four or five
+days. One suit at least must be finished in two days, for on the third
+he is to wait upon Turenne, who is staying at the hotel of the Duc de
+Bouillon, and he may possibly be presented to the cardinal.”
+
+The dress of a French gentleman in the reign of Louis XIII differed but
+slightly from that worn at the same time by the cavaliers of Charles
+I. It consisted of a loose cloak of cloth, silk, satin, or velvet,
+according to the occasion and the wealth of the wearer. It generally
+hung loosely on the shoulders, but two or three of the top buttons were
+sometimes fastened; the sleeves were loose and open from the elbow.
+Sometimes the cloak was richly embroidered. Over it fell a collar of
+rich lace, with Vandyke border. Beneath it was worn a short tightly
+fitted doublet embroidered in front, with puffed sleeves, and with a
+belt or sash round the waist. The breeches were very full, reaching to
+the knee. For walking or riding, loose high boots turned down at the top
+and trimmed with lace or frillings joined the breeches; while in court
+dress, silk stockings and shoes with rosettes were worn. The swords hung
+from a richly embroidered baldrick going over the right shoulder.
+
+Officers of the different regiments were distinguished by the colour of
+their sashes, which was the only point of regimental uniformity. When on
+a campaign doublets were usually worn of thick buff leather; armour was
+still used, but was far less cumbrous than it had been, consisting
+for the most part solely of shoulder pieces and cuirass, with plates
+covering the upper part of the arm, thick buff leather gauntlets being
+considered sufficient protection below the elbow. Four suits were
+ordered for Hector: one for court, another for general use when in Paris
+or other large towns, the third for travelling and when in attendance
+with the general, the fourth for actual service in the field.
+
+Almost as expensive as the suits were the shirts, with their deep lace
+collars and ruffle; while for service in the field half a dozen plain
+shirts were purchased. The headdress on ordinary occasions was a broad
+beaver hat with plumes, and in the field a close fitting helmet with
+cheek pieces. Visors had been almost entirely given up. On the third day
+Hector presented himself at the appointed hour at the hotel of the Duc
+de Bouillon. He was dressed in the second best of his costumes, and
+wore for the first time his father's sword. In the hall were numbers of
+soldiers and lackeys. One of the latter came up to him.
+
+“I am here to see the Viscount Turenne by appointment,” he said.
+
+The lackey led the way to a large chamber, where several officers and
+gentlemen were waiting. Here Hector gave his name to a chamberlain, who
+took it into another apartment. He waited for half an hour, and observed
+that while the officers, one by one, were taken into the room where the
+lackey had carried his name, the nobles and gentlemen, who were
+much more numerous, were shown into another, which was evidently the
+principal reception room. He guessed at once that it was here that the
+Duc de Bouillon was receiving visitors, while his brother was engaged in
+giving interviews to officers, who perhaps desired appointments in his
+army, or in arranging details of stores, arms, and ammunition required
+for its use. At last his turn came; and on his name being called, he
+followed the usher into a small apartment, where Turenne was sitting at
+a table covered with letters. The general looked at him critically.
+
+“You make a very good figure,” he said, “and better, I can tell you,
+than I did at your age, for I was but weakly, while you are well grown
+and strong. Among your other exercises you have not neglected the use of
+your sword. I could tell that as soon as my eyes fell upon you.”
+
+“No, general, I have practised for two or three hours a day since I was
+ten years old, and I think that almost every soldier in the regiment
+has been my instructor in turn, and the maitre-d'armes of the regiment
+himself gave me lessons twice a week.”
+
+“I have managed your business for you,” the viscount said. “I saw the
+cardinal yesterday and asked for a commission for you. He simply asked
+for what regiment, and I said that at present I intended to keep you
+about my own person, as I thought you would make a good officer and
+would some day do me credit. He was busy at the time, so he simply
+signed an appointment as a lieutenant and gave it to me to fill in your
+name. I asked if I should bring you to his levee tomorrow, but he said,
+'There is no occasion, viscount, we have both plenty on our hands;
+neither you nor I can waste time on young lieutenants. You can present
+him to me when you return from the war.' You know the cardinal by sight,
+I suppose?”
+
+“Yes, general, I have seen him many times.”
+
+“He is a great man,” Turenne said thoughtfully, rather as if speaking to
+himself than to Hector; “the greatest that France has ever known--he is
+the soul of France. It is well, indeed, that we have at present a king
+who recognizes how great a man he is, and is wise enough to know that
+although he himself is somewhat overshadowed, France is made greater and
+stronger and his own reign more glorious by his genius.” Then he broke
+off with a smile. “I was talking to myself rather than to you. I shall
+ride to St. Denis at two o'clock today; be here at that time. I will
+order the horse, that I have purchased for you, to be brought round
+here.”
+
+Hector was about to express his gratitude, but the general at once
+stopped him. “I need no thanks,” he said. “I perceived in the ardour
+with which you have studied military matters that you would make a good
+officer, and you remind me of my own boyhood. I always like to help
+forward officers who I see ready, not only to do their actual business
+but to go beyond it, in order to acquire knowledge, and I doubt not that
+I shall find this in you. But you must remember, lad, that you are now
+no longer a civilian, but a soldier, that you must be not only obedient
+but respectful to those above you in rank, that discretion as well as
+courage is necessary for success, that you must be thoughtful for
+the comfort of the soldiers, ready to expose your life in battle
+to encourage them, and also to set them an example of endurance,
+cheerfulness, and good spirits in times of hardship and distress.
+Remember that, to the soldier, there is no such thing as party; he
+fights for France and for France only, and should hold himself aloof
+from even the smallest expression of opinion on political matters. Then,
+at two o'clock.”
+
+Hector bowed deeply and left the room. When he returned to the hotel
+at two o'clock, six grooms were standing with the horses before the
+entrance; he waited outside until the viscount, followed by four
+officers, came out.
+
+“Oh, here you are, lieutenant!” he said, as his eye fell on Hector; “I
+was afraid that punctuality was not among your virtues. Gentlemen, this
+is Lieutenant Hector Campbell, son of a brave officer of the Scottish
+regiment who fell at La Rochelle; he is, for the present, attached to
+my household, and will ride with us for Italy the day after tomorrow.
+Campbell, this gentleman is Colonel d'Estampes, who is the head of
+my staff; this Major Mutton, who will have the control of all matters
+connected with the artillery; these are Messieurs de Lisle and Emile de
+Chavigny, who are my aides-de-camp. Now, gentlemen, let us mount.”
+
+As the Scottish regiment was a mounted one, Hector had had ample
+opportunities to learn to ride well, and he now fell in with the two
+aides-de-camp, who were both young men of eighteen or nineteen years of
+age, members of good families, and together they followed the Viscount
+Turenne, who rode on ahead with the two staff officers. While they
+were making their way through the narrow streets of Paris they rode but
+slowly, but as soon as they passed through the gates they went on at a
+brisk pace.
+
+“You are fortunate,” de Lisle said, “in having obtained a commission so
+young, although I do not say that there are not many of similar age in
+the army.”
+
+“I am fortunate indeed,” Hector replied, “fortunate beyond anything
+that I could have believed possible, thanks to the goodness of Viscount
+Turenne.”
+
+“You could not enter the army under better patronage,” de Chavigny said.
+“We have both served under him for two years on the Rhine, and had we
+been his brothers he could not have been more kind; but the work, ma
+foi, was tremendous. The soldiers may well say that the general is
+sleepless. Happily he does not expect us to go altogether without rest.
+Frequently he is away all night by himself in the saddle, sometimes
+he takes one or other of us with him, but at any rate we get a night's
+sleep by turns. Much as he has to worry him--what with the ignorance
+of some and the carelessness of others--I have never seen him out of
+temper; but then a reproof, however mildly spoken, by him, is more
+dreaded than a volley of abuse from any other general. He was telling us
+before he came out that you are already well up in drill, and in the use
+of arms.”
+
+“Yes; I have been brought up, I may say, in the Scottish regiment, and
+after my father's death the officers and men were all very kind to me,
+and I learnt my drill both as a soldier and an officer, to fence, use
+my pistols, and ride. The officers lent me books on military history and
+tactics.”
+
+“The viscount said you were wonderfully well read in such matters,” de
+Lisle said. “I own that beyond the campaigns that I have taken part in I
+have a very vague idea of such things. My time before I joined was taken
+up with learning the use of arms, equitation, and certain dry studies
+under an abbe. I wish now that instead of Latin I had learned something
+of military history; it seems to me that when one is intended for the
+army it is a good deal more important than Latin or theology.”
+
+“I fancy, de Lisle,” his companion said laughing, “that from what I know
+of you your objection was not so much to the course of study as to study
+altogether. I know that that was my case.”
+
+“Well, perhaps so; still, I might as well have been whipped into
+learning something useful, instead of something that, so far as I can
+see, will never be of any value whatever. Were you born over here,
+lieutenant?”
+
+“No, I was born in Scotland; but my father, who was a younger son, saw
+no chance of making his way by his sword at home. It was certain that
+James would never go to war, and as there was no regular army, there
+seemed no opening for a penniless cadet in England or Scotland, so he
+came over here and obtained a commission, and as soon as he did so sent
+for my mother and myself. She died two years later; he kept me with him.
+When he went on service I was left in the charge of a Huguenot family,
+and it was well that it was so, for otherwise I might have grown up
+unable to read or write. The last time that I saw him was before he rode
+to La Rochelle. After his death I was adopted by the regiment, for the
+good people I was with left Paris to join their friends in the south.
+Had it been otherwise I should have stayed with them. The good man would
+probably have brought me up to be, like himself, a minister, and I am
+afraid I should have made a very poor one.”
+
+The two young men laughed. “Just at present,” de Lisle said, “the two
+religions get on quietly together. The cardinal, churchman as he is,
+knows that if France is to be great religious enmities must cease, and
+that the wars of the last reign cost tens of thousands of lives, and
+drove great numbers of men to take refuge in Holland or England, to the
+benefit of those countries and our loss. Still, his successor, whoever
+he may be, may think more of party and less of France, and in that case
+you might have found your vocation of a Huguenot minister as full of
+danger as that of a soldier.”
+
+“It would have been much worse,” Hector said, “for it would not have
+been a question of fighting, but of being massacred. I know nothing of
+either religious disputes or of politics. In the regiment these things
+were never talked about, either among the men or the officers; all were
+for the king. But at the same time, as it seemed to them that it was the
+cardinal who had stopped the persecution of the Huguenots, and who had
+now gone to war with the Austrians to prevent the Protestant princes
+of Germany being altogether subjugated by the Imperialists, they felt
+grateful to him; for of course Scotchmen are all on the side of the
+princes, and nigh half the army of Gustavus Adolphus was composed of my
+countrymen.”
+
+“I do not suppose,” Chavigny laughed, “that the cardinal would have
+cared very much for the destruction of all the Protestant princes
+of Germany, had it not been that their ruin would make Austria more
+formidable than ever. As long as Gustavus lived and the Swedes were able
+to hold their own against the Imperialists, France troubled herself
+in no way in the matter; but when the Swedes were finally routed
+at Nordlingen, and it seemed that the Imperialists would triumph
+everywhere--for most of the Protestant princes were leaving the
+Confederacy and trying to make the best terms they could for
+themselves--Richelieu stepped in; and now we see France, which for the
+past hundred years has been trying to stamp out Protestantism, uniting
+with Protestant Holland and Sweden to uphold the Protestant princes of
+Germany, and this under the direction of a cardinal of the Church of
+Rome. And here are we riding behind a Huguenot general, who perhaps more
+than any other possesses the cardinal's confidence.”
+
+“It seems strange,” de Lisle said, “but it is assuredly good policy.
+While fighting Austria we are fighting Spain, for Austria and Spain are
+but two branches of one empire. Spain is our eternal enemy. True, she is
+not as formidable as she was. Henry of Navarre's triumph over the Guises
+half emancipated us from her influence. The English destroyed her
+naval power. Holland well nigh exhausted her treasury, and brought such
+discredit on her arms as she had never before suffered. Still, she and
+Austria combined dominate Europe, and it is on her account that we have
+taken the place of the Swedes and continued this war that has raged for
+so many years.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II: CHOOSING A LACKEY
+
+
+The policy of the great cardinal had for its objects the aggrandizement
+of France, as well as the weakening of the power of Austria. So long as
+the struggle between the Protestant princes and the Swedes against the
+Imperialists had been maintained with equal successes on both sides, he
+had been well content to see Germany watering its soil with the blood of
+its people. Nearly a third of the population had been swept away during
+the terrible war. Many hundreds of towns and villages had already
+disappeared, while large tracts of country lay uncultivated, and
+whichever party won a victory France gained by it. Her interest,
+however, lay with the Protestant confederation. So long as Germany was
+cut up into a number of small principalities, divided by religion and
+political animosity, she could count for little against a foreign enemy.
+
+France had for centuries suffered from the same cause. The families
+of Lorraine, Bouillon, Enghien, Burgundy, the Guises, Longueville, the
+Counts of Armagnac, and other powerful vassals of France, paid but a
+nominal allegiance to the crown, and were really independent princes.
+Louis XI had done much to break their power. Richelieu continued the
+work, and under him France for the first time became consolidated into
+a whole. Had he lived, the work would doubtless have been completed, but
+his death and that of the king postponed the work for years. The long
+regency, controlled by a minister possessing none of the courage and
+firmness of Richelieu, and personally obnoxious alike to the nobles and
+to the population of Paris, again threw the power into the hands of
+the great nobles, plunged France into civil strife, and the wars of the
+Fronde, like those of the Roses in England, so weakened the nobles that
+the crown under Louis XIV became absolutely dominant.
+
+Had Austria succeeded in crushing the Protestant princes, that empire,
+with all Germany under her control, would have become a power greatly
+superior in strength and population to France. It was principally to
+prevent this result that Richelieu after the battle of Nordlingen threw
+himself into the struggle, but his aim was also to carry the frontier of
+France up to the Rhine. Here the territories of the Dukes of Lorraine,
+and Bouillon Prince of Sedan, not only cut France off from the Rhine and
+the Moselle, but opened a door by which she could at any time be invaded
+from Germany. The Dukes of Lorraine had always borne themselves as
+independent princes, giving, indeed, a nominal allegiance to France, but
+as often allying themselves with German princes as with her. The Duc de
+Bouillon, on the north of Lorraine, and the Duke of Savoy, farther
+to the south, also regarded themselves as independent. The former, as
+Huguenots, had a strong leaning towards the Protestant Hollanders, and
+both were ready to furnish asylums to French nobles who had incurred the
+wrath of their kings or ministers.
+
+The Duc de Bouillon, father of Turenne, had fought bravely on the side
+of Henry of Navarre through the wars of the League. He died when the
+viscount was but ten years of age, and, his elder brother being but six
+years older, his mother became regent of the little state. After having
+greatly weakened the strength of the Huguenot nobles by the siege and
+capture of La Rochelle, which had long been the stronghold and bulwark
+of that religion, Richelieu obtained from the duchess a treaty by which
+she engaged to remain always attached to the interests of France, while
+the king undertook to protect the house of Bouillon. The Duke of Savoy
+was next compelled to hand over to France the town and province of
+Pignerol, and Richelieu then turned his attention to Lorraine. The
+reigning duke had entered into an alliance with Austria, and the
+invasion of his territory was therefore the first step by which France
+entered into the terrible struggle known as the Thirty Years' War.
+
+The duke had given Richelieu an excuse for hostilities. He had married
+his cousin, the nearest heir to the dukedom, but he treated her so badly
+that she fled to France and begged the protection of Louis XIII. This he
+gave her, a French army was at once set in motion against Lorraine, and
+it was in this struggle that Turenne had first fought under the French
+flag. He had always evinced the strongest predilection for the life of a
+soldier, and when he reached the age of fourteen, Richelieu being at the
+time engaged in breaking the power of the Huguenots and in the siege of
+La Rochelle, the boy's mother sent him to his uncle Maurice of Nassau,
+who at the death of his father had become the leader of the Dutch
+people. He was treated by his uncle in exactly the same way as other
+gentlemen volunteers, carried a musket, and performed all the duties of
+a private soldier.
+
+Six months later Prince Maurice died, and his brother, Henry Frederick,
+succeeded him in the government of the United Provinces. He at once
+promoted his nephew, and the latter speedily rose to the rank of captain
+of infantry. Here he was indefatigable in his duties, and unlike most
+young men of good family, who left the internal economy and discipline
+of their companies to subordinate officers, Turenne saw to everything
+himself. He drilled and instructed his soldiers, insisted not only upon
+strict military discipline, but on good manners and conduct in every
+particular. He won their respect and affection by his personal kindness,
+and denied himself almost the necessities of life in order to be able
+to add to their comforts. In the wars in the Netherlands there were few
+pitched battles, and the operations consisted almost entirely of the
+sieges of fortified towns or of measures for their relief.
+
+In all these Turenne took much more than his full share, paying
+attention not only to his own duties but to all that was being done,
+spending his whole time in the batteries and the trenches, and in
+learning all that was possible of war carried on under such conditions.
+In the winter, operations were always suspended, and Turenne spent his
+time in Paris, where his manner and conduct won for him the favour of
+all with who he came in contact. He had been severely brought up under
+a Calvinist tutor; his habits were simple, his tastes quiet and almost
+ascetic, and he cared little for the amusements of the brilliant and
+corrupt court. When the war with Lorraine broke out, Turenne at once
+sought for employment with the French army.
+
+He recognized that there was comparatively little to be done in the war
+of sieges in Holland, and longed to enter a wider field. His request was
+gladly granted, for the presence of the Duc de Bouillon's brother in the
+French army was in itself some guarantee of the duke's fidelity to
+his engagements with France, and Turenne was at once appointed to the
+colonelcy of a regiment. He devoted himself as assiduously to his work
+as he had done in Holland, and it was not long before his regiment
+gained the reputation of being the best disciplined in the king's
+service. He took part in a short expedition in 1630, but there was on
+that occasion no fighting, and he first saw real service under Marshal
+de la Force in 1634. After the siege of La Motte, the success of which
+was due to the storming of the breach by Turenne and his regiment, and
+for which exploit he was promoted to the rank of Marechal de Camp,
+a rank equivalent to that of major general, he took part in several
+sieges, until Lorraine was completely conquered and its duke driven to
+abdicate and retire to Austria.
+
+The battle of Nordlingen showed Richelieu that if France did not
+resolutely enter into the conflict the Austrians would become absolute
+masters of all Germany. He at once signed a treaty with the Swedes,
+agreeing to grant them large subsidies to carry on the war. By a similar
+treaty he promised subsidies and the province of Alsace to the Duke of
+Saxe-Weimar. He entered into an arrangement with the Dutch, who were to
+aid France to conquer Flanders, which was to be divided between the two
+powers; while the Dukes of Savoy, Parma, and Mantua agreed to undertake,
+in alliance with France, the invasion of Milan, and to receive in return
+a portion of the territory won from Spain. At the same time France
+declared war against Spain. It was to the army commanded by Cardinal
+de la Valette, which was to act with that of Saxe-Weimar against the
+Imperialists, that Turenne was attached.
+
+The campaign began unfavourably. The impetuosity of Saxe-Weimar, who
+hoped to recover his own principality, induced Valette to cross the
+Rhine; but he was forced to retire in all haste, and the army suffered
+terribly in the retreat. Turenne was in command of the advanced
+guard, and his courage and activity alone saved the army from complete
+destruction--seizing upon defiles, overthrowing the enemy who barred
+the passages, and enabling the army to recross the Rhine with numbers
+diminished only by sickness, fatigue, and hunger. At the siege of
+Saverne, Turenne led the French troops to the attack after three
+repulses, and succeeded in gaining a footing in the town, but received
+himself a very severe wound in the arm with a musket ball. During the
+following year several towns were captured but no decisive operations
+took place.
+
+In 1638, the Duke of Saxe-Weimar gained some great successes, defeated
+the Imperialists with heavy loss at Rheinfelden, and besieged Breisach,
+the key of southern Germany. The Imperialist army marched to relieve
+the place, but reinforcements were sent from France under the command
+of Turenne and Longueville. Three battles were fought and the Austrians
+driven off. After an assault by Turenne, Breisach capitulated, and
+all Alsace had now fallen into the hands of Saxe-Weimar. Having been
+promised Alsace he refused, as Richelieu desired, to hand over Breisach
+to France; but on the death of the duke in the following year, Richelieu
+bought over his lieutenants, the French flag waved over the towns of
+Alsace, and the Upper Rhine became the French frontier. Turenne returned
+to court, where he was received with enthusiasm, and was a short time
+afterwards ordered to Italy to assist De la Valette, who had been faring
+but badly there.
+
+Matters had not gone there as Richelieu had calculated. The Duke of
+Savoy remained true to his engagement with France, but he died in
+October, 1637. The Spaniards had captured Vercelli, and the emperor had
+bestowed the regency of the duchy on the Cardinal of Savoy and on Prince
+Thomas, brother-in-law of the duchess. These, supported by the Duke of
+Modena and the Governor of Milan, the Marquess of Leganez, declared that
+they were determined to protect the people against the French and to
+deliver the young duke from French domination. The duchess implored help
+from France, and la Valette advanced to her aid.
+
+While in Paris, Turenne had obtained from the cardinal permission to
+raise a regiment of dragoons and also that a company of dragoons should
+be attached to each regiment of cavalry. These troops were not intended
+to fight on horseback, but were, in fact, mounted infantry, an arm
+which, after being in disuse for many years, has lately been recognized
+as a very valuable one, possessing as it does the mobility of cavalry
+with the fighting power of infantry. It was at the head of this regiment
+that the general started for Italy. The position of affairs in Savoy was
+dark indeed, for the whole of Piedmont had risen against the duchess.
+Many considerable towns had been captured by the Spanish, others,
+including the city of Turin, had opened their gates to them, and with
+the exception of Susa, Carignano, Chivasso, Casale, and the citadel
+of Turin, the whole country was lost to her. The French forces were,
+however, too weak to take the offensive, and the ill health of La
+Valette deprived him of his former energy and rendered him unwilling
+to undertake any offensive movement. Nevertheless, Turenne's counsels
+infused a new spirit into the army, and indeed the news that the young
+general, whose name was already known throughout Europe, had arrived,
+and the belief that his coming would be followed by that of large
+reinforcements from France, at once reanimated the remaining supporters
+of the duchess and dispirited the Piedmontese, who began to fear that
+they had been too hasty in siding with Spain.
+
+But if, for the time, Turenne was not in a position to act in the field,
+he began at once to take steps to prepare to meet the coming storm.
+Early in October La Valette died. The general opinion was that Turenne
+would have succeeded to the command, but his brother the Duc de Bouillon
+had broken with Richelieu and joined the party opposed to him. When in
+Paris, the duke had been on terms of intimate friendship with the
+Count of Soissons and had invited him to stay with him at Sedan. The
+invitation had been declined, but the count, having been implicated in a
+plot against Richelieu, had been obliged to fly and had taken refuge at
+Sedan, where he had been most warmly received by the duke. Richelieu had
+at first invited, and then in the name of the king commanded, Bouillon
+to expel his guest. This the duke absolutely refused to do, and becoming
+deeply offended at the manner in which he was pressed, joined the party
+opposed to Richelieu.
+
+It was for this reason that the cardinal decided not to appoint Turenne
+to the command, knowing the warm affection that existed between the
+brothers, and fearing that Turenne might be influenced by Bouillon, and
+might, beloved as he was by the soldiers, lead many of the troops away
+from their allegiance were he to join the party opposed to him. He
+therefore appointed the Count d'Harcourt to the command. He had proved
+himself a brilliant officer on many occasions, and Turenne did not
+feel in any way aggrieved at his being placed over him. He made a rapid
+journey to Paris to arrange with the cardinal and d'Harcourt the general
+plan of the campaign, and was now setting out again to make preparations
+for it.
+
+Hector Campbell enjoyed the journey greatly. His duties were nominal;
+and the party always halted at towns, where the troops were billeted
+upon the inhabitants, and the viscount and his suite entertained by
+the authorities. After crossing the Alps, however, by the pass of Mount
+Cenis, and arriving at Susa, his work began in earnest. Turenne himself
+was almost entirely occupied in consultations with the duchess; his
+three aides-de-camp, however, were kept hard at work carrying messages
+to the governors of towns that still adhered to the duchess, with orders
+for the strengthening of the defences and for the collection of stores
+and provisions in case of siege. Each was provided with three horses,
+and almost lived in the saddle.
+
+“You seem to be tireless, Campbell,” de Lisle said, when it one day
+happened that all three were together at headquarters. “I feel as if I
+had not a whole bone in my body; as I have not had a whole night in bed
+for the last six days, I can hardly keep my eyes open, while you, who
+have been doing as much as we have, are going about as actively as if
+you had had nothing to do for a week.”
+
+“I have the advantage of riding so much lighter than you do,” Hector
+said; “weight tells both on horse and rider, and when the horse is tired
+his pace soon adds to the weariness of his rider. If we had had to do
+this work when we first left Paris, I have no doubt that I should have
+felt it, but the journey here has been a fine preparation. Another thing
+is, that every morning I take a dip in the first mountain stream I come
+to, and that does one almost as much good as a night's sleep.”
+
+De Lisle shivered. “It may do good, Campbell, but I would not jump into
+one of these icy streams for anything. It makes one shudder to think of
+it.”
+
+“I always had a swim in the Seine every morning when it was not closed
+by ice,” Hector said. “I was told that there was nothing braced one up
+and made one so hardy as that; and I certainly found that even in the
+coldest weather I never felt the need of a cloak.”
+
+“Well, I don't deny that it may be a good custom, and if all Scotchmen
+do it, it may account for their hardiness; but I like comfort when I can
+get it.”
+
+“But it is not comfort to be always in the saddle, and to feel so sleepy
+that you fancy that at any moment you may fall off. Even if a dip in
+snow water is, to those unaccustomed to it, somewhat sharp, it is better
+than having to struggle against sleep for hours.”
+
+“Well, possibly I may try the experiment some day when I feel that I
+must either lie down by the roadside and sleep or take a dip, but until
+I feel like breaking down altogether I shall postpone the experiment.”
+
+Turenne several times spoke approvingly to Hector. On one occasion,
+when the lad presented himself on being told that an aide-de-camp was
+required to carry a message, Turenne said to him: “But it is not your
+turn, Campbell; de Lisle and Chavigny both returned some hours ago,
+while it is not an hour since you came in.”
+
+“They are both asleep, general,” Campbell said; “they have been
+thirty-six hours in the saddle.”
+
+“But you have been more than that, Campbell?”
+
+“But I do not feel it, sir,” he said. “I am perfectly fresh and ready to
+go on. I was a little tired when I came in, but I have taken a swim in
+the river, and am now at your service.”
+
+Turenne hesitated. “You see, sir,” Hector went on, “being of light
+weight the horse does not feel it as he does that of a heavier man, his
+pace continues light and elastic, and his spirit good, and that makes
+all the difference to the fatigue of his rider. After two days' rest my
+horses are perfectly ready for another long day's work, while those of
+Chavigny and de Lisle start heavily, not having recovered from their
+fatigue.”
+
+“Very well, you can go then, Campbell. I am pleased with your spirit,
+and also with your thoughtfulness for your companions, who, although
+strong young men, do not seem to have your power of endurance. I find,
+too, that you always carry out your instructions with intelligence, and
+that your reports on matters touching which I have sent you to inquire
+are always clear and full. It may be that ere long I may find employment
+for you in which courage as well as intelligence is required. There is
+but one drawback, namely, that you do not speak Italian. I know that
+there are few officers in our service who do so; but it would be so much
+the more valuable were you able to master it.”
+
+“I had intended to study the language, general, as soon as I got here,
+but have had no time to begin it.”
+
+“That you certainly have not,” Turenne said with a smile.
+
+“Do you think that it would be of any use, sir, if I were to take a
+Savoyard servant? I find that many of them who come from places near the
+frontier speak French as well as their own language.”
+
+“That would be useful, certainly; but you would have to be careful in
+your choice, and see that you get one whose sympathies are with the
+duchess; not only for your own safety, but because a chance word heard
+here, or an order given and conveyed to the Spaniards, might involve the
+loss of a battle.”
+
+“I see that, general, and will be very careful.”
+
+Hector had formed the acquaintance of several young officers attached to
+the household of the duchess, and on the day following his return from
+his mission he was supping with a party of four of them when he said:
+
+“Can one of you gentlemen recommend a servant to me? He must be able
+to talk French as well as Italian. He must be active and intelligent. I
+should like him to be handy and accustomed to camp service, though this
+is not so important, for I want him as an interpreter before anything
+else. I should like him to be a lightweight, so as to be able to ride
+with me. He must be accustomed to fatigue, and he must have courage, for
+some of the journeys on which I may be sent will not be without danger,
+and of course he must be of the duchess's party.”
+
+“And I suppose,” one of the young men said, “that this Admirable
+Crichton of whom you are in search must be sober, honest, and truthful.
+Are you particular whether he is Huguenot or Catholic?”
+
+“As to the last, not a bit. I should like him to be as sober as soldiers
+in general are, and if he confined himself to taking his wine when I did
+not require him, it would not be very important, provided that he is
+not talkative when in liquor. As to his honesty, he would have no great
+temptation so far as I am concerned, but I certainly should not wish
+to lose him by his being strung up by the provost marshal for robbing
+citizens. As to his truthfulness, providing he did not lie to me, it is
+a point on which I should not be particular.”
+
+There was a general laugh.
+
+“And as to his age?” the officer asked.
+
+“If I could find all the qualifications that I require, I should not be
+particular about that; but I think that for choice I would take a lad of
+from sixteen to twenty.”
+
+“In that case I fancy that I know a lad who might suit you,” one of the
+other officers said. “He is a brother of my groom, and I may own that he
+has been of no little trouble to him. The boy is an orphan, and having
+no other friends so far as I know, he has attached himself to his
+brother, and for the past two years, wherever he has gone Paolo has gone
+too. He earns a little money by doing odd jobs--running messages, and so
+on, helps his brother to clean the horses; and with an occasional crown
+from me, and what he earns otherwise, it cannot be said that he costs
+his brother anything in money; but in other respects he is always
+getting him into trouble, for he is a very imp of mischief. Two or three
+times his brother has obtained places for him, but he always comes back
+at the end of a week, and sometimes sooner, with bitter complaints from
+his master that he has set the household in a turmoil with his tricks
+and ill conduct. Many a thrashing has he had, but they do him no good.”
+
+The others laughed.
+
+“There is no doubt that Paolo is a perfect young imp,” one of them said,
+“but he is as sharp as a needle. I have no doubt that if he could be
+tamed he would make a most useful lad. As it is, I certainly would not
+recommend anyone who cares for his peace of mind to have anything to do
+with him.”
+
+“I will see him anyhow,” Hector said. “I think that I would rather have
+a sharp boy than a man. Being but a boy myself, I could appreciate and
+put up with more in the way of mischief than a man could.”
+
+“I will tell my groom to bring him round to your quarters in the
+morning,” the officer said; “but mind, I in no way recommend your taking
+him. You won't keep him a week if you do.”
+
+The next morning Hector's orderly told him that a man desired to speak
+to him.
+
+“Has he a boy with him?”
+
+“Yes, lieutenant.”
+
+“Bring them in here, then.”
+
+In a minute a man entered, followed by a boy. The former was a good
+looking young Savoyard of some four- or five-and-twenty years; the
+latter was a lad of about the same height as Hector but somewhat older.
+He had black hair which fell over his forehead down to his eyebrows. His
+face bore an expression of extreme humility, which, however, was marred
+by the merry twinkle of his dark eyes.
+
+“My master has bid me bring my brother with me, Lieutenant Campbell,”
+ the man said, “and I have done so, but I fear greatly that he will
+hardly suit you as a servant. I have obtained a dozen places for him,
+but he is always sent back at the end of three or four days, and I told
+him last time that I would never say a word in his recommendation again,
+for that it only gets me into trouble with the gentlemen.”
+
+“Well, that is honest,” Hector said with a smile. “However, I will
+ask him a few questions. Now, Paolo, in the first place, could you be
+faithful?”
+
+“I could be faithful to a master I loved,” he said.
+
+“In the second place, are you honest?”
+
+“He is honest,” the man said, “I will say that for him.”
+
+“Are you truthful?”
+
+“I am as truthful as other people,” the boy said.
+
+“What do you mean by that?”
+
+“I mean, sir, that if I were asked a straightforward question I would
+give a straightforward answer, unless it were wiser not to do so. I
+would tell the truth to my master, but I do not consider it necessary
+always to do so to others. For instance, sir, if you were my master, and
+questions were asked about you, there might be times when it would not
+be convenient for you that I should mention where you had gone, or what
+you were doing.”
+
+“That is so,” Hector said with a laugh. “The important thing for me to
+know is, would you always tell me the truth?”
+
+“I think that I could promise to do that, sir, or at least to be very
+near the truth.”
+
+“You understand horses?”
+
+“I do, sir.”
+
+“And you can ride?”
+
+“Yes, sir, I can ride and run too. In a long day's journey I should get
+to the end on foot nearly as fast as you would on horseback.”
+
+“He can make himself useful on a campaign,” the brother said. “He has
+been with my master and myself in the field for the last three years,
+and knows his work well if he chooses to do it.”
+
+“The principal point with me is that which I first asked him about,
+can he be faithful? I may have to ride on dangerous missions for the
+general. I may have to enter an enemy's town to obtain information.
+There is another thing, being of the general's staff, and sometimes
+quartered in the same house with him and chatting freely with his other
+aides-de-camp, secrets might be picked up by a sharp pair of ears that
+if repeated would do grievous harm to the cause of the duchess, as you
+can well understand. Now, the question, Paolo, is, can you be absolutely
+trusted; can you, as to all matters you may hear, be as one who is deaf
+and dumb?”
+
+“I could, sir,” the boy said earnestly. “I am all for the duchess, and
+I hate the Spaniards. I once was found out in a bit of mischief in the
+palace, and should have been whipped for it and turned out of the town,
+but the duchess herself said that I was only a boy and forgave me, and I
+would do anything for her. I would indeed, sir, and I swear that I would
+be always honest and truthful with you. I should like you as a master.
+You don't speak to me as if I were dirt under your feet, and I am sure
+by your voice that you would be kind. Try me, sir; my brother will tell
+you that I have never said as much before to anyone to whom he has taken
+me, for indeed I never meant to stay with them, preferring my liberty,
+rough though my fare may sometimes be.”
+
+“I will try you, Paolo. I believe that you are in earnest, and that
+I can trust you; but mind, there must be no monkey tricks here. The
+general must not be disturbed by the antics of a servant boy. You are
+likely, in my service, to have as much excitement and adventure as you
+can wish for, and you must behave yourself, for if you do not do so
+you will be lucky if you escape with a flogging and being turned out of
+camp. I am younger than you are, and am just as fond of a piece of fun,
+but I know when it is good to enjoy one's self and when one must put
+aside boyish pranks. I have my duties to perform, and do them to the
+best of my power, and shall expect you to do the same.”
+
+“I will, sir,” the boy said respectfully. “I will give you no cause to
+complain of me, at least no wilful cause.”
+
+“Then that is settled. Here,” he said to the boy's brother, “are five
+pistoles; see that he is decently clad so as to make a fair appearance
+by my side. When he is so, let him return here. It were best that he
+should come this evening, for it is likely that I shall be away on duty
+tomorrow.”
+
+“He shall be here, sir,” he said, “and I thank you heartily for engaging
+him; and I do think that he means this time to behave himself.”
+
+“I do mean it,” the boy said. “You shall have no reason to complain of
+me, sir.”
+
+Shortly afterwards Hector met the officer who had spoken of the boy.
+
+“Well, have you thought anything more of young ne'er-do-well?”
+
+“I have engaged him.”
+
+“You have, after the warning I gave you? Well, I hope you will not have
+reason to repent it.”
+
+“I do not think that I shall. I can quite believe that he is a
+mischievous young varlet, he shows it in his face; but I am sure that he
+is shrewd, and I believe that he will be faithful. At any rate I think
+that we took to each other, and that he has made up his mind to try for
+once to stay in a place. He really seemed in earnest about it, and if
+he keeps to his promises I think that he will be just the sort of lad to
+suit me.”
+
+“Well, we shall see,” the officer said; “but if he turns out badly,
+please remember that I warned you against him.”
+
+“And if he turns out well,” Hector said with a laugh, “I shall not fail
+also to remind you of your prognostications.”
+
+That evening when Hector returned to his room after he had finished his
+meal, he found Paolo waiting outside his door. His appearance had so
+changed that he would not have known him. His hair had been cut short
+in the front and left long behind, as was the custom of the day, hanging
+down on to his collar. He was neat and tidy. He wore a dark blue doublet
+reaching to the hips, with a buff leather belt, in which was stuck a
+dagger. His leggings, fitting tightly down to the ankles, were of dark
+maroon cloth, and he wore short boots of tanned leather. A plain white
+collar, some four inches deep, was worn turned down over the neck of the
+doublet, and a yellow cloth cap, with a dark cock's feather, was stuck
+on one side of his head. In his hand he held a bundle containing a
+leather jerkin and breeches of the same material, and a pair of buff
+leather riding boots that would reach to the knee.
+
+“Your brother has laid out the money well, Paolo,” Hector said, as he
+opened the door and led the way into his room. “I do not think that I
+should have known you.”
+
+“I am quite sure that I should not have known myself, master, if I had
+looked into a horse trough and seen my reflection. It will be a long
+time before I shall be able to persuade myself that these clothes are
+my own, and that I really am an officer's lackey. Now, master, you must
+teach me my duties, of which I know nought when in a house like this,
+though I know well enough what they are when you are in the field.”
+
+“They are few enough at present, Paolo. Monsieur de Turenne's stablemen
+look after the horses of his staff. When I do not dine with him, I and
+my two friends, M. de Lisle and M. de Chavigny, dine and sup together
+at an inn. There is my room to keep tidy, my bed to make, my armour and
+arms to be polished, and my clothes to be brushed. Hitherto, my orderly
+has done these things, but it will now be your duty. As I do not eat in
+my rooms, it is clear that there is no food for you, and when we are in
+towns I shall give you money to pay for your meals at a cabaret.”
+
+“I hope, master, that you will soon find something more useful for me
+to do, for, in truth, I fear that with so much time on my hands I shall
+find it sorely difficult to comport myself as is due to your lackey.”
+
+“Do not fear, I have little doubt that you will soon find work enough
+and to spare, and indeed you will often ride with me.”
+
+Some few days later, the other two aides-de-camp being away, the
+viscount requested Hector to accompany him on a tour of inspection that
+might last two or three days. He was accompanied by his orderly and
+three other troopers, behind who rode two of his own lackeys with
+baskets of provisions. With them rode Paolo, Hector having asked the
+general if he should take him with him.
+
+“You may as well do so, Campbell, it will accustom him to his work. What
+made you choose so young a servant?” he asked, as he rode off.
+
+“He is a year older than I am, though perhaps not so tall. He is the
+brother of a man in the employment of Monsieur de Vevey. He has been
+through the last two campaigns. I find him very intelligent. He obeys
+my orders promptly, and as he is heart and soul in the cause of the
+duchess, I feel sure of his fidelity, especially as he has had a hard
+time of it up to now, and is, I think, grateful to me for taking him.
+He speaks French very well, and might certainly be of great use to me
+in any enterprise that your lordship might be good enough to entrust
+me with. Being about the same age, I think that we might perhaps go
+together unquestioned where a man would be unable to pass.”
+
+The viscount rode on for some minutes without speaking. “There is
+something in what you say, Campbell, and after this journey is over I
+may be able to employ you in that way when it is necessary to obtain
+information I can get in no other manner. Has he ridden with you
+before?”
+
+“Yes, sir, he has ridden behind me each time that I have been away since
+I engaged him. When I say behind me, he starts behind me, but when out
+of town I call him up beside me, and we talk, or rather try to talk,
+in Italian--or rather I should say in Piedmontese, for he tells me that
+each district of Italy has its own dialect, and that the natives of one
+can scarce understand the other. I have bought a book printed here and a
+dictionary, and of an evening when I have no duties to perform he comes
+into my room, and translates sentence by sentence as I read it to him. I
+learn it by heart, and hope that ere long I shall be able to make myself
+understood in it.”
+
+“You do well--very well,” the viscount said. “If all my young officers
+were to do the same, instead of spending the evening and half the night
+in drinking and gambling, things would go on much more smoothly, and
+there would not be so many blunders in carrying out my orders. You will
+greatly add to your usefulness by acquiring a knowledge of the language,
+and it would certainly enable you to carry out with far less danger such
+commissions as those you were just speaking of; for you might be asked a
+question, and if it were replied to by your lackey, suspicions would be
+at once aroused. You have ridden along this road before?”
+
+“Several times, sir.”
+
+“Have you noted the features of the country--I mean from a military
+point of view?”
+
+“I have nothing else to do as I ride along, sir. As I go I notice where
+an ambuscade might be laid, either by ourselves or an enemy, where we
+might expect to be opposed on our march forward, or where a rear guard
+might check an enemy were we retiring before him.”
+
+“Good! the fate of a battle depends in nine cases out of ten upon a
+knowledge of the ground, and in quickness in utilizing that knowledge.
+Our journey today is only taken for that purpose. I want to see for
+myself the country across which we shall at first operate, to inspect
+the various routes by which we might advance, or through which, if we
+find the enemy in too great a force to be encountered, we should be
+obliged to retire. As we go you shall point out to me the observations
+that you have made, and I shall be able to judge whether the spots are
+well chosen for the purpose.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III: THE FIRST BATTLE
+
+
+During the three days that were spent in reconnoitering the country
+Hector Campbell learnt more than he would have done in as many years
+under ordinary circumstances. Turenne took the greatest pains to point
+out to him how the nature of the ground could be taken advantage of, how
+flanks could be protected against attack by comparatively small bodies,
+occupying positions from which they could be with difficulty expelled;
+how important was the action of guns, especially when so placed as to
+be able to sweep the ground across which an enemy must advance in any
+endeavour to turn the position of an army. Turenne, on his part, took
+pleasure in instructing a pupil who was at once so eager to learn, and
+who showed himself so apt in profiting by his teaching.
+
+“You see,” he said, “I am concerned rather in defensive positions at
+present than in seeing how we could best turn an enemy barring our
+advance. Although the greater portion of the dominions of the duchess
+has fallen into the hands of the enemy, she is fortunate in that the few
+places that remain are those that at once enable her to make a defence
+with comparatively small forces; and at the same time, it is possible
+for her to receive aid from France, or, if absolutely necessary, for her
+to fall back across the Alps. Susa, her headquarters, lying at the mouth
+of the valley up which the road over Mount Cenis finds its way, at once
+guards the pass and keeps open communication with France.
+
+“It is, as it were, the handle of a fan, and can be approached by three
+main roads only,--those to Turin, Carignano, and Chivasso. Unfortunately
+Turin is in the enemy's hands, but as the duchess's troops still hold
+the citadel, an advance could not very well be made until that has
+fallen. Chivasso and Carignano are safe from any sudden attack. There
+are other minor roads, but so long as these towns are in our hands
+and held by strong garrisons, an enemy advancing by any of these roads
+towards Susa would be liable to have their communications cut, and their
+convoys captured by parties from these fortresses. It has long been a
+fixed idea in military operations that an army cannot advance as long
+as a town near the line of route is held by the enemy. That idea is an
+erroneous one, and several times upon the Rhine we have gained successes
+by neglecting this rule and disregarding the towns, contenting ourselves
+with leaving a force sufficient to keep the garrison in check.
+
+“The Spaniards, however, are slow to change their tactics, good soldiers
+as they are. The consequence is that, although greatly superior in
+force, last year they made no offensive movement against us. We have had
+several regiments join us since we arrived here, and although I believe
+the enemy's force to be twice as strong as our own, I have no doubt that
+the Count d'Harcourt will as soon as he arrives decide upon taking the
+offensive. You see our position here, guarded as it is on both flanks by
+the line of mountains, is as favourable for offence as defence, for we
+can advance either through Carignano on our right or Chivasso on our
+left; and however the enemy may dispose themselves they are vulnerable
+on one side or the other.”
+
+This anticipation was justified. D'Harcourt arrived three days later.
+A council of war was held, and it was decided that an advance should at
+once be made against the enemy. The main body of the Spanish troops were
+posted in a fortified camp at Villanova, halfway between Asti and Turin.
+Leaving only a small body of troops to guard the lower valley of
+Susa from an attack by the Spaniards at Turin, the army advanced
+to Carignano, and thence towards Villanova. The Spaniards, however,
+although nearly twice as strong as the French, were so much surprised
+at the boldness of this proceeding that instead of marching out to give
+battle they contented themselves with strengthening still further
+the defences of their camp, and in order to force them to come out
+d'Harcourt advanced to Chieri--called by the French Quiers--a town
+situated between Villanova and Turin, and about two leagues distant from
+each.
+
+Turenne was in command of the cavalry, and took post between Chieri and
+Villanova. The Spaniards, however, made no effort to relieve the town,
+which capitulated after a resistance of only two or three days. While
+the siege was proceeding, a large convoy of provisions succeeded,
+unmolested, in making its way to Casale, and thus placed the garrison
+there in a position to hold out for several weeks to come. But a very
+small store of provisions was found in Chieri, and the army was forced
+to fall back towards Carignano to obtain food from the stores collected
+there. The Marquis of Leganez, whose headquarters were at Asti, knowing
+that the French had sent all the stores they had brought with them to
+Casale, had foreseen that this would be the case, and advancing rapidly
+with the troops from Villanova seized Poirino, on the line by which the
+French would retire, while at the same time Prince Thomas, who commanded
+at Turin, advanced with the greater portion of his troops, and marched
+towards the little river Santina, intending to cross there. Thus the
+French army could not retire on Carignano without exposing both flanks
+to the attack of the enemy.
+
+During the short campaign Hector had ridden behind Turenne, and shared
+in the general disappointment of the army when the enemy refused to
+accept their offer of battle, and still more so when after the capture
+of Chieri it became necessary to retreat. His two fellow aides-de-camp
+loudly bewailed the bad fortune that thus obliged them to retire without
+having effected anything beyond the capture of an insignificant town,
+which, however, had the advantage of opening a way for them into the
+heart of the country then held by the enemy.
+
+“You seem to take it rather philosophically, Campbell,” de Lisle said to
+Hector, as he remained silent while they were bemoaning their fate.
+
+“I do not see that it is of any use taking it otherwise. At least we
+have had the satisfaction of bearding the Spaniards, who indeed seem
+to me to behave wisely in remaining in their intrenchments and waiting
+until they can unite all their forces against us. However, we have shown
+them that we are not afraid of them, and that even in the middle of
+November we are so eager to meet them that we have hastened to take the
+field and to strike a blow before winter sets in in earnest; but I think
+it possible that we may have a fight yet before we get back. Leganez
+has the reputation of being a good general, and he may yet combine his
+troops at Asti with those of Villanova and Turin and try to cut us off
+from Carignano.” At this moment Turenne suddenly entered the room.
+
+“To horse, gentlemen! News has come that Prince Thomas is marching at
+the head of three thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse to cut us off,
+and that Leganez is moving with all speed towards Poirino with the same
+object. Carry my orders for a thousand cavalry and as many infantry to
+be ready to march at once. We must be beforehand with Prince Thomas.”
+
+In ten minutes the cavalry and infantry selected were in movement, and
+Turenne, placing himself at the head of the former, rode on at a gallop,
+and keeping on at full speed with his cavalry, occupied the bridge
+before Prince Thomas came up. On his arrival, the latter, having with
+him three thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse, prepared to attack,
+but before he did so Turenne's infantry arrived. The Spaniards attacked
+with fury, but Turenne's troops stood firm and repulsed them, and as
+soon as they fell back charged in turn, broke the enemy, and drove them
+in headlong rout towards Turin. Prince Thomas himself was twice unhorsed
+and thrown into a ditch, but it was now almost dark, his rank was
+unrecognized, and he succeeded in making his escape and rejoining his
+scattered troops.
+
+While this fight was going on, d'Harcourt had attacked the Marquis of
+Leganez and gained a considerable advantage, but not knowing how the
+fight was going on at Santina did not venture to advance towards the
+Po. As soon, however, as a messenger from Turenne brought him news
+that Prince Thomas had been defeated he continued his march towards
+Carignano. He was speedily joined by Turenne's horse, which took up the
+duty of rear guard and checked the Spaniards, who were pressing on in
+hopes of attacking the French as they crossed the river. He held them at
+bay until d'Harcourt had got all his guns and baggage wagons across the
+river, and then, following him, broke down the bridge and joined him at
+Carignano. Here the army went into winter quarters.
+
+D'Harcourt, whose health was bad, retired to pass the winter at
+Pinerolo, leaving the command in the hands of Turenne, who again
+established himself at Susa, and began to make preparations for throwing
+a convoy of provisions into the citadel of Turin.
+
+During the fight at Santina Hector remained behind Turenne, while the
+two young Frenchmen, carried away by their ardour, joined in the hot
+pursuit of the enemy. The prince, who had led the charge, had halted.
+
+“Are you alone here, Monsieur Campbell?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Where are de Lisle and Chavigny?”
+
+“They rode on with the cavalry, sir.”
+
+Turenne frowned.
+
+“You have done well to remain. An aide-de-camp's place is to carry
+orders, not to fight. Now, sir, ride at once to the count. I hear his
+battle is still going on. Tell him that I have defeated and scattered
+the troops of the prince, and that as soon as I can gather my men I
+shall march to join him.”
+
+Hector bowed, turned his horse and galloped off, while the general rode
+on, sending every officer he overtook in search of the cavalry with
+orders that they were to abandon the pursuit and return instantly. That
+evening after they had entered Carignano he called de Lisle and Chavigny
+into his room.
+
+“Gentlemen,” he said, “you will have to choose whether you remain with
+me or join one of the cavalry regiments. If you remain with me, you must
+bear in mind in future that you are my aides-de-camp, and that your sole
+duty here is to carry my orders, and not to fight like troopers in a
+battle. It is through hotheadedness of this sort that battles are lost.
+A general, without officers to carry his orders, can do nothing towards
+controlling the movements of his troops in battle, of following up a
+victory or covering a defeat.”
+
+The two young officers hung their heads and murmured their excuses.
+
+“Enough, gentlemen,” Turenne said. “I am perfectly aware that it was
+your ardour that carried you away, but ardour is a bad leader. Over and
+over again the ardour of cavalry to pursue the troops they have defeated
+has brought about the loss of a battle. Courage is a virtue, and most
+soldiers possess it, but steadiness and coolness are rarer and more
+useful, and on the part of officers on a general's staff are absolutely
+indispensable. I doubt not that you will remember this in future, and
+that I shall not have reason to complain of you again.”
+
+The next morning it was Hector's turn to be in attendance on the
+general.
+
+“You behaved as I expected you would do,” Turenne said, when he entered
+his room on hearing the bell sound. “You fought close to me as long as
+there was fighting to be done, and I observed that you used your sword
+well. The moment I drew rein you did the same, and took up your post
+behind me, showing that although this was your first battle you retained
+your coolness. I will therefore tell you in confidence that Count
+d'Harcourt has enjoined me to throw provisions, if possible, into the
+citadel at Turin. It will take me some time to make arrangements, and my
+only fear is that the garrison, on hearing that we have retired across
+the Po--of which you may be sure the Spaniards will take care to inform
+them--may believe that we shall do no more this winter; and as we know
+that their provisions must be well nigh exhausted, they will abandon the
+citadel and march thither.
+
+“It is now well nigh eighteen months since they were first cut off. It
+is certain that their investment is a very close one, and that the most
+vigilant watch is used to prevent news of any kind from reaching them
+from the outside. We have made several efforts to communicate with them,
+but without success. Some of the messengers we sent never returned,
+and were, doubtless, detected and killed. Others came back and reported
+their failure, saying that every avenue to the citadel was so closely
+watched that it was impossible to get through.”
+
+“Have you any objection, general, to my mentioning this matter to
+my boy? I am absolutely convinced that he is thoroughly faithful and
+trustworthy.”
+
+“You may do so if you like, Campbell, though it is hardly likely that
+he will be able to suggest any method of communication with the garrison
+that has not already been tried.”
+
+“Thank you, sir.”
+
+The general shortly afterwards went out to wait upon the duchess; in two
+hours he returned, and as soon as he did so Hector entered his room.
+
+“What is it?” Turenne asked.
+
+“I have been thinking about what you said about the garrison of Turin.
+I have been talking it over with Paolo, and have come to offer to do my
+best to deliver a letter from you to the garrison if you will do me the
+great honour to entrust the mission to me. We both think that two boys
+would be much more likely to succeed than men. No one would regard them
+with suspicion; and they could creep and crawl more easily. I do not say
+that we should succeed, but I think that we should have some chance of
+doing so. At any rate I am willing to try.”
+
+“It would be a very dangerous expedition,” Turenne said gravely.
+
+“Not more dangerous than going into a battle, viscount. Not a quarter as
+dangerous as storming a breach.”
+
+Turenne smiled. “The idea has passed through my mind,” he said, “but I
+should not have proposed it had you not first spoken. It is the sort of
+mission in which I thought you could be made useful, but it is a rough
+adventure to begin with, and you must not minimize the danger. It is the
+duty of a soldier to run the risk of being killed in battle, but it
+lies beyond his duty to go into the enemy's camp to obtain news. He
+may volunteer for it, but with a knowledge that if detected he would
+assuredly be hanged.”
+
+“I do not think, general, that the risk of detection would be great,
+but the risk of failure would be so. If when we get there we can see no
+possible means of passing through the line of sentries, there would be
+nothing to do but to come back, and I own that in talking it over the
+thought that I might be obliged to return and to tell you that I had
+failed occupied a much larger portion of my thoughts than the risk of
+being detected.”
+
+“But I shall not expect you to succeed, Campbell; the chances are
+a hundred to one against it. I should be glad, however, to have the
+experiment tried once again, so that if the garrison capitulates before
+we arrive to its succour, I shall not be able to blame myself for not
+having made one more effort to induce them to hold out for another few
+weeks. Have you thought of your plans?”
+
+“Only so far, sir, that we shall dress up as two country boys, cross the
+Po, and enter the city from the other side. After that we must be guided
+by circumstances and trust to good luck. May I ask, general, if you have
+a plan of the city and fortress?”
+
+“Yes; at least the duchess has one, which she has placed at my disposal.
+I can send an officer to the palace to request her to let me have it.
+No doubt it would be a great advantage to you to study the position
+beforehand.”
+
+“Well, sir, we will see about getting our disguises at once.”
+
+“I will give you an order on the paymaster for a hundred crowns for
+special service,” Turenne said. “It is as well to be amply provided with
+money, as it may be necessary to buy fresh disguises or to bribe someone
+to conceal you;” and he drew an order on the treasury and handed it to
+Hector.
+
+“You will find the plan of the town in your room when you return.”
+
+Paolo was waiting for him.
+
+“It is settled, Paolo; we are to go.”
+
+“This is an adventure after my own heart,” the boy said with delight.
+“It will be great fun to outwit the Spaniards.”
+
+“Yes, but we must mind that they don't outwit us, Paolo, which is quite
+as likely. Now let us talk of our disguises again. I think you had
+better go and buy them. I would rather get old ones than new. I don't
+suppose that anyone is likely to take notice of me in the streets, but
+it would be well at any rate that we should not both have new clothes,
+and better that neither of us did so.”
+
+“I can manage that, sir. There are shops here where one can buy old
+clothes as well as new ones. I noticed one the other day in a narrow
+street by the wall. I wondered then who would buy some of the garments
+hung up. They were so old and so often mended that it was difficult to
+say what was the original colour. The people are very poor up in the
+mountains; since the war began, doubtless they have grown poorer, and
+are glad to buy anything that will cover them.”
+
+“Well, here are ten crowns.”
+
+“They won't cost half that, master, but I will take them.”
+
+“Mind and get something warm, Paolo; it is like enough that we shall
+have to sleep more than once in the open air, and the winds are bitterly
+cold.”
+
+In half an hour the officer came with the plan, which Hector at once set
+to to study. The citadel stood on ground but little, if at all, higher
+than that upon which the town was situated. It was pentagonal in form,
+and was built in 1565, and was the earliest fortification in Europe in
+this style, and was considered a masterpiece. It was separated from the
+town by its glacis. A deep fosse ran along the foot of the wall. The
+town itself was walled, and extended to the foot of the citadel, and
+was capable of offering a sturdy resistance even after the citadel had
+fallen, just as the citadel could protect itself after the capture of
+the town by an enemy. Hector examined carefully that portion of the town
+facing the citadel, and took notes of the streets that ran through to
+the walls, specially noting those which extended farthest from the wall
+before being broken by cross lanes.
+
+It was evident from the width of the streets that this was the poorest
+quarter of the town, for the wealthy would not care to build their
+houses in a position where, if the town and citadel were hostile to each
+other, they would be exposed to the fire of the latter's guns.
+
+In another half hour Paolo returned with a large bundle. It contained
+two coarse cotton shirts, two warm garments resembling waistcoats, and
+fastened by strings closing up to the neck, two red sashes of coarse
+flannel, and two loose doublets reaching down to the hips. These were
+worn and patched, but had been newly lined with sheepskin. The breeches,
+which reached down to the knee, were of coarse brown cloth; to cover the
+leg below the knee were bands of gray flannel which were wrapped round
+and round the leg and foot, while over these were worn wooden shoes. The
+hats were of conical shape with wide brims, and both, like the clothes,
+bore signs of long wear.
+
+“It could not have been better, Paolo,” Hector said as he examined them.
+“I have seen scores of boys so dressed, and we shall certainly attract
+no attention by our garb. They are warm, too, and we sha'n't come to any
+harm from sleeping out in them.”
+
+“They cost more than I expected, master, owing to the doublets being
+freshly lined, but I thought it would be worth it.”
+
+“Quite right! those sheepskins will be most useful. There is one thing
+more we shall want, a thin rope, that will bear our weight well, some
+twenty yards long. You had better go to a smith's and get him to make a
+strong iron hook, by which we can fix the rope on to the edge of a wall
+should it be needed. You had better have it made a good nine inches
+across the hook, and the shank fifteen inches long.”
+
+After again studying the map he took it to the general.
+
+“We have our disguises, sir, and shall be ready to start tomorrow
+morning.”
+
+“You have lost no time,” the general said approvingly. “You will, of
+course, ride to Chivasso. I will give you an order to the governor
+there, to take charge of your horses and clothes, telling him that you
+are about to proceed on a mission in disguise, and requesting him to
+send an officer to pass you through the outposts beyond the bridge
+across the Po, that is if the other side is not guarded by the Spanish
+troops. I should advise you to make straight south so as to strike the
+road from Casale two miles west of Turin. I do not like letting you go,
+lad, and yet I feel it is of such importance that the garrison should
+know that aid will be at hand before long, that I feel I ought not to
+prevent you from carrying out your enterprise. When do you think of
+starting?”
+
+“At eight in the morning, sir. If we do so we shall easily reach
+Chivasso before dark, and may be near Turin by morning.”
+
+“I will have my note for the commandant ready by the time your horses
+are at the door. I will make it as small as possible, and you had better
+before you start sew it up in the lining of your coat, so that if you
+are searched--which I own I do not think to be likely, unless in some
+other way you excite the suspicions of the Spaniards--it may not be
+found upon you.”
+
+“I think, sir, that I would rather make it into a little pellet which
+I can swallow. I fancy that if they were suspicious enough to search me
+they would rip all the linings open.”
+
+“That would be a better way certainly, Campbell; I see that you have
+thought the matter over thoroughly. Of course, you will take no arms
+with you.”
+
+“Nothing but a long knife each. Every peasant carries one, and it may be
+possible that we shall be compelled to silence a sentinel. If you would
+not mind, sir, I should like to have six copies of your letter to the
+commandant. I could manage to swallow six as well as one, and as it is
+not likely that I shall be able to enter the citadel it would be as well
+to give them a better chance of finding the letter if I have to try to
+shoot or throw it in.”
+
+“That shall be done; we will use the thinnest paper, so that if you have
+to swallow them you can do so without difficulty.”
+
+“If I find that I cannot by any possibility get my message in through
+the town, sir, I shall try to cross the river and so make my way in on
+that side.”
+
+“That would be even more dangerous than the other,” Turenne said. “On
+that side an even stricter watch is likely to be kept than on that
+facing the town, for the Spaniards know that the garrison is not strong
+enough to attempt any enterprise against the city, while it might at any
+moment attempt to break out and march away on the other side.
+
+“I own that I do not see myself how you can possibly succeed in either
+case, but assuredly there must be more chance on the side of the town.
+I have been thinking it over, and will order a troop of cavalry to
+ride with you to Chivasso, for the Spanish horse from time to time make
+forays from Turin, carry off prisoners, and burn villages. Until we are
+in a position to make a general advance it is impossible to check these
+attacks without keeping the whole of our cavalry massed near Turin, and
+wearing out horses and men by the necessity for perpetual vigilance. And
+now, goodbye; may fortune attend you! Do not be too rash. The letters
+shall be sent you in an hour's time.”
+
+As they issued out from Susa they found the troop of cavalry awaiting
+them. The officer in command was well known to Hector, and said:
+
+“So it is you that I am to escort to Chivasso, Monsieur Campbell?”
+
+“Yes; I am sorry to give you occasion for so much trouble.”
+
+“No trouble at all; we have not been in the saddle for the past week,
+and a ride to Chivasso will make a pleasant change. Besides, I have
+a brother in the garrison there, so that altogether I shall be your
+debtor. You see, we are not allowed to ride beyond St. Ambrogio, or
+Rivoli at farthest, for once beyond that, we should be liable to be
+caught by the enemy's scouting parties. Of course we have a strong force
+at Rivoli, but except to drive off small parties of the enemy who
+may venture to come up too close, they are forbidden to engage in any
+affairs. It is annoying, but one can understand that the general is
+anxious to avoid encounters in which the enemy is sure to be superior
+in force, until his reinforcements come up and we are able to take the
+field in earnest.”
+
+“I do not think we shall be otherwise than inferior in force even when
+our last regiment comes up,” Hector said. “What with Holland and the
+Rhine and the frontier of Spain, it is clear that the cardinal must have
+as much as he can do to enable all our commanders to make head against
+the enemy, and it is no secret that beyond one more regiment of cavalry
+that will arrive with Count d'Harcourt, no other reinforcements are
+likely to reach us for some time to come. But then, you see, we have
+Turenne as well as d'Harcourt, and each of them ought to count for two
+or three thousand men.”
+
+“Well, I would rather fight against long odds,” the officer said, “than
+be kept here month after month doing nothing. Here is winter coming on,
+and I suppose that will put a stop to everything.”
+
+“I should hardly think so,” Hector replied. “I am sure that the viscount
+is as eager for action as we are, and winter here is not the same thing
+as in Holland or on the Rhine. From what I hear there is very little
+snow in the plains; and as the country is generally flat, an army could
+march almost as easily as in summer, and in some respects they would be
+better off.”
+
+“How do you mean?”
+
+“I mean that in summer the barns would be all empty of food until filled
+again by the harvest, whereas in winter they would be all well stocked
+with forage for the cattle and horses.”
+
+“You are right, Monsieur Campbell. Certainly there should be nothing to
+prevent our operating through the winter, and I shall look forward even
+more eagerly than I did before for d'Harcourt's return. Will you come
+back with us tomorrow from Chivasso?”
+
+“That will depend upon circumstances. I think it is more probable that I
+shall not return to Susa for a few days; my orders are to report myself
+to the governor.”
+
+No bodies of the enemy's cavalry were met with on the way, and at four
+o'clock in the afternoon they rode into Chivasso. They alighted at the
+commandant's, and on stating that he was the bearer of a despatch from
+the general Hector was at once shown in. As he had more than once ridden
+there with despatches from Turenne, he was known to the officer.
+
+“We heard of the victory three days since,” the latter said, as Hector
+handed him the despatch, “and fired a salvo of guns in honour of it. An
+Italian deserter from the other side brought the news. The two generals
+were unwounded, I hope?”
+
+“Yes, colonel, and our losses were altogether slight.”
+
+The commandant opened the despatch. He looked a little surprised at
+its contents. “So you are going to endeavour to pass a message into
+the citadel. It is a difficult undertaking. The enemy's watch is a
+very vigilant one. Once or twice during the siege men have succeeded in
+swimming the Po and evading the enemy's guards, but of late these have
+been doubled, for it is thought that the garrison may attempt to break
+out. On the town side the firing has all but ceased; they know that the
+store of provisions is almost exhausted, and regard it as a waste of
+powder and shot to continue their cannonade, which only results in
+the citadel answering it, and that with very much more effect than the
+Spanish guns produce. May I ask if you have any plan of getting in?”
+
+“No, sir, we must decide upon that when we see how matters stand.”
+
+“Who is the we?” the colonel asked.
+
+“Myself and my servant, who is a very sharp and intelligent lad whom I
+can thoroughly trust. Alone I could do nothing, for I have only picked
+up a few phrases in Italian yet, and should be detected at once; so
+anything that has to be said must be said by him. May I ask, sir, if the
+enemy are in force on the other side of the bridge? if so, we must cross
+by swimming, either above or below it.”
+
+“No; there was a regiment there until three days ago, but they marched
+away, and no doubt formed a portion of Prince Thomas's force. They know
+well enough that although our garrison can hold the walls, we are not
+strong enough to undertake any enterprise.”
+
+“Then, sir, we have only to ask for an escort for a mile or so beyond
+the other side of the bridge, in case a company should have been left
+to watch the road. Beyond that we will dismount and proceed on foot. We
+will, if you please, put on our disguises here, with the exception of
+our hats, and perhaps you will lend us a couple of long cloaks, so that
+our appearance may not be noticed. Although we shall not start until
+after dark, it is as well to be upon the safe side. Maybe the enemy have
+spies in the town, and were it noticed that two young peasants rode out
+under the escort of a troop of cavalry news might be sent to Turin. In
+that case we might be arrested as soon as we entered the city. I should
+be obliged if you would give orders to the officer in command that one
+of the troopers should bring the horses, cloaks, and hats back here with
+him.”
+
+The governor rang a bell, and on an orderly entering said: “Tell Captain
+Sion to have his troop in readiness to start in an hour's time, in order
+to form an escort for one of Viscount Turenne's officers, and tell
+him that when he has the troop ready to start he is to come to me for
+detailed orders. I have said an hour, Monsieur Campbell,” he went on,
+after the orderly had left the room, “because, in the first place, it
+is not yet dark, and in the second, it will take some twenty minutes to
+prepare a meal. You will have a long night's work before you, and I dare
+say you have had nothing since you halted for breakfast.”
+
+“Thank you, colonel, I had not thought of it; but I should certainly
+have remembered it before tomorrow morning. We halted for breakfast at
+eleven, and if it had not been for your kind offer we should have had
+no chance of getting anything till we entered Turin, and even there the
+less we go into any cabarets the better.”
+
+“That is true. I have sent a message to the cook that twenty minutes is
+the utmost we can give for the preparation of a meal.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV: SUCCESS
+
+
+Although the governor apologized to Hector for the poorness of the
+repast and the haste with which it had been prepared, it was really
+excellent, consisting of soup, some fish fresh from the river, a cutlet,
+and an omelette, with a bottle of good wine of Asti. Paolo's wants had
+been attended to in the kitchen. It was six o'clock when they started.
+The officer in command had already received his instructions, and the
+governor accompanied Hector to the door, where two horses were standing
+saddled.
+
+“They are not your own,” he said, “but are two of mine. I thought that
+yours had made a sufficiently long journey today.”
+
+Thanking him for his kindness, Hector mounted, and took his place by
+the side of Captain Simon, while Paolo fell in with the orderlies riding
+close behind.
+
+“I presume, monsieur, that you are going to obtain some information for
+Viscount Turenne. I don't want to ask any questions as to the nature of
+your mission, but as I have orders to bring back with the horses your
+cloaks and hats, I presume that in the first place you are going on
+foot, and in the second, you are going in disguise.”
+
+“Your judgment is correct, captain. The viscount wishes to obtain
+certain information, and I am going to fetch it for him, if I can.”
+
+“I hope that you will be successful, sir. It is a good night for
+travelling, the stars are bright and the moon down, so that you will
+have light enough to keep the road, and time enough to step aside should
+you meet any party who might be inclined to question all passersby.”
+
+“Do you know the roads well about here?” Hector asked.
+
+“I was stationed in Turin before the enemy came with too great a force
+to be resisted.”
+
+“I want to strike across the country, and to come into the road from
+Turin to Casale at a distance of three or four miles from the city.”
+
+“A mile or so away a road branches off from this which keeps by the
+river. It is a mere country road, and except in two or three small
+villages that you will pass through, you are not likely to meet with
+anyone upon it. It is about eight miles to the main road from the point
+where you turn off, and you will then be five miles from Turin. It is
+just possible that you may meet patrols, but I should think it very
+unlikely; now that our army has gone into winter quarters at Carignano,
+they are not likely to be very vigilant.”
+
+As they rode along Hector related some of the incidents of the late
+battle. No signs of the enemy were met with, and the officer presently
+said, “I am sorry to say that this is the point where you leave us,
+monsieur. I wish it had been a little farther, so that I could hear more
+of the fight.”
+
+Hector and Paolo dismounted. Two troopers were called up and took charge
+of their horses, while the cloaks and hats were given to the officer's
+orderly, then the two lads put on the Savoyard hats they had carried
+under their cloaks. The officer took two packets from his holster.
+
+“The colonel bade me give this to you at starting,” he said. “He thought
+that after a long walk on foot you would want some slight refreshment
+before the inns were open in the morning.”
+
+“Will you please give him my hearty thanks for his thoughtfulness,”
+ Hector said, “and accept the same yourself for your courtesy in
+escorting me.”
+
+“Now we are fairly on our way, Paolo,” he went on as he turned down the
+lane, for it was little more; “this package is a bottle of wine, and the
+one that I have handed to you contains the eatables.”
+
+“That is good, master. We shall find it pretty cold before morning, and
+there is nothing like a good meal to warm one up again.”
+
+“Did you get the bow and arrows at Chivasso?”
+
+“Yes, sir. I went out and bought them as soon as we got there. I wanted
+them, I told the man, for a boy of ten years old, but all he had were a
+good deal too long, which I was glad of, for a child's bow would hardly
+have been strong enough, so I made him cut one down until it was not
+more than three feet long. That way I shall be able, as we agreed, to
+carry it under my doublet. Of course it will make me walk stiffly, and
+there will be no possibility of sitting down, but that matters not at
+all. It is all the stronger, and will send an arrow a good distance. I
+have got six arrows as you ordered me. They are regular arrows, but I
+made the man shorten them so as to suit the bow, and then repoint them.
+I have got them inside my doublet. I tied them together, made a hole in
+the lining under the arm, and put them in.”
+
+“You have not forgotten the cord, I hope, Paolo?”
+
+“Not I, master. I should have deserved having my ears cut off if I had
+done so.”
+
+They were in no hurry, and walked only fast enough to keep themselves
+warm. In two hours and a half they arrived at the main road and turned
+to the right. “Now we will go another couple of miles, Paolo, and then
+look out for a sleeping place. An empty barn or stable or a stack of
+fodder is what we want. We may as well sleep warm as cold. We shall not
+want to be moving on till seven o'clock.”
+
+After walking three miles they came upon a small village.
+
+“Do you stay here, master, I will go round and see if I can find a
+place. I am more accustomed to these villages than you are.”
+
+In five minutes he returned. “I have found a capital place,” he said.
+“It is a stable, but it is empty. No doubt the Spaniards have taken the
+horses, and are using them in their transport wagons.”
+
+“It is enough for us that the place is empty, Paolo.”
+
+The door stood ajar. They entered and closed it behind them, and they
+then felt about until they found a pile of rough fodder. They pulled
+some of this aside, lay down and covered themselves up with the stalks
+they had removed, and in three minutes were fast asleep, for they had
+had a long day's work. Hector slept until he was awakened by Paolo,
+who said, “The day is breaking, and the village will be astir in a few
+minutes.” The weather had changed, and as they stepped out fine flakes
+of snow were drifting through the air, and the ground was already
+whitened. They regained the road and walked along until they came to a
+wood.
+
+“We may as well wait here and breakfast, Paolo.” The parcel was opened
+and found to contain a cold capon and some bread, and on these and the
+wine they made a capital breakfast, each taking a long sip at the bottle
+to the health of the colonel. “The market people are beginning to come
+along, and we may as well buy something from them going in. If we
+have not something to sell it is not unlikely that we shall be asked
+questions.” It was now broad daylight, and they saw several peasants
+pass along the road, some with baskets, others driving a pig or a goat.
+
+“Either of these would do,” Hector said; “but we don't know where the
+market is, and it would never do to seem ignorant of that.” The snow had
+stopped suddenly some minutes before, and the sun was now shining.
+
+“That is lucky,” Hector said as they walked down towards the road, “we
+may hope that there will be no more snow and that the sun will soon melt
+what has fallen. It would be fatal to us if the ground were white, for
+the most careless sentry could not help seeing us upon it.”
+
+They reached the road just as a peasant came along. He was an old man,
+and was dragging behind him a pile of faggots, which were placed upon
+two rough poles. He was walking between these, holding two ends in his
+hands, while the others trailed along on the ground behind.
+
+“Bargain with him, Paolo.”
+
+“That is a heavy load, father,” the latter said.
+
+“Ay, it is heavy.”
+
+“How much do you expect to get for your faggots in the town?”
+
+“I shall get a crown,” the man said. “I would not take under, and they
+ought to be worth more than that now the snow has begun to fall.”
+
+“We are going into the town,” Paolo said. “We are younger than you,
+and between us we could drag it along easily. I have got a crown in my
+pocket to buy some things with. I don't mind giving it to you for your
+load. If I can sell the faggots for a few soldi over that we shall be
+able to buy something for ourselves.”
+
+“It is a bargain, lad,” the old man said. “I am getting old and the
+rheumatism is in my bones, and I shall be very glad to be spared the
+journey; so give me your money and take the poles. I hope you will be
+successful, and sell them a little higher. You had better ask a crown
+and a half. The women are sure to beat you down, but you will make ten
+or twelve soldi for yourselves.”
+
+Paolo handed the crown to the old man.
+
+“How had we better take this, Paolo?” Hector asked, as the old man,
+chuckling with satisfaction at having escaped a toilsome journey, turned
+to retrace his steps.
+
+“There is room for us both between the shafts,” Paolo said, “one behind
+the other. It would be much easier to walk holding both poles than for
+us both to take one, as in that way the weight will be balanced on each
+side of us.”
+
+There was indeed just room between the ends of the poles and the pile of
+brushwood for them to walk close behind each other, and as the greater
+portion of the weight rested on the other ends of the poles they did not
+find the burden a heavy one.
+
+“How are we going to sell these, Paolo?”
+
+“We shall have no difficulty in selling them, master. This frost will
+set every housewife on the lookout for wood, and you will find that we
+sha'n't have to go far before we are accosted.”
+
+It was two miles from the spot where they had bought the faggots to the
+gates of Turin.
+
+“I sha'n't be sorry to get rid of this load,” Hector said. “It is not
+the weight but the roughness of the poles. My hands are quite chafed by
+them.”
+
+“Loose your hold for a bit, master. My hands have been accustomed to
+rough work, and many a load of faggots have I drawn in my time.”
+
+“I will hold on, Paolo. It is not more than a quarter of a mile farther.
+My hands have done plenty of work, too, but it has been done with smooth
+handled weapons. It is well that they should become accustomed to harder
+work.”
+
+They passed without a question through the gate, and following the
+example of other vendors of wood, of whom they saw several, Paolo began
+to shout, “Large faggots for sale!”
+
+It was not long before a door opened and a woman beckoned him.
+
+“How much do you want for the whole?”
+
+“A crown and a half,” Paolo said.
+
+“I have been offered as many for a crown,” the woman replied.
+
+“Then, signora, you did wrong to refuse. It took two days' work to cut
+them, and we have dragged them here for miles. Two crowns would not pay
+for the labour. Not one scudo would I take under the price that I have
+named. Why, if the town is besieged these faggots would be worth twenty
+crowns before the winter is over.”
+
+“Well, I will give you the money,” the woman said. “It is extortionate.
+Generally I can buy them at half that price.”
+
+“I do not say no to that,” Paolo laughed, “but with two armies wanting
+firewood and cutting down the copses without even taking trouble to ask
+leave of their owners, I think that you will see firewood very scarce in
+the city before long.”
+
+“Well, carry it in and pile it in the yard.”
+
+This was soon done, the poles were thrown on to the top of the heap, and
+the boys went off along the street again.
+
+“We have made half a crown for ourselves,” Paolo laughed; “now we must
+decide how we shall spend it.”
+
+“It would be a good plan to spend some money anyhow,” Hector said.
+“What kind of things would you be likely to buy for your family in the
+country?”
+
+“Well, I should say a cooking pan to begin with, and a few yards of warm
+stuff for making my mother a skirt.”
+
+“Well, buy the cooking pan first and sling it across your shoulder, and
+then as we wander about we can look in the shops and it will seem as if
+we were on the search for articles that we had been told to purchase; it
+would be better than sauntering about without any apparent object.
+But first let us walk briskly towards the side of the town facing the
+citadel. The Strada Vecchia is the one that I want to examine first.”
+
+The knowledge that he had gained from the plan of the city enabled
+Hector to find the street without their having to ask any questions.
+
+“Now, buy your cooking pan at the next smith's shop you come to, and
+then we can go slowly along making our observations.”
+
+They soon found that the street they had entered was, for the most part,
+deserted by its inhabitants. The shops were all closed, the road was
+strewn with fallen chimneys and balconies, and here and there were
+yawning holes showing how severely the street had suffered when the
+artillery duel was going on between the guns on the walls and those
+of the citadel. A short distance down the street a chain was stretched
+across it, and here a musketeer was pacing up and down on guard. Two
+others could be seen at the farther end of the street, where there was
+a gateway in the wall, now closed up with sandbags piled thickly against
+it.
+
+“We will see if the other streets are similarly guarded.”
+
+This was found to be so, sentries being placed in every street running
+down to the wall in this quarter.
+
+“So far so good, Paolo. I do not think that matters could have been
+better for us. The next thing is to buy a tool with which we can wrench
+open a door or the shutter of a window; but a door will be best, because
+we could not work at a shutter without running the risk of being seen by
+a sentinel, while in a doorway we should be screened from observation.
+These houses in the Strada Vecchia are old, and the doors ought not to
+give us much trouble.”
+
+“Some of these old locks are very strong, master. I should think that
+it would be easier to cut out one of the panels than to force the door
+open.”
+
+“Possibly it would, but it is not an easy thing to get the saw to work.
+We should have to bore a hole large enough for the saw to go through
+before we could use it. However, we will buy both a saw and a crowbar;
+as they are both things that are useful to woodcutters, your buying them
+will not appear suspicious, nor will the purchase of an auger, but we
+had better get them at different shops.”
+
+Leaving that part of the town they re-entered the streets where business
+was being carried on as usual.
+
+“We won't buy the things until late in the afternoon, Paolo. There would
+be no advantage in dragging them about all day.”
+
+They sauntered about the streets for some hours, then Paolo went into a
+small baker's and bought two loaves of coarse bread. At another shop he
+purchased some cheese, and with these they sat down on a stone bench in
+the principal square and leisurely ate their food and looked on at the
+crowd, which consisted principally of soldiers, Spanish veterans, stiff
+in carriage and haughty in manner, together with others, horse and
+foot, belonging to the contingent of the Duke of Milan, an ally of the
+Spanish. Among these were townspeople, the younger ones chatting with
+each other or with ladies of their acquaintance; the middle aged and
+older men talking gravely together as they walked up and down.
+
+Among these there was an air of gloom and depression. The state of panic
+in which the troops of Prince Thomas, who had marched out confident
+that they were about to annihilate the French, had returned, and the
+knowledge that the Marquis of Leganez had also failed, had created a
+feeling of the deepest disquiet among that portion of the population who
+had taken a leading part in throwing off the authority of the duchess
+and in acknowledging that of Prince Thomas. They had regarded her cause
+as lost, but the vigorous steps that France was taking to assist her had
+caused uneasiness; and if, while as yet a comparatively small force had
+arrived, these had shown so bold a front, had captured Chieri in the
+face of a powerful army, had revictualled Casale, had defeated Prince
+Thomas and forced their way past the array of Leganez, it might well be
+that in the spring, when reinforcements reached them, they might even
+defeat the Spaniards and lay siege to Turin itself. The boys remained
+where they were until it began to grow dusk, when, after buying at
+three shops a saw, a crowbar, and an auger, they went and sat down on a
+doorway in a quiet street until eight o'clock. Then they took their way
+to the Strada Vecchia. It was entirely deserted. Lights showed in one
+or two of the windows, but, except that they could hear the tread of the
+nearest sentry, all was silent. Taking off their wooden shoes they moved
+cautiously along, keeping close to the houses. The fourth they came to
+had an unusually deep doorway, and they decided at once that this would
+suit their purpose. First they tried with the crowbar, but the lock held
+firmly.
+
+“We will try another way, Paolo. If the door yields, it will go with a
+crash, and the sentry might come down to see what had caused the noise.
+We had better take out this lower panel; we shall want four holes bored
+touching each other to make one large enough for the saw to enter.”
+
+The wood was of oak, and it took Paolo fully five minutes to make the
+holes.
+
+“Now give me the auger,” Hector said when it was found that the hole was
+large enough for the saw to pass through.
+
+“I will begin at the bottom of the panel while you saw away at the top.”
+
+Paolo had done his share by the time the holes along the bottom were
+ready for the saw.
+
+“Now you take the auger again,” Hector said. “We have not done half our
+work yet. The holes must be made on each side. There is no turning the
+saw.”
+
+It took them an hour and a half of hard work before the last cut was
+completed and the panel fell forward.
+
+“You go in first, Paolo. I will follow you, and will wedge the panel
+into its place again with some of the chips that the auger has cut out.
+No one has passed since we began, and if anyone did come along before
+morning he would not be likely to notice that the panel was gone. Still
+it is as well to avoid all risk.”
+
+As soon as the panel was replaced they mounted the stairs. Before
+beginning they had seen that there were no lights in any of the windows,
+and feeling sure that the house was deserted they groped their way
+upstairs without hesitation until they reached the attics in the sloping
+roof. They entered one of these facing the street, opened the casement,
+in which oiled paper took the place of glass, and stepped down on to
+the parapet. Their course was now easy. The divisions between the houses
+were marked by walls some six feet high extending from the edge of the
+parapet over the roof. They were able to climb these, however, without
+having to use their cord, one helping the other up and then being
+assisted by him. They had left the cooking pan and their tools, with
+the exception of the crowbar, behind them, and had fastened their wooden
+shoes round their necks. The sun during the day had melted the snow that
+had fallen in the morning, but light flakes were again beginning to come
+down fast.
+
+“I don't care how hard it snows as long as it keeps on,” Hector said in
+a low voice in answer to an exclamation from Paolo when the first flake
+fell upon his face. “The harder the better, for in that case no sentry
+could see us half a dozen paces away. There is another advantage. The
+wind is from the north, and we have only to keep the driving snow on our
+right cheeks to make our way straight to the fortress, whereas with an
+overcast sky on such a dark night as this we should very soon lose all
+idea of the direction that we were going in.”
+
+Being obliged to use great caution to avoid noise while getting over the
+walls, it took them half an hour to reach the end of the street. They
+had, while waiting before commencing their operations, twisted one of
+their sashes, and then wound it round the hook so thickly that this
+would fall almost noiselessly upon the ground. The snow prevented them
+from seeing six feet below them, but they felt sure that there must be
+a narrow lane between the house and the wall. They had during the day
+bought a length, equal to that of their rope, of strong string.
+
+“I have got it as you ordered it, master,” Paolo said as they came out
+of the shop, “but it would never bear our weight.”
+
+“I think it might do in case of necessity,” Hector said. “In fact, I am
+sure it would. It does not require a great thickness of new cord to hold
+a man's weight; but I don't want it for that.”
+
+Paolo walked silently along for some time, and then said: “If it is not
+wanted to carry our weight, master, I cannot think what it is wanted
+for.”
+
+“It is wanted to get the hook down with. You see when we get down into
+the street there would be little chance of getting the hook off its
+hold. We shall most likely want it again, and certainly we shall want
+the rope. I have been puzzling over it, and I think I have found a way
+at last. My idea is to fasten this thin rope to the point of the hook,
+then, on pulling upon it the point will rise until it gets level with
+the top of the wall on which it is fixed, and we can then shake it down
+without difficulty. I don't know whether it will act, but I think that
+it ought to do so; an upward pull at the point must, I should think,
+lift it as far as the edge.”
+
+
+“I should think that it must,” Paolo agreed. “I should never have
+thought of that.”
+
+“We will try it on this last division wall. I have no doubt about it
+myself, because even if it did not pull it quite to the top the thing
+would be so canted over that I think it would fall from its own weight.”
+
+They now attached the string to the point, fixed the hook to the top
+of the wall, and then pulled upon the string. The hook at once fell to
+their feet.
+
+“That is capital,” Hector said. “Now we can go to work. We need carry
+this crowbar no farther. In the first place we will cross this roof and
+other roofs as far as we can go; the sentry at the corner is probably
+standing up for shelter in a doorway, and we may as well get as far as
+we can from him, and at the same time not go far enough to get near the
+one at the next corner.”
+
+After one or two attempts the hook became fixed on the ridge of the
+roof, and they at once climbed up, unfastened the hook, and slid down on
+the now snow covered tiles. Two more roofs were crossed in the same
+way, and then they prepared to descend. They had, when they put on their
+disguises, tied knots in the rope at a distance of a foot apart. They
+now adjusted the hook on the parapet.
+
+“Shall I go first, master, or will you?”
+
+“I will go first, though in fact it matters little which of us does it;
+but first I must warm my fingers. I don't think that I could trust to
+them at present.”
+
+He gathered a handful of snow, made it into a ball, and held it in his
+hands until the cold pained him, then he dropped the snow and thrust his
+hands up the sleeves of his doublet. Paolo looked on in astonishment,
+but having great faith in his master imitated his example.
+
+“That is a curious way of warming the hands,” he said.
+
+“I daresay you have made snowballs in your time, Paolo, and if you have
+you will remember that, although it made your hands bitterly cold at
+first, after you had done they soon became almost as hot as fire.”
+
+“I do remember that, master, but I should never have thought of it as a
+way of warming our hands.”
+
+For a minute or two there was a sharp pain as the blood began to rush
+into the fingers, and when this passed off their hands were in a glow.
+Hector took the rope, lowered himself over the parapet, and then began
+to descend. When halfway down the darkness became more intense than
+before, and he knew that he was now below the level of the outer wall.
+When he reached the ground he shook the rope as a signal, and then,
+stretching his arms before him, crossed the lane. It was but a step, for
+the house stood but five feet back from the wall. He waited until Paolo
+joined him, then he drew on the thin rope and, to his satisfaction, he
+felt it yield.
+
+“Stand aside,” he said, “it is heavy enough to give one a nasty thump.”
+
+Paolo withdrew a few paces, then Hector gave another pull. The rope gave
+way at once. He flattened himself against the house, and the hook fell
+with a dull thud a foot or two away.
+
+“Coil up the rope, Paolo, and then feel along the wall to the right;
+don't go too far. I will go to the left, there may be some steps up to
+the rampart.”
+
+This proved to be the case, and together they made their way up quietly,
+but even had they had their shoes on, the snow was already sufficiently
+deep to deaden their footsteps. On reaching the top they stood silent
+for a minute or two. Presently they heard the sound of heavy stamping of
+feet. They turned at once to descend, if necessary, the steps they
+had mounted, then Hector put his hand upon the other's shoulder and
+whispered, “It is the sentry trying to warm his feet; no doubt he is
+standing up somewhere to shelter himself from the snow; let us go on at
+once.”
+
+They crossed the rampart, fastened the hook on the top of the wall, and
+descended, and were again successful in bringing the rope down after
+them.
+
+“Go carefully, Paolo; no doubt there is a moat somewhere here.” There
+was, however, no necessity for caution, for the white surface of the
+snow was soon broken by a black line.
+
+“It will be awfully cold,” Paolo said, with teeth that chattered at the
+prospect.
+
+“Of course you can swim, Paolo?”
+
+“Not very well, master.”
+
+“Then I will go first. You fasten the rope under your arms, and I will
+haul you across. Be sure you do not make a noise in getting into the
+water. But first of all take off your doublet, I will carry it and mine
+across on my head. It cannot be many yards across. The wind will soon
+dry the rest of our things, and once our work is done we can warm
+ourselves by running. I would say strip altogether, but we may have to
+do another swim; for, as we agreed, there is no chance of our being able
+to return by the way we came.”
+
+Fastening the two doublets on his head, Hector lowered himself into the
+water, which was three feet below the level on which they stood. He
+had fastened the rope across his shoulder. As he expected, he found the
+water out of his depth, and at once struck out to the opposite side. It
+was about forty feet across. He found, on reaching the other side, that
+the wall was there nearly five feet above the water. He undid the rope
+and threw up the hook. At the second attempt it caught, and he climbed
+the side, and then in a low voice told Paolo to start. Presently he
+heard a slight splash, followed by a gasp. He hauled away rapidly on the
+rope, and in a couple of minutes Paolo stood beside him, shivering and
+gasping.
+
+“Put your doublet on. Now let us go forward as fast as we can.” They
+climbed the steep slope to the top of the glacis, and then ran down
+until they were brought to a standstill by another moat.
+
+“This is the one marked in the plan as dividing the fortifications of
+the town from those of the citadel. Now we have another swim before
+us. It is wider than the last, but is really no distance. Give me your
+doublet again.”
+
+“I don't mind this so much,” Paolo said. “I cannot be colder than I am.”
+
+“Don't try to swim, Paolo; lie on your back, with your mouth just out of
+water. I will have you over in no time.”
+
+It was fully fifty yards across; but, accustomed to bathe in almost icy
+cold water, the swim was nothing to Hector, who was soon across, and
+who then towed Paolo over as before. They mounted another glacis, and
+presently reached the edge of a third moat.
+
+“We need go no farther. I know that this moat is but some fifteen yards
+from the foot of the fortifications. Now, get the arrows out. Cut off
+a foot or two of the thin cord, and unravel it. I must warm my fingers
+again first, I cannot use them at all.”
+
+“Mine are pretty cold, too.” And both lads warmed them as before. Paolo
+then set to work to string the bow, which required all his strength to
+accomplish. While he was doing so, Hector drew from his pouch the six
+little pellets, and taking the arrows, straightened out each pellet,
+wrapped it round an arrow, and secured it firmly with a small strand
+from the string. When he had done this, he took the bow from Paolo,
+fitted an arrow to the string, drew it with his full strength, and then,
+pointing the arrow high, loosed it. The six arrows were sent off. Just
+as the last was discharged there was a shout of “Who is there? Speak,
+or I fire!” It was a sentry on the wall, who had caught the sound of the
+twang of the bow.
+
+“I am a friend, a messenger from the French general,” Hector replied.
+“I have just shot six arrows into the fortress; a message is attached to
+each for the governor. Report to the officer, and have a search made for
+them in the morning.
+
+“That is a piece of good luck,” he went on as they turned away. “I
+thought of shouting, but we might have got a shot in reply, and I made
+sure that one or other of the arrows would be picked up. Still, this
+makes certain of it.”
+
+“I think I would rather stop out here until morning,” Paolo said, “then
+they will take me in. I am afraid I shall never get across the river.”
+
+“Nonsense! The water is low, and we are not likely to have to swim
+farther than we did in crossing the last moat. Getting through the part
+of the town between us and the river is a more serious matter. However,
+it is not very far across, and they are not likely to be very vigilant.”
+
+They turned to the right, and kept along at the edge of the moat, until
+Hector considered that they had made a fourth of the circuit of the
+walls, and were now facing the river. They had decided before that this
+would be the easiest side on which to leave the town. The sentinels
+would not expect that anyone attempting to enter or leave the citadel
+would try to do so here; as, in addition to passing the wall facing the
+fortress and that bordering the river, they would be obliged to swim
+the river itself. The snow was falling as quickly as ever, and the wind
+blowing fiercely.
+
+“There is no fear of their seeing us, unless we happen to run into the
+very arms of the sentry,” Hector said encouragingly; “we shall only have
+the moat to swim; and as, according to the plan, it is nothing like so
+wide as that we passed before, we shall have no trouble with it.”
+
+“Ah! here it is,” Paolo groaned.
+
+“Nonsense!” Hector said. “One cold bath more or less makes no difference
+now. There, give me your coat again, and I will take it over.”
+
+The moat was indeed but some twelve yards across, and in two or three
+minutes Paolo stood shivering on the other side.
+
+“The edge is not far from the wall, not much more than the breadth of
+the moat. Give me the cord.”
+
+A few steps and they reached the wall. After two attempts the hook
+caught, and Hector climbed up. He was looking back to watch Paolo when
+he was suddenly seized from behind, and a deep voice in Italian said,
+“If you move I will kill you. Who are you?”
+
+With a sudden effort Hector twisted himself round and seized the
+disengaged wrist of his opponent, which he doubted not held a dagger.
+The man loosened his hold of his doublet and tried to grasp his neck,
+but Hector in a moment leapt forward and threw his arm round the man's
+waist. They wrestled backwards and forwards, but the soldier was a
+powerful man, and Hector found that he could not long retain a grasp of
+his wrist. Suddenly he felt his antagonist collapse; the dagger dropped
+from his hand, the other arm relaxed its hold, and he fell a lifeless
+mass.
+
+“Thank you, Paolo. You were but just in time. The fellow was too strong
+for me. Now let us slip down the inside of the wall as quickly as
+possible.”
+
+A minute later they both stood at the foot of the wall, the hook was
+shaken off, and they proceeded along the wall until they came to a
+street.
+
+“It is not more than two or three hundred yards to the outer wall,”
+ Hector whispered.
+
+Whether there were sentinels or not in the street they knew not. If so,
+they had withdrawn themselves into deep doorways to avoid the blinding
+snow, and the wind drowned the slight sound made by their feet on the
+soft snow.
+
+In a short time they reached the outer wall, crept along it until they
+found the steps leading up, crossed it in safety, fixed their hook, and
+rapidly descended. A run of fifty yards brought them to the edge of the
+river bank.
+
+“We will try to find a boat,” Hector said. “There are sure to be some
+along here.”
+
+They walked across the dry bed of the river till they reached the
+water's edge, and then followed this. In a few minutes, to their
+delight, they came upon a boat. The bow was hauled a few feet out of
+water, and a rope, doubtless attached to a heavy stone anchor, stretched
+from its bows. This they cut, put their shoulders to the gunwale,
+and soon had her afloat. Then they scrambled in, put the oars out
+cautiously, and began to row. Both had had some practice at the
+exercise, and it was not long before the boat grounded on the opposite
+shore.
+
+“Pull it up a bit,” Hector said. “No doubt it belongs to some poor
+fisherman to whom its loss would be serious. Now we must keep along the
+bank for some distance, until quite sure that we are well beyond any
+patrols the enemy may have on the road. Let us get into a run, Paolo,
+and see if we can't get our blood in motion again, for I own that I feel
+half frozen.”
+
+They set off at a brisk trot, which they kept up for half an hour, and
+then they struck off from the river and soon found the road. Following
+this, after an hour's walking they came upon a little shed by the
+roadside, and in one corner found a pile of old sacks.
+
+“We are in luck again!” Hector exclaimed joyfully. “Tired as I am, I
+don't think that I could have slept in these wet clothes, if one can
+call them wet--at present they are frozen stiff. These sacks are the
+very thing. We can strip now and wring out our clothes thoroughly. There
+are enough sacks here to lay under us and cover us too. After wringing
+out the shirts we will put them in under the sacks next to us. The heat
+of our bodies will dry them to some extent, and they will be warm to
+put on in the morning. The other things we can pile over us. There is no
+chance of their getting dry; but I am so pleased with our success that I
+am not disposed to grumble at trifles.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V: THE RELIEF OF THE CITADEL
+
+
+As soon as the first gleam of daylight showed itself Hector and his
+companion were on their feet again.
+
+The operation of dressing was by no means a comfortable one, for the
+frost had set in in earnest during the night, and their clothes, with
+the exception of the shirts, were as stiff as boards. The snow had
+ceased and the sky was clear.
+
+“It is going to be a fine day, master,” Paolo said as they left the hut.
+
+“That is better than battling with a snowstorm such as that of yesterday
+evening. Come on, Paolo, let us trot for a bit. The snow is four inches
+deep, and we shall soon get warm running through it.”
+
+In a quarter of an hour they broke into a walk again, panting from their
+exertions.
+
+“I am as warm as a toast now, Paolo. There is a village half a mile
+ahead. I expect that lies on the road. The sun will be up before we get
+there, and no doubt we shall be able to get some hot spiced wine and
+some bread at a wineshop.”
+
+This turned out to be the case. They had settled what story to tell;
+and when the landlord asked what brought them there so early, Paolo said
+that they had been on the road a couple of hours, as they were going to
+see an aunt who was ill at Chivasso, and their father wanted them back
+again that night. The explanation satisfied the host and he asked no
+further questions, and in ten minutes they were on their way again,
+greatly warmed and comforted by their meal, and after walking for
+another hour and a half they arrived at the bridge of Chivasso. There
+was a strong guard at the bridge head, for at any moment the garrison
+of Turin, aided by a force from Leganez's army, might endeavour to carry
+the town by a sudden assault. The lads passed the bridge unquestioned,
+entered the gate of the town, and made their way to the commandant's
+house.
+
+“What do you want?” the sentry at the door asked as they came up.
+
+The regiment was French, and Hector answered at once:
+
+“We want to see the governor, we have important news for him.”
+
+The soldier was greatly surprised, for he had not expected his question
+to be understood by these peasant boys.
+
+“Sergeant,” he called out, “here are two peasant boys who speak French.
+They want to see the governor, and say that they have news of importance
+to give him.”
+
+A sergeant came out.
+
+“Sergeant,” Hector went on quietly, “you will please tell the governor
+that the two persons he sent out under an escort the evening before
+last, wish to see him.”
+
+By the tone of assurance in which the lad spoke, rather than by his
+words, the sergeant saw that there was something more than appeared
+on the surface, and at once took up the message. He returned almost
+immediately. “Please to follow me,” he said, and led the way up to the
+governor's room.
+
+“Welcome back again, Monsieur Campbell! You have returned sooner than I
+expected. You found, of course, that the difficulties were insuperable?”
+
+“On the contrary, sir, we have been successful, and have communicated
+with the garrison of the citadel.”
+
+“You have!” the governor exclaimed in astonishment. “How on earth
+did you manage it? I heard that the watch was so strict that it was
+absolutely impossible for a message to be sent through.”
+
+“It was not very difficult after all, and we were greatly favoured by
+the snowstorm.” He then gave an account of how they had managed it.
+
+“Pardieu!” he exclaimed, “that was admirably done; but I am keeping you
+talking while you are sitting in your wet clothes.”
+
+“I think they are quite dry now, sir; and we have walked so fast that
+we are both thoroughly warm. Still, I own that I shall not be sorry to
+change them for my own.”
+
+The governor rose and opened the door. “Your clothes are all hanging up
+in that closet. I will have some hot water sent up at once. I shall
+be breakfasting in half an hour, so you will have time to change
+comfortably.”
+
+Hector was even more glad of a thorough wash than of a change of
+clothes, and went down to join the governor at breakfast, feeling
+greatly refreshed.
+
+“Shall I wait on you, master?”
+
+“No, it is not necessary, Paolo; you had better go into the kitchen at
+once. I have no doubt the governor has ordered them to attend to your
+wants as he did before.”
+
+Four other officers had just arrived on the invitation of the governor
+to breakfast; one of these was the captain who had commanded the escort.
+
+“Gentlemen,” the commandant said, “let me introduce to you Monsieur
+Campbell, a lieutenant on the staff of Viscount Turenne. He has just
+returned after having successfully carried out a most dangerous and
+difficult mission, namely, that of communicating with the garrison of
+Turin.”
+
+The officers gave an exclamation of surprise, while Captain Simon
+stepped forward and shook hands warmly with Hector.
+
+“You did not tell me exactly what you were going to do,” he said. “I
+thought that it was to see some of the duchess's adherents in Turin, but
+I never dreamt that you were going to attempt to communicate with the
+citadel. Had I known that, I certainly should not have expected to see
+you again, for from what we have heard it is next to impossible to get
+through the enemy's lines.”
+
+“We will not trouble Monsieur Campbell until he has finished his
+breakfast,” the commandant said. “He has already told me briefly how he
+managed, but I shall be as glad as you will to have the details.”
+
+Accordingly, after breakfast Hector related at much greater length the
+story that he had told the governor of the manner in which the mission
+had been carried out.
+
+“Ma foi!” the colonel said, “I would rather have faced a battery than
+swum those moats in such weather. Well, gentlemen, I think that you will
+agree with me that Monsieur de Turenne is fortunate in having so brave
+and enterprising an officer on his staff.”
+
+The officers cordially assented.
+
+“I wonder that you did not enter the citadel and stay there till the
+convoy arrived.”
+
+“In the first place, colonel, I had received no orders to do so, and the
+general might require me for other service. And in the second place, had
+I not returned he would not have known whether his message had reached
+the garrison, and so might have hurried on his preparations more hastily
+than he otherwise would have done, and might, in his fear that the
+garrison would surrender, have made the attempt before he had collected
+sufficient food to last them until he was in a position to raise the
+siege.”
+
+“Your reasons are good ones; but certainly, with shelter and warmth
+close at hand--for the sentry would speedily have passed the word along,
+and as soon as it was ascertained that you were indeed a French officer,
+and alone, the gates would have been opened for you--it must have
+required no small effort to turn away and to face the danger of passing
+the sentries and scaling the walls, of possibly having to swim the Po,
+and of certainly having no chance of getting a change of clothes until
+you arrived here, for you could not have calculated upon finding the
+shed, much less those sacks, with the snow falling heavily.”
+
+“That was a piece of good fortune, indeed. If we had not found it, we
+should have gone on walking until we got here. Still, we had had little
+sleep the night before, and were heartily glad that we had no farther to
+go. And now, sir, with your permission we will start for Susa at once.”
+
+“Your escort returned yesterday, but I will send a troop of cavalry with
+you.”
+
+“Thank you, sir, but I do not think that there is any necessity for it.
+We are very well mounted, and should we see any party of the enemy's
+cavalry I think that we ought to be able to outdistance them. I shall
+be glad, colonel, if you and your officers will say nothing about the
+manner in which I communicated with the garrison, as doubtless the enemy
+have spies here; and if the story comes out and reaches the ears of the
+authorities at Turin, I should have no chance whatever of making my
+way in, in the same manner, should the general entrust me with another
+mission to communicate with the citadel.”
+
+A quarter of an hour later Hector and Paolo mounted and rode out of the
+town. They kept a vigilant lookout, and traveled by byroads, but they
+saw none of the enemy's parties, and reached Susa late that afternoon.
+On sending in his name to Turenne, Hector was at once shown into his
+room.
+
+“I did not expect you back for another three or four days, Campbell,”
+ the general said, “and I am heartily glad to see you again safe and
+sound. I blamed myself for letting you go. Of course, as I expected, you
+found the task an altogether impossible one. Had it been otherwise you
+would not have been back so soon.”
+
+“On the contrary, general, for I should have tried many plans before I
+gave it up. As it is, I have only to report that I have carried out your
+instructions, and that your despatches are in the hands of the garrison
+of the citadel.”
+
+“You do not say so!” Turenne said, rising from the table at which he had
+been sitting writing when Hector entered, and shaking him warmly by the
+hand. “I congratulate both you and myself on your having performed a
+mission that seemed well nigh hopeless. But by what miracle did you
+succeed in passing through the enemy's lines? All who have tried it
+before have either died in the attempt or have returned to tell me that
+it was an absolutely impossible one.”
+
+“It would have been very difficult, general, had not the weather
+favoured us. The snowstorm drove the sentries into shelter, and even
+had they remained at their posts they could not have seen us five yards
+away.”
+
+“No, I can understand that once beyond the wall you might in such a
+storm make your way unnoticed up to the fortress; but I understood that
+not only were there guards on the walls and down near the great moat,
+but that there were also sentries in all the streets leading to the
+walls, and that none were allowed to pass along those leading to the
+walls facing the citadel. Tell me how you managed it.”
+
+“The story is a long one, sir.”
+
+“Never mind how long it is; give me all details. I am not particularly
+busy at present, and I would fain know exactly how this feat has been
+accomplished.”
+
+Hector told his story at length. Beyond asking a question now and then,
+Turenne remained silent until he had brought it to a conclusion.
+
+“I have never heard a story that interested me more,” he said, “and I do
+not know which to admire more, your ingenuity in planning this affair or
+the hardihood and courage with which you carried it out. Even had there
+been no enemy to get through, the adventure of letting yourself down by
+a rope from the housetop and then from the battlements, swimming three
+moats, crossing the river in such terrible weather, and finally making
+your way to Chivasso in your frozen clothes, is no slight feat of
+endurance. The service that you have rendered is a great one, the manner
+in which you have carried it out is worthy of the highest praise, and I
+shall at once make out your commission as captain. You are still a year
+behind me,” he added with a smile, “but if you go on in this way, you
+bid fair to obtain a regiment as soon as I did. You have nearly four
+years to do it in. Tomorrow you will dictate your story in full to
+my secretary. I shall be sending a messenger with despatches on the
+following day. I shall mention that I have promoted you to the rank of
+captain, and that the story of the action that you have performed, which
+I shall inclose, will fully explain my reason for so speedily advancing
+you. No, I require no thanks; you have to thank yourself only. I may
+consider that you have not only done me but the state a service. Your
+servant deserves a reward also. Here are twenty pistoles; tell him
+not to throw them away, but to lay them by where some day they will be
+useful to him.”
+
+Paolo was astonished indeed when Hector handed him the general's
+present. He could at first hardly believe that it was meant for him.
+
+“Why, master,” he said, “it would buy me a farm up in the hills!”
+
+“Not a very large one, Paolo, but I daresay that you will add to it;
+still, this is a good beginning, and some more opportunities may come in
+your way.”
+
+“What shall I do with them, master?”
+
+“That I cannot say. Certainly you cannot carry them about with you. Do
+you know anyone to whom you could entrust them?”
+
+Paolo shook his head. “There is never any knowing who is an honest man
+and who is not,” he said. “I will bury them, master.”
+
+“But somebody might find them.”
+
+“No fear of that, sir. I will go a bit up the valley and bury them under
+a big rock well above the river, so that it will not be reached in the
+highest floods. They might lie there a hundred years without anyone
+finding them, even if every soul in Susa knew that they were hidden
+somewhere and went out to search for them.”
+
+“Very well; but be sure you take notice of the exact position of the
+stone, or you may not be able to find it again yourself. One big stone
+is a good deal like another. Choose a stone with a tree growing near it,
+and make a cross with your knife on the bark. That will serve as a guide
+to you, and you would recognize the stone by it even if you could not
+find it in any other way.”
+
+“Thank you, master. I will go out tomorrow morning and choose my stone,
+and then when it begins to get dark I will go out and bury my money
+there. It would not do to hide it in the daytime, for even were there no
+one on the road someone upon the hills might catch sight of me and come
+down afterwards to see what I was disposing of.”
+
+“Well, I think that that is the best thing that you can do, Paolo. There
+is certainly a danger in leaving it in anyone's hands, for when you
+return to claim it, perhaps some years hence, you might find that he was
+dead, or the place might be captured and burned down. Yes, I think
+that hiding it is the safest way. You will be pleased to hear that the
+general has given me a commission as captain.”
+
+“That is good news, indeed,” the boy said. “I was just going to ask,
+master, what he had done for you, because, though I went with you, it
+was you who planned the business, and I only did as you told me.”
+
+“You had something to do with the planning, too, Paolo. However, I
+think that we may both feel well content with the rewards that we have
+obtained for two days' work.”
+
+As Hector went out he met de Lisle and Chavigny.
+
+“Well met!” the former exclaimed. “We have just left the general, and
+he has told us what you have done, and that he has made you a captain
+in consequence. We were just coming to look for you to carry you off to
+supper in honour of your promotion.”
+
+“You deserve it, if anyone ever did, there is no doubt of that,”
+ Chavigny said heartily. “We are quite proud of our comrade.”
+
+“It seems absurd that I should be a captain.”
+
+“Not absurd at all,” Chavigny said. “Turenne was a captain when he was a
+year younger than you are, and there is many a noble who has been made a
+colonel before he ever drew sword in battle.”
+
+Hector was much pleased at the evidently genuine congratulations of
+his companions. He had indeed rather feared that they would take his
+promotion ill; being nearly five years his senior, and having served in
+two previous campaigns, they might well feel hurt at his being promoted
+while they still remained only lieutenants. The young nobles indeed felt
+no shade of jealousy. It was but of late that there had been a regular
+army, for the nobles still brought their tenants and retainers to the
+field and supported them at their own expense.
+
+To de Lisle and Chavigny these grades of military rank were of no
+account whatever. The rank of colonel would add in no way to their
+position as members of noble families. They fought for honour, and
+against the enemies of France. They were always addressed by their
+family name, and would both have resented being called lieutenant.
+They were proud of being Turenne's aides-de-camp, but had no thought of
+remaining in the army after the war was over, as they would then resume
+their place at court. They had both taken a strong liking to their young
+comrade, whose manner of thought differed so widely from their own. They
+appreciated the merits of the action of which their general had spoken
+in such warm terms, and the fact that in point of military rank he was
+now above them concerned them in no way. It was a merry supper at the
+best hotel in Susa.
+
+“You see now, de Lisle,” Chavigny said, “the advantage of taking a
+morning dip in snow water. Neither you nor I would have swum across
+those moats, and remained all night long in our wet clothes, for a
+thousand crowns.”
+
+“No, no, nor for five thousand,” the other laughed. “Pass me the wine;
+it makes me shiver to think of it. I fancy we may as well admit at once
+that if the mission had been entrusted to us, we should have made a mess
+of it. We should have been shot by the guards in the first street we
+entered. As to climbing along the roofs of houses till we had passed the
+first line of sentinels, the idea would never have entered our heads.
+Of course we might have disguised ourselves, and might have got into
+the town by harnessing ourselves to a load of faggots, but once there we
+should have had no more chance of getting into the fortress than if we
+had at once proclaimed ourselves French officers, and had requested a
+pass into the citadel.”
+
+For the next ten days every effort was made to obtain carts and pack
+horses from the villages round Susa, and a number of wagons filled with
+provisions were brought from Carignano, where the principal supplies for
+the army had been collected. On the fourteenth day all was ready, and
+late in the afternoon the convoy, with fifteen hundred men from Susa,
+and four pieces of artillery, marched out. At the same hour the force
+at Carignano, six thousand strong, leaving only a small body to garrison
+the city, started for Turin along the farther bank of the Po, and just
+as day broke a heavy cannonade was opened by them against one of the
+city gates.
+
+Astonished and alarmed, the troops in the city flew to arms, and hurried
+to repulse the attack. A quarter of an hour later the dim light of
+the morning showed the astonished sentries at the end of the town
+surrounding the citadel a considerable force advancing to the attack of
+the gate there, opposite which, at a distance of two hundred yards, four
+cannon were placed, and scarcely had they made out the enemy when
+these opened fire. A few rounds and the gate was in splinters, and the
+infantry rushed forward. The sentries on the walls took to flight, and
+the assailants pushed forward to the inner gate. Access was obtained
+from that side to the citadel, and then, under the direction of their
+officers, the assailants occupied all the side streets. At once the
+procession of carts was allowed to pass along. Some of the garrison
+ran down and lowered the drawbridge across the moat, and amid exultant
+shouts a store sufficient for many months was conveyed into the citadel.
+The carts as quickly as they were unloaded returned through the gates
+and passed out into the country beyond. By this time a fierce fight
+had begun. As soon as the firing was heard opposite the citadel, Prince
+Thomas and his military advisers guessed at once that the attack had
+been but a feint, made with the object of effecting the relief of the
+citadel, and calling several regiments to follow them they hastened in
+that direction. On their way they met the fugitives, and hurried on with
+all speed. As they approached the street through which the wagons were
+passing out, they were checked by a heavy fire. The four guns had been
+placed in pairs at the end of the streets, and the houses near them
+filled with troops who kept up a murderous fire from the windows, on the
+head of the columns, and held them completely in check until the last
+wagon had been taken out. Then the cannon were removed, and when these
+too were fairly outside the city, a bugle call summoned the defenders of
+the houses, and the infuriated Italians and Spaniards, when they rushed
+down into the street between the gates, found that the last of their
+foes had escaped them. The artillerymen ran up to the walls, only to
+find that the guns had been spiked, and they were powerless to inflict
+any serious damage upon the retiring force.
+
+Prince Thomas ordered a sally, but at this moment a regiment of cavalry
+from Chivasso was seen dashing across the plain, and being without
+artillery or cavalry the order was countermanded. Indeed, the prolonged
+roll of artillery at the other end of the city seemed to show that the
+French were converting their feigned attack into a real one. Turenne
+had himself accompanied the column from Carignano, for he knew that the
+sound of firing might bring up Leganez from Asti, and that he might
+find his retreat to Carignano intercepted. The moment, however, that the
+sound of four guns at equal intervals showed that the other column
+had achieved its object, he at once fell back, his fire ceasing a few
+minutes before Prince Thomas and his horse arrived at the walls. He had
+not been accompanied by Hector, who was with the force from Susa.
+
+“You carried my message to the garrison,” he said, “and it is but right
+that you should have the honour of leading the party to its relief.”
+
+On arriving near the city Hector had dismounted, and, giving his horse
+in charge of Paolo, had placed himself at the head of the company that
+was first to enter the town, its captain being transferred to another
+company.
+
+“Now, men,” he said, as they stood waiting for the dawn to break, “the
+moment we enter the gates half the company will mount the wall to the
+right, the other half to the left, and each will push along to the next
+angle of the wall. Lieutenants, one of you will go with each wing of the
+company, and you will oppose to the last any force that may march along
+the rampart to attack you. I want one soldier to keep by me.”
+
+As day began to break, each man grasped his firelock and awaited the
+signal with impatience. A cheer broke from them as the four cannon
+roared out at the same moment, and at so short a distance that every
+shot told on the gate. Another salvo and both halves of the gate were
+splintered.
+
+“Aim at the centre where the lock is,” an officer shouted.
+
+“Get ready, men,” Hector said. “Another round and the gate will fall.”
+
+As the cannon rung out there was a shout of triumph. One of the gates
+fell to the ground and Hector dashed forward, followed closely by his
+company. Not a single shot was fired from the walls, and the men burst
+through the gates cheering. The leading wing of the company turned to
+the right, and, led by Hector, ran up the steps close to the gateway on
+to the rampart.
+
+“Take them on to that bastion at the angle of the wall, lieutenant. I do
+not think that you are likely to be attacked at present. The enemy must
+all have been drawn off to the other end of the city. Now, my man, open
+that bag.”
+
+In it were a couple of dozen large nails and a hammer. “Drive one of
+those right down the vent of this gun. That is right. One more blow.
+That will do. They won't get that nail out soon.”
+
+He went along the wall spiking each gun until they reached the half
+company drawn up in the bastion. “No enemy in sight, lieutenant?”
+
+“None, sir, at least not on the wall. We heard them running away in the
+streets below.”
+
+“Remember, lieutenant, whatever force may come along you must withstand
+them. It will not be for long. You will be at once supported if we hear
+firing.”
+
+Then he retraced his steps along the ramparts, passed over the gateway,
+and saw to the spiking of each gun as far as the next angle of the wall.
+Here he repeated his instructions to the lieutenant there.
+
+“I do not think,” he said, “that there is much chance of your being
+attacked. The enemy would have to make a detour right round the citadel
+to come here, and certainly they will return by the shortest way, as
+soon as they discover that the other attack is but a feint.”
+
+Then he returned to the first party.
+
+“Get the two guns,” he said, “out of their embrasures and wheel them
+here. It is likely enough that we may be hotly attacked presently.”
+
+They waited half an hour, by which time the wagons were beginning to
+pour out of the town.
+
+“We have done our business, lieutenant; the citadel is revictualled. Ah!
+here come the enemy, just too late.”
+
+A strong body of troops were seen marching rapidly towards them, and
+almost at the same moment a heavy fire broke out in the street. The
+guns had been loaded from a small magazine in the bastion, and had been
+trained to fire along the rampart. When within a hundred yards the enemy
+opened fire. Hector ordered the men to lie down and not to reply until
+he gave the order. They lay in two lines, the first were to fire and the
+second to reserve their fire until ordered. He took his post at one gun
+and the lieutenant at the other. A messenger had been sent along the
+wall to bring up the twenty-five men of the other wing. When the enemy
+were within fifty yards he asked quietly, “Does your gun bear well on
+the centre of the column?”
+
+“Yes, captain.”
+
+“Then fire!”
+
+The ball cut a way through the dense column.
+
+“Load again!”
+
+The four men, told off to the duty, leapt to their feet. There was a
+halt for a moment, and then the Spaniards came on again. When they were
+within twenty paces Hector fired, and at the same time shouted, “First
+line give fire!” and twenty-five muskets flashed out, every ball taking
+effect on the head of the column. The Spaniards recoiled, the leading
+ranks being swept away and many of those behind wounded, for three balls
+had been rammed down the mouth of the cannon fired by Hector, and these
+and the musketry volley had done terrible execution. At this moment the
+twenty-five men sent for ran up.
+
+“Second line give fire!” Hector shouted; and the discharge added to the
+confusion in the column, and many ran down some steps into the lane by
+the side of the wall.
+
+“Have you loaded again, lieutenant?”
+
+“Yes, sir, with three balls.”
+
+“Then form up, men, and deliver your fire,” Hector said to the
+newcomers. “Now, lieutenant, touch it off.”
+
+As the discharge rang out, mingled with the roar of the guns, Hector
+shouted, “Fix bayonets, and charge!” The wooden shafts of the bayonets
+were thrust down the barrels of the firelocks, and with a cheer the
+seventy-five men rushed upon the shattered head of the column. The
+charge was irresistible, and the enemy at once fled at full speed along
+the rampart or leapt from the wall into the lane below.
+
+“Well done, men, well done!” Hector shouted. “Do not pursue. Reload your
+cannon, though I do not think there is much fear of their returning.”
+
+A few minutes later the soldier who had carried the spikes, and who had
+been left on the wall, ran up to say that the last cart had passed out.
+
+“Go and tell the other party to fall back to the gate,” Hector said;
+“but first give me two spikes and the hammer. They might run these
+cannons into the places of those disabled.” So saying, he spiked the
+two guns that had done such good service, and then retired to the gate,
+where he was joined by the remainder of the company. As the bugle rung
+out after the last wagon had passed, and he saw the troops issuing from
+the houses at the corners of the cross streets, he marched his company
+across the drawbridge, out into the country, and followed the guns. When
+he reached the spot where Paolo was holding the horses, he resigned the
+command of the company and mounted.
+
+“Men,” he said, “you have played your part well, and I am proud to have
+commanded soldiers so steady and courageous.”
+
+At this moment the general, who was in command of the force, and who had
+been the last to leave the town, rode up, the men coming along at a run.
+
+“You had better hurry your men on,” he said to the colonel with whom
+Hector had acted; “the enemy will be on the ramparts in a minute, and
+you may be sure that they won't let us off without trouble from their
+guns.”
+
+“I beg your pardon, general,” Hector said saluting, “but the guns all
+along this side of the wall are useless; I have spiked them.”
+
+“You have, sir! That was well done indeed. Who gave you the orders, and
+how did you come by spikes?”
+
+“I had no orders, general; but I was appointed to command the first
+company that entered, and was told that we were to turn right and left
+along the ramparts. It struck me that as, when we had left, the enemy
+would be sure to turn their guns upon us, it would be as well to silence
+them, so I brought the nails and a hammer with me for the purpose.”
+
+“It would be well, sir, if we had a good many officers as thoughtful
+as you are. You have saved us from heavy loss, for, as the country is
+perfectly level for a mile round, they would have swept our ranks as we
+marched off. Were you attacked, sir?”
+
+“Yes, general, by a force of about four hundred men, but I turned two of
+the guns against them. My men fought well, and we repulsed them with a
+loss of fully a hundred men.”
+
+“Bravo, sir, bravo! I shall not fail to mention the service that you
+have rendered in my report of the affair. Have you lost any men?”
+
+“No, sir; they lay down until the enemy were within twenty paces of us,
+and their volleys and the two cannon created such a confusion among the
+Spaniards that when we went at them with the bayonet they fled at once,
+and I have not a single man killed, and only two or three slightly
+wounded.”
+
+“We have only lost twenty,” the general said, “and most of those were
+killed while serving the guns. That was a small price indeed to pay for
+our magnificent success.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI: A CHANGE OF SCENE
+
+
+Hector gained great credit from the report of the manner in which the
+force had been enabled to draw off without loss from the enemy's guns,
+owing to his forethought in bringing with him the means of spiking them,
+and also for his success in checking the advance of the enemy along the
+ramparts.
+
+“You see, messieurs,” Turenne said to the members of his staff, who,
+with the exception of Hector, were together on the day after his return
+to Susa, “how important it is for officers, before setting out on an
+expedition, to think seriously over every contingency that may happen.
+Now the vast proportion of officers consider that all the thinking has
+to be done by the general, and that they only have to obey orders. No
+doubt that is essential, but there may be numerous little matters in
+which an officer may render great service. This young captain of ours
+did not content himself with leading the company to which I appointed
+him through the gateway. Before leaving Susa he must have thought over
+every incident likely to occur. As the leading company he would know
+that it would be his business to clear the ramparts, to check any
+parties of the enemy coming along that way, and it would be only natural
+for him to determine to use the enemy's cannon to keep them at bay.
+
+“This would probably have occurred to most officers placed as he was.
+But he did not stop there--he must have thought over the events that
+would probably follow the entry. He knew, of course, that our feint
+at the other end of the town would draw off the greater portion of the
+garrison, but would be sure also that as soon as the attack began, and
+it became evident that our real object was to revictual the citadel,
+they would come pouring back again. He would have said to himself, 'We
+shall be able to keep them at bay until our work is done, then we shall
+have to fall back. What then? The enemy will mount the ramparts, and
+while their main force pours out in pursuit, their guns on the walls
+will play havoc with us. To prevent this I must silence them before my
+company retires.'
+
+“It is all very simple when we look at it after it is done, and yet
+probably it did not occur to a single officer of that force except to
+Captain Campbell. I admit that it did not occur to myself. Had it done
+so, I should have ordered that some of the artillerymen should carry
+spikes and hammers, and that upon entering the town they should
+immediately take steps, by rendering the guns harmless, to enable the
+force to draw off without heavy loss. In the same way he showed a cool
+and calculating brain when he carried out that most dangerous service of
+bearing the news that we should speedily bring aid to the citadel. It
+is difficult to imagine a better laid plan. He thought of everything--of
+his disguise, of the manner in which it would alone be possible to
+approach closely to the wall.
+
+“I think that few of us would have thought of making our way up through
+a house a hundred yards away, working along the roofs and descending
+into the lane by the wall itself. I asked him how he got the rope down
+which it was necessary for him to use four or five times afterwards,
+and he showed me the plan by which he contrived to free the hook; it
+was most ingenious. It did not seem to me that it would have acted as
+he told me, and I asked him to have another one made so that I might
+understand how it was worked, for such a contrivance would be extremely
+useful in escalades, when the troops, after descending into a deep
+fosse, need the rope for climbing a wall or bastion. There it is,
+gentlemen, and as you see, by pulling this thin cord the hook is lifted
+from its hold, and the slightest shake will bring it down.
+
+“The contrivance is an excellent one. The line he took was well chosen.
+He accomplished the most dangerous part first, and made his way out
+by the side where the watch was most likely to be careless, as anyone
+leaving or entering the town there would have to swim the river. The
+feat shows that he has not only abundance of courage of the very highest
+order, but that he has a head to plan and leaves nothing to chance. You
+will see, gentlemen, that if this young officer lives he is likely
+to gain the highest rank and position. Already I have every reason to
+congratulate myself upon having, almost as it were by chance, taken him
+under my protection.”
+
+The winter passed quietly, but as soon as spring set in and the roads
+were sufficiently good for the passage of wagons, d'Harcourt prepared to
+attempt to raise the siege of Casale, before which Leganez with twenty
+thousand men had intrenched himself. The roads were still, however, far
+too heavy for cannon, and as the garrison were becoming hardly pressed
+he left his guns behind him and started at the end of April with seven
+thousand foot and three thousand horse. The position occupied by the
+Spaniards was a strong one, and their general did not for a moment
+think that the French, with a force half the strength of his own, would
+venture to attack him. D'Harcourt, however, resolved upon doing so. He
+divided his force into three parts; two of these were composed of French
+soldiers, the third comprised the forces of the Duchess of Savoy. The
+attack was successful on all sides--although d'Harcourt for a time could
+make no way, and Turenne was repulsed three times before he entered the
+intrenchments--the Spaniards were completely defeated, and lost their
+guns, ammunition, and baggage, three thousand killed, two thousand
+prisoners, and great numbers were drowned in endeavouring to cross the
+river.
+
+A council of war was held, and Turenne's advice that Turin should be
+besieged was after much debate accepted, although it seemed a desperate
+enterprise for an army of ten thousand men to besiege a town garrisoned
+by twelve thousand, while the Spaniards, after recovering from their
+defeat and drawing men from their various garrisons, could march
+to relieve the town with eighteen thousand men. No time was lost in
+carrying Turenne's advice into effect. The army marched upon Turin,
+seized the positions round the town, threw up lines facing the city to
+prevent sorties being made by the enemy, and surrounded themselves by
+similar lines to enable them to resist attack by the Spaniards, who
+were not long in approaching them. Thus there were now four bodies
+of combatants--the garrison of the citadel, which was surrounded and
+besieged by that of the town; the town was besieged by Turenne, and
+he himself was surrounded by the Spaniards. Each relied rather upon
+starving the others out than upon storming their positions, but Leganez
+managed to send a messenger into Turin telling Prince Thomas that he
+intended to attack the French and calling upon him to fall upon them
+with his troops at the same time.
+
+In pursuance of this design he retired some distance up the Po, and
+proceeded to cross the river at Moncalieri. D'Harcourt despatched
+Turenne to oppose the passage, but before he could arrive there some
+five thousand men had crossed the bridge. Without hesitating a moment,
+although his force was a much smaller one than that of the Spaniards,
+Turenne attacked them at once, carried the intrenchments they had begun
+to throw up, killed a large number, and drove the rest into the river,
+where hundreds were drowned. Then he set fire to the bridge, which was
+of wood, and intrenched himself on the banks of the river, occupied all
+the fords higher up, and completely checked any advance of the Spaniards
+in that direction. He was, however, wounded in the shoulder, and was
+obliged to leave the army and to be carried to Pinerolo. While he was
+away Leganez attacked the French line from without, and Prince Thomas
+from within, and the former succeeded in passing twelve hundred horse
+and one thousand foot into the town.
+
+The French were now closely beleaguered, and began to suffer severely
+from famine. In the meantime fresh troops had arrived from France, and
+although not yet recovered from his wounds, Turenne took the command,
+and escorted a great convoy of provisions into the camp in spite of the
+enemy's efforts to prevent him. The townspeople were suffering even more
+severely. Sorties were made in great force, but were always repulsed,
+as were the attacks made by Leganez, and on the 17th of September the
+garrison surrendered, being allowed to march out with their arms. The
+Count d'Harcourt returned to France, and Turenne again assumed the
+command of the army for the winter.
+
+Hector conducted himself to the satisfaction of his general throughout
+the campaign, but was severely wounded in the last sortie made by the
+besieged, having been thrown down in a charge of Prince Thomas's cavalry
+and trampled upon by the horses, and being taken up for dead when the
+enemy fell back.
+
+Directly he heard the news Turenne sent his surgeon to examine him. He
+reported that he still breathed, but that several of his ribs and his
+left arm were broken. He mended but slowly, and Turenne, a month after
+the surrender of the town, came in one day to see him, and said, “The
+surgeon tells me that it will be some months before you are fit for
+service again, and that you will need a period of perfect rest to
+recover your health. There is a convoy of invalids returning to France
+tomorrow, and I think it were best that you should accompany them. There
+is no rest to be obtained here, and I know that you will be fretting at
+being unable to ride, and at your forced inactivity. I shall give orders
+that you are conveyed in a horse litter to Sedan, where my brother, the
+Duc de Bouillon, will gladly entertain you for my sake, and you must
+remain there until entirely restored to strength.
+
+“I do not think that there will be much doing on this side of the Alps
+in the next campaign. Unhappily France has troubles of her own, and will
+find it difficult to spare more troops in this direction, and without
+reinforcements we can but act on the defensive. Though we may capture
+a few towns, there is small chance of any great operations. Indeed,
+methinks that it is by no means unlikely that Prince Thomas, seeing that
+his effort to rule Savoy in place of his sister-in-law, the duchess, is
+likely to end in discredit and loss to himself, will before long open
+negotiations with her. Therefore you will be losing nothing by going.
+It is to the duchess that I shall commend you rather than to my brother,
+who is unfortunately occupied by public matters, and is at present
+almost at war with Richelieu.
+
+“He is a man of noble impulses, generous in the extreme, and the soul of
+honour, but he knows not how to conceal his feelings; and in these days
+no man, even the most powerful, can venture to rail in public against
+one who has offended him, when that man happens to be the cardinal. I
+love my brother dearly, but I have mixed myself up in no way with his
+affairs. I am an officer of the king, and as such I stand aloof from all
+parties in the state. The cardinal is his minister; doubtless he has his
+faults, but he is the greatest man in France, and the wisest. He lives
+and works for the country. It may be true that he is ambitious for
+himself, but the glory of France is his chief care. It is for that
+purpose that we have entered upon this war, for he sees that if Germany
+becomes united under an emperor who is by blood a Spaniard, France
+must eventually be crushed, and Spain become absolutely predominant in
+Europe. If he is opposed, Richelieu strikes hard, because he deems those
+who oppose him as not only his own enemies but as enemies of France.
+
+“As a prince of the church it must have been bitter for him to have to
+ally himself with the Protestant princes of Germany, with Protestant
+Holland, and Protestant England, but he has done so. It is true that he
+has captured La Rochelle, and broken the power of the Huguenot lords of
+the south, but these new alliances show that he is ready to sacrifice
+his own prejudices for the good of France when France is endangered,
+and that it is on account of the danger of civil broils to the country,
+rather than from a hatred of the Huguenots, that he warred against them.
+Here am I, whom he deigns to honour with his patronage, a Huguenot; my
+brother, Bouillon, was also a Huguenot, and strangely enough the quarrel
+between him and the cardinal did not break out until my brother had
+changed his religion.
+
+“He was more rigorously brought up than I was, and was taught to look
+upon the Catholics with abhorrence; but he married, not from policy but
+from love, a Catholic lady, who is in all respects worthy of him, for
+she is as high spirited and as generous as he is, and at the same time
+is gentle, loving, and patient. Though deeply pious, she is free from
+bigotry, and it was because my brother came to see that the tales he
+had been taught of the bigotry and superstition of the Catholics
+were untrue, at least in many instances, that he revolted against the
+intolerance of the doctrines in which he had been brought up, renounced
+them, and became an adherent of his wife's religion.
+
+“Nigh four years ago the Duke of Soissons, a prince of the blood,
+incurred the enmity of Richelieu by refusing, with scorn, his proposal
+that he should marry the Countess of Cobalet, Richelieu's niece. The
+refusal, and still more the language in which he refused, excited the
+deep enmity of the cardinal. Soissons had joined the party against him,
+but as usual Richelieu had the king's ear. Soissons was ordered to
+leave the court, and went to Sedan, where he was heartily received by
+my brother, who had a warm affection for him. Bouillon wrote to the king
+hoping that he would not be displeased at his offering a retreat to a
+prince of the blood, and the king wrote permitting the count to stay
+at Sedan. After a time Richelieu again endeavoured to bring about the
+marriage upon which he had set his heart, but was again refused, and,
+being greatly exasperated, insisted on Bouillon obliging the count to
+leave Sedan. My brother naturally replied that the king having at first
+approved of his receiving Soissons, he could not violate the laws of
+hospitality to a prince of the blood.
+
+“Richelieu then persuaded the king to refuse further payments to the
+garrisons at Sedan, although the latter had confirmed the agreement
+entered into by his father, whereupon my brother openly declared against
+Richelieu, and still further excited the cardinal's anger by furnishing
+an asylum to the Archbishop of Rheims, second son of Charles of
+Lorraine, who had also quarrelled with Richelieu. So matters stand
+at present. What will come of it, I know not. I doubt not that the
+cardinal's hostility to Bouillon does not arise solely from the Soissons
+affair, which but serves him as a pretext. You see his object for the
+past four years has been to strengthen France by extending her frontiers
+to the east by the conquest of Lorraine. He has already carried them to
+the Upper Rhine, and by obtaining from the Duke of Savoy Pinerolo and
+its dependencies has brought them up to the foot of the Alps.
+
+“But my brother's dukedom stands in the way of his grand project, for
+it is a gate through which an enemy from beyond the Rhine might invade
+France; and, moreover, the close family relationship between us and the
+Prince of Holland would add to the danger should Holland, at present our
+ally, fall out with France. Thus the possession of Bouillon's dukedom,
+or at any rate its military occupation for a time, is a consideration of
+vital importance to the kingdom. Such, you see, is the situation. Were I
+not an officer in the French army doubtless my feelings would be on the
+side of my brother. As it is, I am a faithful servant of the king and
+his minister, and should deem it the height of dishonour were I to use
+my influence against what I perceive is the cause of France. I tell you
+this in order that you may understand the various matters which might
+surprise you at Sedan.
+
+“You go there as a patient to be nursed by the duchess, my
+sister-in-law, and having no influence, and at present not even the
+strength to use your sword, there is little fear that any will seek to
+involve you in these party turmoils. I shall write to my brother that
+you are a soldier of France and that you have done her good service,
+that you are a protege of mine, and being of Scottish blood belong to no
+party save my party, and that I entreat that he will not allow anyone to
+set you against the cardinal, or to try and attach you to any party, for
+that I want you back again with me as soon as you are thoroughly cured.”
+
+Hector would much rather have remained to be cured in Italy, but he did
+not think of raising the slightest objection to Turenne's plans for him,
+and the next day he started for Sedan, taking, of course, Paolo with
+him. The convoy traveled by easy stages over the passes into France,
+and then, escorted by a sergeant and eight troopers, Hector was carried
+north to Sedan. Though still very weak, he was able to alight at the
+entrance of the duke's residence, and sent in Turenne's letters to him
+and the duchess. Three minutes later the duke himself came down.
+
+“Captain Campbell,” he said heartily, “my brother has done well in
+sending you here to be taken care of and nursed. In his letters to me
+he has spoken of you more than once, especially with reference to the
+manner in which you carried a message for him to the citadel of Turin.
+I shall be glad to do anything that I can for so brave a young officer,
+but I fear that for the present you will have to be under the charge of
+the duchess rather than mine.”
+
+The duke was a tall, handsome man with a frank and open face, a merry
+laugh, and a ready jest. He was extremely popular, not only in his own
+dominions, but among the Parisians. His fault was that he was led too
+easily. Himself the soul of honour, he believed others to be equally
+honourable, and so suffered himself to become mixed up in plots and
+conspiracies, and to be drawn on into an enterprise wholly foreign to
+his nature.
+
+“I will take you at once to the duchess, but I see that you are quite
+unfit to walk. Sit down, I beg you, until I get a chair for you.”
+
+Three or four minutes later four lackeys came with a carrying chair, and
+Hector was taken upstairs to the duchess's apartments.
+
+“This is the gentleman of whom Turenne has written to me, and doubtless,
+as I see by that letter upon the table, to you also. He has been a good
+deal damaged, having been ridden over by a squadron of Prince Thomas's
+horsemen, and needs quiet and rest.”
+
+“Turenne has told me all about it,” the duchess said. “I welcome you
+very heartily, monsieur. My brother says that he has great affection for
+you, and believes you will some day become a master in the art of war.
+He says you have rendered him most valuable services, which is strange
+indeed, seeing that you are as yet very young.”
+
+“I was sixteen the other day, madam.”
+
+“Only sixteen, and already a captain!” she exclaimed.
+
+“I was made a captain nine months ago,” he said, “for a little service
+that I performed to his satisfaction.”
+
+“Turenne would not have promoted you unless it had been an important
+service, I am sure,” she said with a smile. “He does great things
+himself, and expects great things from others.”
+
+“It was the affair of carrying the message to the garrison of the
+citadel of Turin urging them to hold out, as he would come to their
+relief soon,” the duke said. “Do you not remember that he wrote us an
+account of it?”
+
+“I remember it perfectly. Turenne said a young officer, but I did not
+imagine that it could have been but a lad. However, Captain Campbell, I
+will not detain you here talking, or you will begin by considering me to
+be a very bad nurse. Directly I received the letter I ordered a chamber
+to be prepared for you. By this time all will be in readiness, and a
+lackey ready to disrobe you and assist you to bed.”
+
+“I do not need,” he began, but she held up her finger.
+
+“Please to remember, sir, that I am head nurse here. You will go to
+bed at once, and will take a light repast and a glass of generous wine.
+After that our surgeon will examine you, and remove your bandages, which
+have been, I doubt not, somewhat disarranged on your journey; then he
+will say whether it will be advisable that you should keep your bed for
+a time, which will, I think, be far the best for you, for you will be
+much more comfortable so than on a couch, which, however good to be sat
+upon by those in health, affords but poor comfort to an invalid. Have
+you brought a servant with you?”
+
+“Yes, madam. He is a very faithful lad, and accompanied me on that
+enterprise that you have been speaking of. He is a merry fellow, and
+has proved himself a good and careful nurse. He sat up with me for many
+nights when I was first hurt, and has ever since slept on the floor in
+my room.”
+
+“I will give him in charge of my majordomo, who will see that he is well
+taken care of, and we can have a pallet laid for him at night on the
+floor of your room.”
+
+She herself led the way to a very comfortable apartment where a fire was
+burning on the hearth; a lackey was already in waiting, and after a few
+kind words she left him.
+
+“I have fallen into good hands indeed,” Hector said to himself. “What
+would Sergeant MacIntosh say if he knew that I was lodged in a ducal
+palace, and that the duke and duchess had both spoken to me and seen
+after my comfort as if I had been a relation of their own?”
+
+In spite of the care and attention that he received, Hector's recovery
+was slow, and even when spring came the surgeon said that he was unfit
+for severe work. However, the letters that he received from time to time
+from de Lisle and Chavigny consoled him, for not only had the winter
+passed without any incident save the capture of three or four towns
+by Turenne, but it was not at all likely that any events of great
+importance would take place. All accounts represented the Spaniards as
+being engaged in adding to the strength of three or four towns in
+the duchy of Milan, so that evidently they intended to stand upon the
+defensive.
+
+The palace of Sedan was the centre of a formidable conspiracy against
+Richelieu. Messengers came and went, and Bouillon, Soissons, and the
+Archbishop of Rheims were constantly closeted together. They had various
+allies at court, and believed that they should be able to overthrow the
+minister who had so long ruled over France in the name of the king.
+
+As Hector was now able to move about, and was acquainted with all the
+members of the duke's household, he learned much of what was going on;
+and from a conversation that he accidentally overheard, he could see
+that the position was an extremely serious one, as a treaty had been
+signed with Ferdinand, son of the King of Spain, and the Archduke
+Leopold-William, son of the Emperor of Austria, by which each agreed to
+assist the duke and his friends with a large sum of money for raising
+soldiers, and with seven thousand men. In order to justify themselves,
+the heads of the movement issued a manifesto, in which they styled
+themselves Princes of Peace. In this they rehearsed the cardinal's
+various acts of tyranny and cruelty towards his rivals, the arbitrary
+manner in which he carried on the government, and declared that they
+were leagued solely to overthrow the power that overshadowed that of
+the king, plunged France into wars, and scourged the people with heavy
+taxation.
+
+As soon as this manifesto was published in Sedan, Hector went to the
+duke.
+
+“My lord duke,” he said, “I cannot sufficiently thank you for the
+hospitality and kindness with which you and the duchess have treated me.
+Nevertheless, I must ask you to allow me to leave at once.”
+
+“Why this sudden determination, Captain Campbell?”
+
+“If, sir, I were but a private person I should have no hesitation,
+after the kindness that you have shown me, in requesting you to give me
+employment in the force that you are raising; but I am an officer of the
+king, and what is of far greater importance at the present moment, an
+aide-de-camp of the Viscount Turenne, your brother. Were it reported
+that I was with your army, or even indeed that I was here, the cardinal
+would at once conclude that I was representing the viscount, and was
+perhaps the intermediary through whom communications between you
+and your brother were being carried on. Therefore I should not only
+compromise myself, which is of no importance, but I might excite
+suspicion in Richelieu's mind against your brother, which might result
+in his recall from the position in which he has so distinguished
+himself, and grievously injure his prospects. The viscount himself
+warned me against mixing myself with any party, saying that a soldier
+should hold himself free from all entanglement, bent only on serving, to
+the utmost of his power, the king and France.”
+
+“You are right,” the duke said heartily. “Turenne has no grievances
+against king or cardinal, and has acted wisely in holding himself aloof
+from any party; and badly as I am affected towards Richelieu, I will
+own that he has never allowed my brother's relationship towards me to
+prevent his employing him in posts of honour. I have never sought to
+influence him in the slightest, and am far too proud of the credit and
+honour he has gained to do aught that would in any way cause a breach
+between him and the cardinal. What you have said is very right and true.
+Doubtless Richelieu has spies in this town, as he has elsewhere, and may
+have learned that a young officer on my brother's staff was brought here
+last autumn grievously wounded. But it is certainly well that now, as
+the time for action is at hand, you should retire. You are not thinking,
+I hope, of returning at once, for it was but a day or two ago that the
+surgeon assured me that it would need another three or four months of
+quiet before you would be fit to resume your duties.”
+
+“I feel that myself, my lord, and moreover I think that it would be as
+well that I should not join the viscount at present, for it might well
+be supposed that I was the bearer of some important news from you to
+him; therefore I propose to go to Geneva, and remain there until I have
+completely recruited my strength. In the Swiss republic I should pass
+unnoticed, even by the cardinal's agents. And the fact that, although
+being but a comparatively short distance from Piedmont, I abstained from
+joining the general, would, if they inquired, show that I could not have
+been entrusted with any private communication from you to him.”
+
+“It could not be better,” the duke said. “When you leave here you
+should no longer wear that military scarf. Of course, when you enter
+Switzerland there is no reason why you should disguise the fact that you
+are a French officer, and having been severely wounded, have come there
+to repair your health. Doubtless many others have done so; and, dressed
+as a private person, you would excite no attention. But the Swiss, who
+strive to hold themselves neutral and to avoid giving offence, might
+raise objections to a French officer wearing military attire staying
+among them.”
+
+That evening Hector bade his adieu to the duchess and to the friends he
+had made during his stay, and the next morning, attended by Paolo, he
+started for Geneva.
+
+“I am glad indeed that we are off, master,” the latter said. “In truth,
+had I stayed here much longer I should have become useless from fat and
+idleness, for I have had nothing whatever to do but to eat and sleep.”
+
+“I am glad to be off, too, Paolo. I am convinced myself, in spite of
+what the surgeon says, that actual exercise will do more for me than the
+doctor's potions and rich food. I am stiff still, but it is from doing
+nothing, and were it not that coming from here my presence might be
+inconvenient for Turenne, I would journey straight to his camp. You saw
+the prince's manifesto?”
+
+Paolo nodded. “I did, master. Not being able to read or write, I could
+make nothing of it myself, but a burgher coming along read it aloud, and
+it made me shake in my shoes with fright. I made my way as quickly as I
+could from so dangerous a spot, for it seemed nothing short of treason
+to have heard such words read against the cardinal.”
+
+“I fear that the duke has made a terrible mistake, Paolo. Hitherto all
+who have ventured to measure their strength with the cardinal have
+been worsted, and many have lost everything and are now fugitives from
+France. Some have lost their lives as well as honours and estates.
+Bouillon is an independent prince, and so was Lorraine, and although
+the latter could put ten men in the field to every one the duke could
+muster, he has been driven from his principality. Soissons could not
+help him except with his name, nor can the Archbishop of Rheims. Not a
+few of the great nobles would join the duke did they think that he had a
+prospect of success. None have so far done so, though possibly some have
+given him secret pledges, which will count for nothing unless it seems
+that he is likely to triumph.
+
+“It is rumoured, as you know, that he has made an alliance with Spain
+and Austria. Both will use him as an arm against France, but will throw
+him over and leave him to his fate whenever it suits them. Moreover,
+their alliance would assuredly deter any, who might otherwise range
+themselves with him, from taking up arms. No Huguenot would fight by
+the side of a Spaniard; and although the Guises and the Catholic nobles
+allied themselves with Spain against Henri of Navarre, it was in a
+matter in which they deemed their religion in danger, while this is but
+a quarrel between Bouillon and the cardinal; and with Spain fighting
+against France in the Netherlands, they would not risk their lands and
+titles. Bouillon had better have stood alone than have called in the
+Spaniards and Austrians. We know whose doing that is, the Archbishop of
+Rheims, who is a Guise, and, methinks, from what I have seen of him, a
+crafty one.
+
+“I am sure that neither the duke nor Soissons would, unless won over
+by the archbishop, have ever consented to such a plan, for both are
+honourable gentlemen, and Soissons at least is a Frenchman, which
+can hardly be said of Bouillon, whose ancestors have been independent
+princes here for centuries. However, I fear that he will rue the day
+he championed the cause of Soissons. It was no affair of his, and it is
+carrying hospitality too far to endanger life and kingdom rather than
+tell two guests that they must seek a refuge elsewhere. All Europe was
+open to them. As a Guise the archbishop would have been welcome wherever
+Spain had power. With Spain, Italy, and Austria open to him, why should
+he thus bring danger and misfortune upon the petty dukedom of Sedan?
+The same may be said of Soissons; however reluctant Bouillon might be to
+part with so dear a friend, Soissons himself should have insisted upon
+going and taking up his abode elsewhere. Could he still have brought a
+large force into the field, and have thus risked as much as Bouillon,
+the case would be different, but his estates are confiscated, or, at any
+rate, he has no longer power to summon his vassals to the field, and
+he therefore risks nothing in case of defeat, while Bouillon is risking
+everything.”
+
+“I daresay that that is all true, master, though in faith I know nothing
+about the matter. For myself, it seems to me that when one is a noble,
+and has everything that a man can want, he must be a fool to mix himself
+up in troubles. I know that if the King of France were to give me a big
+estate, and anyone came to me and asked me to take part in a plot, I
+would, if I had the power of life and death, have him hung up over the
+gate of my castle.”
+
+“That would be a short way, no doubt, Paolo, but it might not keep you
+out of trouble,” Hector said, smiling. “If the person who came to you
+were also a noble, his family and friends would rise in arms to avenge
+his death, and instead of avoiding trouble you would bring it at once
+upon your head.”
+
+“I suppose that would be so, master,” Paolo said thoughtfully; “so I
+think that it would be best for me that the king should not take it into
+his head to give me that estate. And so we are going to Geneva, master?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“That pleases me not,” the other one said, “for I have heard of it as
+a terribly serious place, where a man dares not so much as smile, and
+where he has to listen to sermons and exhortations lasting half a day.
+My father was a Huguenot, and I suppose that I am, too, though I never
+inquired very closely into the matter; but as for exhortations of four
+hours in length, methinks I would rather swim those moats again, master,
+and to go all day without smiling would be a worse penance than the
+strictest father confessor could lay upon me.”
+
+“I own that I am somewhat of your opinion, Paolo. My father brought me
+up a Protestant like yourself, and when I was quite young I had a very
+dreary time of it while he was away, living as I did in the house of a
+Huguenot pastor. After that I attended the Protestant services in the
+barracks, for all the officers and almost all the men are Protestants,
+and, of course, were allowed to have their own services; but the
+minister, who was a Scotchman, knew better than to make his discourses
+too lengthy; for if he did, there was a shuffling of jackboots on the
+stone floor and a clanking of sabres that warned him that the patience
+of the soldiers was exhausted. In our own glen my father has told me
+that the ministers are as long winded as those of Geneva; but, as he
+said, soldiers are a restless people, and it is one thing for men who
+regard their Sunday gathering as the chief event in the week to listen
+to lengthy discourses, but quite another for soldiers, either in the
+field or a city like Paris, to do so. However, if we do not find Geneva
+to our taste, there is no reason why we should tarry there, as Zurich
+lies on the other end of the lake, and Zurich is Catholic, or at any
+rate largely so, and Calvinist doctrines have never flourished there.
+But, on the other hand, the sympathies of Geneva have generally been
+with France, while those of Zurich are with Austria; therefore I think
+that if we like not Geneva we will go to Lyons, where, as an officer of
+Viscount Turenne's, I am sure to be well received.”
+
+“Why not go there at once, master?”
+
+“Because I think that the fresh air of the lake will brace me up, and
+maybe if I find the people too sober minded for me we will go up into
+the mountains and lodge there in some quiet village. I think that would
+suit both of us.”
+
+“It would suit me assuredly,” Paolo said joyfully. “I love the
+mountains.”
+
+Such was indeed the course eventually taken. The strict Calvinism of
+Geneva suited neither of them; and after a fortnight's stay there they
+went up among the hills, and in the clear brisk air Hector found his
+blood begin to run more rapidly through his veins, and his strength and
+energy fast returning. Sometimes he rode, but soon found more pleasure
+in climbing the hills around on foot, for the mountain paths were so
+rough that it was seldom indeed that his horse could break into a trot.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII: THE DUC D'ENGHIEN
+
+
+From time to time news came up of what was passing in the world. The
+Spaniards had afforded no assistance in men to the duke, for Richelieu
+had sent a powerful army into the heart of Flanders, and so kept them
+fully occupied. An Austrian force, however, joined that of the duke, and
+a battle was fought with the royal army which, under Marshal Chatillon,
+lay encamped a league from Sedan. The Austrian general commanded the
+main body, the Duc de Bouillon the cavalry, while the Count de Soissons
+was with the reserve. At first Chatillon's army had the advantage, but
+Bouillon charged with such vehemence that he drove the cavalry of the
+royalists down upon their infantry, which fell into confusion, most of
+the French officers being killed or made prisoners, and the rest put to
+rout. The duke, after the victory, rode to congratulate Soissons, whose
+force had not been engaged. He found the count dead, having accidentally
+shot himself while pushing up the visor of his helmet with the muzzle of
+his pistol.
+
+Bouillon soon learned the hollowness of the promises of his allies.
+The Spaniards sent neither money nor men, while the Austrians received
+orders to march away from Sedan and to join the Spaniards, who were
+marching to the relief of Arras.
+
+The duke, deserted by his allies, prepared to defend Sedan till the
+last. Fortunately for him, however, the position of the French at Arras
+was critical. The place was strong, two armies were marching to its
+relief, and it would therefore have been rash to have attempted at
+the same time the siege of Sedan. The king himself had joined the army
+advancing against Bouillon, while the cardinal remained in Paris. Many
+of those round the person of the king, foremost among whom was the
+Marquis of Cinq-Mars, his master of horse, spoke very strongly in favour
+of the duke, and represented that he had been driven to take up arms
+by the persecution of the cardinal. The king was moved by their
+representations, and gave a complete pardon to Bouillon, who was
+restored to the full possession of all his estates in France, while on
+his part he released the prisoners, baggage, and standards taken in the
+late battle.
+
+This was welcome news to Hector, who at once prepared to cross into
+Italy; but when they reached Chambery he heard that Turenne had been
+ordered to join the army that was collected near the Spanish frontier,
+in order to conquer Roussillon, which lay between Languedoc and
+Catalonia. The latter province had been for three years in a state of
+insurrection against Spain, and had besought aid from France. This,
+however, could not easily be afforded them so long as the fortress of
+Perpignan guarded the way, and with other strongholds prevented all
+communication between the south of France and Catalonia. As it was
+uncertain whether Turenne would follow the coast route or cross the
+passes, Hector and his companion rode forward at once, and arrived at
+Turin before he left.
+
+“I am glad to see you back again,” the general said as Hector entered
+his room, “and trust that you are now strong again. Your letter, giving
+me your reasons for leaving Sedan, was forwarded to me by a messenger,
+with others from my brother and his wife. He speaks in high terms of
+you, and regretted your leaving them; but the reason you gave for so
+doing in your letter to me more than justified the course you took,
+and showed that you were thoughtful in other than military matters. You
+served me better by leaving Sedan than you could have done in any other
+way. In these unhappy disputes with my brother, the cardinal has never
+permitted my relationship to Bouillon to shake his confidence in me. But
+after being engaged for many years in combating plots against him, he
+cannot but be suspicious of all, and that an officer of my staff should
+be staying at Sedan when the dispute was going to end in open warfare
+might well have excited a doubt of me while, had you traveled direct
+here at that moment, it might, as you said, have been considered that
+you were the bearer of important communications between my brother and
+myself.
+
+“Now, I hope that you are completely restored to health; you are looking
+well, and have grown a good deal, the consequence, no doubt, of your
+being so long in bed. You have heard that I am ordered to Roussillon,
+of which I am glad, for the war languishes here. The king, I hear, will
+take up his headquarters at Narbonne, and Richelieu is coming down to
+look after matters as he did at Rochelle. So I expect that things will
+move quickly there. They say the king is not in good health, and that
+the cardinal himself is failing. Should he die it will be a grievous
+loss for France, for there is no one who could in any way fill his
+place. It has been evident for some time that the king has been in weak
+health. The dauphin is but a child. A regency with the queen as its
+nominal head, and Richelieu as its staff and ruler, would be possible;
+but without Richelieu the prospect would be a very dark one, and I
+cannot think of it without apprehension. However, I must continue to do
+as I have been doing ever since Bouillon fell out with the court; I
+must think only that I am a soldier, prepared to strike where ordered,
+whether against a foreign foe or a rebellious subject.
+
+“Happily my family troubles are over. I hear that there is a probability
+that, now Bouillon has been restored to favour, he will obtain the
+command of the army in Italy, which will just suit his active spirit.”
+
+Three days later Turenne with his staff crossed the Alps, and journeying
+across the south of France reached Perpignan. The Marquis of Mielleraye
+was in supreme command, and Turenne was to act as his lieutenant; the
+latter at once took charge of the operations of the siege of Perpignan,
+which had already been beleaguered for some months by the French. The
+fortress was a very strong one, but as the efforts of the Spanish
+to reinforce the garrison by a landing effected on the coast failed
+altogether, and as the operations of Mielleraye in the field were
+successful, and there was no chance of any relief being afforded to
+the besieged town by a Spanish army advancing through Catalonia, it was
+certain that the fortress must in time surrender by hunger. As it could
+not be captured by assault unless with a very heavy loss indeed, Turenne
+contented himself with keeping up so vigilant a watch round it that its
+communications were altogether cut off, and the garrison knew nothing
+whatever of what was passing around them.
+
+The Duc de Bouillon had received the command of the army in Italy, and
+Turenne hoped that henceforth his mind would be free from the family
+trouble that had for the past four years caused him great pain and
+anxiety. Unfortunately, however, Cinq-Mars, the king's master of horse
+and personal favourite, had become embroiled with the cardinal. Rash,
+impetuous, and haughty, the young favourite at once began to intrigue.
+The Duke of Orleans, the king's only brother, one of the most
+treacherous and unstable of men, joined him heart and soul, and Bouillon
+was induced to ally himself with them, not from any political feeling,
+but because Cinq-Mars had been mainly instrumental in obtaining terms
+for him before, and appealed to his sense of gratitude to aid him now.
+He insisted, however, that this time there should be no negotiating with
+Spain and Austria, but that the movement should be entirely a French
+one.
+
+Unknown to him, however, the others entered into an alliance with Spain,
+who engaged to find money and an army. The conspirators had gained the
+ear of the king, Cinq-Mars representing to him that their hostility
+was directed solely against the cardinal, and the latter was in great
+disfavour until he obtained a copy of the treaty with Spain. The
+disclosure opened the king's eyes. The Duke of Orleans, Cinq-Mars,
+Monsieur de Thou, his intimate friend, and de Bouillon were at once
+arrested. Orleans immediately turned traitor to his fellow conspirators,
+revealed every incident of the plot, and was sentenced to exile.
+Cinq-Mars and de Thou were tried and executed. De Bouillon saved his
+life by relinquishing his principality to France, any hesitation there
+may have been in sparing him on those terms being removed by the receipt
+of a message from the duchess, that if her husband were put to death she
+would at once deliver Sedan into the hands of the Spaniards. De Bouillon
+was therefore pardoned, and in exchange for the surrender of his
+principality, his estates in France were to be enlarged, and a
+considerable pension granted to him.
+
+All this was a terrible trial to Turenne, who was deeply attached to his
+brother, and who mourned not only the danger he had incurred, but that
+he should have broken his engagements, and while commanding a royal army
+should have plotted against the royal authority.
+
+At the end of November the cardinal's illness, from which he had long
+suffered, took an unfavourable turn, and the king, who had returned to
+Paris, went to see him. Richelieu advised him to place his confidence
+in the two secretaries of state, Chavigny and de Noyers, recommended
+Cardinal Mazarin strongly as first minister of the crown, and handed
+the king a document he had prepared barring the Duke of Orleans from any
+share in the regency in case of the king's death, the preamble calling
+to mind that the king had five times pardoned his brother, who had yet
+recently engaged in a fresh plot against him. On the 2nd of December,
+1642, Richelieu died, and the king, on the following day, carried out
+his last advice, and appointed Mazarin to a place in his council.
+
+The year had passed quietly with Hector Campbell. His duties had been
+but slight during the siege, and as during his stay at Sedan and in
+Switzerland he had continued to work hard at Italian, at the former
+place under a teacher, who instructed him in more courtly dialect than
+that which he acquired from Paolo, so during the six months before
+Perpignan he had, after taking the advice of Turenne, set himself to
+acquire a knowledge of German. Working at this for eight hours a day
+under the tuition of a German gentleman, who had been compelled to leave
+the country when his native town was captured by the Imperialists, he
+was soon able to converse as fluently in it as in Italian.
+
+“It is in Germany that the next great campaign is likely to take place,”
+ Turenne said to him, “and your knowledge of German will be of infinite
+utility to you. Fortunately for myself, Sedan standing on the border
+between the two countries, I acquired German as well as French without
+labour, and while in Holland spoke it rather than French; the knowledge
+of languages is of great importance to one who would rise high in the
+army or at the court, and I am very glad that you have acquired German,
+as it may be of great use to you if we are called upon to invade that
+country again, that is, if the new council of the king are as kindly
+disposed towards me as Richelieu always showed himself to be; but I fear
+that ere long there may be changes. The king's health is very poor.
+He may not live long, and then we have a regency before us, and the
+regencies of France have always been times of grievous trouble.
+
+“Even had Richelieu lived he might not have been able to avert such
+disasters. He and the queen have never been friends, and he would
+not have had the support from her that he has had from the king, who,
+although he no doubt fretted at times under Richelieu's dictation, yet
+recognized his splendid genius, and knew that he worked heart and soul
+for the good of France. However, his death is a sore misfortune. A
+regency needs a strong head, but where is it to come from? The Duke of
+Orleans is a schemer without principle, weak, easily led, ambitious,
+and unscrupulous. The Prince of Conde is equally ambitious, even more
+grasping, and much more talented. There is no one else, save men like
+Chavigny, the father of our friend here, de Noyers, and some others of
+good family, honest and capable business men, but who would speedily
+become mere ciphers; and Cardinal Mazarin, who has just been appointed
+to the council.”
+
+“Do you know him, sir?” Hector asked.
+
+“I have seen him more than once. He is said to be very clever, and it
+is no secret that he is nominated to the council on Richelieu's
+recommendation, which speaks volumes in his favour, for Richelieu was
+a judge of men, and must have believed, when recommending him, that
+Mazarin would render good service to France. But however clever he is
+he cannot replace the great cardinal. On him was stamped by nature the
+making of a ruler of men. He was tall, handsome, and an accomplished
+cavalier. Seeing him dressed as a noble among noblemen, one would have
+picked him out as born to be the greatest of them. No doubt this noble
+appearance, aided by his haughty manner and by his ruthlessness in
+punishing those who conspired against him, had not a little to do with
+his mastery over men.
+
+“Mazarin is a man of very different appearance. He is dark in
+complexion, handsome in a way, supple, and, I should say, crafty; an
+Italian rather than a Frenchman. Such a man will meet with difficulties
+far greater than those which assailed Richelieu. The latter, personally
+fearless, went straight to his end, crushing his enemies if they
+stood in his way, possessed of an indomitable will and unflinching
+determination. Mazarin, if I mistake not, will try to gain his end by
+other means--by intrigues, by setting those who oppose him against each
+other, by yielding rather than by striking. He is said to stand high in
+the queen's favour, and this will be a great aid to him; for those who
+might rebel against the authority of a cardinal will hesitate to do
+so when he has at his back the protection and authority of a queen.
+However, we must hope for the best. It is probable that Richelieu
+acquainted him with all his plans and projects, and urged him to carry
+them into effect. I sincerely trust that he will do so; and in that
+case, if he comes to the head of affairs, I should assuredly serve him
+as willingly and faithfully as I served Richelieu, knowing that it will
+be for the good of France.”
+
+It was, indeed, but a short time after the loss of his great adviser
+that the king followed him to the tomb. He had for long suffered from
+bad health, and now that the statesman who had borne the whole burden
+of public affairs had left him, he felt the weight overpowering. He had
+always been devoted to religious exercises, and saw his end approaching
+without regret, and died calmly and peacefully on May 14, 1643. By his
+will he left the queen regent. He had never been on good terms with her,
+and now endeavoured to prevent her from having any real power. The Duke
+of Orleans was appointed lieutenant general, but as the king had rightly
+no confidence in him, he nominated a council which, he intended, should
+override both. It was composed of the Prince of Conde, Cardinal
+Mazarin, the chancellor, Seguerin, the secretary of state, Chavigny,
+and superintendent Bouthillier. The king's will prohibited any change
+whatever being made in the council, but this proviso was not observed.
+The queen speedily made terms with the ministers; and when the little
+king was conducted in great state to the parliament of Paris, the Duke
+of Orleans addressed the queen, saying that he desired to take no other
+part in affairs than that which it might please her to give him. The
+Prince of Conde said the same; and that evening, to their astonishment,
+the queen having become by their resignation the sole head of the
+administration, announced that she should retain Cardinal Mazarin as her
+minister, and shortly afterwards nominated Turenne to the command of
+the army in Italy. Prince Thomas had now broken altogether with the
+Spaniards, finding that their protection was not available, for the King
+of Spain had been obliged to recall a considerable proportion of his
+troops from Italy to suppress an insurrection in Catalonia. Hector did
+not accompany Turenne to Italy, for early in April Turenne had said to
+him:
+
+“There seems no chance of employment here at present, Campbell, while
+there is likely to be some heavy fighting on the Rhine frontier.
+
+“The death of Richelieu has given fresh courage to the enemies of
+France, and I hear that de Malo, the governor of the Low Countries, has
+gathered a large army, and is about to invade France. Our army there is
+commanded by the young Duc d'Enghien, the Prince of Conde's son. He
+is but twenty-two, and of course owes his appointment to his father's
+influence. The king has, however, sent with him Marshal de l'Hopital,
+who will be his lieutenant and director. I know Enghien well, and esteem
+his talents highly. He is brave, impetuous, and fiery; but at the same
+time, if I mistake not, cautious and prudent. I will give you a letter
+to him. I shall tell him that you have greatly distinguished yourself
+while on my staff, and being anxious above all things to acquire
+military knowledge and to serve with honour, I have sent you to him,
+begging him to give you the same post on his staff as you have had on
+mine, asking it as a personal favour to myself. This, I have no doubt,
+he will grant. He has affected my company a good deal when I have been
+in Paris, and has evinced the greatest desire to learn as much as he can
+of military matters from me.”
+
+“I am grateful indeed for your kindness, sir, of which I will most
+gladly avail myself, and shall indeed be pleased at the opportunity of
+seeing a great battle.”
+
+“I wish to show my approbation of the manner in which you have, since
+you left me in Italy, endeavoured to do all in your power to acquire
+useful knowledge, instead of wasting your time in idleness or gambling,
+to which so many young officers in the army give themselves up.”
+
+The next day Hector and Paolo joined the army of Enghien as it was
+on the march to Eperney. The former was now within a few months of
+seventeen, of middle height, strongly built, his hard exercise and
+training having broadened him greatly. He had a pleasant and good
+tempered face, his hair, which was brown with a tinge of gold, clustered
+closely round his head, for he had not adopted the French mode of
+wearing it in long ringlets, a fashion unsuited for the work of a
+campaign, and which de Lisle and Chavigny had in vain urged him to
+adopt. He was handsomely dressed, for he knew that Conde would be
+surrounded by many of the young nobles of France. He wore his broad hat
+with feather; his helmet and armour being carried, together with his
+valises, on a sumpter mule led by Paolo.
+
+Putting up at an hotel, he made his way to the house occupied by Enghien
+and the marshal. It was crowded by young officers, many of whom were
+waiting in an anteroom. On one of the duke's chamberlains approaching
+him Hector gave his name, and requested him to deliver Viscount
+Turenne's letter to the prince. In a few minutes his name was called,
+to the surprise of those who had been waiting for some time for an
+interview. Enghien was seated at a table, from which he rose as Hector
+entered.
+
+“I am glad to see you, Captain Campbell, both for your own sake and
+for that of Turenne, whom I greatly love and admire. As I was with
+Mielleraye during the campaign in the south, while you were with
+Turenne, we did not meet there, for though he once rode over and stayed
+for a few days you did not accompany him. But he has told me of your
+adventure at Turin, and has spoken of your diligent studies and your
+desire to learn all that is known of the art of war. I shall be glad
+indeed to have you riding with me, for I, too, am a diligent student in
+the art, though until last year I had no opportunity whatever of gaining
+practical knowledge. I envy Turenne his good fortune in having been sent
+to begin to learn his duty when he was but fourteen. He tells me that
+you were but a year older when you rode to Italy with him. It humiliates
+me to think that while I am sent to command an army simply because my
+father is a prince of the blood, Turenne gained every step by merit, and
+is a general in spite of the fact that his brother was an enemy of the
+cardinal and defied alike his power and that of the king. However, I
+hope to show that I am not altogether unworthy of my position; and at
+least, like Turenne, I can lead my troops into battle, and fight in
+their front, even if I cannot always come out victorious. Where have you
+put up your horses? With the best will in the world, I cannot put either
+room or stable at your disposal today, for I believe that every cupboard
+in the house is occupied; but at our halting place tomorrow we shall be
+under canvas, and a tent shall be assigned to you.”
+
+“I thank you, sir. I have fortunately been able to find quarters at an
+inn.”
+
+“At any rate, I hope that you will sup with me. I will then introduce
+you to some of my friends.”
+
+Enghien was at the age of twenty-two of a striking rather than a
+handsome figure. His forehead was wide, his eyes sunken and piercing,
+his nose very prominent and hooked giving to his face something of the
+expression of an eagle's. He resembled Turenne in the eagerness with
+which in childhood he had devoted himself to his studies, and especially
+to military exercises; but except that both possessed a remarkable
+genius for war, and both were extremely courageous, there was but
+slight resemblance between their characters. While Turenne was prudent,
+patient, and thoughtful, weighing duly every step taken, bestowing
+the greatest pains upon the comfort and well being of his troops,
+and careful as to every detail that could bring about success in his
+operations, Conde was passionate and impetuous, acting upon impulse
+rather than reflection. Personally ambitious, impatient of opposition,
+bitter in his enmities, his action and policy were influenced chiefly
+by his own ambitions and his own susceptibilities, rather than by the
+thought of what effect his action might have on the destinies of France.
+He was a born general, and yet but a poor leader of men, one of the
+greatest military geniuses that the world has ever seen, and yet so full
+of faults, foibles, and weaknesses that, except from a military point
+of view, the term “the Great Conde” that posterity has given him is but
+little merited. He had much brain and little heart. Forced by his father
+into a marriage with a niece of Richelieu's, he treated her badly and
+cruelly, although she was devoted to him, and was in all respects an
+estimable woman and a true wife, and that in a court where virtue was
+rare indeed.
+
+At supper that evening Enghien introduced Hector first to the Marshal de
+l'Hopital and then to the young nobles of his company.
+
+“Monsieur Campbell,” he said, “is the youngest of our party, and yet
+he is, as the Viscount of Turenne writes to me, one in whom he has the
+greatest confidence, and who has so carefully studied the art of war,
+and so much profited by his opportunities, that he would not hesitate
+to commit to him any command requiring at once courage, discretion, and
+military knowledge. No one, gentlemen, could wish for a higher eulogium
+from a greater authority. Turenne has lent him to me for the campaign,
+and indeed I feel grateful to him for so doing. When I say, gentlemen,
+that it was he who saved the citadel of Turin to our arms, by
+undertaking and carrying out the perilous work of passing through the
+city and the Spanish lines to carry word to the half starved garrison
+that succour would arrive in a fortnight's time, and so prevented their
+surrendering, you will admit that Turenne has not spoken too highly of
+his courage and ability. I have heard the full details of the affair
+from Turenne's own lips, when he paid a short visit to Paris after that
+campaign closed; and I should feel proud indeed had I accomplished such
+an enterprise. Captain Campbell is a member of an old Scottish family,
+and his father died fighting for France at the siege of La Rochelle, a
+captain in the Scottish regiment. And now, gentlemen, to supper.”
+
+It was a joyous meal, and of a character quite new to Hector. Grave
+himself, Turenne's entertainments were marked by a certain earnestness
+and seriousness. He set, indeed, all his guests at ease by his courtesy
+and the interest he took in each; and yet all felt that in his presence
+loud laughter would be out of place and loose jesting impossible.
+Enghien, on the other hand, being a wild and reckless young noble, one
+who chose not his words, but was wont to give vent in terms of unbridled
+hatred to his contempt for those whom he deemed his enemies, imposed no
+such restraint upon his guests, and all talked, laughed, and jested as
+they chose, checked only by the presence of the gallant old marshal,
+who was nominally Enghien's guide and adviser. Next to Hector was
+seated General Gassion, one of the finest soldiers of the time. He, like
+Hector, had no family influence, but had gained his position solely by
+his own merits. He was enterprising and energetic, and eager to still
+further distinguish himself, and Hector was not long in perceiving that
+Enghien had his cordial support in combating the prudent and cautious
+counsels of the marshal. He spoke very cordially to the young captain.
+He saw in him one who, like himself, was likely to make his way by merit
+and force of character, and he asked him many questions as to his past
+history and the various services in which he had been engaged.
+
+“I hope some day to win my marshal's baton, and methinks that if you
+have as good fortune as I have had, and escape being cut off by bullet
+or sabre, you, too, may look forward to gaining such a distinction. You
+see all these young men around us have joined rather in the spirit of
+knight errants than that of soldiers. Each hopes to distinguish himself,
+not for the sake of advancing his military career, but simply that he
+may stand well in the eyes of some court beauty. The campaign once over,
+they will return to Paris, and think no more of military service until
+another campaign led by a prince of the blood like Enghien takes place,
+when they will again take up arms and fight in his company.
+
+“Such campaigns as those under Turenne in Italy would be distasteful
+in the extreme to them. They would doubtless bear the hardships as
+unflinchingly as we professional soldiers, but as soon as they could
+with honour retire you may be sure they would do so. It is well for us
+that they should. Were it otherwise our chances of advancement would
+be rare indeed, while as it is there are plenty of openings for men of
+determination and perseverance who will carry out precisely any order
+given to them, and who are always, whether in the field or in winter
+quarters, under the eyes of a commander like Turenne, who remains with
+his army instead of rushing off like d'Harcourt to spend his winter in
+the gaieties of the court, and to receive their smiles and praises as a
+reward for his successes.”
+
+“I suppose, general, there is no doubt that we shall give battle to the
+Spaniards?”
+
+“No doubt whatever. It depends upon Enghien, though no doubt the marshal
+will throw every obstacle in the way. In the first place, there can be
+no denying that the Spanish infantry are superb, and that Fuentes, who
+commands them, is a fine old soldier, while our infantry are largely
+composed of new levies. Thus, though the armies are not unequal in
+strength, l'Hopital may well consider the chances of victory to be
+against us. In the second place, in a battle Enghien will be in command,
+and though all of us recognize that he possesses extraordinary ability,
+his impetuosity might well lead to a disaster. Then the marshal must
+feel that while the glory of a victory would fall to Enghien, the
+discredit of a defeat would be given to him, while if aught happened to
+Enghien himself the wrath of Conde and his faction would bring about his
+disgrace.
+
+“I doubt not that he has received instructions not to hazard a battle
+except under extraordinary circumstances, while Enghien would, if
+possible, bring one about under any circumstances whatever. Lastly, the
+king is desperately ill, ill unto death, some say, and none can foretell
+what would take place were we to suffer a heavy defeat while France is
+without some great head to rally the nation and again show face to the
+Spaniards. At the same time, I may tell you at once, that in this matter
+I am heart and soul with Enghien. I consider that did we shrink from
+battle now, it would so encourage Spain and Austria that they would put
+such a force in the field as we could scarcely hope to oppose, while a
+victory would alter the whole position and show our enemies that French
+soldiers are equal to those of Spain, which at present no one believes.
+And lastly, if we win, Enghien, when his father dies, will be the
+foremost man in France, the leading spirit of the princes of the blood,
+and having behind him the vast possessions and wealth accumulated by
+Conde, will be a power that even the greatest minister might dread,
+and I need hardly say that my marshal's baton would be very appreciably
+nearer than it is at present.”
+
+“Then I may take it,” Hector said with a smile, “that the chances are in
+favour of a pitched battle.”
+
+“That is certainly so; l'Hopital's instructions are to force the
+Spaniards, who have advanced against Rocroi, to raise the siege, but to
+do so if possible by manoeuvering, and to avoid anything like a pitched
+battle. But I fancy that he is likely to find circumstances too strong
+for him, and that one of these mornings we shall stand face to face with
+the enemy.
+
+“The Spaniards are doubtless grand soldiers, and the army we shall meet
+is largely composed of veteran troops; but we must remember that for
+years and years the Dutchmen, by nature peaceable and for the most part
+without training in arms, and although terribly deficient in cavalry,
+have boldly withstood the power of Spain.”
+
+“They seldom have met them in the open field,” Hector said doubtfully.
+
+“Not very often, I grant, though when allied with your countrymen they
+fairly beat them on the sands near Ostend, and that over and over again
+they fought them in their breaches on even terms, and, burghers though
+they were, beat back Alva's choicest troops.”
+
+The next morning the army marched forward. Hector rode with the group
+of young nobles who followed Enghien. Rocroi was a town of considerable
+strength lying in the forest of Ardennes. It was the key to the province
+of Champagne, and its capture would open the road to the Spaniards. The
+siege was being pressed forward by de Malo, who had with him an army of
+twenty-seven thousand veteran troops, being five thousand more than
+the force under Enghien. Gassion, who as Enghien's lieutenant had the
+control of the movements, so arranged the marches that, while steadily
+approaching Rocroi, the marshal believed that he intended to force the
+Spaniards to fall back, rather by menacing their line of communications
+than by advancing directly against them.
+
+After the first day Gassion invited Hector to ride with him, an
+invitation which he gladly accepted, for the conversation of his younger
+companions turned chiefly upon court intrigues and love affairs in
+Paris, and on people of whose very names he was wholly ignorant. Riding
+with Gassion across from one road to another along which the army was
+advancing, he was able to see much of the movements of bodies of troops
+through a country wholly different from that with which he was familiar.
+He saw how careful the general was to maintain communication between the
+heads of the different columns, especially as he approached the enemy.
+
+“De Malo ought,” he said, “to have utilized such a country as this for
+checking our advance. In these woods he might have so placed his men as
+to annihilate one column before another could come to its assistance. I
+can only suppose that he relies so absolutely upon his numbers, and
+the valour and discipline of his soldiers, that he prefers to fight a
+pitched battle, where a complete success would open the road to Paris,
+and thus lay France at his feet and bring the war to a conclusion at one
+stroke.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII: ROCROI
+
+
+Gassion conducted the movements of the army so adroitly that he had
+brought it to within almost striking distance of the Spanish divisions
+before Marshal l'Hopital perceived the fact that it was so placed that
+a battle was almost inevitable. He besought Enghien to fall back while
+there was yet time, pointing out the orders that had been given that a
+battle was not to be hazarded, and the terrible misfortunes that would
+fall upon France in case of defeat. Enghien, however, was deaf to his
+advice, and refused to acknowledge his authority.
+
+Turenne, under similar circumstances, would have drawn off and
+forced the enemy to raise the siege by threatening their line of
+communications; but Turenne thought nothing of personal glory, and
+fought only for France. Enghien, on the other hand, throughout his
+career was animated by personal motives, and cared nothing for the
+general welfare of France. Turenne was wholly unselfish; Enghien was
+ready to sacrifice anything or everything for his own glory or interest.
+At present, surrounded as he was by young nobles as eager to fight as
+he was himself, and backed by Gassion, one of the most able and
+enterprising soldiers of the day, he declared that he had come to
+fight and would do so. Even had l'Hopital known the news that had been
+received by Enghien, he would have been powerless to check or control
+him. A courier had indeed the day before brought the young duke a
+despatch containing the news of the king's death and peremptory orders
+not to fight. Enghien simply put the letter in his pocket, and the
+contents were known only to Gassion and a few of his most intimate
+friends.
+
+De Malo was as anxious to bring on a general engagement as was his fiery
+opponent. He was kept well informed of what was going on in Paris,
+and knew that the king's death was imminent. His position on a plain,
+surrounded on all sides by woods and marshes with but one approach,
+and that through a narrow defile, was practically impregnable; and by
+occupying the defile he could have kept the French at bay without
+the slightest difficulty until Rocroi surrendered. He knew, too, that
+General Beck with a considerable force was hastening to join him; but
+he feared that prudent counsels might at the last moment prevail in the
+French camp, or that the news of the king's death might reach them, and
+he therefore left the defile open and allowed the French army to gain
+the plain and form up in order of battle facing him, without offering
+the slightest opposition or firing a single gun.
+
+It was late in the afternoon by the time the French were in position,
+and as both commanders were anxious that the battle should be a
+decisive one neither took any step to bring on the fight, but contented
+themselves with preparing for the encounter next morning. The night was
+cold and somewhat thick, and the positions of the two armies were marked
+by lines of fire. The march had been a long and fatiguing one, and
+silence soon fell upon the scene. Enghien wrapped himself in his cloak,
+and, lying down by a watch fire, was speedily asleep, wholly unoppressed
+by the tremendous responsibilities that he had assumed, or the fact
+that he had risked the destinies of France for the sake of his personal
+ambition, and that in any case the slaughter that must ensue in the
+morning would be terrible. Gassion, however, with a few of the older
+officers, sat for hours discussing the probabilities of the battle.
+Hector, remembering the manner in which Turenne exercised the
+most ceaseless vigilance, and nightly inspected all the outposts,
+endeavouring to ascertain the plans and positions of the enemy, had, as
+night closed in, requested Gassion's permission to go the rounds.
+
+“Certainly, if it so pleases you, Captain Campbell. The watchword
+tonight is 'Conde', but I will in addition give you a pass enjoining all
+officers to allow you to go where you please, you being on the staff of
+the prince. I shall go round myself later on, for de Malo may intend a
+night attack, by which he would certainly gain advantages. His troops
+are fresh, while ours are weary. He has had every opportunity of
+studying the ground, while it is all new to us. Still, I hardly think
+that he will move till morning. Enterprise is not the strong point of
+the Spaniards, they love to fight in solid bodies, and hitherto their
+infantry have never been broken by cavalry. At night they would lose
+the advantage of their steadiness of formation. It is clear, by his
+willingness to allow us to pass the defile and take up this position,
+that de Malo is absolutely certain of victory and will wait, for
+daylight would permit him to make his expected victory a complete one,
+while at night great numbers of our army would be able to make their
+escape through the woods.”
+
+Hector returned to the spot where his horses were picketed with those
+of Enghien's staff. He found Paolo lying down under a tree where he
+had been ordered to take up his post, so that Hector could find him if
+required.
+
+“Are you asleep, Paolo?”
+
+“No, master; I have been thinking about the battle tomorrow, and where I
+had best bestow myself.”
+
+“As to that, Paolo, I should say that you had better keep with the
+prince's servants here. You will, of course, have your horse saddled and
+be ready to ride on the instant. If we are victorious there will be no
+occasion for you to move, but if you see that we are beaten, my orders
+are that you are not to think of waiting for me. I must keep with the
+others. Doubtless the cavalry would cover the retreat, and it would be
+a serious inconvenience for me to have to come here to look after you,
+therefore as soon as you see that the day has gone against us mount and
+ride. You can wait at our halting place of last night until you see the
+prince's party come along. If I am alive I shall be with them; if not,
+my advice to you is to ride south and to report yourself to Turenne.
+He will, I doubt not, either take you into his own service, or give
+you such strong recommendations that you will have no difficulty in
+obtaining a post with some officer of distinction should you wish to
+continue with the army. Now, I am going along our line of outposts, and
+I intend to reconnoitre the ground between us and the enemy. That is
+what Turenne would be doing were he in command here.”
+
+“I will go with you, master; when it comes to reconnoitering, methinks
+that I am as good as another. I can run like a hare, and though a
+bullet would go faster, I am quite sure that none of these heavily armed
+Spaniards would have a chance of catching me.”
+
+“I intended to take you with me, Paolo. We shall need as much care and
+caution here as we did in getting into the citadel of Turin.”
+
+“I think, master, that it would be well for you to leave your armour
+behind you. It will be of small avail if you fall into the midst of a
+band of Spanish spearmen, while it would be a sore hindrance in passing
+through these woods, and the lighter you are accoutred the better.”
+
+“That is so, and I will take your advice. I will give it into the charge
+of the horse guard. I will, of course, take my sword and pistols, and
+you may as well take yours.”
+
+“I like a knife better than a sword, master, but I will take the both. I
+think it would be as well for you to lay aside your helmet also, for the
+light from one of these watchfires might glint upon it and catch the eye
+of a Spaniard.”
+
+“You are right, Paolo; have you got the hat?”
+
+“Yes, sir, it is here with your valises.”
+
+“That is certainly more comfortable,” Hector said as he put it on. “Now,
+you had better carry the things across to that fire where the prince's
+staff are sitting. There is no fear of anyone interfering with them
+there.”
+
+As soon as this had been done they started, picking their way carefully
+through numbers of sleeping men, and stopping once or twice to exchange
+a word with the groups still gathered round the fires. First they passed
+along the whole line of outposts, answering the challenges by the words,
+“Officer of the prince's staff on duty.” They found the sentries fairly
+vigilant, for with so powerful an enemy within striking distance every
+soldier felt that the occasion was one for unusual watchfulness. At
+each post Hector questioned the sentinels closely as to whether they
+had heard any sounds indicating the movement of troops in the interval
+between the two armies, and in only one case was there an affirmative
+answer.
+
+“I heard a sound such as might be made by the clash of armour against a
+tree or by an armed man falling. I have listened attentively since, but
+have heard nothing more.”
+
+“From which direction did the noise seem to come?”
+
+“From across there, sir. It seemed to me to come from that copse in the
+hollow.”
+
+“That is just what I thought might be likely, Paolo,” Hector said as he
+walked on. “That hollow ground between the armies, with its wood and
+low brushwood, is just the place where an ambush might be posted with
+advantage. Turenne would have taken possession of it as soon as darkness
+closed in, for it would not only prevent the possibility of the army
+being taken by surprise during the night, but it might be invaluable
+during the fight tomorrow, for a force ambushed there might take an
+advancing enemy in the rear. We will go farther on till we get to a
+point where the brushwood extends nearly up to our line. We will enter
+it there, and make our way along until we see whether de Malo has taken
+advantage of our failure to utilize the wood.”
+
+As soon as they reached the point he indicated they moved forward,
+crouching low until they reached the bushes; then they crawled along,
+keeping outside but close to them. In this way they would be invisible
+to any sentries posted near the edge of the wood, and would also avoid
+the risk of drawing the enemy's attention by accidentally breaking a
+dried branch or even snapping a twig. In ten minutes they entered the
+wood that extended along the greater portion of the hollow.
+
+“Keep on your hands and knees,” Hector whispered, “and feel the ground
+as you go to make sure that there are no broken branches that would
+crack if you placed your knee upon them. We may come upon the Spaniards
+at any moment. Keep close to me. Touch me if you hear the slightest
+sound, and I will do the same to you. The touch will mean stop. Move
+your sword along the belt till the handle is round at your back; in
+that way there will be no risk of it striking a tree or catching in a
+projecting root.”
+
+“I will do that, master, and will keep my knife between my teeth. It may
+be that we shall come upon a Spanish sentinel who may need silencing.”
+
+“No, Paolo; only in the last extremity and to save our lives must we
+resort to arms. Were a sentry found killed in the morning they would
+know that their position in the wood had been discovered. It is most
+important that they should believe that their ambush is unsuspected.”
+
+Their progress was very slow. When they were nearly opposite the
+centre of their position Paolo was suddenly touched by his master. They
+listened intently, and could hear at no great distance ahead low sounds
+at regular intervals.
+
+“Men snoring,” Paolo whispered in his ear.
+
+They moved forward again even more cautiously than before. Presently
+they stopped, for at the edge of the wood facing the camp they heard a
+slight movement and a low clash of arms, as if a sentinel on the lookout
+had changed his position. Feeling sure that the guards would all be
+placed along the edge of the wood, they moved forward again, stopping
+every few yards to listen. There was no doubt now that they were close
+to a large body of sleepers. Occasional snores, broken murmurs, and a
+sound as one turned from side to side rose from in front of them.
+
+“You go round on one side, I will go round on the other, Paolo. We will
+meet again when we have passed beyond them. It is important that we
+should form some estimate as to their numbers.”
+
+In half an hour they met again, and crawled along for some distance side
+by side in silence.
+
+“How many should you say, Paolo?”
+
+“They were lying four deep as far as I could make out, master. I kept
+very close to the outside line. I could not count them accurately
+because of the trees, but I should say that there were about two hundred
+and fifty in a line.”
+
+“That was very close to what I reckoned them at. At any rate, it is a
+regiment about a thousand strong. They are musketeers, for several times
+I went close enough to feel their arms. In every case it was a musket
+and not a pike that my hand fell on. Now we will go on till we are
+opposite our last watchfire, and then crawl up the hill.”
+
+They were challenged as they approached the lines.
+
+“A friend,” Hector replied. “An officer of the prince's staff.”
+
+“Give the countersign,” the soldier said.
+
+“Conde.”
+
+“That is right, but wait until I call an officer.”
+
+“Good! but make no noise; that is important.”
+
+The sentinel went to the watchfire, and an officer sitting there at once
+rose and came forward.
+
+“Advance, officer of the staff!” he said in low tones. “That is right,
+monsieur,” he went on as Hector advanced close enough to be seen by the
+light of the fire.
+
+“I have a special pass signed by General Gassion,” he said.
+
+The officer took it, and looked at it by the light of the fire.
+
+“That is all in order,” he said as he returned it; “but the sentry had
+the strictest orders that no one coming from the side of the enemy
+was to be allowed to enter our lines, even if he gave the countersign
+correctly, until he had been examined by an officer.”
+
+“He did his duty, sir. One cannot be too careful on the eve of battle. A
+straggler might stray away and be captured, and be forced under pain of
+death to give up the countersign, and once in our lines much information
+might be obtained as to our position. However, I hardly think that any
+such attempts will be made. The Spaniards saw us march in and take up
+our position, and must have marked where our cavalry and artillery were
+posted. Good night!”
+
+The greater part of the night had already gone, for in May the days
+are already lengthening out. After the troops had fallen out from their
+ranks wood had to be collected and rations cooked, and it was past ten
+o'clock before any of them lay down, and an hour later, before Hector
+left on his expedition. The examination of the outposts had taken more
+than an hour; it was now three o'clock in the morning, and the orders
+were that the troops should all be under arms before daybreak. Hector
+returned to the spot where he had left General Gassion. All was quiet
+there now, and he lay down until, somewhat before five, a bugle sounded.
+The signal was repeated all along the line, and almost at the same
+moment the Spanish trumpets told that the enemy, too, were making
+preparations for the day's work. General Gassion was one of the first to
+spring to his feet. Hector at once went up to him.
+
+“I have come to report, general,” he said, “that I have reconnoitred
+along the whole line of wood in the hollow in front, and have found that
+a regiment of musketeers about a thousand strong have been placed in
+ambush there.”
+
+“Then, by heavens, you have done us good service indeed, Captain
+Campbell! They might have done us an ill turn had we advanced knowing
+nothing of their presence there. Nothing shakes troops more than a
+sudden attack in the rear. Please come across with me and repeat the
+news that you have given me to the prince himself.”
+
+There was bustle all along the line. The troops were falling into their
+ranks, stamping their feet to set the blood in motion, swinging their
+arms, and growling at the sharp morning air. At the headquarters bivouac
+the young nobles were laughing and jesting as they prepared to mount.
+
+“Where is the prince?” Gassion asked.
+
+“There he lies under his cloak, general. He is still fast asleep. It
+is evident that the thought of the coming battle does not weigh heavily
+upon him. I acknowledge that I have not closed an eye; I do not think
+that any of us have done so.”
+
+So sound, indeed, was the prince's sleep that Gassion had to shake him
+almost roughly to rouse him.
+
+As soon, however, as his eyes opened he leapt to his feet. “I have had a
+wonderful night,” he laughed; “never have I slept more soundly on a down
+bed than on this hard ground, which, however, as I find, makes my bones
+ache wonderfully. Well, it is a fine day for a battle. What is your
+news, Gassion?”
+
+“It is important, monseigneur. Captain Campbell has spent the night in
+reconnoitering on his own account, and has discovered that a thousand
+Spanish musketeers are lying in ambush in the copse in the hollow.”
+
+“Is that so?” the duke said shortly. “Well, Captain Campbell, you have
+rendered us a vital service indeed, and one that I shall not forget.
+However, now we are forewarned, we shall know how to deal with them.
+If I should fall, Gassion, and you should survive, see that Captain
+Campbell's service is duly represented. Now, to horse, gentlemen!”
+
+The morning sun rose on the 20th of May on a brilliant scene. The two
+armies were disposed along slightly elevated ridges, between which lay
+the hollow with its brushwood and copses. Enghien commanded the cavalry
+on the right wing, with Gassion as second in command. In place of his
+helmet the prince wore a hat with large white plumes, remembering,
+perhaps, how Henri of Navarre's white plumes had served as a rallying
+point. Marshal l'Hopital commanded the cavalry on the French left, Baron
+d'Espenan commanded the infantry in the centre, and Baron Sirot the
+reserves. The right of the Spanish army was composed of the German
+horse led by de Malo, the Walloons on the left were under the Duke of
+Albuquerque, while in the centre were the veteran Spanish infantry under
+the command of General Fuentes, who had often led them to victory. He
+was too old and infirm to mount a horse, but lay in a litter in the
+midst of his hitherto unconquerable infantry.
+
+All being ready on both sides, the trumpet sounded, and simultaneously
+the cavalry of both armies moved forward. Enghien moved farther to
+the right, and then dashing down the slopes led his cavalry along the
+bottom, fell suddenly upon the musketeers in ambush and cut them to
+pieces. Then galloping forward he fell upon the Spanish left in front
+and flank. The impetuous charge was irresistible; the Walloons broke and
+fled before it, and were speedily scattered over the plain, pursued
+by the victorious French. But upon the other wing de Malo's charge had
+proved equally irresistible. L'Hopital's horse was broken and scattered,
+and, wheeling his cavalry round, de Malo fell upon the flank and rear of
+d'Espenan's infantry, shattered them at once, captured the whole of
+the French artillery, and then fell upon the reserves. Baron Sirot, an
+officer of great courage and ability, held them together and for a time
+repelled the attack of the German cavalry; but these, inspirited by
+their previous success, continued their attacks with such fury that the
+reserves began to waver and fall back. Enghien was still in pursuit of
+the Walloons when an officer rode up with news of the disaster that had
+befallen the rest of the army. Enghien grasped the situation instantly,
+and his military genius pointed out how the battle might yet be
+retrieved. His trumpets instantly recalled his scattered squadrons, and
+galloping round the Spanish centre he fell like a thunderbolt upon the
+rear of de Malo's cavalry, already exulting in what appeared certain
+victory.
+
+Astounded at this unlooked for attack, they in vain bore up and tried
+to resist it; but the weight and impetus of the French assault bore all
+before it, and they clove their way through the confused mass of cavalry
+without a pause. Then wheeling right and left they charged into the
+disorganized crowd of German horsemen, who, unable to withstand this
+terrible onslaught, broke and fled, de Malo himself galloping off the
+field with his disorganized troopers. Never was a more sudden change
+in the fate of a great battle. The French cause had appeared absolutely
+lost; one wing and their centre were routed; their reserves had suffered
+heavily, and were on the point of giving way. Humanly speaking, the
+battle seemed hopelessly lost, and yet in ten minutes victory had been
+converted into defeat, and the right and left wings of the Spanish army
+had ceased to exist as collected bodies. There remained the Spanish
+infantry, and Enghien, recklessly courageous as he was, hesitated to
+attack the solid formation that had hitherto proved invincible.
+
+While still doubting whether, having defeated the rest of the army,
+it might not be best to allow this formidable body to march away
+unmolested, news reached him that General Beck, with his reinforcements,
+would be on the ground in an hour. This decided him, and he ordered the
+whole of the guns that had been rescued from their late captors to be
+turned on the Spanish square, and then, collecting his cavalry into a
+mass, dashed at it. The Spaniards remained motionless till the French
+line was within twenty yards of them, then men stepped aside, a number
+of guns poured their contents into the cavalry, while a tremendous
+volley swept away their front line. So terrible was the effect, so great
+the confusion caused by the carnage, that had the Walloon cavalry been
+rallied and returned to the field, the tide of the battle might again
+have been changed; but they were miles away, and Enghien rallied his men
+without a moment's delay, while the French artillery again opened fire
+upon the Spanish square. Again the French cavalry charged and strove
+to make their way into the gaps made by the artillery, but before they
+reached the face of the square these were closed up, and the guns and
+musketry carried havoc among the French squadrons, which again recoiled
+in confusion. Once more Enghien rallied them, and, when the French
+artillery had done their work, led them forward again with a bravery as
+impetuous and unshaken as that with which he had ridden in front of them
+in their first charge; nevertheless for the third time they fell back,
+shattered by the storm of iron and lead. Enghien now brought up his
+artillery to close quarters, Baron de Sirot led up the infantry of the
+reserve, and the attack was renewed.
+
+The aged Spanish general, though streaming with blood from several
+wounds, still from his litter encouraged his soldiers, who, stern and
+unmoved, filled up the gaps that had been made, and undauntedly faced
+their foes. But the struggle could not be long continued. The square was
+gradually wasting away, and occupied but half the ground which it had
+stood upon when the battle began. And Fuentes, seeing that further
+resistance could only lead to the annihilation of his little band, felt
+that no more could be done. There were no signs of Beck coming to
+his assistance. Indeed the troops of that general had been met by the
+cavalry in their flight; these communicated their own panic to them, and
+such was the alarm that the division abandoned its baggage and guns and
+fled from the field, where their arrival might still have turned the
+tide of battle.
+
+Fuentes at last ordered his officers to signal their surrender. Enghien
+rode forward, but, the Spanish soldiers believing that, as before, he
+was but leading his cavalry against them, poured in a terrible volley.
+He escaped by almost a miracle, but his soldiers, maddened by what they
+believed to be an act of treachery, hurled themselves upon the enemy.
+The square was broken, and a terrible slaughter ensued before the
+exertions of the officers put a stop to it. Then the remaining Spaniards
+surrendered. The battle of Rocroi was to the land forces of Spain a blow
+as terrible and fatal as the destruction of the Armada had been to their
+naval supremacy. It was indeed a death blow to the power that Spain had
+so long exercised over Europe. It showed the world that her infantry
+were no longer irresistible, and while it lowered her prestige it
+infinitely increased that of France, which was now regarded as the first
+military power in Europe.
+
+The losses in the battle were extremely heavy. The German and Walloon
+cavalry both suffered very severely, while of the Spanish infantry not
+one man left the battlefield save as a prisoner, and fully two-thirds
+of their number lay dead on the ground. Upon the French side the losses
+were numerically much smaller. The German cavalry, after routing those
+of l'Hopital, instead of following up the pursuit hurled themselves upon
+the infantry, who broke almost without resistance. These also escaped
+with comparatively little loss, de Malo leading the cavalry at once
+against the French reserves. Among the cavalry commanded by Enghien the
+loss was very heavy, and included many gentlemen of the best blood of
+France. There was no pursuit; half the French cavalry were far away
+from the field, the rest had lost well nigh half their number, and were
+exhausted by the fury of the fight; indeed, the fugitive cavalry were
+miles away before the conflict ended. The gallant old general, Fuentes,
+expired from his wounds soon after the termination of the battle.
+
+Hector was with the body of young nobles who followed close behind
+Enghien in the three first desperate charges. In the third his horse was
+shot under him just as the cavalry recoiled from the deadly fire of the
+square. He partly extracted his foot from the stirrup as he fell, but
+not sufficiently to free him, and he was pinned to the ground by the
+weight of the horse. It was well for him that it was so, for had he
+been free he would assuredly have been shot down as he followed the
+retreating cavalry. This thought occurred to his mind after the first
+involuntary effort to extricate his leg, and he lay there stiff and
+immovable as if dead. It was a trying time. The balls from the French
+cannon whistled over his head, the musket shots flew thickly round him,
+and he knew that ere long the attack would be renewed.
+
+Fortunately the fourth advance of the French did not come directly
+over him, the commanders purposely leading their troops so as to avoid
+passing over the ground where so many of the young nobles had fallen.
+Not until the last musket had been discharged and the cessation of the
+din told that all was over, did he endeavour to rise. Then he sat up and
+called to two dismounted soldiers, who were passing near, to aid him.
+They at once came up, and soon lifted the horse so far that he was able
+to withdraw his leg. His thick jackboot had protected it from injury,
+although it had been partly the cause of his misfortune, for the sole
+had caught against the side of the horse and so prevented him from
+withdrawing it. Nevertheless, his leg was so numbed that it was some
+time before he could limp away. He retraced his steps towards the spot
+where he had mounted at starting. He had not gone far when he saw
+Paolo galloping towards him. The young fellow gave a shout of joy as he
+recognized him, and a minute later drew rein by his side and leapt off
+his horse.
+
+“Thank God I see you alive again, master! Are you wounded?”
+
+“No; my horse was killed and fell upon my foot, and has no doubt bruised
+it a bit, otherwise I am unhurt.”
+
+“It has been terrible, master. I climbed up into that tree beneath which
+we halted yesterday and watched the battle. I shouted with joy when I
+saw Enghien clear out the ambuscade, and again when he drove the Walloon
+horse away; then everything seemed to go wrong. I saw the marshal's
+cavalry on the left driven off the field like chaff before the wind.
+Then the centre broke up directly they were charged; and as the enemy
+fell upon the reserve it seemed to me that all was lost. Then I saw
+Enghien and his horsemen coming along like a whirlwind, bursting their
+way through the enemy's horse, and in turn driving them off the field.
+I hoped then that the battle was all over, and that the Spanish infantry
+would be allowed to march away; but no, my heart fell again when, time
+after time, our cavalry dashed up against them, and each time fell back
+again, leaving the slope behind them covered with dead men and horses;
+and I shouted aloud when I saw the artillery move up and the reserves
+advancing. As soon as I saw that the square was broken and a terrible
+melee was going on, I knew that all was over, and could restrain my
+impatience no longer, so I mounted my horse with, I may say, small hope
+of finding you alive, seeing that you rode behind Enghien, whose white
+plumes I could see ever in front of the line.”
+
+“It has been a marvellous victory, Paolo, and there can be no doubt that
+Enghien has covered himself with glory. It was his quick eye that saw
+what there was to be done, his brain that instantly directed the blow
+where alone it could be effectual, and his extraordinary bravery that
+roused the enthusiasm of those around him to a point at which no man
+thought of his life. But for him it was a lost battle.”
+
+“Well, master, I am glad that we have won the battle, but that is as
+nothing to me in comparison that you have come out of it safely, and I
+think, master, that we have a right to say that we helped in some degree
+to bring about the victory by discovering that ambuscade down in the
+hollow.”
+
+“That had not occurred to me, Paolo,” Hector laughed. “No doubt it was
+a fortunate discovery, for had the musketeers lain hidden there until we
+were beaten back after our first charge, and then poured their fire into
+us, it would doubtless have thrown us into some confusion, and might
+even have caused a panic for a while.”
+
+“Now, master, if you will mount this horse I will be off and catch
+another; there are scores of them running about riderless, some of them
+belonging to the marshal's men, but many more to the Germans, and a few
+that galloped off riderless each time Enghien fell back.”
+
+“Don't take one of those, Paolo; it might be claimed by its master's
+lackeys; get one of the best German horses that you can find. You might
+as well get two if you can, for I want a second horse while I am here
+with the prince.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX: HONOURS
+
+
+In half an hour Paolo returned leading two horses. By their trappings
+and appearance both had evidently belonged to officers.
+
+“Take off the trappings,” Hector said, “then put a saddle on one for
+me; shift your own saddle on to the other, and picket your own with the
+spare horses of the staff, then we will ride over and get my saddle,
+bridle, holsters, and trappings. The horse has carried me well ever
+since I left Paris, and I am grieved indeed to lose it.”
+
+“So am I, master; it was a good beast, but I think that either of these
+is as good, though it will be long before I get to like them as I did
+Scotty. We shall want housings for this second horse, master.”
+
+“Yes; there will be no difficulty about that. There are scores of dead
+horses on the field; choose one without any embroidery or insignia. You
+may as well take another pair of holsters with pistols.”
+
+Riding across to the spot where Enghien and his officers were forming up
+the prisoners, talking courteously to the Spanish officers and seeing
+to the wounded, Hector, leaving Paolo to find his fallen horse and shift
+his trappings to the one that he rode, cantered up to the spot where
+Enghien's white plume could be seen in the midst of a group of officers,
+among whom was General Gassion. He saluted as he came up.
+
+“I am glad indeed to see you, Captain Campbell,” Enghien said warmly,
+holding out his hand; “I feared that you were killed. Some of my friends
+told me that you were struck down in the third charge, and that they had
+not seen you since and feared that you were slain.”
+
+“My horse was killed, prince, and in falling pinned me to the ground,
+and being within thirty yards of the Spanish square, I lay without
+movement until you came back again and broke them. Then some soldiers so
+far lifted my horse that I could get my foot from under it, my servant
+found and caught a riderless German horse, and here I am unharmed.”
+
+“Well, sir, at the time that you came up General Gassion was just
+telling these gentlemen that had it not been for you things might have
+gone very differently. Had you not discovered that ambush their fire
+would have been fatal to us, for we fell back, as you know, farther than
+the copse, and a volley from a thousand muskets would have played havoc
+among us, and after so terrible a repulse might well have decided the
+day against us. For this great service, rendered by you voluntarily and
+without orders, I as commander-in-chief of this army, with the full and
+warm approval of General Gassion, appoint you to the rank of colonel,
+a rank which I am sure will be confirmed by the queen's minister when I
+report to him my reasons for the promotion. General Gassion reports
+that the man who accompanied you on this reconnaissance was the same who
+followed you in the expedition to Turin. As he is not a soldier I cannot
+promote him, but I will order my chamberlain to hand him a purse of a
+hundred pistoles. When you return to Turenne, tell him that I owe him
+my best thanks for having sent you to me, and that, thanks to the aid of
+his teaching, you have been the means of preventing a great disaster to
+our forces.”
+
+“I thank you, indeed, monsieur, for your kindness, and for promoting
+me so far beyond my merits, but I hope in the future I shall be able to
+still further prove my gratitude.”
+
+“That is proved already,” Gassion said, “for although every man today
+has fought like a hero, you were the only one in camp that suspected
+that the Spanish might be lying in an ambush, and who not only thought
+it, but took means to find out whether it was so.”
+
+The next morning Enghien informed Hector that he was elected as one
+of the three officers who were to have the honour of carrying his
+despatches to Paris, and that he was to start in half an hour. Paolo,
+who was in the highest state of delight at the purse that had been
+presented to him the evening before, was greatly pleased with the
+prospect.
+
+“Heaven be praised, master, that you are not going into another battle!
+It was well nigh a miracle that you escaped last time, and such good
+luck does not befall a man twice. I have never seen Paris, and greatly
+do I long to do so. How they will shout when they hear the news we
+bring!”
+
+“It will not be altogether news to them, Paolo. La Moussaie, Enghien's
+intimate friend, who acted as his aide-de-camp during the battle, was
+sent off ten minutes after the fight ended with a paper, on which the
+prince had pencilled that he had utterly defeated the enemy. He will
+change horses at every post, and will be in Paris by this evening. We
+bear the official despatches, giving a full account of the battle, and
+of the total destruction of the Spanish infantry, with no doubt a list
+of the nobles and gentlemen who have fallen. Well, I should think now,
+Paolo, that when we have seen enough of Paris and we have journeyed down
+to Perpignan again, you will leave my service and buy a farm; you can
+afford a substantial one now.”
+
+“What, master! I leave your service, where gold comes in in showers, and
+where one serves a master whom one loves? No, sir, I am not such a fool
+as that. I do not say that when the war is over I may not settle down in
+a snug home among the mountains of Savoy, but not until then; besides, I
+am but eighteen, and a nice hand I should make at managing a farm.”
+
+“Well, get the horses ready at once and the valises packed. You can put
+them on my spare horse. The mule will scarce keep up with us, for we
+shall certainly travel fast, so you had best hand it over to someone who
+you think will treat it kindly.”
+
+Twenty minutes later Hector, and two officers who had distinguished
+themselves especially in the battle, sat mounted before the tent that
+had now been raised for d'Enghien. The young prince himself came out.
+“Gentlemen,” he said, handing the three sealed packets, “you will
+present these to the queen, who is now Regent of France, for Louis XIII
+died a week ago. They contain the despatches and reports of myself and
+General Gassion. Your packet, colonel,” he added to Hector, “is General
+Gassion's report; it goes more fully into military details than mine.
+You, Monsieur de Penthiere, carry my despatches in reference to the
+battle of yesterday. You, Monsieur de Caussac, are the bearer of my
+plans for our future operations. I think that you will all agree with me
+that, after the battle we have won, we shall be able to make ourselves
+masters of Flanders with but slight resistance.”
+
+The three officers bowed their agreement with the words.
+
+“I know not who is in power or on whom the queen chiefly relies for
+counsel, but should any questions be put to you, you will, I hope, be
+able to express the urgency of prompt action in this matter before the
+Spaniards have time to rally from the terrible blow that this defeat has
+inflicted upon them. And now, gentlemen, a rapid and pleasant journey.
+Orders were sent on last night that four sets of fresh horses should
+be in readiness along the road. They are my own horses, and good ones.
+Twelve troopers will accompany you; three of these will remain behind at
+each stage where you change, and the horses that you have used will be
+brought on at a more leisurely pace after you. They will readily find
+out in Paris where you are lodged, and I beg that you will retain the
+horses as a slight proof of my goodwill.”
+
+Then he waved his hand and went into his tent again. The three lackeys,
+each holding a spare horse, were sitting in readiness for a start some
+fifty yards away. After a moment's conversation the officers rode up to
+them.
+
+“You must follow us quietly,” one of them said. “For today you can keep
+up with us to the end of the first stage. Three fresh horses have been
+provided for us, for we ride without a stop to Paris. Three soldiers
+will there take charge of the horses we ride. When we go on you will
+follow quietly with the horses that you are now leading. It will be
+impossible for you to keep up with us.”
+
+Then they placed themselves at the head of their escort of dragoons, the
+lackeys fell in behind them, and they started at a fast pace.
+
+“Do you know where the first relays are?” one of the officers asked the
+sergeant in charge of the escort, after they had ridden three or four
+miles.
+
+“The first is at Rethel, monsieur, the second at Rheims, the third at
+Chateau-Thierry, the fourth at Meaux.”
+
+“Then we will ride on at once. You have your orders?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+Whereupon the three officers quickened their pace. The distance to be
+traversed was about a hundred and thirty miles, and as they had five
+horses, including those they rode, each stage would average about
+twenty-six miles.
+
+“Now, gentlemen,” de Penthiere said, “it seems to me that it would be
+a pity to founder fifteen good horses in order to gain an hour on this
+journey. The queen has already received news of the victory, or at least
+she will receive it some time today, therefore the details we bring are
+not of particular importance. It is now eight o'clock. If we were to
+gallop all the way we might do it in twelve hours. The roads in many
+places will be bad, and we must stop for meals at least three times;
+with the utmost speed we could hardly be in Paris in less than fifteen
+hours. Her majesty will scarce want to read long despatches at that
+time, and may take it that we ourselves will need a bath and a change of
+garments, and the services of a barber, before we could show ourselves
+in court. Had we been bearers of the original despatch, we might have
+gone in splashed from head to foot. As it is, it seems to me that if we
+present ourselves with our papers at seven in the morning we shall have
+done that which is necessary. What do you both say?”
+
+“I agree with you, de Penthiere. It would be a sore pity to injure good
+horses by galloping them at the top of their speed, to say nothing of
+knocking ourselves up. Had we been sent off from the field of battle I
+should have said, spare neither the horses nor ourselves. But indeed it
+seems to me that tomorrow morning will be quite early enough for us
+to present ourselves and our despatches. To tell you the truth, I have
+never ridden a hundred and thirty miles or so at the pace of a courier.
+I should say let us go at a reasonable pace, and get into Paris soon
+after midnight, which will give us time for some little sleep, and
+afterwards to make ourselves presentable. What say you, Colonel
+Campbell?”
+
+“I have no opinion, messieurs. I know nothing of the manners of the
+court, and if you think that tomorrow morning will be quite soon enough
+for us to deliver the despatches I am quite willing to fall in with your
+view. It is certainly a long ride, and as we marched hither we found
+that the roads were very bad, and certainly where the army has passed
+they are so cut up by the artillery and wagons that they are sure to
+be quite unfit for going at racing speed. Therefore I think that if we
+present ourselves at the palace early in the morning, we shall have done
+all that can be expected of us.”
+
+It was indeed two o'clock in the morning when they arrived at the gates
+of Paris. Accustomed though they all were to horse exercise, the journey
+had been a very fatiguing one. Until night fell they had ridden briskly,
+talking as they went on the probable state of affairs in France and of
+the military operations that were likely to be undertaken as the result
+of the victory, but progress became slow after darkness set in. The
+roads were in many places detestably bad. In passing through forests it
+was not possible to travel much beyond a walk, as it was necessary not
+only to avoid overhanging arms of trees, but to keep the track, for the
+road in many places was nothing more.
+
+Once or twice they lost it altogether, and it was only when they hit
+upon the house of a peasant or a little village, and obtained a guide,
+that they were able to recover their road. Consequently all were
+thoroughly exhausted when they reached Paris. The gates were opened to
+them when it was understood that they bore despatches from the army.
+They made their way to the Hotel Conde. It was illuminated, for the
+prince had given a great banquet in honour of the victory won by his
+son; and although most of the guests had left long before, a party
+of the closest friends and connections of the prince were holding an
+informal council, when the word came to them that three officers had
+arrived with despatches from the Duc d'Enghien. The prince came down.
+Hector had dismounted without assistance, but the other two officers had
+to be lifted from their saddles.
+
+“Are you bearers of any special news, de Penthiere?” the prince asked;
+for the two young nobles were well known to him.
+
+“No, monseigneur, save that our despatches give full details of the
+battle.”
+
+“What is our loss?”
+
+“It is very heavy,” de Penthiere said. “Fully a hundred men of good
+blood have fallen. The loss principally fell upon the cavalry commanded
+by the duke, who three times charged the Spanish infantry, and only
+succeeded at the fourth attempt in breaking their square.”
+
+“And the Spanish infantry?”
+
+“Every man was either killed or taken.”
+
+“Glorious!” the prince said. “Well, I will not detain you now, for I see
+that you can scarce stand, and it would be cruel to keep you up, much as
+we desire to hear the particulars.”
+
+“I think, monseigneur, that this gentleman, Colonel Campbell, is more in
+a condition to talk to you than de Caussac or myself.”
+
+“I shall be happy to answer any questions,” Hector said, bowing to the
+prince. “I have been campaigning for the last four years under Monsieur
+de Turenne, and am accustomed to long journeys and sleepless nights.”
+
+“Thank you, colonel. We will not keep you up long.”
+
+Some lackeys were ordered to assist the two young nobles to couches,
+and then Conde and his companions left the courtyard and entered a small
+saloon where they had supped two hours before. Some fresh bottles of
+wine and cold viands were at once placed upon the table. Hector drank
+off a goblet of wine.
+
+“Now, Monsieur le Prince, I will tell you all I know about the fight.”
+ And he gave Conde and his companions a brief sketch of the various
+movements and changes of the battle.
+
+“It was a hard fought field indeed,” Conde said, “and the result is
+a glorious one for France. Now we will keep you no longer from your
+couch.”
+
+“May I ask, sir, at what time we ought to present ourselves with the
+despatches at the palace?”
+
+“It will not be necessary for you to present yourselves before ten
+o'clock, for it was late last night before her majesty retired. Paris
+was wild at the news of the victory, and the reception at the palace was
+crowded. Still, I should say that at ten it would be well that you and
+your companions should attend there, though you may have to wait for an
+hour or more for an audience.”
+
+At ten o'clock Hector and his companions presented themselves at the
+palace. Seven hours' sleep, a warm bath, and the services of the barber,
+who curled the hair of the two young nobles and sprinkled them all with
+perfume, did much to restore them, though they were all somewhat stiff,
+and every bone seemed to ache. They were kept waiting for half an hour,
+at the end of which time the door of the antechamber was opened and
+their names were called. The queen, who was still a beautiful woman,
+was standing talking to a gentleman, in whose attire there were but few
+symbols that would betray to a stranger that he was an ecclesiastic of
+high rank.
+
+“You are the bearers of despatches from the army, messieurs?”
+
+“We have that honour, your majesty,” de Penthiere, who was the senior of
+the party, said. “We arrived from Paris at two o'clock this morning, but
+did not venture to disturb your majesty at that hour.”
+
+“You did rightly,” the queen said graciously. “We already knew that
+a great victory had been gained, and could afford to wait for the
+particulars. Do you each bear a despatch?”
+
+“We do, your majesty,” de Penthiere said, producing that which he bore.
+“This, your majesty, is the general report of the Duc d'Enghien of
+the events of the battle. Colonel Campbell is intrusted with the more
+detailed description of General Gassion. Monsieur de Caussac's despatch
+contains the duke's views as to the carrying on of the campaign; these
+he submits to the judgment of your majesty and the council.”
+
+Cardinal Mazarin stepped forward and took the three documents.
+
+“These we will peruse and consider at our leisure,” the queen said, “and
+I shall, I hope, see you at my levee this evening. In the meantime I
+thank you for your service in having brought the despatches so speedily
+here, and am well aware that the fact that you have been chosen as the
+messengers of the commander-in-chief is in itself a proof that your
+share in the battle was in the highest degree honourable.”
+
+She graciously held out her hand, which de Penthiere and his companions,
+dropping upon one knee, raised to their lips, one after the other.
+
+“You are aware of the contents of the despatches, cardinal,” the queen
+said when they were alone.
+
+“Of their general scope, madam. The Prince of Conde did me the honour to
+call upon me at eight this morning. He had gathered a general account
+of the battle from the lips of that young Scottish colonel, who was the
+only one of the party who was capable of relating it, the others being
+almost speechless with fatigue, for the road from Rocroi hither is long
+and rough.”
+
+“You may well say the young Scottish colonel, cardinal. He is but a
+youth, and it is strange indeed that he should already have attained
+that rank.”
+
+“He has served for four years under the Viscount Turenne,” Mazarin
+said, “and must therefore have had good opportunities of distinguishing
+himself. Still, it is seldom indeed that any save one of royal blood or
+of the very highest families obtains such a rank so quickly. Turenne,
+however, was himself a colonel after less than four years service.”
+
+“Yes, cardinal, but he had the advantage of belonging to the family of
+an almost independent sovereign.”
+
+“Conde said that he had himself asked the young man how it was that he
+had won it, and he replied that it was solely due to the kindness of the
+Duc d'Enghien, who had been pleased to consider a small service he had
+rendered as worthy of recognition. It is like enough, your majesty, that
+we shall see his name mentioned in one of these documents. It is certain
+that he would not have been chosen to carry the despatches--a duty which
+is regarded as a reward of the most distinguished service--unless he had
+done something of marked importance.”
+
+The two French officers on leaving the palace at once went off to pay
+their respects in the first place to the heads of their families, and
+afterwards to visit the various circles and coteries with which they
+were connected, and where they would be sure of a flattering welcome and
+attentive listeners. Hector, for his part, rode direct to the quarters
+of the colonel of the Scottish regiment. A soldier came out and took the
+bridle of his horse as he saluted, while a sergeant asked what name he
+should announce.
+
+“Then you do not remember me, Sergeant Macfarlane?”
+
+The soldier looked at him earnestly. “Why,” he exclaimed suddenly, “it's
+Hector Campbell!”
+
+“Right enough, sergeant.”
+
+“You have changed mightily, sir; you were but a laddie when you went
+away nigh four years ago. The news came to the regiment that you had
+been made a captain, and proud we all were. The colonel will be right
+glad to see you,” and he led the way into the house.
+
+“Then the regiment has not been on service just lately?”
+
+“We had two years on the Rhine; but we came back here last autumn.
+The Red Cardinal was not fond of us, but he knew that he could trust
+us--which is more than he could have done some of the regiments--so
+he had us back again; and we were not sorry, for it was but dull work
+there--sieges and nought else.”
+
+He was just going to open the door of the inner room when Hector said,
+“You can announce me, Macfarlane, as Colonel Campbell.”
+
+“Gude Lord,” the sergeant ejaculated, “ye dinna say that ye are a
+colonel?” Then reassuming with a great effort his military stiffness, he
+opened the door and announced in a loud tone, “Colonel Hector Campbell.”
+
+There was an exclamation of astonishment from the colonel and two or
+three officers who were sitting with him.
+
+“Why, Campbell,” the former said, coming forward and warmly shaking his
+hand, “you are changed indeed, and you have come back to us almost the
+living image of your father when he first joined.”
+
+The officers all shook hands with him warmly, and the colonel went on,
+“Macfarlane announced you as colonel, Hector, but surely you cannot have
+gained that rank?”
+
+“I only obtained it two days ago. You see it is a good thing to be a
+prince's aide-de-camp. Turenne, wishing to give me every opportunity of
+seeing service, sent me to Enghien with a message asking him to employ
+me on his staff.”
+
+“And you were at Rocroi?” the colonel exclaimed. “What is the real news
+of the battle? It was given out officially last night that we had won
+a victory, and there are all sorts of rumours this morning in the
+town--they say that three officers arrived last night with full
+details.”
+
+“I was one of the three, colonel; and I have just now come from the
+palace after handing my despatches to the queen.”
+
+“Then it was Enghien who made you colonel?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Well, then, you must have done something marked, or you could never
+have got the rank. Why, he has half the young nobles of France in his
+train--he has not made them all colonels, I suppose?”
+
+“No, I suppose not; but we started early the next morning, and therefore
+cannot say what promotions were made.”
+
+“Still they made yours, Campbell. When did they do that?”
+
+“Just after the fight was over.”
+
+“Umph! and what for?”
+
+“Well, I luckily discovered that the Spaniards had set an ambush.”
+
+“Come, come, let us hear all about it. Tell us the whole story of the
+fight.”
+
+Hector gave all the details.
+
+“Well, it certainly seems to have been an extraordinary battle. Everyone
+appears to have been beaten in turn.”
+
+“Not Enghien's command, sir.”
+
+“Well, no; but when cavalry are repulsed three times with a loss, as
+you say, of nearly half their numbers, it is pretty well equivalent to a
+beating; and if Enghien had not been able to bring up the artillery and
+reserves, I take it that the third charge would have been the last.
+The ambush that you discovered was, I suppose, that of the thousand
+musketeers Enghien charged at the beginning of the fight.”
+
+Hector nodded his assent.
+
+“Well, it is as well they were found out and surprised before the other
+part of the business began, or there is no saying how the battle would
+have ended. We heard you had got your company. Turenne himself was good
+enough, when he came here to confer with Richelieu that summer, to
+call at the barracks and to give me an account of the service you had
+rendered. We all agreed that the rank was well earned, and I have no
+doubt that this new step has been just as honourably gained. And how do
+you think matters are going?”
+
+“I know nothing about it, sir, beyond the fact that it was not a secret
+that Enghien and Gassion were both in favour of advancing at once into
+Flanders, and capturing the Spanish strong places before they could
+gather another army together.”
+
+“No doubt that would be the best way, but I should doubt very much if
+Enghien will be allowed to carry out his plans. You see, the king's
+will, appointing a council to act in concert with Conde, Orleans, and
+the queen, has been set at nought. The queen is absolute regent, and
+Mazarin is her minister--just as Richelieu was minister of Louis. Of
+course this victory will put everyone in the best of temper, and make
+the way easy for Mazarin just at first, but a defeat would set all the
+cliques at work against him.
+
+“It is quite true that the defeat would not be his fault, but for some
+mysterious reason or other the French always hold the ministers, for
+the time being, responsible for military disasters. So long as Mazarin
+checks Enghien, and prevents his running any risks of disaster, things
+are likely to go on smoothly here, and you may be sure that he will
+give the prince no chance of either suffering a defeat or achieving a
+victory. You see, the prince and his father together might be a great
+deal too powerful for the cardinal. Everyone knows that Conde himself
+has never cared much for anything but his own interests. Enghien has
+the character of being the most impetuous and violent young noble of the
+day, and the fact that he forced this fight when, as is generally known,
+l'Hopital had the strictest orders not to risk a battle, makes it clear
+that Enghien has but little regard for authority.
+
+“You will see that Mazarin will not give him further opportunities of
+becoming the idol of France until he has assured himself that he can
+count upon his friendship. Mazarin is not Richelieu. The red cardinal
+won his way to the leadership of France by proving himself able to
+defeat all intrigues against him, and crush every enemy, even those of
+the most exalted position. Mazarin has no such antecedents. He is not
+even a Frenchman; he does not even look like a noble. That he is clever
+we may be sure, or Richelieu would not have recommended him as his
+successor. But I fancy that it is the cleverness of an adventurer, and
+however adroit, an adventurer, and especially a foreign adventurer, will
+not hold power in France very long without exciting the hatred of the
+community and the hostility of the nobles. However, I suppose you are
+remaining here for a time.”
+
+“That I do not know. I would rather return at once to the camp. But I
+suppose I must wait for some intimation that I may do so. You see, I am
+altogether out of my element in Paris, and I should feel particularly
+uncomfortable at the court.”
+
+“Who would you rather go to, Enghien or Turenne?”
+
+“Just at present there is more doing with Enghien than Turenne, and more
+to learn, otherwise I would far rather be with Turenne. Enghien's camp
+is too full of young nobles; and I should say that he would take but
+little trouble in keeping order and repressing license. Turenne is by no
+means unduly strict, but he enforces order, and sets us such an example
+of earnestness and attention to work, himself, that he has a right to
+expect the same, to some degree, of everyone under him.”
+
+“Where are you staying?”
+
+“At the Hotel Conde. The prince was good enough this morning to ask me
+to establish myself there while I remained in Paris, and I could not
+very well decline his invitation.”
+
+“I should think not,” one of the other officers laughed. “In these days
+a powerful friend is of the greatest use. Without that one has not
+much chance of advancement. Not that I want advancement; I would rather
+remain as I am, a captain in the Scottish regiment, surrounded by good
+and loyal friends and comrades, than be made a general. Still, one likes
+to have a grumble sometimes at any rate.”
+
+“Well, Home,” the colonel said, “Hector Campbell is a proof that even in
+France merit will make its way. That Turenne should have taken a fancy
+to him in the first place was fortunate. But Turenne would surely not
+have promoted him to be a captain within three or four months of his
+joining except for the marked bravery and diligence that he told us
+he displayed at Turin; and I have no doubt that when we hear the
+particulars we shall find that this promotion now has been equally well
+deserved, for certainly Enghien is not likely to have gone out of his
+way to promote one altogether a stranger to him when he had so many
+young nobles round him, personal friends of his own, belonging to
+families whom he would wish to oblige. Of course you will, as one of the
+bearers of despatches, attend at the court this evening, Campbell?”
+
+“Yes, the queen said that she would expect to see us.”
+
+“Of course; and you will be envied by every young courtier there. At the
+present moment Paris is half wild over the victory of Rocroi, and as you
+three will be the representatives of the army, specially selected
+for the share you had in the battle, you may be sure that you will be
+regarded with eyes of favour by every lady of the court.”
+
+“Well, I should think it would be a great nuisance,” Hector said
+gruffly. “Hitherto I have had nothing to do with ladies. There were very
+few with the Duchess of Savoy, and whenever there were receptions or
+state ceremonies of any kind, I was always ready to exchange with de
+Lisle or Chavigny, my fellow aides-de-camp. So that during the whole
+time I was there, I never but once or twice accompanied the general on
+such occasions.”
+
+“Ah, you were younger then,” Home laughed. “You have passed eighteen
+now, and, as you must know yourself, are by no means bad looking, with
+a certain air of freshness and simplicity that is so rare here in
+Paris that it will be regarded as refreshing and delightful after the
+flippancies of the court gallants.”
+
+Hector laughed uncomfortably. “I could not take up flippancies, I am
+afraid. But what you say is true, Home; and if I had to remain at
+court, I suppose I should have to set to work at once to cultivate some
+affectation or other to counteract this simplicity of which you speak.
+However, thank goodness, I do not suppose that I shall stay here long.
+At any rate, it is lucky that I purchased a new court suit before I
+started to join the Duke of Enghien. Coming from Viscount Turenne I
+thought that I was bound to make a good figure among the crowd of young
+nobles round Enghien, but it made a large hole in my savings.”
+
+“Do you mean to say that you had savings?” one of the other officers
+exclaimed. “Who ever heard of such a thing? I never have a pistole left
+in my pocket a week after I get my month's pay.”
+
+“It is a very different thing living in Susa to living in Paris,” Hector
+laughed. “I can assure you that I never spent more than half my pay;
+but living was dearer down in Roussillon. Things have been in such a
+disturbed state there for years that the country was well nigh a desert;
+and though my two comrades and I messed together, the living cost twice
+as much as it did at Susa. Shall I see any of you this evening at the
+palace?”
+
+“I shall be there,” the colonel said, “and so will Home and Lesley.
+It is always expected that three officers from each of the regiments
+stationed in Paris, and five from the one that happens to be on guard
+for the evening, should attend the royal receptions. It will be a
+specially brilliant affair tonight, for the queen has held but few
+receptions of late. It was only announced yesterday afternoon, after the
+news of the battle arrived. Had it not been for that, the salons would
+not have been opened for another month.”
+
+“I am very glad that there will be somebody there I shall know.”
+
+“Don't flatter yourself that you are going to consort with us,” the
+colonel laughed. “You will have to be presented to at least a score of
+court dames. However, fortunately, they will not expect the usual amount
+of compliments. They will be really wanting to hear of the battle, and
+most of them will be interested in some special friend with the army,
+and will want to inquire about him.”
+
+“It will not be so bad, then,” Hector said. “If I only have to talk of
+military matters I shall not mind, but it will be painful indeed if I
+have to give news of the death of anyone dear to the lady I am speaking
+to.”
+
+“I don't think that you need fear very much about that. Enghien is
+pretty sure to have sent a list containing the names of any court
+gallants that have fallen, and their relatives will at once have been
+notified of it, and will not be present at the court. As to the others,
+who have merely lost lovers, they will not break their hearts over it.
+It is the fashion to change them so rapidly that probably not a few
+of the ladies will have consoled themselves for their absence already.
+However, to begin with, I daresay I shall be able to act as your mentor
+and guide, and point out to you who is who, so that you can avoid
+falling into serious errors. You see, there are half a dozen parties
+at court already. There are Mazarin's friends, who, by the way, are
+not numerous; there are the Duke of Beaufort's clique; there is Conde's
+party.
+
+“Madame Chevreuse's party consists largely of herself. She is a power,
+but at present no one can say with whom she will ally herself. Hitherto
+she has been simply anti-Richelieu, and was his most troublesome and
+bitter enemy; and I should say that not improbably she will at once
+begin to conspire against Mazarin as she did against him. She has been
+the queen's greatest ally; but then the queen was always a bitter enemy
+of Richelieu, whereas at present it is supposed that she is strongly
+in favour of Mazarin. In a few months the situation will clear itself,
+parties will become defined. No doubt Enghien's victory will add to the
+power and importance of Conde, who is already dangerously strong; then
+matters will become interesting. At present the situation is somewhat
+chaotic, and politics will not be openly and generally discussed, simply
+because no one knows what anyone else's opinion may be.”
+
+“Well, then, till the evening I will say goodbye, colonel. I am going
+to have a chat with Sergeant MacIntosh, and shall then return to Conde's
+hotel. I suppose I shall be expected to take my midday meal there.”
+
+“It would be as well to do so certainly, even though it is like enough
+that he himself will not be there. He is the prince of schemers, and
+doubtless at present his thoughts are concentrated on the manner in
+which he and Enghien can best gain advantages from the victory.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X: AN ESTATE AND TITLE
+
+
+On entering the Scottish Soldier, Hector found that, as he hoped, the
+cabaret was deserted, for it was the hour at which the regiment was
+assembled for drill. It would have been a little embarrassing for him
+as a colonel to come upon a number of private soldiers at the cabaret.
+Separately he might have chatted with each, but a general greeting when
+a number of them were there together would have been embarrassing.
+
+The old sergeant as he entered ran up to him. “Well done, my lad, well
+done! 'Tis a delight to me indeed to know that you have so grandly made
+your way, and already won the rank of colonel.”
+
+“Why, how did you know, MacIntosh?”
+
+“The guard at the colonel's was changed just after you went into his
+quarters, and you may be sure that they lost no time in spreading the
+news that you had returned, and returned a colonel. In ten minutes this
+place was as full as it would hold, and there was such a crowd outside
+the door that a sergeant-de-ville came in to inquire what was the
+matter, thinking, perhaps, that the regiment was in mutiny. I was right
+glad when I heard the trumpet sound the assembly a few minutes ago, and
+they had to rush off in a hurry, for I felt that it would be awkward for
+you were you to come in when they were all so excited.”
+
+“Yes, I was glad myself when I found that they were gone. I regard every
+soldier in the regiment as my friend, and would shake hands with them
+now as heartily as I did when I went away near four years back, but I
+myself felt that it would be somewhat embarrassing were I greeted by
+them wine cup in hand. Here are twenty pistoles; say that I left them
+here for them to drink my health on my promotion, but that I shall be
+so busy during the day or two that I remain in Paris that I shall not be
+able to pay another visit here. Now let us have a quiet talk together,
+and give me all the news of the regiment.”
+
+“Perhaps, colonel--”
+
+“Oh, you need not call me colonel, MacIntosh, when you and I are
+together alone. I am what I was--Hector Campbell, the lad to whom you
+showed so much kindness for his father's sake. Yes, I will tell you one
+or two of my adventures, and you shall come round to me tomorrow morning
+at seven o'clock at the Hotel Conde, and we will stroll out together,
+and sit down in the gardens of the Palais Cardinal, and you shall then
+tell me about the regiment, who have gone, and what changes there are.”
+
+“That will be best,” the sergeant said. “We did hear something of how
+you were made captain. Turenne was good enough to tell the colonel, and
+so some of it came down to us, but of course it was very little. The
+men would like to hear all about it and about this battle at Rocroi, at
+which, of course, you must have in some way distinguished yourself to be
+appointed colonel at your age.”
+
+Hector gave him a full account of the battle. “The special thing for
+which I was promoted,” he said, at the finish, “was that, the night
+before, it struck me that there might be an ambush set in the copses
+in the hollow between the two armies. So far as I could see, no efforts
+whatever had been made either to occupy the woods or to find out if the
+enemy had done so; so I went with my servant, who is a capital fellow,
+and we made our way into them, and discovered a regiment of musketeers
+hidden there. Of course I reported the fact to General Gassion, and
+he told the prince. So, before attacking the enemy's lines, the prince
+charged right along the wood and destroyed the musketeers there. If he
+had not done so, they would have taken him in rear when he was hotly
+engaged with the Spaniards, and might have changed the fate of the
+battle.”
+
+“Certainly they might,” the sergeant said. “A volley from a thousand
+muskets from the rear would well shake even the best cavalry. It was a
+happy thought of yours indeed.”
+
+“Any merit there is in it was due to Turenne, who had carefully
+instructed me in everything that could be of importance when two hostile
+armies faced each other; and as he would never have dreamt of retiring
+to rest before having every place where an enemy could conceal himself
+carefully searched, it seemed to me a matter of course that it should be
+done. However, General Gassion and the prince were both good enough to
+consider that the service was a vital one, and as soon as the battle was
+over the prince gave me my promotion.”
+
+“And it was well earned, lad, well earned. And now about that affair at
+Turin.”
+
+“It could not have been better done, Hector,” the old soldier said in
+high delight when the story was told. “I used to think that you spent
+more time than was necessary in reading over accounts of battles and
+sieges, but I see that the time was well spent. You may be sure that I
+will be with you at seven tomorrow morning,” he added as Hector rose to
+leave, “though I expect I shall have a heavy night of it here, for there
+will scarcely be a man in the regiment who won't come round and stay to
+hear the news. I warrant that by this evening there will not be a sou
+remaining out of the money you have left for them.”
+
+Hector arrived at the hotel just in time for the midday meal, and was
+pleased to find that Conde himself was not present. He and his two
+companions were placed at different points at the great table, so that
+as many as possible could hear the story of the battle. After the meal
+was over, Hector was glad to leave the salon, and in company with a
+gentleman of the household, who had volunteered to be his guide, spent
+the afternoon in visiting the principal sights of Paris, of which he had
+seen but little when a boy in barracks. The hotels of the nobles, each a
+fortress rather than a private building, interested him greatly, as
+also the streets in which the principal traders lived; but he was
+unfavourably impressed with the appearance of the population in all
+other parts, and could well understand what his guide told him, that it
+was dangerous in the extreme for a gentleman unattended to pass through
+these quarters.
+
+At six o'clock he sat down to the evening meal at Conde's, after which,
+having attired himself in his new suit, he repaired with de Penthiere
+and de Caussac to the Louvre. It was eight o'clock when they entered,
+the reception rooms were already full, and the brilliancy of the
+attire, both of the courtiers and ladies, seen by the light of great
+chandeliers, was impressive in the extreme to one who had never seen any
+gathering of the kind before. There was a little pause in the buzz of
+conversation as the three officers entered, and Hector's two companions
+were at once surrounded by friends, while he himself was joined by
+Colonel Maclvor and the other two officers.
+
+“You are the heroes of the evening, Campbell,” the former said with a
+laugh. “A dozen ladies have already asked me to present you to them.”
+
+“Well, please don't do so just now, colonel; let me look round first.”
+
+“That is but fair, Campbell. First, though, I will tell you a piece of
+news that I have just heard. The queen sent off a messenger two days
+ago to Turenne, and it is believed that he is to have the command of the
+army on the Rhine.”
+
+“That is good news indeed,” Hector exclaimed. “It is high time that he
+should be given a command, instead of being always put under men less
+capable than himself. Still, it is unexpected at the present moment.”
+
+“I know that the queen always had the greatest liking for Turenne,” the
+colonel said, “but of course until now she has had no power. Moreover,
+I fancy that the appointment is to some extent dictated by policy. Conde
+is already dangerously powerful; Enghien's victory will, of course,
+largely add to his influence. No doubt some large estates will be given
+to the latter, such a service cannot be ungenerously rewarded, but
+it will be thought unadvisable to give him at present further
+opportunities. Conde is old, and his son, who is certainly ambitious and
+hotheaded now, will be even more powerful than his father has been. Were
+he to win more victories, and to become a popular idol, his power might
+well overshadow that of the throne. Therefore it is likely enough that
+my news is true. Turenne has proved that military duty is with him
+supreme, for he held aloof from all the troubles in which his brother
+the duke has involved himself, and he may act as a counterpoise to
+Enghien. I fancy that the latter's plan, which, as you have told me,
+would lead to a conquest of Flanders, will not be adopted. It would not
+have been so in Richelieu's time. The red cardinal would not have lost a
+moment in ordering him to march into Flanders, thinking only of the good
+of France, and disregarding the fact that continued successes might lead
+to his own power being shaken.”
+
+“And you do not think that Mazarin will act in the same way?”
+
+“I think not. Of course at present not much is known about him. He
+affects the greatest humility, is almost obsequious to the great nobles,
+and even professes to be anxious to return to Italy as soon as his
+services here can be dispensed with. But I expect that he will in time
+occupy as great a position as that of Richelieu, but that he will hold
+it by craft rather than strength is, from the look of the man, likely
+enough. For myself I should say that it is infinitely better for France
+that an ecclesiastic like Richelieu or Mazarin should be at the head of
+affairs, than that the great nobles should all struggle and intrigue for
+power, ready as they have shown themselves over and over again to plunge
+France into civil war for the attainment of their aims. Ah, here comes
+the queen!”
+
+The door at the end of the salon opened and Anne entered. By her side
+walked the young king, a little behind were Orleans and Conde, Beaufort
+and Bouillon, while, following them, with an air that was almost humble,
+came Mazarin. The queen and the young king were dressed in violet, the
+mourning colour of the court, and the ladies present all wore shades of
+that colour relieved by white. All present formed themselves into
+two lines, through which the queen walked. She acknowledged the deep
+reverences, and the little king bowed repeatedly. Anne of Austria was
+one of the most beautiful women of her time, and although the charm of
+youth had disappeared, her stateliness of bearing made up for this loss,
+and Hector thought that he had never seen so lovely a woman.
+
+As soon as they had passed into an inner apartment known as the audience
+chamber the lines broke up, and a buzz of conversation and light
+laughter followed the silence that had reigned as the procession passed.
+The court, indeed, felt a general feeling of relief at the death of
+Louis. Although well meaning and desirous of doing good, the life of the
+monarch had not been a happy one. His health had never been good, and
+although he had the wisdom to see that in supporting Richelieu, and in
+every way adding to his authority, he was acting for the good of France,
+the knowledge that he himself was little more than a cipher galled
+and irritated him. His disposition was a jealous one, and as the great
+minister knew that Anne of Austria was ever his opponent politically, he
+worked upon this feeling, and embittered the lives of both the king and
+queen, and the latter was the constant victim of the king's jealousy and
+caprices.
+
+These things, combined with the ascetic temperament of the king, had
+rendered the court of France a dismal one, and the royal salons formed
+a strong contrast to the brilliancy of those of Richelieu. Now the king
+was gone, and there was a general feeling of relief among the nobles
+and ladies of the court. It might be that stormy times were ahead, and
+indeed it was no secret that Conde, Beaufort, and many other nobles were
+already united against Mazarin. They called themselves “The Importants,”
+ a term well suited to their own idea of their power, and of the position
+they aspired to as the natural leaders of France.
+
+“Madame de Chevreuse wishes you to be presented to her,” Colonel Maclvor
+said to Hector. “Everyone knows her reputation; she is the cleverest
+woman in France, and one of the most intriguing. She is the queen's
+greatest friend, and has been her mainstay in her struggle with
+Richelieu. Of one thing we may be sure, that she will not tamely see
+Mazarin step into his place, and she has, it is whispered, already
+thrown herself into the arms of 'The Importants,' and if anyone can
+persuade the queen to throw over the cardinal it is she.”
+
+With a slight shrug of his shoulders Hector followed the colonel to a
+group of three or four ladies seated upon some fauteuils.
+
+The colonel stopped before one of these, and bowing deeply said,
+“Duchess, I have the honour to present to you my compatriot, Colonel
+Campbell, who arrived here this morning with despatches from the Duc
+d'Enghien.”
+
+Madame Chevreuse, like the queen, was still a beautiful woman. She was
+petite, and possessed a face whose fascination few could withstand.
+She was the most restless of intriguers, and was never so happy as when
+engaged in conspiracies which might cost her her estates and liberty.
+
+“Why, Monsieur Campbell,” she said with a smile, “I had looked to see
+a fierce warrior, and, lo and behold I find one who, by his appearance,
+will be far more in his element at court than in the field.”
+
+“Then appearances must greatly belie me, madame,” Hector said; “for
+while I may say that I am at home in a military camp, I feel sorely ill
+at ease here, and I feel I would rather face an enemy's battery than so
+many beautiful faces.”
+
+“That is not bad for a beginner,” the lady said with a smile, “but
+methinks you will soon get over that fear, for there is nothing very
+dangerous in any of us. The Duchesse de Longueville,” and she motioned
+to the lady next to her, “is as desirous as myself that you should be
+presented to her, and that she should hear from your lips somewhat more
+of the doings of her brother than she has yet learned.”
+
+Hector again bowed deeply. The sister of Enghien was as ambitious for
+her brother's sake as he was for his own self, and she was his potent
+ally in the troubles of the times.
+
+“Enghien was wounded,” she said. “Monsieur la Moussaie left the field
+directly the battle was won, and could tell me little about my brother's
+injuries.”
+
+“He received three wounds, duchess, but happily none of them were
+severe, and he was on horseback on the following morning. It seemed
+miraculous to us all that he should so escape, for he rode ever ahead of
+us in the charges against the Spanish square.”
+
+“You were acting as one of his aides-de-camp? I do not remember having
+seen your face before.”
+
+“No, madame. I have been for the past four years on the staff of the
+Viscount de Turenne, and have not left the army during that time. The
+general had the goodness, seeing that there was little doing in the
+south, to send me to learn what I could from the operations of the
+duke against the Spanish. He sent me a letter of recommendation to your
+brother, who kindly appointed me to the same position under him that I
+had occupied under Turenne.”
+
+“Did you find the ladies of Italy very lovely?” Madame de Chevreuse
+asked suddenly.
+
+“In truth, madame, I had but small opportunities of judging, seeing
+that, unless when sent with some message from the general to the Duchess
+of Savoy, I do not think that I exchanged a single word with a woman
+during the whole of my stay there.”
+
+Madame de Chevreuse, and the Duchesse de Longueville, and all the ladies
+sitting round, smiled.
+
+“Then you have very much to learn, Colonel Campbell,” Madame de
+Chevreuse said. “You will find plenty of ladies in the court here who
+will not object to give you lessons.”
+
+“I trust, madame,” Hector said bluntly, “that there will be little
+opportunity for me to take lessons as to the manners of the court, for I
+hope that my stay here will be short indeed.”
+
+“That is a most ungallant speech,” the younger duchess said, laughing,
+“and shows indeed the truth of what you have said as to your ignorance
+of women. Do you not know, sir; that it is an unwritten law at court
+that every gentleman here must be at the feet of one fair lady?”
+
+“I suppose that, had I been brought up at court,” Hector said, “I should
+not be more insensible than others; but when one passes three-quarters
+of one's time on horseback, and that under a commander like Turenne, who
+sets us all an example in the matter of endurance and watchfulness, one
+has small leisure indeed for aught else, and indeed is glad enough to
+seek one's bed as soon as the day's work is done.”
+
+“If you are another Turenne,” Madame de Chevreuse laughed, “I give you
+up. He is the most insensible of men. His head contains but one idea,
+and that is duty; and as to us poor creatures, he is as insensible as
+was St. Anthony.”
+
+At this moment the door that separated the salon from that of the queen
+opened, and the names of Monsieur de Penthiere and Monsieur de Caussac
+were called. The two officers at once passed into the inner room.
+
+“You are either left out in the cold, monsieur le colonel, or you will
+have the honour of a separate audience,” Madame de Chevreuse said.
+
+“As I have been rewarded far above my merits for any service that I
+have rendered,” Hector said quietly, “it is probable that the queen has
+nothing to say to me. She was pleased to receive me very graciously this
+morning, and gave me her hand to kiss, and I assuredly have no right to
+expect any further favours.”
+
+In a few minutes the two officers came out, both looking radiant, the
+queen having graciously presented them with the titles to two estates. A
+minute later Hector's name was called, and he went off, with a deep bow
+to the ladies and a murmured apology for leaving them.
+
+“A loyal spirit, surely,” Madame de Chevreuse said; “bizarre, of course,
+and at present simple as a child. Moreover, I should say that the
+atmosphere of the court will not infect him as it has the others. It
+is refreshing to meet with one who, although he must have distinguished
+himself vastly, is still modest and simple, without a shadow of conceit
+or of self consciousness. He spoke as frankly to us as if we were two
+waiting maids at a cabaret. However, men of that stamp may always be
+made useful, and I would rather have the devotion of a young officer
+like that, who is, I should say, likely to rise to high rank, than that
+of half a dozen men ready to lay their hearts at the feet of the first
+comer, and who are as ready to change mistresses as sides.”
+
+By this time the door had closed behind Hector. The queen was sitting
+on a sofa, with the little king by her side. Mazarin stood a pace behind
+her. Conde and Orleans had a short time before gone out, and had mingled
+with the crowd in the antechamber, and the courtiers present, who were
+all members of her council, stood some distance in the rear.
+
+“We have had time, Colonel Campbell, to read our despatches, and can now
+estimate the service that you rendered the Duc d'Enghien and our army.
+General Gassion, or I should say Marshal Gassion, for he has today been
+raised to that rank, speaks of the value of that service in terms of the
+highest eulogy, and indeed says frankly, that had it not been for your
+voluntary expedition and the discovery by you of the Spanish ambuscade,
+it is probable that we should have suffered a defeat instead of a
+victory. The duke speaks no less strongly in your favour. I can remember
+that when the Viscount Turenne was here three years ago, he told us how
+a young Scottish officer on his staff had saved Turin to us by a most
+daring enterprise, by which he informed the garrison of the citadel that
+help would soon reach them, and mentioned that for that service he had
+appointed Monsieur Campbell a captain. You are Scottish by birth, are
+you not?”
+
+“I am, your majesty, by birth and descent. My father was a captain in
+the Scottish regiment, and fell at the siege of La Rochelle. I was, I
+may say, adopted by the regiment, and had the good fortune to be trained
+in arms from a child, and the still greater fortune to attract the
+attention of the Viscount de Turenne, who, young as I was, obtained a
+commission for me and appointed me to his staff.”
+
+“Well, young sir, the viscount rewarded you for the great service that
+you rendered him at Turin; the Duc d'Enghien has similarly rewarded you
+for your service to him at Rocroi; but it is ours to reward you for
+your services to France; and Cardinal Mazarin will, in my name, hand you
+tomorrow the estate of de la Villar, in Poitou, which carries with it
+the title of Baron de la Villar. A soldier who has rendered such service
+to us cannot be allowed to remain a soldier dependent on his pay, and
+I am sure that should need arise you will do me as good service as you
+have rendered to Turenne and Enghien.”
+
+“Your majesty is too good and gracious,” Hector stammered, overcome
+by this sudden and unexpected reward; “but be assured, madame”--and he
+recovered himself, and his voice was steady--“should there be need, I
+will willingly lay down my life in your majesty's service, and in that
+of the king, your son.”
+
+“Which means also,” the queen said gently, “in that of my minister, who
+may need faithful friends even more than we do, and under whose advice
+we have now acted.”
+
+“Assuredly, madame. Cardinal Mazarin is your minister, and as long as
+he possesses your confidence he represents France in my eyes, and I will
+render as faithful service to him as to yourself.”
+
+“Well spoken, baron,” the queen said graciously. “Henceforth I shall
+count you as among my friends.” She held out her hand for him to
+kiss, as did the little king, and after a deep bow to them and to the
+cardinal, Hector left the audience chamber still almost bewildered by
+the honours bestowed upon him.
+
+Hector made his way through the crowd to the side of Colonel Maclvor,
+the general verdict of those who watched him being that he had not met
+with the same good fortune as those who preceded him, but that for some
+reason or other he had been reprimanded.
+
+“Well, lad,” the colonel said, “what fortune have you met with? Judging
+by your face, either the queen or the cardinal have failed to recognize
+the service that you have rendered.”
+
+“Upon the contrary, colonel, they have so heaped favours upon me that
+at present I can scarcely realize my good fortune, and feel almost
+humiliated that so much should have been given for what was a mere
+matter of duty and attended by no great peril.”
+
+“What have they done, then, Campbell?”
+
+“Well, colonel, absurd as it seems even to myself, the queen has
+graciously bestowed upon me the estate of la Villar, by which gift she
+says I become as its owner the Baron de la Villar.”
+
+“That is fortunate indeed, my dear Campbell,” the colonel said, heartily
+shaking him by the hand. “It shows that the duke and Gassion were of
+the same opinion that we expressed, namely, that your discovery of that
+ambush was the chief factor in bringing about the victory of Rocroi.”
+
+“But it was such a simple thing,” Hector said. “It was merely a
+reconnaissance, such as I have made scores of times in Italy.”
+
+“No doubt, Campbell; but you see the other reconnaissances did not lead
+to any results, while this did. My dear lad, it is by results that
+men are judged. That you, a young officer on Enghien's staff, should
+unbidden, and, as you say, as a matter of duty, have undertaken such a
+business, shows how thoroughly you have profited by your teaching under
+Turenne; and as such you deserve what you have gained, though I do
+not say that you would have obtained your desserts had not your
+reconnaissance saved Enghien from defeat. Now I will take you to Madame
+de Chevreuse again. She beckoned to me after you entered the audience
+chamber, and told me to bring you up again when you came out, as she and
+the Duchesse de Longueville had taken a great fancy to you. Now, my
+dear boy, your position is changed. You have become a French noble, and,
+however unwilling, may find yourself mixed up on one side or the other
+with the doings of your court. Both these ladies have power, and it is
+well to keep in with them, for either of them might prove a valuable
+friend and protector, and the first rule here is make as many friends as
+possible, for no one can say when you may require them.”
+
+Hector again followed the colonel to the group of ladies.
+
+“Madame,” Maclvor said, “I have the honour to present you--”
+
+“Why, have you not presented him to us already?” Madame de Chevreuse
+said with a laugh. “Your memory must be singularly short, colonel.”
+
+“My memory is not short, madame, but it is a somewhat different
+personage that I have now to present to you. Madame, I have the honour
+to present Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar.”
+
+Both ladies uttered an exclamation of surprise.
+
+“Why, what has he done, colonel?” the duchess exclaimed. “It must have
+been some remarkable action, surely, for him to be made colonel by my
+brother and Baron de la Villar by the queen.”
+
+“In the opinion of the Duc d'Enghien and General Gassion, duchess, he
+performed a service that to a large extent brought about the victory of
+Rocroi. My young friend is at present not beyond the age of modesty,
+and therefore if you will allow me I will state the circumstances. Under
+General de Turenne he was in the habit of constantly visiting the posts
+at night with the viscount or alone, and endeavouring to discover the
+position and intentions of the enemy. The night before the battle he
+started voluntarily to perform the same duties, and, accompanied only
+by his servant, he crept into a wood that lay between the two armies
+and there discovered a thousand musketeers who were lying in ambush. He
+reported the discovery to General Gassion, who on his part informed the
+duke of this most important intelligence, for it was evident that, had
+the ambuscade been unsuspected, they would have taken the cavalry in
+the rear at the critical moment of the battle, and would have opened so
+heavy a fire that even the bravest of cavalry, thus surprised and
+shot down by an unsuspected foe in their rear, might have fallen into
+confusion. Being forewarned, the duke directed his first charge upon
+the wood, took the musketeers by surprise, and annihilated them, before
+charging and routing the enemy's horse. Thus you see, ladies, that we
+have another illustration of the mouse saving the lion, and the lion was
+generous and noble minded enough to give the mouse full credit for the
+service that he had rendered him.”
+
+“Then we have good reason to be grateful to you, monsieur le baron,”
+ Madame Chevreuse said, laying aside the bantering tone in which she
+had before addressed the young Scot, “and her majesty has done well
+to reward your loyalty, for the estate is a fine one, and has remained
+without a master since Richelieu brought its last owner to the block
+for having, as he affirmed, conspired against the king--that is to
+say, against himself. You have begun well indeed, sir. Henceforth the
+Duchesse de Longueville and myself may be counted upon as your friends.
+And now,” she said, changing the subject abruptly, “as you say that you
+are anxious to be off, with whom will you serve, with Turenne or with
+Enghien? For I hear that Turenne has been sent for to take the command
+of the army of the Rhine.”
+
+“I belong to Viscount Turenne,” Hector said. “It is to him that I owe
+everything. He picked me up a rough boy, with no recommendation save
+that my father died fighting for France, and that I was more addicted to
+military study than most lads of my age, and that, as he was good enough
+to say, I reminded him of his own boyhood. It was owing to his kindness
+and his tuition that I have now made my way, and it was still further to
+increase my military knowledge that he sent me for a time to serve under
+the Duc d'Enghien. Therefore, much as I admire the glory that the duke
+has gained, and recognize his extraordinary genius, I feel that duty and
+gratitude alike bind me to my great master.”
+
+“Quite right,” the Duchesse de Longueville said warmly. “I am sure that
+my brother will approve of your decision. He admires Turenne as much as
+you do, and regards him as his master in military science, and it may be
+perhaps that one of these days you will take part in a battle in which
+my brother and Turenne will both have command.”
+
+“If it be so, madame,” Hector said, “there can be little doubt of
+victory, for with the two greatest military geniuses France has produced
+during the last hundred years it would be hard indeed if victory did not
+attend their united banners.”
+
+The news of the honour that had been bestowed upon this young colonel
+circulated rapidly through the salon, and many gentlemen came up and
+begged Colonel Maclvor to introduce him to them. One who had received
+so marked a proof of the queen's favour, and who had won the praise and
+goodwill of both Turenne and Enghien, might well become in time a man of
+mark, and so many compliments were showered upon Hector that he was glad
+indeed when the queen again passed through the room on her way to her
+apartments and he was at liberty to retire. He walked slowly back to
+Conde's palace, went up to his room, changed his court suit for that
+which he had worn during the day, and then went out again, feeling
+that it would be hopeless to attempt to sleep. He paced backwards and
+forwards for some hours on the quay, thinking of the changes that three
+days had brought about.
+
+He could scarcely realize even now, that he who a week ago was but a
+captain with nought but his pay, was now not only a colonel but a noble
+of France, with an estate of whose value he was ignorant, but as it
+carried with it a patent of nobility it was evident that it must be one
+of dimensions sufficient to support the title. The change excited no
+feeling of exultation. His whole thoughts so far had been directed
+solely to his career as a soldier. He had hoped that some day he might
+win a colonelcy; more than that he had never thought of. High commands
+in France were matters of birth, interest, and connection. Gassion, who
+had just earned his marshal's baton, was the sole exception to the
+rule. Hitherto generals, and still more marshals, had always been men
+belonging to the first families of France. It had been a matter of
+course that when an army went to the field it was under the command of
+a prince of the blood, and the utmost an outsider could look for was the
+command of a regiment. The promotion had delighted him, not for the sake
+of the pay or position, but because, if he obtained the command of one
+of the regiments that were rapidly being formed to meet the dangers that
+threatened France, he would have opportunities of doing good service
+and of earning the esteem of such men as Turenne. His civil dignity,
+however, oppressed rather than gratified him. He would have heavy
+responsibilities. When not on active service he would be expected to
+show himself at court, and would have a difficulty in holding himself
+aloof from its intrigues and conspiracies. His thoughts turned to
+Scotland. He had relations there, it was true, both on his father's and
+mother's side, but they were strangers to him. Moreover, Scotland at
+present was torn by a civil and religious war. In England a civil war
+was raging, and the extreme party in Scotland, having got the upper
+hand, had allied themselves with the English parliamentarians, and the
+cause of the king was well nigh lost.
+
+The Scottish officers and men in the French service had for the most
+part left their homes owing to the bitter religious differences of the
+times, and, under the easier conditions of the life in France, had come
+to look with disgust at the narrow bigotry of the Scottish sects, a
+feeling heightened perhaps by the deep resentment that still prevailed
+in France at the insolence with which Knox and the Scottish reformers
+had treated their princess, Queen Mary. Among the French officers the
+feeling was wholly in favour of the royal cause in England. The queen
+was French, and had France herself not been engaged in warfare numbers
+of the young nobles would have gone over and drawn their swords in her
+cause, and Hector would gladly have done the same.
+
+For the time, at any rate, he had no idea whatever of returning to
+Scotland. If better times came he had often thought that, if successful
+in winning a competency, he would return to his native land, for his
+close connection with the Scottish regiment kept alive in him his
+feeling of nationality, and he always regarded himself as a stranger in
+France. The estates and title now bestowed upon him seemed to put this
+hope further away than ever, and to fix him permanently in France, a
+contingency more disagreeable to him the more he saw how completely
+France was dominated by faction, and how unstable were the conditions of
+life there. His musings, therefore, as he walked up and down for hours,
+were very different from those which most young men would have felt at
+so great and sudden a change in their fortunes.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI: THE CASTLE OF LA VILLAR
+
+The next morning he called at eleven o'clock, at which hour the
+cardinal's secretary had informed him that Mazarin would expect him.
+He went to the abode of the minister. Mazarin received him with marked
+courtesy.
+
+“Here are the deeds appointing to you the estate of la Villar and your
+patent of nobility,” he said, pointing to a box upon his table. “You
+have been singularly fortunate, sir, and from all inquiries that I have
+made from officers who have served with Monsieur de Turenne, and, I may
+say, from Colonel Maclvor, I hear nothing but good of you, as a soldier
+devoted to duty, as a young man free from the vices and dissipations too
+common among those of your age, and as possessing intelligence as well
+as courage. Such men, sir, even royalty does well to attach to itself,
+and for them a splendid career is open. I, high as is the office in
+which Providence has placed me, may well envy you. You fight against the
+enemies of France; I am surrounded by enemies open and secret, and the
+war is no less earnest than that which Turenne and Enghien are waging.
+
+“The great nobles of France are jealous that I, a foreigner, should
+have the ear of the queen, and be first minister of the country. Gladly
+indeed would I resign my position and return to my bishopric in Italy,
+were it not that I promised the great man to whose place I have so
+unworthily succeeded, that I would do my best for the country on whose
+behalf he spent every hour of his life, and that I would, unless driven
+from it by force, hold the seals of office until the young king should
+be old enough to rule France unaided. You, baron, are like myself a
+foreigner, and ready to risk your life in the service of France, and
+you will understand how I am situated and how I feel. You, happily
+for yourself, are not so highly placed as to excite enmity, although
+doubtless not a few of those who flocked round you yesterday evening to
+congratulate you on your good fortune felt a sensation of envy that a
+young soldier of fortune should be so honoured.
+
+“In my case envy is accompanied by the deepest animosity. The great
+nobles find me an obstacle in the way of their grasping power, and they
+would hesitate at nothing to rid themselves of me. Were it not for the
+support of the queen, my position would be untenable even for an hour.
+Without me the queen herself would speedily become as much a cipher as
+she was so long as the weak king reigned. We have need, both of us,
+of men of heart and devotion such as I take you to be. I ask for no
+engagements, sir, but I felt that there was a genuine ring in your voice
+yesterday evening when you promised faithful service to her majesty, and
+I feel that if such service is needed you will be ready to render it.”
+
+“I shall indeed, your eminence. I cannot conceive that any circumstances
+can occur that would render such aid as I could offer of service to you,
+but be assured that should such an occasion arise, the queen may count
+upon me to render it to the extent of my life; and when I say the
+queen I, of course, include your eminence as her trusted adviser and
+supporter.”
+
+“Well spoken, sir. I believe your words, and it may be that the occasion
+is not so far distant as you may imagine. Here is the box, sir. By the
+way, it will, I am sure, be a pleasure for you to know that her majesty
+has the intention of creating the Viscount de Turenne field marshal as
+soon as he arrives in Paris.”
+
+“It is indeed, monseigneur; never did a soldier better earn such honour.
+There, indeed sir, is a true and noble heart, loyal to his duty beyond
+all things, adored by his soldiers, ready to serve under officers
+altogether inferior to himself, incapable of jealousy, and devoted to
+his sovereign and his country.”
+
+“You do not speak too warmly of him,” the cardinal said; “and among all
+the difficulties of the situation there seems to be but one fixed
+point, and that point is that upon Monsieur de Turenne we can at least
+confidently rely.”
+
+Hector felt that his audience was at an end, and taking the box from the
+table, and again thanking the cardinal for the honour bestowed upon him,
+he retired. The cardinal's chamberlain met him at the door. “Will you
+step in here, monsieur le baron?” he said, and led the way into a small
+apartment. “As a stranger to the court, monsieur, you are probably
+unaware of the value of the gift that has been granted to you, or of its
+duties and obligations.”
+
+“Altogether, sir; beyond the fact that it is in Poitou, which her
+majesty mentioned yesterday, I know absolutely nothing about it.”
+
+“Without being an estate of the first class,” the chamberlain said, “it
+is one which is of importance in its province. The revenue is punctually
+paid and is amply sufficient to enable its lord to make a good figure at
+court, and to rank among the notables in the province. It is a fief held
+directly from the crown; its owner is bound to furnish feudal service
+of twenty-five mounted men and twenty-five arquebusiers, or, should he
+prefer it, fifty horsemen in all. Some of its owners have in times of
+peril raised a force of thrice that strength. So you will see that the
+Lord of la Villar is not an unimportant personage. The estate is held at
+present by a royal intendant. You will find in that box an order for him
+to place you in possession of the castle and estate whensoever you may
+present yourself, and as at the present moment your services can be
+spared from the army, it might be as well to visit it at once, if only
+for a few days. Possibly the cardinal did not inform you that he has
+ordered that the regiment that has been just recruited shall bear the
+name of the regiment of Poitou, and has appointed you to its command.”
+
+This news gave much greater pleasure to Hector than did the gift of the
+fief, or the rank that accompanied it.
+
+“Will you please give my earnest thanks to his excellency,” he said,
+“and assure him that he can depend upon my devotion.”
+
+When Hector returned to the Hotel Conde he found that the soldiers who
+had started with him from Rocroi had all arrived, bringing with them the
+twelve horses that had been left on the road; four of these were to be
+handed over to each of the officers. The division was just being made as
+he entered the courtyard, each officer taking the four he had ridden by
+the way.
+
+Paolo at once came up to him. “What are we to do with these horses,
+master?” he asked, with an air of bewilderment.
+
+“We have now seven of them, counting mine, the one I led, and that you
+rode when you set out.”
+
+“I must see where I can bestow them for the present until we think the
+matter over;” and going up to one of Conde's officers, he asked him if
+he could recommend a place where he might leave safely four horses for a
+time.
+
+“The auberge of the Pome d'Or is but a street from here, monsieur; it
+has good stables, and the host is an honest man, which is not often the
+case with men of his class. When the stables here are full the prince
+often engages extra stalls there for the use of his guests. I will send
+four men with the horses at once, if such is your pleasure.”
+
+“You will greatly oblige me by doing so,” Hector replied. Having seen
+the horses safely and comfortably lodged at the inn, Hector returned to
+the hotel with Paolo.
+
+“You are not tired, I hope, Paolo?” he asked as they walked back.
+
+“No, master; we have taken three days to do what you did in one, and
+have fatigued neither ourselves nor our beasts.”
+
+“That is well, for I am going to start on a journey this afternoon, that
+is to say, if I can manage to make my arrangements.”
+
+“May I ask where you are going, master?”
+
+“You will be surprised to hear that I am going to visit my estates in
+Poitou.”
+
+Paolo looked sharply up to see whether Hector was joking. Seeing that he
+looked serious, he said hesitatingly, “But I did not know, master, that
+you had estates in Poitou. I never heard you speak of them.”
+
+“Because I had them not, Paolo. That box that you are carrying holds the
+titles. The fief was granted to me last night by the queen herself, the
+Duc d'Enghien and General Gassion having been good enough to make a good
+deal more of that night adventure of ours than it deserved. The estates
+carry a title with them, and I am now the Baron de la Villar.”
+
+Paolo gave an exclamation of delight. “Well, master, I am glad indeed;
+but,” he went on in a changed tone, “now that you, monsieur, have become
+a noble, you will no longer require the services of a lad from Savoy.”
+
+“Indeed I shall, Paolo, as long as you choose to remain with me. Why,
+have you not shared with me in the adventures, one of which made me a
+captain, and the other a colonel and a noble? Of course I shall have
+other servants, but you will always be my bodyservant and companion.”
+
+“And are you going to leave the army, monsieur?” Paolo asked, after
+pouring out his thanks.
+
+“No, I shall still remain in the army. Turenne will be in Paris soon,
+and will then go to the Rhine to take the command there, and I hope to
+go with my regiment.”
+
+“Then you have a regiment, master?”
+
+“Yes; one of the newly formed regiments has been named the regiment of
+Poitou, and I am to have the command. Of course, it may be sent either
+to him or to Enghien, but I hope that it will be to Turenne; and I
+should think so, because from what I hear there is scarcely any army
+left on the Rhine, and therefore it is probable that the new regiments
+will all be sent there, as Enghien's force is quite sufficient to cope
+with any enemy he is likely to meet with in Flanders. Now, I am going
+down to the barracks, and for the next two or three hours you can amuse
+yourself by taking a look at Paris.”
+
+It was not to the barracks that Hector made his way, but to The Scottish
+Soldier.
+
+“I did not expect to see you so soon again, colonel. Your man brought me
+word that I was not to come this morning, as you would be engaged,” the
+sergeant said when he entered.
+
+“Yes, but our talk was only postponed, sergeant; now I want you to aid
+me in a matter that I have on hand.”
+
+“What sort of matter is it?”
+
+“I want to find four good men to take into my service. The queen has
+granted me an estate, as if a colonelcy was not an ample and more than
+ample reward for discovering that ambuscade. It is the fief of la Villar
+in Poitou, and the most absurd point of the thing is that with it is a
+title, and I am now Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar.”
+
+“Well, well,” the sergeant exclaimed; “you will be coming and telling me
+next that you are going to marry a princess of the blood. Did one ever
+hear of such things! However, Hector, lad, I congratulate you with all
+my heart, and I am as glad as if it had been a bairn of my own that had
+had your good fortune. Now, in what can I help you about the four men?
+What sort of men do you want?”
+
+“I want four good men and true, sergeant, men that I can rely upon. I
+shall want them to ride with me in the field as orderlies, for I have
+been appointed to the command of an infantry regiment. Of course, I
+should like young and active men, but that they should be steady and
+accustomed to arms is still more important.”
+
+“I know but few men outside the regiment,” the sergeant said. “The
+laddies like to have the place to themselves, and I don't encourage
+others about; but if you can do with good men who have somewhat passed
+their prime, but are still capable of service and handy with their arms,
+I know just the men that will suit you. We had a little bit of trouble
+in the regiment a week since; four of the men--Allan Macpherson, Jock
+Hunter, Donald Nicholl, and Sandy Grahame--came in after tattoo, and all
+a bit fu'. It was not here they got it, though; I know better than
+to supply men with liquor when it is time for them to be off to the
+barracks. Captain Muir, who is the only dour carl in the regiment,
+happened to be on duty, and he spoke a good deal more hardly to them
+than to my mind there was any occasion, seeing that they are good
+soldiers and not in the guardroom more often than others. They answered
+him more freely, no doubt, than they would have done had they not been
+in their cups.
+
+“They were had up before the colonel the next morning. They had all
+served their time, and having been greatly angered at their treatment,
+they at once up and told the colonel that they would take their
+discharges. The colonel would have pacified them, but Captain Muir stood
+out strongly, and said that if such insolence as theirs was allowed to
+go unpunished it would be a bad example indeed for the regiment; so
+the colonel paid them up to the day and gave them their papers. It has
+caused a lot of feeling in the regiment, as you may guess, and the men
+all groaned and booed when Muir came on parade the next day, and it was
+as much as the colonel himself--whom they all love as a father--could
+do to silence them. It is said that he spoke very sharply to Muir
+afterwards, and that it is likely the captain will get transferred to
+another regiment. However, that is too late for the men who have left.
+Their comrades are going to get up a subscription to send them back to
+Scotland, for you may be sure the hotheaded fools have not a bawbee of
+their pay laid by.”
+
+“I know them all, sergeant, and I should say they would be the very men
+to suit me; they are all strong and hearty fellows, and might have
+been good for another ten years campaigning if it had not been for this
+business. Can you send for them?”
+
+“They will all be here in half an hour for their meal,” the sergeant
+said. “They are lodged upstairs, for you may be sure that they would
+come to me; and even if I kept them for six months, I should not have
+lost much when I reckon what they have spent here during their service.
+I have no doubt they will jump at the offer; for they were mere lads
+when they came over--it was your father who sent for them--and I know
+that they reckon they will find none of the old folk when they return
+home. And now what are your estates like, lad?”
+
+“I know very little about them at present, beyond the fact that I am
+bound by my feudal obligations to put fifty men in the field when called
+upon to do so.”
+
+“Then it must be a place of good size,” the sergeant said. “And you hold
+it direct from the crown?”
+
+Hector nodded.
+
+“That is good. When you hold from one of the great lords, you never know
+whom you may be called upon to fight against--it may be the king, it may
+be his minister, it may be some other noble--while holding direct, you
+have only the king's enemies to fight against.”
+
+“Or rather, MacIntosh, the chief minister's enemies; for, after all,
+when a king signs a proclamation, it is usually a minister's signature
+that ought to be attached to it.”
+
+“Well, well, Master Hector, it makes little difference to us Scots who
+it is that we fight for, it is no quarrel of ours. We have taken service
+under the King of France; but when there are two parties, and each
+claims to be in favour of the king, we have simply to fight for whoever
+happens to have the king's signature. If they both have it, then it
+is the general who commands our division who gives us orders, and it
+matters nought to us whom he takes his orders from.”
+
+“At any rate, MacIntosh, it is not for soldiers to inquire too deeply
+into these matters; if we did, we should have one half of the regiment
+firing into the other.”
+
+“So we should, lad, so we should; therefore we soldiers do wisely in
+leaving the matter to our officers. If the colonel says 'Charge!' we
+charge; if he says 'Dismount and take to your musketoons!' we do so,
+without troubling our heads as to whether it is Germans or Spaniards or
+Frenchmen whom we have to aim at. Ah, here come your four men!”
+
+As the four troopers entered the cabaret and saw who was speaking to
+MacIntosh they hesitated, and would have turned, but the sergeant called
+out, “Attention! salute!” and they stood as motionless as statues till
+Hector ordered them to stand easy.
+
+“I have been talking about you men to Sergeant MacIntosh, who tells me
+that you have taken your discharge and the reason for your so doing. I
+think that you acted hastily; however, that is your affair. The matter
+that concerns me is this:--I am appointed colonel of an infantry
+regiment and I want four good men as orderlies. They will be mounted,
+and I shall see that they draw rations when there are any rations to be
+had; but they will be my troopers and not soldiers of the regiment. I
+want good men, who can be relied upon in any emergency; they will ride
+behind me in battle, act as scouts if necessary, and they will receive
+double the pay of ordinary troopers. In peacetime, or when the regiment
+is in winter quarters, I shall pass my time either in Paris or on my
+estate in Poitou, and they will of course accompany me. I may tell
+you that I am now Baron de la Villar, but I should wish to be always
+addressed as Colonel Campbell. I know you all of old, and that your only
+failing is somewhat too great a love for the wine flask; that must only
+be indulged in at times when you are not only off duty, but when there
+is no possibility of your services being required. Now, what do you
+think, men; will my service suit you?”
+
+“That it would, sir,” burst from them simultaneously.
+
+“Of course, there will be some other advantages beyond that of pay. When
+the time comes that you get beyond active service in the field, I shall
+be able to provide you with easier posts at la Villar, and there you
+will find a comfortable home in your old age, if you prefer to stay with
+me rather than to return to Scotland.”
+
+“No further word need be spoken, colonel,” Allan Macpherson said; “we
+are your men, and shall be proud to follow you, were there no question
+of pay at all, but just our rations and a home to look forward to when
+our arms get weak and eyes dim.”
+
+“Then, men, if so say you all, the service begins from the present time.
+You have your armour and headpieces, your doublets and jackboots,
+so there is not much to buy. I have horses ready for you. You have
+pistols.”
+
+“Yes, we have all pistols and swords, colonel, but the musketoons
+belonged to the regiment.”
+
+“There will be no occasion for you to carry them. Get for yourselves
+four long cloaks well lined and serviceable--'tis best that they should
+be all of a colour, dark blue or gray--and broad hats to match the
+cloaks; have in each a small red feather. I would that you should make a
+decent show, for we shall start in two hours for Poitou. Here are twenty
+crowns. See that you have ammunition for your pistols. Be at the Hotel
+Conde in two hours from the present time. Your dinner here is ready for
+you, eat heartily, but do not drink too deeply in honour of your new
+service.
+
+“Now, MacIntosh, I have a word or two further to speak to you.”
+
+They went into an inner room.
+
+“Now, old friend, are you tired of this life of keeper of a cabaret?
+because I shall want you down in Poitou. Your house was mine when
+I sorely needed it, and mine shall be yours now. You are as yet but
+fifty-five, and I take it that you can do a man's work still, for you
+no longer suffer from that wound that disabled you ten years ago. Now,
+I shall require someone to drill the fifty men who will form my
+contingent, if all vassals of the king are called upon to take the
+field. Of course they will not always be under arms; most of them will
+be the sons of tenants, or substitutes provided by them, and will only
+give two or three days' service a month. It is probable, however, that
+half will be regular retainers at the castle. I know nothing about the
+castle at present, or how large it is, or whether it is defensible or
+not; still, it was spoken of as a castle, and 'tis, I suppose, one to a
+certain degree.
+
+“At any rate, I desire that if I do put a troop in the field they shall
+be as well drilled and as well equipped as are the Scottish regiment of
+musketeers. I suppose that there must be an official to act as my agent
+when I am away, and to act as castellan, but in any case the captain of
+my troop will be in charge of all matters connected with its defence.
+Now, old friend, the post is yours if you like to take it. As a soldier,
+none can be better fitted for the post than a sergeant of the Scottish
+regiment; as a man, there is no one I could rely on better than you.
+Your duties would not be heavy, your position an honourable one. The
+castle would be your home as well as mine, and when I am there you would
+have the four troopers to crack with.”
+
+“Your offer is a most kind one,” the sergeant said, “but I must think
+it over in all lights before I answer. I should miss the company of the
+lads, but already many of my old comrades are gone; most are still in
+Paris earning with difficulty their bread, some are under the sod, some
+have returned home. Every year the number who rode with me lessens. They
+will be countrymen, but no longer comrades. Certainly I have no thought
+of returning to Scotland, the people are ower gude for me; besides,
+the country is all in a stir and the folks are flying at each other's
+throats. I wudna go back, not if they offered me a barony. Then, on the
+other hand, I misdoubt me how I should feel among strangers--I don't say
+foreigners, for I have been so long here that as far as tongue goes I
+am as much French as I am Scottish. Still, I would rather be forming
+troopers in your service than drawing stoups of wine, and the young
+soldiers do not regard me as the old ones did, and grumble if I will
+draw them no more. Most of all, I should like to be with you and in your
+service, and to know that I had a home in my old age.”
+
+“That you will have whenever you come to claim it, MacIntosh, whether
+you accept my offer or not. However, I think that what you say is best,
+and that it would be well for you to think the matter well over and give
+me no answer until I return. I should be sorry indeed if, after giving
+up your place here and going down to Poitou, you should regret the
+exchange. Therefore, we will leave it so. And now I must be going; we
+must postpone our chat over old times and the regiment until I return.”
+
+On returning to Conde's hotel Hector found Paolo awaiting him.
+
+“Paolo, you must go out and buy six horse cloths and five housings; let
+them be fairly handsome. I have taken four old soldiers into my service,
+and should wish their horse appointments to be fit for troopers in one
+of the royal regiments, but without any insignia or cognizance, say
+maroon with yellow braiding. I shall also want four valises for the men,
+and bags for carrying forage. You can wrap up the housings that came
+with the horses; they all bear Enghien's cognizance, and this must be
+removed before we can use them. The men can strap them behind their
+valises. Were there pistols in the holsters?”
+
+“Yes, master, they were just as when you rode them.”
+
+“It was a princely gift,” Hector said, “for the horses are all splendid
+animals. Have you packed up my things?”
+
+“Yes, master, they are all ready for placing on the sumpter horse. I
+bought a dozen of good wine, thinking that you might need it on the way,
+for some of these country auberges keep but poor stuff.”
+
+“We are getting luxurious all at once,” Hector laughed. “How about my
+armour?”
+
+“That is also packed up. I thought that you would not care to ride
+heavily accoutred.”
+
+“Certainly not. Which of the horses do you take to be the best?”
+
+“Certainly the one you rode in upon is the best, master, but all four
+are grand animals. The two I picked up on the battlefield are fine
+animals also.”
+
+“It does not make much matter which I ride now, Paolo; we shall have the
+opportunity of seeing which has the most fire and endurance as we ride
+along; and at any rate I shall keep Enghien's four horses for my own
+riding, keeping two with me and leaving two behind at the castle. I
+shall buy four strong and serviceable horses for the troopers when I get
+my first rents, for in sooth my purse is beginning to run very low.”
+
+“Possibly, master, when you look in the armoire in your room you may
+find something to replenish it. One of the cardinal's servants brought a
+packet for you. I stowed it away and locked the door of your room.”
+
+“Well, there is no time to lose, Paolo, so see at once about the matters
+that I have told you. Here is sufficient money to buy the other goods.”
+
+“Here is the key of the room, sir.”
+
+Having seen Paolo hurry away, Hector went up to his room. In the armoire
+he found the packet, which was a heavy one. Opening it, he found a
+letter and a bag sealed with wax. The letter was from the intendant
+general. It was directed, “A Monsieur le Baron de la Villar.”
+
+“It does not look as if it could be for me,” Hector said, with a merry
+laugh. Breaking the seal he found:
+
+By the order of Monseigneur Cardinal Mazarin, first minister of the
+crown, I enclose the last half year's rents of the estates of la Villar
+received by me from the royal intendant in charge of the said estates
+three weeks since, to defray the necessary expenses that must be
+incurred by you between the period of your taking possession and, of
+receiving the next half yearly payment of rents.
+
+Enclosed with this was a formal permit, giving a month's leave of
+absence to visit his estates, “To Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar,
+commanding the Poitou regiment.”
+
+“Very nice and thoughtful on the part of the cardinal,” Hector said,
+“and, moreover, very seasonable, for I was wondering how I should pay
+the retainers at the castle and my four troopers until the rents began
+to come in. By the time I had paid the usual fees to the servants here,
+and the expenses of the journey to Poitou and back, I should have been
+almost penniless, and should have been obliged to borrow from someone
+on the strength of my coming rents, which would have been a very bad
+beginning.”
+
+After bidding farewell to Conde, and thanking him for his hospitality,
+Hector started immediately the midday meal was concluded. His cavalcade
+made a good show as he rode through the streets of Paris, with the four
+orderlies behind him, splendidly mounted, followed by Paolo leading
+another fine horse carrying baggage. The journey was an uneventful one,
+and on arriving at the castle of Villar, Hector was received by the
+royal intendant. It was still a place of considerable strength, standing
+on the crest of a hill. It had been kept in a good state of repair by
+the intendant, and could offer a stout resistance to anything short of
+an army provided with a powerful battering train. On making a tour of
+the estate Hector found that here, as throughout France, an immense
+amount of distress existed, owing to the crushing taxation rendered
+necessary by the war; he made minute inquiries of the intendant of the
+circumstances of the various tenants of the estate.
+
+The officer was about to return to Paris now that his commission was
+ended, but as he had a son who had acted as his assistant, Hector
+appointed him in his stead, charging him to press no one unduly. He
+placed under his care the domestic arrangements of the castle, retaining
+the servants who had been there under the royal officer. There was
+only a permanent garrison of twelve men, but this could be raised to a
+hundred were the tenants of the estates driven to take refuge within the
+walls. The expenses of keeping up the castle were not large. The rivers
+afforded an abundance of fish, and the forests on the mountainsides
+sheltered an ample supply of game. Considerable numbers of half wild
+sheep and two or three herds of cattle grazed on the domain round the
+castle, and there were eight good horses in the stables, besides a score
+of others on the hills. Most of the holdings had vineyards, and were
+bound to furnish a certain amount of wine to the castle, and as the
+consumption had been small since the estate was confiscated, the cellars
+were full. Hector told the steward that the command of the castle itself
+would be taken by an officer whom he would send down from Paris, who
+would have control in all matters save in the management of the estate.
+
+Before leaving, he called all the tenants together and told them that,
+seeing how heavily the royal taxes pressed upon them, he should remit
+half their annual payments until better times came, and also the fine of
+a year's rent which they would in the ordinary course of things pay
+on the appointment of a new lord. The news filled the poor people with
+delight.
+
+“I shall, however,” he went on, “expect that you will render fully and
+willingly the military service you are bound to give according to the
+tenure of your holdings. In a short time my castellan will arrive here;
+he will have instructions from me to make the service as little onerous
+as possible, and that you shall each furnish your quota of men at times
+when it may be most convenient for you. I shall, however, expect fifteen
+men added to the strength of the garrison. These can be changed every
+eight weeks. All the men capable of bearing arms will come up for
+training one or two days in each month. I trust that you will never be
+called upon to defend the castle, but I would have it always kept in
+such a state that were troubles to arise you could all, with your wives
+and families, find refuge here and be able to defend yourselves against
+all attacks.
+
+“Next winter I shall have the fortifications strengthened. I know that
+you are bound to furnish horses and carts for so many days in the year.
+I shall want this work performed, but you will be paid both for your own
+work in building, and for your carts and horses; and as it will be done
+at a time when there is little farm work on hand, this will be a benefit
+to you, and the wages will be deducted from the payments that you have
+to make.”
+
+Loud cheers rose from the men, who were overjoyed on learning that their
+new lord was inclined to deal so generously with them, and especially
+that the fine, which many of them would have found it impossible to pay,
+was to be altogether remitted. Having completed all his arrangements
+Hector returned to Paris, mounting his men on four of the horses he
+found in the stables, and leaving at the castle two of those which
+Enghien had given him, and the two Paolo had caught on the field of
+battle. He arrived on the evening of the day before his leave expired,
+put up at the auberge of the Pome d'Or, and early the next morning took
+his way to The Scottish Soldier.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII: THE POITOU REGIMENT
+
+
+“Well, MacIntosh,” Hector said as he entered the cabaret, “have you
+made up your mind? The castle is a strong one, and I mean to make it
+stronger. The air is good and so is the wine, and I am sure that you
+will find the duties pleasant.
+
+“If you go I think it would be as well that you should take a couple of
+your old comrades--you said there were many of them in Paris--with you,
+to act as your sergeants, drill the tenants, and see that all goes on in
+order. It will be pleasant for you to have two of your old friends with
+whom you can talk over past times.”
+
+“I had decided to accept your offer, Hector; but certainly this would
+have decided me had I not already made up my mind. That was the one
+drawback, that I should be among strangers, but with two of my old
+friends I should not feel lonely. There is Sholto Macfarlane, he was in
+my troop. He lost a hand from his musket bursting three years ago, and
+now makes his living by helping the boatmen unload at the quays. Then
+there is Kenneth Munroe. He was invalided after a bad attack of fever in
+Flanders, and now teaches the broadsword exercise at a fencing master's
+place at St. Denis. They would both jump at the offer if they only got
+free lodgings and keep.”
+
+“Then that is settled, MacIntosh. I am heartily glad of it. Now the
+sooner you get down there the better.”
+
+“Well, I can go at once. Sergeant Morrison is taking his discharge at
+the end of the week. He is a married man with a helpful little wife. I
+was telling him of the offer that you had made me, and he asked me what
+I would take for the cabaret. It is a good business, and having a wife
+he could manage it better than I can. I said that if he had a fancy for
+it I would rather that he took it than another; and he would do better
+than a Frenchman would, for the lads would not care for the place unless
+it was kept by one of the regiment. He asked me what were the profits. I
+told him.
+
+“'Then I am afraid that you would want a bigger sum than I could pay,
+MacIntosh,' he said. 'I have been a saving man, especially since I first
+thought of marrying, and I have laid by half my pay for the last eight
+years; but that would not go far towards the purchase of the place, for
+your profits in a year are as much as my savings of eight years.' So I
+said to him, 'Well, we will get the place valued. You will want half the
+money that you have saved to stock it well, the other half you shall pay
+me down; and I will give you five years to pay the rest, you paying me a
+tenth part every half year.'
+
+“Well, sir, we struck a bargain on that. The place has been valued, and
+on Saturday evening Morrison will come straight in and take it over. He
+is a popular man in the regiment; and as he is only just leaving it he
+is known to them all, while there are not above a quarter of the men who
+knew me as a comrade in the old days.”
+
+They then had a long talk over the sergeant's new duties, and Hector
+gave him a plan of the new fortifications that he had drawn out,
+together with full instructions how they were to be carried out.
+
+“The steward will arrange all about the tenants coming to work, and the
+proportion of labour that each will have to give. As I have told you, he
+will manage all details of that kind, look after the indoor retainers,
+and see to the food. You will have entire control of the garrison,
+of the tenants who will come to drill, and of the works on the
+fortifications. You will find the steward a very pleasant and agreeable
+young man. He will take his meals with you. I have chosen a room for
+you, and you can have another near it for your two sergeants. You can
+pay them at the same rate as sergeants of the regiment receive, and
+I need hardly say that the position will be a good deal better. As
+commander of the garrison and castellan of the castle you will be called
+Captain MacIntosh, and as such you will be named in my letter appointing
+you to the post, and I propose that you shall receive the pay of
+captain.”
+
+“The pay is immaterial, lad, I have been nigh twelve years here, and
+have laid by enough to keep me comfortably all my life, and as, so far
+as I can see, there will be nothing to spend down there, I don't know
+what I should do with pay.”
+
+“That is nonsense, MacIntosh. You must draw the pay, and spend it as
+you like, or save it. You must remember that I may be killed in the next
+battle I go into, and as I have no heirs the king will give the fief
+to someone else. The newcomer might like myself have some friend who he
+might appoint castellan.”
+
+“It would make no difference,” the other said. “In addition to what I
+have saved I shall have the price of the cabaret.”
+
+“That is not to the point, MacIntosh. The steward has instructions to
+hand you your money monthly, while the garrison will be paid weekly. If
+you choose to throw the money into the fosse, that is your own business,
+mine is to see that my castellan is paid. I am going over at noon
+today to St. Denis, where my regiment is quartered, but will ride in on
+Saturday. You must buy three horses for yourself and your sergeants; get
+good serviceable animals.. I have told the steward to repay you their
+cost when you arrive there; he has monies of mine in hand for all
+purposes.”
+
+Hector then went round and had a chat with Colonel Maclvor, and returned
+to the auberge, where the troopers and Paolo had the horses already
+saddled. He mounted and rode with them to St. Denis, putting up at an
+hotel. He found where the regiment of Poitou were stationed and at once
+proceeded there on foot. Two or three officers were chatting together in
+the barrack square, while some sergeants were drilling the companies.
+
+He at once went up to them. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I must introduce
+myself to you. I am Colonel Campbell; I have the honour to command the
+regiment. I shall be glad if you will order the officer's call to be
+sounded and send orderlies off at once to the lodgings of the officers
+and ask them to assemble. To whom have I the pleasure of speaking?”
+
+The senior officer introduced himself and the others. Report had told
+them that their new colonel was still a young man, and that he had
+served with distinction under both Turenne and Enghien, but they were
+not prepared for so young a commander as this. The French regiments had,
+as a rule, two colonels, the one a veteran soldier, who had won his
+way to the rank by long service and long fighting, the other a young
+nobleman who had gained the post solely by family influence, but
+possessed no knowledge whatever of military matters, and who was never
+with the regiment except when it went upon a campaign, and even then
+generally preferred the pleasures of Paris to the hardships of war. Had
+Hector been appointed to what was called the second no surprise would
+have been felt at his youth, but that anyone should have gained the
+position of first colonel at his age by sheer merit was astonishing
+indeed to them. In twenty minutes the officers were all assembled and
+introduced by the senior captain to Hector.
+
+“We will not begin business now,” the latter said. “My leave of absence
+does not terminate until tomorrow morning, and I think that it is much
+more pleasant to talk over matters comfortably round a table than it is
+to do so in a set manner. Therefore, gentlemen, if you will all sup with
+me this evening at the Fleur de Lis, after we have finished our meal
+we will talk over our wine. My opinion is that officers of a regiment
+should be good comrades. The regiment benefits by it, and everything
+goes on more smoothly and comfortably. This is specially so in a
+newly raised regiment, where the officers either are altogether new to
+military matters, or join from other regiments, and have no previous
+knowledge of each other. In the same way the men are all new to each
+other, and to their officers. Unless there is perfect harmony among the
+officers, there cannot be perfect harmony in the regiment.
+
+“If one officer looks after the comfort of his company, and treats them
+as he should do, while another company is neglected and left solely
+to the care of the sergeants, there will necessarily be envy and ill
+feeling. The regiment will cease to be a unit. I may say, gentlemen,
+that this is the dictum not of myself, but of Marshal Turenne, who was
+my instructor in the art of war, and who followed out the better system
+from the time that he was a boy of fourteen until now. The result is
+that his regiment is the finest in the service. It will be my aim and
+ambition to raise the Poitou regiment as nearly as possible to the same
+condition, and I shall rely upon your assistance and cooperation to
+bring this about.
+
+“Supper will be served at six. I have only just returned from the
+country, and have heard no news. I suppose that no intimation has been
+received as to what is our destination and whither we shall march?”
+
+“None whatever, colonel,” de Thiou, the senior captain, said.
+
+“All the better. I hope that they will give us a couple of months to get
+into shape. There is but little time for drill and discipline when we
+are once in the field.”
+
+So saying he saluted the officers and returned to the hotel.
+
+“Who would have thought of seeing a mere lad placed at the head of the
+regiment as colonel,” one of the captains said. “I cannot imagine how
+such a thing can have come about, for certainly he can have no family
+influence. A newly raised regiment like ours wants a bright man, one
+that all can look up to and respect.”
+
+“I fancy that you will find that this young gentleman will be
+respected,” de Thiou said. “He is young and pleasant looking, and
+whatever he is I should say that he is levelheaded, and that he has
+an infinite fund of firmness and resolution. I should certainly advise
+nobody to take advantage of his youth. I have seen more service than
+any of you, and had my family possessed any influence at court, I should
+have been a colonel by this time. Unless I am greatly mistaken we shall
+find that we have a man, a good man, and a strong one. Do you think
+that he could have won his way to a regiment at the age of twenty unless
+there had been something quite unusual? I was talking the other day with
+one of Gassion's staff, who has come back until the wound that he got
+at Rocroi is healed. He told me that Gassion--and France has no better
+soldier--said publicly after the battle that the victory was largely due
+to this young friend of ours, and that had it not been for him things
+might have gone altogether differently; and he said that Enghien, proud
+and ambitious as he is, frankly admitted the same thing. Of course I
+can only go upon what I have seen of him, but from what he said, and
+the manner in which he said it, I am convinced that we could not get a
+better chief than this young colonel. I believe that he will make it a
+comfortable regiment to be in, but I also believe that those who oppose
+him will find that they make a grievous mistake.”
+
+The next day Hector took up in earnest the work of organizing the
+regiment. In the first place he insisted that the officers should learn
+their drill; then, that instead of handing over the practical command of
+their companies to their sergeants, they should themselves command them
+on the drill ground, look after the discipline and comfort of the men in
+barracks, and become personally acquainted with the character of every
+man under their command. Many of the sergeants were inefficient; these
+were speedily deprived of their rank, and men of good conduct and
+zeal appointed to their places. The regard of the men was won by his
+insisting that the contractors for their food should send in meat and
+bread and wine of the quality that they had guaranteed to supply.
+
+Three officers were told off every day to examine the quality of all
+food sent in; any reported as being bad was examined by Hector, and if
+the complaint was well founded, was at once condemned. Great attention
+was paid to the cooking, to the cleanliness of the barrack rooms, and
+to many other details that had until then been entirely neglected. There
+were at first some grumblers, not only among the men, but among the
+officers as well; but the extraordinary and rapid improvement in the
+efficiency of the regiment, its appearance and condition, was such that
+these were not long in recognizing that although the work was hard, no
+unnecessary labour was imposed upon them, while, as their knowledge of
+drill increased the work became easier and less irksome. All recognized
+that by far the hardest worker in the regiment was the colonel himself.
+Every morning for the first month he himself drilled the officers in a
+courtyard that was not overlooked, and when they all knew their work,
+sent them to take charge of their companies. Until he considered the
+officers competent, he drilled the companies by turn, and when drill was
+over, made a tour of every room in the barracks, visited the kitchen,
+and conversed freely with the men, listening to any complaints.
+
+At first the number of men brought up for drunkenness was large. The
+first offence he always condoned, giving the offender a lecture on
+the folly of his conduct and of the discredit that it brought upon the
+regiment. For the second offence a man was confined to barracks, and
+forced to wear his coat inside out even at drill. The ridicule that the
+men had to suffer was worse than any punishment inflicted upon them, and
+no case occurred of a third offence. By turns the three officers of each
+company dined with him, and, chatting with them as a friend, he not only
+gained their liking but made himself acquainted with their individual
+characters. Turenne came to Paris a short time after Hector assumed the
+command of his regiment, and as soon as he heard of his arrival, the
+latter called upon him.
+
+“I heard from the cardinal of your good fortune,” the viscount said,
+“and congratulate you heartily upon it. Mazarin was good enough to
+say that the discovery of the Spaniards' ambush was the result of my
+teaching, and indeed I feel somewhat proud of my pupil. I am going to
+the Rhine, as perhaps you may have heard.”
+
+“I hope to have the honour of serving under you with my regiment, sir.”
+
+“I shall be glad to have you, but I fear there is little chance of it.
+I am to take the command of the Weimar troops. The death of the duke
+has been a heavy blow to us, and it is thought that unless I go down
+there--I say it because I have served there and am known by the Weimar
+troops--that force will break up altogether. From what I hear, I hardly
+think there is much chance of having any French regiments with me, and
+those now being raised are likely to be sent to fight under Enghien in
+Flanders. My position is, as you know, a painful one, owing to Bouillon
+having gone to Italy to take the command of the Pope's troops. I believe
+that is the reason why Mazarin has withdrawn me from the command of our
+army in Savoy. However, as a soldier I accept the work he has given me,
+not allowing family matters to interfere in any way with it, though it
+is my opinion that Bouillon has been very hardly treated by the breaking
+of the engagements that were given him when he surrendered Sedan to
+France.”
+
+A week later Hector presented himself at the levee of Cardinal Mazarin.
+
+“I was expecting to see you, baron. I received your note saying that you
+had taken the command of your regiment, and would do yourself the honour
+of presenting yourself as soon as you had put matters in trim. Are you
+satisfied with your men and your officers?”
+
+“With both, your eminence, and trust that in two or three months' time
+you will do us the honour of inspecting us.”
+
+“And how did you find your barony?”
+
+“I was delighted with it. The castle is a strong one, and I am taking
+steps to add to its strength; and I believe when it is finished that it
+will be almost impregnable save by an army, and that well commanded.”
+
+“Then you think,” the cardinal said with a smile, but with a certain air
+of seriousness, “that you could offer me a safe asylum if I needed one.”
+
+“I trust that such an event may never occur, your eminence, but if it
+should, my castle is at your disposal, and I will guarantee that it will
+resist for three months, whoever might attack it.”
+
+“One can never say,” the cardinal said mournfully. “Oh, these nobles!
+They are, as they have ever been, the curse of France. Each man thinks
+only of himself and of increasing his domains. What France may suffer
+matters nothing to them so that they are enriched. Were one of them
+capable of ruling France I would gladly retire; but who is there?
+Orleans, vain, empty headed, treacherous to his friends, a man whose
+word is not to be relied upon. Conde, who thinks only of enriching
+himself and adding to his possessions. Beaufort, a roistering trooper.
+None of these men could maintain his position for a moment. The whole
+country seethes with discontent at the heavy taxation necessitated by
+the war; Paris, as is always the case when there is trouble in the
+air, is restless and turbulent. I have good friends, but they are
+insufficient to sustain me against the intrigues of my enemies. The
+queen alone upholds me. Truly, the burden is too great for one man to
+bear.
+
+“You will wonder why I am speaking thus to you, Colonel Campbell, but it
+is of the greatest necessity that her majesty should know upon whom
+she can rely absolutely in case of trouble. You, sir, being altogether
+unconnected with any of the great families of France, stand in a
+different position from that of the great majority of officers of your
+rank. Look where I will, I see our regiments officered by men connected
+by birth and family with one or other of the men who are at present
+intriguing against us, and were they ordered to take steps to arrest,
+for example, one of those persons connected with them, they might,
+without openly refusing, give such warning to them that they would be
+able to escape. Now, sir, I ask you to tell me frankly whether, under
+all contingencies, the queen can rely upon your services? I give you my
+word that whatever your reply is, it shall in no way count against you.
+There are cases in which it would doubtless be painful to you to carry
+out such an order. You are a protege of Monsieur de Turenne. Monsieur de
+Turenne is brother of the Duc de Bouillon, and, as I know, you yourself
+were staying for some months in the castle of Sedan, where you went to
+be cured of your wounds. Now, monsieur, frankly, were you ordered to
+arrest the Duc de Bouillon, would you carry it out without fear or
+favour?”
+
+“Certainly I would, your excellency; and should you give such an order
+to Marshal Turenne he would do so himself. He is a soldier of the
+queen before all things, and has taught me that my duty is towards
+the sovereign who represents France, regardless of all other
+considerations.”
+
+The cardinal while speaking had watched the young soldier's face
+scrutinizingly. Faithful as Turenne had always been to the crown, even
+when his brother was in arms against it, Mazarin had still in his heart
+some doubts as to his fidelity under all circumstances. He could not but
+be conscious that faith had been absolutely broken with Bouillon, and,
+accustomed to tortuous ways, he could scarce imagine that Turenne would
+hold himself altogether above family interest. He saw by the manner
+more than the words of Hector that he was speaking from a profound
+conviction. In asking him the question, he had been thinking more of
+Turenne's loyalty than of the young colonel's. Having been four years in
+the closest connection with the marshal, he could not but know his real
+sentiments, and he felt sure that had Turenne expressed any anger at the
+treatment his brother had received, he would have seen it in the young
+man's face. The answer was a reassuring one.
+
+“Thank you, monsieur le baron; the musketeers and the Swiss guards we
+know we can absolutely rely upon, and I shall be glad to be able to
+inform the queen that she can place implicit faith in your regiment.
+I need not impress upon you the necessity for our conversation being
+regarded by you as absolutely confidential.”
+
+Hector, thinking the matter over, had no great difficulty in the end in
+arriving at the truth, namely, that his own loyalty was a very secondary
+object of interest to the minister, and that his real motive in thus
+apparently opening his mind to him had been, not to gather his own
+sentiments, but to endeavour to ascertain those of Turenne. From the
+talk among his officers he had already learned that the general opinion
+was, that although the queen had always entertained a most favourable
+opinion of Turenne, and had herself nominated him as marshal and
+commander of the forces on the Rhine, Mazarin had assented to the
+arrangement because he feared that the army of Italy would probably
+follow its commander should the latter take up the quarrel of his
+brother, while, on the Rhine with but a few regiments, to all of whom
+he was a stranger, under his command, he would be practically powerless,
+whatever his sentiments might be with regard to Bouillon.
+
+In the middle of August Hector received an order from Mazarin to take
+part with his regiment in a review which the queen intended to hold
+at Versailles two days later. At this review the musketeers, the Swiss
+guards, the Scottish regiment, and two regiments of the line besides his
+own, the queen, the young king, Mazarin, and most of the members of the
+court were present. The Poitou regiment acquitted itself admirably,
+and its marching, and the steadiness with which it went through its
+manoeuvres, were in such strong contrast to that of the other two
+infantry regiments, which had both been formed for some years, as to
+excite the surprise and admiration of the spectators. After it was over
+a mounted officer rode up to Hector and told him that the queen wished
+to speak to him. Riding up, he dismounted, and advanced to the queen's
+pavilion.
+
+“Monsieur Campbell,” the queen said graciously, “I wish to express to
+you how well satisfied we are with the efficiency of your regiment, and
+the admirable way in which it has gone through its manoeuvres. Never
+have I seen these better performed; and this is the more surprising
+as it has been but four months raised, and but three months under your
+personal command. The cardinal has informed me that he learns that this
+is due entirely to your personal exertions, and the care that you have
+bestowed upon it. I wish that all my officers showed the same zeal
+and diligence. In order to mark my gratification at the conduct of
+the regiment, I have requested monsieur le cardinal to order that
+two companies of your regiment shall be quartered at the barracks now
+occupied by the Scottish regiment, which is to march east tomorrow.”
+
+Hector bowed deeply; and, immensely gratified at the praise that his
+regiment had received, returned to his place at its head, and marched
+back to St. Denis. On their arrival there he informed his men of the
+gracious words the queen had been pleased to say about the regiment, and
+the great honour bestowed upon them by the quartering of two companies
+in Paris. The men broke into loud cheering as he concluded.
+
+Hector then called the officers together. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I
+have to thank you for the admirable way in which you have seconded my
+efforts, and by the aid of which the regiment has just gained the high
+commendation of Her Majesty, within so very short a time after it has
+been raised. I have been thinking the matter over as I rode back, and I
+have decided that where all did so well, it would be invidious to give
+to any the sole honour of being thus quartered near the Louvre and
+furnishing guards, and to yourselves the pleasure of being in Paris.
+Therefore, gentlemen, I shall send, in the first place, the first and
+tenth companies. At the end of two weeks the ninth company will take the
+place of the tenth; a fortnight later, the second will take the place of
+the first, and so in order, so that each company will in turn have its
+share in this honourable service.”
+
+There was a general murmur of satisfaction. The next morning a formal
+order was received that two companies of the Poitou regiment should
+march into Paris, and occupy a portion of the barracks which the Scotch
+regiment had just vacated.
+
+Hector called up the two companies he had selected.
+
+“Now, men,” he said, “you see the advantage that you have gained by
+discipline and good conduct. I have no doubt that before granting us the
+honour of forming a part of the garrison of Paris, the minister has made
+inquiries respecting the conduct of the regiment here, and has doubtless
+heard that it has been eminently satisfactory, and that the authorities
+and inhabitants have no complaint, of drunkenness or misconduct, against
+us. Of misconduct there have been no cases, of drunkenness very few,
+and, indeed, for the past month there has not been a single case among
+you. I trust that you will remember that while in Paris the credit of
+the regiment is in your hands, and that no single case of drunkenness or
+brawling in the streets will take place. I feel confident that this
+will be so, and I need hardly say that should there be an exception, the
+punishment will be vastly more severe than any that has previously been
+awarded, and I am sure that any offender will find, in the contempt
+with which he will be regarded by his comrades, a still more severe
+punishment than any that I can inflict.”
+
+That evening Captain de Thiou and the other officers of the two
+companies that were to march into Paris the next day dined with Hector;
+and after dinner de Thiou rose and said: “Colonel, I have been requested
+to express to you, on behalf of the whole of the officers of the
+regiment, our deep gratitude for the honours that our regiment has
+obtained. These you were good enough yesterday to ascribe partly to us;
+but we feel that they are wholly due to yourself. Although some of us
+were at first a little inclined to think that the changes made by you
+in our work were unnecessary, all now recognize fully how great has been
+the benefit, not only to the regiment, but to ourselves. Duties which
+were at first considered irksome are now regarded as pleasant. We feel
+that, as you said would be the case, we have acquired the respect of
+the men, and that it is upon us that they rely, and not upon their
+sergeants.
+
+“Our own time passes more pleasantly from being fully occupied, and from
+consciousness that we are doing our duty. As to the regiment in general,
+the benefit has been enormous. The men seem pleased with the interest
+shown in them, as much as with the comfort that they now enjoy, and they
+in turn endeavour to satisfy us, both by their attention to drill, by
+their bearing and manner, and by their avoidance of giving any cause for
+complaint. All this, monsieur, has been your work, and I am sure that we
+are all conscious of the difference of the display we made in the park,
+and that which we should have shown had it not been for the reforms
+which have been introduced by you. We all trust that the day may not be
+far distant when we shall be able to prove on the field of battle the
+same efficiency that has won us credit upon the parade ground.”
+
+“I thank you heartily, Captain de Thiou, for what you have been good
+enough to say on your own behalf and that of the officers of the
+regiment. I can only say that I have endeavoured to act up to the
+teaching of Monsieur de Turenne, and I felt sure that although my
+methods might at first seem irksome to some of you, their value would
+gradually become appreciated. I am scarcely less pleased at the decrease
+in drunkenness, and at the general improvement in the men, than by the
+increase of discipline and efficiency.”
+
+“Do you mean to come to Paris, colonel?” De Thiou asked presently.
+
+“No; I shall remain here. I shall ride in every day, but my presence
+will be more necessary with the regiment than with only two companies.
+You as senior officer will be responsible for the general order of the
+detachment.”
+
+Hector rode in the next day with his men, and after seeing them
+comfortably lodged in barracks, returned to St. Denis. A week later
+reports reached St. Denis of a strange scene at the court. The haughty
+and insolent Duchess of Monthazon, who belonged to the party of the
+Importants, had the impertinence to insult the queen grossly in the
+gardens of the Tuileries. She had at once been disgraced and ordered
+to retire to Rochfield, and the Duke of Beaufort and his friends were
+furious at this exercise of Mazarin's authority. The next day Hector
+received a message asking him to call at the Hotel de Cleves, the
+cardinal's residence. On his presenting himself, he was at once shown
+into Mazarin's private apartments.
+
+“Monsieur de Villar,” Mazarin said, “I am sorely in need of friends.
+You have heard of what has happened, and from the threats that he
+has publicly uttered against myself I am convinced that Beaufort will
+hesitate at nothing to bring about my ruin. I hear that you are still
+with your regiment at St. Denis. I shall be glad if for a time you will
+take up your abode at Paris, and will hold yourself in readiness to be
+of service to me if there should be occasion. Beaufort is capable of
+even attempting my life; he is very unscrupulous, and will hesitate at
+nothing. I shall be glad if you will take up your lodging within a short
+distance of this, so that I can communicate with you instantly.”
+
+“Certainly, your excellency; I will keep half a company always under
+arms, so that at the shortest notice they will be in readiness to act
+as you may direct. But surely, your excellency, you have the queen's
+musketeers close at hand?”
+
+“The queen's musketeers are a body of gallant soldiers, but they
+will take their orders only from the queen. They were strongly
+anti-cardinalist in the late reign, and I do not suppose that they are
+better affected towards myself than they were towards Richelieu. If they
+heard that my hotel was attacked they would not move a foot until they
+received orders from the queen to do so.”
+
+“At any rate, you shall have no reason to complain of delay on our part,
+your excellency, and I can assure you of my devotion.”
+
+Hector at once went to an auberge but a few hundred yards from the
+cardinal's residence. He thought it better to put up there than to take
+lodgings, as he could then have his four mounted men with him; and,
+riding to St. Denis, he returned the same night with them.
+
+“A horse is always to be saddled,” he said to them when they had
+dismounted and his orderlies had come up to his room, “and one of you
+by turns will always remain here armed and ready to mount without an
+instant's delay. The others will put aside their scarves; and one of
+you will always be at the cabaret nearest to the Hotel de Vendome, the
+residence of the Duke of Beaufort, who is a son of the Duc de Vendome.
+At times two of you can be there so as to drink and play cards together,
+as the appearance of one sitting too long might attract attention. Your
+object is to find out from the conversation of the duke's guards and
+servants whether they have any idea that anything unusual is going to
+take place. I have reason to believe that there is a plot against the
+cardinal, and I am much concerned in defeating it.”
+
+When the four Scotch soldiers had retired, Hector said to Paolo:
+
+“Now, Paolo, I place more reliance upon your finding out anything
+that is afloat than upon the soldiers. It is not likely that any plans
+Beaufort may form will be communicated to his people until the moment
+for action, and indeed it is probable that he will rely solely upon his
+personal friends. Now I want you to disguise yourself in any way you may
+think best, and watch Beaufort's hotel; see who comes in and out, and if
+a messenger goes out follow him, see the houses he calls at, and mark
+if those who dwell there repair at once to the Hotel de Vendome. If you
+perceive that this is the case let me know at once. See if you can get
+hold of half a dozen street gamins, and employ them to watch the houses
+of all these gentlemen, and especially that of Monsieur Id, captain of
+Beaufort's guards, and of the two Messieurs de Campion and the Count de
+Beaupuis, who are, I know, among the duke's most intimate friends. There
+are scores of these street boys who for a few sous a day would gladly
+undertake the work.”
+
+“I will do that, master. You can take my word that by tomorrow at noon
+the lodging of these four gentlemen will be strictly watched. This is a
+business after my own heart.”
+
+“In the first place, Paolo, take a note from me to the Hotel de Cleves
+and wait for an answer.”
+
+The note was a short one. It merely gave the name of the auberge at
+which he had taken up his quarters, and added:
+
+If your eminence will be good enough to send me every morning a list of
+any visits that you may intend to pay, or any journey that you may make
+during the day, it would enable me to regulate my movements accordingly
+in order to be always here and ready to carry out any orders that you
+may send me from your hotel.
+
+The cardinal's reply was even more brief:
+
+It is well thought of. I shall go nowhere but to the Louvre tomorrow,
+and shall probably be there the greater part of the day. Unless you hear
+from me to the contrary, you need only remain in between twelve and one.
+
+The next morning Paolo appeared dressed in ragged clothes.
+
+“What is that bundle of papers that you have got?”
+
+“They are lampoons on the cardinal. Nothing so natural as that I should
+try and sell them in front of the Hotel de Vendome.”
+
+“Nothing could be better, Paolo.”
+
+“I have already picked up a dozen gamins, master, sharp little beggars,
+who jumped at the idea of being set to watch people. Between them
+everyone who goes in or comes out from the hotel will be followed, and
+they will, in the first place, find out his name and bring it to me,
+after that they will follow him wherever he goes, and from time to time
+let me know what he is doing.”
+
+Several days passed. The four gentlemen specially named, together
+with several others, were frequently at the hotel. There was in this,
+however, nothing suspicious, as Hector easily learned that they were
+all vassals or close friends of the house of Vendome. On the third day,
+however, he heard that at least a dozen of these gentlemen met in twos
+or threes at various cabarets near the Duke of Beaufort's, and spent
+the greater portion of their time there. Hector at once procured dresses
+suitable for gentlemen of the middle class for the troopers, and gave
+them instructions to spend the greater portion of their time at the
+cabarets at which these gentlemen stopped. Their reports were that they
+talked of indifferent subjects, but that they were evidently waiting for
+someone, as they invariably turned a glance at the door whenever a fresh
+comer entered.
+
+The next day Hector received a note from the cardinal:
+
+I am just starting with the Duke of Orleans for Maisons, where I shall
+dine with him.
+
+Two hours later the three troopers who had been out returned almost at
+the same minute with the news that the persons they were watching had
+all got up suddenly and gone out after a messenger wearing the Beaufort
+cognizance had come in and spoken to them. And a few minutes later Paolo
+arrived and said that the Duke of Beaufort had gone with the Count of
+Beaupuis to the convent of the Capuchins, and that several horses had
+been taken there.
+
+Hector thought the matter over. “Certainly,” he said to himself, “as the
+cardinal's note is dated at nine o'clock, he is now some distance on his
+way. As soon as the duke received notice of his having gone, he notified
+his friends. It can only be on his way home that they will venture to
+attack him; but even if they have that intention they will scarcely do
+so if the Duke of Orleans returns with him, unless, indeed, the duke is
+himself in the plot, and as none of Paolo's scouts have brought news
+of any communications between Beaufort and Orleans, it is hardly likely
+that it is so.
+
+“Paolo, do you go down and watch the convent of the Capuchins. If the
+Duke of Beaufort remains there with his friend--and he may doubtless be
+joined by others--let me know if he rides away. If he does so the attack
+may take place anywhere along the road; if he remains, he will doubtless
+attack the cardinal as his carriage passes. Should there be more than
+one entrance to the convent, put boys to watch them, and bring you news
+should the party sally out. I shall be at the barracks. It is there that
+you must bring or send me word.”
+
+The troopers were ordered to put on their military clothes and saddle
+their horses, and a quarter of an hour later Hector rode to the
+barracks, followed by them.
+
+“De Thiou,” he said, “I want you and the other five officers to have
+your horses ready at a moment's notice. I have some sort of idea that
+there is a plot on foot against the cardinal, and I want to take a hand
+in the matter. I fancy that with you and my five troopers we shall be
+strong enough to disconcert the plotters.”
+
+Two hours later he received a message from Paolo, saying that the Duke
+of Beaufort and three other gentlemen were still at the convent, but
+that most of the others had gone to the residence of Henri de Campion in
+the Rue St. Honore.
+
+“They mean to attack him just at the end of the journey,” Hector said
+to himself, “and close to the Hotel de Vendome. Now it only depends
+upon whether the Duke of Orleans stays at Maisons or returns with the
+cardinal.”
+
+He ordered the officers and troopers to mount, and with them took his
+post on the road by which the cardinal would return. In half an hour
+they saw his carriage approaching. They then moved forward. As the
+carriage passed them Hector saluted, and saw to his satisfaction that
+the Duke of Orleans was with the cardinal. After the carriage had gone
+fifty yards Hector turned, and with his party followed the carriage at
+that distance. When within a quarter of a mile of the Rue St. Honore a
+horseman came along. He met the carriage, and immediately it passed him
+turned and galloped back along the road. Hector felt no doubt that he
+was placed there to warn the conspirators to be in readiness if the
+Duke of Orleans was not in the carriage, and that there would now be no
+attempt. However, he closed up to within thirty yards. As they entered
+the Rue St. Honore all was quiet there, and nothing happened until the
+cardinal alighted at the Hotel de Cleves. As he did so he looked round,
+and beckoned to Hector to follow him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII: THE BATTLES OF FREIBURG
+
+
+The cardinal did not address Hector until he had entered his private
+room, when he turned and said sharply, “What means this, colonel? When
+I saw you and your officers on the road I felt sure that you were not
+there for nothing, and still more sure when on alighting I found you so
+closely following me.”
+
+“I was convinced, cardinal, that there was a plot against your life, and
+I believe that it was only because the Duke of Orleans returned with you
+that it was not carried into effect.”
+
+“And possibly because they saw your troop behind the carriage. Now tell
+me your reason for supposing that I was in danger.”
+
+Hector related the various steps that he had taken.
+
+“Your spies worked better for you than mine did for me,” the cardinal
+said. “That a dozen or so of Beaufort's friends were for some reason
+or other spending their time at the Angel Inn and other cabarets I was
+aware, but I have had no word of their proceedings today. You have been
+better served, doubtless, because your plans were better laid. I hardly
+think that they would have attacked me when Orleans was with me, but
+there is no saying; for if Beaufort has daring and insolence enough to
+attempt to slay the queen's minister within a quarter of a mile of the
+Louvre, he would not trouble greatly whether princes of the blood were
+in the carriage or not, especially if he had some reason for believing
+that Orleans would not regard the deed with very great disapproval.
+
+“However, whatever his intentions might be, it is clear that the
+appearance of your party of twelve armed men decided the question. We
+may regard it as certain that the news that I had such an escort was
+carried to them by the man who galloped on ahead. I thank you, sir, I
+thank you very heartily, not only for my sake, but for that of France. I
+will ask you to go across to the Louvre; I will take half a dozen armed
+servants with me, but there is little fear that the attempt will be
+renewed today. They must be too much disconcerted by the failure of
+their plot to make fresh arrangements so speedily. I shall go first
+to the Louvre and inform her majesty of what has taken place. You will
+remain here for half an hour, and will then leave by the gate at the
+back of the house and make a circuit, and enter the palace by the river
+gate. The musketeers on guard will stop you, but I will give you a
+pass.” And he wrote a few lines on paper. “The queen's confidential
+servant, Laporte, will be at the door to meet you, and will have
+instructions to escort you by corridors where you will be unobserved,
+and so to her majesty's private closet. Were you to accompany me,
+Beaufort would soon hear of it, and would be shrewd enough to perceive
+that your meeting with me was by no means a matter of chance.”
+
+Hector followed out his instructions, and on presenting himself at the
+palace was at once taken up to the queen's closet. Laporte went in, and
+returning immediately requested him to enter. The queen was walking up
+and down the room, her face flushed with indignation.
+
+“Her majesty would fain hear from your own lips, monsieur le baron, the
+statement that you have made to me.”
+
+The queen sat down and listened intently while Hector repeated the
+story.
+
+“There can be no doubt about it, cardinal; this keeping of a number of
+armed men within call for days, the summons to them to gather in the Rue
+St. Honore, while he himself with others took up his post at the convent
+of the Capuchins hard by, the moment his spies had discovered that you
+had left for Maisons, could but have been for one purpose. But they
+shall learn that although a woman, Anne of Austria, Queen of France, is
+not to be deprived of her minister and faithful friend without striking
+back in return. Monsieur de Villar, you have rendered me a great
+service. Is there any boon that you would ask of me? it is granted
+beforehand.”
+
+“I thank your majesty most humbly,” Hector said. “Already I have
+received honours far beyond anything I deserve. I had the honour when
+thanking your majesty, to hope some day to be able to give proof that
+they were not unworthily bestowed, and still hope to do so.”
+
+“You have already shown yourself worthy,” the queen said, “by the manner
+in which you have in so short a time rendered the regiment to which we
+appointed you so efficient. However, if there is at present no boon that
+we can bestow, then remember that the Queen of France holds herself
+your debtor, and that you have my royal word that any boon that you may
+hereafter ask for, that is in my power to grant, will be given you.
+Take this as a pledge of my promise.” And she took off a gold chain
+exquisitely worked, and gave it him. He received it kneeling. “Now, sir,
+we will keep you here no longer. I have much to say to his excellency. I
+trust that you will present yourself at the levee this evening.”
+
+“One thing more, colonel,” Mazarin added; “I doubt not that some of
+Beaufort's people will endeavour to find out how it was that you came to
+be behind my carriage. If they do so you might carelessly mention that
+you and your officers had ridden out in a party at St. Germain, and that
+on your way back you chanced to fall in with my carriage.”
+
+At the barracks Hector called the officers together. “Gentlemen,” he
+said, “I have no doubt that your little ride today has somewhat puzzled
+you. I am not at liberty to tell you the reason why I requested you
+to ride with me; but it is very probable that you may be asked the
+question, and I beg you all to remember that we have been on a little
+party of pleasure to St. Germain, and having dined there were on our way
+back when we overtook the carriage of the cardinal; and seeing that
+he had the Duke of Orleans with him, we reined back and followed him,
+deeming that it would not appear respectful were we to gallop past the
+carriage. Please bear this story in mind. Recall also that we dined at
+the Lion d'Or there, that our dinner was a good one and that it was a
+sort of celebration on my part of our two companies having the honour to
+be chosen for duty in Paris. This is a matter upon which much depends;
+it is, in fact, a matter of state; and you may well imagine that I
+should not be recalling these events to your mind were it not that a
+good deal depends upon it, and that I have received strict orders
+that this little comedy shall be carried out. I know that I can rely
+implicitly upon your discretion, and I have indeed answered for you all.
+The story will be true in every respect. Instead of the excursion having
+come off today it shall come off on the first day I can arrange that we
+can be all off duty.”
+
+That evening at the palace Hector was, as the cardinal predicted,
+accosted by one of Beaufort's officers, to whom he had been previously
+introduced. After talking on other subjects for a few minutes, he said:
+
+“I saw you today, monsieur, riding with a party of your officers along
+the Rue St. Honore. You did not notice me?”
+
+“I assure you that I did not, sir, or I should not have been so rude
+as to pass without saluting you.” Then he added with a laugh, “We were
+riding slowly, too, for the cardinal's coach was in front of us, and it
+would not have been good manners to have galloped past him, especially
+as he had the Duke of Orleans with him.”
+
+“Had you been far?” the other asked carelessly.
+
+“No great distance; a little party of pleasure with my officers to eat
+a dinner together, to celebrate the honour we had received in being
+brought into Paris. My officers have worked very hard, and the matter
+served as a good excuse for giving them a little dinner.”
+
+For the next day or two everything passed off quietly, but four of the
+officers reported that when dining at a cabaret two or three of the
+duke's officers had come in and entered into conversation with them, and
+had brought up the subject of their riding in after the cardinal.
+
+“You almost looked as if you were serving as a bodyguard to him,” one of
+them laughed.
+
+“I daresay we did,” was the answer. “It was rather a nuisance; but it
+would not have been courteous to have ridden past the carriage.” And he
+then repeated the story as had been arranged.
+
+Although the Duke of Beaufort had been told by some of his friends that
+there were rumours abroad of a plot against Mazarin's life, and that it
+would be best for him to leave Paris for a time, he refused to do so,
+saying that even if it was discovered the cardinal would not dare to lay
+hands on him. Moreover, the replies which had been obtained from Hector
+and his officers convinced him that their riding behind Mazarin's
+carriage was an accident.
+
+On the 2nd of September the duke presented himself at the Louvre as
+usual. After speaking with him for a few minutes, the queen left the
+room with Mazarin, and Guibaut, captain of the Guards, at once came
+forward and arrested him. He was kept at the Louvre that night, and next
+day was taken to the castle of Vincennes. Two companies of Swiss guards
+marched first, followed by a royal carriage containing the duke and
+Guibaut. The carriage was surrounded by the royal musketeers. A body
+of light cavalry followed, and the two companies of the Poitou regiment
+brought up the rear. Thus the people of Paris were shown that the queen
+had both the will and the power to punish, and the fickle population,
+who would the day before have shouted in honour of Beaufort, were
+delighted at seeing that the royal authority was once again paramount in
+Paris. The other members of the party of Importants either fled or were
+arrested. The Campions, Beaupuis, and others, succeeded in making their
+escape from France. The Marquis of Chateauneuf, governor of Touraine,
+was ordered back to his province. La Chatres, colonel general, was
+dismissed from his post; the Duc de Vendome was forced to leave France;
+and the ambitious Bishop of Beauvais and several other prelates were
+commanded to return to their dioceses. All the members of the Vendome
+family were exiled to the chateau of Annette. Madame de Chevreuse, de
+Hautefort, and a large number of other members of the party were ordered
+to leave Paris. Thus the party of the Importants ceased to exist.
+
+The people of Paris seemed greatly pleased at what appeared to them the
+end of the troubles, and they exclaimed that Richelieu was not dead, but
+that he had simply changed his appearance, and had become twenty
+years younger. Mazarin chose a number of soldiers belonging to his own
+regiment, and several officers who belonged to Richelieu's own guard.
+These were at all times to follow him wherever he went. He selected
+a number of noblemen, all of distinguished merit and influence, and
+created five of them dukes, and thus secured to himself a party that
+would to some extent balance the power of his adversaries.
+
+He also made an effort to bring about a union between the Duke of
+Orleans and the Condes, but failed, owing to the enormous demands
+that each put forward. Conde demanded the government of Languedoc
+for himself, of Burgundy for Enghien, and Normandy for the Duc de
+Longueville, and the entire domains of his late brother-in-law, Henry of
+Montmorency. Orleans on his part demanded the province of Champagne, the
+three bishoprics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun, and the town and castle
+of Sedan. As these demands, if granted, would have rendered the two
+families all powerful, Mazarin gave up the attempt, and decided that
+the best plan to prevent troubles was to let these dangerous families
+continue to be hostile to each other.
+
+As soon as he had finished his work of crushing the Importants, Mazarin
+sent for Hector.
+
+“Now, Monsieur Campbell,” he said, “I have breathing time. The
+conspiracy among the nobles is for the time crushed, and now that they
+see that the queen is determined to protect me, and that I am not afraid
+of using the power committed to me, I hope that it will be some time
+before they venture to conspire again. I have further strengthened my
+position by granting honours to many distinguished gentlemen who were
+well inclined towards me, and on whose support in the future I shall
+be able to rely. Now it is time that I should turn to the man who has
+probably saved my life, and to whose evidence given before the queen I
+in no small degree owe it that she resolved to suppress these insolent
+nobles. I have not hurried in this matter, since, by your answer to the
+queen, it was evident that you desired no change in your position, and
+that the matter could wait.
+
+“Still, monsieur, her offer was to grant honours for services rendered
+to the state. The matter of the service that you have rendered to
+Cardinal Mazarin is still untouched. It is something so new to me that
+anyone in France should be so perfectly contented with his lot as to
+refuse such an offer as that made to you by the queen, that I feel
+somewhat at a loss what to do. I can understand that, young and ardent,
+increased rank would have no charm for you. Were it otherwise I could
+bestow the highest rank upon you. I am aware that your habits are
+simple, for I have made inquiries, and that money in itself goes for
+little in your eyes; still, sir, one who has the honour of being first
+minister of France, and who is also a very rich man, cannot remain with
+a debt of gratitude wholly uncancelled. I hear from my agent in Poitou
+that you have voluntarily remitted the fine that your vassals would pay
+on the occasion of a new lord taking possession, on account of the heavy
+taxation that presses so sorely upon them.
+
+“I honour you, sir, for such a step, and have even mentioned it to the
+queen as a proof of the goodness of your disposition, and I feel sure
+that there is nothing that would please you better than that I should
+grant the tenants of your estate an immunity from all taxation; but this
+I cannot do. All private interests must give way to the necessities
+of the state. I deplore the sufferings of the cultivators of France,
+sufferings that have of late driven many to take up arms. It is my duty
+to repress such risings; but I have ordered the utmost leniency to be
+shown to these unfortunate men, that the troops should not be quartered
+upon their inhabitants, and that the officers shall see that there is
+no destruction of houses and no damage to property; that would increase
+still further their difficulty in paying the imposts, which I regret to
+say press so sorely and unduly upon them. Tell me frankly what is the
+greatest object of your ambition?”
+
+“I thank your excellency most heartily for your kind intentions towards
+me, but any ambition that I may have had is already much more than
+gratified. I have never for a moment thought of, or even wished that I
+might some day become lord of a fair estate and a noble of France. I
+had not ventured to hope that I might become colonel of a regiment
+for another fifteen years. Both these things have, thanks to the kind
+appreciation of her majesty and yourself for a very simple act of duty,
+fallen to me. If I might ask a boon, it would be that my regiment may be
+sent to join the force of Marshal Turenne. So long as there was danger
+here I should not have wished to be removed from a position where I
+might be of some assistance, however slight, to the queen and yourself,
+but now that all danger is at an end I should be glad to return to
+active duty. I have endeavoured humbly to make Marshal Turenne my model.
+He has but one thought and one desire--namely, to do his duty and to
+make the soldiers under his command contented and happy, but I have no
+hope of ever emulating his great merits as a commander.”
+
+“That request is easily granted,” Mazarin said, and drawing a sheet of
+paper towards him, he wrote:
+
+The regiment of Poitou will at once proceed to the Rhine, where it will
+place itself under the orders of Marshal Turenne.
+
+He added his signature, and handed the paper to Hector.
+
+“That counts for nothing,” he said. “You must remember that life is
+short and, especially in the case of a minister of France, uncertain.
+In your own case you might be disabled in the field and unable to serve
+further. The advent of a party hostile to me in power would doubtless be
+signalized by acts of vengeance against those who have been friends, and
+estates change hands so frequently in France that la Villar might well
+be confiscated. No man is above the chances of fortune. I have agents in
+England, and have this morning given an order to my intendant to place
+in the hands of Monsieur Wilson, a well known citizen of London, a
+goldsmith, the sum of fifty thousand crowns to stand in your name, and
+to be payable to your order. Here is his address. It is but a small sum
+for the saving of my life, but it will place you above the risk of the
+contingencies of fortune in this country. I wish for no thanks,” he
+said, with a wave of his hand as Hector was about to speak. “I have
+given more for the most trifling favours. I now bid you adieu, and
+doubt not that I shall hear that you and your regiment have greatly
+distinguished yourselves in the east, where hostilities will in all
+probability shortly be commenced. You had better present yourself at the
+levee this evening to make your adieus to the queen.”
+
+This Hector did, and early the next morning rode with his two companies
+to St. Denis, where the news that the regiment was to march towards the
+Rhine was received with great satisfaction. It was now the middle of
+October, and when, after ten days' march, the regiment reached Epernay,
+they heard that Turenne had withdrawn his troops from the Rhine,
+where the Imperialists had already gone into winter quarters, and had
+stationed them in the various towns of Lorraine. His headquarters were
+at Nancy. Turenne greeted him warmly upon his arrival.
+
+“Matters have been going on slowly since I saw you in Paris. I have been
+too weak to fight the Bavarians, who fortunately were too undecided to
+attack me. Could they but have made up their minds to throw in their
+fortune with Austria, they might have overrun all Lorraine, for aught I
+could have done to withstand them. The troopers were without horses, the
+infantry almost without clothes, and as the court was unable to send me
+any remittances I have been forced to borrow money upon my own estates
+for the public service, and have mounted five thousand horse and
+enrolled three thousand foot and am still sustaining them. However,
+I hear from Mazarin that he will in a week send off a large convoy of
+treasure, which will be welcome indeed, for I am nearly at the end of
+my resources. Some of my troops are quartered in the town, but the most
+part are among the mountains, where they trouble the inhabitants less
+and have small temptations towards rioting and excesses. Which would you
+rather?”
+
+“I would much rather go into the country, marshal; my regiment is
+in good condition now, but to stay in quarters in a town is bad for
+discipline.”
+
+“So be it. You might make your headquarters at the village of Saline;
+there are no other troops within thirty miles of it. On arriving there
+you will make inquiries as to the supplies to be obtained within a
+circle of fifteen miles round. Fortunately I have a good supply of
+tents, and any men for whom you cannot find quarters in the villages
+can be placed under canvas. You can draw as much wine as you require for
+three months' rations from the stores here, and two months' rations of
+flour. I will direct the intendants to take up carts for the transport
+of the supplies you take from here. You will doubtless be able to buy
+meat up there, and I hope that you will be able to obtain sufficient
+flour and wine to last you till the end of the winter, for transport
+will be very difficult when the snow is on the ground. Firewood your
+soldiers will, of course, cut for themselves in the forests.”
+
+The winter passed quietly. Hector managed to obtain quarters for all his
+troops--a village being allotted to each company. Before they marched
+off to their various quarters, Hector urged the officers to impress upon
+their men the advantage of behaving well to the villagers.
+
+“Of course the presence of so many men will be of serious inconvenience
+to them, but they will doubtless make the best of it if they find that
+they are treated civilly and that their lodgers endeavour to give as
+little trouble as possible. See that everything down to the smallest
+article is paid for, and investigate every complaint, and I will punish
+any offenders severely. I have inquired into the average prices that
+sheep, fowls, pigs, goats, and other articles fetch, and have made out a
+list for each company; the peasants will be gainers by it, for they
+will be saved the journey down to the towns. Let this be stuck up in a
+conspicuous place in each village.
+
+“The intendant will go round and make contracts for the supply of meat,
+and will see whether it will be more advantageous to erect ovens for
+the baking of bread in each village or to arrange to buy it ready baked
+there, we supplying the flour; for the troops, after being accustomed to
+good bread at St. Denis, will not be content with the black bread upon
+which these poor people exist. I shall pay a visit to each company
+in regular order, see that all is going on well, try men who have
+misbehaved themselves, and listen gladly to any suggestions that the
+respective captains may make to me.”
+
+The first company was quartered at Saline, and although the cold was
+severe and the life rough the troops were well contented, and Hector was
+glad to find that his instructions were carried out and that excellent
+relations were maintained between the troops and their hosts.
+
+Early in the spring Turenne collected a force of three regiments of
+cavalry and two of infantry, and, passing the Rhine at Breisach, fell
+suddenly upon a force of Imperialists in the Black Forest, defeated
+them, and took three or four hundred prisoners, among whom were many
+officers, the rest of them escaping to the army commanded by Count
+Merci. In May the Bavarian army, numbering eight thousand foot and seven
+thousand horse, marched to besiege Freiburg, five leagues from Breisach,
+and Turenne followed with all his force, which now numbered ten thousand
+men. He found, however, that the Imperialists had occupied all the
+strong positions in the neighbourhood of the town, and not caring to run
+the risk either of defeat or great loss, and receiving information that
+the town had already opened negotiations for surrender, he fell back
+some five miles from the town, sending news to the court that his force
+was insufficient to attack the Imperialists. Mazarin thereupon sent
+orders to Enghien to set out at once for Germany. As soon as he
+reached the Rhine and his army prepared to cross, Enghien, who had been
+appointed generalissimo, rode forward with Marshal de Gramont, who was
+in command of the army under him, to the camp of Turenne. The meeting
+between Enghien and Turenne was most cordial. Enghien had always felt
+the warmest admiration for the talents of the older marshal, had been
+most intimate with him whenever he was at court, and regarded him as his
+master in the art of war. Turenne was free from the vice of jealousy;
+and as the armies of France were almost always placed under the supreme
+if sometimes nominal command of princes of the blood, it seemed nothing
+but natural to him that Enghien should receive supreme authority.
+
+The characters of the two men were in complete contrast with each
+other--the one was ardent, passionate, prompt in action and swift in
+execution; the other, though equally brave, was prudent and careful,
+anxious above all things to accomplish his object with the smallest
+possible loss of men, while Enghien risked the lives of his soldiers as
+recklessly as his own. They always acted together in the most perfect
+harmony, and their friendship remained unimpaired even when in
+subsequent days they stood in arms against each other. At the council
+Turenne was in favour of making a circuit and taking up their post in
+the valley of St. Pierre, by which they would intercept the Bavarians'
+communications and force them by famine to issue out from their strong
+lines and fight in the open, and urged that to attack a position so
+strongly fortified would entail terrible loss, even if successful.
+
+Marshal de Gramont, and d'Erlac, governor of Breisach, were of the same
+opinion. The Duc d'Enghien, however, was for attacking the enemy in
+their intrenchments; the idea of starving out an enemy was altogether
+repugnant to one of his impetuous disposition, and as generalissimo
+he overruled the opinions of the others. He himself, led by Turenne,
+reconnoitred the position of the enemy, and decided that the one army,
+which was called the army of France, consisting of six thousand foot and
+four thousand horse, commanded by Marshal de Gramont, should attack
+the enemy's position in front and on their right flank, and the other,
+called the army of Weimar, of five thousand foot and as many horse,
+under Turenne, should move round by a narrow pass and attack the enemy
+on the left flank. Merci's army occupied an almost inaccessible hill
+whose summit was strongly fortified, and it was against this that de
+Gramont's army was to hurl itself. The entrance to the valley by which
+Turenne was to fall upon their left flank was closed at its mouth by
+very strong intrenchments, and it was behind this that the main body of
+horse was posted.
+
+To gain his point of attack Turenne had to make a very wide circuit,
+and started at break of day on the 3rd of August. It was arranged that
+Enghien, who remained with de Gramont, should not attack until three
+hours before sunset, in order to give Turenne time to attack at the same
+hour. At the time agreed upon, Enghien sent forward two battalions to
+begin the attack. The regiments of Conde and Mazarin were to follow,
+while the duke held two others in reserve. In order to get at the enemy
+the assailants were forced to climb a very steep ascent, and cross a
+vineyard intersected by many walls four feet high facing the terrace
+on which the vines grew. These were occupied by the Bavarians, but the
+French attacked with such vigour that the enemy were driven back. When,
+however, the latter reached the great cheval-de-frise, formed by
+felled trees, in front of the intrenchments, they could make no further
+progress, so heavy was the fire maintained by the enemy.
+
+Enghien, seeing this, dismounted, placed himself at the head of the
+regiment of Conde, and led them forward, while Marshal Gramont and
+the officers did the same. Encouraged by this example, the troops were
+filled with enthusiasm, and, following their leaders unfalteringly, made
+their way through the cheval-de-frise, and, pressing forward without a
+pause, obtained possession of the intrenchments, driving the Bavarians
+into the woods behind. The battle had lasted three hours, and had cost
+the Bavarians three thousand men, while the French suffered at least
+equally.
+
+Turenne's force had been as hotly engaged. Merci, the best general in
+the Austrian army, had foreseen that an attempt might be made through
+the defile, and had posted strong bodies of infantry among the trees on
+either side.
+
+As soon as Turenne entered the defile he was encountered by a heavy
+fire from his unseen foes, who, falling back through the trees as he
+advanced, continued to gain strength. Turenne had to fight every foot of
+his way in order to dislodge the enemy, and it was not until Enghien
+had brought the battle to a conclusion on his side, that Turenne arrived
+and, forcing the intrenchments guarding the mouth of the defile, found
+himself in contact with Merci, who was now able to concentrate his whole
+force against him. The combat was a furious one. The troops were engaged
+at but forty paces apart, and sometimes had hand-to-hand encounters.
+Merci brought the whole of his cavalry into play, but Turenne was unable
+to use his, as they were behind his infantry and could not make their
+way out through the mouth of the defile.
+
+For seven hours the battle raged in the darkness. After losing three
+thousand men here, General Merci decided that his army would be totally
+destroyed if Enghien should bring his troops down from the hill at
+daybreak. Accordingly, leaving a body of musketeers to hide the movement
+by their fire, he withdrew the rest of his army and took up another
+strong position, partly on a height known as the Black Mountain,
+covering the entrance of the valley of St. Pierre and partly in the
+valley itself, thus covering his line of retreat. Had the French been
+able to attack early the next morning before the Bavarians had time to
+intrench themselves they might have won an easy victory; but for the
+past twenty-four hours the rain had been falling incessantly, Turenne's
+army had been marching on the previous day, and had been fighting for
+seven hours, and was incapable of further exertions, while that of
+Enghien was in little better plight, having passed the night in the rain
+on the ground it had won.
+
+After such hard fighting both commanders agreed that a twenty-four
+hours' halt was absolutely necessary. The day could not be termed one of
+rest, for there were thousands of wounded to be collected and cared for,
+arms to be cleaned, for they had been rendered useless by the rain, and
+provisions to be brought up from the rear. Merci made the most of the
+time thus given him. The bottom of the mountain towards the plain was
+fortified by several rows of felled trees, and a portion of his infantry
+was posted between this point and the town of Freiburg, which was but
+half a mile away. The intrenchments that had been formed during the
+siege of the town were occupied by them; and as their front was covered
+by the fire of the guns from the fortress, as well as by that of the
+infantry on the hill, he considered the position to be impregnable, and
+therefore placed the main body of his army at the edge of the flat top
+of the hill, a strong body behind a wood about halfway up the slope, and
+his cavalry extended from that point to the walls of the city.
+
+After reconnoitering the position, Enghien determined to make two
+attacks, one on the trenches between the foot of the hill and the town,
+and the other on the rows of felled trees at the foot of the mountain.
+A false attack was to be made between the two points. Turenne's force
+advanced nearly to the foot of the hill, the prince's army followed him,
+and also took up its position. But just as the attack was about to be
+made a great tumult was heard on the hill, and Enghien and Turenne
+rode to a neighbouring height in order to ascertain what was going
+on, leaving strict orders that no movement was to be made until their
+return. Count d'Espenan, who commanded the two advanced regiments of
+Enghien's army, however, ordered a detachment to attack a redoubt
+which stood within the line of attack, and Merci sent supports to its
+defenders.
+
+D'Espenan sent more troops on his side and the engagement became
+serious. Suddenly the Imperialist artillery opened fire along the whole
+of their line, and Enghien's troops, apparently taking this for the
+signal of the beginning of the battle, moved forward for the
+assault without order or leader. As they were broken and confused by
+endeavouring to pass through the abattis of felled trees, the Bavarians
+rushed out and drove them back with great slaughter. Enghien and
+Turenne, galloping up in all haste, in vain attempted to rally them.
+Officers and men alike were panic stricken. The two generals then rode
+to Turenne's army and advanced against the defence of trees. For a long
+time the battle raged without any marked success on either side. Several
+times the French made their way in to the intrenchments and were as
+often repulsed. Merci ordered his cavalry to dismount, and led them
+into the fray, but, darkness falling suddenly, the assailants ceased to
+attack, and occupied for the night the ground on which the struggle had
+taken place. The fight that day had cost them two thousand troops, and
+the Bavarians twelve hundred, but as the latter had lost half their
+infantry in the first day's fighting the French were still superior
+in numbers. During the night Turenne had all the wounded of both
+nationalities carried to Breisach. After giving the army four days'
+rest, Enghien determined to resort to the tactics that Turenne had
+from the first recommended, and, marching along the plain, ascended the
+valley of Bloterthal and made for St. Pierre, where he would cut the
+Bavarian line of retreat. As soon as Merci saw the movement he gave
+orders for his army to fall back with all haste, and although Turenne
+pressed hard on his rear he succeeded in drawing his troops off, though,
+in order to do so, he was obliged to abandon his baggage and cannon.
+Altogether he lost between eight and nine thousand men, with their
+artillery and most of their horses. The French loss was equally great,
+and though the battle was claimed as a victory by them owing to the
+Bavarians having finally fallen back, it was really a drawn one.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV: JUST IN TIME
+
+
+The regiment of Poitou had suffered heavily in the battles of Freiburg.
+In the first advance Turenne had placed it in the rear of his infantry.
+
+“I must have, Hector,” he said, “a reserve upon which I can implicitly
+rely; brought up at the right moment it might decide the fate of a
+battle, if we are beaten it can allow the disorganized regiments
+to pass, check the pursuit of the enemy, and retire in good order,
+contesting every foot of the ground until the rest of the force have
+emerged from the mouth of the defile and been enabled to form up in
+sufficient order to withstand the effect of the enemy's cavalry.”
+
+The regiment, therefore, took no part in the work of clearing the defile
+of the enemy's infantry, and for the first four hours of the battle
+remained in the rear. Then Turenne ordered it to the front, to take the
+place of the regiments which had already lost half their strength,
+and were no longer capable of resisting the continued assaults of
+the Imperialists. Turenne himself rode with Hector at the head of the
+regiment. They pushed their way through the hardly pressed troops in
+front, and when they faced the enemy deployed and poured a terrible
+volley into their assailants, and for the remaining three hours bore the
+whole brunt of the battle. Standing four deep, their flanks resting upon
+the rising ground on either side of the mouth of the pass, the two front
+lines alone maintained their fire so long as infantry only pressed them,
+the two lines behind being ordered by Hector not to fire a shot. When,
+however, the Bavarian infantry drew aside and the cavalry thundered
+down, the front lines fell back through those behind them, and the
+latter received the cavalry with such terrible volleys of musketry that
+they each time broke and fled.
+
+Turenne, after seeing the Poitou regiment take up its post, occupied
+himself in reforming the remains of the other regiments, and raising
+their spirits by warm words of commendation at the manner in which they
+had fought, until assured that they in turn could, if necessary, join
+the first line if it were forced to give way. When he had done this he
+rejoined Hector, who had dismounted and moved backwards and forwards
+among the men, seeing that the gaps caused by the enemy's fire were
+constantly filled up, and encouraging the soldiers with praise and
+exhortations. Turenne sat upon his horse some paces behind the rear
+line. When he saw the Bavarian infantry draw aside, and heard the roar
+of the cavalry charge, his lips tightened, and he half turned his horse
+as if to call up the regiments behind. When, however, he saw the lines
+that had hitherto been in rear take up their place in front and stand
+there quiet and immovable, the look of irresolution passed from his
+face, and, after the Bavarian horse had fallen back, shattered by their
+volleys, he pressed a pace or two forward and shouted, “Regiment of
+Poitou, I thank you in the name of France; never saw I a regiment fight
+more bravely or steadily!”
+
+The men responded with a loud cheer to this praise from one whom all
+respected and loved. Turenne then rode up to Hector.
+
+“Splendidly done, Colonel Campbell! I had rather wondered why you kept
+half your men idle in such a fight; I now understand why you did so. Had
+all been firing, three-quarters of their muskets would have been empty,
+and you would possibly have been overthrown. It was a stroke of genius.
+I may have taught you many lessons in war, but tonight you have given me
+one.”
+
+Turenne remained with the regiment till the end of the fight, and marked
+with approval the way in which each line fought by turns, while the
+other remained behind them ready to receive the charges of the cavalry.
+As soon as the Bavarians drew off he saw that all the wounded were
+carried to the rear, where the surgeons rendered what aid was possible,
+while the rest of the troops threw themselves down to snatch a few
+hours' sleep. When, three hours later, Enghien's troops came down from
+the hill they had won, Turenne's force marched out from the defile.
+Turenne mounted his horse, and, calling upon Hector to follow him, rode
+forward with his principal officers to meet Enghien.
+
+“It has been a terrible battle, prince, and if your loss equals mine the
+victory has indeed been won at a terrible cost.”
+
+“Mine has been heavy, too,” Enghien said, “but we have gained our
+object.”
+
+“Not wholly,” Turenne replied, “for Merci has taken up a position as
+strong as that from which we have driven him.”
+
+“I wish that I could have lent you a hand in the fight,” Enghien said,
+“but the Bavarians had fallen back into the woods, and we knew not
+whether they still held their ground there. In the rain and darkness
+it would have been dangerous to have crossed the broken ground with
+its woods and ravines, and the troops, after their exertions and heavy
+marches, were incapable of such an effort. Indeed, I had lost fully half
+my infantry, and the cavalry would be useless for such work. You must
+indeed have been sorely pressed, having Merci's whole force to contend
+with. Still, I had no doubt even if you could not issue from the
+defile you would be able to check the enemy.” Then the generals in turn
+repeated the details of the battles in which they had been engaged and
+the losses they had suffered.
+
+Turenne then introduced his principal officers to Enghien, and when he
+had done so called up Hector.
+
+“I need not introduce this officer to you, prince,” he said.
+
+“No, indeed,” Enghien replied, holding out his hand; “I have good reason
+to recollect you, Colonel Campbell. You have heard, marshal, what a good
+service he rendered me at Rocroi?”
+
+“He has rendered me one no less this night,” Turenne said. “I never saw
+a regiment stand more steadily than the one which he commands, and which
+he has trained to what seems to me perfection. For the last three hours
+that regiment alone bore the brunt of the battle, although assailed
+alternately by infantry and cavalry, and thus afforded time to reform
+the regiments that fought earlier in the afternoon and to give me hope
+that even were the enemy to overcome the resistance of his men, I could
+still be able to check their further advance.”
+
+He then told Enghien the manner in which Hector had arranged and fought
+his troops.
+
+“A good device indeed,” Enghien said warmly, “and methinks it worthy of
+adoption whenever infantry have to meet other infantry and cavalry, for
+the muskets take so long to reload that there might not be half a dozen
+men ready to give fire when the cavalry charge. Is that one of the many
+lessons that he tells me you have given him?”
+
+“No, indeed; it has not, so far as I am aware, ever been tried before.
+Parts of regiments are often held in reserve to reinforce their comrades
+if necessary, but this method, whereby half the regiment are able at a
+moment's notice to meet cavalry with their muskets loaded, is methinks,
+entirely new, and in such cases as the present very valuable.”
+
+In the second day's fighting Turenne's army had taken but small share,
+for during the retreat of the Bavarians the cavalry alone had come into
+play.
+
+The Bavarians having retreated into Wurtemberg, a council of war was
+held to decide in what manner the greatest advantage could be gained
+during their absence. Most of the chief officers were in favour of
+retaking Freiburg. Turenne was of a different opinion. He represented
+that the siege would occupy a considerable time, and that if successful
+they would, at the end of a campaign, have simply retaken a town that
+was theirs when it began. They could therefore point to no advantage
+gained by their efforts or by the loss of so many men. He advised,
+therefore, that as the Bavarian army was now sixty miles away, and
+could not very well return, as it would need large reinforcements, fresh
+cannon, and baggage wagons, they should take the opportunity of making
+themselves masters of the whole course of the Rhine and even of the
+Palatinate.
+
+The Duc d'Enghien declared for this plan. Turenne went at once to
+Breisach, and arranged for the transport, by boat down the Rhine, of all
+the necessaries for the siege of Philippsburg. The army started on the
+16th of August, a part of Turenne's army being detached to capture small
+towns and castles. On the 23rd of August Philippsburg was invested by
+Turenne, Enghien's force arriving on the following day. Philippsburg
+stood on the Rhine, which at this point formed a sharp elbow, and the
+land being low, many morasses surrounded the town, and the approach
+therefore was exceedingly difficult. Eight hundred paces from the town
+stood a square fort, which commanded the river, and was connected with
+the town by a causeway. The town itself had seven bastions, round these
+ran a very thick hedge, and the moat was wide and full of water. The
+garrison was a weak one, not exceeding a thousand men, but they had a
+hundred pieces of cannon and a large store of ammunition.
+
+Feeling that he could not hold a fort so far from the town, the
+commander withdrew the garrison from it, and Turenne seized it, and
+placed a strong force there. Enghien then threw up strong lines in a
+semicircle round the town to protect the army in case any large force of
+the enemy should endeavour to relieve it. This occupied four days,
+and in the meantime the boats had arrived with cannon, ammunition, and
+provisions. A bridge was thrown across the river in twenty-four hours,
+and a force was sent over; this attacked and captured Germersheim, and
+then marched to Spires, which at once opened its gates on the 29th of
+August. In the meantime the siege of Philippsburg was begun in earnest.
+The approaches could only be carried on in one place, where the ground
+was sandy, and continued so up to two of the bastions of the town.
+
+Turenne commanded the attack against the right bastion, de Gramont that
+on the left. They first diverted a brook running through the plain, and
+were enabled to use its channel as an approach, thus advancing fifteen
+hundred paces nearer to the town. They then formed an intrenchment that
+could be used by both columns, and from this on the 1st of September
+they began to open their trenches against their respective bastions. De
+Gramont's works were attacked on the following day by a sortie; this,
+however, was driven back. On the fifth night both columns made a
+lodgment on the counterscarp, and their batteries opened fire. After
+some days' work they filled up the ditch, and seeing that his force was
+too weak to oppose so strong an attack, the commander surrendered on the
+12th of September.
+
+Although Merci was advancing with an army, Enghien continued the project
+that had been formed, and, remaining with his own troops to protect
+Philippsburg, sent Turenne with all his horse and five hundred foot
+to Worms, which threw open its gates. Oppenheim surrendered without
+resistance, and he arrived in front of Mayence. The garrison was very
+small, and upon the threat of Turenne that he would attack it on all
+sides the citizens sent a deputation offering to capitulate. Turenne
+sent word of this to Enghien, who rode there at once, and received the
+surrender of the town. Bingen capitulated; Landor, Mannheim, Neustadt,
+and several other places were taken; and thus from Strasburg to a point
+near Coblenz, the whole course of the Rhine, the Palatine, and all the
+country between the Rhine and the Moselle fell into the hands of the
+French. Enghien returned to pass the winter in Paris. The greater part
+of the army was recalled, and Turenne was left with but a few regiments
+to hold the newly acquired territory.
+
+“Do you wish for leave, Campbell?” Turenne asked Hector. “You had but
+a few days in your new lordship, and have a right to spend at least a
+portion of the winter there.”
+
+“I thank you, marshal, but I have no idea of leaving you. You have been
+good enough to say that you will fill up the gaps in my regiment by
+embodying in it the remains of the regiment of Ardennes, which will
+bring it up to nearly its former strength. I certainly should not like
+to be away while the work of fusion is being carried out. The new
+men must be divided equally among the companies, and the officers so
+arranged that one of those now appointed shall be attached to each
+company with two of my own. Then I must see that all so work together as
+to arrive at the same standard as before. I should have wished that if
+possible the captains of the Ardennes regiment should be appointed to
+the new regiment that you are about to form, and that the places of
+those who fell in action should be filled from my list of lieutenants.”
+
+“Certainly. You lost five captains, did you not?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“If you send me the names of the five senior lieutenants, I will promote
+them at once.”
+
+“Thank you, marshal; that will make all my lieutenants captains. I lost
+five of them and three second lieutenants.”
+
+“Then you will require thirteen more officers.” He looked at a list.
+“There are eight belonging to the Ardennes, the rest I will draw
+from other regiments. There is little fear of their objecting to the
+exchange, for your corps won such a reputation that all will be glad to
+join it; I will send you back to Nancy. There are barracks there, and no
+other troops; and as we are not likely to be disturbed until the spring,
+you will have plenty of time to bring the regiment up to its former
+mark.”
+
+The winter, indeed, passed quietly. The officers were all greatly
+pleased when they heard the arrangements Hector had made, by which most
+of them obtained a step in rank instead of being, as they had feared,
+passed over by officers belonging to the Ardennes regiment. The battle
+of Freiburg had shown them the great advantage that had been gained by
+the steadiness and discipline of their men. They took up the work of
+drilling again with even more zeal than before, and it was not long
+before the regiment was restored to its former state of efficiency. The
+reason why he had sent the regiment back from the Rhine was explained by
+Turenne to Hector before he started.
+
+“The orders from court were,” he said, “that I was to retain only the
+Weimar regiments, and I should have been obliged to send you back with
+those of Enghien had I not represented to him that it might be of the
+greatest importance to me to have even one good French regiment within
+call. We talked it over at some length, and he finally agreed to take
+upon himself the responsibility of ordering that your regiment should
+not go beyond Nancy, upon the ground that there were very few troops in
+Lorraine; and that peasant risings had taken place there, as in other
+departments, owing to the terrible distress caused by heavy taxation. He
+has handed to me a paper authorizing you to take such steps as you may
+think fit, as soon as you receive news of such risings, to aid the civil
+authorities, if they should take place at any point within reasonable
+reach. The regiments stationed at Metz will naturally maintain order
+north of Pont-a-Mousson, while you will send detachments to points south
+and east of Nancy. You will understand that you are not to move troops
+on the strength of mere rumours, but only when requests for aid are sent
+by local authorities.”
+
+Indeed, during the winter of 1644-45, as in that preceding it, troubles
+broke out in many parts of France, and in some the risings of
+“the barefooted ones,” as they were called, became for a time very
+formidable. The rage of the unhappy peasantry was principally directed,
+as during the Jacquerie, against the nobles, and any chateaux were
+sacked and burned, all within killed, and terrible excesses committed.
+
+In February serious outbreaks took place. A messenger arrived at Nancy
+with an urgent appeal for help, and Hector took four companies and
+marched with all speed to the disturbed district. As soon as he reached
+it he broke up his force, despatching each company in a different
+direction, his instructions being that any body of armed peasants
+they might meet were to be dispersed, but, once beaten, were not to
+be pursued and cut up, and that life was not to be unnecessarily
+sacrificed. He himself, with one company, marched towards Poissons. He
+was within a mile of the town when a mounted man, bleeding from several
+wounds, rode up.
+
+“The chateau of Blenfoix has been attacked by two hundred peasants,”
+ he said. “My lady and a dozen retainers are holding a tower, but they
+cannot long resist; even now the place may have been captured. I broke
+my way through, and, hearing that there were troops in this direction, I
+have galloped at full speed to implore your aid.”
+
+“How far is it?”
+
+“About ten miles.”
+
+“You hear, de Mieville; bring the men on with all speed. I will gallop
+forward with my troopers and do what I can. Do I go straight along the
+road?”
+
+“Yes, sir, nine miles hence you will see the chateau on an eminence a
+mile away to the right.”
+
+Followed by his troopers and Paolo, Hector dashed off at full speed. In
+three quarters of an hour, at a turn of the road, they caught sight of
+the chateau. Flames were pouring through most of the windows.
+
+“Now, lads,” he said to the men, “we have got long odds to face, but
+there is a lady to be rescued, and if any men can accomplish it we
+will.”
+
+The chateau was partly castellated, the new portion having been built
+against what had formerly been a small castle. On its summit a flag was
+still flying. Riding on at the top of their speed they soon saw a number
+of men swarming round a gate which opened into the older portion of the
+building.
+
+“Put your pistols in your belts, lads. Don't use them if you can help
+it, but trust to your swords. Cut your way through that crowd. Ride in
+at the gate, and dismount at the door leading up to the turret. Then do
+you, Macpherson and Hunter, cover our rear while we fight our way up the
+steps. Follow us as we go, and if you want aid, shout and we will come
+down to you.”
+
+On hearing the sound of the galloping hoofs the peasants for a moment
+made a movement of retreat, but when they saw that the six horsemen were
+alone, they began to gather courage, and again waved their arms, which
+were mostly axes, or poles to which scythes or billhooks were attached.
+Riding three abreast, the horsemen burst in among them, hewing and
+hacking with their swords; and the crowd, unable to resist the impetus
+of the charge, opened a way for them, and in a moment they had passed
+through the gate. A group of men round an open door that marked the
+position of the turret stairs, scattered with cries of alarm as they
+galloped up. In a moment they sprang from their horses and entered the
+doorway. The stairs were narrow, and but one man could mount and use his
+weapons at a time. They were, however, densely packed with men.
+
+Hector sprang up, closely followed by the others. The resistance was
+feeble, for the height above the winding steps was but six feet, and
+insufficient for the use of either axes or longer weapons. Many of the
+peasants, astounded at seeing the armed men mounting from below them,
+and wholly ignorant of their numbers, threw down their weapons and cried
+for mercy. Hector contented himself with pushing past them, and running
+his sword through any who showed signs of resistance. One or two men
+armed with rough pikes made a stand; these he shot, and pressed upwards
+until within some twenty feet of the top, when the peasants, half
+maddened at finding themselves caught, rushed down in a body. “Close
+up!” he shouted to his followers. These pressed close up to him, but the
+weight was too much for them, and they were borne by the rush backwards
+down the stairs, when the peasants darted out through the door. Hector
+had received several knife cuts on the shoulder and arms, and would have
+suffered still more severely had not Paolo and Nicholl, who were next
+to him, thrust their pistols over his shoulder and shot his assailants,
+whose bodies, borne along by the pressure from behind, protected him
+from the blows of those above them.
+
+“Are you hurt badly, master?” Paolo exclaimed as they stood breathless
+for a moment at the bottom of the stairs.
+
+“No, I think not; my gorget saved my neck; I have four or five cuts
+on the shoulders, but they are mere flesh wounds. Now let us mount the
+stairs; the men must have made a stout defence indeed to have held out
+so long.”
+
+The upper part of the stairs was indeed almost blocked with dead bodies.
+At the top of the stairs stood two men with axes, which they lowered as
+soon as they saw Hector.
+
+“You have made a brave stand,” he said, “in defence of your mistress.”
+
+“You have arrived but just in time, monsieur, for we are the last two
+left, and though we might have accounted for a few more, another five
+minutes would have finished it.”
+
+Stepping out on the platform at the top of the tower, Hector saw a lady
+leaning against the battlements; she was deadly pale, but her face
+still bore a look of calm determination. In her hands she held a dagger;
+clinging to her was a girl of some fifteen years of age.
+
+“Thank God, madam, that we have arrived in time!” Hector exclaimed.
+
+“Just in time, monsieur; we had given up all hope, when, as if sent
+by God, we saw your little band appear riding towards us. Even then I
+hardly ventured to hope; it seemed well nigh impossible that six men
+should be able to clear a way through so many. Only two of my faithful
+retainers still held the stairs, and it was but too evident that these
+could not resist much longer; when one more had fallen I had resolved to
+plunge this dagger into my daughter's heart and then into my own. Death
+would have been a thousand times preferable to falling into the hands of
+these wretches.”
+
+“How long have you been beleaguered, madam?”
+
+“My men have been fighting for four hours. For upwards of three hours
+they did well, for the peasants, being unable to use their weapons,
+frequently drew back. Then they hit upon the device of fastening a hook
+to the end of a pole, and, catching this round the leg of one of the
+defenders, dragged him down, and then despatched him with their knives.
+One by one four of my men were killed. For the last half hour the two
+who remained stood back, one at each side of the doorway, so that they
+could not be so entrapped, and slew those who, mounting the stairs,
+tried to rush past them. Both were sorely spent, and the end must have
+come soon had you not appeared. Whom have I to thank for this unlooked
+for deliverance?”
+
+“I am Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar,” Hector replied, “and have
+the honour to command his majesty's regiment of Poitou.”
+
+“Your name is not French,” the lady said.
+
+“No, madam, I am a Scotchman.”
+
+“Then,” the lady said, speaking in English, “I must claim you as a
+countryman, for I am Irish. My husband was an officer in the army of the
+Duke of Lorraine; he was killed in a skirmish four years ago, and a
+year later I married the Baron of Blenfoix, and was again widowed at the
+battle of Freiburg, where my husband, who had followed the fortunes
+of the Duke of Lorraine, his feudal lord, fell fighting by the side
+of General Merci. This is my daughter Norah. But I see that you are
+wounded,” she went on as Hector bowed to the young lady.
+
+“Not seriously, madam; but I feel somewhat faint from loss of blood, and
+will remove my helmet. As it turned out,” he went on somewhat faintly,
+“it was unfortunate that I did not put on my body armour; but I had not
+anticipated hard fighting, and preferred to ride without it. Thanks for
+your offer, lady, but my men will see to me, they are all of them pretty
+well accustomed to the bandaging of wounds.”
+
+He was now, indeed, almost too faint to stand, and Paolo and Nicholl
+seated him against a battlement, and then proceeded to take off his
+upper garments and examine his wounds. They were all at the back of the
+shoulder, as his assailants, pressed closely against him, were unable
+to strike him in front. The lady tore some strips off her garment and
+assisted in bandaging the wound, being, as she said, well accustomed to
+such matters.
+
+“Is all quiet on the stairs?” Hector inquired of the two men whom he had
+placed on guard there.
+
+“Save for the sound of some groans all is still, colonel,” Hunter
+replied. “Methinks that after being withstood for four hours by six
+retainers they are not likely to make a fresh attempt against six well
+armed men.
+
+“What are they doing, Macpherson?”
+
+“They are gathered in front of the chateau, sir. A large number of
+things were dragged out before the flames reached them, and at present
+they seem to be quarrelling over the division of them. They have got
+some barrels of wine out of the cellars and are making free with them.”
+
+“So much the better,” Hector said. “The company will be up in half an
+hour at latest, and will give them a lesson unless they move away before
+that; and now that they have taken to drinking they are not likely to do
+so.”
+
+The bandaging of his wounds being now completed, Hector was assisted to
+his feet.
+
+“I grieve, madam,” he said, “that I did not arrive in time to prevent
+the chateau being burned.”
+
+“The loss is not mine; my husband's estates were confiscated when he
+crossed into Germany with the duke, and were some ten months ago granted
+to a Monsieur de Thours, a relative of the Prince of Conde; but he
+sent me a courteous letter to say that as he was serving with the Duc
+d'Enghien, I was welcome to continue to occupy the chateau until the war
+was over, receiving the rents as his chatelaine, paying the retainers,
+and keeping up the establishment, and sending the surplus to his agents
+at Nancy. This I was glad to do, for, indeed, had it not been for his
+kind offer my daughter and I would scarcely have known whither to go, as
+my husband expended his last crown in equipping a force for the service
+of the duke.”
+
+At this moment Macpherson exclaimed:
+
+“I see the head of a company mounting the slope, colonel.”
+
+“Yes, and there is Captain Mieville. Ah! he has halted the men, and is
+riding forward alone to take in the situation. I hope that the peasants
+won't catch sight of him.” When Mieville reached a point where he could
+obtain a view of the front of the chateau he checked his horse, and
+after surveying the scene for a minute rode back to the company. A
+movement was at once visible.
+
+“He is extending them on each side,” Hector said. “That is good. He is
+going to inclose the peasants, and as from the slope in the ground they
+cannot see the troops until they are within a hundred yards, he will
+catch them in a trap.”
+
+The company moved round, in fact, until they had formed almost a
+semicircle, then they advanced, closing in as they neared the house.
+When they reached the spot where they could be seen by the peasants a
+trumpet sounded and they ran in. The peasants, bewildered at seeing the
+line of soldiers closing in around them, hesitated. Some were already
+too drunk to rise from the ground on which they had thrown themselves,
+the others caught up their arms and ran together. Retreat was
+impossible, for behind them was the burning house. Suddenly a stream of
+fire burst from the semicircle of troops. Some thirty of the insurgents
+fell, the others threw down their arms and fell upon their knees crying
+for mercy. The troops were rushing forward to finish their work, when
+Hector shouted “Halt!”
+
+“De Mieville,” he said, as the officer rode up towards the tower, “do
+not shed more blood. Thirty at least have fallen in their attack on this
+turret, besides those who have been killed by your fire. Take the rest,
+disarm them all, let the men cut some stout switches and give every man
+twenty blows well laid on the back, and then let them go. Before you do
+so, send a dozen of them to clear the staircase and to draw some buckets
+of water from the well and sluice the steps down. Paolo, do you run down
+and find a vessel of some sort and a goblet or horn, and bring up some
+wine from one of those barrels. The ladies sorely need something after
+what they have gone through, and I myself shall be all the better for
+it, for the loss of blood has given me a raging thirst.”
+
+Paolo had no difficulty in carrying out the order. The rioters had
+brought out several pails for holding the wine, a score of silver cups
+and other vessels lay where they had been dropped when the soldiers
+appeared, and the officer had placed two men on guard over them. Paolo
+thoughtfully brought up a pail of water as well as of wine. The ladies
+drank a little wine and water, while Hector took a long draught, and
+made the two retainers who had fought so stoutly, and his own men, do
+the same. In half an hour the staircase was cleared and washed down,
+and the party then descended. The baroness had told Hector that for the
+present at any rate she would go to Nancy, and would report to the new
+lord's agents there what had happened, and doubtless he would send a man
+to take charge of the place.
+
+“These cups,” she said, “were all the personal property of my husband,
+and I am therefore free to take them. Many of them have been in his
+family for a very long time. Their sale will enable me to live until I
+can form some plans for the future.”
+
+The several silver vessels were collected and wrapped up ready for
+transport in some of the hangings that the rioters had torn down. An
+outhouse adjoining the keep was cleared out and thickly spread with
+rushes for the accommodation of the baroness and her daughter. The
+troops had already had a very long march, and it was out of the question
+that they could return to Nancy that night. Fires were lighted in front
+of the house, and the soldiers prepared to bivouac there. Three of the
+troopers were sent off with orders to the captains of the other three
+companies to concentrate the next morning at a village on the line that
+would be taken on their return march. Some men were sent down to the
+little town of Blenfoix to purchase bread and meat, together with
+torches and other necessaries. At nightfall Hector posted sentinels,
+as he considered it quite possible that the peasants would raise the
+country for some distance round and try to take vengeance for the loss
+they had suffered. When Paolo took some supper round to the two ladies,
+he returned with a message that they hoped Colonel Campbell would join
+them in their meal.
+
+“See that the sentries are on the alert, Mieville,” he said as he got up
+from the fire round which he and the three officers were sitting; “you
+must remember that these poor fellows are desperate. Of course you and
+I know that they can do themselves no good by attacking castles and
+burning chateaux, but were we in their place--famished, despairing, and
+ignorant--we should doubtless do the same. And although, with men as
+well disciplined as ours, there would be little chance of the peasants
+overpowering us, they may trust in their numbers, and would believe that
+if they could destroy us, the whole country might well rise and join
+them. Should there be any sign of trouble, call me instantly.”
+
+Two sentries had been placed at the door of the outhouse, and as he
+entered Hector said, “Keep good watch, men, and if you hear any noise
+that might betoken the approach of a body of men, warn me at once.”
+
+“I heard what you said to the sentries, Colonel Campbell; do you think
+that there is any danger?”
+
+“No danger, I trust, madam, for I am convinced that we could beat off
+any number. Still, I do think that there is a possibility of our being
+attacked. The peasants know that we are but a company. They may send to
+all the villages round and call on them to come and revenge those
+who have been slain. The people of the hills are strong fellows--wood
+cutters, charcoal burners, and shepherds--and there can be no doubt that
+they suffer terribly from the enormous taxation. I have seen it on my
+own estate in Poitou, and can make every allowance for them. In many
+cases the amounts they are adjudged to pay are absolutely greater than
+their whole income. They are forced to live upon bread made of bran and
+sawdust, to eat acorns and beechnuts; they are gaunt with hunger; they
+see their children dying before their eyes. They know not how their
+sufferings arise, they only know that they suffer, and in their despair
+they turn like hungry wolves against all who are better off than
+themselves.”
+
+“And your people, are they suffering as much as these, monsieur?”
+
+“Not quite so much, perhaps, but they are suffering. I have spent but a
+fortnight on my estates, of which I have only been master for a year.”
+
+“And could you do nothing for them, monsieur?” the girl asked.
+
+“I did what I could, mademoiselle. I remitted half their rents, which
+was in fact but a small thing, seeing that I knew positively they could
+not have paid them. Still it was no doubt some alleviation to know that
+the arrears were not being piled up against them. As to the other half,
+I told my intendant not to press any whom he thought could not pay,
+and that if he drew enough to pay his own salary and the wages of the
+retainers I should be content--for my pay as colonel is ample for my own
+wants.”
+
+“You are very young to be a colonel, Monsieur Campbell,” the baroness
+said.
+
+“Very young; but I have had singularly good fortune, and have been happy
+enough to please both Marshal Turenne and the Duc d'Enghien.”
+
+“And you have served under them both?” she said in surprise.
+
+“I have had that good fortune. I was with Turenne for nearly four years
+in Italy, and fought under Enghien at Rocroi, and I may say under both
+of them at Freiburg.”
+
+“What is the name of your regiment, monsieur?”
+
+“The Poitou regiment.”
+
+“Indeed!” she exclaimed. “Of course, we have heard all the particulars
+of the battle; and it was said that General Merci would have beaten
+Monsieur Turenne back had it not been for the Poitou regiment, commanded
+by a Scottish colonel, and said to be the finest under the command
+of the French generals. They say it stood for three hours against the
+attacks of the whole Bavarian army.”
+
+“We were in a strong position,” Hector said quietly, “at the mouth of
+a defile, so that no more than our own numbers could attack us at once.
+However, I am proud of the conduct of my men; none could have fought
+more steadily than they did.”
+
+“My husband was killed in the battle against Enghien's army on the hill.
+I am glad that it was not by your regiment, monsieur.”
+
+“I am glad too, madam.”
+
+“These wars are terrible, and we of Lorraine--lying between France and
+Germany--suffer whichever wins. Fortunately we lie at a distance
+from the roads that the armies follow, and therefore have escaped the
+devastation caused all along the line of march. Nevertheless we have
+the sadness of knowing that in the field neighbours must fight against
+neighbours, and kinsmen against kinsmen, for since the duke fled many of
+our nobles, seeing that the country has now become part of France,
+have joined her, while others, like my husband, followed the duke into
+Germany. However, as an Irishwoman it matters little to me now which is
+the victor.”
+
+“Do you think of returning home, madam?”
+
+“As to that, I have not yet made up my mind. The land there is as
+distracted as is France by civil war. It is sixteen years since I left
+Ireland with my husband, a few months after our marriage. I was an
+orphan, and have no near relations to whom I can go, therefore it
+matters little to me whether I live in France or Ireland, so that I
+can see some way of earning my own living and that of my daughter. With
+economy, the sale of the silver would suffice to keep us for three or
+four years, and long before that I hope that I shall be able in some way
+to earn my living.”
+
+Hector sat silent for two or three minutes. “It seems to me, madam,”
+ he said at last, “that it would be better that you should not spend the
+proceeds of your silver before looking for a post. I can offer you one
+at once, if you will accept it.”
+
+“You, monsieur!” she exclaimed in surprise.
+
+“Yes, madam. It is bad for the vassals and tenants of a noble--even
+though a newly made one, and on an estate of moderate dimensions--when
+their lord is absent, and there is none to look after them save an
+intendant, whose duty it is to collect as much rent as he is able. Such
+is the position of my tenants. I am a soldier, and must perforce be
+absent. What I need greatly is someone who will fill my place in this
+respect. I have an old friend who is captain of the garrison, and sees
+to all things in the household; I have an intendant, I believe a worthy
+young man, who collects my rents and looks to the feeding and needs of
+the servants and garrison; but I need someone who would interest herself
+actively in the condition of my tenants, who would be a friend to them
+in sickness, would give aid from my purse to those who really need it,
+would send food to the starving, and aid my intendant by advising him
+as to who are worthy of relief and who are suffering from their own
+idleness or thriftlessness--who will, in short, act as I would have my
+wife act had I one.
+
+“Now, madame la baronne if you will honour me by making my home yours
+so long as I am away at the wars, which may last, for aught I know, for
+years yet, you will be conferring a great favour upon me. You will have
+your own suite of apartments, where your meals will be served to you.
+You will have horses to ride. You will relieve my intendant of the
+necessity of seeing that the servants perform their duties, and give him
+more time to devote himself to the business of the estate, and will in
+fact act as chatelaine, save only in matters connected with the garrison
+in the defence of the castle.”
+
+“Your offer is kind in the extreme, Colonel Campbell, but I could not
+accept it,” she said. “You are only inventing such an office in order to
+give a home to me and Norah.”
+
+“I can assure you, madam, that the thought is not a new one to me--I
+have often wished that there was a lady in the castle. One who would see
+after the wives and families of the vassals; and I should feel myself
+under a real obligation to you if you would fill the place. You
+see, madam, it would cost me nothing, for food and drink there is in
+abundance. I have two splendid horses, given me by the Duc d'Enghien,
+standing idle in their stalls. I shall be happy in knowing that my
+tenants would be well looked after, and shall be glad indeed that you
+and your daughter, my countrywomen, should, for the present at any rate,
+have a home.”
+
+The tears were streaming down the lady's face.
+
+“Accept, mother,” the girl said, putting her hand on her shoulder.
+“Surely God sent this gentleman to our rescue when we were very near
+death. Why should we not accept this fresh kindness at his hands?”
+
+Her mother looked up. “My daughter has chosen for me, Colonel Campbell.
+I accept your offer with the deepest thankfulness. Were I to refuse now,
+the time might come when I should be reduced to such straits that for
+my daughter's sake I should bitterly regret that I had refused your
+generous offer; therefore I accept it, and thank you from the bottom of
+my heart.”
+
+“I do not wish you to see it in that light,” he said with a smile. “At
+best it is but an arrangement for our mutual advantage, and I, on my
+part, thank you and mademoiselle most heartily for falling in with my
+wishes.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV: THE BATTLE OF MARIENTHAL
+
+
+The decision had scarcely been made when one of the lieutenants ran in.
+“Captain Mieville requests me to state that sounds have been heard
+in the forest, and that he believes there is a large body of men
+approaching.”
+
+“Then, ladies, I must beg you to mount the stairs to the turret at once.
+I will place six men on guard there. The main body I must keep in front
+of the chateau, as that affords a protection to our rear. Do not be
+alarmed. I do not think the place is likely to be attacked; but should
+it be, the six men could hold it for any time. As soon as I have beaten
+the main body I will at once attack those who may be assailing the
+turret, though I hardly think that they will do so, for they know that
+there is nothing to be obtained that would in any way repay them for the
+loss that they would suffer. They are marching here for the purpose of
+attacking us.”
+
+He called to the two sentries.
+
+“See the ladies up the stairs to the turret, and take up your post on
+the lower stairs. Four more men shall join you at once.”
+
+He found that Mieville had already got all the men under arms, and had
+ranged them between the bivouac fires and the still glowing chateau.
+
+“Move your men along farther, Mieville. Let your left flank rest on the
+angle of the old castle, then we shall not be made anxious by another
+attack on the turret. Let the right flank rest upon the chateau where
+the old castle joins it. We shall then be in darkness, while the
+assailants, if they come from that side, will have to cross the ground
+lit up by the glow from the ruins. Let the centre of the line be some
+ten yards in front of the building; let the line be two deep.”
+
+As soon as this disposition was made he called down the six men, as they
+were no longer required to defend the staircase.
+
+“Now, men,” he said when all were formed up, “I need not admonish
+soldiers who were so firm under the attack of the whole of the Bavarian
+army of the necessity for steadiness. I have no doubt that if we are
+attacked it will be in considerable force; but it will be by half armed
+peasants, and there probably will not be a gun among them. But even
+peasants, when worked up into a state of excitement are not to be
+despised. My orders are: The front rank shall continue firing until they
+are close at hand, and shall then fix bayonets. Until this is done the
+second line are not to fire a shot; but as soon as the front rank are
+ready to repel the enemy with fixed bayonets, you will begin. Don't
+throw a shot away, but continue loading and firing, as quickly as you
+can; and unless very closely pressed, let no man empty his musket until
+his comrade on the right has reloaded, so that there will always be some
+shots in reserve. Should they rush on in spite of the fire, I shall
+give the order, 'Empty your muskets and fix bayonets,' and we will then
+charge them. Hunter, you and your three comrades and Paolo will keep
+close to me, and if we find the men wavering at any point we will go to
+their assistance. If, however, we charge, remember that you six men I
+told off to guard the turret are at once to pass through the gates and
+take up your post on the steps, for some of them may slip in behind us
+and endeavour to rush up.”
+
+The horses, that had been turned loose when Hector and the troopers
+mounted the steps, had been seized by the peasants, and tied up to some
+trees close by when the latter began to feast. They had been recovered
+when the insurgents were scattered by Mieville's company and had then
+been placed in the courtyard of the castle. As soon as the alarm was
+given, Hector, the four troopers, and Paolo had mounted. The three
+officers were also on horseback.
+
+“In case the company charges, Mieville,” he said, “we nine mounted men
+can cover the rear and charge any of the insurgents who try to rush in
+and take them in the rear. I hope that we shall keep them off with our
+musketry fire; but I don't disguise from myself that if they fall upon
+us at close quarters we shall have to fight hard. Ah, here they come!”
+
+Suddenly in the darkness from the other side of the chateau a great
+crowd of men poured out, shouting and yelling furiously, and brandishing
+their rough weapons, which shone blood red in the glow of the fire in
+the ruins. Someone had evidently been placed on the watch, and had told
+them where the troops had taken up their post, for they came on without
+hesitation, bearing outwards until they faced the centre of the line, at
+a distance of fifty yards; then one of the men, who appeared to be the
+leader, shouted an order, and they rushed impetuously forward. The front
+line at once opened fire. Many of the peasants dropped, while the others
+hesitated a little, and so gave the men who had first fired time to
+reload; but, urged on by the shouts of their leaders, the peasants again
+rushed forward.
+
+“Fire a volley, and then fix bayonets!” Hector shouted. The fifty
+muskets flashed out, and as the peasants were but fifteen yards away
+every shot told, and their front rank was completely swept away.
+
+“Every other man in the second line fire!” Hector ordered, and
+twenty-five shots added to the confusion among the peasants. The
+slaughter, however, only had the effect of maddening the great crowd,
+who numbered upwards of two thousand, and with a howl of fury they
+rushed forward again. Hector waited until they almost touched the row of
+bayonets, and then gave the order for the remaining men to fire and all
+to fix bayonets. The instant this was done he shouted “Charge!” for he
+saw that while standing quiet his men were no match for the peasants,
+whose long poles with the scythes at the end gave them great advantage
+over the shorter weapons of the soldiers. With a cheer the latter threw
+themselves upon their opponents, their close formation and more handy
+weapons depriving their enemies of this advantage. Thrusting and
+overthrowing all in front of them, the line burst its way through
+the mob, the little party of cavalry charging furiously whenever the
+peasants endeavoured to fall upon their rear, and the latter, boldly as
+they fought against the infantry, shrank back before the flashing swords
+and the weight of horses and riders.
+
+As soon as they had passed through the crowd Hector gave the order for
+his troops to face about, and they again burst their way through the mob
+that had closed in behind them. Four times was the manoeuvre repeated,
+the resistance growing fainter each time, as the peasants found
+themselves unable to withstand the charge of the disciplined troops.
+When for the fifth time they reached the gate of the castle the crowd no
+longer pressed upon their rear, but stood hesitatingly some fifty yards
+away. Hector took advantage of the pause, and ordered his men, who were
+panting from their exertions, to load again. He formed them in single
+line now.
+
+“Don't fire a shot until I give the word,” he said; “then pour in your
+volley, fix bayonets instantly, and charge.”
+
+Standing in the shade as they did, the movement of loading was
+unobserved by the peasants, who, as they saw the line again advancing,
+prepared to meet them, but gave a yell of surprise when a terrible
+volley was poured into them at a distance of twenty yards. Then, before
+they had recovered from their surprise, the long line was upon them with
+levelled bayonets. Only a few stood their ground. These were instantly
+overthrown. The rest, throwing away their weapons, fled in all
+directions.
+
+“Thank God that is over!” Hector said, as he told the troops to halt and
+reload. “If they had all been as courageous as their leader they
+would have annihilated us, but each time we charged I observed that
+a considerable number fell away on either flank, so that it was not
+a solid mass through which we had to make our way. What is our loss,
+Mieville?”
+
+“I rode along the line and counted the numbers. There are but
+seventy-five on foot,” he said, “and most of these have got more or less
+severe wounds with their ugly weapons.”
+
+“Let the ground over which we have passed be carefully searched,” he
+said, “and any of our men who show signs of life be carried in front of
+the chateau.”
+
+Twelve men were found to be living; their wounds were at once attended
+to and bandaged.
+
+“I think most of them will do,” Captain Mieville said. “They are ugly
+looking gashes, but it is not like a bullet in the body.”
+
+The men who had been killed were found in most cases to have been
+slain outright from the blows of hatchets, which had in several cases
+completely severed their heads. While the wounds of the soldiers were
+being attended to, Hector went to the gate at which the baroness and her
+daughter were now standing.
+
+“You are unhurt, I hope,” the lady said as Hector approached.
+
+“I have two or three more wounds,” he said, “but, like those I had
+before, they are of little account.”
+
+“It was a terrible fight,” she said. “We watched it from the top of the
+turret, and it seemed to us that you were lost each time you plunged
+into the crowd, you were so few among such numbers. Have you lost any
+men?”
+
+“We have only had thirteen killed outright,” he said. “Twelve more are
+very seriously wounded, but I think most of them will recover. As to
+the rest of the company, I fancy that most of them will require some
+bandaging. And now I shall recommend you and your daughter to return to
+your shelter. I have no fear whatever of their coming back again.”
+
+“That we cannot do,” she said firmly. “It is our duty to do what we can
+to aid those who have fought so bravely.”
+
+“The men are now attending to each other's wounds,” Hector said. “Every
+man in my regiment carries, by my orders, a couple of bandages. We found
+them most useful at Freiburg, and many a life was saved that would have
+been lost but for their use; but if you insist upon doing anything, I
+would ask you to carry wine and water round. The troopers will draw the
+water for you from the well in the courtyard here.”
+
+“That we will do willingly,” she said.
+
+For the next two hours the ladies were busy at work, moving among the
+men and supplying them with refreshments. Not until all their wants were
+amply supplied did they retire.
+
+In the morning Hector said: “Now, Madame de Blenfoix, I have been
+thinking the matter over, and consider that it would be a wholly
+unnecessary journey and a loss of four days were you to travel to Nancy
+with us. You are only ten days' journey from Poitou, and I should
+advise you to start at once. My man, Paolo, and two of the troopers will
+accompany you as an escort. Your road will lead through Orleans, which
+will be almost halfway, and you will also pass through Tours. At both
+these towns you can, if you will, stay for a day to rest. I will ride
+down with you into Blenfoix, where I shall be able to get paper and
+pens, and will write letters to Captain MacIntosh and to my intendant
+explaining exactly the position that you will occupy. One of the
+troopers will ride forward with these from your last halting place
+before you arrive there, in order that you may find everything prepared
+and be received properly on your arrival. Do you both ride, or would you
+rather have a pillion's place behind the troopers?”
+
+“We both ride,” she said; “but I should prefer, on a journey like this,
+that my daughter should ride behind me on a pillion. You are altogether
+too good, Colonel Campbell. You are heaping kindnesses upon us.”
+
+“Not at all, madam. And now you will doubtless be glad to hear that in
+searching round the place this morning, we have discovered that two of
+your horses that had doubtless been turned loose by the peasants have
+found their way back. No difficulty will therefore arise on that score.
+The saddles are hanging from the beams in the stable, so that everything
+is in readiness for your departure.”
+
+A quarter of an hour later the whole party left the ruined chateau, the
+troops taking their way to the point at which they had left the road,
+while Hector with his four troopers and Paolo rode down into Blenfoix
+with the ladies. Here the baroness purchased a few necessaries for the
+journey while Hector was writing his letters. Hunter and Macpherson were
+to form their escort, and were by turns to lead the spare horse, which
+on alternate days was to carry the double burden. Paolo carried the
+purse, which contained a sum ample for the expenses of the journey.
+When all was ready the adieus were said, and the baroness repeated the
+heartfelt thanks of her daughter and herself for the kindness shown
+them. Paolo took his place beside the ladies, the two troopers fell in
+behind, and they started west, while Hector with the other two troopers
+galloped off to overtake his company.
+
+At Joinville they found that de Thiou's company had just marched in, but
+it was not until the next day that the other two returned. All had met
+with scattered bodies of peasants, but these had dispersed as soon as
+the troops were seen, and there had been no actual fighting except with
+the parties Hector had met. The bodies of the soldiers that had fallen
+were buried near the chateau. Those of the peasants were left where they
+lay, and would doubtless be carried off by their friends as soon as the
+latter knew that the troops had left. The lesson had been a severe
+one indeed, upwards of two hundred and eighty being killed in the two
+encounters. The insurgents were completely disheartened by their loss,
+and during the rest of the winter the aid of the troops was not again
+called for.
+
+As soon as spring set in, the Poitou regiment marched to join the
+marshal. The Bavarian army had been weakened by the withdrawal of four
+thousand men to aid the Imperialists, who had been defeated by the
+Swedes in Bohemia. Turenne, on hearing the news, at once prepared to
+take advantage of it, crossed the Rhine on a bridge of boats at Spires,
+and passed the Neckar, General Merci retiring before him. Stuttgart
+opened its gates, and Turenne established himself at Marienthal on the
+river Tauber. Merci, as he fell back, had caused a rumour to be spread
+that he was making for the Danube.
+
+There was a great scarcity of forage in the country round Marienthal,
+and the officers of the cavalry strongly urged upon Turenne that they
+should divide and take up stations at various points where they could
+obtain food for their animals, which were much exhausted by their long
+and heavy marches. Turenne for some time resisted their entreaties, but
+at last, seeing that the cavalry would speedily be ruined unless they
+could obtain food, permitted this course to be taken. Before allowing
+them to leave, however, he sent parties of horse forward in various
+directions to discover what the enemy were doing. These returned with
+the news that the Bavarian army had broken up, and was fortifying itself
+in the towns among which it had been divided. Turenne, however, was
+still apprehensive. He kept his cannon and the greater part of the
+infantry with him, and also General Rosen with a portion of his horse,
+and refused to let the rest of the cavalry go farther than three leagues
+from the army. He himself rode out with a regiment of cavalry some ten
+miles beyond Marienthal, along the road by which the Imperialists would
+advance were they to assemble to attack him.
+
+At two o'clock the next morning a party he had sent to watch the
+Bavarians brought in the news that Merci was advancing with all his
+force. Rosen was ordered to hurry forward to the spot where the advanced
+division was lying. Messengers were sent off in all directions to recall
+the scattered cavalry, and having seen that everything had been done to
+place affairs in a better position, Turenne rode off with what troops
+he could gather to aid Rosen. The latter had made a serious blunder. In
+front of the position held by the advanced division was a large wood,
+through which the Bavarians must pass. Instead of taking possession of
+this and holding it until reinforcements came up, he fell back, drew up
+his troops on the plain, and allowed the Bavarians to occupy the wood
+without resistance. With the troops which arrived with him, the marshal
+had now under him some three thousand infantry and seven regiments of
+horse. He placed his infantry on his right with two squadrons to support
+them; with the rest of his cavalry, he formed his left wing.
+
+He himself took the command here. Rosen commanded on the right. Merci,
+after passing through the wood, drew up his army in order of battle and
+opened fire on the French. The artillery, however, in no way shook their
+firmness, and seeing more troops in the distance advancing to reinforce
+them, Merci began the battle by an attack on a little wood on which the
+French right rested; while at the same time Turenne charged the Bavarian
+right wing with his cavalry, broke it up, and captured the cannon and
+twelve standards. But while on this side the victory was almost won,
+on the other side disaster had befallen the French. Their infantry,
+perceiving that the Bavarians, who were advancing to attack them, were
+much superior in force, were seized with a panic and scattered in
+all directions. The left wing of the Bavarians advanced rapidly, and,
+throwing themselves behind Turenne's wing, prepared to fall upon him in
+the rear.
+
+Turenne ordered his cavalry to retire, and passing through the wood
+found beyond it three regiments that had just arrived. These with the
+fifteen hundred horse that had been with him in the battle placed him in
+a position to make a vigorous defence, but the Bavarians did not venture
+to attack him. He now sent an officer to rally the scattered infantry,
+and gave orders that they should at once retreat without a stop to
+Philippsburg, a distance of seventy miles. He himself with his cavalry
+started for Hesse, whose landgravine was in alliance with France. With
+two regiments he covered the retreat, and so enabled the rest of the
+cavalry as they came up from their distant quarters to cross the Tauber.
+This was a bold and successful movement, for had he fallen back with his
+infantry to Philippsburg the enemy would have possessed themselves
+of all the towns he had captured, whereas they could not now advance
+without exposing their line of communication to his attack.
+
+The Poitou regiment had, when Turenne advanced to Marienthal, been
+left at a town some four leagues away. A messenger reached Hector from
+Turenne with a note scribbled in pencil:--
+
+We have been beaten. The infantry behaved shamefully, and are hastening,
+a crowd of stragglers, towards Philippsburg. I shall retire along the
+Tauber with the cavalry and make for Hesse, do you march with all speed
+for that river. If as you approach the river you hear that we have
+already passed, do you direct your march to Hesse. I leave the choice of
+route to you, and you must be guided by circumstances. At any rate you
+are unlikely to be attacked except by cavalry, and these, if not in too
+great numbers, you may be trusted to beat off.
+
+Ten minutes after the receipt of this order the regiment was on the
+march. They arrived on the Tauber just in time, for a quarter of an hour
+after they had piled arms, after a tremendous march, the cavalry came
+along. They were in scattered parties, for the roads were terribly bad,
+and they were obliged to break up and make their way as best they could
+by mere tracks across the rocky and hilly country. Turenne himself, when
+he arrived, had but twenty horsemen with him.
+
+“I hardly expected you to be up in time, Campbell,” he said, as he
+dismounted. “Your men must have marched well indeed. As you see, though
+unbeaten, for we on our side defeated the enemy's horse, we are as much
+dispersed as if we had suffered a disaster. I am trying to cover the
+retreat with two regiments of cavalry that were not engaged in the
+battle. Half an hour since we charged and drove back in confusion a
+party of Bavarian horse, but they formed up again. The main body is
+ahead, but is as scattered as we are, for besides the difficulty of
+keeping together on these horrible roads, it is necessary that we should
+occupy every track by which the enemy's horse could move, or they might
+get in front of us and play havoc with us.
+
+“You will have to march all night, and I should advise you to break
+up your command into half companies, with orders to each to attach
+themselves as far as possible to such parties of my two regiments of
+cavalry as they may come across. We shall not proceed at any great pace,
+as we must give time for the troops ahead of us to get clear. The horses
+are utterly worn out, being half starved and fatigued with their march.
+So far we know not whether the whole of the Bavarian cavalry is behind
+us, but it is probable that one of their two divisions is pursuing the
+infantry. I wish you had been there with them. In the first place your
+example would have prevented their breaking, and in the second you could
+have covered their retreat. As it is, I fear that but few of the three
+thousand who were with me will reach Philippsburg. I shall be glad if
+you yourself will remain near me. If your regiment were going to keep
+together I would not take you from them, but being broken up into
+fragments, you could exercise no supervision over them in the darkness.”
+
+Hector at once called the officers together, and gave them the necessary
+orders. “You understand,” he said, “that your main object is not so much
+to save yourselves, though that is most important, but to enable the
+cavalry to beat back the Bavarian horse.”
+
+It was a terrible march; both horse and foot made their way along with
+difficulty through the darkness. Men and horses were alike fatigued, and
+the cavalry for the most part dismounted and led their animals along.
+There were several sharp fights with bodies of the enemy, who, ignorant
+of the line by which the French were retreating, feared to press
+the rearguard too close, lest they should find them in very superior
+numbers. Once, when they passed a lane running down to the river,
+Turenne--who had taken every opportunity of making his way across the
+line of retreat and seeing how all was going on--said to Hector, “Will
+you ride up here, Campbell, and cheer up any parties you may come
+across. Tell them that all is going on well, and that by morning we
+shall find that the enemy have given up the pursuit, and shall be able
+to halt and take a few hours' rest, and give battle should the enemy
+come up in force. Their horses must be as fatigued as ours, for they
+must have been marching for eight or ten hours since the morning.”
+
+Hector had only Paolo now with him, having appointed the four troopers
+to go with different parties of the infantry, and to act as orderlies
+to their captains. He rode rapidly up the lane, and presently heard the
+cavalry passing across it.
+
+“There is one party, Paolo,” he said, urging his horse into a gallop. In
+two or three minutes he came up with the column of horse.
+
+“Where is your officer?” he asked, drawing rein as he reached them.
+
+“Seize him!” a voice cried in German, and before he and Paolo could turn
+their horses half a dozen troopers were upon them.
+
+“I surrender,” he cried in German, seeing that resistance was
+impossible.
+
+“Who are you, monsieur?” an officer demanded.
+
+“I am colonel of the Poitou regiment of infantry,” he said. “This man is
+my lackey.”
+
+“Where are your cavalry, sir?”
+
+“That I cannot tell you exactly, seeing that no one knows. I thought
+that you formed part of our rearguard.”
+
+“How comes it that you, an infantry officer, were there? We heard that
+there were no infantry with them.”
+
+“We joined them just before nightfall, and were at once divided up among
+the various regiments of horse.”
+
+“I must inform our colonel of that. Come along with me,” and they pushed
+past the troopers until they arrived at the head of the column, when the
+officer reported to the colonel.
+
+“Donner Blitzen!” the latter exclaimed, “it is well that we learned this
+news, for we should have fared very ill if we had come upon horse and
+foot together. The Poitou regiment! That is the one that we heard beat
+back our charges so often at Freiburg, and they say the best regiment in
+the French service. It is no use our going farther; we might well fall
+into an ambush, and in these lanes they could shoot us down helplessly.
+We will move on quietly until we get to a place where there is space
+enough for us to dismount and bivouac. We could not have gone many more
+miles, for if we did we should be a regiment without horses tomorrow
+morning.”
+
+They proceeded very slowly and cautiously until, when they came upon an
+open tract of ground, the colonel ordered them to dismount and sound the
+trumpets. His regiment, like those of Turenne, had been broken up, and
+he had but half a squadron with him. In an hour the whole regiment
+was assembled; a few fires were lighted, but most of the men threw
+themselves down by their horses and at once went off to sleep. The
+colonel and his officers sat down at one of the fires, where Hector was
+requested to join them.
+
+“I suppose that your regiment took no part in the battle?”
+
+“No, sir; we were some way from Marienthal, and I received orders only
+after the day was lost, to join Marshal Turenne and his cavalry on
+the Tauber. We arrived on the river just at sunset, having marched ten
+leagues in eight hours. I regret bitterly that my regiment was not on
+the field, for assuredly they would not have given way. Had they stood,
+the rest of the infantry would have stood.”
+
+“And in that case you would now be the pursuers,” the colonel broke in,
+“for Turenne completely shattered our right wing. Well, sir, it is the
+fortune of war, and we at least have the honour of having given your
+marshal a defeat. He is a grand general, but we caught him napping
+today.”
+
+“It was not his fault, sir. General Rosen and his officers insisted so
+strongly that unless they were allowed to move off in search of forage,
+the whole army would be disabled by the loss of their horses by hunger,
+that he was almost forced to comply with their request.”
+
+“But, even so, he made a mistake,” the colonel said. “If instead of
+marching to meet us in front of Marienthal he had fallen back directly
+he had the news of our coming, he could have been joined by all his
+detached troops before we came up with him.”
+
+“He said as much to me tonight,” Hector replied; “but even the greatest
+generals are liable to make a mistake sometimes. And, indeed, had
+General Rosen with the advanced division held the wood in front of them,
+instead of retiring on to the plain, they should have been able to keep
+you at bay until all our troops came up.”
+
+“Undoubtedly that was a terrible blunder on his part,” the colonel
+said, “and he rather than Turenne is to blame. And now, sir, may I
+ask how is it that you, who cannot be more than twenty, come to be a
+colonel, and in command of a regiment?”
+
+“I have been five years an officer, and was fortunate on two occasions
+to obtain the approval, once of Monsieur de Turenne, and once of the Duc
+d'Enghien.”
+
+“I congratulate you, sir. It is seldom indeed that so young an officer
+has opportunities of distinguishing himself. I myself had seen well nigh
+thirty years service before I came to command a regiment. And now, sir,
+will you give me your parole not to attempt to escape?”
+
+“Certainly, sir,” Hector replied promptly. He knew that should he refuse
+four or five troopers would be set to watch him, and even if he evaded
+these, which was well nigh impossible, he might be recaptured on the
+following morning, as detachments of the Bavarian horse would be sure to
+be pressing hard upon Turenne's troops. The pursuit was indeed taken up
+again during the night, but Turenne succeeded in keeping his pursuers
+at bay, and reaching the frontiers of Hesse. There he found the infantry
+and cavalry who had not been engaged already assembled, for they had
+received orders to march instantly to that spot. He had now with him
+some four thousand horse and two thousand foot, and was joined by six
+thousand troops from Hesse and four thousand Swedes. He was thus soon
+in a position to advance with a much stronger force than that which he
+commanded before the battle of Marienthal.
+
+The Bavarian cavalry that had followed him rejoined General Merci at
+Kirchheim. Hector was with Paolo taken to that place, and upon his
+refusal to continue his parole, was confined in a prison there, Paolo
+being allowed at his request to remain with him. He had had an interview
+with General Merci, who had treated him with much courtesy; for there
+were Scotch and Irish officers serving in the Imperial army as well as
+in that of France, and they were held in high esteem for their courage
+and daring.
+
+The battle of Marienthal was fought on the 2nd of May, and it was late
+in July before any fresh movements took place. Turenne would willingly
+have advanced with his army, but his movements were arrested by a
+peremptory order from Paris, sent on receipt of the news of the defeat,
+that he was not to take the offensive until joined by Enghien, who had
+with him a force of eight thousand men. He therefore marched to join the
+reinforcements, and the two armies met at Spires on the 2nd of July.
+As before, Enghien was in supreme command, with de Gramont as his
+lieutenant general. Long conferences took place between these generals:
+Turenne, General Geis, who commanded the Hessians, and Konigsmark,
+who commanded the Swedes. The Bavarians were known to be very strongly
+posted, and to have been reinforced by four thousand Imperialists under
+the command of General Geis.
+
+There was much difference of opinion between them as to the best course
+to be pursued, but Enghien, who was always in favour of great battles,
+finally determined so to place the army that the enemy would be forced
+to come out and fight. He therefore marched to Venecher, captured
+Wimpfen, and threw a bridge across the river, whereupon General Merci
+fell back twenty leagues into Franconia. As soon as they had passed
+the river an occurrence took place that threatened to overthrow all the
+plans of the campaign. Some hasty words spoken by Enghien so angered the
+Generals Geis and Konigsmark that they determined to retire at once with
+the Swedes and Hessians. Turenne was requested by Enghien to endeavour
+to arrange matters, and by his kind and gentle manner succeeded
+in conciliating Geis, who consented to remain with the Hessians.
+Konigsmark, however, as hot tempered as Enghien himself, refused to do
+so, and with his whole force retired to Bremen, in Lower Saxony.
+
+The French and Hessians marched towards the Tauber, captured Rothenburg
+and other towns, and thereby obtained a large quantity of provisions
+and stores; and hearing that the Bavarians were advancing to Nordlingen,
+marched in all haste to give them battle there.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI: AN ESCAPE
+
+
+After being confined for a week in the prison at Kirchheim Hector
+was sent with a number of other prisoners to Ingolstadt. Here he
+was confined in the castle, a separate room being allotted to him in
+recognition of his rank, and Paolo was, at his request, allowed to
+remain with him.
+
+“I cannot but think, master, that we should have done better if you had
+given your parole not to try to escape. In that case we might have had
+comfortable quarters in the town instead of this somewhat bare chamber.
+If there had been a chance of escape it would have been different,
+but seeing the strength of the castle, methinks there is no prospect
+whatever of our being able to get out.”
+
+“That remains to be seen, Paolo. I fancy there is always a chance
+of escape if one does but hit upon the right way. At present we know
+nothing of the castle or the vigilance of the guard, and no doubt it
+will take us some little time to find these matters out. The first
+thing we require is patience. No doubt they will allow me out to take
+exercise, and like enough, if I give my word that you will return every
+day at a certain hour, they will allow you to go in to the town, seeing
+that you can scarcely be called a prisoner, having no military rank or
+position, but being in their eyes only a lackey. If they will do that it
+will be a great step gained, for you will be able to bring in anything
+that we may require. However, I will not ask that you should be
+permitted to go in and out for some little time.
+
+“Lose no opportunity of making yourself friendly with some of the
+soldiers, and if the chance should occur, be useful to any of the
+officers. The commandant is evidently disposed to be civil, and says
+that he will grant me any indulgence in his power short of passing the
+gates of the castle. I have no doubt that when the campaign is over and
+the army has gone into winter quarters Turenne will offer to exchange
+some prisoners of the same rank for me. But I have no wish to be cooped
+up here when perhaps a great battle may be fought. As far as I can see,
+the difficulty will not be so much in getting out of the castle, but
+out of the town itself, for this is one of the most strongly fortified
+places in the empire. One reason why I want you to go into the town is
+that you may be able to obtain shelter there for us should we find, as I
+expect we shall, that it is impossible for us to escape from the citadel
+and town at the same attempt.”
+
+The place was indeed so strong that but a careless watch was kept
+over the prisoners in the castle. The soldiers were confined to their
+quarters save that they were allowed for an hour a day to take exercise
+in the courtyard, a company of troops being kept under arms while they
+were out; but the officers were free at all times to wander about.
+Hector was soon on friendly terms with many of the officers of the
+garrison, as in his case there was none of the hostile feeling with
+which the French officers were regarded. His youth, and the singularity
+of his having so soon attained the rank of colonel, also predisposed
+them in his favour. It was evident that this young soldier of fortune,
+unsupported by powerful family interest, must have distinguished himself
+in an altogether exceptional manner to have obtained the command of one
+of the best regiments of France.
+
+Paolo was as popular among the sergeants and men as his master was with
+the officers. As an Italian, and as Hector's lackey, he was not regarded
+as a prisoner of war; and by his unfailing good humour, his readiness to
+enter into any fun that might be going on, or to lend a hand in cleaning
+accoutrements or completing a job that a soldier had left unfinished
+when his turn came for duty, he became quite a popular character. The
+colonel who commanded frequently walked with Hector in the courtyard,
+sent him dishes from his own table, and more than once invited him to
+dine with him. As he was very curious to learn how his young prisoner
+had so early attained his rank, Hector one evening gave him a sketch of
+his career, from the time when Turenne gave him his commission to
+that at which he was taken prisoner, omitting only the incident of the
+attempt to assassinate Mazarin.
+
+“You have certainly been fortunate,” he said, “but it is equally certain
+that you have deserved it. The fact that, in addition to your military
+duties, you have learned Italian and German, besides transforming a
+newly raised regiment into one of the best in the French service, shows
+how assiduous you have been in your work. I trust that when the campaign
+is over you may be exchanged, and I think it is foolish of you not to
+give me your parole, for you must know well that you have no chance of
+escape from here.”
+
+“They say everything comes to those who wait, colonel,” Hector laughed,
+“and if I see a chance I shall certainly avail myself of it. Even if no
+such chance comes I shall still be a gainer by not giving my parole. I
+am exceedingly comfortable as it is, and can wish for nothing better.
+The one drawback is that I have nothing to do, except perhaps to improve
+my German, and it would be just the same if I were living in the town.
+But if I were on my parole I should lose the amusement of planning
+methods for escape, which I do unceasingly; but up till now, I may tell
+you in confidence, I am as far from having hit upon a plan as I was when
+I entered. By the way, colonel, although it is clear that I cannot be
+allowed to go outside the castle gate, I should be glad if my lackey
+could be given leave to do so. He is not a soldier, neither is he a
+Frenchman, and can scarce be counted as a prisoner of war. He is a
+willing and cheerful fellow, and would enjoy a run in the city much more
+than I should. Besides, occasionally I may want a book or some other
+little thing which I cannot get here.”
+
+“Such as a file, a rope, or a disguise, Colonel Campbell,” the
+commandant laughed.
+
+“I am not thinking of that at present,” Hector said smiling. “Besides,
+you can give orders that he can always be strictly searched when he
+comes in.”
+
+The colonel shook his head. “I will tell you what I will do,” he said;
+“I will let him have a pass to go in and out at will, if you will give
+me a promise, on your honour as a soldier, that he shall not bring in
+anything that can be used by you for facilitating your escape. I would
+much rather trust to your word than to any search the soldiers might
+make as your man comes in.”
+
+“Thank you, colonel,” Hector said cheerfully, though at heart he felt
+considerably disappointed. “I give you my word of honour that he shall
+bring in nothing that may aid me in making my escape, and I am much
+obliged to you for letting him have the run of the town.”
+
+The colonel at once wrote a pass authorizing Paolo Monti, lackey to
+Colonel Campbell, to enter and leave the castle at all times when the
+gates were open.
+
+Paolo laughed when Hector told him the conditions on which the pass was
+granted.
+
+“The commandant is a shrewd fellow, master, but he is not quite shrewd
+enough; he forgot that though I may bring in nothing myself I may be
+able to arrange with someone else to bring something in.”
+
+“That flashed through my mind at once, Paolo; but at present neither
+file, rope, nor disguise would be of any use. However, they may be so
+later. The first thing for you to do when you get this pass will be to
+make yourself master of the plan of the town and the fortifications,
+and see if there is any place where you think an escape is possible. But
+even when you find one, and you think that it might be managed, you must
+afterwards find a place where I can be hidden for a time, at any rate
+for a few hours. You see, were I to go out in disguise I must do so in
+broad daylight, for my supper is served almost directly after the gates
+are closed; and were I missing there would be a search for me at once,
+the sentries on the wall would all be warned, and it would be impossible
+to get past them. If I could get out two or three hours before the gates
+are closed at nine o'clock I might, as soon as it became dark, attempt
+to get over the walls before the alarm was given, or I might possibly go
+out in the same disguise that I left here in, through the city gate and
+across the bridge.”
+
+“I see that, sir, and it seems to me that this would be easier than
+trying to find a hiding place for you in the town. However, I will set
+my wits to work. I have been able to think of nothing in here; but
+one's eyes always help one's wits, and if I were in the town I might see
+something that would give me an idea how the matter might be set about.”
+
+Day after day Paolo went into the town, always returning discouraged.
+
+“I must be growing a downright numbskull,” he said one evening in
+disgust; “I have been three weeks at it and no single idea has come to
+me.”
+
+“You need not be discouraged at that, Paolo; it's not such a simple
+thing to plan an escape from a fortress like this as it was to get into
+the citadel at Turin, where we also had the advantage of starting with
+disguises. I can no more think of a disguise in which I can pass the
+gates than you can. I am a good deal too tall to pass as a woman. My
+face is perfectly well known to every soldier in the castle, and even if
+we hit upon a disguise it would be very difficult to get it brought in.
+It struck me today that if I am to get out it must be in some vehicle
+that has come in with supplies.”
+
+“That is a great idea, master; if I had not been a thick headed fool I
+should have thought of that before. But at the same time it will not be
+easy to manage.”
+
+“I quite see that, Paolo; even if the driver were bought over it would
+be difficult indeed to manage to get into the cart with so many soldiers
+standing about.”
+
+Paolo shook his head.
+
+“Yes, I don't see that that could be managed at all, master.”
+
+He stood thinking a minute.
+
+“I have it!” he exclaimed joyfully. “You know, sir, sometimes a train
+of waggons containing faggots, or flour, or other things, comes in late.
+Those that are unloaded before the gate is closed go out at once; the
+others are unloaded that evening, but the empty carts have to remain
+in the castle till morning, as the great gates are never opened between
+sunset and sunrise, though officers come in by the postern. Now, if you
+could manage during the night to slip into one of the waggons, say one
+that has brought in flour, you might be so covered over by the empty
+sacks they take out, that no one would dream anyone was hidden there.”
+
+“Capital, Paolo! It is evident that your head is not so thick as you
+thought it was just now. Yes, I have noticed that as a rule if eight
+or ten waggons came in together, the full sacks are carried in, and the
+same number of empty ones are placed in one of the carts, being counted
+as they are put in. Certainly I could hide myself easily enough if you
+were there to assist in arranging the sacks as regularly as before over
+me. As I do not generally get up until eight o'clock, and my first meal
+is not brought to me till nine, I might be on my way two hours before it
+was discovered that I was missing. How would you manage?”
+
+“I would get a countryman's suit, master, would go out soon after the
+gates were open, find some quiet spot where I should have hidden the
+clothes the day before, and slip them on over my own. Then I would join
+the carts as they came along. They don't generally begin to harness the
+horses up till the gates are open, so that I should get a quarter of an
+hour's start of them, and I should go out with them without question, as
+it would be thought that I belonged to the party. I should pay for some
+beer at the first cabaret we come to, and make signs that I wanted a
+lift in a waggon. I must, of course, pretend to be deaf and dumb, as,
+although I have picked up a little German since we came into these
+parts, I could not possibly pass as a countryman.”
+
+“It would be better still, Paolo, for you to put a blister on to your
+cheek, then before you join them put a great lump of tow into your
+mouth, so as to swell your cheek out almost to bursting point, and then
+tie a bandage round your face; you could then by pointing to it make out
+that you had so terrible a swelling that you were unable to talk.”
+
+“That would be better certainly, master, indeed, it would be a capital
+plan. Of course I should get into the waggon in which you were, and
+gradually shift the sacks so that you could crawl out. When we smuggled
+you in we would try and put in with you a couple of brace of pistols,
+and if we were armed with them the carters would not venture to
+interfere with us. Of course, master, I should have to get a disguise
+for you. We could never be tramping across the country with you dressed
+as a French officer.”
+
+“Get something that I could put over the clothes I wear. A long frock,
+some loose breeches, and rough cloth to wrap round the legs below them,
+and of course a pair of countryman's shoes. The best plan would be for
+you to stand treat again at a cabaret a few miles out of the town, get
+them all in there, then I could slip out of the waggon and throw the
+sacks back into their place. Of course you would choose some spot where
+the cabaret either stands alone or is at the end of a village, so that
+there may be no one standing by, and I could, when I got down, walk
+quietly back along the road. You can make signs to them that you
+live hard by, and would leave them there; then if there should be any
+suspicion that I had escaped in the waggons, and a troop of cavalry were
+sent in pursuit, the men would be all able to declare that they had seen
+nothing of me, and so could give no clue whatever that would set them on
+our track.
+
+“Well, it is quite settled that we will try that way, but it may be some
+time before the opportunity occurs. However, you may as well get the
+two disguises and the two brace of pistols, and stow them away somewhere
+where they are not likely to be found.”
+
+“There are plenty of places where one can do that, master; there is
+a row of old trees inside the fortifications, and I warrant that if I
+cannot find one with a hollow large enough to stow them away in, I can
+hide them in the branches with small chance of their ever being seen.”
+
+Another month passed. Paolo made a point of occasionally going out soon
+after the gates were open, saying casually that his master had a fancy
+for a bottle of better wine with his breakfast, or that he was going to
+get some eggs to make an omelette for him. Hector was in no particular
+hurry, for the news had come that Turenne with his own troops and
+those of Hesse had, with the Swedes, marched away for the Rhine. It was
+rumoured that they would be joined by another army, for in no other way
+could the Imperialists account for Turenne having retired when he had
+a force at least equal to any that Merci could set in the field against
+him. Hector saw that at any rate there was no chance of a great battle
+being fought just then, and felt, therefore, no impatience to be off.
+Two or three times carts with faggots had been unloaded after the gates
+were closed, but as they took nothing out, it was impossible for him to
+conceal himself in them.
+
+At last, to his satisfaction, a number of waggons of flour came in late
+one afternoon, and he determined to carry his plan into execution that
+night. The storehouses were not in the great court, but in a smaller one
+off it. Beyond two soldiers at the gate and a sentry at the commandant's
+door, no guards were kept in the courtyards, though a few sentries were
+placed upon the walls. Hector had his supper as usual, and Paolo brought
+in the news that eight of the waggons had not been unloaded in time to
+go out. A fatigue party of soldiers were now completing the work, which
+would be finished about nine o'clock. Taking off their boots a little
+after that hour they went quietly downstairs, then put them on again and
+boldly crossed the courtyard, for the night was so dark that there was
+no fear of their figures being perceived.
+
+As they entered the inner yard they again took off their boots and
+walked up to the carts. In two of these the carters were fast asleep.
+They passed on quietly, feeling in each cart for the sacks, and were
+delighted to find that they were all placed in the one farthest up the
+yard, which would therefore be the last to go out. They were tidily
+piled in lines side by side at the forward end of the waggon. They
+cautiously removed the sacks of the middle lines; Hector lay down feet
+foremost, and Paolo laid the sacks regularly over him till they reached
+the level of the others. Half a dozen were doubled and packed neatly in
+at the end, so as to conceal his head and prevent its being noticed that
+any had been taken out. The rest were distributed evenly, so that the
+sacks were all as level as before, and no one would have suspected that
+they had been disturbed.
+
+Paolo then returned to Hector's room. As the double sacks closing the
+orifice at his head had not been packed very tightly, enough air entered
+for Hector to breathe. He increased the opening somewhat by pressing one
+of the sacks a little aside, but left it so that he could readily pull
+it into its position in the morning. As soon as Paolo reached the room
+he applied a blistering plaster to his cheek and kept it on till he
+could no longer bear the pain, then he threw himself down on his pallet.
+But neither he nor his master slept much, Hector being kept awake by the
+heat and discomfort of his position, and Paolo by the smarting of his
+cheek. As soon as it was light the latter rose, and sat impatiently
+waiting for the time when the gates would open. Looking into the
+courtyard, he could see the troops coming out from their quarters and
+moving about, then the gates opened, and, tying a bandage over his
+cheek, he went down and crossed the yard.
+
+“You are out early,” the sergeant of the guard remarked.
+
+He nodded. “I am nigh mad with pain,” he said, pointing to his cheek,
+“and I am going to get some salve from an apothecary.”
+
+“You seem to be bad indeed,” the sergeant said commiseratingly, “'tis a
+terrible inflammation.”
+
+Paolo went down to the spot where he had hidden the bundles in the
+hollow of a tree. It was an unfrequented place, and slipping his
+disguise over his clothes, after putting the pistols in his belt, he
+took the second bundle and returned to a street through which waggons
+leaving the castle must pass. A few minutes later he saw them coming
+along. He had already stuffed his cheek full of tow, and several
+people, struck with the raw and swollen appearance of his face, had
+compassionately asked him what was the matter. He had simply shaken his
+head, opened his lips, and pointed to his clenched teeth, signifying
+that he could not speak. He fell in with the waggons as they came along
+and passed through the gate without question. When a short distance away
+from the town he made signs to the driver of the last waggon, that if
+he would give him a lift in the cart he would pay for some drink. The
+carter nodded and told him to climb up. After they had gone four miles
+from the town, they came to a wayside inn.
+
+“Now is the time, master, they are all going in to get some drink. There
+is no one about.”
+
+The waggons all stopped there, for there had been no opportunity for
+the drivers to obtain refreshments as they passed through the town. All
+therefore sauntered into the inn, their salutations to the host showing
+that they were accustomed to stop there. Paolo followed them in, and
+putting down the money for a large jug of beer, handed it to the
+carter, and, shaking him by the hand, made a motion that he was going no
+farther. Then he went back to the end waggon. Hector had already pushed
+out the bags in front of him and had with great difficulty crawled out.
+
+“It is all right, master, we have a good ten minutes; there is no one
+about, but you had better keep below the waggon rails until you have got
+your disguise on.”
+
+A couple of minutes sufficed for this, then Hector leapt to the ground,
+while Paolo replaced the sacks in their position; and then together they
+hurried across some twenty yards of broken ground and entered a wood.
+
+“That was a capitally managed business, Paolo. Now we have to find our
+way across country. We cannot keep by the river, for it turns away to
+the south, and would take us far from the point we want to reach. At any
+rate, for a day or two we must travel at night, after that I think we
+can venture boldly along--for it is not likely that the news that a
+prisoner has escaped will travel very far--although no doubt a strict
+search will be kept up for a day or two. I think that for today we had
+better make our way north, keeping in the woods as much as possible;
+they are less likely to search for us in that direction than to the
+west.”
+
+They found that the forest was fully two leagues across, and agreed that
+it was unlikely in the extreme that any attempt would be made to search
+so extensive an area, where two men could anywhere conceal themselves.
+Paolo had on the previous afternoon placed a couple of loaves and some
+cold meat in the bundles, and they now sat down by a little stream and
+ate a hearty meal, then, crawling into a thick growth of underwood, they
+lay down to sleep and did not awaken until the sun was setting.
+
+“There must be some country tracks through this forest, Paolo. We cannot
+do better than keep along the edge of the stream until we come to one
+and then follow it. It is sure, sooner or later, to take us to some
+small hamlet, and I can go into a cabaret and get a couple of flasks
+of wine and buy enough bread to last us until tomorrow, and perhaps a
+sausage, they are not likely to have any other meat in a place of that
+sort. My German is good enough to pass muster, and even if it sounds
+strange to their ears, they will merely suppose that I have come from a
+different part of the country, for the dialects differ greatly from each
+other.”
+
+As soon as it became quite dark they found it impossible to follow the
+rough ground, and after one or two falls had to stop. Hector said, “This
+won't do, we shall twist an ankle or break a bone if we go on.”
+
+“Shall we light a fire, master? I have brought flint and steel with me,
+for I knew that we should want it.”
+
+“No, it is better to run no risks; there may be a road near for aught we
+know, and if anyone passing saw a fire among the trees, he might come to
+see who had made it.”
+
+“Not he, master; there are too many robbers about, deserters from their
+army, or men who have been ruined by the war. You may be sure that if
+any belated villager had the courage to go through this forest by night
+he would, on seeing a fire, hurry on as fast as his legs would carry
+him.”
+
+“Well, no doubt you are right, Paolo; and though the night is warm
+enough the air is damp under this thick covering of leaves, and it will
+certainly be more cheerful. We will go a short distance among the trees
+before we light it.”
+
+Feeling their way--for it was pitch dark in the forest--they went on
+until Hector stumbled over a fallen trunk.
+
+“This is the best place for a halt,” he said, “for here is wood ready
+to hand. This tree has been lying here for years, I can feel that it is
+quite rotten.”
+
+Paolo set to work--took a handful or two of the crumbling wood, broke
+it up into dust, then struck a spark on to the tinder, touched it with
+a slow match and inserted this into the little pile of wood; a minute's
+blowing and the flames sprang up. He drew out the slow match and putting
+his foot upon it placed it in his wallet, then he broke off some more
+wood and soon had a blazing fire.
+
+“We have enough food left for supper, master, and if I spit some of this
+cold meat on the ramrod of one of my pistols and hold it over the fire
+it will be all the more tasty. I wish we had those flasks of wine that
+you were speaking of. It seems to me that after sleeping for some ten
+hours we shall find it hard to go off again for some time, even though
+neither of us got any sleep last night. How furious the governor will be
+when he finds that you have escaped!”
+
+“He is a good fellow,” Hector said, “and save that he will be
+annoyed--because he will be blamed for my escape--I do not think he will
+be sorry that I have got off. I left a note for him on the table saying
+that I was about to make my escape, but that on my honour I had not
+obtained anything that would aid me, by your assistance, and that you
+had never brought anything into the castle save what you showed on
+entering to the guards. I should not like him to think for a moment that
+I had broken my promise and taken advantage of his kindness. How does
+your face feel?”
+
+“It is mightily sore, but it does not smart as it did at first. I can
+tell you that I was very glad when I was able to slip that great lump of
+tow out of my mouth as soon as I entered the forest.”
+
+“I don't think in future that you need use so large a wad, Paolo; half
+that size will be ample; and of course you need only slip it into your
+mouth when we are going through a village, or meet a party likely to
+question us. As to your cheek, it will be days before that fiery mark
+disappears.”
+
+They talked until nearly midnight, and then lay down and slept till
+four, by which time day had broken, for it was now the first week in
+July. After walking for half an hour along the edge of the wood, they
+came to a track issuing out of it. This they followed, and in about two
+hours saw a village in front of them.
+
+“I will go in and buy the things that we want, Paolo, and do you make a
+circuit round it. If the news has reached them of our escape they will
+have been told to look for two men; and the entry of a single countryman
+will excite no suspicion, for of course no one will know what disguise
+we have chosen.
+
+“Do not be anxious if I do not come along for half an hour. It will be
+more natural that I should call for bread and cheese and beer and eat
+them there; then I can say carelessly that I may as well take some with
+me to eat later on.”
+
+“You are early!” the owner of the cabaret said as Hector entered.
+
+“I ought to have been earlier,” he replied in a grumbling voice; “but it
+was so late before I reached the other side of the forest, that instead
+of passing through it I thought it best to wait till daybreak, for
+it would be desperately dark under the trees, and sometimes there are
+pretty rough fellows to be met with there; so I slept in a shed until
+an hour before daybreak and then started, and I lost no time in getting
+through it, I can tell you. What can you give me now?”
+
+“The usual thing,” the man said, shrugging his shoulders. “Bread and
+beer and black sausage.”
+
+“It might be worse,” Hector said as he seated himself. The food was soon
+placed before him. He ate a hearty meal.
+
+“I have a long way to go,” he said when he had finished, “and as I am
+blessed with a good appetite it will not be long before I am hungry
+again. I suppose there is no one in the village that sells bread and
+sausage, so if you will let me I will buy a whole one from you and a
+couple of loaves.”
+
+“I will sell them to you willingly enough; but you will come to another
+village three miles on.”
+
+“I sha'n't be hungry enough by that time,” Hector laughed. “Besides, I
+like to choose my own place and time and sit down by the wayside and eat
+my meal. One need never go very far without coming upon a stream; and
+though I like beer better than water, I can put up with it when there is
+nothing stronger to be had.”
+
+“Nothing but bread and sausage again, Paolo,” Hector said as he joined
+his comrade a quarter of a mile beyond the village.
+
+“And good enough too for a hungry man. I have often longed for such a
+meal in the days before you took me, in spite of all warning.”
+
+“And we have often done no better since, Paolo, when we have been on the
+march. Will you start on it now, or wait until we get to a stream?”
+
+“I will hold on for a bit, master. This black bread is so hard that it
+needs a lot of washing down.”
+
+Making several detours to avoid villages, they walked all day, and
+towards evening came upon a main road running west.
+
+“Unless I am mistaken in the line that I have taken, this must be the
+road through Eichstadt. I can see some towers ahead, and I have no doubt
+that they are those of the town. There is a bridge there across the
+Altmuhl. The river makes a loop at this point, and the road cuts across
+it to the northwest to Gunzenhausen, where there is another bridge. From
+there the road runs to Hall. Thence we can cross the Neckar, either at
+Heilbronn or Neckarsulm, and we are then in our own country, and but
+a short distance from either Spires or Philippsburg, where we shall
+be likely enough to meet Turenne advancing again, or shall at any rate
+learn where he is. We will lie up now and not cross the bridge until it
+gets dusk.”
+
+“I wish we had swords, master.”
+
+“Yes, but they would not suit our disguises. But when we get into the
+town I will buy two woodmen's axes and a couple of the long knives that
+all the peasants here carry. I fancy from what I heard when we were at
+Hall with Turenne that the country between Eichstadt and there is for
+the most part a great forest, and there are rough hills to pass before
+we get to Hall. It will be just as well to have some weapons that we can
+use with effect if we should come upon any bands of robbers.”
+
+“Quite so, master. A good axe is as good as a sword in a rough sort of
+fight; but is there not some way we can travel so as to avoid this great
+forest that you speak of?”
+
+“Not without making a great detour, and that through a country where
+there will be bodies of Merci's troops quartered everywhere.”
+
+“Very well, master. Then I think that the risk will be less with the
+robbers, especially as we have not apparently much worth stealing upon
+us.”
+
+“Not only apparently, but really, Paolo. Fortunately my purse was pretty
+well filled when we were taken prisoners; but we spent a good deal at
+Ingoldstadt, principally in buying articles we could have done without,
+but which we got in order to give an excuse for your going into the
+town, and in these disguises and pistols. However, we shall not, I hope,
+require much more outlay; and after getting axes and knives we shall
+have enough to pay for our food, such as it is, for some time. However,
+there is certainly nothing in our pockets to tempt robbers.”
+
+“No, master; but if they searched you they would notice your clothes.
+They would show at once that you are a person of quality; and although,
+as you left your scarf behind you, they might not know that you are an
+officer, they would see that there was a mystery about you.”
+
+“That is true, and I think that perhaps it would be as well if both of
+us were to take off our own clothes when we get beyond the town tonight,
+and go on only in those you got for us. When we rejoin our friends we
+can get money and replace them.”
+
+“I have money with me, master,” Paolo said. “I have had no occasion to
+spend aught for a long time, and have changed my wages as you paid
+them into gold, and have forty pistoles sewn up in the waistbelt of my
+breeches. I heard you say that it was always a good thing to carry a
+certain amount about with one in case of being taken prisoner or laid up
+wounded.”
+
+“It was a wise precaution, Paolo; but just at the present moment I would
+rather that you did not have it about you. However, I do not suppose we
+shall be interfered with. You may as well continue to wear your breeches
+under those you have outside, but leave your doublet when I change.
+After all, if you were to be searched the pistoles would show that we
+are not what we seem, unless we could make up some plausible tale as to
+how we came possessed of them.”
+
+“Oh, we could manage that easily enough, master! There are other ways of
+getting pistoles than by earning them.”
+
+Thus chatting they had crossed the bridge and were now entering
+Eichstadt. Going to a quiet cabaret they ate a hearty meal, and Hector
+afterwards bought the axes and knives, and they left the town just
+before the gates were closed. They had walked some miles when a
+thunderstorm, which had for some time been threatening, broke over them.
+
+“We must get some shelter if we can,” Hector said. “I see a light on
+ahead. Let us push on and take refuge before we are wet to the skin.”
+
+On reaching the house they saw that it was a wayside inn.
+
+“We are in luck, Paolo,” Hector said as he lifted the latch.
+
+The door, however, was fastened, and on his knocking a voice asked, “Who
+is there at this time of night?”
+
+“Travellers,” Hector replied. “Come, open the door quickly or we shall
+be wet to the skin!” and he emphasized his words by kicking at the door.
+It was, however, a minute or two before it was opened, and Hector, who
+was becoming furious at this delay, had just taken his axe from his
+belt and was about to break the door in when it opened, and a man with a
+torch in one hand and a sword in the other stood on the threshold.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII: A ROBBER'S DEN
+
+
+
+“What mean you by knocking thus furiously?” the landlord of the little
+inn asked angrily.
+
+“What mean you by keeping your door shut in the face of travellers on
+such a night as this?” Hector replied, even more loudly. “Are honest men
+to be kept waiting in the rain while you are taking no steps to let them
+in?”
+
+“How could I tell that you are honest men?” the landlord retorted.
+
+“Because if we had not been honest men we should long before this have
+battered your door down, as indeed I was just going to do when you
+opened it.”
+
+“Well, come in,” the landlord said with an evil smile. “Maybe you would
+have done better to have passed on.”
+
+He showed them into the taproom, where two or three rough men were
+sitting.
+
+“What did these fellows mean by knocking so loudly?” one of them asked
+angrily.
+
+“It means,” Hector replied, “that travellers have a right to claim
+shelter of an inn; and indeed, inn or no inn, no one would refuse
+shelter to travellers on such a night as this is going to be.” And his
+words were emphasized by a crash of thunder overhead.
+
+“You crow pretty loud, young fellow,” the man growled.
+
+“I speak loud because I have right on my side. I desire to quarrel with
+no man; but one need indeed be a saint to keep one's temper when one is
+kept standing outside a door with the rain coming down in great drops,
+and threatening in another minute to come in bucketfuls. It is all the
+worse when, as you see, one has a sick comrade with one.”
+
+The man spoke in a low voice to the three others seated at the table
+with him. “May I ask whither you were journeying when thus caught in the
+storm?” he asked in a more civil tone than he had hitherto used.
+
+“Certainly you may. We were in haste to get on to Gunzenhausen by
+morning, as a friend of ours has work ready for us there. We did not
+expect this storm when we left Eichstadt just before the gates closed,
+and as the nights are short we thought we would push straight through.”
+
+“You are woodmen, I see.”
+
+“Ay, woodmen and charcoal burners.”
+
+“You are not from this part, at least, judging from your tongue.”
+
+“Nor, I fancy, are you,” Hector replied.
+
+“No,” the other said. “In times like these every one is liable to be
+driven from home either because the troops of one army or another have
+plundered and destroyed everything, or perhaps because he has been
+forced into the ranks.”
+
+“That is just our case, and you will understand that in times like
+these, as you say, no one cares to answer questions on the part of
+strangers. But we have no particular cause of concealment. We have both
+been in the army, and, as you see, have left it, and have our reasons
+for wishing to travel at night, when there is no chance of falling in
+with troops whose officers might ask inconvenient questions. As, thanks
+to our host and you, we are nearly wet through, we will thank him to get
+ready as quick as may be two flagons of hot beer, and if he has got a
+couple of eggs to beat up in each of them, so much the better.”
+
+The landlord left the room, and a minute or two later the man who had
+spoken to Hector got up and went out.
+
+“These men are up to no good,” Hector whispered to Paolo as they sat
+down on a bench at a table some little distance from that at which the
+other men were seated. “I am sorry now that I asked for the liquor, it
+was necessary to order something. I should not be surprised if they drug
+it. Do you put yours to your lips, and then groan as if it hurt you too
+much to try to swallow, and leave it standing in front of you. I will
+pretend to drink mine, and will manage to pour it away on the floor.
+Presently do you lean forward on to the table and appear to fall asleep.
+As I am in the corner, I will lean back and seem to go off also. Unless
+I am greatly mistaken this is a regular thieves' den. Keep one hand on
+the butt of a pistol. We will both keep awake for a time, and if nothing
+comes of it we will then watch by turns. It is clear that they suspect
+that we are not what we seem.”
+
+The men at the other table were talking together in low voices, and,
+listening intently, Hector could hear a murmur of voices in the room
+behind him.
+
+“There were more than two voices there,” he whispered presently to
+Paolo. The latter nodded, for he too had been listening. Presently the
+landlord returned with the two flagons of hot beer, which were set down
+on the table before them. The room was lighted only by a torch stuck in
+a cresset on the wall, and Hector had purposely seated himself as far
+from this as possible. Paolo took up his mug, raised it to his lips, and
+then set it down again with a sudden cry.
+
+“I am afraid that you will not be able to take it,” Hector said aloud.
+
+“What is the matter with your comrade?” the landlord asked.
+
+“He has a terrible abscess in his jaw, and is unable to speak or to
+swallow.”
+
+The landlord took the torch from its place and walked over and looked at
+Paolo's cheek. “There is no mistake about that,” he said. “It is indeed
+a terrible swelling, and the cheek looks almost raw.”
+
+“He has put liniments on it,” Hector said, “but they seem to have done
+him harm rather than good. However, he is not so bad as he was, and I
+hope that the abscess will break ere long.”
+
+The landlord fastened the torch up again, and said in a low tone to the
+other men: “There is no doubt about his face being bad.” As he turned
+away from the table he stood between Hector and the other men, and the
+former seized the opportunity of pouring the contents of his mug against
+the wall by his knee, knowing that as the floor was of earth it would
+soak it up at once. From time to time he lifted the mug to his lips,
+until he apparently drained it. Then half closing his eyes he leant up
+against the corner. Paolo had already laid his head down on the table,
+and after a time both breathed heavily and regularly. Half an hour later
+one of the men rose noiselessly and left the room. Two or three minutes
+afterwards he returned with the host, the man who had gone out before,
+and two others.
+
+“Seven against two,” Hector thought to himself. “However, we shall have
+the advantage of a surprise.” He touched Paolo with his foot to assure
+himself that he had not really gone off to sleep, but the responsive
+movement showed that he also was on his guard. The man who had first
+left the room and one of the others drew their long knives and stepped
+quietly forward, while the others, also with bared weapons, prepared
+to support them if necessary. Hector waited until the two leaders were
+close, then he exclaimed sharply, “Now!” at the same moment throwing
+forward his hand with the pistol. Two reports rang out at the same
+moment, and the men pitched heavily forward. A yell of surprise and
+fury broke from the others, but ere they could step over their fallen
+comrades, Hector and his companion stood erect with their second pistols
+in their right hands and their axes ready for action in their left.
+
+Hector's second shot took effect on the landlord, Paolo's apparently
+missed, for the other four rushed forward. Hector dashed the table
+aside, and he and Paolo, poising their heavy axes, rushed forward to
+meet their assailants.
+
+“Mind the beams,” Hector shouted, as with a sweeping side blow he clove
+in the head of one opponent. But the warning came too late. Paolo struck
+a downward blow, the axe caught the low beams of the ceiling, and it
+flew from his hand. His opponent sprang upon him. Paolo caught the man's
+right wrist as he struck at him with his knife, and drew his own from
+his girdle. His assailant threw his other arm round him, and, grappling,
+they fell on to the ground. Hector could do nothing to assist him, for
+the other two men were trying to circle round him, keeping beyond the
+swing of his axe but watching for an opportunity to spring upon him.
+Keeping his back against the wall he made feints against them. Presently
+one of the men passed between him and the two antagonists struggling on
+the ground. Suddenly they rolled over and over, coming in contact with
+him from behind and almost throwing him over. Before he could recover
+from the shock Hector's axe struck him below the ear.
+
+The other man would have turned and made for the door, but Hector knew
+that it was important that he should not escape and carry the news to
+others of his party, who might be in the forest. He therefore sprang
+after him, and before the wretch could open the door struck him between
+the shoulders with his long knife. As he did so Paolo sprung up with a
+shout.
+
+“Thank God that you are alive, Paolo! I was afraid that he might have
+killed you.”
+
+“No, no, master. I had him by the wrist too firmly for that, and my
+knife did its work almost directly. But with those two fellows hovering
+round I should have been at their mercy had I tried to get on my feet.
+So I kept on struggling until I saw my opportunity, and then as that
+fellow's back was turned I rolled over against him, and so gave you
+the chance that you were waiting for. Well, master, it has been a sharp
+business.”
+
+“It has indeed. Now the first thing is to see if there is anyone else
+in the house, and the next to look about for some clothes for you to put
+on, for those you wear are covered with blood. Then we must be off, and
+put as many miles between us and this place before morning as we can.”
+
+A brief search showed that the place was empty, save for the dead in the
+taproom. An old doublet belonging to the landlord was found hanging up
+in the loft where he slept. Taking off his outer garments, Paolo put
+this on.
+
+“It is lucky I kept my breeches on under the others,” he said, “for I
+certainly could not have gone into a town with these stained things on.
+I suppose there is some money hidden somewhere, but we have not time to
+look. You may be sure that many a traveller has been murdered here.”
+
+“I quite agree with you, but we have certainly no time to spare to hunt
+for it. Let us be off at once.”
+
+Reloading their pistols and carefully wiping their axes they went out by
+a door at the back of the house, for neither cared to re-enter the scene
+of the slaughter. Before doing so, however, they took a long draught
+from the landlord's beer barrel, to make up for the drink of which
+they had deprived themselves. The storm had passed, and the stars were
+shining brightly. They met nobody on their way until within two or three
+miles of Gunzenhausen; it was found that the haft of Paolo's axe was
+deeply stained with blood; and he threw it away on issuing from the
+wood, as it did not accord well with his present attire, which was
+rather that of a discharged soldier or a worker in cities than of a
+countryman. Soon after eight o'clock they approached the town. They were
+now greatly fatigued, for they had done two long days' marches without
+any sleep between them, and turning off from the road they made their
+way to a little clump of trees, and there threw themselves down in the
+shade and slept until late in the afternoon.
+
+“I think that after our experience of last night, Paolo,” Hector said,
+as they walked towards the town, “we had better wait until we can join
+some party going to Hall before we leave this place. From what I hear,
+the road is a great deal more infested with bands of lawless men than
+that along which we have come.”
+
+“Then, master, I think we had certainly better wait, for I don't want
+anything worse than we had yesterday.”
+
+They went to a small inn, had supper, and then lay down on some straw in
+an outhouse and slept soundly until morning. Then they breakfasted,
+and as there was no one else in the room Paolo was able to eat freely.
+Presently the landlord came in, and Hector entered into conversation
+with him.
+
+“We want to go on to Hall,” he said. “We have friends there, and we are
+obliged to leave home because we should be taken for the army.”
+
+“Well, I don't think that you will find yourself better off at Hall than
+here. They are catching up every ablebodied young fellow and putting him
+into the ranks, and as you both look strong and active, except for your
+comrade's face, you are both likely to be seized as soon as you enter
+Hall, especially if you have no papers to show.”
+
+“We are not thinking of entering Hall, landlord. Our friends live a few
+miles away, and they will hide us till the army moves away from these
+parts.”
+
+“That will be before long, thank the saints! There is news that a great
+French army marched from Spires three days ago, and there is like to be
+a great fight before long; and if the French are beaten Merci will chase
+them back to the Rhine, recapture all the towns that they have taken,
+and perhaps enter Alsace.”
+
+“Which way do they say that the French are marching?”
+
+“They took the road to Weisloch. Some think that they will come through
+Wimpfen, and then by Weinsberg here, unless Merci bars the way. Others
+again think that they will make their way down through Stuttgart. Five
+hundred men march from here tomorrow to Hall, whence they go on to
+Heilbronn to strengthen the garrison there. All the waggons in the town
+and country round have been fetched in to carry their stores and baggage
+and a convoy of ammunition. I should say that you could not do better
+than go on with the waggons. No one is likely to ask you any questions,
+for it will be thought that you are drivers.”
+
+“Thank you very much,” Hector said; “that would certainly be a capital
+plan. We were afraid of going through the forests alone.”
+
+“Yes, and you were right. They are full of marauders. A party of
+troopers arrived here from Eichstadt yesterday evening. They stopped to
+get a drink at a cabaret in the forest, and on entering found seven men
+lying dead, and no one living to say how they got there. That some,
+if not all, were robbers was evident from the fact that, on the bodies
+being searched, articles evidently plundered from travellers were found
+upon all of them. An examination was made of the house, and considerable
+quantities of plunder found hidden. Searching in the forest behind,
+several mounds of earth, evidently graves, were discovered. The landlord
+himself was among the killed, for one of the troopers, who had before
+stopped at the house, recognized him. It was supposed that the brigands
+were killed by some other party with whom they had quarrelled. Three of
+them were shot and two killed by tremendous blows from an axe, and as
+neither pistols nor axes were found in the room it is clear that those
+within had been killed by some other band.”
+
+The next morning, when the column started, Hector and Paolo fell in
+among the carts, and rendered good service on the road by helping to
+move them when the wheels of the waggons stuck fast at spots where the
+road crossed marshy valleys. So bad was the journey that it occupied two
+days. Then the waggons were parked outside the walls of Hall, a guard
+being placed round them to prevent desertion. The troops slept inside
+the town. At daybreak the next morning their march was arrested by an
+officer riding out from the town, saying that news had arrived on the
+previous evening that the French were marching upon Heilbronn, that
+General Merci was concentrating his army there to oppose the passage of
+the river, and that the troops were to push on with all speed, leaving
+their baggage train at Hall. Hector at once decided that, with the
+Bavarian army gathering in front, it would be madness to endeavour to
+push on, and that indeed it would be far better to fall back until the
+direction of the French march was fully determined, when they could make
+a detour and come down upon their flank without having to pass through
+the Bavarian army. He did not, however, care about remaining in Hall,
+which might be occupied by the Bavarians if they fell back, and they
+therefore, after entering the town with the waggons, purchased a store
+of provisions, and, going out again, established themselves in a small
+farmhouse, whose occupants had deserted it and fled into the town upon
+hearing that the French were but some thirty miles distant.
+
+Every day Hector went into the place to gather news, and learned that
+Wimpfen had been captured by the French by a sudden assault, and that
+they had crossed the Neckar. On returning he at once started with Paolo,
+but on approaching the Neckar learned that the French had marched on to
+Rothenburg. They fell in, however, with a detachment which had been left
+on the Neckar. Hector found among them several officers to whom he was
+known, and, borrowing Paolo's money, fitted himself and follower
+out again, bought a couple of horses that had been captured from the
+Bavarians, who had, he learned, retired to Franconia, and set out
+to join the army. Rothenburg had been, he found out on his arrival,
+captured in a few hours, and the main body of the French had marched
+to Dinkelsbuhl, and there he came up with them. He had learned from the
+party on the Neckar of the defection of Konigsmark and the Swedes, and
+that Conde and Turenne's united army did not exceed twenty thousand men,
+and, as he knew, that of Merci was at least equal to it in strength. His
+first question on entering the camp was as to the quarters of his own
+regiment, and he at once rode there. As soon as he was recognized
+the men ran to him, cheering wildly, and so great was the tumult that
+Turenne himself, whose headquarters were but a short distance away,
+rode to the spot to enquire the cause of the tumult. When he saw Hector
+surrounded by his cheering soldiers he passed through the crowd, and,
+reaching him, shook him warmly by the hand.
+
+“I had hoped that we might have made an exchange for you during the
+winter, colonel, but I had not thought it possible that I should see you
+again before that time; for in the first place, we captured no prisoners
+in this campaign, but, on the contrary, have had many of our own
+officers taken; and in the second place, we have been too busy ever
+since Marienthal to enter into negotiations. You have, I suppose, given
+them the slip, you and that varlet of yours, for I see him over there.”
+
+“Yes, marshal; we had no very great difficulty in getting away. I have
+been very well treated, and until I heard that you were again taking the
+offensive, I had no reason to fret over my imprisonment.”
+
+“Well, you have joined us just in time, for at any moment we may fight a
+great battle. When you have leisure this evening come over to my tent.
+I shall be glad to hear how you managed to escape, and any news you have
+gained as to Merci's force and intentions.”
+
+As soon as the marshal had ridden off, his officers pressed round him,
+but before speaking to them individually Hector said a few words to the
+men, thanking them for the greeting they had given him, and saying that
+he was glad indeed to be back among them. Then he talked for a time to
+the officers, two or three of whom, after saying a few words apart to
+Captain de Thiou, had hurried away. Half an hour later de Thiou said:
+
+“I have no doubt that you will be glad of supper, colonel. Ours is just
+prepared, and we hope that you will join us.”
+
+“I am hungry, de Thiou, now I come to think of it, for except a crust of
+bread this morning I have not touched anything today.”
+
+“It is fortunate that we are better off than usual,” de Thiou said. “We
+had the luck to buy a pig from one of Weimar's troopers. The cavalry get
+the best of it, for though there are orders against pillaging, there is
+no doubt that a good deal of it goes on; and, marching as we have been,
+there is no one to see that orders are strictly carried out. However, we
+have benefited by it this afternoon.”
+
+Accompanying de Thiou, Hector was surprised to find that at a short
+distance in front of the spot where the regiment was bivouacked a large
+arbour had been erected.
+
+“I did not notice this as I rode in,” he said.
+
+“It was not even thought of then, colonel; it was begun a few minutes
+after you rode up, and the men have worked right willingly, and
+fortunately there was a copse hard by. I may say that it was the
+men's own idea. I had given orders that a table should be made of any
+materials that came to hand, and one of the men started the idea of
+building an arbour over it, and as many hands make quick work it has, as
+you see, been constructed in little over half an hour.”
+
+As the evening was warm the front of the arbour had been left open.
+Inside, a rough table had been constructed of empty casks, planks taken
+from the bottom of the waggons, and a couple of doors from cottages
+near, while powder barrels served as seats.
+
+“Now, colonel, will you take the head of the table?” de Thiou said.
+
+“Certainly not, de Thiou. I am your guest upon this occasion, so do you
+take that place, and I will sit upon your right hand.”
+
+“I only wish that we could have given you a dinner like those you so
+often gave us at St. Denis.”
+
+“I shall enjoy it as much as if it were a royal feast,” Hector said,
+seating himself; “for indeed since I escaped from Ingoldstadt some ten
+days ago I have been living on black bread, sausage, and cheese.”
+
+The meal was a joyous one, for at the assault of Rothenburg on the
+previous day several barrels of wine had been captured by the soldiers
+of the regiment. These had been bought from them by the officers, who
+had feared that some of the men might drink to excess, and so damage the
+reputation which the regiment had obtained for sobriety and discipline.
+One of these had been broached, and this and the pork afforded an
+excellent supper even though the bread was of the worst possible
+quality. When the meal was over, de Thiou stood up and proposed the
+health of the colonel, and congratulated him most warmly upon his escape
+from the enemy, expressing the extreme satisfaction of all the men as
+well as officers at his return. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm,
+and Hector briefly returned thanks. Then, in accordance with the general
+request, he related the particulars of his escape from Ingoldstadt and
+of his journey. Paolo, who had been waiting behind his master's chair,
+came in for warm praise for the share he had taken in the matter.
+
+“I certainly did not think when I first, against the advice of everyone,
+took Paolo as my lackey five years ago, that he would turn out so
+valuable a servant as he has done,” Hector said as de Thiou handed a
+goblet of wine to the man. “He has been more than a servant, he has
+taken part in all my adventures, and truly I regard him as my friend.
+Indeed, gentlemen, had it not been for him I certainly should not be
+here tonight, for my own money gave out altogether at Hall, and I had to
+borrow from his store the means of buying clothes and horses.”
+
+“By the way, colonel,” de Thiou said, “from the day that you were
+captured I have drawn your pay for you, knowing that if it fell into
+arrear you would have had hard work in getting it, so that I have now
+three months of your money in the regimental chest.”
+
+“Thank you, de Thiou, it will be very welcome; though Paolo would not
+have been a very hard creditor.”
+
+At eight o'clock the party broke up, and Hector walked across to
+Turenne's quarters. The latter had just returned from a consultation
+with the other generals.
+
+“We shall open our trenches here tonight; the place is of some
+importance, as it is on the direct road to Nordlingen, and it is as well
+not to leave it behind us. This, however, we shall do, if news comes
+that Merci is marching to give us battle before that city, which we
+expect he will do. The Imperialists will like to fight there, for it
+was the scene of their great victory over the Duke of Weimar and the
+Swedes.”
+
+“We must hope that we shall reverse matters this time, marshal.”
+
+“We must hope so,” the latter said gravely; “if we fight on a fair
+field I have no misgivings whatever. But Merci always takes up strong
+positions and entrenches himself, and Enghien is so anxious to fight
+that he will do so at a disadvantage rather than wait until we can meet
+them on even terms. You know what happened at Freiburg, where we lost
+some nine thousand men and gained no great advantage; while if we had
+moved round and threatened their line of retreat the enemy must have
+fallen back at once, we should have obtained our object without the loss
+of a man, and might possibly have fallen upon Merci in his retreat, and
+well nigh annihilated his army. Do not think, Campbell, that I am for a
+moment underestimating Enghien's genius. It is extraordinary, and in the
+hour of battle he is superb, not only from his extreme personal bravery,
+but from the quickness with which he grasps every point, seizes upon
+the spot where a blow can be best delivered, and snatches victory, where
+another would see only defeat before him. But he is reckless of life so
+long as he carries his point, and rather than lose a day in turning the
+enemy's position and so forcing him to relinquish it, will sacrifice
+whole regiments by marching straight against the most formidable
+entrenchments. Had he but patience in addition to his own splendid
+qualities, I think he would be the greatest military genius the world
+has ever seen. And now let me hear what happened to you after you left
+my side that night after Marienthal.”
+
+Hector again related his adventures. Turenne laughed at the account of
+his escape, hidden under the flour bags.
+
+“It was a good scheme,” he said; “and it was well that you had that
+lackey of yours with you, for I do not think that you could ever have
+managed it unaided.”
+
+“I am sure I could not, marshal; it was entirely his suggestion, and he
+arranged all the details splendidly. He was equally valuable in another
+way afterwards;” and he described the fight in the cabaret.
+
+“That was more dangerous than taking part in a pitched battle; seven
+against two are heavy odds indeed, though you had the advantage of
+weapons. The fellow has a ready wit to think of rolling against the man
+who was waiting for a chance of running in and stabbing you; he would
+have made his fortune somehow even if he had not had the good luck to
+fall in with you. In some respects you resemble each other; you both
+have enterprise, quickness, and daring, but he lacks your studious
+habits, your determination to master everything connected with your
+profession, and your ability to turn your knowledge to account. He would
+have made a good soldier, an excellent leader of an irregular corps, but
+he would never have gained distinction. Well, I am very glad to have had
+a quiet talk with you; it takes one out of one's worries and anxieties.
+By the way, I had a letter from Mazarin; it reached me while I was at
+Spires. He said he was sorry to hear that you had been taken prisoner,
+and requested me to make an exchange for you as soon as possible, even
+if I had to give a general officer for you, for he was very deeply your
+debtor, and had the highest esteem for you. What have you been doing to
+make him your debtor? You never mentioned anything of the sort to me.”
+
+“The matter was to some degree a state one, marshal, or I should
+have told you of it; but as it took place nearly a year ago, and the
+circumstances are altogether changed, I can mention them to you in
+confidence--for even now, were it known, it might make me some powerful
+enemies.” He then related how it was that he had thwarted the attempt on
+Mazarin's life.
+
+“That was a piece of singular good fortune,” Turenne said. “Mazarin is
+a staunch friend and a bitter enemy. I owe him no goodwill, for he has
+behaved shamefully to de Bouillon, refusing to hand to him the estates
+for which he exchanged his principality of Sedan; but I do not permit
+myself to allow family interests to weigh with me against my duties to
+France. Truly, as you say, it were well to hide your share in a business
+that sent De Beaufort and a score of others to prison, and a dozen
+members of powerful families into exile; it might well cause you serious
+trouble were it known. You did well to keep the matter to yourself, and
+you did specially well to refuse to accept any personal honour, for had
+you done so Mazarin's enemies would at once have connected that fact
+with the discovery of the plot.”
+
+On returning to his regiment, Hector found that an order had come just
+after he left, for four companies to march down under the guidance of an
+engineer officer to begin work on the trenches. De Thiou, knowing
+that he had gone to the marshal's, had gone down with the four
+leading companies. The other infantry regiments had furnished similar
+contingents, showing that the siege was to be pushed forward with all
+haste.
+
+“Enghien does not allow the grass to grow under his feet,” Captain
+Mieville said. “We stormed Wimpfen a few hours after our arrival before
+it; we carried Rothenburg in a single night, and I expect that by
+tomorrow evening we shall be masters of this place.”
+
+In the morning four more companies went down to relieve those who had
+been at work all night, and these had made great progress when, in the
+afternoon, the news came that Merci was marching with all his strength
+towards Nordlingen. Trumpets at once sounded to recall the troops from
+the trenches, a meal was hastily cooked, and at sunset the army marched
+for Nordlingen. All night they pushed on through the forest, and just
+as the leading squadrons emerged from it on to the plain, Merci's forces
+were seen issuing out from the forest facing them. Both armies at once
+formed in order of battle.
+
+Enghien, anxious to attack, rode forward with Turenne, de Gramont, and
+Geis to reconnoitre the ground. It was found that between the armies
+there was a small river, with great pools and swamps on either side,
+and that the only approaches were by narrow and winding paths where two
+horsemen could scarcely ride abreast. Even Enghien felt that it would
+be madness to venture upon an attack. His artillery opened fire, that of
+the Bavarians replied, and the cannonade was continued till nightfall,
+inflicting a certain amount of loss on either side but in no way
+altering the position. Seeing that a battle could not be brought on
+here, Enghien marched two hours before daybreak for Nordlingen. At nine
+the army came down on to the great plain in front of that town, but he
+found that Merci had been beforehand with him, and had already taken up
+a strong position two leagues away, and between him and the city, and
+that his troops were already at work throwing up intrenchments. The
+prince ordered all the baggage to be left behind, and at once marched
+against the enemy. At four o'clock they were facing each other. Merci
+had, as usual, chosen his position with great judgment. In the middle
+of the plain rose two little hills about a thousand yards apart. On the
+hill on his left stood the castle of Allersheim, and here Merci's left
+wing, under General John de Werth, was posted; while at Weinberg his
+right, commanded by General Gleen, took up its station. The main body of
+the army, under Merci himself, lay behind a village a couple of hundred
+yards beyond the hills, and at the head of the passage between them. He
+had his cavalry on his two wings, his infantry in the centre, and had
+thrown forward some regiments to hold the village. On the two hills he
+had planted his cannon, sheltered by intrenchments, and in a position to
+sweep the entrance to the valley.
+
+His army consisted of between fourteen and fifteen thousand men, that of
+Enghien of seventeen thousand. After examining the position a council
+of war was held. Turenne was strongly against attacking the enemy in a
+position of such strength, but Enghien as usual overruled his opinion.
+Turenne then urged that the cavalry on the wings should not charge up
+the hills and attack the positions held there until the enemy's centre
+had been defeated, and his advice in this respect was taken. The
+generals then separated and rode to their respective commands. De
+Gramont commanded the right wing, consisting of all the French cavalry,
+and having as a second line a reserve consisting of four battalions of
+infantry and six squadrons of horse commanded by Chevalier de Chabot.
+Turenne commanded the left, which consisted of his own army, with twelve
+squadrons of Weimar's cavalry, with the Hessian army--six battalions
+and six squadrons--as a second line. The centre, consisting of ten
+battalions and five squadrons of horse, was commanded by Count de
+Marsin. Enghien took no special command, preferring to remain free to go
+where his presence was most needed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII: NORDLINGEN
+
+
+It was five o'clock in the afternoon when all the arrangements for the
+attack were completed. But as on the 3rd of August the evening is long,
+it was judged that there would be sufficient daylight to carry out the
+battle. The French began with a cannonade against the village, and this
+was replied to by the guns on the two hills. Not only did the position
+of the latter give them great superiority, but much time was lost by the
+French in being obliged to move forward their guns as the army advanced,
+a slow and tedious process in days when cannon were very heavy and
+cumbrous. Seeing that they were losing time and suffering more loss than
+they inflicted, Enghien gave the order to the infantry of the centre to
+advance.
+
+They went forward with great speed and eagerness, for they were burning
+to retrieve their cowardly conduct at Marienthal. They carried the
+intrenchments Merci had thrown up at the mouth of the pass, and,
+heedless of the firing of the guns, rushed at the village. Here,
+however, they were received by so heavy a fire of musketry from the
+infantry posted there, who had loopholed all the walls and houses, that
+they came to a stop, and, being shot down in great numbers, turned
+and fled. The Count de Marsin was himself dangerously wounded. The Duc
+d'Enghien sent the Marquis de la Moussaie forward with a reinforcement
+of several regiments, but these, too, fell back before the Imperialists'
+fire. The Duc d'Enghien then rallied the infantry, added to them all
+those not yet engaged, and himself led them to the charge. Merci on his
+part brought forward his main body to the village.
+
+The battle was now a desperate one. Enghien seemed to lead a charmed
+life. He was ever where the fight was hottest, encouraging the soldiers
+and setting them an example. His clothes were shot through in many
+places. Two horses were killed under him, and he received a contusion in
+the thigh. Merci on his part showed equal valour and intrepidity; but
+he was less fortunate, for he was struck by a musketball and killed. The
+news of his fall excited his soldiers to fury, and, hurling themselves
+on their assailants they cut the greater part of the infantry to pieces.
+
+The French on the right had done no better, for the Bavarian cavalry
+charged them with such impetuosity that although they fought sturdily
+they were broken and routed. De Gramont did all that a leader could do
+to check their flight and lead them back to the battle; and when he
+saw that he was powerless to do this he put himself at the head of two
+regiments that had not yet been engaged, received the Bavarian horse
+with a heavy volley, and leading his troopers to the charge, broke into
+them, but advancing too far was surrounded and taken prisoner. John
+de Werth then fell on the reserve, broke them, penetrated the baggage,
+which was plundered, and then pursued the fugitives far away from the
+field of battle. Had he, instead of allowing his troops and himself to
+be carried away by their ardour, brought them round and attacked
+the French left in the rear, the Imperialist victory would have been
+complete.
+
+Here for a time the conflict was doubtful. Turenne, in spite of the fire
+of the Imperialist artillery, led his troops in good order up the hill
+of Weinberg. His horse was shot under him and his cuirass was struck,
+but not pierced, by a musketball. On gaining the top of the hill a
+terrible fight took place between the Weimar and Hessian troops on one
+side, and the Austrians and Bavarians on the other. The former showed
+valour in strong contrast with the conduct of their French allies; and
+after repeated volleys had been exchanged infantry and cavalry rushed
+upon each other and fought with bayonet and sword. At last the first
+line of Imperialists gave way, but General Gleen brought up the second
+line and threw Turenne's first line into disorder, although they still
+maintained their ground. At this moment Conde, seeing that his centre
+was destroyed and his right utterly dispersed, came up and joined
+Turenne, and placing himself at the head of the Hessians, who formed the
+second line, brought them forward. The enemy's squadrons were
+broken, and the infantry defeated. The guns were then turned upon the
+Imperialists on the slope of the hill leading down to the village, and
+when they were shaken by the fire Turenne's squadron charged down upon
+them and completed their defeat. General Gleen was taken prisoner, and
+Turenne's troops, descending the hill, took the village in flank.
+
+Had the defenders here fought with the same courage that they had
+previously evinced, they would have given time to John de Werth to
+return, and the fate of the battle would have been doubtful, but they
+were seized with unreasoning panic, and at once surrendered. The night
+had long since closed in, and so far as the fighting had gone the
+battle might be considered a drawn one. The French right and centre
+were utterly routed, but their left had captured one of the keys of the
+position and the village behind it. Had John de Werth, when he
+returned from the pursuit, shown himself an able general, rallied
+the Imperialists and sent them to recapture the village, and with
+his victorious cavalry made a circuit of the Weinberg and fallen upon
+Turenne's rear, the Imperialist success would have been as complete and
+striking as that which they had won on nearly the same ground over the
+Swedes; but although an impetuous leader of cavalry, he had no military
+genius, and on returning after dark, and hearing that the Weinberg was
+lost and the village captured, he drew off from the field.
+
+He was joined by the Imperialist infantry, and when the morning broke
+Turenne's division stood victors on the field. A number of officers,
+many standards, and all the cannon of the enemy fell into their hands.
+Of the French infantry not more than fifteen hundred were rallied after
+the battle, and of the allied army Turenne's German troops, although
+they had suffered severely, alone remained intact. John de Werth
+retreated with the remains of the Imperialist force to Donauworth, and
+crossed to the other side of the Danube, although his force was still
+superior to that of Turenne, for the loss suffered by the French
+and Turenne's German troops was very much greater than that of
+the Imperialists. Enghien, in his despatch announcing the victory,
+acknowledged in his letter to the queen that it was due to the valour
+and honour of Turenne.
+
+Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl opened their gates to the victors. Enghien
+fell ill and was forced to return to France, leaving Turenne in command.
+De Gramont was exchanged for Gleen, and he and Turenne took counsel
+as to the course that had best be pursued. John de Werth had already
+recrossed the Danube, and the French generals fell back to Hall, where
+they remained for twelve days to refresh the troops, provisions being
+plentiful in the neighbourhood.
+
+But their position was daily becoming more untenable. The Duke of
+Bavaria, greatly alarmed by the result of the battle of Nordlingen,
+wrote to the emperor that unless Austria largely increased her force in
+the field he should retire from the contest, of which he had hitherto
+borne the brunt, and make terms with the French. The emperor, who had
+just brought a war with Hungary to a close, despatched the Archduke
+Leopold, his son, with a great body of horse, and he soon effected a
+junction with Gleen and John de Werth, and together they pushed forward
+at the utmost speed to surprise the French. As soon as Turenne received
+news of the movement he and de Gramont agreed that an instant retreat
+must be made, seeing that their force was less than half that which was
+advancing to attack them. The baggage was abandoned, and as there was
+no bridge available the army crossed the Neckar by swimming, each
+cavalryman taking one of the infantry behind him. They continued their
+retreat until they arrived at Philippsburg. Here Turenne with the whole
+of his army took up his position, covered by the guns of the fortress,
+while Gramont passed the river with the remains of Enghien's army and
+all the cavalry.
+
+The Imperialists, after examining Turenne's position, came to the
+conclusion that it could not be attacked, and, marching away, besieged
+and captured all the towns taken by the French in their advance. Thus
+beyond the empty honour of a nominal victory at Nordlingen, the campaign
+under Enghien and Turenne ended, without any solid advantage whatever
+being gained by the French.
+
+The Poitou regiment, which was the only French battalion in the army of
+Turenne, had been placed with the Hessians in the second line. It had
+fought with distinguished bravery on the crest of the Weinberg, and
+had publicly been thanked by Enghien, who had on the day of the battle
+ridden by the side of Hector at their head when they fell upon the
+Imperialists. They had suffered but a small number of casualties,
+for the enemy were already shaken before they charged, and had, after
+receiving a shattering volley, broken and fled as the regiment charged
+with fixed bayonets. Turenne was always anxious to impress upon Hector
+the lessons that were to be learned from each action, and while they
+were encamped round Hall he went over the events of the campaign with
+him on a map.
+
+“You see,” he said, “that what I said to you on the evening before
+we marched from Dinkelsbuhl has been completely justified. Instead of
+manoeuvring so as to fight in the open, we dashed ourselves against this
+strong position, with the inevitable consequences, two-thirds of our
+army were routed, and the infantry of the centre and right all but
+annihilated; and although by hard fighting we on the left gained an
+advantage, it was only the impetuous folly of John de Werth that saved
+us from destruction. Now, you see, we are in no position to fight
+another battle. A victory won in one's own country is decisive for
+a considerable time, but a victory in an enemy's country, unless it
+involves his disastrous defeat and the utter breakup of his army, is
+practically without value. We can receive no reinforcements, for none
+can reach us from France in less than a couple of months; the enemy, on
+the other hand, have rapidly filled up their ranks, and have received,
+or are about to receive, large reinforcements, and as soon as they
+advance we must retreat in all haste, sacrifice all the advantages we
+have gained, and shall be lucky if we can maintain a footing on this
+side of the Rhine.
+
+“Five or six thousand lives have been thrown away and nothing whatever
+gained. Now, you see, had we instead of knocking our heads against the
+enemy's position, manoeuvred to place ourselves between him and the
+Danube, he must have retreated without fighting a battle, for he was
+inferior to us in numbers, and we should have been able to go into
+winter quarters in Nordlingen and possibly lay siege to Eichstadt.
+A genius may win a battle, Campbell, but genius, if accompanied by
+impetuosity and a thirst for great victories, will very seldom win
+a campaign. I love as well as admire Enghien; he is chivalrous
+and generous, he has great military genius; possibly with age his
+impetuosity may be tempered with discretion, but at present, although
+a brilliant leader, he is not the general that I would choose to serve
+under in a long campaign.”
+
+When Weimar's cavalry crossed the Rhine with de Gramont they broke into
+mutiny, declaring that they were raised to fight in Germany and would
+not fight in France. Turenne crossed and endeavoured to get them to
+return to their duty, recalling to them how nobly they had fought under
+him, and appealing to them in the strongest way not to desert him now.
+A portion of them gave in to his entreaties, but the rest rode away to
+effect a junction with the Swedish army, and he was therefore deprived
+of a considerable portion of the force that had been the mainstay of his
+little army. Upon the other hand, the Archduke Leopold marched away to
+Bohemia to oppose the Swedes, who had gained several successes in that
+direction. Turenne, however, determined to carry out one more enterprise
+before the winter set in, and to reinstate the Elector of Treves, who
+had been deprived of his dominions for twelve years, in consequence of
+his having entered into an alliance with France. In order to effect this
+he marched in the first week in November with a small force of infantry
+and his cavalry to the Moselle, a distance of forty leagues.
+
+He was joined by some of Enghien's troops from Metz, and on the 14th of
+November he invested Treves. The Imperialists were unable to gather a
+force of sufficient strength to relieve the town, which was, therefore,
+after a short resistance, forced to capitulate. The small garrisons from
+other towns in the elector's dominions were speedily driven out and the
+elector restored to his possessions, a result doubly gratifying, since
+his restoration produced a widespread effect among the German princes
+who had thrown in their lot with France, while the material advantage
+was no less, as it closed a door through which the Imperialists, when in
+sufficient force, could at any time pour their troops into France. This
+brought the campaign of 1645 to a close. Turenne was called to Paris,
+where he received the honours that were due to him for the skill and
+bravery by which, with altogether insufficient forces--raised, equipped
+and paid to a large extent from his private purse--he had for two years
+guarded the Rhine frontier from invasion by the united forces of Bavaria
+and Austria. Hector's regiment had been left at Philippsburg when
+Turenne marched away; but the marshal told him that there was no
+occasion whatever for him to remain with it during the winter. He
+thought indeed that it would be advantageous that he should pay a short
+visit to Paris, present himself to Mazarin, and then go down and see how
+matters fared with the estate, to which he had paid but a flying visit.
+He therefore set out without delay, Turenne entrusting him with some
+despatches to the cardinal.
+
+“They are of no great importance,” he said, “but it is always well for
+an officer returning to Paris to carry despatches with him. It shows
+that he has the hearty approval of his commander in leaving his post for
+a while, and that he has distinguished himself in a special degree to
+be thus selected. I have several times in my despatches had occasion to
+speak of the excellent service rendered by your regiment, and it will
+ensure you a good reception at court. Besides, Mazarin is evidently
+disposed to regard you with special favour, and an occasional visit
+keeps that feeling alive, whereas it naturally cools down after a
+prolonged absence. Therefore in every respect it is as well that you
+should show yourself in Paris for a short time before going down to
+Poitou, where I hear there have been some troublesome risings of the
+peasantry. The province, being broken and hilly for the most
+part, offers considerable advantages to irregular forces, who move
+unencumbered with baggage, and against whom cavalry cannot well act.
+I do not know that any of these troubles have occurred in the
+neighbourhood of your estate, but you would naturally wish to see for
+yourself how matters are going on.”
+
+“It seems more than two years since we left here, master,” Paolo said,
+as they rode into Paris.
+
+“It does indeed. It is more than six years now since I first rode away
+with Turenne, and a month later you entered my service. We have gone
+through a good deal together since those days, Paolo.”
+
+“Yes, indeed, sir. It was a fortunate day for me when my brother took me
+to your quarters.”
+
+“It has been quite as fortunate for me, Paolo. I doubt whether I should
+ever have proposed undertaking to carry Turenne's message into the
+citadel of Turin had I not felt that I could rely upon you as my
+companion in the business, and it was that which gave me my first step.
+Since then you have always been by my side, and have more than once
+saved my life.”
+
+On reaching Mazarin's hotel Hector found that he was at the Louvre, and
+immediately went there, and as bearer of despatches from the army was at
+once introduced to the minister's apartment.
+
+“Come with me at once to the queen's closet,” the cardinal said as he
+entered. “She has just sent for me, and her majesty, being at once a
+woman and a queen, does not like being kept waiting. She always wishes
+to receive the first news from the army, therefore I can venture to take
+you with me without asking her permission.
+
+“I have brought Monsieur de Villar to your majesty,” he said as
+he entered the queen's apartment. “He has just reached Paris with
+despatches from the Viscount Turenne. He has only this instant arrived,
+and I thought I might venture to bring him at once to you.”
+
+“'Tis a long time since we have seen you, monsieur,” the queen said
+graciously, “but we have heard of you from the marshal's despatches, and
+were glad to see that your regiment bore itself as well in the field of
+battle as in the park of Versailles. What news do you bring? Nothing of
+importance, I hope, for there can hardly be good news when the marshal
+has so scanty a force with which to guard the frontier.”
+
+“The Viscount de Turenne is too zealous in your service, madam, to
+remain idle, however small his force. He started suddenly the day I left
+with his cavalry and a small body of infantry to march to Treves, with
+two or three regiments he has persuaded the Duc d'Enghien to send him
+from Metz with some guns, and he hoped to capture the city and clear the
+electorate of the enemy before they can receive strong reinforcements,
+seeing that they are all scattered in their winter quarters.”
+
+“A bold stroke indeed, cardinal,” the queen said, much gratified. “It
+has touched our honour that the elector should so long have suffered for
+his fidelity to France; and, moreover, its possession in his hands will
+relieve us of much anxiety and give us the Moselle as a barrier against
+the incursions of the enemy in that corner of our dominions. He is
+indefatigable, this good viscount, cardinal; and he is not one of those
+who look for great rewards for every service. He has indeed carried
+on the war largely on his own resources, which has been of no slight
+advantage to us, seeing that our exchequer is but too often strained to
+meet demands from other quarters. If he succeeds in this enterprise, you
+must write in our name and bid him come hither to receive our thanks in
+person, and to rest for a while from his labours in our service.
+
+“You have changed somewhat, Monsieur de Villar, since we last saw you.
+The ladies of the court called you then the little colonel--not because
+of your size, for you already overtopped the greater portion of our
+courtiers, but from your age. Now you look all over a soldier, and a
+weatherbeaten one.”
+
+Hector had indeed aged during the past two years. He was now nearly
+two-and-twenty, his moustache had grown, and, as was the custom of the
+time, he wore a small imperial. The habit of command had given to his
+face an expression of decision and resolution unusual at his age, and
+a life spent in the open air, and for the most part sleeping without
+cover, had bronzed his skin, and had counteracted the youthful
+appearance caused by his fair complexion.
+
+“'Tis but some three months since we heard of you as a prisoner, having
+been captured while with your regiment covering the retreat after the
+unfortunate battle of Marienthal. The cardinal told me that he had
+written to the field marshal to try and arrange an exchange for you if
+possible. We had not heard that he had done so when the Duc d'Enghien's
+report of the battle of Nordlingen spoke of you as doing good service
+with your regiment there. I suppose Turenne, in the press of business,
+omitted to say that you had been exchanged.”
+
+“I was not exchanged, madam. I succeeded in effecting my escape from the
+fortress of Ingoldstadt.”
+
+“You seem born to have adventures, monsieur,” the queen said. “We heard
+before of your regiment performing prodigies of valour at Freiburg, and
+of withstanding Merci's whole army, foot and horse, for three hours.
+Last winter the governor of Lorraine reported that you and a company
+of your regiment from Nancy had defeated a great body of insurgent
+peasants, and had rescued Madame de Blenfoix and her daughter from
+massacre at their hands. There is no officer under the rank of general
+whose name has been so frequently brought under our notice. You intend
+to make some stay in Paris, I hope?”
+
+“I shall do myself the honour later on, your majesty; but I hear that
+there are peasant troubles down in Poitou, and as I only paid a visit of
+a few days there, when your majesty had the goodness to present the fief
+to me, I am anxious to know how matters are going on, and to see that my
+castle is secure from attack by the insurgents.”
+
+“Your excuse is a good one. It would be well if more possessors
+of estates would spend their time in endeavouring to alleviate the
+condition of their people, instead of wasting their time and money in
+Paris.”
+
+“Monsieur de Villar took steps in that direction, your majesty, before
+leaving for the war; for my agents, who keep me informed of most things
+that take place, acquainted me with the fact that Monsieur de Villar
+entirely remitted the usual fines on taking possession, and reduced the
+annual payment of his tenants by one half until times should mend.”
+
+“A noble example!” the queen said warmly. “I would that we could afford
+to do the same through all the royal domains. It is a pleasure to us to
+know that one at least of our fiefs has been so worthily bestowed. Well,
+sir, I shall see you at the court this evening.”
+
+Hector bowed and withdrew. His first step was to go to the clothing
+establishment most frequented by men of good family. “I have to attend
+at the court this evening. I have just returned from the army, and have
+but the clothes that I stand up in. Have you any garments that will fit
+me suitable for such an occasion?”
+
+“Of shoulder cloaks I have great store in silks, satins, and velvets of
+all shades and colours. There is no difficulty about doublets, for of
+these I always keep a large stock in hand; and although you are a bigger
+man than the majority of my customers, I think that I can suit you.
+Tight pantaloons are chiefly worn by those who affect the latest
+fashion, but it would be impossible for me to make these at such short
+notice. As you are a military man this matters little, for these chiefly
+affect loose breeches trimmed at the bottom with rich lace, stockings
+of silk, and shoes with rosettes. Such breeches I could promise you in
+three hours, for they require but little making. The stockings of all
+shades I have in stock, also shoes. These would need but rosettes of the
+colour to suit the dress, to be added to them.”
+
+“I put myself in your hands,” Hector said. “I wish for a handsome dress,
+and yet one which shall in no way be foppish, but shall be suitable to
+my station. I am Baron de la Villar, colonel of the Poitou regiment of
+infantry.”
+
+“Do you incline to silk, velvet, or satin? I should say a velvet cloak
+and satin tunic and breeches would suit you best with your fair hair. I
+should choose for the cloak a crimson or violet, and for the doublet and
+breeches a yellow. If you would prefer a blue cloak I should say a white
+satin doublet and breeches would become you.”
+
+Hector shook his head. “No, I should prefer the first mixture. I care
+not whether the cloak is crimson or violet.”
+
+“I think violet, monsieur, and rosettes of the same colour on your
+shoes. It were best, I think, that the stockings should match the
+doublet. You will, of course, have a pointed lace collar for your cloak,
+and at the bottom of your breeches and at your wrists to match. I think,
+sir, that a large collar and gold embroidery would go best with the
+costume.”
+
+Hector nodded. “I leave it entirely to you, Master Poitrou, so
+that everything is ready in time for me to wear them. I also want
+a travelling suit of good fashion--I leave the matter of colour to
+you--and also a suit for wearing here in Paris.”
+
+The cloak and doublets were speedily chosen, as M. Poitrou had several
+of the colour and material in stock. Hector was then measured for the
+breeches, which were of the fashion now known as knickerbockers, but
+somewhat looser. He then chose a violet cap with a yellow feather to
+match the court dress, a court sword, high riding boots, and loose
+turned-over boots used for walking, but left all other matters to the
+tailor.
+
+“When your man brings the things to me at the auberge Pome d'Or I will
+pay him at once,” he said. He was indeed well supplied with funds, for
+as he passed through Nancy he had drawn the sums standing to his credit
+from an agent there, to whom he had, as occasion offered, transmitted
+the greater portion of his pay, and also the balance of the sum that had
+been paid him when he first took possession of his estate, after paying
+for the various expenses he had incurred in St. Denis and in Paris.
+Monsieur Poitrou was faithful to his promise, and although free from
+vanity, Hector could not but perceive, after he had donned his court
+suit, that he made a good figure. Such, indeed, was the opinion of not a
+few of the ladies of the court as he entered the great reception room.
+
+He had now adopted the general fashion, and wore his hair in ringlets
+hanging down on to the collar. His fair complexion contrasted strongly
+with the much darker one of the majority of the courtiers, and this,
+as well as his height and erect soldierly bearing, rendered him a
+conspicuous object among them. The queen and cardinal both honoured him
+with marked attention; but what pleased him most during the evening was
+the hearty greeting that he received from Colonel Maclvor, of whom he
+had seen but little during the campaign, as the Scottish regiment
+formed part of Enghien's command, and was not present at the battle of
+Nordlingen, being left in garrison at Metz when the duke marched to
+join Turenne. Mazarin himself presented him to many of the ladies of the
+court, thereby showing that he wished him to be regarded as a particular
+friend of his; and Hector, having gained much in self possession since
+he had last appeared there, was able to make himself more agreeable to
+them than before, to bandy compliments, and adapt himself to the general
+atmosphere of the court. The cardinal sent for him again the next
+morning.
+
+“The news is bad from Poitou, Colonel Campbell, and I think that it
+would be well that you should proceed there at once. So we will release
+you from further attendance, and you can make up for it by giving us a
+longer time on your return.”
+
+Hector, however, tarried two days longer in Paris, by which time he had
+received all the clothes that he had ordered. Early on the morning
+of the third day he mounted and rode away with Paolo and three of his
+troopers. Hunter had been left behind at Philippsburg for the cure of a
+wound that he had received at Nordlingen. Hector was mounted on one of
+the horses that Enghien had given him; the other was in the hands of the
+Imperialists. They traveled fast, and met with no adventure until they
+arrived at Poitou, where Hector learned that in the western part of
+the province the peasants had almost everywhere risen, had defeated the
+royal troops who had marched against them from La Rochelle and Nantes,
+and had captured and burnt any chateaux, slaying all persons of the
+better class who fell into their hands.
+
+As he neared his own estate, learning that the tenants there had so far
+not joined the rising, but that several bodies of insurgents were in the
+neighbourhood, he rode still more rapidly forward. Signs of the trouble
+were everywhere apparent. In the villages only women were to be seen;
+there was no sign of life or movement in the fields; and he passed two
+chateaux which were now but empty shells. As soon as he had crossed into
+his own estates he found the houses entirely deserted; no man, woman,
+nor child was to be seen; no animals grazed in the fields, and the
+little stacks of hay and straw had been carried away.
+
+“It is evident,” he said to Paolo, “that MacIntosh has called all the
+tenantry into the chateau; had they joined the insurgents the women and
+children would still be here.”
+
+As they ascended the steep hill on whose brow the chateau stood, he
+could make out that there were a number of men posted upon the walls.
+
+“He is evidently determined that he will not be caught napping, Paolo,
+and all the peasants of Poitou could not take the place unless they were
+well provided with cannon.”
+
+The chateau, indeed, still retained the characteristics of a castle. The
+site had evidently been selected with a sole eye to defence; the hill
+on which it stood fell abruptly away on three sides, and could hardly
+be attacked except in front. Here a plateau extended some three or four
+hundred yards long and upwards of a hundred yards across. A wall with
+flanking turrets had been a sufficient defence on the other three sides,
+but here there was a strong tower on each flank, and also on each side
+of the central gate. The walls inclosed a space of some two acres,
+in the centre of which stood the castle. This had been to some extent
+modernized--windows having taken the place of loopholes in the upper
+floors, while those looking into the inner courtyard extended to the
+ground. The point where the road reached the plateau was some three
+hundred yards from the gateway, and as Hector galloped towards the walls
+it was evident that he was recognized, for shouts were raised by the men
+on guard and the drawbridge over the fosse--cut in the solid rock along
+the foot of the wall--was lowered.
+
+As he rode across it the gate swung open and MacIntosh ran out to meet
+him.
+
+“Is all well, old friend?” Hector asked as he sprang from his horse and
+clasped the sergeant's hand.
+
+“All is well so far, colonel; still, I am glad indeed that you have
+returned, for at any moment trouble may begin. We hear that the peasants
+mean to attack us. I hardly think they will venture to do so, but I
+have no doubt they will play havoc on the estate and burn every house,
+because the tenants, instead of joining them, have come up here to aid
+in the defence. It was a good day indeed when madam and her daughter
+came here, they have made themselves so loved by the tenants that they
+would do anything for them. Ah, if all the ladies of France had been
+as good to their people as they have been, we should not have these
+troubles on hand! Here they come to welcome you.”
+
+Hector hurried across the outer court, where two lines of palings had
+been erected, forming a passage from one gate to the other, and keeping
+back the animals that crowded the enclosure.
+
+“Welcome back, welcome back, Colonel Campbell!” the baroness said as
+she came up with both hands extended, and her words were echoed by her
+daughter. In the year that had elapsed since they started under the
+charge of Paolo both had changed. The look of care and anxiety, which
+had been heightened by the terrible events of the two previous days,
+had passed from the elder lady's face, and had been succeeded by one of
+contentment and happiness.
+
+Norah showed an even greater change; she had now attained her full
+height, her figure had filled out, and she stood on the threshold of
+womanhood and bid fair to attain a high degree of beauty of the type
+characteristic of her nationality. Her hair was dark, her eyes gray,
+her expression changing rapidly from grave to gay, the latter movement
+generally predominating.
+
+“I need hardly ask, madam,” Hector said as they entered the chateau,
+“whether you have been comfortable here, for your face shows that you
+have at least been contented with your lot as chatelaine.”
+
+“I have been more than contented, I have been very happy, Monsieur
+Campbell. It has been a pleasant task indeed to be your almoner, and to
+be able to carry comfort to those in distress, sympathy and aid to those
+in suffering. Within the castle, nothing could be more pleasant than our
+position. Captain MacIntosh has been unwearied in his efforts to make
+us comfortable, and your steward has in all cases been willing to aid
+me with money and counsel when I asked for them. The proof that your
+goodness has been appreciated by the tenants is that every one of them
+without exception has refused to join the insurgents, and has forsaken
+his home in order to come up and aid in the defence of the castle.”
+
+“That is indeed gratifying, madam; but methinks their action is due
+rather to the kindness of yourself and Mademoiselle Norah, than to the
+gifts they receive.”
+
+“I do not choose to be called Mademoiselle Norah,” the girl said,
+tossing her head. “I am Irish on both sides, and have not a drop of
+French blood in my veins. To strangers I am Miss Norah O'More; to you,
+and to any I may love, I am plain Norah.”
+
+“I don't think that you can be that to anyone, Norah.”
+
+“Now I don't like that, Colonel Campbell. That may do at the court of
+Louis XIV, but not at the chateau of la Villar, and if you are going to
+pay compliments I shall be stiff and unpleasant, and shall insist upon
+being addressed as Miss Norah O'More.”
+
+“As I did not mean to compliment you, for I spoke but the truth, I shall
+not accept the penalty. Now,” he went on, “unromantic as it may sound, I
+own that I am hungry, and I am sure that my four followers are also,
+for we have ridden far and fast, and have not stopped, save to bait our
+horses and snatch a mouthful while they ate, since daybreak. In truth
+the news we received made me sorely anxious, though I felt sure that
+MacIntosh could hold the chateau against any attack that was likely to
+be made on it.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX: THE PEASANTS' REVOLT
+
+
+After eating a meal Hector had a talk aside with MacIntosh.
+
+“Do you really think that these varlets will venture to attack us?”
+
+“I do indeed,” the old sergeant said. “They have taken several places
+as strong as this by sudden assault. They are desperate, and, as I hear,
+fight like demons, regardless as to how many fall. As far as stout arms
+go we are well supplied, for there are at least a hundred men capable
+of bearing arms, and all have had more or less drill since I have been
+here. Unfortunately, however, our wall pieces are old and scarce fit
+for service, several of them will, I feel sure, burst at the first
+discharge.”
+
+“But they have no artillery at all, MacIntosh?”
+
+“I am sorry to say that they have, sir, and a good amount of it. They
+captured ten field pieces when they defeated the troops, and have
+obtained a score of others from the chateaux that they have taken. They
+have only to plant them three or four hundred yards away at the end of
+the plateau, and they would easily batter down the gates, and might even
+in time effect a breach in the walls.”
+
+“That is serious indeed, MacIntosh. Is there any other way in which they
+can attack us save in front?”
+
+“I think not. I was careful to examine the face of the precipice when I
+first took command here, and wherever it seemed to me that an active man
+could climb up I had portions of the rock blown up, and have so scarped
+the face that I do not think it is scalable by human foot. But there
+is nothing to prevent their crossing the fosse on a dark night, and so
+stealing along and making an attack on all sides of the house.”
+
+“Then our first care must be to prevent this, MacIntosh, by building
+walls along by the fosse from the corner towers to the edge of the
+plateau. The distance is very short, not more than eight or ten yards at
+the outside. We have, I see, any number of horses and not a few carts.
+Let the tenants be set to work at once, and, going down the road into
+the ravine below, fill their carts with blocks of stone and haul them up
+here. Let active boys be sent out in all directions as scouts to bring
+in word when the insurgents are approaching; and at the same time let
+twenty well armed men of the garrison go down with the carts, so as to
+give confidence to the tenants and cover their retreat up the road if
+the insurgents should suddenly make their appearance. Let some of the
+men take billhooks and axes down with them, and cut poles. These must be
+sharpened, and as the walls are built, fixed among the stones so as to
+make a cheval-de-frise. At the same time let half a dozen stout ladders
+be constructed, so that the defenders of these walls may, if unable to
+hold them, make their retreat up to the battlements. I wish now that
+I had ordered a strong bastion to be thrown up so as to cover the gate
+from an attack by artillery, but it did not seem likely that we should
+be besieged by any force having guns, and I let the matter remain until
+the tenants should be better off and we could spend our money on such
+work. However, it is too late now to think of that. I suppose there is a
+portcullis to the gate?”
+
+“Yes, and I got it in good working order when I first came here; but the
+cannon would speedily shatter that, as well as the bridge drawn up in
+front of it and the gate behind it.”
+
+“Then as I have no doubt that there are plenty of flour sacks, we
+must fill these with earth and pack them between the bridge and the
+portcullis, and fasten the bridge in its place with any chains that may
+be available, so that it will keep erect. The earth packing, however
+much it may be battered, will protect the portcullis of the gate for
+some time against their fire.”
+
+“It is a good idea if we have time to carry it out, colonel. We have
+still four or five hours' daylight, and as I think that this is of even
+greater importance than the side walls, we will set the tenants to work
+at once, and it will save time if they take down the sacks, of which, as
+you say, we have an abundance.”
+
+A few minutes later a dozen active boys left the castle, and scattered
+to various points on the hills around, so as to command a view over a
+considerable extent of country. Soon after, some thirty carts went down
+the road accompanied by a number of men with shovels, and twenty of the
+garrison commanded by one of the old soldiers. All returned loaded with
+sacks of earth; these were taken into the castle, when the portcullis
+was lowered and the drawbridge across the fosse raised. An opening was
+left on the top to allow the sacks to be lowered into the space between
+the bridge and the portcullis. A score of men with ropes went on to the
+wall above and lowered them behind the drawbridge, where five or six men
+stowed them away. As soon as it became dark torches were lighted, and by
+ten o'clock a solid mass of sacks filled with earth were packed in the
+space between the portcullis and the drawbridge.
+
+The night passed off quietly, the horses and carts remaining beyond the
+fosse. Planks had been placed across one end of this, and the horses and
+carts taken over. The horses were picketed round the castle, a supply
+of forage being placed there for their use, while the carts were packed
+closely by the fosse, so as to form an obstacle to any of the assailants
+who might try to pass. At daybreak they were again run across the
+planks, the horses brought round and harnessed, the scouts being sent
+out as on the day before. All day the work went on, and by nightfall
+two walls twenty feet long and eight feet high, bristling with pointed
+staves, were erected. They stood some twenty feet back from the edge of
+the fosse, and extended from the wall to the verge of the precipice. The
+carts and horses had, before the walls were built, been taken round
+to the back of the castle, where the plateau extended some fifty yards
+beyond the defences. Evening was just coming on when the boys came in,
+two of them bringing a report that a great crowd of men could be seen
+approaching from the west.
+
+MacIntosh, with thirty men, were at once lowered down from the
+battlements, and took up their places in an intrenchment which had been
+during the day thrown up at the point where the road came up to the
+plateau, while a score of the tenants assembled at the edge of the
+cliff, where great piles of blocks of stone had been collected in
+readiness to throw down. Lighted torches were placed at intervals along
+the road, and three or four great cressets, holding balls of tow soaked
+in turpentine and oil, were set up on the edge of the plateau; these
+were to be lighted when the peasants attempted to mount the hill.
+
+An hour passed, and then a flame sprang up from a house and outbuildings
+in the valley, lighting up the ground around and showing that a great
+crowd was gathered on the road there.
+
+“How many should you say there were, MacIntosh?”
+
+“I should put them at four or five thousand.”
+
+“Yes, they are certainly not short of four thousand. What wild looking
+figures! They are just the same in appearance as those who attacked
+Madame de Blenfoix's chateau. See, they are lighting torches, and I
+expect they mean to make an attack at once. Their guns are with that
+group in the rear of the others; at any rate they will not be of any
+use in assisting them to make their way up this road. They are evidently
+working themselves up to a state of madness. There are half a dozen
+fellows addressing them from various points.”
+
+The men who had been brought down to guard the intrenchments at the head
+of the road were all armed with muskets, and carried in addition long
+pikes. Presently a roar of shouts and yells was heard, and then there
+was a rush on the part of the crowd towards the foot of the long ascent.
+
+Hector moved to the place where the tenants were posted.
+
+“Do not hurl a single stone down until I give you the word, nor light
+the cressets; the torches they carry will be quite sufficient for us
+to make them out, and the attack will be all the more successful if it
+comes as a surprise.”
+
+Then he returned to the breastwork. The men here had been posted by
+MacIntosh eight abreast. When the head of the column of insurgents
+were halfway up the hill they opened a scattered fire; they had armed
+themselves with the muskets they had taken from the troops.
+
+“Their guns will be of little use to them, for few of them can ever have
+had firearms in their hands before; do not fire a shot, MacIntosh, until
+I give the order. It is clear that someone must have told them that we
+have thrown up this intrenchment today, or they would not have wasted
+their ammunition.”
+
+Not a shot was fired until the leaders of the peasants were within forty
+yards. Up to this time no torches had been shown in the intrenchments,
+but now these were suddenly brought forward, and Hector, in his helmet
+and body armour, mounted on to the breastwork. The head of the column
+paused on seeing a row of levelled muskets and three rows of pikes
+forming a hedge of steel.
+
+“My men,” Hector shouted in a loud clear voice, “halt, I beseech you,
+before harm comes to you! I know that you have sore grievances, I know
+that you and your wives and families are well nigh famishing, but how do
+you think that you will better your condition by assaulting castles and
+burning down chateaux? You are but preparing labour for yourselves and
+heaping up fresh imposts on your own heads, for it is you who will have
+to rebuild them, it is you who will have to pay for the damage that
+you have done. At any rate, none can say that you have cause for enmity
+against me and mine, for I have done all in my power to mitigate the
+sufferings of my people, and the proof is that not one of them has
+joined you. The taxes that press so heavily upon you are not the work of
+your feudal lords, they are caused by the necessity for defending France
+against the assaults of foreign enemies, and were every noble in the
+land slain it would still be necessary that these taxes should
+be collected, unless France is to be overrun by the Spaniards and
+Austrians. I would fain abstain from spilling one drop of your blood,
+but I must defend myself if you attack me, and I warn you that, numerous
+as you are, you will not succeed in capturing my castle. I am a soldier
+of France, and as I have shed my blood in defending her against her
+enemies, so if you persist I shall not hesitate in shedding yours in my
+own defence. I implore you to disperse to your homes; even if you gain
+successes for a time, it would but draw down vengeance upon you.”
+
+The assailants had paused when he commenced to speak, and those in front
+had listened to his words, but those behind, not knowing what was going
+on, continued to shout and to press up the hill. As he finished speaking
+there was a yell of defiance, and the column rushed forward.
+
+“Aim low,” Hector shouted as he leapt down among his men, “fire!” Eight
+muskets flashed out. “Second line, fire! Now handle your pikes, the rear
+lines will reserve their fire.”
+
+Although ten or twelve of the leading rank of the insurgents had fallen,
+there was no pause among the others, and they rushed forward to the
+hedge of pikes.
+
+“Take charge here, MacIntosh; I will run and get the stones at work.” In
+half a minute he stood by the side of the tenants.
+
+“Heave then down!” he said. He had chosen a spot where the rock rose
+perpendicularly above the road. “Drop them over,” he said, “so that they
+may fall straight. The biggest you must roll over with your levers, but
+work them to the edge and let them topple over; don't thrust them out or
+they will bound over the road. Now!”
+
+Twenty rocks were dropped down together. Even above the din of shouting
+the crash as they fell below was heard, followed instantly by yells and
+cries.
+
+“Move farther on and give them another shower,” Hector said; and again
+the rocks fell on the crowded causeway. The first volley had caused a
+pause--numbers had been crushed, many of the stones as they rolled
+down the road had carried confusion to those below; the second volley
+completed their discomfiture. Appalled by a discharge against which
+they had no shelter and which was wholly unexpected, those near whom the
+stones had fallen turned, and in their panic swept those below them on
+the road down into the valley, many being overthrown and trampled to
+death. Ignorant of what was going on behind them, the crowd above the
+spot where the stones had fallen were still pressing upward, those in
+front hewing with their scythes and axes at the pikeheads.
+
+Hector ran back there. “The two rear ranks will now fire!” he said.
+
+The men dropped their pikes, and two volleys of musketry were poured
+into the insurgents. Those of the front line were swept away by the
+fire, and for a moment the whole recoiled.
+
+“Now, men,” Hector shouted, “cross the breastwork and sweep them away
+with your pikes!”
+
+With a cheer the men leapt over the embankment. There was room for ten
+abreast, and in a treble line with levelled spears they bore down upon
+the rebels. The charge was irresistible. A few of the leaders of the
+peasants threw themselves on to the spears and died there, the others
+strove, but in vain, to fly. Their comrades behind, ignorant of what was
+going on, still pressed up, and it was not until the screams and shouts
+of those in front, and the pressure downwards, brought the column to a
+stand and then bore it backward, that they learned that the defenders
+had taken the offensive, and were sweeping all before them. Then a panic
+arose, and the peasants rushed down the road, the tenants above saluting
+them as they passed with another volley of rocks. Halfway down the hill
+Hector halted his men, and led them up to the intrenchment again over a
+road encumbered with dead bodies.
+
+“I think that will do,” he said. “After the tale those who have got
+down safely will have to tell, we may be sure they will do nothing until
+morning, and it may well be that they may think it advisable to be off
+to attack some other place not so strongly defended. However, we will
+presently beat them up, and if possible capture their cannon, and
+without them they could not hope to take any fortified house well
+defended.”
+
+For a time there was a prodigious din in the valley, sounds of men
+shouting and quarrelling, of others trying in vain to make their voices
+heard, and to address the excited peasants. In an hour it quieted
+down, and by midnight all was still. Hector had been busy with his
+preparations.
+
+“How many horses have we?” he asked.
+
+“Well nigh a hundred, colonel.”
+
+“That is more than enough. Now, MacIntosh, do you and the men here go
+down the road and pitch the bodies over; we should never get the horses
+over them.”
+
+Then he went to where the tenants were still waiting. “Now, my lads,” he
+said, “I want a big gap made in one of these walls we built today, wide
+enough for a horse to pass through it, and strong planks laid across the
+fosse.” Then he ascended the ladder up to the battlements. He found the
+baroness and her daughter standing over the gateway.
+
+“Is all over?” they asked, as he came up to them.
+
+“Yes, for the present. We have beaten them handsomely, and without the
+loss of a single man.”
+
+“Will they attack again in the morning, do you think?”
+
+“I feel sure that they will not do so. You see, they relied upon their
+cannon for taking the chateau, and they find they are useless. I am
+going to make a sortie before daybreak, for I want to capture those
+cannon. So long as they hold them they will continue their work, and
+they may not always meet with so stout a resistance. The loss of their
+cannon will dishearten them, as well as lessen their power for evil. I
+shall take every man who can carry arms, and leave ten at the breastwork
+to defend it; but there is no chance whatever of their attempting to
+come up here while we are attacking them, so you need have no fear.”
+
+“We shall not be afraid, Colonel Campbell, our confidence in you is
+absolute; but do you not think that you are running a great risk in
+attacking a force some forty times as large as your own?”
+
+“One cannot call it a force, it is simply a mob, and a mob that has
+suffered a terrible repulse, and the loss of three or four hundred men
+tonight. We shall take them by surprise. I am going to mount all the
+tenants. MacIntosh tells me that they have all been drilled as cavalry
+as well as infantry. He, with the twenty men of the regular garrison on
+foot and ten of the tenants, will make straight for the guns. I shall
+be with the horsemen, and as soon as we have scattered the mob, we will
+harness the horses to the guns and bring them up here, so that I shall
+strengthen the castle as well as weaken the peasants.”
+
+The tenants were all informed of what was going to be done.
+
+“It will be to your benefit as well as ours,” he said, “for you may be
+sure that in the morning, if they give up the idea of again attacking
+us, they will scatter all over the estates and sack and burn every
+house, whereas if we succeed in dispersing them, no small portion of
+them will at once scatter to their homes, and the rest will take care
+not to come near this neighbourhood again.”
+
+At twelve o'clock MacIntosh sent a man to say that the road down was
+clear, and that three hundred and twenty dead bodies had been thrown
+over. At three o'clock in the morning the horses, round whose hoofs
+pieces of sacking had been tied, were led across the fosse. One of
+MacIntosh's sergeants was put in charge of the ten men who were to
+remain at the intrenchment, the castle being left entirely in the hands
+of the women and boys. The mounted tenants were eighty in number, all
+carrying long spears and swords. The torches had long since burnt out,
+and each man leading his horse went noiselessly down the road, MacIntosh
+with the footmen leading the way. They halted at the bottom of the
+road. There was no sound from the spot where the insurgents were lying
+a couple of hundred yards down the valley, fatigued by a very long march
+on the previous day, and the exertion of dragging the cannon, for only
+a few of these were horsed. Presently the day began to break, but not
+until it became light enough to see perfectly, did Hector give the order
+to mount, and leaping into the saddle prepared to lead them.
+
+The mounted men had been divided into four bands of twenty each. Paolo
+and the three troopers each took the command of a party. Hector's
+orders were: “Keep together until the peasants are in full flight, then
+separate in pursuit. The movement must be put down or the whole province
+will be ruined, therefore give no quarter, and pursue until your horses
+are tired, then return here. Now, MacIntosh, do you advance straight
+upon the guns; it is probable that they are all loaded, therefore carry
+them with a rush. The moment we see you engaged we will charge.”
+
+The horsemen were in single line, extending from side to side of the
+valley. Hector kept his eye upon MacIntosh's party. They were close
+to the guns before any of the sleepers awoke. Then there was a sudden
+shout, and numbers of the men rushed to the cannon. MacIntosh was there
+as soon as they were, and pouring in a volley rushed upon the guns. At
+the same moment Hector gave the word to charge, and with levelled spears
+the horsemen rode down into the midst of the crowd. Appalled by this
+sudden attack, which was wholly unexpected, the resistance was but
+slight. Many of the peasants at once threw away their arms and fled.
+Those who resisted were speared or overthrown by the horses. As the
+valley widened the four troops separated a little, each cutting a way
+for itself through the peasants. It was no longer a fight; and a wild
+panic seized upon the whole of the insurgents. Some rushed straight down
+the valley, others ran up the opposite hillside; but the slope here was
+gradual, and the horsemen were able to pursue.
+
+“Paolo, take your troop up the hill. Let the others keep straight
+down the valley.” And, heading these, Hector galloped on, shouting to
+MacIntosh to harness what teams there were to some of the guns and take
+them up to the top of the road, and then bring the horses back for some
+more.
+
+For two hours the pursuit continued. Occasionally a group of peasants
+gathered together and tried to stem the tide, but these were speedily
+overcome, the long spears bearing them down without their being able to
+strike a blow at the riders, and at the end of that time the insurgents
+were scattered over a wide extent of country, all flying for their
+lives. Hector now ordered trumpets to sound; he was soon joined by the
+other troops, and at a leisurely pace they rode back to their starting
+point. Not more than half the guns had as yet been taken up, for
+MacIntosh had found it necessary to put double teams to them in order to
+drag them up the steep road. The mounted men had all brought ropes with
+them, and, dismounting, eight yoked their horses to each gun, and in
+an hour the whole were brought up to the plateau, the drawbridge was
+lowered, the sacks of earth cleared away, and the portcullis raised, the
+gates thrown open, and the garrison filed into the courtyard, greeted by
+cries of welcome from the women.
+
+“I think that we have crushed the insurrection in this part of Poitou,”
+ Hector said to Madame de Blenfoix. “We have certainly killed six or
+seven hundred of them, and I am sure that the remainder will never
+rally. We will rest today, and tomorrow morning we will set to work
+to complete the defences of the chateau, so that it may be held by a
+comparatively small number of men.”
+
+The joy of the women was extreme when they found that not a single man
+had fallen, though a few had received gashes more or less severe. The
+next morning the whole of the men and boys set to work under Hector's
+directions. The intrenchment at the top of the road was greatly
+strengthened, an opening through which a cart could pass being left in
+the middle.
+
+A gun was placed on each side of this, and twenty sacks of earth laid
+down by the side of the opening, so that this in the course of a few
+minutes could be closed, and a gun placed close by run into position
+between the other two. The greater part of the men, however, were
+employed in raising a mound of stones and earth in front of the gateway,
+so as to cover this from the fire of any guns which, after the outward
+intrenchment had been stormed, might be brought up on to the plateau.
+The women, and even the children, assisted in the work by carrying
+earth, while men, with the horses and carts, brought stones up from the
+valley.
+
+It took a fortnight's hard work before the outwork was completed. It was
+twenty feet high, triangular in form, and solid in construction. Many
+of the tenants were accustomed to stonework; and while the rest of the
+bastion was constructed of rough stones mixed with earth, a parapet four
+feet thick, of roughly dressed stones, was carried along on the crest
+of the two outward sides. Four guns were mounted here; the rest of the
+cannon were placed on the outer wall instead of the honeycombed guns
+before in position, and the castle was thus prepared to stand a regular
+siege.
+
+Hector remained for a week after the work was completed, paid the
+tenants liberally for the services they had rendered, and dismissed them
+to their homes, for the terrible blow that had been inflicted upon them
+had so cowed the peasants that order had been completely restored in
+that part of Poitou. Then, after taking an affectionate adieu of Madame
+de Blenfoix and her daughter, he rode back to Paris, where he remained
+for two months.
+
+At the end of that time, being heartily tired of the frivolity and
+intrigues, and disgusted at the immorality of the court, he obtained
+leave from Mazarin to rejoin his regiment, as the campaign might be
+expected to open shortly again. The cardinal had warmly congratulated
+him upon the suppression of the insurrection in Poitou, of which he had
+received full details from his agents long before Hector reached Paris.
+
+“I have always exhorted the officers and the troops engaged in putting
+down these risings to spill no more blood than is absolutely necessary.
+But it needed a great lesson, such as you have given them. Otherwise, as
+soon as the troops were withdrawn the peasants would rise again.”
+
+Turenne had also been in Paris, and had strongly represented to Mazarin
+the necessity for the armies of France and Sweden in Germany acting
+together, since while they were acting separately, and at great
+distances apart, the Austrians and Bavarians could unite and crush the
+one, while the other could offer it no assistance. It was owing to
+this that the conquests made by the troop of France and Weimar had been
+repeatedly wrested from them. The cardinal listened to his advice,
+and determined to bring about a union between the two armies of the
+confederation. In the meantime a conference was going on at Munster
+between the representatives of the various conflicting powers, but each
+put forward such exorbitant demands that no progress was made.
+
+The Duke of Bavaria, indignant at the small support that Austria had
+given him, was playing off France against the latter power. Mazarin
+was persuaded that he was only waiting for an opportunity to desert the
+Imperialist cause, and therefore ordered Turenne not to cross the Rhine,
+as the duke had promised that he would remain neutral unless the French
+advanced into Germany, when the feelings of his subjects might force him
+to take the field again on the side of Austria.
+
+Turenne was therefore ordered to besiege Luxembourg. The marshal,
+however, had no belief in the Bavarian promises, and on arriving on the
+Rhine early in April, and seeing that were he to march with his army
+away to Luxembourg the cause of France and Germany would be lost, he
+continued to make various excuses for not moving, until the Duke of
+Bavaria, having obtained many concessions from Austria, threw off
+the mask, and marching with his army joined that of the emperor in
+Franconia. Thus the whole Imperial forces were posted between the French
+and the Swedes.
+
+Turenne saw that his only hope of success would be to effect a juncture
+with the Swedes, and wrote to the cardinal to that effect; then, without
+waiting for an answer, he set his army in motion. A tremendous circuit
+had to be made. He forded the Moselle six leagues above Coblenz, the
+bridges over the Rhine being all in possession of the enemy, marched up
+into Holland, and obtained permission from the king to cross at Wesel,
+which he reached after fourteen days' march. Crossing the Rhine on the
+15th of July he marched through the country of La Mark, and through
+Westphalia, and on the 10th of August joined the Swedes under General
+Wrangel, who had received news of his coming, and had intrenched himself
+so strongly that the enemy, who had arrived before him, did not venture
+to attack him. The enemy now fell back at once and encamped near
+Freiburg. Their army was superior in force to that of the allies, they
+having fourteen thousand horse and ten thousand foot, while the allies
+had but ten thousand horse and seven thousand foot. The allies had,
+however, sixty pieces of cannon against fifty of the Imperialists.
+The allies advanced to Freiburg and offered battle, but the Archduke
+Leopold, who commanded the Imperialists, declined to come out of the
+great intrenchments he had thrown up round his camp.
+
+Turenne then marched towards the Maine, and, halting ten leagues from
+Mayence, sent for the infantry, of which he had left a portion there,
+to join him. The whole force of the allies was now united, and took
+many towns. As, however, they were still inferior in force to the
+Imperialists, Turenne refused to weaken himself by placing garrisons in
+these places, contenting himself with blowing up the fortifications of
+some and carrying off the principal inhabitants of others as hostages.
+The Imperialist army still remained inactive, and Turenne was able
+therefore to turn his attention to Bavaria. Crossing the Rhine at
+Donauwurth he besieged Augsburg and Rain. The latter place was captured,
+but the former, being reinforced by fifteen hundred men, held out
+stoutly, and it was necessary to open trenches and proceed in regular
+form against it. The Duke of Bavaria, greatly alarmed at this invasion
+of his dominions, sent off message after message to the emperor,
+complaining of the manner in which the Imperial army remained inactive,
+leaving the allies to employ their whole force against him. He
+threatened that unless the army advanced at once to his assistance he
+would make terms with France. Imperative orders were thereupon sent to
+the archduke to move against the French. The allies fell back, as his
+force was greatly superior to theirs, and the archduke took up a strong
+position, intending to force the allies to retire into Franconia as soon
+as the country round them was exhausted.
+
+Turenne and Wrangel divined his purpose, and although it was now the
+beginning of November and snow was on the ground, they marched
+against him. On arriving near his camp they found that it was strongly
+fortified, and could be attacked only by passing behind great marshes
+and defiles. Changing their intentions, they left two thousand horse in
+front of his camp, making believe that they intended to attack him, then
+marched with all haste to the Lech and advanced against Landsberg, which
+they took by assault. In the city were the principal magazines of the
+Imperialist army, and the allies, finding sufficient provisions there to
+last for six months, encamped round the city and decided to winter there
+unless attacked, in the meantime sending out bodies of cavalry, which
+levied contributions up to the very gates of Munich. Leopold, thus
+deprived of his magazines, retired with the Austrian contingent, and the
+Bavarians returned home.
+
+The Duke of Bavaria, finding that his whole dominions would be captured
+unless he made terms, therefore opened negotiations, and on the 14th of
+March, 1646, peace was signed, the terms being that he should separate
+himself entirely from the empire and deliver five of his fortresses to
+the allies, who would thus, should he again break his word, have means
+of access into his dominions. The allied forces were now in a condition
+to march upon Vienna. They had during the winter plundered a large
+portion of Bavaria; they and their horses had recovered from their
+fatigue, and their force now amounted to fourteen thousand foot and
+twenty thousand horse. At this moment, when the Imperialists believed
+that all was lost, for without the assistance of Bavaria they could put
+no army in the field that could hope to make head against the allies,
+Mazarin interposed and saved Austria from destruction.
+
+The Catholic powers had long been privately urging upon him the danger
+that would arise should Austria be crushed. The Swedes would acquire
+very large accessions of territory, the Protestant German princes, their
+allies, would similarly benefit, and Protestantism would become the
+dominant religion in Germany. Such would, indeed, have undoubtedly been
+the case had the allies marched to Vienna and dictated terms of peace
+there. An order was therefore sent to Turenne to march with his army to
+Flanders, where the Spaniards were gaining great advantages, as Enghien,
+now become Prince of Conde by the death of his father, had been sent
+into Catalonia with the greater portion of his army. Turenne, foreseeing
+that his German regiments would refuse to march to Flanders, leaving
+their own country open to invasion and plunder by the Imperialists,
+warmly opposed the plan, and sent messenger after messenger to the
+cardinal urging him to countermand the order. The friends of Bavaria and
+the Catholic princes urged strongly upon the queen that the continuance
+of the war would utterly destroy the Catholic religion in Germany, and
+that the Swedes alone would reap advantage from the fall of the house
+of Austria. Moved by their arguments and those of Mazarin to the same
+effect, she supported the latter, and peremptory orders were sent to
+Turenne to march to Flanders, where matters were going from bad to
+worse. Turenne obeyed them, captured on his march towards the Rhine
+several towns and fortresses, destroying their fortifications so that
+they would not be able to oppose him if he returned to Germany. But
+on arriving on the Rhine his anticipations of trouble were fulfilled.
+General Rosen, whose blunder had been the cause of the disaster at
+Marienthal, and who had since his return from captivity persistently
+worked in opposition to Turenne, fomented discontent among the troops of
+Weimar, and directly they crossed the Rhine they absolutely refused
+to advance. They had just cause for complaint; they had fought with
+distinguished valour, and they alone had saved the French army from
+suffering crushing defeat at Nordlingen; their pay was six months in
+arrear, and the proposal now that they should leave their own country
+and fight in Flanders was naturally most repugnant to them. They at
+once marched away towards Strasburg. Turenne followed them with three
+thousand infantry, four French regiments of horse, and the only one of
+the Weimar cavalry that had remained faithful to him, and came up just
+as they were about to recross the Rhine.
+
+Partly by entreaties, partly by showing his confidence in them, by
+putting himself wholly in their power, the marshal induced a portion of
+the Weimar cavalry to return to their duty. General Rosen, who was to a
+large extent responsible for the mutiny, was arrested and imprisoned
+at Philippsburg, the rest of the mutineers rode away with the loss of a
+portion of their number, and joined the Swedes. After this the order for
+Turenne to march to Flanders was countermanded.
+
+The war languished for a few months, the Imperialists were defeated
+after a hard fought cavalry battle by Turenne and the Swedes, and the
+country was overrun by the latter, whose horsemen raided almost up to
+Innsbruck. But all parties were growing weary of the conflict, which had
+now lasted thirty years. It had inflicted incredible suffering upon
+all who were concerned in it, and had produced no important results
+whatever, except that it had prevented the entire crushing out of
+Protestantism in Germany, and the peace conference for the first time
+began to work in earnest.
+
+At last, after Bavaria had been wasted from end to end, and the duke
+driven into exile, peace was concluded, the emperor yielding every
+point demanded by France, as he saw plainly enough that unless he did
+so Turenne's army would be at the gates of Vienna at the commencement
+of the next campaign, and in October, 1648, hostilities ceased. Turenne
+went to Munster and acted as the French negotiator in arranging the
+peace, to which his genius, steadfast determination, and the expenditure
+of his own means, by which he had kept the army on foot, had so largely
+contributed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX: AN OLD SCORE
+
+
+Hector was not present with the army during the last three campaigns of
+the war. He had joined Turenne in April, 1646, and shared in the general
+disappointment when the order was received that the army was not to
+cross the Rhine, because Bavaria had promised to remain neutral if it
+did not do so.
+
+“I cannot think,” the marshal said to him a day or two after he received
+the order--for he had always maintained the same pleasant relations with
+Hector that had subsisted between them in Italy, and placed the most
+entire confidence in the discretion of the young colonel--“how Mazarin
+can allow Bavaria to hoodwink him. Indeed, I cannot believe that he is
+really deceived; he must know that that crafty old fox the duke is not
+to be relied upon in any way, and that he is merely trying to save time.
+'Tis hard indeed to see us powerless to move, now that the season for
+campaigning is just opening, and when by advancing we could cut the
+Bavarians off from Austria. As to besieging Luxembourg, it would be but
+a waste of time, for before we could open a trench we should hear that
+the duke has again declared against us, and we should have to hurry back
+with all speed.”
+
+It was, indeed, but a fortnight later that the news came that the
+Bavarians were on the move to join the Imperialists, and a fortnight
+later it was known that the two armies had effected their junction.
+Turenne at once collected his troops from the towns and villages where
+they were placed, and marched to Mayence.
+
+“I am going to send you to Paris, Campbell,” he said on the evening
+of their arrival there. “All is lost if the enemy, now united, throw
+themselves upon the Swedes, and I have resolved to take upon myself the
+responsibility of marching round through Holland and joining Wrangel.
+There is, of course, risk in such an expedition, and the cardinal may
+object very strongly to my undertaking such a movement, especially as
+it will leave the frontier of France virtually unguarded, but I have no
+fear that evil consequences will arise. The enemy will not hear of
+my march until ten days after I have started, and even then they will
+probably suppose that we have gone to Flanders. By the time they
+find out what my intentions are, it will be too late for them to take
+advantage of my absence.
+
+“Even then they would have to storm Philippsburg or some other strong
+place before they could cross the Rhine, and before they could do that
+Wrangel and I would be at their heels. Moreover, as they would know
+that, instead of pursuing them, we might, after effecting a junction,
+make straight for Vienna, and that no army could be got together to
+oppose us, I consider that the movement is a perfectly safe one. Now,
+I am going to send you to Mazarin with my despatch telling him of my
+intention. I am choosing you for the purpose, because you will be able
+to explain and enforce the reasons that I have given him. He has a high
+opinion of you, and will listen to you when perhaps he would not pay
+any regard to Rosen or any other of these Weimar officers I might send.
+Remember that there is no occasion for extreme hurry,” and he smiled.
+“Of course it is necessary that you should travel with a certain amount
+of speed, but do not founder your horse. Every day is of value to me,
+and if I am once well on my way north Mazarin could hardly recall me.
+
+“Say that you take five days to get to Paris, by that time I should
+be north of Cologne, and a courier from Mazarin can hardly overtake me
+until I am in Holland, I should then feel justified in disregarding the
+order, seeing that I should by pushing on effect a junction with the
+Swedes quite as quickly as I could return here. Of course it would be
+too late for you to overtake me, and I shall give you a written order
+to remain in Paris until I am again so near the Rhine that you can join
+your regiment. I consider that it will be an advantage to have you near
+the cardinal, as, knowing my intentions and methods as you do, you would
+be able to so explain matters to him that he will understand the reasons
+for my various movements.”
+
+“Very well marshal, I am ready to start as soon as you hand me the
+despatch.”
+
+“I will do that tomorrow morning, and you will then be able to tell
+Mazarin that we were just setting out when you left us.”
+
+“As it will be some time before I shall rejoin my regiment, may I ask
+you to appoint Captain de Thiou as second colonel? He has now served as
+senior captain of the regiment for three years. He aided me heartily and
+cordially in organizing it. He has seconded me throughout in a manner
+of which I cannot speak too highly, and distinguished himself greatly
+at Freiburg, and on every occasion in which we have been in contact with
+the enemy. I think it very desirable that there should be an officer of
+rank superior to the others while I am away; and both for the sake of
+the regiment, and as a reward for the merit and conduct of Captain de
+Thiou himself, I should be very glad were he promoted and should feel
+that the regiment would in no way deteriorate during my absence.”
+
+“Certainly, Campbell, I will carry out your recommendation. He has
+fairly earned his promotion, and as you say, it is better in your
+absence that the regiment should be led by an officer of rank above the
+others, and not by a captain having but a very slight seniority to some
+of them. Doubtless you will be saying goodbye to the officers tonight.
+I authorize you to inform de Thiou that he will be placed in orders
+tomorrow morning as second colonel of the regiment.”
+
+“I did not think that we were likely to be back in Paris before next
+winter, master,” Paolo said rather discontentedly when Hector told him
+that they were to start early next morning.
+
+“Nor did I, Paolo, and I should very much rather have remained with the
+regiment; but as the marshal is good enough to consider that my presence
+there may be of advantage to him, I have of course nothing to say
+against it.”
+
+There was great regret among the officers when they heard that their
+colonel was not going to lead them, but all were pleased that de Thiou,
+who was a general favourite, had obtained promotion. That officer was at
+once surprised and gratified at the news, for it was not often that men
+without strong family interest rose to the rank of colonel.
+
+“I know that this is your doing,” he said gratefully. “I never expected
+to get above my present rank, and I am sure that I should never have
+done so had it not been for you.”
+
+“You thoroughly deserve it, de Thiou, for it was by your support that
+I was enabled, when I first joined, to introduce reforms, and get the
+officers to take upon themselves more work and responsibilities, and
+thus make the regiment what it is. I hope I shall rejoin before the end
+of the campaign. This may be the last, for now that they have begun the
+peace conference at Munster, something must surely come of it sooner or
+later, for all parties must be thoroughly sick of this long and terrible
+war, which has ruined Germany and impoverished France, and from which
+neither party, after nigh thirty years of fighting, has gained any
+material advantage. At any rate it will be a great satisfaction to me
+to know that the regiment is in your hands. I know that during the time
+that I have been away this winter things have gone on satisfactorily;
+but it is clearly impossible for an officer to keep a regiment well
+in hand when, as in your case, your appointment was only a day or two
+earlier than that of some of the others. You are likely to have some
+stiff marching now, for only one other infantry regiment besides ours
+will accompany the cavalry, the rest will remain here until they get
+an opportunity of rejoining. Of course I shall take Paolo and my four
+mounted troopers back with me to Paris. I may probably send them on to
+la Villar, as it is not likely that I shall need them at court.”
+
+On the evening of the fifth day after leaving Mayence Hector arrived in
+Paris, and alighted at the cardinal's hotel.
+
+“So you are again a bearer of despatches, Monsieur Campbell,” the
+cardinal said, as Hector entered his apartment. “They need be important,
+or the marshal would hardly have sent you with them.”
+
+“They are, as you will see, important, your eminence, but I am sent
+rather to explain further than the marshal could do in a letter his
+reasons for the step that he has taken. As you have learned long before
+this, the Duke of Bavaria has proved false to his promises. He has
+effected a junction with the Imperialist army, and the marshal has news
+that both are marching against the Swedes, who are in no strength to
+show fight against so great a force.”
+
+The cardinal opened the despatch, and read it in silence.
+
+“'Tis a grave step for the marshal to have taken without orders,” he
+said, frowning; “and do you mean to say that he has already started on
+this expedition?”
+
+“The troops had fallen into their ranks when I started, and by this time
+they must be well on their way towards Holland. There was no time, sir,
+for the marshal to await a reply to the despatch. The matter was most
+urgent, every day was of importance, for if the Swedes fell back, as
+they might do, before the archduke, the latter would be able to overrun
+all northern Germany, to capture the towns of the Protestant princes,
+break up their confederation, and compel them to give in their
+submission; for Turenne with his small force would be powerless to
+interfere with their operations, even if by pressing after them with all
+speed he arrived within striking distance.”
+
+“And think you that he will reach Wrangel in time?”
+
+“He hopes so, sir. He sent off a messenger before starting, with orders
+to buy fresh horses at all cost at each halting place, to carry the news
+as quickly as possible to Wrangel that he was on his way to join him,
+and imploring him to intrench himself in some strong position until he
+should come up.
+
+“How long hence will that be?”
+
+“The march will be pressed forward with all speed, your eminence, with
+such delays only as may be needed to keep the horses in such a state
+that they may be ready for fighting as soon as they join the Swedes. He
+hopes to be there in a month from the day of starting.”
+
+“And in the meantime,” Mazarin said, “France is open to invasion.
+He says, indeed, that the Imperialists would hardly venture to march
+hitherward, as thereby they in turn would leave it open to him and the
+Swedes to march into the heart of Austria.”
+
+“Assuredly that is so, sir. The archduke will hardly get news that
+Marshal Turenne has moved until he has been some ten or twelve days on
+his march, and even when he hears it he will not know in what direction
+he has gone, but may think it likely that he either intends to seize
+Luxembourg or to reinforce your army in Flanders. By the time they
+discover his true object he will be within a week's march of the Swedes,
+possibly less than that. It will be too late for them then to think
+of marching to the Rhine. If they consider themselves strong enough to
+fight the marshal and the Swedes together, they will do so at once; if
+they fear to give battle, still more would they fear to be attacked by
+him when entering a country where they would have him in their rear,
+and be hemmed in between him and the Rhine, not to speak of the risk of
+leaving Austria open to invasion, should he, instead of pursuing them,
+direct his march thither. If I might presume to judge, I should say that
+the expedition that the marshal has undertaken is at once worthy of his
+military genius, and will at the same time do far more to ensure the
+safety of the Rhine provinces than he could do were he to remain there
+with his small army until the Imperialists, having chased the Swedes out
+of the country and reduced northern Germany, turned their whole forces
+against him.”
+
+“I see, Monsieur Campbell,” the cardinal said, turning the subject,
+“that you have been five days coming here from Mayence. It is a very
+different rate of speed to that at which you traveled from Rocroi.”
+
+“It is so, your eminence; but on that occasion the Duc d'Enghien had
+placed relays of his best horses all along the road, so that we were
+enabled to travel without making a halt.”
+
+“And moreover, my dear colonel,” Mazarin said, “Turenne, far from urging
+you to haste, was desirous of getting so far before he received my
+answer as to render it impossible for me to recall him.”
+
+“I cannot think that your eminence would do that. It is a grand
+enterprise, and almost without precedent in point both of daring and in
+the great advantages to be gained from it.”
+
+“And Turenne thought that by sending you, you would be able to assist
+him in persuading me to regard it favourably. Well, well, it is
+certainly too late to recall him now. He has taken the responsibility
+upon himself, and must stand or fall by the result. And now in the
+first place are you going to hurry back again or are you going to remain
+here?”
+
+“My regiment is one of those that he has taken with him, sir, and as I
+could not hope to overtake him he has requested me to remain here until
+I receive orders from him.”
+
+“We shall be gainers so far,” the cardinal said cordially, “and I am
+sure that from your knowledge of the country and of Turenne's methods
+your advice upon military matters will be of great service to us. I must
+now go and report to the queen this sudden change in the situation, and
+if she disapproves of it I shall tell her that if she will but listen
+to you, you will convert her to the view that this escapade of the
+marshal's is all for the best, and seems likely indeed to retrieve the
+position that has been caused by the treachery of Bavaria.”
+
+During his stay in Paris Hector soon found that intrigue was more
+rampant than ever. The Duke of Beaufort and others who had been
+implicated in the plot on Mazarin's life had been pardoned and had
+returned to Paris, and as the lesson that had been given them had taught
+them prudence, they were now openly on good terms with the court. They
+were secretly, however, intriguing with the parliament of Paris, which
+was now bitterly opposed to Mazarin, had refused to register some of
+his decrees, and had even forced him to dismiss his superintendent of
+finance, an Italian named Emeri. The latter had imposed taxes at his
+will to satisfy his extravagance and avarice, had raised the octroi
+duty, made the sale of firewood a monopoly, and in various ways had
+incurred the indignation and hatred of the Parisians.
+
+Mazarin's own greed had been in no slight degree the cause of his
+unpopularity; he who had come to France a penniless priest was now the
+owner of great estates. It was even said that much of the money that
+should have been devoted to the needs of the army had been privately
+sent into Italy by him, and throughout the country it was felt to be
+scandalous that while the deepest distress was universal on account of
+the weight of taxation, these two Italians should be piling up wealth
+for themselves. But, avaricious as he was, the cardinal was lavish
+in his expenditure among his friends and adherents; honours, titles,
+dignities, and estates were freely bestowed upon them, and he did not
+hesitate to pay any sum that would gain him the support of those whose
+aid he deemed to be essential. Madame de Chevreuse was again at court,
+and was, as she had always been, the centre of the intrigues that were
+going on. One evening she made a sign for Hector to take a place by her
+side. She had taken a fancy to the young Scottish colonel on the evening
+when he had been first introduced to her, and was always gracious to him
+now.
+
+“Monsieur le baron,” she said in a low tone, “do you think that the air
+of Paris agrees with you as well as that of the army?”
+
+He felt from the manner in which she spoke, that she meant more than she
+said.
+
+“So far, madam, it has not disagreed with me,” he said; “and even did
+it do so I should not be able to leave it, as I have orders to remain
+here.”
+
+“By the way, monsieur,” she said, changing the subject of conversation,
+“it is whispered that that party of pleasure to which you took the
+officers of your regiment at St. Germain did not come off, at least none
+of the landlords of the hotels there can recall any such gathering, and
+it is even said that your falling in with the carriage of the Duke of
+Orleans was not altogether an accident. I only mention the reports; of
+course, it was a matter of no moment whether your party dined at St.
+Germain or at Sevres. But sometimes misapprehensions of this kind
+lead to trouble, especially when they happen a few days before serious
+events. I like you, Colonel Campbell, and that is why I have mentioned
+this; you understand me, I have no doubt;” and, turning to a gentleman
+who had at that moment approached her, she entered into a lively
+conversation with him, and Hector rose, and with the words, “Thank you,
+madam,” bowed, and moved away.
+
+It was easy to understand her meaning. Beaufort and the conspirators
+whose plan he had thwarted, and who had suffered imprisonment and exile
+thereby, had in some way discovered that it was to him that they owed
+their failure and disgrace. At the moment his explanation and that of
+his officers had deceived them, but doubtless someone whose connection
+with the plot was unsuspected had instituted inquiries, found that the
+party he had spoken of had not taken place, and had at once come to
+the conclusion that he had in some way discovered their intentions, had
+really ridden out with his officers to furnish a guard to Mazarin, and
+had afterwards acquainted him with what he had discovered. Doubtless,
+as Madame de Chevreuse had warned him, the air of Paris was at present
+dangerously unwholesome for him. He had been the means of bringing
+disgrace and punishment upon the Duc de Vendome and the Duke of
+Beaufort, two of the most powerful nobles in France, and a host of their
+friends.
+
+It was probable that they only recently assured themselves that it was
+he who had thwarted their plans; had it been otherwise he would scarcely
+have escaped their vengeance the last time that he was in Paris. Now,
+from what Madame de Chevreuse had said, he had no doubt whatever that
+some plot would be made against his life. He might thwart one such
+attempt, but others would follow. He resolved to lay the matter before
+the cardinal and take his advice. Accordingly he waited until he was
+leaving; several gentlemen of his suite accompanied him, and at the
+entrance to the Louvre the men of the cardinal's guard fell in on either
+side. When they reached Mazarin's hotel Hector moved up to him.
+
+“Can I have a few words with you, your eminence?”
+
+“Certainly, Colonel Campbell; I never retire to bed till long past
+midnight. It is something serious, I see,” he said quickly as they
+entered his apartment, where a number of candles were burning, and he
+obtained a full view of Hector's face. “Another plot?”
+
+“Not against your eminence; it is a matter which concerns myself only.
+I have been warned tonight that my share in the last affair has been
+discovered, that inquiries have been made at St. Germain, and that the
+various innkeepers have declared that no party of officers dined there
+that morning, and that it was therefore concluded that our presence
+behind your carriage was not accidental. They no doubt guessed that
+it was I who discovered the plot, in consequence of which so many were
+arrested and exiled. I have been distinctly warned that the air of Paris
+is unwholesome for me.”
+
+“Who warned you?” the cardinal said abruptly.
+
+“It would not be fair of me to mention the name, but it is at any rate
+one who is of Beaufort's party.”
+
+“Ah!” the cardinal said sharply, “I noticed you sitting for a few
+minutes by Madame de Chevreuse. Never mind, I will respect your
+confidence. I can well understand, after what you have said, that there
+is great danger here, and it is a danger from which it is well nigh
+impossible to protect you, unless you take up your residence here and
+never stir abroad. Nor do I know that you would be safer with the army;
+an assassin's knife can reach a man as easily in a camp as in a city,
+and with perhaps less risk of detection. Neither Beaufort nor Vendome
+are men to forget or forgive an injury, and they have scores of
+fellows who would for a few crowns murder anyone they indicated, and of
+gentlemen of higher rank who, although not assassins, would willingly
+engage you in a duel, especially those who suffered in the plot that you
+discovered. Frankly, what do you think yourself?”
+
+“I might retire to la Villar, cardinal. I should be safe there in my own
+castle.”
+
+“So long as you did not leave it; but a man with a musket in ambush
+behind a hedge might cut your career short. It is probable enough that
+you are watched, and in that case I should doubt whether you would ever
+get to la Villar, nor do I think that if you left for the Rhine you
+would get halfway. Now you see, Monsieur Campbell, that your cause is
+mine, and that your safety touches me as if it were my own, for it was
+in my service that you incurred the danger. I must think the matter
+over. In the meantime I beg of you to sleep here tonight. I will send
+word to your servant that you will not return. I could of course send
+a guard with you to your hotel, but some of the servants there may
+have been bribed to murder you as you slept. I can look after myself; I
+seldom leave the house except to go to the Louvre, and I never go even
+that short distance without a guard, but it is much more difficult to
+protect you.”
+
+“I have my own bodyguard, your excellency--four stout Scotch soldiers
+and my lackey, Paolo, who is a good swordsman also; and as it does not
+seem to me that I should be safer elsewhere than here, I shall at any
+rate stay for a time. I should imagine that the warning was a general
+one. They have just found out that I had a hand in thwarting their plot
+against you, and I dare say used threats; but the threats of angry men
+come very often to nothing; and at any rate, I do not choose that they
+should obtain the satisfaction of driving me from Paris against my
+will.”
+
+The cardinal shook his head. “You see, monsieur, that Beaufort is a man
+who hesitates at nothing. A scrupulous person would hardly endeavour to
+slay a cardinal, who is also the minister of France, in the streets of
+Paris in broad daylight. He is capable of burning down the Pome d'Or,
+and all within it, in order to obtain revenge on you. I feel very uneasy
+about you. However, sleep may bring counsel, and we will talk it over
+again in the morning.”
+
+“Have you thought of anything, Monsieur Campbell?” Mazarin asked when
+they met in the morning.
+
+“I have not, sir, save to go on trusting to my own sword and my
+followers.”
+
+“I can think of nothing,” the cardinal said, “save to send an order to
+Turenne for two companies of your regiment to march hither, where, on
+their arrival, you will receive orders to proceed with them to your
+castle of la Villar, and to use them in the king's service in repressing
+all troubles that may occur in Poitou. What say you to that?”
+
+“I would not deprive her majesty of two hundred of her best soldiers
+to guard me from what may not be after all a very real danger. My own
+conclusions, after thinking it over this morning, are that I will remain
+here for a time, trusting to my friends and my own sword. If a serious
+attempt is made on my life I could then consider whether it would be
+best to withdraw myself, and if so, whither to go; but I will not run
+away merely on a vague hint that my life is in danger. I have faced
+death in battle many times, and this danger can hardly be considered
+as more serious. I imagine that in the first case some of the
+duke's followers will force me into a duel, before proceeding to try
+assassination, and although doubtless he has some good blades among his
+friends, I do not think that I need to feel uneasy on that score. I was
+always practising with my sword as a boy. Since I have been in the army
+I have spent a good deal of my time, when in winter quarters, in such
+practice with my own officers, and with any maitres d'armes in the towns
+where I have been, and while in Italy had the opportunity of learning
+much, for there are fine fencers there.”
+
+“So be it, then,” Mazarin said. “But if matters go to extremes, remember
+that I consider myself responsible for you. I believe that you saved my
+life, and although there are many things that men say against me, none
+have ever charged me with ingratitude. If I can protect you in no other
+way I shall have you arrested, sent to the frontier, that is to say, to
+the sea frontier, and put on board ship and sent to England or Scotland,
+as you choose, with a chest containing a sum that will suffice to
+purchase any estate you may choose there.
+
+“I am in earnest,” he went on as Hector was about to answer. “It is
+for my own sake as much as yours; when my friends are attacked I am
+attacked, and I am doubly bound in your case. It needs but a stroke of
+my pen to make you a duke and lord of half a province; and if I cannot
+do that here, because you would still be within reach of your enemies, I
+can, as far as the estates go, do it for you abroad. Do not fail to let
+me know each day if anything new takes place.”
+
+Hector felt that there was no more to say, and bowing, left the
+cardinal's presence and went out. Paolo and Macpherson were waiting
+outside.
+
+“The cardinal's messenger, who brought the news last night that you
+would not return, master,” the former said when he saw by Hector's look
+of surprise that he had not expected to see him there, “said also that
+I and one of your men had best be here at eight this morning and wait
+until you came out.”
+
+“I did not know that he had sent such a message, Paolo, but I will when
+we get to the hotel tell you why he sent it.”
+
+The street was somewhat crowded, and Hector had gone but a short
+distance when he saw three gentlemen, who he knew to be intimates of
+the Duke of Beaufort, coming in the other direction. One of them was
+Monsieur de Beauvais, who said in a loud tone to his companions just as
+Hector was passing:
+
+“That is the Scotchman whom the cardinal employs to do his dirty
+business.”
+
+Hector faced round at once. “At any rate, Monsieur de Beauvais, the
+Scotchman in question is not employed by the cardinal as an assassin,
+which is an even more dishonourable post.”
+
+De Beauvais turned white with anger. “Behind the Luxembourg in an hour's
+time, Monsieur de Villar.”
+
+“I shall be there,” Hector said coldly. He paused a minute, after the
+three gentlemen, with the customary salute, walked on. He did not like
+to go to the Hotel Mazarin lest the cardinal should obtain news of what
+was going to take place, so he waited in the neighbourhood, knowing that
+some of Mazarin's personal friends would be sure to arrive about this
+hour. Presently he saw a colonel who, like himself, was spending the
+winter in Paris, and who frequently attended the cardinal's levees.
+
+“Colonel de Serres, as a fellow soldier I have a service to ask of you.”
+
+“I am entirely at your disposal, Monsieur Campbell.”
+
+“I have just had a quarrel forced upon me by Monsieur de Beauvais, and
+I have to meet him in fifty minutes' time at the back of the Luxembourg.
+As he was in company with two gentlemen, the Comte de Marplat and
+Monsieur de Vipont, I shall be glad if you would kindly act as my
+second, and if you can find another officer who would do so, I shall be
+glad of his services also.”
+
+“I shall be glad to support you, Monsieur Campbell, and can lay my hand
+on another second at once, for here comes my friend and yours, Monsieur
+Emile de Chavigny, who will, like myself, be charmed to be concerned in
+any affair against the duke's friends.”
+
+De Chavigny, whom Hector had seen at the court on the previous day
+for the first time since they had parted in Italy, agreed at once to
+Hector's request.
+
+“De Beauvais has the reputation of being a good swordsman, Campbell,”
+ he said as they walked together towards the Luxembourg, Paolo and his
+companion having now returned to the inn at his master's order; “but I
+should say that he will want all his skill now. You were by far the best
+swordsman among us when you left us suddenly in the south, and doubtless
+since then your skill will not have fallen off.”
+
+“No, I know a good deal more than I knew then, Chavigny. There were few
+days when we were in winter quarters that I had not an hour's work in
+the fencing school with the officers of my regiment, and whenever I
+heard that there was a professor of the art I have never failed to
+frequent his salon and to learn his favourite strokes.”
+
+“That is all right, then. We need have no fear whatever as to the
+result.”
+
+They reached the point fixed upon a minute or two before the clock
+struck, and just as it chimed de Beauvais and his friends made their
+appearance. The seconds exchanged a few words and selected a piece of
+ground for the encounter, the principals at once removed their doublets
+and faced each other.
+
+“This is a duel a la mort,” de Beauvais said in a loud voice.
+
+“For that I am quite prepared,” Hector said quietly; “but you are likely
+to find, Monsieur de Beauvais, that it is not so easy a thing to
+kill the colonel of one of her majesty's regiments as it is to stab a
+churchman in his carriage.”
+
+De Beauvais at once took up his position, and, without the parade of
+courtesy that usually preceded an encounter, fell furiously upon Hector.
+The latter did not give way a step. With a wrist of iron he put aside
+half a dozen thrusts, and then lunging, ran de Beauvais through the
+body, his sword hilt striking against his adversary's chest.
+
+De Beauvais' two seconds ran forward as their principal fell. “He is
+dead,” one said as they knelt over him. Then rising he addressed Hector:
+“Monsieur le Colonel Campbell,” he said, “I claim satisfaction at your
+hands, for I take it that your words applied to me as well as to de
+Beauvais, though addressed only to him.”
+
+“You may take it so,” Hector replied coldly, “for you were also at that
+house in the Rue St. Honore on that occasion you know of.”
+
+Hector's two seconds endeavoured to interpose, but he said: “Gentlemen,
+I must ask you to let the matter go on. This is no ordinary duel. These
+gentlemen, with whom I have no personal animosity, have picked a quarrel
+with me at the request of one higher in rank than themselves, and are
+simply his agents. I had no hesitation in killing the first of them, but
+as Monsieur de Vipont wishes an encounter with me in spite of what he
+has seen I will give him one, but will content myself with a less severe
+lesson than that I have given Monsieur de Beauvais. Now, sir, I am at
+your service.”
+
+De Vipont, knowing now how dangerous an opponent he was meeting, fought
+cautiously. Hector, however, was anxious to finish the matter before
+they were interrupted, and therefore took the offensive, and after two
+passes ran his antagonist through the shoulder.
+
+“Now, Monsieur le Comte, do you desire a turn?” he said carelessly.
+
+The count was pale, but he answered steadily, “I claim it by the same
+right as Monsieur de Vipont.”
+
+“Agreed,” Hector said; and as soon as the count had removed his upper
+garments they engaged.
+
+The swords had scarcely clashed when the count's weapon was wrenched
+from his hand and sent flying for a distance of twenty paces.
+
+“That is enough,” Colonel de Serres said, stepping forward; “you have
+done what you thought to be your duty, Monsieur le Comte, but it needs
+very different blades from those of yourself and your companions to
+stand before Colonel Campbell. He had you at his mercy, and had a right
+to take your life if he chose; but as he refrained from doing that
+when you had your sword in your hand, he certainly will not do so now.
+Messieurs, we wish you good morning.”
+
+“And you may mention,” Hector added, “to this person of high rank,
+that I shall be happy to accommodate as many of the gentlemen of his
+following as choose to take the matter up.”
+
+“He will send no more to you, Campbell,” Chavigny said as they moved
+off, leaving the count, whose valet now ran up, to obtain a vehicle and
+carry his dead and wounded comrades away.
+
+“No, I fancy not; he will try other means now. The war has only begun.
+Men like Lei, Brillet, and the Campions are not the sort of men who
+would act as bravos, even for the Duke of Beaufort, and I do not think
+that he would even venture to propose it to them. It will be meaner
+instruments that he will employ next time. However, I shall of course
+go straight to the cardinal and acquaint him with what has happened.
+I doubt not but that he will lay the matter before the queen, and then
+that Beaufort will hear of it; but, passionate and revengeful as he is,
+I think that he will not be turned from his purpose, even if he knows
+that he may be forced to retire to his estates, or even leave the
+country till the matter blows over.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI: THE DUKE'S REVENGE
+
+The cardinal listened gravely to Hector's account of the duel, and of
+the circumstances that gave rise to it.
+
+“I will go at once to the Louvre and appeal to her majesty,” he said;
+“you know how warmly she spoke to you on the day when you saved my life.
+Still, I fear that the sternest reproof, or even an order to retire to
+his estates, would not turn him from his purpose.”
+
+“I am sure of it, your eminence; still, as I have proved victor in the
+first battle in the campaign I will bide a second.”
+
+“Mind that you do not get stabbed in the back, colonel.”
+
+“I will beware of that, sir; whenever I walk the streets in future Paolo
+shall keep a pace behind me, and I warrant that he will protect me from
+any attempt of that sort.”
+
+“At any rate remain here until I return from the Louvre.”
+
+In an hour Mazarin returned. “The duke has been beforehand with us,” he
+said. “When I told the queen of what had happened, and why this quarrel
+had been fastened upon you, she sent at once for the duke, and drew out
+an order, which I signed, for him to retire at once to his estates;
+but the royal messenger returned with the news that he had half an hour
+before ridden away to visit his father at Vendome. A courier will start
+at once with the order, but I doubt whether he will be found there. It
+is probable that he has gone to one of his own estates, and it may be
+some time before we find out where he is. However, it is something that
+he has gone.”
+
+On his return to the inn Hector told Paolo what had taken place.
+
+“It is a pity that you did not kill them all, master.”
+
+“Not at all, Paolo; had I done so every one of their friends would
+have been set against me. Both these men are of good families, and will
+doubtless report that I had their lives at my mercy and spared them, and
+after that no gentleman of reputation would take the matter up. I shall
+have to be very careful in future, but now that the duke has gone there
+is not likely to be any further trouble just at present.”
+
+Paolo shook his head. “Nay, master, I think the danger all the greater.
+In the first place, we do not know that he has gone. I think it far
+more likely that he is hiding in the house of one of his friends. He
+has pretended to leave because he was sure the cardinal would take the
+matter up, and in order that, if he is absent from Paris when any harm
+befell you, it could not be brought home to him. I do not suppose that
+next time he will employ any of his own people. He is most popular among
+the mob of Paris, who call him the King of the Markets, and he will have
+no difficulty in getting as many daggers as he wishes from the scum of
+the faubourgs. It would be difficult in the extreme to prove that he had
+aught to do with it, for you may be sure that he would really go down
+into the country with all speed the moment the deed was done.
+
+“In future, master, you must not go out without having me close behind
+you; as for the others, I would put them in ordinary citizen garb, and
+let them follow some twenty yards behind, so as to be in readiness to
+run up at once. They could carry swords openly, and have their pistols
+hidden under their doublets.”
+
+“It might be as well, at any rate for the present. If, as you think,
+Beaufort is hidden in Paris, it is certain he will lose no time.”
+
+Paolo nodded. “I will get the men disguises at once. They had better be
+different; Macpherson can be dressed as a soldier, Nicholl as a burgher,
+and Sandy Grahame and Hunter as rough mechanics. They, of course, could
+not carry swords, but might take heavy cudgels. They would not walk
+together, or seem to have any knowledge of each other. Sandy might be
+ten paces behind you, Nicholl twenty, and the others thirty, or where
+the street is wide they could keep abreast of you on the other side. Are
+you going to the Louvre this evening?”
+
+“Yes, the cardinal said that the queen wished that I should appear
+there. I would much rather have stayed away, as doubtless the affair
+behind the Luxembourg will be generally known by this evening, and I
+shall feel my position a very unpleasant one, though I imagine that the
+queen intends, by her countenance of me, to show that I have not fallen
+into disgrace for duelling.”
+
+Such was indeed the case. All eyes were turned upon Hector when he
+entered the royal saloon. Many of Mazarin's friends came up and shook
+hands with him warmly, while the adherents of Beaufort and Vendome stood
+aloof from him with angry faces. Presently the door opened, and the
+queen, closely followed by Mazarin and a train of ladies and gentlemen,
+entered.
+
+As she passed Hector she stopped. “Monsieur le Baron de la Villar,” she
+said in clear tones, which were heard all over the apartment, “much as I
+object to duelling, and determined as I am to enforce the edicts against
+it, I feel that in the encounter this morning you were in no way to
+blame, and that it was forced upon you. It is scandalous that one who
+has so bravely shed his blood and risked his life in defence of France
+should be assailed in the capital, and for what reason? Because he
+proved faithful to the queen and her minister. You have punished the
+chief of the aggressors, and I shall know how to punish those who stood
+behind him;” and with a gracious bow in response to his deep reverence
+she moved on.
+
+The little speech created a deep sensation among the courtiers. That
+the queen herself should so publicly give her countenance to this
+young Scottish gentleman, and should--for no one doubted to whom she
+alluded--even threaten one of the most powerful nobles in the land,
+showed how strongly she felt. No one, with the exception of half a dozen
+persons, understood her allusion to the service that he had rendered to
+her and the cardinal, but all felt that it must be something altogether
+exceptional. Many of the nobles who belonged neither to the party of
+Beaufort nor the cardinal came up and congratulated him.
+
+He received these signs of the impression that the queens' words had
+conferred upon him quietly.
+
+“I am very sorry for what has occurred,” he said. “I have killed many
+in battle, but this is the first time that I have killed anyone in a
+private quarrel. It was not one of my seeking, but I am none the less
+sorry.”
+
+As he passed near Madame de Chevreuse, she made a gesture to him to come
+to her. “You did not accept my warning,” she said sadly. “Remember, a
+storm is not past because the first flash of lightning does not strike.”
+
+“I am well aware of that, madam; I thank you for your warning, but I am
+bound here by my duties as a tree is bound to the earth by its roots,
+and neither can move at will to escape a storm passing overhead.”
+
+“Should I hear of any fresh danger, Monsieur Campbell,” she said in a
+low voice, “I will have you informed of it, but it is more probable that
+I shall not know. Were it a state secret I should surely hear of it, but
+in a matter like this none save those concerned would be likely to know
+of it until it was over. Be always on your guard night and day, you
+cannot tell when the bolt may fall;” and she motioned to him to pass on
+again. As before, Hector accompanied the cardinal as far as his hotel,
+then he went towards his own lodgings, Paolo, with his hand on his
+dagger, keeping a pace behind him, while the four troopers followed one
+by one at a distance. The streets were almost deserted until, just as
+they approached the inn, a number of rough men rushed out from side
+alleys and doorways. Hector had just time to throw himself with his back
+to a house and draw his sword. Paolo's knife had levelled the first man
+who approached, and then drawing his sword he took his place by the side
+of his master. The ruffians stood round, each anxious to be the first
+to strike, and yet fearful of meeting the sword that had, as they had
+heard, mastered three gentlemen.
+
+“Run in at him, fools!” a man in a cloak, with his hat pulled down over
+his eyes, and keeping in the rear of the others, shouted.
+
+Before his orders could be carried out there was a sudden movement, and
+four men burst through them and joined Hector. The assailants hesitated.
+
+But again the man behind shouted: “Cowards, there are but six of them,
+and you are five-and-twenty, are you such curs that you are afraid to
+attack when you are nigh five to one?”
+
+Then, with a hoarse yell the crowd rushed forward. One was struck down
+by a heavy cudgel, three fell on the pavement, and another one tottered
+back disabled, but others took their places, and for a time the little
+band were hardly pressed. The four Scotchmen fought stoutly, but
+although fair swordsmen they gained no great advantage over their
+opponents until they betook them to their pistols, when several of their
+assailants fell, but not without inflicting wounds. Paolo also fought
+well, and brought three to the ground. Hector, however, took the
+offensive, and before his swift blade, with its deadly thrust, those
+opposed to him fell back as one after another dropped dead.
+
+“Down with him! down with him!” the voice shouted; “are ye men thus to
+give way before a single blade?”
+
+“And are you a man,” Hector shouted back, “to set on others to fight
+when you dare not fight yourself? Whoever you are, you are a coward!”
+
+With a fierce oath the man pushed his way through those in front of him
+and drew his sword. He threw back his cloak to obtain the full use of
+his sword arm, and the rich gold braiding of his doublet confirmed the
+opinion Hector had already formed as to his identity.
+
+“That is better, my lord duke; it is at least more honourable to fight
+in your own quarrels than to employ a band of assassins to do your
+work.”
+
+With a roar of fury Beaufort rushed upon him. He was a good swordsman,
+and personally brave, but his rage neutralized his skill, and after
+parrying two or three of his lunges Hector repeated the thrust with
+which he had that morning disabled de Vipont, and ran his assailant
+through the shoulder. He fell back with a curse.
+
+“Kill him! kill him!” he shouted. But at that moment there was a cry,
+“The watch! the watch!” Four of the fellows caught up the wounded man
+and carried him off, some of the others skirmishing with the watch to
+hinder their advance.
+
+“To the inn!” Hector cried to his men, “leave the matter to the watch.”
+
+And sheathing their weapons they ran on to the door of the hotel and
+obtained entry there before the watch came up. As soon as they had
+passed Hector said, “Come with me, Paolo, and see the cardinal; there is
+no fear of any renewal of the attack now.
+
+“Do you know who it was I wounded, Paolo?” he asked as they hurried
+along.
+
+“No, master, I was too busy myself to look round.”
+
+“It was Beaufort himself; I ran him through, low down in the shoulder.”
+
+Paolo uttered an exclamation of dismay.
+
+“It cannot be helped now,” Hector went on, “but there will be no living
+in Paris or even in France after this!”
+
+Mazarin had not retired to bed when they reached his hotel.
+
+“What now, monsieur?” he asked.
+
+“We have had our second battle, your eminence, and it has been a serious
+one. We were attacked by five-and-twenty ruffians; we slew some ten of
+them. Then their leader, who had been keeping in the rear shouting to
+them, seeing that his men were not likely to get the best of us, pushed
+through them and himself attacked me. I wounded him somewhat seriously,
+at least the thrust was just below the shoulder; and when I tell you
+that it was Beaufort himself you will see that the matter is serious
+indeed.”
+
+“It could not be worse,” the cardinal said gravely; “you will have the
+whole of the adherents of the house of Vendome banded against you, and
+even your bravery could not long triumph over such odds. France is no
+longer a place for you. Neither the queen's protection nor mine would
+avail you aught.”
+
+He took two or three turns up the room.
+
+“In the first place, Monsieur Campbell, I will buy your fief back from
+you; there are plenty who would gladly purchase it, or I can bestow it,
+as it was bestowed upon you, upon someone who has served the crown well.
+I will send the price to the banker who already holds money of yours
+in his keeping. I should advise you to mount tonight and ride for the
+seacoast. Tomorrow would be too late.”
+
+He opened a cabinet.
+
+“Here are a thousand crowns for your present expenses. Which road will
+you take? I should advise you not to go to Calais; that is the line on
+which, as soon as it is known that you have gone, they will pursue you,
+and even did they not overtake you on the way they might reach Calais
+before you could obtain a ship for England, for at present there is but
+little trade between the countries, and that not openly.”
+
+“I will make for Nantes, your eminence; there I can be joined by friends
+from my chateau.”
+
+A slight smile passed over the cardinal's face.
+
+“'Tis no time for jesting,” he said; “but in truth I had intended to
+find a rich heiress for you. But when I heard that two ladies were
+staying at the castle I laid the project aside; and 'tis as well that I
+did so, for, were you married to a princess, your life would not be safe
+in France. Farewell, Monsieur Campbell, I have not so many friends that
+I can afford to lose so true and stout a one, especially one upon whom
+misfortunes have come through his good services to myself. I will send
+a messenger to the governor of Nantes with orders that he shall in every
+way forward your wishes as to your departure, as it is with my consent
+and approval that you are sailing for England. Your devotion has brought
+you into the gravest peril, and now it forces you to relinquish your
+profession, in which you have so greatly distinguished yourself. Truly,
+my friendship for you is genuine, and it cuts me to the heart that,
+although I could uphold you against the most powerful nobles in open
+enmity, I can do naught to save you from assassination. I trust some
+day that I may see you again, but, should it not be so, remember that
+I shall always feel myself your debtor; and should you have friends for
+whom you may ask my protection be sure that I will for your sake do all
+in my power for them.”
+
+There was no doubting the real emotion with which Mazarin spoke.
+
+“There is one thing that I forgot,” the latter said; “here is a pass for
+you to leave the gates at once. You had better go out by the north, so
+that they may think that you have ridden to Calais, and then take a wide
+detour and ride for Nantes.”
+
+Hector returned to the hotel.
+
+“We must mount at once,” he said to the troopers; “my enemies have
+failed twice, but they might not fail the third time, and by tomorrow
+morning it is certain that the hotel will be watched. I have a pass to
+issue out through the gate at once.”
+
+While he had been away the troopers had bandaged each other's wounds,
+and had packed their valises, for they thought it probable after what
+had happened that their master would be obliged to fly.
+
+As the horses were being saddled and brought out Hector saw the
+innkeeper and paid him his bill.
+
+“Monsieur,” he said, “I am going away on business of the cardinal's, and
+he desires that none shall know that I have left; therefore I pray you
+keep the matter secret as long as you can. It may be reasonably supposed
+that after the fray in which we have just been engaged, we might well
+keep our beds for a day or two.”
+
+Going out in the courtyard, he gave a couple of crowns to the hostler.
+
+“You are like to be asked tomorrow if we are still here,” he said. “Give
+such answers as to lead them to believe that our horses are still in the
+stalls.”
+
+They mounted and rode rapidly through the streets to the northern gate,
+which was immediately, upon Hector's handing the guard the cardinal's
+pass, opened to them. To the surprise of the men, he turned off after
+riding a few miles.
+
+“Are you not going to make for Calais, master?”
+
+“No, I am bound for Poitou. We will cross the Seine by the bridge of
+boats at Nantes, ride down through Dreux and Le Mans. There we will
+separate. I shall follow the Sarthe, strike the Loire at Angers, and
+then go on to Nantes. You will cross the Loire at Tours, and then make
+for la Villar. I shall take you, Macpherson and Hunter, with me. Paolo
+will ride with the other two, and will be the bearer of letters from
+me.”
+
+Daylight was breaking when they crossed the bridge of boats. Hector
+halted a mile from the river, keeping Paolo with him, and telling the
+others to pass at intervals of a quarter of an hour apart.
+
+“You will go first, Macpherson. You will ride south for an hour, and
+then wait till the rest of us join you. It is like enough that as
+soon as they find out that we have left they will send men off in all
+directions to find out which way we followed, though doubtless the chief
+pursuit will be directed towards Calais. I am afraid that it will not
+be very long before they find we have left the hotel, for the landlord,
+however well he may wish us, will not dare mislead any person of
+consequence that Beaufort may send.”
+
+They had, however, a much longer start than Hector expected, for early
+the next morning ten of the cardinal's guards appeared at the hotel. The
+officer in command of them told the innkeeper that, in consequence
+of the tumult before his doors, in which, as he heard, some of those
+lodging there had been concerned, he had orders to post his men round
+the house, and to allow no one to enter or leave under any pretence
+whatever until the cardinal himself had examined into the affair. These
+orders were delivered in a loud voice before the servants of the inn,
+but the officer privately assured the innkeeper afterwards that he would
+be well paid for his loss of custom, and that it was probable that the
+guard would be removed in a day or two. Thus Beaufort's emissaries were
+not able to obtain news of what was passing within, and did nothing
+until past noon, when it occurred to them that the cardinal had taken
+this strange step of closing the inn in order to prevent its being known
+that Hector and his followers had left Paris.
+
+Men were at once sent off to the different gates of the city, and one of
+these returning with the news that the north gate had been opened at one
+o'clock in the morning and that six men bearing a pass from the cardinal
+had ridden out, a party of twenty horsemen started out in pursuit, while
+others were ordered to ride by all the different routes to Poitou,
+in case, as was likely enough, Hector had ridden to his castle. The
+fugitive, however, and his followers were all well mounted, and had
+fourteen hours' start. They separated at Le Mans. Hector here wrote a
+long letter to the Baronne de Blenfoix, and a shorter one to MacIntosh.
+The latter he told only that his fief had again reverted to the crown,
+and gave instructions that the steward should be ordered to return, from
+the moneys he had in hand, three months' rent to every tenant, to hand
+the balance to MacIntosh himself, and to hold possession of the chateau
+and estate until he received orders from the cardinal himself.
+
+MacIntosh was then, with Paolo, two troopers, and his own two sergeants,
+to escort the baroness and her daughter to Nantes, if she decided to
+go there. All arrangements were to be completed within twelve hours
+of Paolo's arrival there. To the baroness he related briefly what had
+passed.
+
+“Therefore, as you see,” he said, “there is no course open for me but
+to fly for England or Ireland, where I intend to settle. I trust, madam,
+that you and your daughter will accompany me. Putting aside my respect
+and, I may say, my affection for yourself, you will have understood from
+what I said to you when last at la Villar, that I hope some day to make
+your daughter Norah my wife, if I should be so fortunate as to obtain
+her affections. How this may be I cannot say, but at any rate I trust
+that you will return to England, and as I have ample funds you may be
+assured that my first care will be to provide for your future.”
+
+On arriving at Nantes Hector at once rode to the governor, and presented
+the cardinal's letter to him.
+
+“You may be assured, Colonel Campbell, that I shall carry out his
+eminence's instructions,” he said, after perusing the cardinal's
+letter. “I will send an officer down to the port with you to aid you
+in obtaining passage, should there be a ship leaving for England, or to
+take up a ship for your service.”
+
+“I would rather the latter,” Hector said. “I may have ladies with me,
+and so should wish to have plenty of accommodation.”
+
+“I am also instructed,” the governor said, “to close the gate, in case
+any party, followers of the Dukes of Vendome or Beaufort, or of any
+families connected with them, arrive before you leave, and to grant them
+no admittance until a messenger from the mouth of the river informs me
+that you are fairly out at sea.”
+
+“I am indeed obliged to his eminence for that order, sir; he did not
+mention to me that he was giving it, but it will certainly save me from
+much anxiety.”
+
+As Hector was not disposed to haggle about terms, he had no difficulty
+in hiring a vessel to carry them across the Channel. Twenty-four hours
+after his arrival the party from the chateau rode in, and but half an
+hour later fifty horsemen wearing the cognizance of Vendome galloped
+up to the gate. They were headed by four or five gentlemen, one of whom
+demanded angrily why the gates were shut.
+
+“They are closed by order of the governor,” the officer in charge
+replied.
+
+“Tell the governor that the Count d'Erlon, with a party of gentlemen,
+retainers of the Duke of Vendome, are here, and demand instant
+admittance.”
+
+Twenty minutes later the governor himself arrived at the gate. “I am
+sorry, gentlemen,” he said, “that I am compelled to keep the gates
+closed. I have an order from Cardinal Mazarin to that effect, and that,
+coming from the first minister of France, I dare not disregard even if
+the duke himself were with you. It would cost me my place, and
+possibly gain me a cell in the Bastille; and, grieved as I am to refuse
+admittance to such honourable gentlemen, still I must do so.”
+
+“And for how long is this monstrous edict to remain in force?” the
+leader of the party asked.
+
+“That I am unable to say precisely, but I believe that I can open them
+tomorrow morning.”
+
+“You see, we were right, count,” another of the horsemen said. “The
+description of the man who rode along here with two attendants tallies
+with that of this Scot, and doubtless this order was brought by him
+from Mazarin to enable him to get either by water away abroad or to his
+chateau of la Villar.”
+
+“Well, gentlemen, at any rate we have done our best, and though we must
+have slain the fellow if we had overtaken him, I cannot say that I
+am altogether grieved that he has escaped. His name is well known to
+everyone. He did brave service to France under Turenne and Conde. We
+learned from the messenger who brought the letter from Beaufort that he
+killed de Beauvais in fair fight, wounded de Vipont, and disarmed the
+Comte de Marplat, that at night he and five of his followers, though
+attacked by some thirty ruffians from the faubourgs under Beaufort
+himself, killed twelve of them outright, and that he himself seriously
+wounded the duke. Well, there is nothing for us but to ride back to the
+village we last passed through and wait there until tomorrow.”
+
+So saying, he mounted his horse and galloped off with his party.
+
+“Who could have thought when we parted last, Colonel Campbell, that we
+should meet again under such greatly changed circumstances!” Madame de
+Blenfoix exclaimed as Hector met the party as they alighted before the
+principal inn of Nantes.
+
+“It is a change, indeed,” he replied; “so great that I myself can hardly
+realize it, and am not sure whether I am sorry or the reverse at what
+has taken place.”
+
+“I am very glad to hear you say so, as I feared that it would be a
+terrible blow to you to give up the army.”
+
+“I have hardly had time to think of it,” he said, “I have had so much
+else to occupy my thoughts. Now, I pray you, enter the inn for a few
+minutes; I have warned them to get a meal ready to be served at the
+shortest notice, for I am anxious that no time shall be lost; everything
+is ready for our embarkation.”
+
+“Had we not best go aboard at once?” she said. “Your enemies might
+arrive at any moment by what Paolo tells us.”
+
+“The matter is not so pressing as I thought, madam, for the cardinal
+sent orders to the governor that he is not to open the gates to any
+armed party of friends of Beaufort or Vendome until I am fairly at sea.”
+
+He went with the ladies to a private room he had secured.
+
+“I must leave you for a few minutes,” he said, “while I have a talk with
+MacIntosh and the others.”
+
+“Well, old friend,” he said as he went out to where the little party
+of Scotchmen were standing in a group, “what are your plans and wishes?
+'Tis a pity now that I persuaded you to leave Paris and go down to
+la Villar, but I did it for the best. I thought of you much as I rode
+hither.”
+
+“Do not trouble about me, colonel, I am by no means sorry at the change.
+I was getting tired of the cabaret, and should soon have given it up
+even had you not come to offer me the wardenship of your chateau. I have
+chatted matters over with my two friends, and we have not yet agreed
+whether to return to Scotland or to remain in France. At any rate we
+shall go to Paris first; my money is there all in good keeping, together
+with the two years' payment for the cabaret. Are you thinking of going
+to Scotland yourself, colonel?”
+
+“Certainly not to Scotland, I have no friends there, and from all that
+I have heard the people are so hard and bigoted, so full of their
+religious differences, that I should feel sorely out of place with them.
+
+“Well, MacIntosh, as soon as I am settled in England I will have a
+letter conveyed to you in some way at the address of The Scottish
+Soldier. Wherever I am, there will be a home always open to you, and
+glad indeed I shall be to have you near me. My four troopers are going
+to accompany me. I have talked the matter over with them, and have
+promised that I will find a house with a small farm for them on any
+estate I may purchase, where they can do such an amount of work as
+pleases them, or that they can remain in my service on the present
+conditions. You can make the same offer in my name to your two comrades.
+After all, things are not so settled across the water that I can
+dispense with old friends on whom I can rely. Paolo, of course, goes
+with me, and will be my right hand.”
+
+“I will think it all over, Hector, and maybe one of these days I and
+the other two may knock at your door. It is hard if seven old fellow
+soldiers could not end their days happily and quietly together.”
+
+As soon as the meal had been eaten Hector went to say goodbye to the
+governor, and heard how Vendome's men had been refused entrance. After
+thanking him for the courtesy that he had shown him, he returned to the
+inn. As the party would require horses on landing, and there was plenty
+of room on board the vessel that he had engaged, Hector shipped the
+three horses that Conde had given him, and four others for the use of
+his men, and after a hearty farewell to MacIntosh on his part and that
+of the ladies, they went on board, and a few minutes later the sails
+were set and the vessel started down the river. The wind was favourable,
+and they made a fast voyage down to the sea. Before they reached the
+mouth of the river, however, Hector had ascertained to his satisfaction
+that Norah O'More returned the feeling that he felt for her.
+
+“I have loved you,” she said, “from the moment when you came to us as
+our saviour from death on the summit of the turret; and though as time
+went on I did not venture to think that you, who had so fair a future
+before you, would ever think of the girl who with her mother you had so
+nobly entertained and treated, I should never have loved any other man
+to the end of my life.”
+
+The voyage was without incident, and five days after leaving Nantes they
+arrived at Plymouth. Here Hector hired a house, and when the ladies were
+comfortably settled he left them in charge of Paolo and two of the men,
+and rode to London accompanied by the others. Here he called upon the
+banker whose address Mazarin had given him, and on sending in his name
+was shown into the room in which private business was transacted.
+
+“You have certain moneys of mine in your hands, Mr. Wilson?”
+
+“I have had fifty thousand crowns for the past three years and have put
+them out on good security, so that the sum stands at present in my books
+at sixty-four thousand crowns. Three days ago I received from Cardinal
+Mazarin bills to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand crowns,
+being, he said, due to you for the surrender of the fief of la
+Villar, and for other services rendered to him. The cardinal is a good
+paymaster,” he added with a slight smile at seeing Hector's surprise
+at the news, “but it was plain from his letter to me that he considered
+that the value of your services was greatly in excess of the sum, large
+as it is, that he sent, especially as they had brought great misfortunes
+upon you, and had forced you to abandon France, and give up your
+profession, in which, he said, your prospects of gaining the highest
+rank were of the brightest. Now, sir, if there are any services that I
+can render you I am at your disposal. You will naturally wish to invest
+your money in some way, and, though I say it myself, I know of no one
+who could lay it out to better advantage.”
+
+“You may help me assuredly,” Hector said, “for I am an entire stranger
+in England. I wish to purchase an estate, but have no idea how to set
+about it, while, doubtless, you are acquainted with many such domains at
+present for sale. I may say that I will on no account purchase an estate
+which has been confiscated by parliament on account of its owner being
+loyal to the crown. Charles II may, and I believe will, return and mount
+the throne, and these estates will then beyond doubt be restored to
+their former owners, therefore I will have nought to do with such
+property.”
+
+“You could not choose a better time for laying out your money in land,”
+ the banker said. “Great numbers of the nobles and gentlemen of England
+have been killed or are in exile; many, again, who still hold their land
+are well nigh ruined by the moneys they spent in the king's service, and
+would gladly sell now could they obtain anything like a fair value for
+their estates. I know of a score at least of such properties which are
+so deeply mortgaged that the owners can scarce afford to live in their
+own homes, and would gladly take a sum that would suffice to pay off the
+mortgage and give them the wherewithal to live upon, either abroad or
+in Virginia, to which colony many loyal gentlemen have already gone
+to settle. If you will call tomorrow I will give you a list of such
+estates, with their size, the amount of their revenues, and the price at
+which their owners would, I know, be glad to sell, for I and some of my
+friends have been approached by them with that view.”
+
+Hector spent the next three weeks in visiting eight of the estates that
+seemed suitable and were all situated in counties near London. Finally
+he settled upon one in Berkshire, which was of considerable size and
+with a stately house in a fair position. This he purchased, and then,
+returning to Plymouth, his marriage with Norah was celebrated there, and
+he, with his wife and Madame de Blenfoix and his five followers, rode
+down into Berkshire and took possession of the estate, with which all
+were delighted. The troopers, instead of accepting the house he offered
+them, preferred to remain in his service, and Paolo was installed as
+majordomo of the household. Six months later MacIntosh and his two
+comrades came over.
+
+The former declined Hector's offer to take up his abode at the house.
+
+“No, colonel, I have an abundance for myself and my two comrades, and
+would rather be near you, where we can live in our own fashion, and give
+trouble to no one.”
+
+“Well, if you will not come here, MacIntosh, there is a house a quarter
+of a mile away which will, I think, suit you well. It is not a large
+place, but is a comfortable one, and has been used as the house of the
+steward of the estate. As I shall be my own steward it is vacant, and
+will, I think, suit you well. It is furnished, so that you and your
+comrades can move in when you like, though the longer you stay with us
+the better we shall be pleased.”
+
+A fortnight later MacIntosh and his comrades moved in, and there,
+when not occupied with their duties, one or other of the troopers was
+generally to be found. Hector often dropped in, and one day laughingly
+said that the house ought to be renamed The Scottish Soldier.
+
+Until the Restoration Hector kept aloof from London, but when Charles II
+mounted the throne of his fathers he went up, and was presented at court
+by one of the many English gentlemen whom he had known in France, where
+they had sought refuge with the queen when the royal cause was lost
+in England. He did not, however, repeat the visit very often. He was
+perfectly happy in his country life, and never once regretted the chain
+of events that had forced him to give up his life of adventure and
+excitement and to settle down peacefully in England.
+
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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+  <head>
+    <title>
+      Won by the Sword, by G.A. Henty
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve">
+
+    body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify}
+    P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; }
+    hr  { width: 50%; text-align: center;}
+    .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; }
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+    .mynote    {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;}
+    .toc       { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;}
+    .toc2      { margin-left: 20%;}
+    div.fig    { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; }
+    div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; }
+    .figleft   {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;}
+    .figright  {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;}
+    .pagenum   {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal;
+               margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%;
+               text-align: right;}
+    pre        { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;}
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+  <body>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Won by the Sword, by G.A. Henty
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Won by the Sword
+       A Story of the Thirty Years' War
+
+Author: G.A. Henty
+
+Release Date: June 13, 2009 [EBook #4931]
+Last Updated: March 11, 2018
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WON BY THE SWORD ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Martin Robb, and David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <br /><br />
+    </p>
+    <h1>
+      WON BY THE SWORD
+    </h1>
+    <h2>
+      A STORY OF THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <br /><br />
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      By G.A. Henty
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <blockquote>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big>
+      </p>
+      <p>
+        <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a><br /> <br /> <br /> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;A STROKE OF GOOD
+        FORTUNE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;CHOOSING
+        A LACKEY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE
+        FIRST BATTLE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;SUCCESS
+        <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE
+        RELIEF OF THE CITADEL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI.
+        </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;A CHANGE OF SCENE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007">
+        CHAPTER VII. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE DUC D'ENGHIEN <br /><br /> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;ROCROI <br /><br /> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;HONOURS <br /><br /> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;AN ESTATE AND TITLE
+        <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE
+        CASTLE OF LA VILLAR <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII.
+        </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE POITOU REGIMENT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013">
+        CHAPTER XIII. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE BATTLES OF FREIBURG <br /><br /> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;JUST IN TIME <br /><br />
+        <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE BATTLE OF
+        MARIENTHAL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;AN
+        ESCAPE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;A
+        ROBBER'S DEN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. &nbsp;&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;NORDLINGEN
+        <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE
+        PEASANTS' REVOLT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;AN
+        OLD SCORE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;THE
+        DUKE'S REVENGE <br /><br />
+      </p>
+    </blockquote>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      PREFACE.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MY DEAR LADS,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In my preface to the Lion of the North I expressed a hope that I might
+      some day be able to continue the history of the Thirty Years' War. The
+      deaths of Gustavus and his great rival Wallenstein and the crushing defeat
+      of the Swedes and their allies at the battle of Nordlingen brought the
+      first period of that war to a close. Hostilities, indeed, never ceased,
+      but the Swedes no longer played the leading part on the Protestant side
+      that they had hitherto occupied. Oxenstiern, the great chancellor of
+      Sweden, saw that the only hope of eventual success lay in engaging France
+      in the struggle, and he and the Duke of Weimar went to Paris and pointed
+      out to Richelieu that unless France intervened, Austria must become the
+      master of all Germany, and as the ally of Spain would have it in her power
+      to completely dominate France. Richelieu perceived the opportunity, made a
+      treaty with the Swedes and Weimar, and engaged to grant large subsidies to
+      the former, and to send an army to cooperate with the latter. Then began
+      the second period of this long and terrible struggle, France now taking
+      the place that Sweden had hitherto occupied, and bearing the brunt of the
+      conflict. She emerged triumphant with her territories largely increased,
+      while Austria was crushed and humiliated, and Spain was dethroned from her
+      position as the dominating power of Europe. The success of France was
+      greatly due to the fact that her armies were led by two of the greatest
+      military geniuses of all times, viz., Conde and Turenne, men of very
+      different types, but equally great as commanders, and equally at the time
+      of which we are speaking devoted to the cause of France. Both were men of
+      extraordinary personal courage, and although one was as prudent and
+      careful of the lives of his troops as the other was impetuous and careless
+      at what cost he won his victories, they worked together with a harmony
+      that could have hardly been expected among men so differently constituted.
+      Although, in the subsequent wars of the Fronde they took different sides,
+      their friendship, except during a short period of alienation, was never
+      shaken, and their admiration for each other's genius never abated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Yours sincerely,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      G.A. HENTY <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER I: A STROKE OF GOOD FORTUNE
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A mounted officer, followed by two orderlies, was proceeding at a brisk
+      trot from Paris to St. Denis, in October, 1639, when he came upon a large
+      party of boys, who, armed with sticks, were advancing in something like
+      military order against a wall on the top of a low hill.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you doing?&rdquo; he asked the lad who appeared to be the leader.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are playing at war, sir. We are advancing against the fortress of La
+      Motte. This is the regiment of Turenne.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And who are you at other times?&rdquo; the officer asked with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My name is Hector Campbell, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you are not French?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir; my father was an officer in the Scotch regiment. He was killed
+      at the siege of La Rochelle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And who is taking care of you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I live with Angus MacIntosh. He was a sergeant in my father's company. He
+      was badly wounded at La Rochelle, and not being fit for further service,
+      he took a cabaret near the barracks. The officers are very kind. They
+      allow him a sum for taking care of me. Of course I am often in barracks,
+      and have learned the drill, and I have heard and read about battles and
+      sieges, so I am chosen to command.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And so you know something of the battles in which Turenne was engaged?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I know about them all, sir, both in Holland and on the Rhine, and
+      have seen plans of the battles. Of course this is not at all like La
+      Motte, which was on the top of a high rock, so that when Turenne was
+      ordered to attack with his regiment after the general's son had failed, he
+      had to pass not only through a heavy fire, but through the huge stones
+      that the enemy hurled down. It was grand; and he did well at all the other
+      sieges. Then, again, there was Saverne. See how he fought there, and
+      stormed the place when even the Swedes, who are good soldiers, had failed.
+      I think he is going to be the greatest of our captains.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Turenne is only a learner in the art of war,&rdquo; the other said gravely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think he has learnt more than any of the rest,&rdquo; the boy said boldly;
+      &ldquo;and all the soldiers love him more than any of the other generals, for he
+      takes such care of them, and does not treat them as if they were dirt
+      under his feet, only meant to obey orders, and go and get killed when
+      told.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have heard him very much over praised,&rdquo; the officer said quietly. &ldquo;I
+      think that he does his best; but he is a young man yet, not older than I
+      am. His advance has been due to fortune rather than to his own merits.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't think so,&rdquo; the boy said sturdily. &ldquo;Do you think that he would be
+      a lieutenant general at twenty-eight, and that all the soldiers would
+      speak of him as they do, if it were only fortune? Look how he captured
+      Landrecies and Solre, and drove the Austrians back from Maubeurge, and
+      aided the Duke of Weimar to thrash them at Weilenweir, and stormed the
+      main fort of Breisach! He has been successful in all his enterprises, and
+      now it is said he is to command in Italy, where things have been going on
+      badly. The cardinal would not have chosen him had he not considered that
+      no one could do better than he.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The officer laughed. &ldquo;Well, young sir, I see that you are so well
+      acquainted with the sieges and battles of our time that I cannot argue
+      with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did not mean that, sir,&rdquo; the boy said in some confusion. &ldquo;I was only
+      saying what our soldiers think, and it is natural that I, being only a
+      boy, should make him my hero, for he went to the wars when he was a year
+      younger than I am, and at fourteen carried a musket as a volunteer under
+      Maurice of Nassau, and for five years he was in all the battles in
+      Holland, and raised the first battery that opened on Bois-le-duc.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And do you receive no pension as the son of an officer killed in battle?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. When the living soldiers often have to go months without their
+      pay, the sons of dead ones can hardly expect to be thought of. But I don't
+      care; in two years I shall be old enough to enlist, and I shall go to the
+      frontier and join Hepburn's Scottish brigade, who are now, they say, in
+      the French service.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are fine soldiers&mdash;none better,&rdquo; the officer said. &ldquo;But why
+      does not the colonel of your father's regiment ask for a commission for
+      you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The regiment is not in favour with the cardinal,&rdquo; the boy replied with a
+      smile. &ldquo;They are too Protestant for his eminence, and the colonel is not a
+      man to ask favours if he is likely to be refused.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; the officer said, &ldquo;it is clear to me that you are a lad of spirit,
+      and that you have done your best to prepare yourself for your profession
+      as a soldier by studying military history, and I think it hard that, as
+      the son of an officer who died in battle for France, France should have
+      done nothing for you. I have some little influence myself. What is the
+      name of this cabaret that Sergeant MacIntosh keeps?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Scottish Soldier, sir. It is near the gate of the barracks of St.
+      Denis.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do not go out tomorrow afternoon. I will have a talk with him, and maybe
+      I can be of some assistance to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he touched his horse's flank with his heel and rode on, while
+      the boys continued their play. The next afternoon the lad remained at
+      home, to the surprise of the sergeant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What keeps you in today, Hector? It is rare indeed that you are indoors
+      in the afternoon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An officer came along while we were playing,&rdquo; the lad said, &ldquo;and asked me
+      some questions. I told him who I was. He said that he had some influence,
+      and might be able to assist me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What sort of assistance?&rdquo; the sergeant grumbled. &ldquo;He must have influence
+      indeed if he can get you a pension.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't think it was that,&rdquo; the boy said. &ldquo;I said that I should like to
+      enlist as a volunteer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The sergeant laughed. &ldquo;Well, they do take volunteers as young as you are,
+      Hector, but they must be cadets of a noble family. You will have to wait
+      another couple of years before they will enlist you, much less take you as
+      a volunteer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There were a good many Scottish soldiers sitting in the room, when an
+      officer rode up to the door and dismounted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a general officer,&rdquo; one of the men said, looking out of the window,
+      and as the door opened and the officer entered, all stood up and saluted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sit down, men,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I am not here to disturb you, but to have a
+      talk with Sergeant MacIntosh. Have you a room, sergeant, where we can
+      speak privately?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, general,&rdquo; the sergeant said, saluting again, and led the way into a
+      little room generally devoted to the use of noncommissioned officers. The
+      officer caught Hector's eye, and beckoned to him to follow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know me, sergeant?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, general, you are Viscount Turenne.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector gave an involuntary exclamation of horror at the thought of the
+      freedom with which he had the day before discoursed with this famous
+      commander. Military officers at that time did not wear any set uniforms,
+      and indeed there was very considerable latitude among the soldiers, and it
+      was only because he was followed by two attendants that the boy had taken
+      him to be an officer, probably a young captain. The quietness of his dress
+      had not even led him to believe that he belonged to a noble family.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This lad tells me that he is the son of Captain Campbell of the Scottish
+      regiment?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is so, general.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And also that you were a sergeant in his father's company, and have since
+      taken care of him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have done the best I could for him, general; but indeed the officers of
+      the regiment allow me quite as much as the lad's food costs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He seems to be a careful student of military history, sergeant?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That he is, sir. I don't think there has been a battle, or even a
+      skirmish, in the past ten years which he cannot tell you the ins and outs
+      of. He will sit here for hours as quiet as a mouse when some soldiers from
+      the wars come in, and sometimes he gets books lent him with the plans of
+      battles and sieges, and when he is not doing that he is in the barrack
+      yard watching the men drill. I believe he knows all the words of command
+      as well as any captain in the Scottish regiment. As to handling his
+      musket, I have taught him that myself, and the use of a sword, too, since
+      he was ten years old, and the men of his father's company have taken
+      pleasure in teaching the lad all they knew in that way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He reminds me of my own boyhood,&rdquo; the general said. &ldquo;I like his looks,
+      and it seems to me that he has the making of a good officer. All the
+      officers of the regiment are men of good Scottish families, and as such
+      can serve in any capacity. I have often need of a young officer who can
+      carry my messages on a field of battle, and can be trusted to understand
+      their import and deliver them faithfully. Now, Campbell,&rdquo; he said, turning
+      to the lad, who was standing with flushed face and eyes beaming with
+      delight and gratitude, &ldquo;I will give you the choice. I will either appoint
+      you a volunteer for a year, in which time, if your conduct is
+      satisfactory, I will name you lieutenant, or I will take you directly into
+      my own household. My object in either case would be to produce an officer
+      likely to be useful to his Majesty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should certainly not have adopted that course had it not been that you
+      appear already to have learned the duties of a soldier, and to be
+      acquainted with the ordinary drill and with the necessities of a soldier's
+      life. If you enter my household you will find it no child's play,
+      certainly no life of ease and comfort. I do not spare myself, nor do I
+      spare the officers immediately under me. In a regiment you would learn
+      better, perhaps, the duties of a regimental officer, but with me you will
+      have more opportunities of learning the art of war, and of some day
+      becoming a distinguished officer, always supposing that you are not shot
+      down in battle or die of fatigue and hardship. Which do you choose?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, sir, how can I thank you for your goodness? There is nothing in the
+      world that I should like so much as to be in your service.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So be it,&rdquo; the general said. &ldquo;I shall obtain an appointment for you as
+      lieutenant attached to my household. At first, you will simply have to
+      carry messages for me; but when I have learnt more of your character I
+      shall employ you as one that I can trust.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sergeant, here is a purse, use the contents in furnishing the lad with
+      clothes suitable for his position, and let him call on me in three days at
+      the hotel of the Duc de Bouillon, where I am staying.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can you ride?&rdquo; he asked suddenly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will see to the matter of a horse for you. I shall be leaving at the
+      end of a week to join the army in Italy. And remember always, lad,&rdquo; he
+      added with a smile, &ldquo;that I am still but a learner in the art of war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying he nodded kindly to him and the sergeant, went out, returned the
+      salute of the soldiers, mounted his horse, which his orderly was holding
+      for him, and rode off.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, well,&rdquo; said the sergeant, who with Hector had followed him out,
+      &ldquo;the like of this I never saw before: to think that the Viscount of
+      Turenne should visit the cabaret of a soldier, and should have deigned to
+      offer you a position in his household! I can scarce believe that I am not
+      dreaming. How did it all come about, and how have you thus gained his
+      favour?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am ashamed to say, sergeant, that I gained it by my presumption; now
+      that I know who he was, I may say by my insolence. A party of us were
+      having a mimic battle. We were acting as the regiment of Turenne at the
+      storming of La Motte. I was in command, and so acting as Turenne, when a
+      gentleman, who, by his appearance and age, and by the fact that two
+      troopers rode behind him, I took to be a captain in the army, came up and
+      questioned me as to what we were doing. I told him, then he talked about
+      Turenne. I said I thought he was our greatest general. He, that Turenne
+      was only a learner in the art of war. I upheld him, and spoke of the
+      battles and sieges in which he had taken part. Then he asked me about
+      myself, and I told him my birth and bringing up, and he said he might be
+      of assistance to me, and would call here and see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, well, it almost passes belief, Hector, that a boy like you should
+      have dared to enter into an argument with an officer, even if only, as you
+      believed, a captain. And to think that this has come of it, instead of his
+      having laid his whip across your back, as you deserved. Your fortune is
+      made, lad, that is, if you behave yourself. Turenne is a great soldier;
+      and more than that, from what I have heard he is loved by his men more
+      than any other general, and they will do anything for him. His regiment
+      here, though he was but nineteen when he obtained his command, was
+      admitted to be one of the best drilled and the best disciplined of any in
+      the service.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He saw to everything himself, spent his whole time in drilling them as if
+      he had been only a lieutenant with nothing but his sword for his fortune,
+      instead of a great noble. When he was with de la Valette and Weimar, and
+      the army had to fall back and were well nigh starved, Turenne sold his
+      plate and his carriages to buy food for the men. He had his own baggage
+      thrown out of the wagons to make room for those who were too weak to
+      march; and on one occasion gave up his own horse to a soldier who was
+      sinking from fatigue and hunger, and himself marched on foot. He always
+      leads his troops in battle, and wherever he goes they will follow. He was
+      right in saying that he does not spare himself. The soldiers believe that
+      he does without any sleep when on a campaign, for he is for ever going
+      round seeing that everything is in order, that the outposts are properly
+      placed and vigilant, and that the soldiers have food, and such comfort as
+      can be obtained. Now let us go in and tell my comrades of your good
+      fortune. There is not a man in the regiment who will not be glad to hear
+      of it. I will go across with you myself to the colonel's lodging.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But please, sergeant, do not say a word about my folly; only say that the
+      general, coming across a party of us playing at war, questioned me, and
+      finding that I was the son of a Scottish officer who had been killed at La
+      Rochelle, and that I had worked hard at getting up the history of the
+      wars, and longed much to go into the army, had promised to come round the
+      next day, and said that he might be able to aid me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand, lad. Yes, it is better that your foolishness should not be
+      known.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The colonel was greatly pleased when he heard of what had happened.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had intended myself to have asked for a commission for you when you
+      were a couple of years older,&rdquo; he said to Hector, &ldquo;but I was by no means
+      sure of getting it, for the cardinal is not partial to the regiment.
+      Turenne, however, stands high in his favour&mdash;in spite of the fact
+      that his brother, the Duc de Bouillon, has left Richelieu's party, and is
+      regarded by him as an enemy&mdash;so we may be sure that your commission
+      will be at once signed. You must sup with me and the officers of the
+      regiment tonight. There is not one who will not rejoice that your father's
+      son has met with such good fortune, for assuredly you could not have
+      entered the army under better auspices.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is just like Turenne to have thus come forward to assist the son of a
+      brave soldier killed in action. As a rule, I am sorry to say that the
+      officers of our army concern themselves but little with the affairs of the
+      soldiers under their command. Of course in our regiment it is different,
+      as we have many gentlemen of well known Scottish families serving in the
+      ranks, and most of the others are our own clansmen, or come from our
+      dales. We all cling together as countrymen among strangers, though indeed
+      we can hardly regard them as strangers, seeing that Scotland and France
+      have ever been allies, and that our Queen Mary was a French princess. And
+      now that Scotland has given kings to England, and English troops fought
+      side by side with the French under Henry of Navarre against the Spaniards
+      and Guises, and, although not in strict alliance, are alike enemies of the
+      Spaniards, we can scarce feel ourselves as strangers here. Besides, is not
+      a French princess wife of King Charles?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not say that either England or France has altogether forgotten the
+      long wars between them, but that is a very old story now, and as long as
+      Spain threatens to extend her power over all Europe, so long are we likely
+      to remain good friends. If the power of Spain is once broken, old quarrels
+      may break out again, but I trust that that will not be in my time, for
+      assuredly the regiment, although willing to fight against all other
+      enemies of France, would refuse to march against our countrymen. Now,
+      Sergeant MacIntosh, I know that you must be anxious to get back to your
+      inn. You will have a busy time this afternoon unless I am greatly
+      mistaken. Leave Campbell with me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the first place, it will be as well that he should not be down there,
+      for the fun is likely to get fast and furious. There is not a man in the
+      regiment who knew his father but will be drinking the lad's health, and it
+      were better that he should go tomorrow through the barracks and shake
+      their hands, than that he should be among them there. You can tell them
+      that I have taken the boy off, so that they may not think that he stayed
+      away on his own account. We will see him fitted out. It is a matter that
+      touches the honour of the regiment that the son of our old comrade should
+      make a fair show in the household of the viscount.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The general has left me a purse for that purpose, colonel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was a kindly thought, but let the lad start with it in his pocket. It
+      is our duty to see that he has everything befitting his father's son.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as the sergeant left, the colonel said, &ldquo;Now, Campbell, do you go
+      into the anteroom. I shall be ready to go out with you in half an hour.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Orderlies were then despatched to the various officers' lodgings, and in a
+      few minutes they assembled. The colonel told them what had happened, and
+      said that in his opinion it concerned the honour of the regiment to see
+      that their comrade's son was properly equipped.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All those who had known Captain Campbell were greatly pleased with the
+      news, and there was not a dissenting voice when the colonel proposed that
+      there should be a general subscription of two days' pay. He himself,
+      however, and Captain Campbell's friends, gave a much larger amount, and
+      the total was amply sufficient for the equipment of a young man of good
+      family joining the army. Hector was then called in and informed of what
+      had taken place, and heartily congratulated by the officers. He was
+      greatly affected by their kindness and the proof of the estimation in
+      which his father had been held.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We had always intended to do this,&rdquo; the colonel said, &ldquo;when the time came
+      for your entering the army, for we felt that it would indeed be a
+      discredit to the regiment were you to go into the world without the
+      equipment that a Scottish gentleman should have. Now, Captain Mackenzie
+      and Captain Home, I will ask you to act as furnishers. You know what is
+      required for a young officer on the staff of a general like Viscount
+      Turenne, who would be called upon to accompany him to court, and must do
+      him no discredit; besides which, he must of course have clothes for a
+      campaign. He will not need arms, for I have kept for him his father's
+      sword and pistols. See that the tailors undertake to get his clothes ready
+      quickly, for he is to accompany Turenne to Italy in four or five days. One
+      suit at least must be finished in two days, for on the third he is to wait
+      upon Turenne, who is staying at the hotel of the Duc de Bouillon, and he
+      may possibly be presented to the cardinal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The dress of a French gentleman in the reign of Louis XIII differed but
+      slightly from that worn at the same time by the cavaliers of Charles I. It
+      consisted of a loose cloak of cloth, silk, satin, or velvet, according to
+      the occasion and the wealth of the wearer. It generally hung loosely on
+      the shoulders, but two or three of the top buttons were sometimes
+      fastened; the sleeves were loose and open from the elbow. Sometimes the
+      cloak was richly embroidered. Over it fell a collar of rich lace, with
+      Vandyke border. Beneath it was worn a short tightly fitted doublet
+      embroidered in front, with puffed sleeves, and with a belt or sash round
+      the waist. The breeches were very full, reaching to the knee. For walking
+      or riding, loose high boots turned down at the top and trimmed with lace
+      or frillings joined the breeches; while in court dress, silk stockings and
+      shoes with rosettes were worn. The swords hung from a richly embroidered
+      baldrick going over the right shoulder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Officers of the different regiments were distinguished by the colour of
+      their sashes, which was the only point of regimental uniformity. When on a
+      campaign doublets were usually worn of thick buff leather; armour was
+      still used, but was far less cumbrous than it had been, consisting for the
+      most part solely of shoulder pieces and cuirass, with plates covering the
+      upper part of the arm, thick buff leather gauntlets being considered
+      sufficient protection below the elbow. Four suits were ordered for Hector:
+      one for court, another for general use when in Paris or other large towns,
+      the third for travelling and when in attendance with the general, the
+      fourth for actual service in the field.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Almost as expensive as the suits were the shirts, with their deep lace
+      collars and ruffle; while for service in the field half a dozen plain
+      shirts were purchased. The headdress on ordinary occasions was a broad
+      beaver hat with plumes, and in the field a close fitting helmet with cheek
+      pieces. Visors had been almost entirely given up. On the third day Hector
+      presented himself at the appointed hour at the hotel of the Duc de
+      Bouillon. He was dressed in the second best of his costumes, and wore for
+      the first time his father's sword. In the hall were numbers of soldiers
+      and lackeys. One of the latter came up to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am here to see the Viscount Turenne by appointment,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The lackey led the way to a large chamber, where several officers and
+      gentlemen were waiting. Here Hector gave his name to a chamberlain, who
+      took it into another apartment. He waited for half an hour, and observed
+      that while the officers, one by one, were taken into the room where the
+      lackey had carried his name, the nobles and gentlemen, who were much more
+      numerous, were shown into another, which was evidently the principal
+      reception room. He guessed at once that it was here that the Duc de
+      Bouillon was receiving visitors, while his brother was engaged in giving
+      interviews to officers, who perhaps desired appointments in his army, or
+      in arranging details of stores, arms, and ammunition required for its use.
+      At last his turn came; and on his name being called, he followed the usher
+      into a small apartment, where Turenne was sitting at a table covered with
+      letters. The general looked at him critically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You make a very good figure,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and better, I can tell you, than
+      I did at your age, for I was but weakly, while you are well grown and
+      strong. Among your other exercises you have not neglected the use of your
+      sword. I could tell that as soon as my eyes fell upon you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, general, I have practised for two or three hours a day since I was
+      ten years old, and I think that almost every soldier in the regiment has
+      been my instructor in turn, and the maitre-d'armes of the regiment himself
+      gave me lessons twice a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have managed your business for you,&rdquo; the viscount said. &ldquo;I saw the
+      cardinal yesterday and asked for a commission for you. He simply asked for
+      what regiment, and I said that at present I intended to keep you about my
+      own person, as I thought you would make a good officer and would some day
+      do me credit. He was busy at the time, so he simply signed an appointment
+      as a lieutenant and gave it to me to fill in your name. I asked if I
+      should bring you to his levee tomorrow, but he said, 'There is no
+      occasion, viscount, we have both plenty on our hands; neither you nor I
+      can waste time on young lieutenants. You can present him to me when you
+      return from the war.' You know the cardinal by sight, I suppose?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, general, I have seen him many times.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a great man,&rdquo; Turenne said thoughtfully, rather as if speaking to
+      himself than to Hector; &ldquo;the greatest that France has ever known&mdash;he
+      is the soul of France. It is well, indeed, that we have at present a king
+      who recognizes how great a man he is, and is wise enough to know that
+      although he himself is somewhat overshadowed, France is made greater and
+      stronger and his own reign more glorious by his genius.&rdquo; Then he broke off
+      with a smile. &ldquo;I was talking to myself rather than to you. I shall ride to
+      St. Denis at two o'clock today; be here at that time. I will order the
+      horse, that I have purchased for you, to be brought round here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector was about to express his gratitude, but the general at once stopped
+      him. &ldquo;I need no thanks,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I perceived in the ardour with which
+      you have studied military matters that you would make a good officer, and
+      you remind me of my own boyhood. I always like to help forward officers
+      who I see ready, not only to do their actual business but to go beyond it,
+      in order to acquire knowledge, and I doubt not that I shall find this in
+      you. But you must remember, lad, that you are now no longer a civilian,
+      but a soldier, that you must be not only obedient but respectful to those
+      above you in rank, that discretion as well as courage is necessary for
+      success, that you must be thoughtful for the comfort of the soldiers,
+      ready to expose your life in battle to encourage them, and also to set
+      them an example of endurance, cheerfulness, and good spirits in times of
+      hardship and distress. Remember that, to the soldier, there is no such
+      thing as party; he fights for France and for France only, and should hold
+      himself aloof from even the smallest expression of opinion on political
+      matters. Then, at two o'clock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector bowed deeply and left the room. When he returned to the hotel at
+      two o'clock, six grooms were standing with the horses before the entrance;
+      he waited outside until the viscount, followed by four officers, came out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, here you are, lieutenant!&rdquo; he said, as his eye fell on Hector; &ldquo;I was
+      afraid that punctuality was not among your virtues. Gentlemen, this is
+      Lieutenant Hector Campbell, son of a brave officer of the Scottish
+      regiment who fell at La Rochelle; he is, for the present, attached to my
+      household, and will ride with us for Italy the day after tomorrow.
+      Campbell, this gentleman is Colonel d'Estampes, who is the head of my
+      staff; this Major Mutton, who will have the control of all matters
+      connected with the artillery; these are Messieurs de Lisle and Emile de
+      Chavigny, who are my aides-de-camp. Now, gentlemen, let us mount.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As the Scottish regiment was a mounted one, Hector had had ample
+      opportunities to learn to ride well, and he now fell in with the two
+      aides-de-camp, who were both young men of eighteen or nineteen years of
+      age, members of good families, and together they followed the Viscount
+      Turenne, who rode on ahead with the two staff officers. While they were
+      making their way through the narrow streets of Paris they rode but slowly,
+      but as soon as they passed through the gates they went on at a brisk pace.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are fortunate,&rdquo; de Lisle said, &ldquo;in having obtained a commission so
+      young, although I do not say that there are not many of similar age in the
+      army.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am fortunate indeed,&rdquo; Hector replied, &ldquo;fortunate beyond anything that I
+      could have believed possible, thanks to the goodness of Viscount Turenne.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You could not enter the army under better patronage,&rdquo; de Chavigny said.
+      &ldquo;We have both served under him for two years on the Rhine, and had we been
+      his brothers he could not have been more kind; but the work, ma foi, was
+      tremendous. The soldiers may well say that the general is sleepless.
+      Happily he does not expect us to go altogether without rest. Frequently he
+      is away all night by himself in the saddle, sometimes he takes one or
+      other of us with him, but at any rate we get a night's sleep by turns.
+      Much as he has to worry him&mdash;what with the ignorance of some and the
+      carelessness of others&mdash;I have never seen him out of temper; but then
+      a reproof, however mildly spoken, by him, is more dreaded than a volley of
+      abuse from any other general. He was telling us before he came out that
+      you are already well up in drill, and in the use of arms.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I have been brought up, I may say, in the Scottish regiment, and
+      after my father's death the officers and men were all very kind to me, and
+      I learnt my drill both as a soldier and an officer, to fence, use my
+      pistols, and ride. The officers lent me books on military history and
+      tactics.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The viscount said you were wonderfully well read in such matters,&rdquo; de
+      Lisle said. &ldquo;I own that beyond the campaigns that I have taken part in I
+      have a very vague idea of such things. My time before I joined was taken
+      up with learning the use of arms, equitation, and certain dry studies
+      under an abbe. I wish now that instead of Latin I had learned something of
+      military history; it seems to me that when one is intended for the army it
+      is a good deal more important than Latin or theology.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fancy, de Lisle,&rdquo; his companion said laughing, &ldquo;that from what I know
+      of you your objection was not so much to the course of study as to study
+      altogether. I know that that was my case.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, perhaps so; still, I might as well have been whipped into learning
+      something useful, instead of something that, so far as I can see, will
+      never be of any value whatever. Were you born over here, lieutenant?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I was born in Scotland; but my father, who was a younger son, saw no
+      chance of making his way by his sword at home. It was certain that James
+      would never go to war, and as there was no regular army, there seemed no
+      opening for a penniless cadet in England or Scotland, so he came over here
+      and obtained a commission, and as soon as he did so sent for my mother and
+      myself. She died two years later; he kept me with him. When he went on
+      service I was left in the charge of a Huguenot family, and it was well
+      that it was so, for otherwise I might have grown up unable to read or
+      write. The last time that I saw him was before he rode to La Rochelle.
+      After his death I was adopted by the regiment, for the good people I was
+      with left Paris to join their friends in the south. Had it been otherwise
+      I should have stayed with them. The good man would probably have brought
+      me up to be, like himself, a minister, and I am afraid I should have made
+      a very poor one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two young men laughed. &ldquo;Just at present,&rdquo; de Lisle said, &ldquo;the two
+      religions get on quietly together. The cardinal, churchman as he is, knows
+      that if France is to be great religious enmities must cease, and that the
+      wars of the last reign cost tens of thousands of lives, and drove great
+      numbers of men to take refuge in Holland or England, to the benefit of
+      those countries and our loss. Still, his successor, whoever he may be, may
+      think more of party and less of France, and in that case you might have
+      found your vocation of a Huguenot minister as full of danger as that of a
+      soldier.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would have been much worse,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;for it would not have been
+      a question of fighting, but of being massacred. I know nothing of either
+      religious disputes or of politics. In the regiment these things were never
+      talked about, either among the men or the officers; all were for the king.
+      But at the same time, as it seemed to them that it was the cardinal who
+      had stopped the persecution of the Huguenots, and who had now gone to war
+      with the Austrians to prevent the Protestant princes of Germany being
+      altogether subjugated by the Imperialists, they felt grateful to him; for
+      of course Scotchmen are all on the side of the princes, and nigh half the
+      army of Gustavus Adolphus was composed of my countrymen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not suppose,&rdquo; Chavigny laughed, &ldquo;that the cardinal would have cared
+      very much for the destruction of all the Protestant princes of Germany,
+      had it not been that their ruin would make Austria more formidable than
+      ever. As long as Gustavus lived and the Swedes were able to hold their own
+      against the Imperialists, France troubled herself in no way in the matter;
+      but when the Swedes were finally routed at Nordlingen, and it seemed that
+      the Imperialists would triumph everywhere&mdash;for most of the Protestant
+      princes were leaving the Confederacy and trying to make the best terms
+      they could for themselves&mdash;Richelieu stepped in; and now we see
+      France, which for the past hundred years has been trying to stamp out
+      Protestantism, uniting with Protestant Holland and Sweden to uphold the
+      Protestant princes of Germany, and this under the direction of a cardinal
+      of the Church of Rome. And here are we riding behind a Huguenot general,
+      who perhaps more than any other possesses the cardinal's confidence.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems strange,&rdquo; de Lisle said, &ldquo;but it is assuredly good policy. While
+      fighting Austria we are fighting Spain, for Austria and Spain are but two
+      branches of one empire. Spain is our eternal enemy. True, she is not as
+      formidable as she was. Henry of Navarre's triumph over the Guises half
+      emancipated us from her influence. The English destroyed her naval power.
+      Holland well nigh exhausted her treasury, and brought such discredit on
+      her arms as she had never before suffered. Still, she and Austria combined
+      dominate Europe, and it is on her account that we have taken the place of
+      the Swedes and continued this war that has raged for so many years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER II: CHOOSING A LACKEY
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      The policy of the great cardinal had for its objects the aggrandizement of
+      France, as well as the weakening of the power of Austria. So long as the
+      struggle between the Protestant princes and the Swedes against the
+      Imperialists had been maintained with equal successes on both sides, he
+      had been well content to see Germany watering its soil with the blood of
+      its people. Nearly a third of the population had been swept away during
+      the terrible war. Many hundreds of towns and villages had already
+      disappeared, while large tracts of country lay uncultivated, and whichever
+      party won a victory France gained by it. Her interest, however, lay with
+      the Protestant confederation. So long as Germany was cut up into a number
+      of small principalities, divided by religion and political animosity, she
+      could count for little against a foreign enemy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      France had for centuries suffered from the same cause. The families of
+      Lorraine, Bouillon, Enghien, Burgundy, the Guises, Longueville, the Counts
+      of Armagnac, and other powerful vassals of France, paid but a nominal
+      allegiance to the crown, and were really independent princes. Louis XI had
+      done much to break their power. Richelieu continued the work, and under
+      him France for the first time became consolidated into a whole. Had he
+      lived, the work would doubtless have been completed, but his death and
+      that of the king postponed the work for years. The long regency,
+      controlled by a minister possessing none of the courage and firmness of
+      Richelieu, and personally obnoxious alike to the nobles and to the
+      population of Paris, again threw the power into the hands of the great
+      nobles, plunged France into civil strife, and the wars of the Fronde, like
+      those of the Roses in England, so weakened the nobles that the crown under
+      Louis XIV became absolutely dominant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Had Austria succeeded in crushing the Protestant princes, that empire,
+      with all Germany under her control, would have become a power greatly
+      superior in strength and population to France. It was principally to
+      prevent this result that Richelieu after the battle of Nordlingen threw
+      himself into the struggle, but his aim was also to carry the frontier of
+      France up to the Rhine. Here the territories of the Dukes of Lorraine, and
+      Bouillon Prince of Sedan, not only cut France off from the Rhine and the
+      Moselle, but opened a door by which she could at any time be invaded from
+      Germany. The Dukes of Lorraine had always borne themselves as independent
+      princes, giving, indeed, a nominal allegiance to France, but as often
+      allying themselves with German princes as with her. The Duc de Bouillon,
+      on the north of Lorraine, and the Duke of Savoy, farther to the south,
+      also regarded themselves as independent. The former, as Huguenots, had a
+      strong leaning towards the Protestant Hollanders, and both were ready to
+      furnish asylums to French nobles who had incurred the wrath of their kings
+      or ministers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Duc de Bouillon, father of Turenne, had fought bravely on the side of
+      Henry of Navarre through the wars of the League. He died when the viscount
+      was but ten years of age, and, his elder brother being but six years
+      older, his mother became regent of the little state. After having greatly
+      weakened the strength of the Huguenot nobles by the siege and capture of
+      La Rochelle, which had long been the stronghold and bulwark of that
+      religion, Richelieu obtained from the duchess a treaty by which she
+      engaged to remain always attached to the interests of France, while the
+      king undertook to protect the house of Bouillon. The Duke of Savoy was
+      next compelled to hand over to France the town and province of Pignerol,
+      and Richelieu then turned his attention to Lorraine. The reigning duke had
+      entered into an alliance with Austria, and the invasion of his territory
+      was therefore the first step by which France entered into the terrible
+      struggle known as the Thirty Years' War.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The duke had given Richelieu an excuse for hostilities. He had married his
+      cousin, the nearest heir to the dukedom, but he treated her so badly that
+      she fled to France and begged the protection of Louis XIII. This he gave
+      her, a French army was at once set in motion against Lorraine, and it was
+      in this struggle that Turenne had first fought under the French flag. He
+      had always evinced the strongest predilection for the life of a soldier,
+      and when he reached the age of fourteen, Richelieu being at the time
+      engaged in breaking the power of the Huguenots and in the siege of La
+      Rochelle, the boy's mother sent him to his uncle Maurice of Nassau, who at
+      the death of his father had become the leader of the Dutch people. He was
+      treated by his uncle in exactly the same way as other gentlemen
+      volunteers, carried a musket, and performed all the duties of a private
+      soldier.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Six months later Prince Maurice died, and his brother, Henry Frederick,
+      succeeded him in the government of the United Provinces. He at once
+      promoted his nephew, and the latter speedily rose to the rank of captain
+      of infantry. Here he was indefatigable in his duties, and unlike most
+      young men of good family, who left the internal economy and discipline of
+      their companies to subordinate officers, Turenne saw to everything
+      himself. He drilled and instructed his soldiers, insisted not only upon
+      strict military discipline, but on good manners and conduct in every
+      particular. He won their respect and affection by his personal kindness,
+      and denied himself almost the necessities of life in order to be able to
+      add to their comforts. In the wars in the Netherlands there were few
+      pitched battles, and the operations consisted almost entirely of the
+      sieges of fortified towns or of measures for their relief.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In all these Turenne took much more than his full share, paying attention
+      not only to his own duties but to all that was being done, spending his
+      whole time in the batteries and the trenches, and in learning all that was
+      possible of war carried on under such conditions. In the winter,
+      operations were always suspended, and Turenne spent his time in Paris,
+      where his manner and conduct won for him the favour of all with who he
+      came in contact. He had been severely brought up under a Calvinist tutor;
+      his habits were simple, his tastes quiet and almost ascetic, and he cared
+      little for the amusements of the brilliant and corrupt court. When the war
+      with Lorraine broke out, Turenne at once sought for employment with the
+      French army.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He recognized that there was comparatively little to be done in the war of
+      sieges in Holland, and longed to enter a wider field. His request was
+      gladly granted, for the presence of the Duc de Bouillon's brother in the
+      French army was in itself some guarantee of the duke's fidelity to his
+      engagements with France, and Turenne was at once appointed to the
+      colonelcy of a regiment. He devoted himself as assiduously to his work as
+      he had done in Holland, and it was not long before his regiment gained the
+      reputation of being the best disciplined in the king's service. He took
+      part in a short expedition in 1630, but there was on that occasion no
+      fighting, and he first saw real service under Marshal de la Force in 1634.
+      After the siege of La Motte, the success of which was due to the storming
+      of the breach by Turenne and his regiment, and for which exploit he was
+      promoted to the rank of Marechal de Camp, a rank equivalent to that of
+      major general, he took part in several sieges, until Lorraine was
+      completely conquered and its duke driven to abdicate and retire to
+      Austria.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The battle of Nordlingen showed Richelieu that if France did not
+      resolutely enter into the conflict the Austrians would become absolute
+      masters of all Germany. He at once signed a treaty with the Swedes,
+      agreeing to grant them large subsidies to carry on the war. By a similar
+      treaty he promised subsidies and the province of Alsace to the Duke of
+      Saxe-Weimar. He entered into an arrangement with the Dutch, who were to
+      aid France to conquer Flanders, which was to be divided between the two
+      powers; while the Dukes of Savoy, Parma, and Mantua agreed to undertake,
+      in alliance with France, the invasion of Milan, and to receive in return a
+      portion of the territory won from Spain. At the same time France declared
+      war against Spain. It was to the army commanded by Cardinal de la Valette,
+      which was to act with that of Saxe-Weimar against the Imperialists, that
+      Turenne was attached.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The campaign began unfavourably. The impetuosity of Saxe-Weimar, who hoped
+      to recover his own principality, induced Valette to cross the Rhine; but
+      he was forced to retire in all haste, and the army suffered terribly in
+      the retreat. Turenne was in command of the advanced guard, and his courage
+      and activity alone saved the army from complete destruction&mdash;seizing
+      upon defiles, overthrowing the enemy who barred the passages, and enabling
+      the army to recross the Rhine with numbers diminished only by sickness,
+      fatigue, and hunger. At the siege of Saverne, Turenne led the French
+      troops to the attack after three repulses, and succeeded in gaining a
+      footing in the town, but received himself a very severe wound in the arm
+      with a musket ball. During the following year several towns were captured
+      but no decisive operations took place.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In 1638, the Duke of Saxe-Weimar gained some great successes, defeated the
+      Imperialists with heavy loss at Rheinfelden, and besieged Breisach, the
+      key of southern Germany. The Imperialist army marched to relieve the
+      place, but reinforcements were sent from France under the command of
+      Turenne and Longueville. Three battles were fought and the Austrians
+      driven off. After an assault by Turenne, Breisach capitulated, and all
+      Alsace had now fallen into the hands of Saxe-Weimar. Having been promised
+      Alsace he refused, as Richelieu desired, to hand over Breisach to France;
+      but on the death of the duke in the following year, Richelieu bought over
+      his lieutenants, the French flag waved over the towns of Alsace, and the
+      Upper Rhine became the French frontier. Turenne returned to court, where
+      he was received with enthusiasm, and was a short time afterwards ordered
+      to Italy to assist De la Valette, who had been faring but badly there.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Matters had not gone there as Richelieu had calculated. The Duke of Savoy
+      remained true to his engagement with France, but he died in October, 1637.
+      The Spaniards had captured Vercelli, and the emperor had bestowed the
+      regency of the duchy on the Cardinal of Savoy and on Prince Thomas,
+      brother-in-law of the duchess. These, supported by the Duke of Modena and
+      the Governor of Milan, the Marquess of Leganez, declared that they were
+      determined to protect the people against the French and to deliver the
+      young duke from French domination. The duchess implored help from France,
+      and la Valette advanced to her aid.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While in Paris, Turenne had obtained from the cardinal permission to raise
+      a regiment of dragoons and also that a company of dragoons should be
+      attached to each regiment of cavalry. These troops were not intended to
+      fight on horseback, but were, in fact, mounted infantry, an arm which,
+      after being in disuse for many years, has lately been recognized as a very
+      valuable one, possessing as it does the mobility of cavalry with the
+      fighting power of infantry. It was at the head of this regiment that the
+      general started for Italy. The position of affairs in Savoy was dark
+      indeed, for the whole of Piedmont had risen against the duchess. Many
+      considerable towns had been captured by the Spanish, others, including the
+      city of Turin, had opened their gates to them, and with the exception of
+      Susa, Carignano, Chivasso, Casale, and the citadel of Turin, the whole
+      country was lost to her. The French forces were, however, too weak to take
+      the offensive, and the ill health of La Valette deprived him of his former
+      energy and rendered him unwilling to undertake any offensive movement.
+      Nevertheless, Turenne's counsels infused a new spirit into the army, and
+      indeed the news that the young general, whose name was already known
+      throughout Europe, had arrived, and the belief that his coming would be
+      followed by that of large reinforcements from France, at once reanimated
+      the remaining supporters of the duchess and dispirited the Piedmontese,
+      who began to fear that they had been too hasty in siding with Spain.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But if, for the time, Turenne was not in a position to act in the field,
+      he began at once to take steps to prepare to meet the coming storm. Early
+      in October La Valette died. The general opinion was that Turenne would
+      have succeeded to the command, but his brother the Duc de Bouillon had
+      broken with Richelieu and joined the party opposed to him. When in Paris,
+      the duke had been on terms of intimate friendship with the Count of
+      Soissons and had invited him to stay with him at Sedan. The invitation had
+      been declined, but the count, having been implicated in a plot against
+      Richelieu, had been obliged to fly and had taken refuge at Sedan, where he
+      had been most warmly received by the duke. Richelieu had at first invited,
+      and then in the name of the king commanded, Bouillon to expel his guest.
+      This the duke absolutely refused to do, and becoming deeply offended at
+      the manner in which he was pressed, joined the party opposed to Richelieu.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was for this reason that the cardinal decided not to appoint Turenne to
+      the command, knowing the warm affection that existed between the brothers,
+      and fearing that Turenne might be influenced by Bouillon, and might,
+      beloved as he was by the soldiers, lead many of the troops away from their
+      allegiance were he to join the party opposed to him. He therefore
+      appointed the Count d'Harcourt to the command. He had proved himself a
+      brilliant officer on many occasions, and Turenne did not feel in any way
+      aggrieved at his being placed over him. He made a rapid journey to Paris
+      to arrange with the cardinal and d'Harcourt the general plan of the
+      campaign, and was now setting out again to make preparations for it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector Campbell enjoyed the journey greatly. His duties were nominal; and
+      the party always halted at towns, where the troops were billeted upon the
+      inhabitants, and the viscount and his suite entertained by the
+      authorities. After crossing the Alps, however, by the pass of Mount Cenis,
+      and arriving at Susa, his work began in earnest. Turenne himself was
+      almost entirely occupied in consultations with the duchess; his three
+      aides-de-camp, however, were kept hard at work carrying messages to the
+      governors of towns that still adhered to the duchess, with orders for the
+      strengthening of the defences and for the collection of stores and
+      provisions in case of siege. Each was provided with three horses, and
+      almost lived in the saddle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You seem to be tireless, Campbell,&rdquo; de Lisle said, when it one day
+      happened that all three were together at headquarters. &ldquo;I feel as if I had
+      not a whole bone in my body; as I have not had a whole night in bed for
+      the last six days, I can hardly keep my eyes open, while you, who have
+      been doing as much as we have, are going about as actively as if you had
+      had nothing to do for a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have the advantage of riding so much lighter than you do,&rdquo; Hector said;
+      &ldquo;weight tells both on horse and rider, and when the horse is tired his
+      pace soon adds to the weariness of his rider. If we had had to do this
+      work when we first left Paris, I have no doubt that I should have felt it,
+      but the journey here has been a fine preparation. Another thing is, that
+      every morning I take a dip in the first mountain stream I come to, and
+      that does one almost as much good as a night's sleep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      De Lisle shivered. &ldquo;It may do good, Campbell, but I would not jump into
+      one of these icy streams for anything. It makes one shudder to think of
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I always had a swim in the Seine every morning when it was not closed by
+      ice,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;I was told that there was nothing braced one up and
+      made one so hardy as that; and I certainly found that even in the coldest
+      weather I never felt the need of a cloak.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I don't deny that it may be a good custom, and if all Scotchmen do
+      it, it may account for their hardiness; but I like comfort when I can get
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But it is not comfort to be always in the saddle, and to feel so sleepy
+      that you fancy that at any moment you may fall off. Even if a dip in snow
+      water is, to those unaccustomed to it, somewhat sharp, it is better than
+      having to struggle against sleep for hours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, possibly I may try the experiment some day when I feel that I must
+      either lie down by the roadside and sleep or take a dip, but until I feel
+      like breaking down altogether I shall postpone the experiment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne several times spoke approvingly to Hector. On one occasion, when
+      the lad presented himself on being told that an aide-de-camp was required
+      to carry a message, Turenne said to him: &ldquo;But it is not your turn,
+      Campbell; de Lisle and Chavigny both returned some hours ago, while it is
+      not an hour since you came in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are both asleep, general,&rdquo; Campbell said; &ldquo;they have been thirty-six
+      hours in the saddle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you have been more than that, Campbell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I do not feel it, sir,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I am perfectly fresh and ready to
+      go on. I was a little tired when I came in, but I have taken a swim in the
+      river, and am now at your service.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne hesitated. &ldquo;You see, sir,&rdquo; Hector went on, &ldquo;being of light weight
+      the horse does not feel it as he does that of a heavier man, his pace
+      continues light and elastic, and his spirit good, and that makes all the
+      difference to the fatigue of his rider. After two days' rest my horses are
+      perfectly ready for another long day's work, while those of Chavigny and
+      de Lisle start heavily, not having recovered from their fatigue.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, you can go then, Campbell. I am pleased with your spirit, and
+      also with your thoughtfulness for your companions, who, although strong
+      young men, do not seem to have your power of endurance. I find, too, that
+      you always carry out your instructions with intelligence, and that your
+      reports on matters touching which I have sent you to inquire are always
+      clear and full. It may be that ere long I may find employment for you in
+      which courage as well as intelligence is required. There is but one
+      drawback, namely, that you do not speak Italian. I know that there are few
+      officers in our service who do so; but it would be so much the more
+      valuable were you able to master it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had intended to study the language, general, as soon as I got here, but
+      have had no time to begin it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That you certainly have not,&rdquo; Turenne said with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think that it would be of any use, sir, if I were to take a
+      Savoyard servant? I find that many of them who come from places near the
+      frontier speak French as well as their own language.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That would be useful, certainly; but you would have to be careful in your
+      choice, and see that you get one whose sympathies are with the duchess;
+      not only for your own safety, but because a chance word heard here, or an
+      order given and conveyed to the Spaniards, might involve the loss of a
+      battle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see that, general, and will be very careful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector had formed the acquaintance of several young officers attached to
+      the household of the duchess, and on the day following his return from his
+      mission he was supping with a party of four of them when he said:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can one of you gentlemen recommend a servant to me? He must be able to
+      talk French as well as Italian. He must be active and intelligent. I
+      should like him to be handy and accustomed to camp service, though this is
+      not so important, for I want him as an interpreter before anything else. I
+      should like him to be a lightweight, so as to be able to ride with me. He
+      must be accustomed to fatigue, and he must have courage, for some of the
+      journeys on which I may be sent will not be without danger, and of course
+      he must be of the duchess's party.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I suppose,&rdquo; one of the young men said, &ldquo;that this Admirable Crichton
+      of whom you are in search must be sober, honest, and truthful. Are you
+      particular whether he is Huguenot or Catholic?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As to the last, not a bit. I should like him to be as sober as soldiers
+      in general are, and if he confined himself to taking his wine when I did
+      not require him, it would not be very important, provided that he is not
+      talkative when in liquor. As to his honesty, he would have no great
+      temptation so far as I am concerned, but I certainly should not wish to
+      lose him by his being strung up by the provost marshal for robbing
+      citizens. As to his truthfulness, providing he did not lie to me, it is a
+      point on which I should not be particular.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a general laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And as to his age?&rdquo; the officer asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I could find all the qualifications that I require, I should not be
+      particular about that; but I think that for choice I would take a lad of
+      from sixteen to twenty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In that case I fancy that I know a lad who might suit you,&rdquo; one of the
+      other officers said. &ldquo;He is a brother of my groom, and I may own that he
+      has been of no little trouble to him. The boy is an orphan, and having no
+      other friends so far as I know, he has attached himself to his brother,
+      and for the past two years, wherever he has gone Paolo has gone too. He
+      earns a little money by doing odd jobs&mdash;running messages, and so on,
+      helps his brother to clean the horses; and with an occasional crown from
+      me, and what he earns otherwise, it cannot be said that he costs his
+      brother anything in money; but in other respects he is always getting him
+      into trouble, for he is a very imp of mischief. Two or three times his
+      brother has obtained places for him, but he always comes back at the end
+      of a week, and sometimes sooner, with bitter complaints from his master
+      that he has set the household in a turmoil with his tricks and ill
+      conduct. Many a thrashing has he had, but they do him no good.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The others laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no doubt that Paolo is a perfect young imp,&rdquo; one of them said,
+      &ldquo;but he is as sharp as a needle. I have no doubt that if he could be tamed
+      he would make a most useful lad. As it is, I certainly would not recommend
+      anyone who cares for his peace of mind to have anything to do with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will see him anyhow,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;I think that I would rather have a
+      sharp boy than a man. Being but a boy myself, I could appreciate and put
+      up with more in the way of mischief than a man could.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will tell my groom to bring him round to your quarters in the morning,&rdquo;
+       the officer said; &ldquo;but mind, I in no way recommend your taking him. You
+      won't keep him a week if you do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning Hector's orderly told him that a man desired to speak to
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has he a boy with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, lieutenant.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Bring them in here, then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In a minute a man entered, followed by a boy. The former was a good
+      looking young Savoyard of some four- or five-and-twenty years; the latter
+      was a lad of about the same height as Hector but somewhat older. He had
+      black hair which fell over his forehead down to his eyebrows. His face
+      bore an expression of extreme humility, which, however, was marred by the
+      merry twinkle of his dark eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My master has bid me bring my brother with me, Lieutenant Campbell,&rdquo; the
+      man said, &ldquo;and I have done so, but I fear greatly that he will hardly suit
+      you as a servant. I have obtained a dozen places for him, but he is always
+      sent back at the end of three or four days, and I told him last time that
+      I would never say a word in his recommendation again, for that it only
+      gets me into trouble with the gentlemen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, that is honest,&rdquo; Hector said with a smile. &ldquo;However, I will ask him
+      a few questions. Now, Paolo, in the first place, could you be faithful?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I could be faithful to a master I loved,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the second place, are you honest?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is honest,&rdquo; the man said, &ldquo;I will say that for him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you truthful?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am as truthful as other people,&rdquo; the boy said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean, sir, that if I were asked a straightforward question I would give
+      a straightforward answer, unless it were wiser not to do so. I would tell
+      the truth to my master, but I do not consider it necessary always to do so
+      to others. For instance, sir, if you were my master, and questions were
+      asked about you, there might be times when it would not be convenient for
+      you that I should mention where you had gone, or what you were doing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is so,&rdquo; Hector said with a laugh. &ldquo;The important thing for me to
+      know is, would you always tell me the truth?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think that I could promise to do that, sir, or at least to be very near
+      the truth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You understand horses?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you can ride?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I can ride and run too. In a long day's journey I should get to
+      the end on foot nearly as fast as you would on horseback.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He can make himself useful on a campaign,&rdquo; the brother said. &ldquo;He has been
+      with my master and myself in the field for the last three years, and knows
+      his work well if he chooses to do it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The principal point with me is that which I first asked him about, can he
+      be faithful? I may have to ride on dangerous missions for the general. I
+      may have to enter an enemy's town to obtain information. There is another
+      thing, being of the general's staff, and sometimes quartered in the same
+      house with him and chatting freely with his other aides-de-camp, secrets
+      might be picked up by a sharp pair of ears that if repeated would do
+      grievous harm to the cause of the duchess, as you can well understand.
+      Now, the question, Paolo, is, can you be absolutely trusted; can you, as
+      to all matters you may hear, be as one who is deaf and dumb?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I could, sir,&rdquo; the boy said earnestly. &ldquo;I am all for the duchess, and I
+      hate the Spaniards. I once was found out in a bit of mischief in the
+      palace, and should have been whipped for it and turned out of the town,
+      but the duchess herself said that I was only a boy and forgave me, and I
+      would do anything for her. I would indeed, sir, and I swear that I would
+      be always honest and truthful with you. I should like you as a master. You
+      don't speak to me as if I were dirt under your feet, and I am sure by your
+      voice that you would be kind. Try me, sir; my brother will tell you that I
+      have never said as much before to anyone to whom he has taken me, for
+      indeed I never meant to stay with them, preferring my liberty, rough
+      though my fare may sometimes be.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will try you, Paolo. I believe that you are in earnest, and that I can
+      trust you; but mind, there must be no monkey tricks here. The general must
+      not be disturbed by the antics of a servant boy. You are likely, in my
+      service, to have as much excitement and adventure as you can wish for, and
+      you must behave yourself, for if you do not do so you will be lucky if you
+      escape with a flogging and being turned out of camp. I am younger than you
+      are, and am just as fond of a piece of fun, but I know when it is good to
+      enjoy one's self and when one must put aside boyish pranks. I have my
+      duties to perform, and do them to the best of my power, and shall expect
+      you to do the same.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will, sir,&rdquo; the boy said respectfully. &ldquo;I will give you no cause to
+      complain of me, at least no wilful cause.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then that is settled. Here,&rdquo; he said to the boy's brother, &ldquo;are five
+      pistoles; see that he is decently clad so as to make a fair appearance by
+      my side. When he is so, let him return here. It were best that he should
+      come this evening, for it is likely that I shall be away on duty
+      tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He shall be here, sir,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and I thank you heartily for engaging
+      him; and I do think that he means this time to behave himself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do mean it,&rdquo; the boy said. &ldquo;You shall have no reason to complain of me,
+      sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Shortly afterwards Hector met the officer who had spoken of the boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, have you thought anything more of young ne'er-do-well?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have engaged him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have, after the warning I gave you? Well, I hope you will not have
+      reason to repent it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not think that I shall. I can quite believe that he is a mischievous
+      young varlet, he shows it in his face; but I am sure that he is shrewd,
+      and I believe that he will be faithful. At any rate I think that we took
+      to each other, and that he has made up his mind to try for once to stay in
+      a place. He really seemed in earnest about it, and if he keeps to his
+      promises I think that he will be just the sort of lad to suit me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, we shall see,&rdquo; the officer said; &ldquo;but if he turns out badly, please
+      remember that I warned you against him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And if he turns out well,&rdquo; Hector said with a laugh, &ldquo;I shall not fail
+      also to remind you of your prognostications.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      That evening when Hector returned to his room after he had finished his
+      meal, he found Paolo waiting outside his door. His appearance had so
+      changed that he would not have known him. His hair had been cut short in
+      the front and left long behind, as was the custom of the day, hanging down
+      on to his collar. He was neat and tidy. He wore a dark blue doublet
+      reaching to the hips, with a buff leather belt, in which was stuck a
+      dagger. His leggings, fitting tightly down to the ankles, were of dark
+      maroon cloth, and he wore short boots of tanned leather. A plain white
+      collar, some four inches deep, was worn turned down over the neck of the
+      doublet, and a yellow cloth cap, with a dark cock's feather, was stuck on
+      one side of his head. In his hand he held a bundle containing a leather
+      jerkin and breeches of the same material, and a pair of buff leather
+      riding boots that would reach to the knee.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your brother has laid out the money well, Paolo,&rdquo; Hector said, as he
+      opened the door and led the way into his room. &ldquo;I do not think that I
+      should have known you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am quite sure that I should not have known myself, master, if I had
+      looked into a horse trough and seen my reflection. It will be a long time
+      before I shall be able to persuade myself that these clothes are my own,
+      and that I really am an officer's lackey. Now, master, you must teach me
+      my duties, of which I know nought when in a house like this, though I know
+      well enough what they are when you are in the field.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are few enough at present, Paolo. Monsieur de Turenne's stablemen
+      look after the horses of his staff. When I do not dine with him, I and my
+      two friends, M. de Lisle and M. de Chavigny, dine and sup together at an
+      inn. There is my room to keep tidy, my bed to make, my armour and arms to
+      be polished, and my clothes to be brushed. Hitherto, my orderly has done
+      these things, but it will now be your duty. As I do not eat in my rooms,
+      it is clear that there is no food for you, and when we are in towns I
+      shall give you money to pay for your meals at a cabaret.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope, master, that you will soon find something more useful for me to
+      do, for, in truth, I fear that with so much time on my hands I shall find
+      it sorely difficult to comport myself as is due to your lackey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do not fear, I have little doubt that you will soon find work enough and
+      to spare, and indeed you will often ride with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Some few days later, the other two aides-de-camp being away, the viscount
+      requested Hector to accompany him on a tour of inspection that might last
+      two or three days. He was accompanied by his orderly and three other
+      troopers, behind who rode two of his own lackeys with baskets of
+      provisions. With them rode Paolo, Hector having asked the general if he
+      should take him with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may as well do so, Campbell, it will accustom him to his work. What
+      made you choose so young a servant?&rdquo; he asked, as he rode off.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a year older than I am, though perhaps not so tall. He is the
+      brother of a man in the employment of Monsieur de Vevey. He has been
+      through the last two campaigns. I find him very intelligent. He obeys my
+      orders promptly, and as he is heart and soul in the cause of the duchess,
+      I feel sure of his fidelity, especially as he has had a hard time of it up
+      to now, and is, I think, grateful to me for taking him. He speaks French
+      very well, and might certainly be of great use to me in any enterprise
+      that your lordship might be good enough to entrust me with. Being about
+      the same age, I think that we might perhaps go together unquestioned where
+      a man would be unable to pass.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The viscount rode on for some minutes without speaking. &ldquo;There is
+      something in what you say, Campbell, and after this journey is over I may
+      be able to employ you in that way when it is necessary to obtain
+      information I can get in no other manner. Has he ridden with you before?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, he has ridden behind me each time that I have been away since I
+      engaged him. When I say behind me, he starts behind me, but when out of
+      town I call him up beside me, and we talk, or rather try to talk, in
+      Italian&mdash;or rather I should say in Piedmontese, for he tells me that
+      each district of Italy has its own dialect, and that the natives of one
+      can scarce understand the other. I have bought a book printed here and a
+      dictionary, and of an evening when I have no duties to perform he comes
+      into my room, and translates sentence by sentence as I read it to him. I
+      learn it by heart, and hope that ere long I shall be able to make myself
+      understood in it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You do well&mdash;very well,&rdquo; the viscount said. &ldquo;If all my young
+      officers were to do the same, instead of spending the evening and half the
+      night in drinking and gambling, things would go on much more smoothly, and
+      there would not be so many blunders in carrying out my orders. You will
+      greatly add to your usefulness by acquiring a knowledge of the language,
+      and it would certainly enable you to carry out with far less danger such
+      commissions as those you were just speaking of; for you might be asked a
+      question, and if it were replied to by your lackey, suspicions would be at
+      once aroused. You have ridden along this road before?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Several times, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you noted the features of the country&mdash;I mean from a military
+      point of view?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have nothing else to do as I ride along, sir. As I go I notice where an
+      ambuscade might be laid, either by ourselves or an enemy, where we might
+      expect to be opposed on our march forward, or where a rear guard might
+      check an enemy were we retiring before him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good! the fate of a battle depends in nine cases out of ten upon a
+      knowledge of the ground, and in quickness in utilizing that knowledge. Our
+      journey today is only taken for that purpose. I want to see for myself the
+      country across which we shall at first operate, to inspect the various
+      routes by which we might advance, or through which, if we find the enemy
+      in too great a force to be encountered, we should be obliged to retire. As
+      we go you shall point out to me the observations that you have made, and I
+      shall be able to judge whether the spots are well chosen for the purpose.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER III: THE FIRST BATTLE
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      During the three days that were spent in reconnoitering the country Hector
+      Campbell learnt more than he would have done in as many years under
+      ordinary circumstances. Turenne took the greatest pains to point out to
+      him how the nature of the ground could be taken advantage of, how flanks
+      could be protected against attack by comparatively small bodies, occupying
+      positions from which they could be with difficulty expelled; how important
+      was the action of guns, especially when so placed as to be able to sweep
+      the ground across which an enemy must advance in any endeavour to turn the
+      position of an army. Turenne, on his part, took pleasure in instructing a
+      pupil who was at once so eager to learn, and who showed himself so apt in
+      profiting by his teaching.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I am concerned rather in defensive positions at
+      present than in seeing how we could best turn an enemy barring our
+      advance. Although the greater portion of the dominions of the duchess has
+      fallen into the hands of the enemy, she is fortunate in that the few
+      places that remain are those that at once enable her to make a defence
+      with comparatively small forces; and at the same time, it is possible for
+      her to receive aid from France, or, if absolutely necessary, for her to
+      fall back across the Alps. Susa, her headquarters, lying at the mouth of
+      the valley up which the road over Mount Cenis finds its way, at once
+      guards the pass and keeps open communication with France.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is, as it were, the handle of a fan, and can be approached by three
+      main roads only,&mdash;those to Turin, Carignano, and Chivasso.
+      Unfortunately Turin is in the enemy's hands, but as the duchess's troops
+      still hold the citadel, an advance could not very well be made until that
+      has fallen. Chivasso and Carignano are safe from any sudden attack. There
+      are other minor roads, but so long as these towns are in our hands and
+      held by strong garrisons, an enemy advancing by any of these roads towards
+      Susa would be liable to have their communications cut, and their convoys
+      captured by parties from these fortresses. It has long been a fixed idea
+      in military operations that an army cannot advance as long as a town near
+      the line of route is held by the enemy. That idea is an erroneous one, and
+      several times upon the Rhine we have gained successes by neglecting this
+      rule and disregarding the towns, contenting ourselves with leaving a force
+      sufficient to keep the garrison in check.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Spaniards, however, are slow to change their tactics, good soldiers
+      as they are. The consequence is that, although greatly superior in force,
+      last year they made no offensive movement against us. We have had several
+      regiments join us since we arrived here, and although I believe the
+      enemy's force to be twice as strong as our own, I have no doubt that the
+      Count d'Harcourt will as soon as he arrives decide upon taking the
+      offensive. You see our position here, guarded as it is on both flanks by
+      the line of mountains, is as favourable for offence as defence, for we can
+      advance either through Carignano on our right or Chivasso on our left; and
+      however the enemy may dispose themselves they are vulnerable on one side
+      or the other.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This anticipation was justified. D'Harcourt arrived three days later. A
+      council of war was held, and it was decided that an advance should at once
+      be made against the enemy. The main body of the Spanish troops were posted
+      in a fortified camp at Villanova, halfway between Asti and Turin. Leaving
+      only a small body of troops to guard the lower valley of Susa from an
+      attack by the Spaniards at Turin, the army advanced to Carignano, and
+      thence towards Villanova. The Spaniards, however, although nearly twice as
+      strong as the French, were so much surprised at the boldness of this
+      proceeding that instead of marching out to give battle they contented
+      themselves with strengthening still further the defences of their camp,
+      and in order to force them to come out d'Harcourt advanced to Chieri&mdash;called
+      by the French Quiers&mdash;a town situated between Villanova and Turin,
+      and about two leagues distant from each.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne was in command of the cavalry, and took post between Chieri and
+      Villanova. The Spaniards, however, made no effort to relieve the town,
+      which capitulated after a resistance of only two or three days. While the
+      siege was proceeding, a large convoy of provisions succeeded, unmolested,
+      in making its way to Casale, and thus placed the garrison there in a
+      position to hold out for several weeks to come. But a very small store of
+      provisions was found in Chieri, and the army was forced to fall back
+      towards Carignano to obtain food from the stores collected there. The
+      Marquis of Leganez, whose headquarters were at Asti, knowing that the
+      French had sent all the stores they had brought with them to Casale, had
+      foreseen that this would be the case, and advancing rapidly with the
+      troops from Villanova seized Poirino, on the line by which the French
+      would retire, while at the same time Prince Thomas, who commanded at
+      Turin, advanced with the greater portion of his troops, and marched
+      towards the little river Santina, intending to cross there. Thus the
+      French army could not retire on Carignano without exposing both flanks to
+      the attack of the enemy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      During the short campaign Hector had ridden behind Turenne, and shared in
+      the general disappointment of the army when the enemy refused to accept
+      their offer of battle, and still more so when after the capture of Chieri
+      it became necessary to retreat. His two fellow aides-de-camp loudly
+      bewailed the bad fortune that thus obliged them to retire without having
+      effected anything beyond the capture of an insignificant town, which,
+      however, had the advantage of opening a way for them into the heart of the
+      country then held by the enemy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You seem to take it rather philosophically, Campbell,&rdquo; de Lisle said to
+      Hector, as he remained silent while they were bemoaning their fate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not see that it is of any use taking it otherwise. At least we have
+      had the satisfaction of bearding the Spaniards, who indeed seem to me to
+      behave wisely in remaining in their intrenchments and waiting until they
+      can unite all their forces against us. However, we have shown them that we
+      are not afraid of them, and that even in the middle of November we are so
+      eager to meet them that we have hastened to take the field and to strike a
+      blow before winter sets in in earnest; but I think it possible that we may
+      have a fight yet before we get back. Leganez has the reputation of being a
+      good general, and he may yet combine his troops at Asti with those of
+      Villanova and Turin and try to cut us off from Carignano.&rdquo; At this moment
+      Turenne suddenly entered the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To horse, gentlemen! News has come that Prince Thomas is marching at the
+      head of three thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse to cut us off, and
+      that Leganez is moving with all speed towards Poirino with the same
+      object. Carry my orders for a thousand cavalry and as many infantry to be
+      ready to march at once. We must be beforehand with Prince Thomas.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In ten minutes the cavalry and infantry selected were in movement, and
+      Turenne, placing himself at the head of the former, rode on at a gallop,
+      and keeping on at full speed with his cavalry, occupied the bridge before
+      Prince Thomas came up. On his arrival, the latter, having with him three
+      thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse, prepared to attack, but before he
+      did so Turenne's infantry arrived. The Spaniards attacked with fury, but
+      Turenne's troops stood firm and repulsed them, and as soon as they fell
+      back charged in turn, broke the enemy, and drove them in headlong rout
+      towards Turin. Prince Thomas himself was twice unhorsed and thrown into a
+      ditch, but it was now almost dark, his rank was unrecognized, and he
+      succeeded in making his escape and rejoining his scattered troops.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While this fight was going on, d'Harcourt had attacked the Marquis of
+      Leganez and gained a considerable advantage, but not knowing how the fight
+      was going on at Santina did not venture to advance towards the Po. As
+      soon, however, as a messenger from Turenne brought him news that Prince
+      Thomas had been defeated he continued his march towards Carignano. He was
+      speedily joined by Turenne's horse, which took up the duty of rear guard
+      and checked the Spaniards, who were pressing on in hopes of attacking the
+      French as they crossed the river. He held them at bay until d'Harcourt had
+      got all his guns and baggage wagons across the river, and then, following
+      him, broke down the bridge and joined him at Carignano. Here the army went
+      into winter quarters.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      D'Harcourt, whose health was bad, retired to pass the winter at Pinerolo,
+      leaving the command in the hands of Turenne, who again established himself
+      at Susa, and began to make preparations for throwing a convoy of
+      provisions into the citadel of Turin.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      During the fight at Santina Hector remained behind Turenne, while the two
+      young Frenchmen, carried away by their ardour, joined in the hot pursuit
+      of the enemy. The prince, who had led the charge, had halted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you alone here, Monsieur Campbell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are de Lisle and Chavigny?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They rode on with the cavalry, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne frowned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have done well to remain. An aide-de-camp's place is to carry orders,
+      not to fight. Now, sir, ride at once to the count. I hear his battle is
+      still going on. Tell him that I have defeated and scattered the troops of
+      the prince, and that as soon as I can gather my men I shall march to join
+      him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector bowed, turned his horse and galloped off, while the general rode
+      on, sending every officer he overtook in search of the cavalry with orders
+      that they were to abandon the pursuit and return instantly. That evening
+      after they had entered Carignano he called de Lisle and Chavigny into his
+      room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Gentlemen,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;you will have to choose whether you remain with me
+      or join one of the cavalry regiments. If you remain with me, you must bear
+      in mind in future that you are my aides-de-camp, and that your sole duty
+      here is to carry my orders, and not to fight like troopers in a battle. It
+      is through hotheadedness of this sort that battles are lost. A general,
+      without officers to carry his orders, can do nothing towards controlling
+      the movements of his troops in battle, of following up a victory or
+      covering a defeat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two young officers hung their heads and murmured their excuses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Enough, gentlemen,&rdquo; Turenne said. &ldquo;I am perfectly aware that it was your
+      ardour that carried you away, but ardour is a bad leader. Over and over
+      again the ardour of cavalry to pursue the troops they have defeated has
+      brought about the loss of a battle. Courage is a virtue, and most soldiers
+      possess it, but steadiness and coolness are rarer and more useful, and on
+      the part of officers on a general's staff are absolutely indispensable. I
+      doubt not that you will remember this in future, and that I shall not have
+      reason to complain of you again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning it was Hector's turn to be in attendance on the general.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You behaved as I expected you would do,&rdquo; Turenne said, when he entered
+      his room on hearing the bell sound. &ldquo;You fought close to me as long as
+      there was fighting to be done, and I observed that you used your sword
+      well. The moment I drew rein you did the same, and took up your post
+      behind me, showing that although this was your first battle you retained
+      your coolness. I will therefore tell you in confidence that Count
+      d'Harcourt has enjoined me to throw provisions, if possible, into the
+      citadel at Turin. It will take me some time to make arrangements, and my
+      only fear is that the garrison, on hearing that we have retired across the
+      Po&mdash;of which you may be sure the Spaniards will take care to inform
+      them&mdash;may believe that we shall do no more this winter; and as we
+      know that their provisions must be well nigh exhausted, they will abandon
+      the citadel and march thither.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is now well nigh eighteen months since they were first cut off. It is
+      certain that their investment is a very close one, and that the most
+      vigilant watch is used to prevent news of any kind from reaching them from
+      the outside. We have made several efforts to communicate with them, but
+      without success. Some of the messengers we sent never returned, and were,
+      doubtless, detected and killed. Others came back and reported their
+      failure, saying that every avenue to the citadel was so closely watched
+      that it was impossible to get through.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any objection, general, to my mentioning this matter to my boy?
+      I am absolutely convinced that he is thoroughly faithful and trustworthy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may do so if you like, Campbell, though it is hardly likely that he
+      will be able to suggest any method of communication with the garrison that
+      has not already been tried.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The general shortly afterwards went out to wait upon the duchess; in two
+      hours he returned, and as soon as he did so Hector entered his room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo; Turenne asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have been thinking about what you said about the garrison of Turin. I
+      have been talking it over with Paolo, and have come to offer to do my best
+      to deliver a letter from you to the garrison if you will do me the great
+      honour to entrust the mission to me. We both think that two boys would be
+      much more likely to succeed than men. No one would regard them with
+      suspicion; and they could creep and crawl more easily. I do not say that
+      we should succeed, but I think that we should have some chance of doing
+      so. At any rate I am willing to try.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be a very dangerous expedition,&rdquo; Turenne said gravely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not more dangerous than going into a battle, viscount. Not a quarter as
+      dangerous as storming a breach.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne smiled. &ldquo;The idea has passed through my mind,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I
+      should not have proposed it had you not first spoken. It is the sort of
+      mission in which I thought you could be made useful, but it is a rough
+      adventure to begin with, and you must not minimize the danger. It is the
+      duty of a soldier to run the risk of being killed in battle, but it lies
+      beyond his duty to go into the enemy's camp to obtain news. He may
+      volunteer for it, but with a knowledge that if detected he would assuredly
+      be hanged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not think, general, that the risk of detection would be great, but
+      the risk of failure would be so. If when we get there we can see no
+      possible means of passing through the line of sentries, there would be
+      nothing to do but to come back, and I own that in talking it over the
+      thought that I might be obliged to return and to tell you that I had
+      failed occupied a much larger portion of my thoughts than the risk of
+      being detected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I shall not expect you to succeed, Campbell; the chances are a
+      hundred to one against it. I should be glad, however, to have the
+      experiment tried once again, so that if the garrison capitulates before we
+      arrive to its succour, I shall not be able to blame myself for not having
+      made one more effort to induce them to hold out for another few weeks.
+      Have you thought of your plans?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only so far, sir, that we shall dress up as two country boys, cross the
+      Po, and enter the city from the other side. After that we must be guided
+      by circumstances and trust to good luck. May I ask, general, if you have a
+      plan of the city and fortress?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; at least the duchess has one, which she has placed at my disposal. I
+      can send an officer to the palace to request her to let me have it. No
+      doubt it would be a great advantage to you to study the position
+      beforehand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, sir, we will see about getting our disguises at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will give you an order on the paymaster for a hundred crowns for
+      special service,&rdquo; Turenne said. &ldquo;It is as well to be amply provided with
+      money, as it may be necessary to buy fresh disguises or to bribe someone
+      to conceal you;&rdquo; and he drew an order on the treasury and handed it to
+      Hector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will find the plan of the town in your room when you return.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo was waiting for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is settled, Paolo; we are to go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is an adventure after my own heart,&rdquo; the boy said with delight. &ldquo;It
+      will be great fun to outwit the Spaniards.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but we must mind that they don't outwit us, Paolo, which is quite as
+      likely. Now let us talk of our disguises again. I think you had better go
+      and buy them. I would rather get old ones than new. I don't suppose that
+      anyone is likely to take notice of me in the streets, but it would be well
+      at any rate that we should not both have new clothes, and better that
+      neither of us did so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can manage that, sir. There are shops here where one can buy old
+      clothes as well as new ones. I noticed one the other day in a narrow
+      street by the wall. I wondered then who would buy some of the garments
+      hung up. They were so old and so often mended that it was difficult to say
+      what was the original colour. The people are very poor up in the
+      mountains; since the war began, doubtless they have grown poorer, and are
+      glad to buy anything that will cover them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, here are ten crowns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They won't cost half that, master, but I will take them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mind and get something warm, Paolo; it is like enough that we shall have
+      to sleep more than once in the open air, and the winds are bitterly cold.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In half an hour the officer came with the plan, which Hector at once set
+      to to study. The citadel stood on ground but little, if at all, higher
+      than that upon which the town was situated. It was pentagonal in form, and
+      was built in 1565, and was the earliest fortification in Europe in this
+      style, and was considered a masterpiece. It was separated from the town by
+      its glacis. A deep fosse ran along the foot of the wall. The town itself
+      was walled, and extended to the foot of the citadel, and was capable of
+      offering a sturdy resistance even after the citadel had fallen, just as
+      the citadel could protect itself after the capture of the town by an
+      enemy. Hector examined carefully that portion of the town facing the
+      citadel, and took notes of the streets that ran through to the walls,
+      specially noting those which extended farthest from the wall before being
+      broken by cross lanes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was evident from the width of the streets that this was the poorest
+      quarter of the town, for the wealthy would not care to build their houses
+      in a position where, if the town and citadel were hostile to each other,
+      they would be exposed to the fire of the latter's guns.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In another half hour Paolo returned with a large bundle. It contained two
+      coarse cotton shirts, two warm garments resembling waistcoats, and
+      fastened by strings closing up to the neck, two red sashes of coarse
+      flannel, and two loose doublets reaching down to the hips. These were worn
+      and patched, but had been newly lined with sheepskin. The breeches, which
+      reached down to the knee, were of coarse brown cloth; to cover the leg
+      below the knee were bands of gray flannel which were wrapped round and
+      round the leg and foot, while over these were worn wooden shoes. The hats
+      were of conical shape with wide brims, and both, like the clothes, bore
+      signs of long wear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It could not have been better, Paolo,&rdquo; Hector said as he examined them.
+      &ldquo;I have seen scores of boys so dressed, and we shall certainly attract no
+      attention by our garb. They are warm, too, and we sha'n't come to any harm
+      from sleeping out in them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They cost more than I expected, master, owing to the doublets being
+      freshly lined, but I thought it would be worth it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite right! those sheepskins will be most useful. There is one thing
+      more we shall want, a thin rope, that will bear our weight well, some
+      twenty yards long. You had better go to a smith's and get him to make a
+      strong iron hook, by which we can fix the rope on to the edge of a wall
+      should it be needed. You had better have it made a good nine inches across
+      the hook, and the shank fifteen inches long.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After again studying the map he took it to the general.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have our disguises, sir, and shall be ready to start tomorrow
+      morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have lost no time,&rdquo; the general said approvingly. &ldquo;You will, of
+      course, ride to Chivasso. I will give you an order to the governor there,
+      to take charge of your horses and clothes, telling him that you are about
+      to proceed on a mission in disguise, and requesting him to send an officer
+      to pass you through the outposts beyond the bridge across the Po, that is
+      if the other side is not guarded by the Spanish troops. I should advise
+      you to make straight south so as to strike the road from Casale two miles
+      west of Turin. I do not like letting you go, lad, and yet I feel it is of
+      such importance that the garrison should know that aid will be at hand
+      before long, that I feel I ought not to prevent you from carrying out your
+      enterprise. When do you think of starting?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At eight in the morning, sir. If we do so we shall easily reach Chivasso
+      before dark, and may be near Turin by morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will have my note for the commandant ready by the time your horses are
+      at the door. I will make it as small as possible, and you had better
+      before you start sew it up in the lining of your coat, so that if you are
+      searched&mdash;which I own I do not think to be likely, unless in some
+      other way you excite the suspicions of the Spaniards&mdash;it may not be
+      found upon you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think, sir, that I would rather make it into a little pellet which I
+      can swallow. I fancy that if they were suspicious enough to search me they
+      would rip all the linings open.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That would be a better way certainly, Campbell; I see that you have
+      thought the matter over thoroughly. Of course, you will take no arms with
+      you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nothing but a long knife each. Every peasant carries one, and it may be
+      possible that we shall be compelled to silence a sentinel. If you would
+      not mind, sir, I should like to have six copies of your letter to the
+      commandant. I could manage to swallow six as well as one, and as it is not
+      likely that I shall be able to enter the citadel it would be as well to
+      give them a better chance of finding the letter if I have to try to shoot
+      or throw it in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That shall be done; we will use the thinnest paper, so that if you have
+      to swallow them you can do so without difficulty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I find that I cannot by any possibility get my message in through the
+      town, sir, I shall try to cross the river and so make my way in on that
+      side.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That would be even more dangerous than the other,&rdquo; Turenne said. &ldquo;On that
+      side an even stricter watch is likely to be kept than on that facing the
+      town, for the Spaniards know that the garrison is not strong enough to
+      attempt any enterprise against the city, while it might at any moment
+      attempt to break out and march away on the other side.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I own that I do not see myself how you can possibly succeed in either
+      case, but assuredly there must be more chance on the side of the town. I
+      have been thinking it over, and will order a troop of cavalry to ride with
+      you to Chivasso, for the Spanish horse from time to time make forays from
+      Turin, carry off prisoners, and burn villages. Until we are in a position
+      to make a general advance it is impossible to check these attacks without
+      keeping the whole of our cavalry massed near Turin, and wearing out horses
+      and men by the necessity for perpetual vigilance. And now, goodbye; may
+      fortune attend you! Do not be too rash. The letters shall be sent you in
+      an hour's time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As they issued out from Susa they found the troop of cavalry awaiting
+      them. The officer in command was well known to Hector, and said:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So it is you that I am to escort to Chivasso, Monsieur Campbell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I am sorry to give you occasion for so much trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No trouble at all; we have not been in the saddle for the past week, and
+      a ride to Chivasso will make a pleasant change. Besides, I have a brother
+      in the garrison there, so that altogether I shall be your debtor. You see,
+      we are not allowed to ride beyond St. Ambrogio, or Rivoli at farthest, for
+      once beyond that, we should be liable to be caught by the enemy's scouting
+      parties. Of course we have a strong force at Rivoli, but except to drive
+      off small parties of the enemy who may venture to come up too close, they
+      are forbidden to engage in any affairs. It is annoying, but one can
+      understand that the general is anxious to avoid encounters in which the
+      enemy is sure to be superior in force, until his reinforcements come up
+      and we are able to take the field in earnest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not think we shall be otherwise than inferior in force even when our
+      last regiment comes up,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;What with Holland and the Rhine and
+      the frontier of Spain, it is clear that the cardinal must have as much as
+      he can do to enable all our commanders to make head against the enemy, and
+      it is no secret that beyond one more regiment of cavalry that will arrive
+      with Count d'Harcourt, no other reinforcements are likely to reach us for
+      some time to come. But then, you see, we have Turenne as well as
+      d'Harcourt, and each of them ought to count for two or three thousand
+      men.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I would rather fight against long odds,&rdquo; the officer said, &ldquo;than be
+      kept here month after month doing nothing. Here is winter coming on, and I
+      suppose that will put a stop to everything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should hardly think so,&rdquo; Hector replied. &ldquo;I am sure that the viscount
+      is as eager for action as we are, and winter here is not the same thing as
+      in Holland or on the Rhine. From what I hear there is very little snow in
+      the plains; and as the country is generally flat, an army could march
+      almost as easily as in summer, and in some respects they would be better
+      off.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean that in summer the barns would be all empty of food until filled
+      again by the harvest, whereas in winter they would be all well stocked
+      with forage for the cattle and horses.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right, Monsieur Campbell. Certainly there should be nothing to
+      prevent our operating through the winter, and I shall look forward even
+      more eagerly than I did before for d'Harcourt's return. Will you come back
+      with us tomorrow from Chivasso?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will depend upon circumstances. I think it is more probable that I
+      shall not return to Susa for a few days; my orders are to report myself to
+      the governor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      No bodies of the enemy's cavalry were met with on the way, and at four
+      o'clock in the afternoon they rode into Chivasso. They alighted at the
+      commandant's, and on stating that he was the bearer of a despatch from the
+      general Hector was at once shown in. As he had more than once ridden there
+      with despatches from Turenne, he was known to the officer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We heard of the victory three days since,&rdquo; the latter said, as Hector
+      handed him the despatch, &ldquo;and fired a salvo of guns in honour of it. An
+      Italian deserter from the other side brought the news. The two generals
+      were unwounded, I hope?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, colonel, and our losses were altogether slight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The commandant opened the despatch. He looked a little surprised at its
+      contents. &ldquo;So you are going to endeavour to pass a message into the
+      citadel. It is a difficult undertaking. The enemy's watch is a very
+      vigilant one. Once or twice during the siege men have succeeded in
+      swimming the Po and evading the enemy's guards, but of late these have
+      been doubled, for it is thought that the garrison may attempt to break
+      out. On the town side the firing has all but ceased; they know that the
+      store of provisions is almost exhausted, and regard it as a waste of
+      powder and shot to continue their cannonade, which only results in the
+      citadel answering it, and that with very much more effect than the Spanish
+      guns produce. May I ask if you have any plan of getting in?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir, we must decide upon that when we see how matters stand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is the we?&rdquo; the colonel asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Myself and my servant, who is a very sharp and intelligent lad whom I can
+      thoroughly trust. Alone I could do nothing, for I have only picked up a
+      few phrases in Italian yet, and should be detected at once; so anything
+      that has to be said must be said by him. May I ask, sir, if the enemy are
+      in force on the other side of the bridge? if so, we must cross by
+      swimming, either above or below it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; there was a regiment there until three days ago, but they marched
+      away, and no doubt formed a portion of Prince Thomas's force. They know
+      well enough that although our garrison can hold the walls, we are not
+      strong enough to undertake any enterprise.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, sir, we have only to ask for an escort for a mile or so beyond the
+      other side of the bridge, in case a company should have been left to watch
+      the road. Beyond that we will dismount and proceed on foot. We will, if
+      you please, put on our disguises here, with the exception of our hats, and
+      perhaps you will lend us a couple of long cloaks, so that our appearance
+      may not be noticed. Although we shall not start until after dark, it is as
+      well to be upon the safe side. Maybe the enemy have spies in the town, and
+      were it noticed that two young peasants rode out under the escort of a
+      troop of cavalry news might be sent to Turin. In that case we might be
+      arrested as soon as we entered the city. I should be obliged if you would
+      give orders to the officer in command that one of the troopers should
+      bring the horses, cloaks, and hats back here with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The governor rang a bell, and on an orderly entering said: &ldquo;Tell Captain
+      Sion to have his troop in readiness to start in an hour's time, in order
+      to form an escort for one of Viscount Turenne's officers, and tell him
+      that when he has the troop ready to start he is to come to me for detailed
+      orders. I have said an hour, Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; he went on, after the
+      orderly had left the room, &ldquo;because, in the first place, it is not yet
+      dark, and in the second, it will take some twenty minutes to prepare a
+      meal. You will have a long night's work before you, and I dare say you
+      have had nothing since you halted for breakfast.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, colonel, I had not thought of it; but I should certainly have
+      remembered it before tomorrow morning. We halted for breakfast at eleven,
+      and if it had not been for your kind offer we should have had no chance of
+      getting anything till we entered Turin, and even there the less we go into
+      any cabarets the better.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. I have sent a message to the cook that twenty minutes is
+      the utmost we can give for the preparation of a meal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IV: SUCCESS
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Although the governor apologized to Hector for the poorness of the repast
+      and the haste with which it had been prepared, it was really excellent,
+      consisting of soup, some fish fresh from the river, a cutlet, and an
+      omelette, with a bottle of good wine of Asti. Paolo's wants had been
+      attended to in the kitchen. It was six o'clock when they started. The
+      officer in command had already received his instructions, and the governor
+      accompanied Hector to the door, where two horses were standing saddled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are not your own,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but are two of mine. I thought that
+      yours had made a sufficiently long journey today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Thanking him for his kindness, Hector mounted, and took his place by the
+      side of Captain Simon, while Paolo fell in with the orderlies riding close
+      behind.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I presume, monsieur, that you are going to obtain some information for
+      Viscount Turenne. I don't want to ask any questions as to the nature of
+      your mission, but as I have orders to bring back with the horses your
+      cloaks and hats, I presume that in the first place you are going on foot,
+      and in the second, you are going in disguise.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your judgment is correct, captain. The viscount wishes to obtain certain
+      information, and I am going to fetch it for him, if I can.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope that you will be successful, sir. It is a good night for
+      travelling, the stars are bright and the moon down, so that you will have
+      light enough to keep the road, and time enough to step aside should you
+      meet any party who might be inclined to question all passersby.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know the roads well about here?&rdquo; Hector asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was stationed in Turin before the enemy came with too great a force to
+      be resisted.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want to strike across the country, and to come into the road from Turin
+      to Casale at a distance of three or four miles from the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A mile or so away a road branches off from this which keeps by the river.
+      It is a mere country road, and except in two or three small villages that
+      you will pass through, you are not likely to meet with anyone upon it. It
+      is about eight miles to the main road from the point where you turn off,
+      and you will then be five miles from Turin. It is just possible that you
+      may meet patrols, but I should think it very unlikely; now that our army
+      has gone into winter quarters at Carignano, they are not likely to be very
+      vigilant.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As they rode along Hector related some of the incidents of the late
+      battle. No signs of the enemy were met with, and the officer presently
+      said, &ldquo;I am sorry to say that this is the point where you leave us,
+      monsieur. I wish it had been a little farther, so that I could hear more
+      of the fight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector and Paolo dismounted. Two troopers were called up and took charge
+      of their horses, while the cloaks and hats were given to the officer's
+      orderly, then the two lads put on the Savoyard hats they had carried under
+      their cloaks. The officer took two packets from his holster.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The colonel bade me give this to you at starting,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;He thought
+      that after a long walk on foot you would want some slight refreshment
+      before the inns were open in the morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you please give him my hearty thanks for his thoughtfulness,&rdquo; Hector
+      said, &ldquo;and accept the same yourself for your courtesy in escorting me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now we are fairly on our way, Paolo,&rdquo; he went on as he turned down the
+      lane, for it was little more; &ldquo;this package is a bottle of wine, and the
+      one that I have handed to you contains the eatables.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is good, master. We shall find it pretty cold before morning, and
+      there is nothing like a good meal to warm one up again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you get the bow and arrows at Chivasso?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. I went out and bought them as soon as we got there. I wanted
+      them, I told the man, for a boy of ten years old, but all he had were a
+      good deal too long, which I was glad of, for a child's bow would hardly
+      have been strong enough, so I made him cut one down until it was not more
+      than three feet long. That way I shall be able, as we agreed, to carry it
+      under my doublet. Of course it will make me walk stiffly, and there will
+      be no possibility of sitting down, but that matters not at all. It is all
+      the stronger, and will send an arrow a good distance. I have got six
+      arrows as you ordered me. They are regular arrows, but I made the man
+      shorten them so as to suit the bow, and then repoint them. I have got them
+      inside my doublet. I tied them together, made a hole in the lining under
+      the arm, and put them in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have not forgotten the cord, I hope, Paolo?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not I, master. I should have deserved having my ears cut off if I had
+      done so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They were in no hurry, and walked only fast enough to keep themselves
+      warm. In two hours and a half they arrived at the main road and turned to
+      the right. &ldquo;Now we will go another couple of miles, Paolo, and then look
+      out for a sleeping place. An empty barn or stable or a stack of fodder is
+      what we want. We may as well sleep warm as cold. We shall not want to be
+      moving on till seven o'clock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After walking three miles they came upon a small village.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you stay here, master, I will go round and see if I can find a place.
+      I am more accustomed to these villages than you are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In five minutes he returned. &ldquo;I have found a capital place,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It
+      is a stable, but it is empty. No doubt the Spaniards have taken the
+      horses, and are using them in their transport wagons.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is enough for us that the place is empty, Paolo.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The door stood ajar. They entered and closed it behind them, and they then
+      felt about until they found a pile of rough fodder. They pulled some of
+      this aside, lay down and covered themselves up with the stalks they had
+      removed, and in three minutes were fast asleep, for they had had a long
+      day's work. Hector slept until he was awakened by Paolo, who said, &ldquo;The
+      day is breaking, and the village will be astir in a few minutes.&rdquo; The
+      weather had changed, and as they stepped out fine flakes of snow were
+      drifting through the air, and the ground was already whitened. They
+      regained the road and walked along until they came to a wood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We may as well wait here and breakfast, Paolo.&rdquo; The parcel was opened and
+      found to contain a cold capon and some bread, and on these and the wine
+      they made a capital breakfast, each taking a long sip at the bottle to the
+      health of the colonel. &ldquo;The market people are beginning to come along, and
+      we may as well buy something from them going in. If we have not something
+      to sell it is not unlikely that we shall be asked questions.&rdquo; It was now
+      broad daylight, and they saw several peasants pass along the road, some
+      with baskets, others driving a pig or a goat.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Either of these would do,&rdquo; Hector said; &ldquo;but we don't know where the
+      market is, and it would never do to seem ignorant of that.&rdquo; The snow had
+      stopped suddenly some minutes before, and the sun was now shining.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is lucky,&rdquo; Hector said as they walked down towards the road, &ldquo;we may
+      hope that there will be no more snow and that the sun will soon melt what
+      has fallen. It would be fatal to us if the ground were white, for the most
+      careless sentry could not help seeing us upon it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They reached the road just as a peasant came along. He was an old man, and
+      was dragging behind him a pile of faggots, which were placed upon two
+      rough poles. He was walking between these, holding two ends in his hands,
+      while the others trailed along on the ground behind.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Bargain with him, Paolo.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a heavy load, father,&rdquo; the latter said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ay, it is heavy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much do you expect to get for your faggots in the town?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall get a crown,&rdquo; the man said. &ldquo;I would not take under, and they
+      ought to be worth more than that now the snow has begun to fall.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are going into the town,&rdquo; Paolo said. &ldquo;We are younger than you, and
+      between us we could drag it along easily. I have got a crown in my pocket
+      to buy some things with. I don't mind giving it to you for your load. If I
+      can sell the faggots for a few soldi over that we shall be able to buy
+      something for ourselves.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a bargain, lad,&rdquo; the old man said. &ldquo;I am getting old and the
+      rheumatism is in my bones, and I shall be very glad to be spared the
+      journey; so give me your money and take the poles. I hope you will be
+      successful, and sell them a little higher. You had better ask a crown and
+      a half. The women are sure to beat you down, but you will make ten or
+      twelve soldi for yourselves.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo handed the crown to the old man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How had we better take this, Paolo?&rdquo; Hector asked, as the old man,
+      chuckling with satisfaction at having escaped a toilsome journey, turned
+      to retrace his steps.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is room for us both between the shafts,&rdquo; Paolo said, &ldquo;one behind
+      the other. It would be much easier to walk holding both poles than for us
+      both to take one, as in that way the weight will be balanced on each side
+      of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was indeed just room between the ends of the poles and the pile of
+      brushwood for them to walk close behind each other, and as the greater
+      portion of the weight rested on the other ends of the poles they did not
+      find the burden a heavy one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are we going to sell these, Paolo?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We shall have no difficulty in selling them, master. This frost will set
+      every housewife on the lookout for wood, and you will find that we sha'n't
+      have to go far before we are accosted.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was two miles from the spot where they had bought the faggots to the
+      gates of Turin.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I sha'n't be sorry to get rid of this load,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;It is not the
+      weight but the roughness of the poles. My hands are quite chafed by them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Loose your hold for a bit, master. My hands have been accustomed to rough
+      work, and many a load of faggots have I drawn in my time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will hold on, Paolo. It is not more than a quarter of a mile farther.
+      My hands have done plenty of work, too, but it has been done with smooth
+      handled weapons. It is well that they should become accustomed to harder
+      work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They passed without a question through the gate, and following the example
+      of other vendors of wood, of whom they saw several, Paolo began to shout,
+      &ldquo;Large faggots for sale!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was not long before a door opened and a woman beckoned him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much do you want for the whole?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A crown and a half,&rdquo; Paolo said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have been offered as many for a crown,&rdquo; the woman replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, signora, you did wrong to refuse. It took two days' work to cut
+      them, and we have dragged them here for miles. Two crowns would not pay
+      for the labour. Not one scudo would I take under the price that I have
+      named. Why, if the town is besieged these faggots would be worth twenty
+      crowns before the winter is over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I will give you the money,&rdquo; the woman said. &ldquo;It is extortionate.
+      Generally I can buy them at half that price.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not say no to that,&rdquo; Paolo laughed, &ldquo;but with two armies wanting
+      firewood and cutting down the copses without even taking trouble to ask
+      leave of their owners, I think that you will see firewood very scarce in
+      the city before long.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, carry it in and pile it in the yard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This was soon done, the poles were thrown on to the top of the heap, and
+      the boys went off along the street again.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have made half a crown for ourselves,&rdquo; Paolo laughed; &ldquo;now we must
+      decide how we shall spend it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be a good plan to spend some money anyhow,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;What
+      kind of things would you be likely to buy for your family in the country?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I should say a cooking pan to begin with, and a few yards of warm
+      stuff for making my mother a skirt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, buy the cooking pan first and sling it across your shoulder, and
+      then as we wander about we can look in the shops and it will seem as if we
+      were on the search for articles that we had been told to purchase; it
+      would be better than sauntering about without any apparent object. But
+      first let us walk briskly towards the side of the town facing the citadel.
+      The Strada Vecchia is the one that I want to examine first.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The knowledge that he had gained from the plan of the city enabled Hector
+      to find the street without their having to ask any questions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, buy your cooking pan at the next smith's shop you come to, and then
+      we can go slowly along making our observations.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They soon found that the street they had entered was, for the most part,
+      deserted by its inhabitants. The shops were all closed, the road was
+      strewn with fallen chimneys and balconies, and here and there were yawning
+      holes showing how severely the street had suffered when the artillery duel
+      was going on between the guns on the walls and those of the citadel. A
+      short distance down the street a chain was stretched across it, and here a
+      musketeer was pacing up and down on guard. Two others could be seen at the
+      farther end of the street, where there was a gateway in the wall, now
+      closed up with sandbags piled thickly against it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will see if the other streets are similarly guarded.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This was found to be so, sentries being placed in every street running
+      down to the wall in this quarter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So far so good, Paolo. I do not think that matters could have been better
+      for us. The next thing is to buy a tool with which we can wrench open a
+      door or the shutter of a window; but a door will be best, because we could
+      not work at a shutter without running the risk of being seen by a
+      sentinel, while in a doorway we should be screened from observation. These
+      houses in the Strada Vecchia are old, and the doors ought not to give us
+      much trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some of these old locks are very strong, master. I should think that it
+      would be easier to cut out one of the panels than to force the door open.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Possibly it would, but it is not an easy thing to get the saw to work. We
+      should have to bore a hole large enough for the saw to go through before
+      we could use it. However, we will buy both a saw and a crowbar; as they
+      are both things that are useful to woodcutters, your buying them will not
+      appear suspicious, nor will the purchase of an auger, but we had better
+      get them at different shops.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Leaving that part of the town they re-entered the streets where business
+      was being carried on as usual.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We won't buy the things until late in the afternoon, Paolo. There would
+      be no advantage in dragging them about all day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They sauntered about the streets for some hours, then Paolo went into a
+      small baker's and bought two loaves of coarse bread. At another shop he
+      purchased some cheese, and with these they sat down on a stone bench in
+      the principal square and leisurely ate their food and looked on at the
+      crowd, which consisted principally of soldiers, Spanish veterans, stiff in
+      carriage and haughty in manner, together with others, horse and foot,
+      belonging to the contingent of the Duke of Milan, an ally of the Spanish.
+      Among these were townspeople, the younger ones chatting with each other or
+      with ladies of their acquaintance; the middle aged and older men talking
+      gravely together as they walked up and down.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among these there was an air of gloom and depression. The state of panic
+      in which the troops of Prince Thomas, who had marched out confident that
+      they were about to annihilate the French, had returned, and the knowledge
+      that the Marquis of Leganez had also failed, had created a feeling of the
+      deepest disquiet among that portion of the population who had taken a
+      leading part in throwing off the authority of the duchess and in
+      acknowledging that of Prince Thomas. They had regarded her cause as lost,
+      but the vigorous steps that France was taking to assist her had caused
+      uneasiness; and if, while as yet a comparatively small force had arrived,
+      these had shown so bold a front, had captured Chieri in the face of a
+      powerful army, had revictualled Casale, had defeated Prince Thomas and
+      forced their way past the array of Leganez, it might well be that in the
+      spring, when reinforcements reached them, they might even defeat the
+      Spaniards and lay siege to Turin itself. The boys remained where they were
+      until it began to grow dusk, when, after buying at three shops a saw, a
+      crowbar, and an auger, they went and sat down on a doorway in a quiet
+      street until eight o'clock. Then they took their way to the Strada
+      Vecchia. It was entirely deserted. Lights showed in one or two of the
+      windows, but, except that they could hear the tread of the nearest sentry,
+      all was silent. Taking off their wooden shoes they moved cautiously along,
+      keeping close to the houses. The fourth they came to had an unusually deep
+      doorway, and they decided at once that this would suit their purpose.
+      First they tried with the crowbar, but the lock held firmly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will try another way, Paolo. If the door yields, it will go with a
+      crash, and the sentry might come down to see what had caused the noise. We
+      had better take out this lower panel; we shall want four holes bored
+      touching each other to make one large enough for the saw to enter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The wood was of oak, and it took Paolo fully five minutes to make the
+      holes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now give me the auger,&rdquo; Hector said when it was found that the hole was
+      large enough for the saw to pass through.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will begin at the bottom of the panel while you saw away at the top.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo had done his share by the time the holes along the bottom were ready
+      for the saw.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now you take the auger again,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;We have not done half our
+      work yet. The holes must be made on each side. There is no turning the
+      saw.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It took them an hour and a half of hard work before the last cut was
+      completed and the panel fell forward.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You go in first, Paolo. I will follow you, and will wedge the panel into
+      its place again with some of the chips that the auger has cut out. No one
+      has passed since we began, and if anyone did come along before morning he
+      would not be likely to notice that the panel was gone. Still it is as well
+      to avoid all risk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as the panel was replaced they mounted the stairs. Before
+      beginning they had seen that there were no lights in any of the windows,
+      and feeling sure that the house was deserted they groped their way
+      upstairs without hesitation until they reached the attics in the sloping
+      roof. They entered one of these facing the street, opened the casement, in
+      which oiled paper took the place of glass, and stepped down on to the
+      parapet. Their course was now easy. The divisions between the houses were
+      marked by walls some six feet high extending from the edge of the parapet
+      over the roof. They were able to climb these, however, without having to
+      use their cord, one helping the other up and then being assisted by him.
+      They had left the cooking pan and their tools, with the exception of the
+      crowbar, behind them, and had fastened their wooden shoes round their
+      necks. The sun during the day had melted the snow that had fallen in the
+      morning, but light flakes were again beginning to come down fast.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't care how hard it snows as long as it keeps on,&rdquo; Hector said in a
+      low voice in answer to an exclamation from Paolo when the first flake fell
+      upon his face. &ldquo;The harder the better, for in that case no sentry could
+      see us half a dozen paces away. There is another advantage. The wind is
+      from the north, and we have only to keep the driving snow on our right
+      cheeks to make our way straight to the fortress, whereas with an overcast
+      sky on such a dark night as this we should very soon lose all idea of the
+      direction that we were going in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Being obliged to use great caution to avoid noise while getting over the
+      walls, it took them half an hour to reach the end of the street. They had,
+      while waiting before commencing their operations, twisted one of their
+      sashes, and then wound it round the hook so thickly that this would fall
+      almost noiselessly upon the ground. The snow prevented them from seeing
+      six feet below them, but they felt sure that there must be a narrow lane
+      between the house and the wall. They had during the day bought a length,
+      equal to that of their rope, of strong string.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have got it as you ordered it, master,&rdquo; Paolo said as they came out of
+      the shop, &ldquo;but it would never bear our weight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think it might do in case of necessity,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;In fact, I am
+      sure it would. It does not require a great thickness of new cord to hold a
+      man's weight; but I don't want it for that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo walked silently along for some time, and then said: &ldquo;If it is not
+      wanted to carry our weight, master, I cannot think what it is wanted for.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is wanted to get the hook down with. You see when we get down into the
+      street there would be little chance of getting the hook off its hold. We
+      shall most likely want it again, and certainly we shall want the rope. I
+      have been puzzling over it, and I think I have found a way at last. My
+      idea is to fasten this thin rope to the point of the hook, then, on
+      pulling upon it the point will rise until it gets level with the top of
+      the wall on which it is fixed, and we can then shake it down without
+      difficulty. I don't know whether it will act, but I think that it ought to
+      do so; an upward pull at the point must, I should think, lift it as far as
+      the edge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should think that it must,&rdquo; Paolo agreed. &ldquo;I should never have thought
+      of that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will try it on this last division wall. I have no doubt about it
+      myself, because even if it did not pull it quite to the top the thing
+      would be so canted over that I think it would fall from its own weight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They now attached the string to the point, fixed the hook to the top of
+      the wall, and then pulled upon the string. The hook at once fell to their
+      feet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is capital,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;Now we can go to work. We need carry this
+      crowbar no farther. In the first place we will cross this roof and other
+      roofs as far as we can go; the sentry at the corner is probably standing
+      up for shelter in a doorway, and we may as well get as far as we can from
+      him, and at the same time not go far enough to get near the one at the
+      next corner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After one or two attempts the hook became fixed on the ridge of the roof,
+      and they at once climbed up, unfastened the hook, and slid down on the now
+      snow covered tiles. Two more roofs were crossed in the same way, and then
+      they prepared to descend. They had, when they put on their disguises, tied
+      knots in the rope at a distance of a foot apart. They now adjusted the
+      hook on the parapet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I go first, master, or will you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go first, though in fact it matters little which of us does it;
+      but first I must warm my fingers. I don't think that I could trust to them
+      at present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He gathered a handful of snow, made it into a ball, and held it in his
+      hands until the cold pained him, then he dropped the snow and thrust his
+      hands up the sleeves of his doublet. Paolo looked on in astonishment, but
+      having great faith in his master imitated his example.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a curious way of warming the hands,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I daresay you have made snowballs in your time, Paolo, and if you have
+      you will remember that, although it made your hands bitterly cold at
+      first, after you had done they soon became almost as hot as fire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do remember that, master, but I should never have thought of it as a
+      way of warming our hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For a minute or two there was a sharp pain as the blood began to rush into
+      the fingers, and when this passed off their hands were in a glow. Hector
+      took the rope, lowered himself over the parapet, and then began to
+      descend. When halfway down the darkness became more intense than before,
+      and he knew that he was now below the level of the outer wall. When he
+      reached the ground he shook the rope as a signal, and then, stretching his
+      arms before him, crossed the lane. It was but a step, for the house stood
+      but five feet back from the wall. He waited until Paolo joined him, then
+      he drew on the thin rope and, to his satisfaction, he felt it yield.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stand aside,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;it is heavy enough to give one a nasty thump.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo withdrew a few paces, then Hector gave another pull. The rope gave
+      way at once. He flattened himself against the house, and the hook fell
+      with a dull thud a foot or two away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Coil up the rope, Paolo, and then feel along the wall to the right; don't
+      go too far. I will go to the left, there may be some steps up to the
+      rampart.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This proved to be the case, and together they made their way up quietly,
+      but even had they had their shoes on, the snow was already sufficiently
+      deep to deaden their footsteps. On reaching the top they stood silent for
+      a minute or two. Presently they heard the sound of heavy stamping of feet.
+      They turned at once to descend, if necessary, the steps they had mounted,
+      then Hector put his hand upon the other's shoulder and whispered, &ldquo;It is
+      the sentry trying to warm his feet; no doubt he is standing up somewhere
+      to shelter himself from the snow; let us go on at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They crossed the rampart, fastened the hook on the top of the wall, and
+      descended, and were again successful in bringing the rope down after them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go carefully, Paolo; no doubt there is a moat somewhere here.&rdquo; There was,
+      however, no necessity for caution, for the white surface of the snow was
+      soon broken by a black line.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will be awfully cold,&rdquo; Paolo said, with teeth that chattered at the
+      prospect.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course you can swim, Paolo?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not very well, master.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will go first. You fasten the rope under your arms, and I will
+      haul you across. Be sure you do not make a noise in getting into the
+      water. But first of all take off your doublet, I will carry it and mine
+      across on my head. It cannot be many yards across. The wind will soon dry
+      the rest of our things, and once our work is done we can warm ourselves by
+      running. I would say strip altogether, but we may have to do another swim;
+      for, as we agreed, there is no chance of our being able to return by the
+      way we came.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Fastening the two doublets on his head, Hector lowered himself into the
+      water, which was three feet below the level on which they stood. He had
+      fastened the rope across his shoulder. As he expected, he found the water
+      out of his depth, and at once struck out to the opposite side. It was
+      about forty feet across. He found, on reaching the other side, that the
+      wall was there nearly five feet above the water. He undid the rope and
+      threw up the hook. At the second attempt it caught, and he climbed the
+      side, and then in a low voice told Paolo to start. Presently he heard a
+      slight splash, followed by a gasp. He hauled away rapidly on the rope, and
+      in a couple of minutes Paolo stood beside him, shivering and gasping.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Put your doublet on. Now let us go forward as fast as we can.&rdquo; They
+      climbed the steep slope to the top of the glacis, and then ran down until
+      they were brought to a standstill by another moat.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is the one marked in the plan as dividing the fortifications of the
+      town from those of the citadel. Now we have another swim before us. It is
+      wider than the last, but is really no distance. Give me your doublet
+      again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't mind this so much,&rdquo; Paolo said. &ldquo;I cannot be colder than I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't try to swim, Paolo; lie on your back, with your mouth just out of
+      water. I will have you over in no time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was fully fifty yards across; but, accustomed to bathe in almost icy
+      cold water, the swim was nothing to Hector, who was soon across, and who
+      then towed Paolo over as before. They mounted another glacis, and
+      presently reached the edge of a third moat.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We need go no farther. I know that this moat is but some fifteen yards
+      from the foot of the fortifications. Now, get the arrows out. Cut off a
+      foot or two of the thin cord, and unravel it. I must warm my fingers again
+      first, I cannot use them at all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mine are pretty cold, too.&rdquo; And both lads warmed them as before. Paolo
+      then set to work to string the bow, which required all his strength to
+      accomplish. While he was doing so, Hector drew from his pouch the six
+      little pellets, and taking the arrows, straightened out each pellet,
+      wrapped it round an arrow, and secured it firmly with a small strand from
+      the string. When he had done this, he took the bow from Paolo, fitted an
+      arrow to the string, drew it with his full strength, and then, pointing
+      the arrow high, loosed it. The six arrows were sent off. Just as the last
+      was discharged there was a shout of &ldquo;Who is there? Speak, or I fire!&rdquo; It
+      was a sentry on the wall, who had caught the sound of the twang of the
+      bow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am a friend, a messenger from the French general,&rdquo; Hector replied. &ldquo;I
+      have just shot six arrows into the fortress; a message is attached to each
+      for the governor. Report to the officer, and have a search made for them
+      in the morning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a piece of good luck,&rdquo; he went on as they turned away. &ldquo;I thought
+      of shouting, but we might have got a shot in reply, and I made sure that
+      one or other of the arrows would be picked up. Still, this makes certain
+      of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I would rather stop out here until morning,&rdquo; Paolo said, &ldquo;then
+      they will take me in. I am afraid I shall never get across the river.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense! The water is low, and we are not likely to have to swim farther
+      than we did in crossing the last moat. Getting through the part of the
+      town between us and the river is a more serious matter. However, it is not
+      very far across, and they are not likely to be very vigilant.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They turned to the right, and kept along at the edge of the moat, until
+      Hector considered that they had made a fourth of the circuit of the walls,
+      and were now facing the river. They had decided before that this would be
+      the easiest side on which to leave the town. The sentinels would not
+      expect that anyone attempting to enter or leave the citadel would try to
+      do so here; as, in addition to passing the wall facing the fortress and
+      that bordering the river, they would be obliged to swim the river itself.
+      The snow was falling as quickly as ever, and the wind blowing fiercely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no fear of their seeing us, unless we happen to run into the
+      very arms of the sentry,&rdquo; Hector said encouragingly; &ldquo;we shall only have
+      the moat to swim; and as, according to the plan, it is nothing like so
+      wide as that we passed before, we shall have no trouble with it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah! here it is,&rdquo; Paolo groaned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;One cold bath more or less makes no difference
+      now. There, give me your coat again, and I will take it over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The moat was indeed but some twelve yards across, and in two or three
+      minutes Paolo stood shivering on the other side.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The edge is not far from the wall, not much more than the breadth of the
+      moat. Give me the cord.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A few steps and they reached the wall. After two attempts the hook caught,
+      and Hector climbed up. He was looking back to watch Paolo when he was
+      suddenly seized from behind, and a deep voice in Italian said, &ldquo;If you
+      move I will kill you. Who are you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With a sudden effort Hector twisted himself round and seized the
+      disengaged wrist of his opponent, which he doubted not held a dagger. The
+      man loosened his hold of his doublet and tried to grasp his neck, but
+      Hector in a moment leapt forward and threw his arm round the man's waist.
+      They wrestled backwards and forwards, but the soldier was a powerful man,
+      and Hector found that he could not long retain a grasp of his wrist.
+      Suddenly he felt his antagonist collapse; the dagger dropped from his
+      hand, the other arm relaxed its hold, and he fell a lifeless mass.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, Paolo. You were but just in time. The fellow was too strong
+      for me. Now let us slip down the inside of the wall as quickly as
+      possible.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A minute later they both stood at the foot of the wall, the hook was
+      shaken off, and they proceeded along the wall until they came to a street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not more than two or three hundred yards to the outer wall,&rdquo; Hector
+      whispered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Whether there were sentinels or not in the street they knew not. If so,
+      they had withdrawn themselves into deep doorways to avoid the blinding
+      snow, and the wind drowned the slight sound made by their feet on the soft
+      snow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In a short time they reached the outer wall, crept along it until they
+      found the steps leading up, crossed it in safety, fixed their hook, and
+      rapidly descended. A run of fifty yards brought them to the edge of the
+      river bank.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will try to find a boat,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;There are sure to be some
+      along here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They walked across the dry bed of the river till they reached the water's
+      edge, and then followed this. In a few minutes, to their delight, they
+      came upon a boat. The bow was hauled a few feet out of water, and a rope,
+      doubtless attached to a heavy stone anchor, stretched from its bows. This
+      they cut, put their shoulders to the gunwale, and soon had her afloat.
+      Then they scrambled in, put the oars out cautiously, and began to row.
+      Both had had some practice at the exercise, and it was not long before the
+      boat grounded on the opposite shore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pull it up a bit,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;No doubt it belongs to some poor
+      fisherman to whom its loss would be serious. Now we must keep along the
+      bank for some distance, until quite sure that we are well beyond any
+      patrols the enemy may have on the road. Let us get into a run, Paolo, and
+      see if we can't get our blood in motion again, for I own that I feel half
+      frozen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They set off at a brisk trot, which they kept up for half an hour, and
+      then they struck off from the river and soon found the road. Following
+      this, after an hour's walking they came upon a little shed by the
+      roadside, and in one corner found a pile of old sacks.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are in luck again!&rdquo; Hector exclaimed joyfully. &ldquo;Tired as I am, I don't
+      think that I could have slept in these wet clothes, if one can call them
+      wet&mdash;at present they are frozen stiff. These sacks are the very
+      thing. We can strip now and wring out our clothes thoroughly. There are
+      enough sacks here to lay under us and cover us too. After wringing out the
+      shirts we will put them in under the sacks next to us. The heat of our
+      bodies will dry them to some extent, and they will be warm to put on in
+      the morning. The other things we can pile over us. There is no chance of
+      their getting dry; but I am so pleased with our success that I am not
+      disposed to grumble at trifles.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER V: THE RELIEF OF THE CITADEL
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      As soon as the first gleam of daylight showed itself Hector and his
+      companion were on their feet again.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The operation of dressing was by no means a comfortable one, for the frost
+      had set in in earnest during the night, and their clothes, with the
+      exception of the shirts, were as stiff as boards. The snow had ceased and
+      the sky was clear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is going to be a fine day, master,&rdquo; Paolo said as they left the hut.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is better than battling with a snowstorm such as that of yesterday
+      evening. Come on, Paolo, let us trot for a bit. The snow is four inches
+      deep, and we shall soon get warm running through it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In a quarter of an hour they broke into a walk again, panting from their
+      exertions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am as warm as a toast now, Paolo. There is a village half a mile ahead.
+      I expect that lies on the road. The sun will be up before we get there,
+      and no doubt we shall be able to get some hot spiced wine and some bread
+      at a wineshop.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This turned out to be the case. They had settled what story to tell; and
+      when the landlord asked what brought them there so early, Paolo said that
+      they had been on the road a couple of hours, as they were going to see an
+      aunt who was ill at Chivasso, and their father wanted them back again that
+      night. The explanation satisfied the host and he asked no further
+      questions, and in ten minutes they were on their way again, greatly warmed
+      and comforted by their meal, and after walking for another hour and a half
+      they arrived at the bridge of Chivasso. There was a strong guard at the
+      bridge head, for at any moment the garrison of Turin, aided by a force
+      from Leganez's army, might endeavour to carry the town by a sudden
+      assault. The lads passed the bridge unquestioned, entered the gate of the
+      town, and made their way to the commandant's house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you want?&rdquo; the sentry at the door asked as they came up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The regiment was French, and Hector answered at once:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We want to see the governor, we have important news for him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The soldier was greatly surprised, for he had not expected his question to
+      be understood by these peasant boys.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sergeant,&rdquo; he called out, &ldquo;here are two peasant boys who speak French.
+      They want to see the governor, and say that they have news of importance
+      to give him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A sergeant came out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sergeant,&rdquo; Hector went on quietly, &ldquo;you will please tell the governor
+      that the two persons he sent out under an escort the evening before last,
+      wish to see him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By the tone of assurance in which the lad spoke, rather than by his words,
+      the sergeant saw that there was something more than appeared on the
+      surface, and at once took up the message. He returned almost immediately.
+      &ldquo;Please to follow me,&rdquo; he said, and led the way up to the governor's room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Welcome back again, Monsieur Campbell! You have returned sooner than I
+      expected. You found, of course, that the difficulties were insuperable?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the contrary, sir, we have been successful, and have communicated with
+      the garrison of the citadel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have!&rdquo; the governor exclaimed in astonishment. &ldquo;How on earth did you
+      manage it? I heard that the watch was so strict that it was absolutely
+      impossible for a message to be sent through.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was not very difficult after all, and we were greatly favoured by the
+      snowstorm.&rdquo; He then gave an account of how they had managed it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pardieu!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;that was admirably done; but I am keeping you
+      talking while you are sitting in your wet clothes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think they are quite dry now, sir; and we have walked so fast that we
+      are both thoroughly warm. Still, I own that I shall not be sorry to change
+      them for my own.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The governor rose and opened the door. &ldquo;Your clothes are all hanging up in
+      that closet. I will have some hot water sent up at once. I shall be
+      breakfasting in half an hour, so you will have time to change
+      comfortably.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector was even more glad of a thorough wash than of a change of clothes,
+      and went down to join the governor at breakfast, feeling greatly
+      refreshed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I wait on you, master?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, it is not necessary, Paolo; you had better go into the kitchen at
+      once. I have no doubt the governor has ordered them to attend to your
+      wants as he did before.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Four other officers had just arrived on the invitation of the governor to
+      breakfast; one of these was the captain who had commanded the escort.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Gentlemen,&rdquo; the commandant said, &ldquo;let me introduce to you Monsieur
+      Campbell, a lieutenant on the staff of Viscount Turenne. He has just
+      returned after having successfully carried out a most dangerous and
+      difficult mission, namely, that of communicating with the garrison of
+      Turin.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The officers gave an exclamation of surprise, while Captain Simon stepped
+      forward and shook hands warmly with Hector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You did not tell me exactly what you were going to do,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I
+      thought that it was to see some of the duchess's adherents in Turin, but I
+      never dreamt that you were going to attempt to communicate with the
+      citadel. Had I known that, I certainly should not have expected to see you
+      again, for from what we have heard it is next to impossible to get through
+      the enemy's lines.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will not trouble Monsieur Campbell until he has finished his
+      breakfast,&rdquo; the commandant said. &ldquo;He has already told me briefly how he
+      managed, but I shall be as glad as you will to have the details.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Accordingly, after breakfast Hector related at much greater length the
+      story that he had told the governor of the manner in which the mission had
+      been carried out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ma foi!&rdquo; the colonel said, &ldquo;I would rather have faced a battery than swum
+      those moats in such weather. Well, gentlemen, I think that you will agree
+      with me that Monsieur de Turenne is fortunate in having so brave and
+      enterprising an officer on his staff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The officers cordially assented.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder that you did not enter the citadel and stay there till the
+      convoy arrived.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the first place, colonel, I had received no orders to do so, and the
+      general might require me for other service. And in the second place, had I
+      not returned he would not have known whether his message had reached the
+      garrison, and so might have hurried on his preparations more hastily than
+      he otherwise would have done, and might, in his fear that the garrison
+      would surrender, have made the attempt before he had collected sufficient
+      food to last them until he was in a position to raise the siege.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your reasons are good ones; but certainly, with shelter and warmth close
+      at hand&mdash;for the sentry would speedily have passed the word along,
+      and as soon as it was ascertained that you were indeed a French officer,
+      and alone, the gates would have been opened for you&mdash;it must have
+      required no small effort to turn away and to face the danger of passing
+      the sentries and scaling the walls, of possibly having to swim the Po, and
+      of certainly having no chance of getting a change of clothes until you
+      arrived here, for you could not have calculated upon finding the shed,
+      much less those sacks, with the snow falling heavily.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was a piece of good fortune, indeed. If we had not found it, we
+      should have gone on walking until we got here. Still, we had had little
+      sleep the night before, and were heartily glad that we had no farther to
+      go. And now, sir, with your permission we will start for Susa at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your escort returned yesterday, but I will send a troop of cavalry with
+      you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir, but I do not think that there is any necessity for it. We
+      are very well mounted, and should we see any party of the enemy's cavalry
+      I think that we ought to be able to outdistance them. I shall be glad,
+      colonel, if you and your officers will say nothing about the manner in
+      which I communicated with the garrison, as doubtless the enemy have spies
+      here; and if the story comes out and reaches the ears of the authorities
+      at Turin, I should have no chance whatever of making my way in, in the
+      same manner, should the general entrust me with another mission to
+      communicate with the citadel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A quarter of an hour later Hector and Paolo mounted and rode out of the
+      town. They kept a vigilant lookout, and traveled by byroads, but they saw
+      none of the enemy's parties, and reached Susa late that afternoon. On
+      sending in his name to Turenne, Hector was at once shown into his room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did not expect you back for another three or four days, Campbell,&rdquo; the
+      general said, &ldquo;and I am heartily glad to see you again safe and sound. I
+      blamed myself for letting you go. Of course, as I expected, you found the
+      task an altogether impossible one. Had it been otherwise you would not
+      have been back so soon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the contrary, general, for I should have tried many plans before I
+      gave it up. As it is, I have only to report that I have carried out your
+      instructions, and that your despatches are in the hands of the garrison of
+      the citadel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You do not say so!&rdquo; Turenne said, rising from the table at which he had
+      been sitting writing when Hector entered, and shaking him warmly by the
+      hand. &ldquo;I congratulate both you and myself on your having performed a
+      mission that seemed well nigh hopeless. But by what miracle did you
+      succeed in passing through the enemy's lines? All who have tried it before
+      have either died in the attempt or have returned to tell me that it was an
+      absolutely impossible one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would have been very difficult, general, had not the weather favoured
+      us. The snowstorm drove the sentries into shelter, and even had they
+      remained at their posts they could not have seen us five yards away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I can understand that once beyond the wall you might in such a storm
+      make your way unnoticed up to the fortress; but I understood that not only
+      were there guards on the walls and down near the great moat, but that
+      there were also sentries in all the streets leading to the walls, and that
+      none were allowed to pass along those leading to the walls facing the
+      citadel. Tell me how you managed it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The story is a long one, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind how long it is; give me all details. I am not particularly
+      busy at present, and I would fain know exactly how this feat has been
+      accomplished.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector told his story at length. Beyond asking a question now and then,
+      Turenne remained silent until he had brought it to a conclusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have never heard a story that interested me more,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and I do
+      not know which to admire more, your ingenuity in planning this affair or
+      the hardihood and courage with which you carried it out. Even had there
+      been no enemy to get through, the adventure of letting yourself down by a
+      rope from the housetop and then from the battlements, swimming three
+      moats, crossing the river in such terrible weather, and finally making
+      your way to Chivasso in your frozen clothes, is no slight feat of
+      endurance. The service that you have rendered is a great one, the manner
+      in which you have carried it out is worthy of the highest praise, and I
+      shall at once make out your commission as captain. You are still a year
+      behind me,&rdquo; he added with a smile, &ldquo;but if you go on in this way, you bid
+      fair to obtain a regiment as soon as I did. You have nearly four years to
+      do it in. Tomorrow you will dictate your story in full to my secretary. I
+      shall be sending a messenger with despatches on the following day. I shall
+      mention that I have promoted you to the rank of captain, and that the
+      story of the action that you have performed, which I shall inclose, will
+      fully explain my reason for so speedily advancing you. No, I require no
+      thanks; you have to thank yourself only. I may consider that you have not
+      only done me but the state a service. Your servant deserves a reward also.
+      Here are twenty pistoles; tell him not to throw them away, but to lay them
+      by where some day they will be useful to him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo was astonished indeed when Hector handed him the general's present.
+      He could at first hardly believe that it was meant for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, master,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;it would buy me a farm up in the hills!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a very large one, Paolo, but I daresay that you will add to it;
+      still, this is a good beginning, and some more opportunities may come in
+      your way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What shall I do with them, master?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I cannot say. Certainly you cannot carry them about with you. Do you
+      know anyone to whom you could entrust them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo shook his head. &ldquo;There is never any knowing who is an honest man and
+      who is not,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I will bury them, master.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But somebody might find them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No fear of that, sir. I will go a bit up the valley and bury them under a
+      big rock well above the river, so that it will not be reached in the
+      highest floods. They might lie there a hundred years without anyone
+      finding them, even if every soul in Susa knew that they were hidden
+      somewhere and went out to search for them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well; but be sure you take notice of the exact position of the
+      stone, or you may not be able to find it again yourself. One big stone is
+      a good deal like another. Choose a stone with a tree growing near it, and
+      make a cross with your knife on the bark. That will serve as a guide to
+      you, and you would recognize the stone by it even if you could not find it
+      in any other way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, master. I will go out tomorrow morning and choose my stone,
+      and then when it begins to get dark I will go out and bury my money there.
+      It would not do to hide it in the daytime, for even were there no one on
+      the road someone upon the hills might catch sight of me and come down
+      afterwards to see what I was disposing of.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I think that that is the best thing that you can do, Paolo. There
+      is certainly a danger in leaving it in anyone's hands, for when you return
+      to claim it, perhaps some years hence, you might find that he was dead, or
+      the place might be captured and burned down. Yes, I think that hiding it
+      is the safest way. You will be pleased to hear that the general has given
+      me a commission as captain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is good news, indeed,&rdquo; the boy said. &ldquo;I was just going to ask,
+      master, what he had done for you, because, though I went with you, it was
+      you who planned the business, and I only did as you told me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You had something to do with the planning, too, Paolo. However, I think
+      that we may both feel well content with the rewards that we have obtained
+      for two days' work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As Hector went out he met de Lisle and Chavigny.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well met!&rdquo; the former exclaimed. &ldquo;We have just left the general, and he
+      has told us what you have done, and that he has made you a captain in
+      consequence. We were just coming to look for you to carry you off to
+      supper in honour of your promotion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You deserve it, if anyone ever did, there is no doubt of that,&rdquo; Chavigny
+      said heartily. &ldquo;We are quite proud of our comrade.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems absurd that I should be a captain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not absurd at all,&rdquo; Chavigny said. &ldquo;Turenne was a captain when he was a
+      year younger than you are, and there is many a noble who has been made a
+      colonel before he ever drew sword in battle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector was much pleased at the evidently genuine congratulations of his
+      companions. He had indeed rather feared that they would take his promotion
+      ill; being nearly five years his senior, and having served in two previous
+      campaigns, they might well feel hurt at his being promoted while they
+      still remained only lieutenants. The young nobles indeed felt no shade of
+      jealousy. It was but of late that there had been a regular army, for the
+      nobles still brought their tenants and retainers to the field and
+      supported them at their own expense.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To de Lisle and Chavigny these grades of military rank were of no account
+      whatever. The rank of colonel would add in no way to their position as
+      members of noble families. They fought for honour, and against the enemies
+      of France. They were always addressed by their family name, and would both
+      have resented being called lieutenant. They were proud of being Turenne's
+      aides-de-camp, but had no thought of remaining in the army after the war
+      was over, as they would then resume their place at court. They had both
+      taken a strong liking to their young comrade, whose manner of thought
+      differed so widely from their own. They appreciated the merits of the
+      action of which their general had spoken in such warm terms, and the fact
+      that in point of military rank he was now above them concerned them in no
+      way. It was a merry supper at the best hotel in Susa.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see now, de Lisle,&rdquo; Chavigny said, &ldquo;the advantage of taking a morning
+      dip in snow water. Neither you nor I would have swum across those moats,
+      and remained all night long in our wet clothes, for a thousand crowns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, nor for five thousand,&rdquo; the other laughed. &ldquo;Pass me the wine; it
+      makes me shiver to think of it. I fancy we may as well admit at once that
+      if the mission had been entrusted to us, we should have made a mess of it.
+      We should have been shot by the guards in the first street we entered. As
+      to climbing along the roofs of houses till we had passed the first line of
+      sentinels, the idea would never have entered our heads. Of course we might
+      have disguised ourselves, and might have got into the town by harnessing
+      ourselves to a load of faggots, but once there we should have had no more
+      chance of getting into the fortress than if we had at once proclaimed
+      ourselves French officers, and had requested a pass into the citadel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For the next ten days every effort was made to obtain carts and pack
+      horses from the villages round Susa, and a number of wagons filled with
+      provisions were brought from Carignano, where the principal supplies for
+      the army had been collected. On the fourteenth day all was ready, and late
+      in the afternoon the convoy, with fifteen hundred men from Susa, and four
+      pieces of artillery, marched out. At the same hour the force at Carignano,
+      six thousand strong, leaving only a small body to garrison the city,
+      started for Turin along the farther bank of the Po, and just as day broke
+      a heavy cannonade was opened by them against one of the city gates.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Astonished and alarmed, the troops in the city flew to arms, and hurried
+      to repulse the attack. A quarter of an hour later the dim light of the
+      morning showed the astonished sentries at the end of the town surrounding
+      the citadel a considerable force advancing to the attack of the gate
+      there, opposite which, at a distance of two hundred yards, four cannon
+      were placed, and scarcely had they made out the enemy when these opened
+      fire. A few rounds and the gate was in splinters, and the infantry rushed
+      forward. The sentries on the walls took to flight, and the assailants
+      pushed forward to the inner gate. Access was obtained from that side to
+      the citadel, and then, under the direction of their officers, the
+      assailants occupied all the side streets. At once the procession of carts
+      was allowed to pass along. Some of the garrison ran down and lowered the
+      drawbridge across the moat, and amid exultant shouts a store sufficient
+      for many months was conveyed into the citadel. The carts as quickly as
+      they were unloaded returned through the gates and passed out into the
+      country beyond. By this time a fierce fight had begun. As soon as the
+      firing was heard opposite the citadel, Prince Thomas and his military
+      advisers guessed at once that the attack had been but a feint, made with
+      the object of effecting the relief of the citadel, and calling several
+      regiments to follow them they hastened in that direction. On their way
+      they met the fugitives, and hurried on with all speed. As they approached
+      the street through which the wagons were passing out, they were checked by
+      a heavy fire. The four guns had been placed in pairs at the end of the
+      streets, and the houses near them filled with troops who kept up a
+      murderous fire from the windows, on the head of the columns, and held them
+      completely in check until the last wagon had been taken out. Then the
+      cannon were removed, and when these too were fairly outside the city, a
+      bugle call summoned the defenders of the houses, and the infuriated
+      Italians and Spaniards, when they rushed down into the street between the
+      gates, found that the last of their foes had escaped them. The
+      artillerymen ran up to the walls, only to find that the guns had been
+      spiked, and they were powerless to inflict any serious damage upon the
+      retiring force.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Prince Thomas ordered a sally, but at this moment a regiment of cavalry
+      from Chivasso was seen dashing across the plain, and being without
+      artillery or cavalry the order was countermanded. Indeed, the prolonged
+      roll of artillery at the other end of the city seemed to show that the
+      French were converting their feigned attack into a real one. Turenne had
+      himself accompanied the column from Carignano, for he knew that the sound
+      of firing might bring up Leganez from Asti, and that he might find his
+      retreat to Carignano intercepted. The moment, however, that the sound of
+      four guns at equal intervals showed that the other column had achieved its
+      object, he at once fell back, his fire ceasing a few minutes before Prince
+      Thomas and his horse arrived at the walls. He had not been accompanied by
+      Hector, who was with the force from Susa.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You carried my message to the garrison,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and it is but right
+      that you should have the honour of leading the party to its relief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On arriving near the city Hector had dismounted, and, giving his horse in
+      charge of Paolo, had placed himself at the head of the company that was
+      first to enter the town, its captain being transferred to another company.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, men,&rdquo; he said, as they stood waiting for the dawn to break, &ldquo;the
+      moment we enter the gates half the company will mount the wall to the
+      right, the other half to the left, and each will push along to the next
+      angle of the wall. Lieutenants, one of you will go with each wing of the
+      company, and you will oppose to the last any force that may march along
+      the rampart to attack you. I want one soldier to keep by me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As day began to break, each man grasped his firelock and awaited the
+      signal with impatience. A cheer broke from them as the four cannon roared
+      out at the same moment, and at so short a distance that every shot told on
+      the gate. Another salvo and both halves of the gate were splintered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aim at the centre where the lock is,&rdquo; an officer shouted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Get ready, men,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;Another round and the gate will fall.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As the cannon rung out there was a shout of triumph. One of the gates fell
+      to the ground and Hector dashed forward, followed closely by his company.
+      Not a single shot was fired from the walls, and the men burst through the
+      gates cheering. The leading wing of the company turned to the right, and,
+      led by Hector, ran up the steps close to the gateway on to the rampart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take them on to that bastion at the angle of the wall, lieutenant. I do
+      not think that you are likely to be attacked at present. The enemy must
+      all have been drawn off to the other end of the city. Now, my man, open
+      that bag.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In it were a couple of dozen large nails and a hammer. &ldquo;Drive one of those
+      right down the vent of this gun. That is right. One more blow. That will
+      do. They won't get that nail out soon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He went along the wall spiking each gun until they reached the half
+      company drawn up in the bastion. &ldquo;No enemy in sight, lieutenant?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;None, sir, at least not on the wall. We heard them running away in the
+      streets below.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Remember, lieutenant, whatever force may come along you must withstand
+      them. It will not be for long. You will be at once supported if we hear
+      firing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then he retraced his steps along the ramparts, passed over the gateway,
+      and saw to the spiking of each gun as far as the next angle of the wall.
+      Here he repeated his instructions to the lieutenant there.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not think,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that there is much chance of your being
+      attacked. The enemy would have to make a detour right round the citadel to
+      come here, and certainly they will return by the shortest way, as soon as
+      they discover that the other attack is but a feint.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then he returned to the first party.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Get the two guns,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;out of their embrasures and wheel them here.
+      It is likely enough that we may be hotly attacked presently.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They waited half an hour, by which time the wagons were beginning to pour
+      out of the town.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have done our business, lieutenant; the citadel is revictualled. Ah!
+      here come the enemy, just too late.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A strong body of troops were seen marching rapidly towards them, and
+      almost at the same moment a heavy fire broke out in the street. The guns
+      had been loaded from a small magazine in the bastion, and had been trained
+      to fire along the rampart. When within a hundred yards the enemy opened
+      fire. Hector ordered the men to lie down and not to reply until he gave
+      the order. They lay in two lines, the first were to fire and the second to
+      reserve their fire until ordered. He took his post at one gun and the
+      lieutenant at the other. A messenger had been sent along the wall to bring
+      up the twenty-five men of the other wing. When the enemy were within fifty
+      yards he asked quietly, &ldquo;Does your gun bear well on the centre of the
+      column?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, captain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then fire!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The ball cut a way through the dense column.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Load again!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The four men, told off to the duty, leapt to their feet. There was a halt
+      for a moment, and then the Spaniards came on again. When they were within
+      twenty paces Hector fired, and at the same time shouted, &ldquo;First line give
+      fire!&rdquo; and twenty-five muskets flashed out, every ball taking effect on
+      the head of the column. The Spaniards recoiled, the leading ranks being
+      swept away and many of those behind wounded, for three balls had been
+      rammed down the mouth of the cannon fired by Hector, and these and the
+      musketry volley had done terrible execution. At this moment the
+      twenty-five men sent for ran up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Second line give fire!&rdquo; Hector shouted; and the discharge added to the
+      confusion in the column, and many ran down some steps into the lane by the
+      side of the wall.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you loaded again, lieutenant?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, with three balls.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then form up, men, and deliver your fire,&rdquo; Hector said to the newcomers.
+      &ldquo;Now, lieutenant, touch it off.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As the discharge rang out, mingled with the roar of the guns, Hector
+      shouted, &ldquo;Fix bayonets, and charge!&rdquo; The wooden shafts of the bayonets
+      were thrust down the barrels of the firelocks, and with a cheer the
+      seventy-five men rushed upon the shattered head of the column. The charge
+      was irresistible, and the enemy at once fled at full speed along the
+      rampart or leapt from the wall into the lane below.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well done, men, well done!&rdquo; Hector shouted. &ldquo;Do not pursue. Reload your
+      cannon, though I do not think there is much fear of their returning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A few minutes later the soldier who had carried the spikes, and who had
+      been left on the wall, ran up to say that the last cart had passed out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go and tell the other party to fall back to the gate,&rdquo; Hector said; &ldquo;but
+      first give me two spikes and the hammer. They might run these cannons into
+      the places of those disabled.&rdquo; So saying, he spiked the two guns that had
+      done such good service, and then retired to the gate, where he was joined
+      by the remainder of the company. As the bugle rung out after the last
+      wagon had passed, and he saw the troops issuing from the houses at the
+      corners of the cross streets, he marched his company across the
+      drawbridge, out into the country, and followed the guns. When he reached
+      the spot where Paolo was holding the horses, he resigned the command of
+      the company and mounted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Men,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;you have played your part well, and I am proud to have
+      commanded soldiers so steady and courageous.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this moment the general, who was in command of the force, and who had
+      been the last to leave the town, rode up, the men coming along at a run.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You had better hurry your men on,&rdquo; he said to the colonel with whom
+      Hector had acted; &ldquo;the enemy will be on the ramparts in a minute, and you
+      may be sure that they won't let us off without trouble from their guns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I beg your pardon, general,&rdquo; Hector said saluting, &ldquo;but the guns all
+      along this side of the wall are useless; I have spiked them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have, sir! That was well done indeed. Who gave you the orders, and
+      how did you come by spikes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had no orders, general; but I was appointed to command the first
+      company that entered, and was told that we were to turn right and left
+      along the ramparts. It struck me that as, when we had left, the enemy
+      would be sure to turn their guns upon us, it would be as well to silence
+      them, so I brought the nails and a hammer with me for the purpose.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be well, sir, if we had a good many officers as thoughtful as
+      you are. You have saved us from heavy loss, for, as the country is
+      perfectly level for a mile round, they would have swept our ranks as we
+      marched off. Were you attacked, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, general, by a force of about four hundred men, but I turned two of
+      the guns against them. My men fought well, and we repulsed them with a
+      loss of fully a hundred men.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Bravo, sir, bravo! I shall not fail to mention the service that you have
+      rendered in my report of the affair. Have you lost any men?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir; they lay down until the enemy were within twenty paces of us,
+      and their volleys and the two cannon created such a confusion among the
+      Spaniards that when we went at them with the bayonet they fled at once,
+      and I have not a single man killed, and only two or three slightly
+      wounded.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have only lost twenty,&rdquo; the general said, &ldquo;and most of those were
+      killed while serving the guns. That was a small price indeed to pay for
+      our magnificent success.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VI: A CHANGE OF SCENE
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Hector gained great credit from the report of the manner in which the
+      force had been enabled to draw off without loss from the enemy's guns,
+      owing to his forethought in bringing with him the means of spiking them,
+      and also for his success in checking the advance of the enemy along the
+      ramparts.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, messieurs,&rdquo; Turenne said to the members of his staff, who, with
+      the exception of Hector, were together on the day after his return to
+      Susa, &ldquo;how important it is for officers, before setting out on an
+      expedition, to think seriously over every contingency that may happen. Now
+      the vast proportion of officers consider that all the thinking has to be
+      done by the general, and that they only have to obey orders. No doubt that
+      is essential, but there may be numerous little matters in which an officer
+      may render great service. This young captain of ours did not content
+      himself with leading the company to which I appointed him through the
+      gateway. Before leaving Susa he must have thought over every incident
+      likely to occur. As the leading company he would know that it would be his
+      business to clear the ramparts, to check any parties of the enemy coming
+      along that way, and it would be only natural for him to determine to use
+      the enemy's cannon to keep them at bay.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This would probably have occurred to most officers placed as he was. But
+      he did not stop there&mdash;he must have thought over the events that
+      would probably follow the entry. He knew, of course, that our feint at the
+      other end of the town would draw off the greater portion of the garrison,
+      but would be sure also that as soon as the attack began, and it became
+      evident that our real object was to revictual the citadel, they would come
+      pouring back again. He would have said to himself, 'We shall be able to
+      keep them at bay until our work is done, then we shall have to fall back.
+      What then? The enemy will mount the ramparts, and while their main force
+      pours out in pursuit, their guns on the walls will play havoc with us. To
+      prevent this I must silence them before my company retires.'
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is all very simple when we look at it after it is done, and yet
+      probably it did not occur to a single officer of that force except to
+      Captain Campbell. I admit that it did not occur to myself. Had it done so,
+      I should have ordered that some of the artillerymen should carry spikes
+      and hammers, and that upon entering the town they should immediately take
+      steps, by rendering the guns harmless, to enable the force to draw off
+      without heavy loss. In the same way he showed a cool and calculating brain
+      when he carried out that most dangerous service of bearing the news that
+      we should speedily bring aid to the citadel. It is difficult to imagine a
+      better laid plan. He thought of everything&mdash;of his disguise, of the
+      manner in which it would alone be possible to approach closely to the
+      wall.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think that few of us would have thought of making our way up through a
+      house a hundred yards away, working along the roofs and descending into
+      the lane by the wall itself. I asked him how he got the rope down which it
+      was necessary for him to use four or five times afterwards, and he showed
+      me the plan by which he contrived to free the hook; it was most ingenious.
+      It did not seem to me that it would have acted as he told me, and I asked
+      him to have another one made so that I might understand how it was worked,
+      for such a contrivance would be extremely useful in escalades, when the
+      troops, after descending into a deep fosse, need the rope for climbing a
+      wall or bastion. There it is, gentlemen, and as you see, by pulling this
+      thin cord the hook is lifted from its hold, and the slightest shake will
+      bring it down.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The contrivance is an excellent one. The line he took was well chosen. He
+      accomplished the most dangerous part first, and made his way out by the
+      side where the watch was most likely to be careless, as anyone leaving or
+      entering the town there would have to swim the river. The feat shows that
+      he has not only abundance of courage of the very highest order, but that
+      he has a head to plan and leaves nothing to chance. You will see,
+      gentlemen, that if this young officer lives he is likely to gain the
+      highest rank and position. Already I have every reason to congratulate
+      myself upon having, almost as it were by chance, taken him under my
+      protection.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The winter passed quietly, but as soon as spring set in and the roads were
+      sufficiently good for the passage of wagons, d'Harcourt prepared to
+      attempt to raise the siege of Casale, before which Leganez with twenty
+      thousand men had intrenched himself. The roads were still, however, far
+      too heavy for cannon, and as the garrison were becoming hardly pressed he
+      left his guns behind him and started at the end of April with seven
+      thousand foot and three thousand horse. The position occupied by the
+      Spaniards was a strong one, and their general did not for a moment think
+      that the French, with a force half the strength of his own, would venture
+      to attack him. D'Harcourt, however, resolved upon doing so. He divided his
+      force into three parts; two of these were composed of French soldiers, the
+      third comprised the forces of the Duchess of Savoy. The attack was
+      successful on all sides&mdash;although d'Harcourt for a time could make no
+      way, and Turenne was repulsed three times before he entered the
+      intrenchments&mdash;the Spaniards were completely defeated, and lost their
+      guns, ammunition, and baggage, three thousand killed, two thousand
+      prisoners, and great numbers were drowned in endeavouring to cross the
+      river.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A council of war was held, and Turenne's advice that Turin should be
+      besieged was after much debate accepted, although it seemed a desperate
+      enterprise for an army of ten thousand men to besiege a town garrisoned by
+      twelve thousand, while the Spaniards, after recovering from their defeat
+      and drawing men from their various garrisons, could march to relieve the
+      town with eighteen thousand men. No time was lost in carrying Turenne's
+      advice into effect. The army marched upon Turin, seized the positions
+      round the town, threw up lines facing the city to prevent sorties being
+      made by the enemy, and surrounded themselves by similar lines to enable
+      them to resist attack by the Spaniards, who were not long in approaching
+      them. Thus there were now four bodies of combatants&mdash;the garrison of
+      the citadel, which was surrounded and besieged by that of the town; the
+      town was besieged by Turenne, and he himself was surrounded by the
+      Spaniards. Each relied rather upon starving the others out than upon
+      storming their positions, but Leganez managed to send a messenger into
+      Turin telling Prince Thomas that he intended to attack the French and
+      calling upon him to fall upon them with his troops at the same time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In pursuance of this design he retired some distance up the Po, and
+      proceeded to cross the river at Moncalieri. D'Harcourt despatched Turenne
+      to oppose the passage, but before he could arrive there some five thousand
+      men had crossed the bridge. Without hesitating a moment, although his
+      force was a much smaller one than that of the Spaniards, Turenne attacked
+      them at once, carried the intrenchments they had begun to throw up, killed
+      a large number, and drove the rest into the river, where hundreds were
+      drowned. Then he set fire to the bridge, which was of wood, and intrenched
+      himself on the banks of the river, occupied all the fords higher up, and
+      completely checked any advance of the Spaniards in that direction. He was,
+      however, wounded in the shoulder, and was obliged to leave the army and to
+      be carried to Pinerolo. While he was away Leganez attacked the French line
+      from without, and Prince Thomas from within, and the former succeeded in
+      passing twelve hundred horse and one thousand foot into the town.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The French were now closely beleaguered, and began to suffer severely from
+      famine. In the meantime fresh troops had arrived from France, and although
+      not yet recovered from his wounds, Turenne took the command, and escorted
+      a great convoy of provisions into the camp in spite of the enemy's efforts
+      to prevent him. The townspeople were suffering even more severely. Sorties
+      were made in great force, but were always repulsed, as were the attacks
+      made by Leganez, and on the 17th of September the garrison surrendered,
+      being allowed to march out with their arms. The Count d'Harcourt returned
+      to France, and Turenne again assumed the command of the army for the
+      winter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector conducted himself to the satisfaction of his general throughout the
+      campaign, but was severely wounded in the last sortie made by the
+      besieged, having been thrown down in a charge of Prince Thomas's cavalry
+      and trampled upon by the horses, and being taken up for dead when the
+      enemy fell back.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Directly he heard the news Turenne sent his surgeon to examine him. He
+      reported that he still breathed, but that several of his ribs and his left
+      arm were broken. He mended but slowly, and Turenne, a month after the
+      surrender of the town, came in one day to see him, and said, &ldquo;The surgeon
+      tells me that it will be some months before you are fit for service again,
+      and that you will need a period of perfect rest to recover your health.
+      There is a convoy of invalids returning to France tomorrow, and I think it
+      were best that you should accompany them. There is no rest to be obtained
+      here, and I know that you will be fretting at being unable to ride, and at
+      your forced inactivity. I shall give orders that you are conveyed in a
+      horse litter to Sedan, where my brother, the Duc de Bouillon, will gladly
+      entertain you for my sake, and you must remain there until entirely
+      restored to strength.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not think that there will be much doing on this side of the Alps in
+      the next campaign. Unhappily France has troubles of her own, and will find
+      it difficult to spare more troops in this direction, and without
+      reinforcements we can but act on the defensive. Though we may capture a
+      few towns, there is small chance of any great operations. Indeed, methinks
+      that it is by no means unlikely that Prince Thomas, seeing that his effort
+      to rule Savoy in place of his sister-in-law, the duchess, is likely to end
+      in discredit and loss to himself, will before long open negotiations with
+      her. Therefore you will be losing nothing by going. It is to the duchess
+      that I shall commend you rather than to my brother, who is unfortunately
+      occupied by public matters, and is at present almost at war with
+      Richelieu.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a man of noble impulses, generous in the extreme, and the soul of
+      honour, but he knows not how to conceal his feelings; and in these days no
+      man, even the most powerful, can venture to rail in public against one who
+      has offended him, when that man happens to be the cardinal. I love my
+      brother dearly, but I have mixed myself up in no way with his affairs. I
+      am an officer of the king, and as such I stand aloof from all parties in
+      the state. The cardinal is his minister; doubtless he has his faults, but
+      he is the greatest man in France, and the wisest. He lives and works for
+      the country. It may be true that he is ambitious for himself, but the
+      glory of France is his chief care. It is for that purpose that we have
+      entered upon this war, for he sees that if Germany becomes united under an
+      emperor who is by blood a Spaniard, France must eventually be crushed, and
+      Spain become absolutely predominant in Europe. If he is opposed, Richelieu
+      strikes hard, because he deems those who oppose him as not only his own
+      enemies but as enemies of France.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As a prince of the church it must have been bitter for him to have to
+      ally himself with the Protestant princes of Germany, with Protestant
+      Holland, and Protestant England, but he has done so. It is true that he
+      has captured La Rochelle, and broken the power of the Huguenot lords of
+      the south, but these new alliances show that he is ready to sacrifice his
+      own prejudices for the good of France when France is endangered, and that
+      it is on account of the danger of civil broils to the country, rather than
+      from a hatred of the Huguenots, that he warred against them. Here am I,
+      whom he deigns to honour with his patronage, a Huguenot; my brother,
+      Bouillon, was also a Huguenot, and strangely enough the quarrel between
+      him and the cardinal did not break out until my brother had changed his
+      religion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was more rigorously brought up than I was, and was taught to look upon
+      the Catholics with abhorrence; but he married, not from policy but from
+      love, a Catholic lady, who is in all respects worthy of him, for she is as
+      high spirited and as generous as he is, and at the same time is gentle,
+      loving, and patient. Though deeply pious, she is free from bigotry, and it
+      was because my brother came to see that the tales he had been taught of
+      the bigotry and superstition of the Catholics were untrue, at least in
+      many instances, that he revolted against the intolerance of the doctrines
+      in which he had been brought up, renounced them, and became an adherent of
+      his wife's religion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nigh four years ago the Duke of Soissons, a prince of the blood, incurred
+      the enmity of Richelieu by refusing, with scorn, his proposal that he
+      should marry the Countess of Cobalet, Richelieu's niece. The refusal, and
+      still more the language in which he refused, excited the deep enmity of
+      the cardinal. Soissons had joined the party against him, but as usual
+      Richelieu had the king's ear. Soissons was ordered to leave the court, and
+      went to Sedan, where he was heartily received by my brother, who had a
+      warm affection for him. Bouillon wrote to the king hoping that he would
+      not be displeased at his offering a retreat to a prince of the blood, and
+      the king wrote permitting the count to stay at Sedan. After a time
+      Richelieu again endeavoured to bring about the marriage upon which he had
+      set his heart, but was again refused, and, being greatly exasperated,
+      insisted on Bouillon obliging the count to leave Sedan. My brother
+      naturally replied that the king having at first approved of his receiving
+      Soissons, he could not violate the laws of hospitality to a prince of the
+      blood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Richelieu then persuaded the king to refuse further payments to the
+      garrisons at Sedan, although the latter had confirmed the agreement
+      entered into by his father, whereupon my brother openly declared against
+      Richelieu, and still further excited the cardinal's anger by furnishing an
+      asylum to the Archbishop of Rheims, second son of Charles of Lorraine, who
+      had also quarrelled with Richelieu. So matters stand at present. What will
+      come of it, I know not. I doubt not that the cardinal's hostility to
+      Bouillon does not arise solely from the Soissons affair, which but serves
+      him as a pretext. You see his object for the past four years has been to
+      strengthen France by extending her frontiers to the east by the conquest
+      of Lorraine. He has already carried them to the Upper Rhine, and by
+      obtaining from the Duke of Savoy Pinerolo and its dependencies has brought
+      them up to the foot of the Alps.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But my brother's dukedom stands in the way of his grand project, for it
+      is a gate through which an enemy from beyond the Rhine might invade
+      France; and, moreover, the close family relationship between us and the
+      Prince of Holland would add to the danger should Holland, at present our
+      ally, fall out with France. Thus the possession of Bouillon's dukedom, or
+      at any rate its military occupation for a time, is a consideration of
+      vital importance to the kingdom. Such, you see, is the situation. Were I
+      not an officer in the French army doubtless my feelings would be on the
+      side of my brother. As it is, I am a faithful servant of the king and his
+      minister, and should deem it the height of dishonour were I to use my
+      influence against what I perceive is the cause of France. I tell you this
+      in order that you may understand the various matters which might surprise
+      you at Sedan.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You go there as a patient to be nursed by the duchess, my sister-in-law,
+      and having no influence, and at present not even the strength to use your
+      sword, there is little fear that any will seek to involve you in these
+      party turmoils. I shall write to my brother that you are a soldier of
+      France and that you have done her good service, that you are a protege of
+      mine, and being of Scottish blood belong to no party save my party, and
+      that I entreat that he will not allow anyone to set you against the
+      cardinal, or to try and attach you to any party, for that I want you back
+      again with me as soon as you are thoroughly cured.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector would much rather have remained to be cured in Italy, but he did
+      not think of raising the slightest objection to Turenne's plans for him,
+      and the next day he started for Sedan, taking, of course, Paolo with him.
+      The convoy traveled by easy stages over the passes into France, and then,
+      escorted by a sergeant and eight troopers, Hector was carried north to
+      Sedan. Though still very weak, he was able to alight at the entrance of
+      the duke's residence, and sent in Turenne's letters to him and the
+      duchess. Three minutes later the duke himself came down.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Captain Campbell,&rdquo; he said heartily, &ldquo;my brother has done well in sending
+      you here to be taken care of and nursed. In his letters to me he has
+      spoken of you more than once, especially with reference to the manner in
+      which you carried a message for him to the citadel of Turin. I shall be
+      glad to do anything that I can for so brave a young officer, but I fear
+      that for the present you will have to be under the charge of the duchess
+      rather than mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The duke was a tall, handsome man with a frank and open face, a merry
+      laugh, and a ready jest. He was extremely popular, not only in his own
+      dominions, but among the Parisians. His fault was that he was led too
+      easily. Himself the soul of honour, he believed others to be equally
+      honourable, and so suffered himself to become mixed up in plots and
+      conspiracies, and to be drawn on into an enterprise wholly foreign to his
+      nature.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will take you at once to the duchess, but I see that you are quite
+      unfit to walk. Sit down, I beg you, until I get a chair for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Three or four minutes later four lackeys came with a carrying chair, and
+      Hector was taken upstairs to the duchess's apartments.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is the gentleman of whom Turenne has written to me, and doubtless,
+      as I see by that letter upon the table, to you also. He has been a good
+      deal damaged, having been ridden over by a squadron of Prince Thomas's
+      horsemen, and needs quiet and rest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Turenne has told me all about it,&rdquo; the duchess said. &ldquo;I welcome you very
+      heartily, monsieur. My brother says that he has great affection for you,
+      and believes you will some day become a master in the art of war. He says
+      you have rendered him most valuable services, which is strange indeed,
+      seeing that you are as yet very young.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was sixteen the other day, madam.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only sixteen, and already a captain!&rdquo; she exclaimed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was made a captain nine months ago,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;for a little service
+      that I performed to his satisfaction.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Turenne would not have promoted you unless it had been an important
+      service, I am sure,&rdquo; she said with a smile. &ldquo;He does great things himself,
+      and expects great things from others.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was the affair of carrying the message to the garrison of the citadel
+      of Turin urging them to hold out, as he would come to their relief soon,&rdquo;
+       the duke said. &ldquo;Do you not remember that he wrote us an account of it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I remember it perfectly. Turenne said a young officer, but I did not
+      imagine that it could have been but a lad. However, Captain Campbell, I
+      will not detain you here talking, or you will begin by considering me to
+      be a very bad nurse. Directly I received the letter I ordered a chamber to
+      be prepared for you. By this time all will be in readiness, and a lackey
+      ready to disrobe you and assist you to bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not need,&rdquo; he began, but she held up her finger.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Please to remember, sir, that I am head nurse here. You will go to bed at
+      once, and will take a light repast and a glass of generous wine. After
+      that our surgeon will examine you, and remove your bandages, which have
+      been, I doubt not, somewhat disarranged on your journey; then he will say
+      whether it will be advisable that you should keep your bed for a time,
+      which will, I think, be far the best for you, for you will be much more
+      comfortable so than on a couch, which, however good to be sat upon by
+      those in health, affords but poor comfort to an invalid. Have you brought
+      a servant with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam. He is a very faithful lad, and accompanied me on that
+      enterprise that you have been speaking of. He is a merry fellow, and has
+      proved himself a good and careful nurse. He sat up with me for many nights
+      when I was first hurt, and has ever since slept on the floor in my room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will give him in charge of my majordomo, who will see that he is well
+      taken care of, and we can have a pallet laid for him at night on the floor
+      of your room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She herself led the way to a very comfortable apartment where a fire was
+      burning on the hearth; a lackey was already in waiting, and after a few
+      kind words she left him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have fallen into good hands indeed,&rdquo; Hector said to himself. &ldquo;What
+      would Sergeant MacIntosh say if he knew that I was lodged in a ducal
+      palace, and that the duke and duchess had both spoken to me and seen after
+      my comfort as if I had been a relation of their own?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In spite of the care and attention that he received, Hector's recovery was
+      slow, and even when spring came the surgeon said that he was unfit for
+      severe work. However, the letters that he received from time to time from
+      de Lisle and Chavigny consoled him, for not only had the winter passed
+      without any incident save the capture of three or four towns by Turenne,
+      but it was not at all likely that any events of great importance would
+      take place. All accounts represented the Spaniards as being engaged in
+      adding to the strength of three or four towns in the duchy of Milan, so
+      that evidently they intended to stand upon the defensive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The palace of Sedan was the centre of a formidable conspiracy against
+      Richelieu. Messengers came and went, and Bouillon, Soissons, and the
+      Archbishop of Rheims were constantly closeted together. They had various
+      allies at court, and believed that they should be able to overthrow the
+      minister who had so long ruled over France in the name of the king.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As Hector was now able to move about, and was acquainted with all the
+      members of the duke's household, he learned much of what was going on; and
+      from a conversation that he accidentally overheard, he could see that the
+      position was an extremely serious one, as a treaty had been signed with
+      Ferdinand, son of the King of Spain, and the Archduke Leopold-William, son
+      of the Emperor of Austria, by which each agreed to assist the duke and his
+      friends with a large sum of money for raising soldiers, and with seven
+      thousand men. In order to justify themselves, the heads of the movement
+      issued a manifesto, in which they styled themselves Princes of Peace. In
+      this they rehearsed the cardinal's various acts of tyranny and cruelty
+      towards his rivals, the arbitrary manner in which he carried on the
+      government, and declared that they were leagued solely to overthrow the
+      power that overshadowed that of the king, plunged France into wars, and
+      scourged the people with heavy taxation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as this manifesto was published in Sedan, Hector went to the duke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My lord duke,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I cannot sufficiently thank you for the
+      hospitality and kindness with which you and the duchess have treated me.
+      Nevertheless, I must ask you to allow me to leave at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why this sudden determination, Captain Campbell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If, sir, I were but a private person I should have no hesitation, after
+      the kindness that you have shown me, in requesting you to give me
+      employment in the force that you are raising; but I am an officer of the
+      king, and what is of far greater importance at the present moment, an
+      aide-de-camp of the Viscount Turenne, your brother. Were it reported that
+      I was with your army, or even indeed that I was here, the cardinal would
+      at once conclude that I was representing the viscount, and was perhaps the
+      intermediary through whom communications between you and your brother were
+      being carried on. Therefore I should not only compromise myself, which is
+      of no importance, but I might excite suspicion in Richelieu's mind against
+      your brother, which might result in his recall from the position in which
+      he has so distinguished himself, and grievously injure his prospects. The
+      viscount himself warned me against mixing myself with any party, saying
+      that a soldier should hold himself free from all entanglement, bent only
+      on serving, to the utmost of his power, the king and France.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right,&rdquo; the duke said heartily. &ldquo;Turenne has no grievances
+      against king or cardinal, and has acted wisely in holding himself aloof
+      from any party; and badly as I am affected towards Richelieu, I will own
+      that he has never allowed my brother's relationship towards me to prevent
+      his employing him in posts of honour. I have never sought to influence him
+      in the slightest, and am far too proud of the credit and honour he has
+      gained to do aught that would in any way cause a breach between him and
+      the cardinal. What you have said is very right and true. Doubtless
+      Richelieu has spies in this town, as he has elsewhere, and may have
+      learned that a young officer on my brother's staff was brought here last
+      autumn grievously wounded. But it is certainly well that now, as the time
+      for action is at hand, you should retire. You are not thinking, I hope, of
+      returning at once, for it was but a day or two ago that the surgeon
+      assured me that it would need another three or four months of quiet before
+      you would be fit to resume your duties.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I feel that myself, my lord, and moreover I think that it would be as
+      well that I should not join the viscount at present, for it might well be
+      supposed that I was the bearer of some important news from you to him;
+      therefore I propose to go to Geneva, and remain there until I have
+      completely recruited my strength. In the Swiss republic I should pass
+      unnoticed, even by the cardinal's agents. And the fact that, although
+      being but a comparatively short distance from Piedmont, I abstained from
+      joining the general, would, if they inquired, show that I could not have
+      been entrusted with any private communication from you to him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It could not be better,&rdquo; the duke said. &ldquo;When you leave here you should
+      no longer wear that military scarf. Of course, when you enter Switzerland
+      there is no reason why you should disguise the fact that you are a French
+      officer, and having been severely wounded, have come there to repair your
+      health. Doubtless many others have done so; and, dressed as a private
+      person, you would excite no attention. But the Swiss, who strive to hold
+      themselves neutral and to avoid giving offence, might raise objections to
+      a French officer wearing military attire staying among them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      That evening Hector bade his adieu to the duchess and to the friends he
+      had made during his stay, and the next morning, attended by Paolo, he
+      started for Geneva.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad indeed that we are off, master,&rdquo; the latter said. &ldquo;In truth,
+      had I stayed here much longer I should have become useless from fat and
+      idleness, for I have had nothing whatever to do but to eat and sleep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to be off, too, Paolo. I am convinced myself, in spite of what
+      the surgeon says, that actual exercise will do more for me than the
+      doctor's potions and rich food. I am stiff still, but it is from doing
+      nothing, and were it not that coming from here my presence might be
+      inconvenient for Turenne, I would journey straight to his camp. You saw
+      the prince's manifesto?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo nodded. &ldquo;I did, master. Not being able to read or write, I could
+      make nothing of it myself, but a burgher coming along read it aloud, and
+      it made me shake in my shoes with fright. I made my way as quickly as I
+      could from so dangerous a spot, for it seemed nothing short of treason to
+      have heard such words read against the cardinal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fear that the duke has made a terrible mistake, Paolo. Hitherto all who
+      have ventured to measure their strength with the cardinal have been
+      worsted, and many have lost everything and are now fugitives from France.
+      Some have lost their lives as well as honours and estates. Bouillon is an
+      independent prince, and so was Lorraine, and although the latter could put
+      ten men in the field to every one the duke could muster, he has been
+      driven from his principality. Soissons could not help him except with his
+      name, nor can the Archbishop of Rheims. Not a few of the great nobles
+      would join the duke did they think that he had a prospect of success. None
+      have so far done so, though possibly some have given him secret pledges,
+      which will count for nothing unless it seems that he is likely to triumph.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is rumoured, as you know, that he has made an alliance with Spain and
+      Austria. Both will use him as an arm against France, but will throw him
+      over and leave him to his fate whenever it suits them. Moreover, their
+      alliance would assuredly deter any, who might otherwise range themselves
+      with him, from taking up arms. No Huguenot would fight by the side of a
+      Spaniard; and although the Guises and the Catholic nobles allied
+      themselves with Spain against Henri of Navarre, it was in a matter in
+      which they deemed their religion in danger, while this is but a quarrel
+      between Bouillon and the cardinal; and with Spain fighting against France
+      in the Netherlands, they would not risk their lands and titles. Bouillon
+      had better have stood alone than have called in the Spaniards and
+      Austrians. We know whose doing that is, the Archbishop of Rheims, who is a
+      Guise, and, methinks, from what I have seen of him, a crafty one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sure that neither the duke nor Soissons would, unless won over by
+      the archbishop, have ever consented to such a plan, for both are
+      honourable gentlemen, and Soissons at least is a Frenchman, which can
+      hardly be said of Bouillon, whose ancestors have been independent princes
+      here for centuries. However, I fear that he will rue the day he championed
+      the cause of Soissons. It was no affair of his, and it is carrying
+      hospitality too far to endanger life and kingdom rather than tell two
+      guests that they must seek a refuge elsewhere. All Europe was open to
+      them. As a Guise the archbishop would have been welcome wherever Spain had
+      power. With Spain, Italy, and Austria open to him, why should he thus
+      bring danger and misfortune upon the petty dukedom of Sedan? The same may
+      be said of Soissons; however reluctant Bouillon might be to part with so
+      dear a friend, Soissons himself should have insisted upon going and taking
+      up his abode elsewhere. Could he still have brought a large force into the
+      field, and have thus risked as much as Bouillon, the case would be
+      different, but his estates are confiscated, or, at any rate, he has no
+      longer power to summon his vassals to the field, and he therefore risks
+      nothing in case of defeat, while Bouillon is risking everything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I daresay that that is all true, master, though in faith I know nothing
+      about the matter. For myself, it seems to me that when one is a noble, and
+      has everything that a man can want, he must be a fool to mix himself up in
+      troubles. I know that if the King of France were to give me a big estate,
+      and anyone came to me and asked me to take part in a plot, I would, if I
+      had the power of life and death, have him hung up over the gate of my
+      castle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That would be a short way, no doubt, Paolo, but it might not keep you out
+      of trouble,&rdquo; Hector said, smiling. &ldquo;If the person who came to you were
+      also a noble, his family and friends would rise in arms to avenge his
+      death, and instead of avoiding trouble you would bring it at once upon
+      your head.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose that would be so, master,&rdquo; Paolo said thoughtfully; &ldquo;so I think
+      that it would be best for me that the king should not take it into his
+      head to give me that estate. And so we are going to Geneva, master?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That pleases me not,&rdquo; the other one said, &ldquo;for I have heard of it as a
+      terribly serious place, where a man dares not so much as smile, and where
+      he has to listen to sermons and exhortations lasting half a day. My father
+      was a Huguenot, and I suppose that I am, too, though I never inquired very
+      closely into the matter; but as for exhortations of four hours in length,
+      methinks I would rather swim those moats again, master, and to go all day
+      without smiling would be a worse penance than the strictest father
+      confessor could lay upon me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I own that I am somewhat of your opinion, Paolo. My father brought me up
+      a Protestant like yourself, and when I was quite young I had a very dreary
+      time of it while he was away, living as I did in the house of a Huguenot
+      pastor. After that I attended the Protestant services in the barracks, for
+      all the officers and almost all the men are Protestants, and, of course,
+      were allowed to have their own services; but the minister, who was a
+      Scotchman, knew better than to make his discourses too lengthy; for if he
+      did, there was a shuffling of jackboots on the stone floor and a clanking
+      of sabres that warned him that the patience of the soldiers was exhausted.
+      In our own glen my father has told me that the ministers are as long
+      winded as those of Geneva; but, as he said, soldiers are a restless
+      people, and it is one thing for men who regard their Sunday gathering as
+      the chief event in the week to listen to lengthy discourses, but quite
+      another for soldiers, either in the field or a city like Paris, to do so.
+      However, if we do not find Geneva to our taste, there is no reason why we
+      should tarry there, as Zurich lies on the other end of the lake, and
+      Zurich is Catholic, or at any rate largely so, and Calvinist doctrines
+      have never flourished there. But, on the other hand, the sympathies of
+      Geneva have generally been with France, while those of Zurich are with
+      Austria; therefore I think that if we like not Geneva we will go to Lyons,
+      where, as an officer of Viscount Turenne's, I am sure to be well
+      received.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not go there at once, master?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I think that the fresh air of the lake will brace me up, and
+      maybe if I find the people too sober minded for me we will go up into the
+      mountains and lodge there in some quiet village. I think that would suit
+      both of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would suit me assuredly,&rdquo; Paolo said joyfully. &ldquo;I love the mountains.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Such was indeed the course eventually taken. The strict Calvinism of
+      Geneva suited neither of them; and after a fortnight's stay there they
+      went up among the hills, and in the clear brisk air Hector found his blood
+      begin to run more rapidly through his veins, and his strength and energy
+      fast returning. Sometimes he rode, but soon found more pleasure in
+      climbing the hills around on foot, for the mountain paths were so rough
+      that it was seldom indeed that his horse could break into a trot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VII: THE DUC D'ENGHIEN
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      From time to time news came up of what was passing in the world. The
+      Spaniards had afforded no assistance in men to the duke, for Richelieu had
+      sent a powerful army into the heart of Flanders, and so kept them fully
+      occupied. An Austrian force, however, joined that of the duke, and a
+      battle was fought with the royal army which, under Marshal Chatillon, lay
+      encamped a league from Sedan. The Austrian general commanded the main
+      body, the Duc de Bouillon the cavalry, while the Count de Soissons was
+      with the reserve. At first Chatillon's army had the advantage, but
+      Bouillon charged with such vehemence that he drove the cavalry of the
+      royalists down upon their infantry, which fell into confusion, most of the
+      French officers being killed or made prisoners, and the rest put to rout.
+      The duke, after the victory, rode to congratulate Soissons, whose force
+      had not been engaged. He found the count dead, having accidentally shot
+      himself while pushing up the visor of his helmet with the muzzle of his
+      pistol.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Bouillon soon learned the hollowness of the promises of his allies. The
+      Spaniards sent neither money nor men, while the Austrians received orders
+      to march away from Sedan and to join the Spaniards, who were marching to
+      the relief of Arras.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The duke, deserted by his allies, prepared to defend Sedan till the last.
+      Fortunately for him, however, the position of the French at Arras was
+      critical. The place was strong, two armies were marching to its relief,
+      and it would therefore have been rash to have attempted at the same time
+      the siege of Sedan. The king himself had joined the army advancing against
+      Bouillon, while the cardinal remained in Paris. Many of those round the
+      person of the king, foremost among whom was the Marquis of Cinq-Mars, his
+      master of horse, spoke very strongly in favour of the duke, and
+      represented that he had been driven to take up arms by the persecution of
+      the cardinal. The king was moved by their representations, and gave a
+      complete pardon to Bouillon, who was restored to the full possession of
+      all his estates in France, while on his part he released the prisoners,
+      baggage, and standards taken in the late battle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was welcome news to Hector, who at once prepared to cross into Italy;
+      but when they reached Chambery he heard that Turenne had been ordered to
+      join the army that was collected near the Spanish frontier, in order to
+      conquer Roussillon, which lay between Languedoc and Catalonia. The latter
+      province had been for three years in a state of insurrection against
+      Spain, and had besought aid from France. This, however, could not easily
+      be afforded them so long as the fortress of Perpignan guarded the way, and
+      with other strongholds prevented all communication between the south of
+      France and Catalonia. As it was uncertain whether Turenne would follow the
+      coast route or cross the passes, Hector and his companion rode forward at
+      once, and arrived at Turin before he left.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you back again,&rdquo; the general said as Hector entered his
+      room, &ldquo;and trust that you are now strong again. Your letter, giving me
+      your reasons for leaving Sedan, was forwarded to me by a messenger, with
+      others from my brother and his wife. He speaks in high terms of you, and
+      regretted your leaving them; but the reason you gave for so doing in your
+      letter to me more than justified the course you took, and showed that you
+      were thoughtful in other than military matters. You served me better by
+      leaving Sedan than you could have done in any other way. In these unhappy
+      disputes with my brother, the cardinal has never permitted my relationship
+      to Bouillon to shake his confidence in me. But after being engaged for
+      many years in combating plots against him, he cannot but be suspicious of
+      all, and that an officer of my staff should be staying at Sedan when the
+      dispute was going to end in open warfare might well have excited a doubt
+      of me while, had you traveled direct here at that moment, it might, as you
+      said, have been considered that you were the bearer of important
+      communications between my brother and myself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, I hope that you are completely restored to health; you are looking
+      well, and have grown a good deal, the consequence, no doubt, of your being
+      so long in bed. You have heard that I am ordered to Roussillon, of which I
+      am glad, for the war languishes here. The king, I hear, will take up his
+      headquarters at Narbonne, and Richelieu is coming down to look after
+      matters as he did at Rochelle. So I expect that things will move quickly
+      there. They say the king is not in good health, and that the cardinal
+      himself is failing. Should he die it will be a grievous loss for France,
+      for there is no one who could in any way fill his place. It has been
+      evident for some time that the king has been in weak health. The dauphin
+      is but a child. A regency with the queen as its nominal head, and
+      Richelieu as its staff and ruler, would be possible; but without Richelieu
+      the prospect would be a very dark one, and I cannot think of it without
+      apprehension. However, I must continue to do as I have been doing ever
+      since Bouillon fell out with the court; I must think only that I am a
+      soldier, prepared to strike where ordered, whether against a foreign foe
+      or a rebellious subject.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Happily my family troubles are over. I hear that there is a probability
+      that, now Bouillon has been restored to favour, he will obtain the command
+      of the army in Italy, which will just suit his active spirit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Three days later Turenne with his staff crossed the Alps, and journeying
+      across the south of France reached Perpignan. The Marquis of Mielleraye
+      was in supreme command, and Turenne was to act as his lieutenant; the
+      latter at once took charge of the operations of the siege of Perpignan,
+      which had already been beleaguered for some months by the French. The
+      fortress was a very strong one, but as the efforts of the Spanish to
+      reinforce the garrison by a landing effected on the coast failed
+      altogether, and as the operations of Mielleraye in the field were
+      successful, and there was no chance of any relief being afforded to the
+      besieged town by a Spanish army advancing through Catalonia, it was
+      certain that the fortress must in time surrender by hunger. As it could
+      not be captured by assault unless with a very heavy loss indeed, Turenne
+      contented himself with keeping up so vigilant a watch round it that its
+      communications were altogether cut off, and the garrison knew nothing
+      whatever of what was passing around them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Duc de Bouillon had received the command of the army in Italy, and
+      Turenne hoped that henceforth his mind would be free from the family
+      trouble that had for the past four years caused him great pain and
+      anxiety. Unfortunately, however, Cinq-Mars, the king's master of horse and
+      personal favourite, had become embroiled with the cardinal. Rash,
+      impetuous, and haughty, the young favourite at once began to intrigue. The
+      Duke of Orleans, the king's only brother, one of the most treacherous and
+      unstable of men, joined him heart and soul, and Bouillon was induced to
+      ally himself with them, not from any political feeling, but because
+      Cinq-Mars had been mainly instrumental in obtaining terms for him before,
+      and appealed to his sense of gratitude to aid him now. He insisted,
+      however, that this time there should be no negotiating with Spain and
+      Austria, but that the movement should be entirely a French one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Unknown to him, however, the others entered into an alliance with Spain,
+      who engaged to find money and an army. The conspirators had gained the ear
+      of the king, Cinq-Mars representing to him that their hostility was
+      directed solely against the cardinal, and the latter was in great
+      disfavour until he obtained a copy of the treaty with Spain. The
+      disclosure opened the king's eyes. The Duke of Orleans, Cinq-Mars,
+      Monsieur de Thou, his intimate friend, and de Bouillon were at once
+      arrested. Orleans immediately turned traitor to his fellow conspirators,
+      revealed every incident of the plot, and was sentenced to exile. Cinq-Mars
+      and de Thou were tried and executed. De Bouillon saved his life by
+      relinquishing his principality to France, any hesitation there may have
+      been in sparing him on those terms being removed by the receipt of a
+      message from the duchess, that if her husband were put to death she would
+      at once deliver Sedan into the hands of the Spaniards. De Bouillon was
+      therefore pardoned, and in exchange for the surrender of his principality,
+      his estates in France were to be enlarged, and a considerable pension
+      granted to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All this was a terrible trial to Turenne, who was deeply attached to his
+      brother, and who mourned not only the danger he had incurred, but that he
+      should have broken his engagements, and while commanding a royal army
+      should have plotted against the royal authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the end of November the cardinal's illness, from which he had long
+      suffered, took an unfavourable turn, and the king, who had returned to
+      Paris, went to see him. Richelieu advised him to place his confidence in
+      the two secretaries of state, Chavigny and de Noyers, recommended Cardinal
+      Mazarin strongly as first minister of the crown, and handed the king a
+      document he had prepared barring the Duke of Orleans from any share in the
+      regency in case of the king's death, the preamble calling to mind that the
+      king had five times pardoned his brother, who had yet recently engaged in
+      a fresh plot against him. On the 2nd of December, 1642, Richelieu died,
+      and the king, on the following day, carried out his last advice, and
+      appointed Mazarin to a place in his council.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The year had passed quietly with Hector Campbell. His duties had been but
+      slight during the siege, and as during his stay at Sedan and in
+      Switzerland he had continued to work hard at Italian, at the former place
+      under a teacher, who instructed him in more courtly dialect than that
+      which he acquired from Paolo, so during the six months before Perpignan he
+      had, after taking the advice of Turenne, set himself to acquire a
+      knowledge of German. Working at this for eight hours a day under the
+      tuition of a German gentleman, who had been compelled to leave the country
+      when his native town was captured by the Imperialists, he was soon able to
+      converse as fluently in it as in Italian.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is in Germany that the next great campaign is likely to take place,&rdquo;
+       Turenne said to him, &ldquo;and your knowledge of German will be of infinite
+      utility to you. Fortunately for myself, Sedan standing on the border
+      between the two countries, I acquired German as well as French without
+      labour, and while in Holland spoke it rather than French; the knowledge of
+      languages is of great importance to one who would rise high in the army or
+      at the court, and I am very glad that you have acquired German, as it may
+      be of great use to you if we are called upon to invade that country again,
+      that is, if the new council of the king are as kindly disposed towards me
+      as Richelieu always showed himself to be; but I fear that ere long there
+      may be changes. The king's health is very poor. He may not live long, and
+      then we have a regency before us, and the regencies of France have always
+      been times of grievous trouble.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Even had Richelieu lived he might not have been able to avert such
+      disasters. He and the queen have never been friends, and he would not have
+      had the support from her that he has had from the king, who, although he
+      no doubt fretted at times under Richelieu's dictation, yet recognized his
+      splendid genius, and knew that he worked heart and soul for the good of
+      France. However, his death is a sore misfortune. A regency needs a strong
+      head, but where is it to come from? The Duke of Orleans is a schemer
+      without principle, weak, easily led, ambitious, and unscrupulous. The
+      Prince of Conde is equally ambitious, even more grasping, and much more
+      talented. There is no one else, save men like Chavigny, the father of our
+      friend here, de Noyers, and some others of good family, honest and capable
+      business men, but who would speedily become mere ciphers; and Cardinal
+      Mazarin, who has just been appointed to the council.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know him, sir?&rdquo; Hector asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have seen him more than once. He is said to be very clever, and it is
+      no secret that he is nominated to the council on Richelieu's
+      recommendation, which speaks volumes in his favour, for Richelieu was a
+      judge of men, and must have believed, when recommending him, that Mazarin
+      would render good service to France. But however clever he is he cannot
+      replace the great cardinal. On him was stamped by nature the making of a
+      ruler of men. He was tall, handsome, and an accomplished cavalier. Seeing
+      him dressed as a noble among noblemen, one would have picked him out as
+      born to be the greatest of them. No doubt this noble appearance, aided by
+      his haughty manner and by his ruthlessness in punishing those who
+      conspired against him, had not a little to do with his mastery over men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mazarin is a man of very different appearance. He is dark in complexion,
+      handsome in a way, supple, and, I should say, crafty; an Italian rather
+      than a Frenchman. Such a man will meet with difficulties far greater than
+      those which assailed Richelieu. The latter, personally fearless, went
+      straight to his end, crushing his enemies if they stood in his way,
+      possessed of an indomitable will and unflinching determination. Mazarin,
+      if I mistake not, will try to gain his end by other means&mdash;by
+      intrigues, by setting those who oppose him against each other, by yielding
+      rather than by striking. He is said to stand high in the queen's favour,
+      and this will be a great aid to him; for those who might rebel against the
+      authority of a cardinal will hesitate to do so when he has at his back the
+      protection and authority of a queen. However, we must hope for the best.
+      It is probable that Richelieu acquainted him with all his plans and
+      projects, and urged him to carry them into effect. I sincerely trust that
+      he will do so; and in that case, if he comes to the head of affairs, I
+      should assuredly serve him as willingly and faithfully as I served
+      Richelieu, knowing that it will be for the good of France.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was, indeed, but a short time after the loss of his great adviser that
+      the king followed him to the tomb. He had for long suffered from bad
+      health, and now that the statesman who had borne the whole burden of
+      public affairs had left him, he felt the weight overpowering. He had
+      always been devoted to religious exercises, and saw his end approaching
+      without regret, and died calmly and peacefully on May 14, 1643. By his
+      will he left the queen regent. He had never been on good terms with her,
+      and now endeavoured to prevent her from having any real power. The Duke of
+      Orleans was appointed lieutenant general, but as the king had rightly no
+      confidence in him, he nominated a council which, he intended, should
+      override both. It was composed of the Prince of Conde, Cardinal Mazarin,
+      the chancellor, Seguerin, the secretary of state, Chavigny, and
+      superintendent Bouthillier. The king's will prohibited any change whatever
+      being made in the council, but this proviso was not observed. The queen
+      speedily made terms with the ministers; and when the little king was
+      conducted in great state to the parliament of Paris, the Duke of Orleans
+      addressed the queen, saying that he desired to take no other part in
+      affairs than that which it might please her to give him. The Prince of
+      Conde said the same; and that evening, to their astonishment, the queen
+      having become by their resignation the sole head of the administration,
+      announced that she should retain Cardinal Mazarin as her minister, and
+      shortly afterwards nominated Turenne to the command of the army in Italy.
+      Prince Thomas had now broken altogether with the Spaniards, finding that
+      their protection was not available, for the King of Spain had been obliged
+      to recall a considerable proportion of his troops from Italy to suppress
+      an insurrection in Catalonia. Hector did not accompany Turenne to Italy,
+      for early in April Turenne had said to him:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There seems no chance of employment here at present, Campbell, while
+      there is likely to be some heavy fighting on the Rhine frontier.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The death of Richelieu has given fresh courage to the enemies of France,
+      and I hear that de Malo, the governor of the Low Countries, has gathered a
+      large army, and is about to invade France. Our army there is commanded by
+      the young Duc d'Enghien, the Prince of Conde's son. He is but twenty-two,
+      and of course owes his appointment to his father's influence. The king
+      has, however, sent with him Marshal de l'Hopital, who will be his
+      lieutenant and director. I know Enghien well, and esteem his talents
+      highly. He is brave, impetuous, and fiery; but at the same time, if I
+      mistake not, cautious and prudent. I will give you a letter to him. I
+      shall tell him that you have greatly distinguished yourself while on my
+      staff, and being anxious above all things to acquire military knowledge
+      and to serve with honour, I have sent you to him, begging him to give you
+      the same post on his staff as you have had on mine, asking it as a
+      personal favour to myself. This, I have no doubt, he will grant. He has
+      affected my company a good deal when I have been in Paris, and has evinced
+      the greatest desire to learn as much as he can of military matters from
+      me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am grateful indeed for your kindness, sir, of which I will most gladly
+      avail myself, and shall indeed be pleased at the opportunity of seeing a
+      great battle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish to show my approbation of the manner in which you have, since you
+      left me in Italy, endeavoured to do all in your power to acquire useful
+      knowledge, instead of wasting your time in idleness or gambling, to which
+      so many young officers in the army give themselves up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day Hector and Paolo joined the army of Enghien as it was on the
+      march to Eperney. The former was now within a few months of seventeen, of
+      middle height, strongly built, his hard exercise and training having
+      broadened him greatly. He had a pleasant and good tempered face, his hair,
+      which was brown with a tinge of gold, clustered closely round his head,
+      for he had not adopted the French mode of wearing it in long ringlets, a
+      fashion unsuited for the work of a campaign, and which de Lisle and
+      Chavigny had in vain urged him to adopt. He was handsomely dressed, for he
+      knew that Conde would be surrounded by many of the young nobles of France.
+      He wore his broad hat with feather; his helmet and armour being carried,
+      together with his valises, on a sumpter mule led by Paolo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Putting up at an hotel, he made his way to the house occupied by Enghien
+      and the marshal. It was crowded by young officers, many of whom were
+      waiting in an anteroom. On one of the duke's chamberlains approaching him
+      Hector gave his name, and requested him to deliver Viscount Turenne's
+      letter to the prince. In a few minutes his name was called, to the
+      surprise of those who had been waiting for some time for an interview.
+      Enghien was seated at a table, from which he rose as Hector entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Captain Campbell, both for your own sake and for
+      that of Turenne, whom I greatly love and admire. As I was with Mielleraye
+      during the campaign in the south, while you were with Turenne, we did not
+      meet there, for though he once rode over and stayed for a few days you did
+      not accompany him. But he has told me of your adventure at Turin, and has
+      spoken of your diligent studies and your desire to learn all that is known
+      of the art of war. I shall be glad indeed to have you riding with me, for
+      I, too, am a diligent student in the art, though until last year I had no
+      opportunity whatever of gaining practical knowledge. I envy Turenne his
+      good fortune in having been sent to begin to learn his duty when he was
+      but fourteen. He tells me that you were but a year older when you rode to
+      Italy with him. It humiliates me to think that while I am sent to command
+      an army simply because my father is a prince of the blood, Turenne gained
+      every step by merit, and is a general in spite of the fact that his
+      brother was an enemy of the cardinal and defied alike his power and that
+      of the king. However, I hope to show that I am not altogether unworthy of
+      my position; and at least, like Turenne, I can lead my troops into battle,
+      and fight in their front, even if I cannot always come out victorious.
+      Where have you put up your horses? With the best will in the world, I
+      cannot put either room or stable at your disposal today, for I believe
+      that every cupboard in the house is occupied; but at our halting place
+      tomorrow we shall be under canvas, and a tent shall be assigned to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thank you, sir. I have fortunately been able to find quarters at an
+      inn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At any rate, I hope that you will sup with me. I will then introduce you
+      to some of my friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Enghien was at the age of twenty-two of a striking rather than a handsome
+      figure. His forehead was wide, his eyes sunken and piercing, his nose very
+      prominent and hooked giving to his face something of the expression of an
+      eagle's. He resembled Turenne in the eagerness with which in childhood he
+      had devoted himself to his studies, and especially to military exercises;
+      but except that both possessed a remarkable genius for war, and both were
+      extremely courageous, there was but slight resemblance between their
+      characters. While Turenne was prudent, patient, and thoughtful, weighing
+      duly every step taken, bestowing the greatest pains upon the comfort and
+      well being of his troops, and careful as to every detail that could bring
+      about success in his operations, Conde was passionate and impetuous,
+      acting upon impulse rather than reflection. Personally ambitious,
+      impatient of opposition, bitter in his enmities, his action and policy
+      were influenced chiefly by his own ambitions and his own susceptibilities,
+      rather than by the thought of what effect his action might have on the
+      destinies of France. He was a born general, and yet but a poor leader of
+      men, one of the greatest military geniuses that the world has ever seen,
+      and yet so full of faults, foibles, and weaknesses that, except from a
+      military point of view, the term &ldquo;the Great Conde&rdquo; that posterity has
+      given him is but little merited. He had much brain and little heart.
+      Forced by his father into a marriage with a niece of Richelieu's, he
+      treated her badly and cruelly, although she was devoted to him, and was in
+      all respects an estimable woman and a true wife, and that in a court where
+      virtue was rare indeed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At supper that evening Enghien introduced Hector first to the Marshal de
+      l'Hopital and then to the young nobles of his company.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;is the youngest of our party, and yet he
+      is, as the Viscount of Turenne writes to me, one in whom he has the
+      greatest confidence, and who has so carefully studied the art of war, and
+      so much profited by his opportunities, that he would not hesitate to
+      commit to him any command requiring at once courage, discretion, and
+      military knowledge. No one, gentlemen, could wish for a higher eulogium
+      from a greater authority. Turenne has lent him to me for the campaign, and
+      indeed I feel grateful to him for so doing. When I say, gentlemen, that it
+      was he who saved the citadel of Turin to our arms, by undertaking and
+      carrying out the perilous work of passing through the city and the Spanish
+      lines to carry word to the half starved garrison that succour would arrive
+      in a fortnight's time, and so prevented their surrendering, you will admit
+      that Turenne has not spoken too highly of his courage and ability. I have
+      heard the full details of the affair from Turenne's own lips, when he paid
+      a short visit to Paris after that campaign closed; and I should feel proud
+      indeed had I accomplished such an enterprise. Captain Campbell is a member
+      of an old Scottish family, and his father died fighting for France at the
+      siege of La Rochelle, a captain in the Scottish regiment. And now,
+      gentlemen, to supper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a joyous meal, and of a character quite new to Hector. Grave
+      himself, Turenne's entertainments were marked by a certain earnestness and
+      seriousness. He set, indeed, all his guests at ease by his courtesy and
+      the interest he took in each; and yet all felt that in his presence loud
+      laughter would be out of place and loose jesting impossible. Enghien, on
+      the other hand, being a wild and reckless young noble, one who chose not
+      his words, but was wont to give vent in terms of unbridled hatred to his
+      contempt for those whom he deemed his enemies, imposed no such restraint
+      upon his guests, and all talked, laughed, and jested as they chose,
+      checked only by the presence of the gallant old marshal, who was nominally
+      Enghien's guide and adviser. Next to Hector was seated General Gassion,
+      one of the finest soldiers of the time. He, like Hector, had no family
+      influence, but had gained his position solely by his own merits. He was
+      enterprising and energetic, and eager to still further distinguish
+      himself, and Hector was not long in perceiving that Enghien had his
+      cordial support in combating the prudent and cautious counsels of the
+      marshal. He spoke very cordially to the young captain. He saw in him one
+      who, like himself, was likely to make his way by merit and force of
+      character, and he asked him many questions as to his past history and the
+      various services in which he had been engaged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope some day to win my marshal's baton, and methinks that if you have
+      as good fortune as I have had, and escape being cut off by bullet or
+      sabre, you, too, may look forward to gaining such a distinction. You see
+      all these young men around us have joined rather in the spirit of knight
+      errants than that of soldiers. Each hopes to distinguish himself, not for
+      the sake of advancing his military career, but simply that he may stand
+      well in the eyes of some court beauty. The campaign once over, they will
+      return to Paris, and think no more of military service until another
+      campaign led by a prince of the blood like Enghien takes place, when they
+      will again take up arms and fight in his company.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Such campaigns as those under Turenne in Italy would be distasteful in
+      the extreme to them. They would doubtless bear the hardships as
+      unflinchingly as we professional soldiers, but as soon as they could with
+      honour retire you may be sure they would do so. It is well for us that
+      they should. Were it otherwise our chances of advancement would be rare
+      indeed, while as it is there are plenty of openings for men of
+      determination and perseverance who will carry out precisely any order
+      given to them, and who are always, whether in the field or in winter
+      quarters, under the eyes of a commander like Turenne, who remains with his
+      army instead of rushing off like d'Harcourt to spend his winter in the
+      gaieties of the court, and to receive their smiles and praises as a reward
+      for his successes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose, general, there is no doubt that we shall give battle to the
+      Spaniards?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt whatever. It depends upon Enghien, though no doubt the marshal
+      will throw every obstacle in the way. In the first place, there can be no
+      denying that the Spanish infantry are superb, and that Fuentes, who
+      commands them, is a fine old soldier, while our infantry are largely
+      composed of new levies. Thus, though the armies are not unequal in
+      strength, l'Hopital may well consider the chances of victory to be against
+      us. In the second place, in a battle Enghien will be in command, and
+      though all of us recognize that he possesses extraordinary ability, his
+      impetuosity might well lead to a disaster. Then the marshal must feel that
+      while the glory of a victory would fall to Enghien, the discredit of a
+      defeat would be given to him, while if aught happened to Enghien himself
+      the wrath of Conde and his faction would bring about his disgrace.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I doubt not that he has received instructions not to hazard a battle
+      except under extraordinary circumstances, while Enghien would, if
+      possible, bring one about under any circumstances whatever. Lastly, the
+      king is desperately ill, ill unto death, some say, and none can foretell
+      what would take place were we to suffer a heavy defeat while France is
+      without some great head to rally the nation and again show face to the
+      Spaniards. At the same time, I may tell you at once, that in this matter I
+      am heart and soul with Enghien. I consider that did we shrink from battle
+      now, it would so encourage Spain and Austria that they would put such a
+      force in the field as we could scarcely hope to oppose, while a victory
+      would alter the whole position and show our enemies that French soldiers
+      are equal to those of Spain, which at present no one believes. And lastly,
+      if we win, Enghien, when his father dies, will be the foremost man in
+      France, the leading spirit of the princes of the blood, and having behind
+      him the vast possessions and wealth accumulated by Conde, will be a power
+      that even the greatest minister might dread, and I need hardly say that my
+      marshal's baton would be very appreciably nearer than it is at present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I may take it,&rdquo; Hector said with a smile, &ldquo;that the chances are in
+      favour of a pitched battle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is certainly so; l'Hopital's instructions are to force the
+      Spaniards, who have advanced against Rocroi, to raise the siege, but to do
+      so if possible by manoeuvering, and to avoid anything like a pitched
+      battle. But I fancy that he is likely to find circumstances too strong for
+      him, and that one of these mornings we shall stand face to face with the
+      enemy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Spaniards are doubtless grand soldiers, and the army we shall meet is
+      largely composed of veteran troops; but we must remember that for years
+      and years the Dutchmen, by nature peaceable and for the most part without
+      training in arms, and although terribly deficient in cavalry, have boldly
+      withstood the power of Spain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They seldom have met them in the open field,&rdquo; Hector said doubtfully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not very often, I grant, though when allied with your countrymen they
+      fairly beat them on the sands near Ostend, and that over and over again
+      they fought them in their breaches on even terms, and, burghers though
+      they were, beat back Alva's choicest troops.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning the army marched forward. Hector rode with the group of
+      young nobles who followed Enghien. Rocroi was a town of considerable
+      strength lying in the forest of Ardennes. It was the key to the province
+      of Champagne, and its capture would open the road to the Spaniards. The
+      siege was being pressed forward by de Malo, who had with him an army of
+      twenty-seven thousand veteran troops, being five thousand more than the
+      force under Enghien. Gassion, who as Enghien's lieutenant had the control
+      of the movements, so arranged the marches that, while steadily approaching
+      Rocroi, the marshal believed that he intended to force the Spaniards to
+      fall back, rather by menacing their line of communications than by
+      advancing directly against them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After the first day Gassion invited Hector to ride with him, an invitation
+      which he gladly accepted, for the conversation of his younger companions
+      turned chiefly upon court intrigues and love affairs in Paris, and on
+      people of whose very names he was wholly ignorant. Riding with Gassion
+      across from one road to another along which the army was advancing, he was
+      able to see much of the movements of bodies of troops through a country
+      wholly different from that with which he was familiar. He saw how careful
+      the general was to maintain communication between the heads of the
+      different columns, especially as he approached the enemy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;De Malo ought,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;to have utilized such a country as this for
+      checking our advance. In these woods he might have so placed his men as to
+      annihilate one column before another could come to its assistance. I can
+      only suppose that he relies so absolutely upon his numbers, and the valour
+      and discipline of his soldiers, that he prefers to fight a pitched battle,
+      where a complete success would open the road to Paris, and thus lay France
+      at his feet and bring the war to a conclusion at one stroke.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VIII: ROCROI
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Gassion conducted the movements of the army so adroitly that he had
+      brought it to within almost striking distance of the Spanish divisions
+      before Marshal l'Hopital perceived the fact that it was so placed that a
+      battle was almost inevitable. He besought Enghien to fall back while there
+      was yet time, pointing out the orders that had been given that a battle
+      was not to be hazarded, and the terrible misfortunes that would fall upon
+      France in case of defeat. Enghien, however, was deaf to his advice, and
+      refused to acknowledge his authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne, under similar circumstances, would have drawn off and forced the
+      enemy to raise the siege by threatening their line of communications; but
+      Turenne thought nothing of personal glory, and fought only for France.
+      Enghien, on the other hand, throughout his career was animated by personal
+      motives, and cared nothing for the general welfare of France. Turenne was
+      wholly unselfish; Enghien was ready to sacrifice anything or everything
+      for his own glory or interest. At present, surrounded as he was by young
+      nobles as eager to fight as he was himself, and backed by Gassion, one of
+      the most able and enterprising soldiers of the day, he declared that he
+      had come to fight and would do so. Even had l'Hopital known the news that
+      had been received by Enghien, he would have been powerless to check or
+      control him. A courier had indeed the day before brought the young duke a
+      despatch containing the news of the king's death and peremptory orders not
+      to fight. Enghien simply put the letter in his pocket, and the contents
+      were known only to Gassion and a few of his most intimate friends.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      De Malo was as anxious to bring on a general engagement as was his fiery
+      opponent. He was kept well informed of what was going on in Paris, and
+      knew that the king's death was imminent. His position on a plain,
+      surrounded on all sides by woods and marshes with but one approach, and
+      that through a narrow defile, was practically impregnable; and by
+      occupying the defile he could have kept the French at bay without the
+      slightest difficulty until Rocroi surrendered. He knew, too, that General
+      Beck with a considerable force was hastening to join him; but he feared
+      that prudent counsels might at the last moment prevail in the French camp,
+      or that the news of the king's death might reach them, and he therefore
+      left the defile open and allowed the French army to gain the plain and
+      form up in order of battle facing him, without offering the slightest
+      opposition or firing a single gun.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was late in the afternoon by the time the French were in position, and
+      as both commanders were anxious that the battle should be a decisive one
+      neither took any step to bring on the fight, but contented themselves with
+      preparing for the encounter next morning. The night was cold and somewhat
+      thick, and the positions of the two armies were marked by lines of fire.
+      The march had been a long and fatiguing one, and silence soon fell upon
+      the scene. Enghien wrapped himself in his cloak, and, lying down by a
+      watch fire, was speedily asleep, wholly unoppressed by the tremendous
+      responsibilities that he had assumed, or the fact that he had risked the
+      destinies of France for the sake of his personal ambition, and that in any
+      case the slaughter that must ensue in the morning would be terrible.
+      Gassion, however, with a few of the older officers, sat for hours
+      discussing the probabilities of the battle. Hector, remembering the manner
+      in which Turenne exercised the most ceaseless vigilance, and nightly
+      inspected all the outposts, endeavouring to ascertain the plans and
+      positions of the enemy, had, as night closed in, requested Gassion's
+      permission to go the rounds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, if it so pleases you, Captain Campbell. The watchword tonight
+      is 'Conde', but I will in addition give you a pass enjoining all officers
+      to allow you to go where you please, you being on the staff of the prince.
+      I shall go round myself later on, for de Malo may intend a night attack,
+      by which he would certainly gain advantages. His troops are fresh, while
+      ours are weary. He has had every opportunity of studying the ground, while
+      it is all new to us. Still, I hardly think that he will move till morning.
+      Enterprise is not the strong point of the Spaniards, they love to fight in
+      solid bodies, and hitherto their infantry have never been broken by
+      cavalry. At night they would lose the advantage of their steadiness of
+      formation. It is clear, by his willingness to allow us to pass the defile
+      and take up this position, that de Malo is absolutely certain of victory
+      and will wait, for daylight would permit him to make his expected victory
+      a complete one, while at night great numbers of our army would be able to
+      make their escape through the woods.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector returned to the spot where his horses were picketed with those of
+      Enghien's staff. He found Paolo lying down under a tree where he had been
+      ordered to take up his post, so that Hector could find him if required.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you asleep, Paolo?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, master; I have been thinking about the battle tomorrow, and where I
+      had best bestow myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As to that, Paolo, I should say that you had better keep with the
+      prince's servants here. You will, of course, have your horse saddled and
+      be ready to ride on the instant. If we are victorious there will be no
+      occasion for you to move, but if you see that we are beaten, my orders are
+      that you are not to think of waiting for me. I must keep with the others.
+      Doubtless the cavalry would cover the retreat, and it would be a serious
+      inconvenience for me to have to come here to look after you, therefore as
+      soon as you see that the day has gone against us mount and ride. You can
+      wait at our halting place of last night until you see the prince's party
+      come along. If I am alive I shall be with them; if not, my advice to you
+      is to ride south and to report yourself to Turenne. He will, I doubt not,
+      either take you into his own service, or give you such strong
+      recommendations that you will have no difficulty in obtaining a post with
+      some officer of distinction should you wish to continue with the army.
+      Now, I am going along our line of outposts, and I intend to reconnoitre
+      the ground between us and the enemy. That is what Turenne would be doing
+      were he in command here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go with you, master; when it comes to reconnoitering, methinks
+      that I am as good as another. I can run like a hare, and though a bullet
+      would go faster, I am quite sure that none of these heavily armed
+      Spaniards would have a chance of catching me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I intended to take you with me, Paolo. We shall need as much care and
+      caution here as we did in getting into the citadel of Turin.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think, master, that it would be well for you to leave your armour
+      behind you. It will be of small avail if you fall into the midst of a band
+      of Spanish spearmen, while it would be a sore hindrance in passing through
+      these woods, and the lighter you are accoutred the better.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is so, and I will take your advice. I will give it into the charge
+      of the horse guard. I will, of course, take my sword and pistols, and you
+      may as well take yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I like a knife better than a sword, master, but I will take the both. I
+      think it would be as well for you to lay aside your helmet also, for the
+      light from one of these watchfires might glint upon it and catch the eye
+      of a Spaniard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right, Paolo; have you got the hat?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, it is here with your valises.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is certainly more comfortable,&rdquo; Hector said as he put it on. &ldquo;Now,
+      you had better carry the things across to that fire where the prince's
+      staff are sitting. There is no fear of anyone interfering with them
+      there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as this had been done they started, picking their way carefully
+      through numbers of sleeping men, and stopping once or twice to exchange a
+      word with the groups still gathered round the fires. First they passed
+      along the whole line of outposts, answering the challenges by the words,
+      &ldquo;Officer of the prince's staff on duty.&rdquo; They found the sentries fairly
+      vigilant, for with so powerful an enemy within striking distance every
+      soldier felt that the occasion was one for unusual watchfulness. At each
+      post Hector questioned the sentinels closely as to whether they had heard
+      any sounds indicating the movement of troops in the interval between the
+      two armies, and in only one case was there an affirmative answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I heard a sound such as might be made by the clash of armour against a
+      tree or by an armed man falling. I have listened attentively since, but
+      have heard nothing more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;From which direction did the noise seem to come?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;From across there, sir. It seemed to me to come from that copse in the
+      hollow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is just what I thought might be likely, Paolo,&rdquo; Hector said as he
+      walked on. &ldquo;That hollow ground between the armies, with its wood and low
+      brushwood, is just the place where an ambush might be posted with
+      advantage. Turenne would have taken possession of it as soon as darkness
+      closed in, for it would not only prevent the possibility of the army being
+      taken by surprise during the night, but it might be invaluable during the
+      fight tomorrow, for a force ambushed there might take an advancing enemy
+      in the rear. We will go farther on till we get to a point where the
+      brushwood extends nearly up to our line. We will enter it there, and make
+      our way along until we see whether de Malo has taken advantage of our
+      failure to utilize the wood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as they reached the point he indicated they moved forward,
+      crouching low until they reached the bushes; then they crawled along,
+      keeping outside but close to them. In this way they would be invisible to
+      any sentries posted near the edge of the wood, and would also avoid the
+      risk of drawing the enemy's attention by accidentally breaking a dried
+      branch or even snapping a twig. In ten minutes they entered the wood that
+      extended along the greater portion of the hollow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Keep on your hands and knees,&rdquo; Hector whispered, &ldquo;and feel the ground as
+      you go to make sure that there are no broken branches that would crack if
+      you placed your knee upon them. We may come upon the Spaniards at any
+      moment. Keep close to me. Touch me if you hear the slightest sound, and I
+      will do the same to you. The touch will mean stop. Move your sword along
+      the belt till the handle is round at your back; in that way there will be
+      no risk of it striking a tree or catching in a projecting root.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do that, master, and will keep my knife between my teeth. It may
+      be that we shall come upon a Spanish sentinel who may need silencing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Paolo; only in the last extremity and to save our lives must we
+      resort to arms. Were a sentry found killed in the morning they would know
+      that their position in the wood had been discovered. It is most important
+      that they should believe that their ambush is unsuspected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Their progress was very slow. When they were nearly opposite the centre of
+      their position Paolo was suddenly touched by his master. They listened
+      intently, and could hear at no great distance ahead low sounds at regular
+      intervals.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Men snoring,&rdquo; Paolo whispered in his ear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They moved forward again even more cautiously than before. Presently they
+      stopped, for at the edge of the wood facing the camp they heard a slight
+      movement and a low clash of arms, as if a sentinel on the lookout had
+      changed his position. Feeling sure that the guards would all be placed
+      along the edge of the wood, they moved forward again, stopping every few
+      yards to listen. There was no doubt now that they were close to a large
+      body of sleepers. Occasional snores, broken murmurs, and a sound as one
+      turned from side to side rose from in front of them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You go round on one side, I will go round on the other, Paolo. We will
+      meet again when we have passed beyond them. It is important that we should
+      form some estimate as to their numbers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In half an hour they met again, and crawled along for some distance side
+      by side in silence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How many should you say, Paolo?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They were lying four deep as far as I could make out, master. I kept very
+      close to the outside line. I could not count them accurately because of
+      the trees, but I should say that there were about two hundred and fifty in
+      a line.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was very close to what I reckoned them at. At any rate, it is a
+      regiment about a thousand strong. They are musketeers, for several times I
+      went close enough to feel their arms. In every case it was a musket and
+      not a pike that my hand fell on. Now we will go on till we are opposite
+      our last watchfire, and then crawl up the hill.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They were challenged as they approached the lines.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A friend,&rdquo; Hector replied. &ldquo;An officer of the prince's staff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give the countersign,&rdquo; the soldier said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Conde.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is right, but wait until I call an officer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good! but make no noise; that is important.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The sentinel went to the watchfire, and an officer sitting there at once
+      rose and came forward.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Advance, officer of the staff!&rdquo; he said in low tones. &ldquo;That is right,
+      monsieur,&rdquo; he went on as Hector advanced close enough to be seen by the
+      light of the fire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a special pass signed by General Gassion,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The officer took it, and looked at it by the light of the fire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is all in order,&rdquo; he said as he returned it; &ldquo;but the sentry had the
+      strictest orders that no one coming from the side of the enemy was to be
+      allowed to enter our lines, even if he gave the countersign correctly,
+      until he had been examined by an officer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He did his duty, sir. One cannot be too careful on the eve of battle. A
+      straggler might stray away and be captured, and be forced under pain of
+      death to give up the countersign, and once in our lines much information
+      might be obtained as to our position. However, I hardly think that any
+      such attempts will be made. The Spaniards saw us march in and take up our
+      position, and must have marked where our cavalry and artillery were
+      posted. Good night!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The greater part of the night had already gone, for in May the days are
+      already lengthening out. After the troops had fallen out from their ranks
+      wood had to be collected and rations cooked, and it was past ten o'clock
+      before any of them lay down, and an hour later, before Hector left on his
+      expedition. The examination of the outposts had taken more than an hour;
+      it was now three o'clock in the morning, and the orders were that the
+      troops should all be under arms before daybreak. Hector returned to the
+      spot where he had left General Gassion. All was quiet there now, and he
+      lay down until, somewhat before five, a bugle sounded. The signal was
+      repeated all along the line, and almost at the same moment the Spanish
+      trumpets told that the enemy, too, were making preparations for the day's
+      work. General Gassion was one of the first to spring to his feet. Hector
+      at once went up to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have come to report, general,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that I have reconnoitred along
+      the whole line of wood in the hollow in front, and have found that a
+      regiment of musketeers about a thousand strong have been placed in ambush
+      there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, by heavens, you have done us good service indeed, Captain Campbell!
+      They might have done us an ill turn had we advanced knowing nothing of
+      their presence there. Nothing shakes troops more than a sudden attack in
+      the rear. Please come across with me and repeat the news that you have
+      given me to the prince himself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was bustle all along the line. The troops were falling into their
+      ranks, stamping their feet to set the blood in motion, swinging their
+      arms, and growling at the sharp morning air. At the headquarters bivouac
+      the young nobles were laughing and jesting as they prepared to mount.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where is the prince?&rdquo; Gassion asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There he lies under his cloak, general. He is still fast asleep. It is
+      evident that the thought of the coming battle does not weigh heavily upon
+      him. I acknowledge that I have not closed an eye; I do not think that any
+      of us have done so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So sound, indeed, was the prince's sleep that Gassion had to shake him
+      almost roughly to rouse him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon, however, as his eyes opened he leapt to his feet. &ldquo;I have had a
+      wonderful night,&rdquo; he laughed; &ldquo;never have I slept more soundly on a down
+      bed than on this hard ground, which, however, as I find, makes my bones
+      ache wonderfully. Well, it is a fine day for a battle. What is your news,
+      Gassion?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is important, monseigneur. Captain Campbell has spent the night in
+      reconnoitering on his own account, and has discovered that a thousand
+      Spanish musketeers are lying in ambush in the copse in the hollow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that so?&rdquo; the duke said shortly. &ldquo;Well, Captain Campbell, you have
+      rendered us a vital service indeed, and one that I shall not forget.
+      However, now we are forewarned, we shall know how to deal with them. If I
+      should fall, Gassion, and you should survive, see that Captain Campbell's
+      service is duly represented. Now, to horse, gentlemen!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The morning sun rose on the 20th of May on a brilliant scene. The two
+      armies were disposed along slightly elevated ridges, between which lay the
+      hollow with its brushwood and copses. Enghien commanded the cavalry on the
+      right wing, with Gassion as second in command. In place of his helmet the
+      prince wore a hat with large white plumes, remembering, perhaps, how Henri
+      of Navarre's white plumes had served as a rallying point. Marshal
+      l'Hopital commanded the cavalry on the French left, Baron d'Espenan
+      commanded the infantry in the centre, and Baron Sirot the reserves. The
+      right of the Spanish army was composed of the German horse led by de Malo,
+      the Walloons on the left were under the Duke of Albuquerque, while in the
+      centre were the veteran Spanish infantry under the command of General
+      Fuentes, who had often led them to victory. He was too old and infirm to
+      mount a horse, but lay in a litter in the midst of his hitherto
+      unconquerable infantry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All being ready on both sides, the trumpet sounded, and simultaneously the
+      cavalry of both armies moved forward. Enghien moved farther to the right,
+      and then dashing down the slopes led his cavalry along the bottom, fell
+      suddenly upon the musketeers in ambush and cut them to pieces. Then
+      galloping forward he fell upon the Spanish left in front and flank. The
+      impetuous charge was irresistible; the Walloons broke and fled before it,
+      and were speedily scattered over the plain, pursued by the victorious
+      French. But upon the other wing de Malo's charge had proved equally
+      irresistible. L'Hopital's horse was broken and scattered, and, wheeling
+      his cavalry round, de Malo fell upon the flank and rear of d'Espenan's
+      infantry, shattered them at once, captured the whole of the French
+      artillery, and then fell upon the reserves. Baron Sirot, an officer of
+      great courage and ability, held them together and for a time repelled the
+      attack of the German cavalry; but these, inspirited by their previous
+      success, continued their attacks with such fury that the reserves began to
+      waver and fall back. Enghien was still in pursuit of the Walloons when an
+      officer rode up with news of the disaster that had befallen the rest of
+      the army. Enghien grasped the situation instantly, and his military genius
+      pointed out how the battle might yet be retrieved. His trumpets instantly
+      recalled his scattered squadrons, and galloping round the Spanish centre
+      he fell like a thunderbolt upon the rear of de Malo's cavalry, already
+      exulting in what appeared certain victory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Astounded at this unlooked for attack, they in vain bore up and tried to
+      resist it; but the weight and impetus of the French assault bore all
+      before it, and they clove their way through the confused mass of cavalry
+      without a pause. Then wheeling right and left they charged into the
+      disorganized crowd of German horsemen, who, unable to withstand this
+      terrible onslaught, broke and fled, de Malo himself galloping off the
+      field with his disorganized troopers. Never was a more sudden change in
+      the fate of a great battle. The French cause had appeared absolutely lost;
+      one wing and their centre were routed; their reserves had suffered
+      heavily, and were on the point of giving way. Humanly speaking, the battle
+      seemed hopelessly lost, and yet in ten minutes victory had been converted
+      into defeat, and the right and left wings of the Spanish army had ceased
+      to exist as collected bodies. There remained the Spanish infantry, and
+      Enghien, recklessly courageous as he was, hesitated to attack the solid
+      formation that had hitherto proved invincible.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While still doubting whether, having defeated the rest of the army, it
+      might not be best to allow this formidable body to march away unmolested,
+      news reached him that General Beck, with his reinforcements, would be on
+      the ground in an hour. This decided him, and he ordered the whole of the
+      guns that had been rescued from their late captors to be turned on the
+      Spanish square, and then, collecting his cavalry into a mass, dashed at
+      it. The Spaniards remained motionless till the French line was within
+      twenty yards of them, then men stepped aside, a number of guns poured
+      their contents into the cavalry, while a tremendous volley swept away
+      their front line. So terrible was the effect, so great the confusion
+      caused by the carnage, that had the Walloon cavalry been rallied and
+      returned to the field, the tide of the battle might again have been
+      changed; but they were miles away, and Enghien rallied his men without a
+      moment's delay, while the French artillery again opened fire upon the
+      Spanish square. Again the French cavalry charged and strove to make their
+      way into the gaps made by the artillery, but before they reached the face
+      of the square these were closed up, and the guns and musketry carried
+      havoc among the French squadrons, which again recoiled in confusion. Once
+      more Enghien rallied them, and, when the French artillery had done their
+      work, led them forward again with a bravery as impetuous and unshaken as
+      that with which he had ridden in front of them in their first charge;
+      nevertheless for the third time they fell back, shattered by the storm of
+      iron and lead. Enghien now brought up his artillery to close quarters,
+      Baron de Sirot led up the infantry of the reserve, and the attack was
+      renewed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The aged Spanish general, though streaming with blood from several wounds,
+      still from his litter encouraged his soldiers, who, stern and unmoved,
+      filled up the gaps that had been made, and undauntedly faced their foes.
+      But the struggle could not be long continued. The square was gradually
+      wasting away, and occupied but half the ground which it had stood upon
+      when the battle began. And Fuentes, seeing that further resistance could
+      only lead to the annihilation of his little band, felt that no more could
+      be done. There were no signs of Beck coming to his assistance. Indeed the
+      troops of that general had been met by the cavalry in their flight; these
+      communicated their own panic to them, and such was the alarm that the
+      division abandoned its baggage and guns and fled from the field, where
+      their arrival might still have turned the tide of battle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fuentes at last ordered his officers to signal their surrender. Enghien
+      rode forward, but, the Spanish soldiers believing that, as before, he was
+      but leading his cavalry against them, poured in a terrible volley. He
+      escaped by almost a miracle, but his soldiers, maddened by what they
+      believed to be an act of treachery, hurled themselves upon the enemy. The
+      square was broken, and a terrible slaughter ensued before the exertions of
+      the officers put a stop to it. Then the remaining Spaniards surrendered.
+      The battle of Rocroi was to the land forces of Spain a blow as terrible
+      and fatal as the destruction of the Armada had been to their naval
+      supremacy. It was indeed a death blow to the power that Spain had so long
+      exercised over Europe. It showed the world that her infantry were no
+      longer irresistible, and while it lowered her prestige it infinitely
+      increased that of France, which was now regarded as the first military
+      power in Europe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The losses in the battle were extremely heavy. The German and Walloon
+      cavalry both suffered very severely, while of the Spanish infantry not one
+      man left the battlefield save as a prisoner, and fully two-thirds of their
+      number lay dead on the ground. Upon the French side the losses were
+      numerically much smaller. The German cavalry, after routing those of
+      l'Hopital, instead of following up the pursuit hurled themselves upon the
+      infantry, who broke almost without resistance. These also escaped with
+      comparatively little loss, de Malo leading the cavalry at once against the
+      French reserves. Among the cavalry commanded by Enghien the loss was very
+      heavy, and included many gentlemen of the best blood of France. There was
+      no pursuit; half the French cavalry were far away from the field, the rest
+      had lost well nigh half their number, and were exhausted by the fury of
+      the fight; indeed, the fugitive cavalry were miles away before the
+      conflict ended. The gallant old general, Fuentes, expired from his wounds
+      soon after the termination of the battle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector was with the body of young nobles who followed close behind Enghien
+      in the three first desperate charges. In the third his horse was shot
+      under him just as the cavalry recoiled from the deadly fire of the square.
+      He partly extracted his foot from the stirrup as he fell, but not
+      sufficiently to free him, and he was pinned to the ground by the weight of
+      the horse. It was well for him that it was so, for had he been free he
+      would assuredly have been shot down as he followed the retreating cavalry.
+      This thought occurred to his mind after the first involuntary effort to
+      extricate his leg, and he lay there stiff and immovable as if dead. It was
+      a trying time. The balls from the French cannon whistled over his head,
+      the musket shots flew thickly round him, and he knew that ere long the
+      attack would be renewed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fortunately the fourth advance of the French did not come directly over
+      him, the commanders purposely leading their troops so as to avoid passing
+      over the ground where so many of the young nobles had fallen. Not until
+      the last musket had been discharged and the cessation of the din told that
+      all was over, did he endeavour to rise. Then he sat up and called to two
+      dismounted soldiers, who were passing near, to aid him. They at once came
+      up, and soon lifted the horse so far that he was able to withdraw his leg.
+      His thick jackboot had protected it from injury, although it had been
+      partly the cause of his misfortune, for the sole had caught against the
+      side of the horse and so prevented him from withdrawing it. Nevertheless,
+      his leg was so numbed that it was some time before he could limp away. He
+      retraced his steps towards the spot where he had mounted at starting. He
+      had not gone far when he saw Paolo galloping towards him. The young fellow
+      gave a shout of joy as he recognized him, and a minute later drew rein by
+      his side and leapt off his horse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank God I see you alive again, master! Are you wounded?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; my horse was killed and fell upon my foot, and has no doubt bruised
+      it a bit, otherwise I am unhurt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It has been terrible, master. I climbed up into that tree beneath which
+      we halted yesterday and watched the battle. I shouted with joy when I saw
+      Enghien clear out the ambuscade, and again when he drove the Walloon horse
+      away; then everything seemed to go wrong. I saw the marshal's cavalry on
+      the left driven off the field like chaff before the wind. Then the centre
+      broke up directly they were charged; and as the enemy fell upon the
+      reserve it seemed to me that all was lost. Then I saw Enghien and his
+      horsemen coming along like a whirlwind, bursting their way through the
+      enemy's horse, and in turn driving them off the field. I hoped then that
+      the battle was all over, and that the Spanish infantry would be allowed to
+      march away; but no, my heart fell again when, time after time, our cavalry
+      dashed up against them, and each time fell back again, leaving the slope
+      behind them covered with dead men and horses; and I shouted aloud when I
+      saw the artillery move up and the reserves advancing. As soon as I saw
+      that the square was broken and a terrible melee was going on, I knew that
+      all was over, and could restrain my impatience no longer, so I mounted my
+      horse with, I may say, small hope of finding you alive, seeing that you
+      rode behind Enghien, whose white plumes I could see ever in front of the
+      line.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It has been a marvellous victory, Paolo, and there can be no doubt that
+      Enghien has covered himself with glory. It was his quick eye that saw what
+      there was to be done, his brain that instantly directed the blow where
+      alone it could be effectual, and his extraordinary bravery that roused the
+      enthusiasm of those around him to a point at which no man thought of his
+      life. But for him it was a lost battle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, master, I am glad that we have won the battle, but that is as
+      nothing to me in comparison that you have come out of it safely, and I
+      think, master, that we have a right to say that we helped in some degree
+      to bring about the victory by discovering that ambuscade down in the
+      hollow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That had not occurred to me, Paolo,&rdquo; Hector laughed. &ldquo;No doubt it was a
+      fortunate discovery, for had the musketeers lain hidden there until we
+      were beaten back after our first charge, and then poured their fire into
+      us, it would doubtless have thrown us into some confusion, and might even
+      have caused a panic for a while.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, master, if you will mount this horse I will be off and catch
+      another; there are scores of them running about riderless, some of them
+      belonging to the marshal's men, but many more to the Germans, and a few
+      that galloped off riderless each time Enghien fell back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't take one of those, Paolo; it might be claimed by its master's
+      lackeys; get one of the best German horses that you can find. You might as
+      well get two if you can, for I want a second horse while I am here with
+      the prince.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IX: HONOURS
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      In half an hour Paolo returned leading two horses. By their trappings and
+      appearance both had evidently belonged to officers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take off the trappings,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;then put a saddle on one for me;
+      shift your own saddle on to the other, and picket your own with the spare
+      horses of the staff, then we will ride over and get my saddle, bridle,
+      holsters, and trappings. The horse has carried me well ever since I left
+      Paris, and I am grieved indeed to lose it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So am I, master; it was a good beast, but I think that either of these is
+      as good, though it will be long before I get to like them as I did Scotty.
+      We shall want housings for this second horse, master.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; there will be no difficulty about that. There are scores of dead
+      horses on the field; choose one without any embroidery or insignia. You
+      may as well take another pair of holsters with pistols.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Riding across to the spot where Enghien and his officers were forming up
+      the prisoners, talking courteously to the Spanish officers and seeing to
+      the wounded, Hector, leaving Paolo to find his fallen horse and shift his
+      trappings to the one that he rode, cantered up to the spot where Enghien's
+      white plume could be seen in the midst of a group of officers, among whom
+      was General Gassion. He saluted as he came up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad indeed to see you, Captain Campbell,&rdquo; Enghien said warmly,
+      holding out his hand; &ldquo;I feared that you were killed. Some of my friends
+      told me that you were struck down in the third charge, and that they had
+      not seen you since and feared that you were slain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My horse was killed, prince, and in falling pinned me to the ground, and
+      being within thirty yards of the Spanish square, I lay without movement
+      until you came back again and broke them. Then some soldiers so far lifted
+      my horse that I could get my foot from under it, my servant found and
+      caught a riderless German horse, and here I am unharmed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, sir, at the time that you came up General Gassion was just telling
+      these gentlemen that had it not been for you things might have gone very
+      differently. Had you not discovered that ambush their fire would have been
+      fatal to us, for we fell back, as you know, farther than the copse, and a
+      volley from a thousand muskets would have played havoc among us, and after
+      so terrible a repulse might well have decided the day against us. For this
+      great service, rendered by you voluntarily and without orders, I as
+      commander-in-chief of this army, with the full and warm approval of
+      General Gassion, appoint you to the rank of colonel, a rank which I am
+      sure will be confirmed by the queen's minister when I report to him my
+      reasons for the promotion. General Gassion reports that the man who
+      accompanied you on this reconnaissance was the same who followed you in
+      the expedition to Turin. As he is not a soldier I cannot promote him, but
+      I will order my chamberlain to hand him a purse of a hundred pistoles.
+      When you return to Turenne, tell him that I owe him my best thanks for
+      having sent you to me, and that, thanks to the aid of his teaching, you
+      have been the means of preventing a great disaster to our forces.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thank you, indeed, monsieur, for your kindness, and for promoting me so
+      far beyond my merits, but I hope in the future I shall be able to still
+      further prove my gratitude.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is proved already,&rdquo; Gassion said, &ldquo;for although every man today has
+      fought like a hero, you were the only one in camp that suspected that the
+      Spanish might be lying in an ambush, and who not only thought it, but took
+      means to find out whether it was so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning Enghien informed Hector that he was elected as one of the
+      three officers who were to have the honour of carrying his despatches to
+      Paris, and that he was to start in half an hour. Paolo, who was in the
+      highest state of delight at the purse that had been presented to him the
+      evening before, was greatly pleased with the prospect.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Heaven be praised, master, that you are not going into another battle! It
+      was well nigh a miracle that you escaped last time, and such good luck
+      does not befall a man twice. I have never seen Paris, and greatly do I
+      long to do so. How they will shout when they hear the news we bring!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will not be altogether news to them, Paolo. La Moussaie, Enghien's
+      intimate friend, who acted as his aide-de-camp during the battle, was sent
+      off ten minutes after the fight ended with a paper, on which the prince
+      had pencilled that he had utterly defeated the enemy. He will change
+      horses at every post, and will be in Paris by this evening. We bear the
+      official despatches, giving a full account of the battle, and of the total
+      destruction of the Spanish infantry, with no doubt a list of the nobles
+      and gentlemen who have fallen. Well, I should think now, Paolo, that when
+      we have seen enough of Paris and we have journeyed down to Perpignan
+      again, you will leave my service and buy a farm; you can afford a
+      substantial one now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What, master! I leave your service, where gold comes in in showers, and
+      where one serves a master whom one loves? No, sir, I am not such a fool as
+      that. I do not say that when the war is over I may not settle down in a
+      snug home among the mountains of Savoy, but not until then; besides, I am
+      but eighteen, and a nice hand I should make at managing a farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, get the horses ready at once and the valises packed. You can put
+      them on my spare horse. The mule will scarce keep up with us, for we shall
+      certainly travel fast, so you had best hand it over to someone who you
+      think will treat it kindly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Twenty minutes later Hector, and two officers who had distinguished
+      themselves especially in the battle, sat mounted before the tent that had
+      now been raised for d'Enghien. The young prince himself came out.
+      &ldquo;Gentlemen,&rdquo; he said, handing the three sealed packets, &ldquo;you will present
+      these to the queen, who is now Regent of France, for Louis XIII died a
+      week ago. They contain the despatches and reports of myself and General
+      Gassion. Your packet, colonel,&rdquo; he added to Hector, &ldquo;is General Gassion's
+      report; it goes more fully into military details than mine. You, Monsieur
+      de Penthiere, carry my despatches in reference to the battle of yesterday.
+      You, Monsieur de Caussac, are the bearer of my plans for our future
+      operations. I think that you will all agree with me that, after the battle
+      we have won, we shall be able to make ourselves masters of Flanders with
+      but slight resistance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The three officers bowed their agreement with the words.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know not who is in power or on whom the queen chiefly relies for
+      counsel, but should any questions be put to you, you will, I hope, be able
+      to express the urgency of prompt action in this matter before the
+      Spaniards have time to rally from the terrible blow that this defeat has
+      inflicted upon them. And now, gentlemen, a rapid and pleasant journey.
+      Orders were sent on last night that four sets of fresh horses should be in
+      readiness along the road. They are my own horses, and good ones. Twelve
+      troopers will accompany you; three of these will remain behind at each
+      stage where you change, and the horses that you have used will be brought
+      on at a more leisurely pace after you. They will readily find out in Paris
+      where you are lodged, and I beg that you will retain the horses as a
+      slight proof of my goodwill.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then he waved his hand and went into his tent again. The three lackeys,
+      each holding a spare horse, were sitting in readiness for a start some
+      fifty yards away. After a moment's conversation the officers rode up to
+      them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must follow us quietly,&rdquo; one of them said. &ldquo;For today you can keep up
+      with us to the end of the first stage. Three fresh horses have been
+      provided for us, for we ride without a stop to Paris. Three soldiers will
+      there take charge of the horses we ride. When we go on you will follow
+      quietly with the horses that you are now leading. It will be impossible
+      for you to keep up with us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then they placed themselves at the head of their escort of dragoons, the
+      lackeys fell in behind them, and they started at a fast pace.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know where the first relays are?&rdquo; one of the officers asked the
+      sergeant in charge of the escort, after they had ridden three or four
+      miles.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The first is at Rethel, monsieur, the second at Rheims, the third at
+      Chateau-Thierry, the fourth at Meaux.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we will ride on at once. You have your orders?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Whereupon the three officers quickened their pace. The distance to be
+      traversed was about a hundred and thirty miles, and as they had five
+      horses, including those they rode, each stage would average about
+      twenty-six miles.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, gentlemen,&rdquo; de Penthiere said, &ldquo;it seems to me that it would be a
+      pity to founder fifteen good horses in order to gain an hour on this
+      journey. The queen has already received news of the victory, or at least
+      she will receive it some time today, therefore the details we bring are
+      not of particular importance. It is now eight o'clock. If we were to
+      gallop all the way we might do it in twelve hours. The roads in many
+      places will be bad, and we must stop for meals at least three times; with
+      the utmost speed we could hardly be in Paris in less than fifteen hours.
+      Her majesty will scarce want to read long despatches at that time, and may
+      take it that we ourselves will need a bath and a change of garments, and
+      the services of a barber, before we could show ourselves in court. Had we
+      been bearers of the original despatch, we might have gone in splashed from
+      head to foot. As it is, it seems to me that if we present ourselves with
+      our papers at seven in the morning we shall have done that which is
+      necessary. What do you both say?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I agree with you, de Penthiere. It would be a sore pity to injure good
+      horses by galloping them at the top of their speed, to say nothing of
+      knocking ourselves up. Had we been sent off from the field of battle I
+      should have said, spare neither the horses nor ourselves. But indeed it
+      seems to me that tomorrow morning will be quite early enough for us to
+      present ourselves and our despatches. To tell you the truth, I have never
+      ridden a hundred and thirty miles or so at the pace of a courier. I should
+      say let us go at a reasonable pace, and get into Paris soon after
+      midnight, which will give us time for some little sleep, and afterwards to
+      make ourselves presentable. What say you, Colonel Campbell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have no opinion, messieurs. I know nothing of the manners of the court,
+      and if you think that tomorrow morning will be quite soon enough for us to
+      deliver the despatches I am quite willing to fall in with your view. It is
+      certainly a long ride, and as we marched hither we found that the roads
+      were very bad, and certainly where the army has passed they are so cut up
+      by the artillery and wagons that they are sure to be quite unfit for going
+      at racing speed. Therefore I think that if we present ourselves at the
+      palace early in the morning, we shall have done all that can be expected
+      of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was indeed two o'clock in the morning when they arrived at the gates of
+      Paris. Accustomed though they all were to horse exercise, the journey had
+      been a very fatiguing one. Until night fell they had ridden briskly,
+      talking as they went on the probable state of affairs in France and of the
+      military operations that were likely to be undertaken as the result of the
+      victory, but progress became slow after darkness set in. The roads were in
+      many places detestably bad. In passing through forests it was not possible
+      to travel much beyond a walk, as it was necessary not only to avoid
+      overhanging arms of trees, but to keep the track, for the road in many
+      places was nothing more.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Once or twice they lost it altogether, and it was only when they hit upon
+      the house of a peasant or a little village, and obtained a guide, that
+      they were able to recover their road. Consequently all were thoroughly
+      exhausted when they reached Paris. The gates were opened to them when it
+      was understood that they bore despatches from the army. They made their
+      way to the Hotel Conde. It was illuminated, for the prince had given a
+      great banquet in honour of the victory won by his son; and although most
+      of the guests had left long before, a party of the closest friends and
+      connections of the prince were holding an informal council, when the word
+      came to them that three officers had arrived with despatches from the Duc
+      d'Enghien. The prince came down. Hector had dismounted without assistance,
+      but the other two officers had to be lifted from their saddles.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you bearers of any special news, de Penthiere?&rdquo; the prince asked; for
+      the two young nobles were well known to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, monseigneur, save that our despatches give full details of the
+      battle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is our loss?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is very heavy,&rdquo; de Penthiere said. &ldquo;Fully a hundred men of good blood
+      have fallen. The loss principally fell upon the cavalry commanded by the
+      duke, who three times charged the Spanish infantry, and only succeeded at
+      the fourth attempt in breaking their square.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And the Spanish infantry?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Every man was either killed or taken.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Glorious!&rdquo; the prince said. &ldquo;Well, I will not detain you now, for I see
+      that you can scarce stand, and it would be cruel to keep you up, much as
+      we desire to hear the particulars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think, monseigneur, that this gentleman, Colonel Campbell, is more in a
+      condition to talk to you than de Caussac or myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be happy to answer any questions,&rdquo; Hector said, bowing to the
+      prince. &ldquo;I have been campaigning for the last four years under Monsieur de
+      Turenne, and am accustomed to long journeys and sleepless nights.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, colonel. We will not keep you up long.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Some lackeys were ordered to assist the two young nobles to couches, and
+      then Conde and his companions left the courtyard and entered a small
+      saloon where they had supped two hours before. Some fresh bottles of wine
+      and cold viands were at once placed upon the table. Hector drank off a
+      goblet of wine.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Monsieur le Prince, I will tell you all I know about the fight.&rdquo; And
+      he gave Conde and his companions a brief sketch of the various movements
+      and changes of the battle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was a hard fought field indeed,&rdquo; Conde said, &ldquo;and the result is a
+      glorious one for France. Now we will keep you no longer from your couch.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I ask, sir, at what time we ought to present ourselves with the
+      despatches at the palace?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will not be necessary for you to present yourselves before ten
+      o'clock, for it was late last night before her majesty retired. Paris was
+      wild at the news of the victory, and the reception at the palace was
+      crowded. Still, I should say that at ten it would be well that you and
+      your companions should attend there, though you may have to wait for an
+      hour or more for an audience.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At ten o'clock Hector and his companions presented themselves at the
+      palace. Seven hours' sleep, a warm bath, and the services of the barber,
+      who curled the hair of the two young nobles and sprinkled them all with
+      perfume, did much to restore them, though they were all somewhat stiff,
+      and every bone seemed to ache. They were kept waiting for half an hour, at
+      the end of which time the door of the antechamber was opened and their
+      names were called. The queen, who was still a beautiful woman, was
+      standing talking to a gentleman, in whose attire there were but few
+      symbols that would betray to a stranger that he was an ecclesiastic of
+      high rank.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are the bearers of despatches from the army, messieurs?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have that honour, your majesty,&rdquo; de Penthiere, who was the senior of
+      the party, said. &ldquo;We arrived from Paris at two o'clock this morning, but
+      did not venture to disturb your majesty at that hour.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You did rightly,&rdquo; the queen said graciously. &ldquo;We already knew that a
+      great victory had been gained, and could afford to wait for the
+      particulars. Do you each bear a despatch?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We do, your majesty,&rdquo; de Penthiere said, producing that which he bore.
+      &ldquo;This, your majesty, is the general report of the Duc d'Enghien of the
+      events of the battle. Colonel Campbell is intrusted with the more detailed
+      description of General Gassion. Monsieur de Caussac's despatch contains
+      the duke's views as to the carrying on of the campaign; these he submits
+      to the judgment of your majesty and the council.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Cardinal Mazarin stepped forward and took the three documents.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;These we will peruse and consider at our leisure,&rdquo; the queen said, &ldquo;and I
+      shall, I hope, see you at my levee this evening. In the meantime I thank
+      you for your service in having brought the despatches so speedily here,
+      and am well aware that the fact that you have been chosen as the
+      messengers of the commander-in-chief is in itself a proof that your share
+      in the battle was in the highest degree honourable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She graciously held out her hand, which de Penthiere and his companions,
+      dropping upon one knee, raised to their lips, one after the other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are aware of the contents of the despatches, cardinal,&rdquo; the queen
+      said when they were alone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of their general scope, madam. The Prince of Conde did me the honour to
+      call upon me at eight this morning. He had gathered a general account of
+      the battle from the lips of that young Scottish colonel, who was the only
+      one of the party who was capable of relating it, the others being almost
+      speechless with fatigue, for the road from Rocroi hither is long and
+      rough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may well say the young Scottish colonel, cardinal. He is but a youth,
+      and it is strange indeed that he should already have attained that rank.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has served for four years under the Viscount Turenne,&rdquo; Mazarin said,
+      &ldquo;and must therefore have had good opportunities of distinguishing himself.
+      Still, it is seldom indeed that any save one of royal blood or of the very
+      highest families obtains such a rank so quickly. Turenne, however, was
+      himself a colonel after less than four years service.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, cardinal, but he had the advantage of belonging to the family of an
+      almost independent sovereign.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Conde said that he had himself asked the young man how it was that he had
+      won it, and he replied that it was solely due to the kindness of the Duc
+      d'Enghien, who had been pleased to consider a small service he had
+      rendered as worthy of recognition. It is like enough, your majesty, that
+      we shall see his name mentioned in one of these documents. It is certain
+      that he would not have been chosen to carry the despatches&mdash;a duty
+      which is regarded as a reward of the most distinguished service&mdash;unless
+      he had done something of marked importance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two French officers on leaving the palace at once went off to pay
+      their respects in the first place to the heads of their families, and
+      afterwards to visit the various circles and coteries with which they were
+      connected, and where they would be sure of a flattering welcome and
+      attentive listeners. Hector, for his part, rode direct to the quarters of
+      the colonel of the Scottish regiment. A soldier came out and took the
+      bridle of his horse as he saluted, while a sergeant asked what name he
+      should announce.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you do not remember me, Sergeant Macfarlane?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The soldier looked at him earnestly. &ldquo;Why,&rdquo; he exclaimed suddenly, &ldquo;it's
+      Hector Campbell!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right enough, sergeant.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have changed mightily, sir; you were but a laddie when you went away
+      nigh four years ago. The news came to the regiment that you had been made
+      a captain, and proud we all were. The colonel will be right glad to see
+      you,&rdquo; and he led the way into the house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then the regiment has not been on service just lately?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We had two years on the Rhine; but we came back here last autumn. The Red
+      Cardinal was not fond of us, but he knew that he could trust us&mdash;which
+      is more than he could have done some of the regiments&mdash;so he had us
+      back again; and we were not sorry, for it was but dull work there&mdash;sieges
+      and nought else.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He was just going to open the door of the inner room when Hector said,
+      &ldquo;You can announce me, Macfarlane, as Colonel Campbell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Gude Lord,&rdquo; the sergeant ejaculated, &ldquo;ye dinna say that ye are a
+      colonel?&rdquo; Then reassuming with a great effort his military stiffness, he
+      opened the door and announced in a loud tone, &ldquo;Colonel Hector Campbell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was an exclamation of astonishment from the colonel and two or three
+      officers who were sitting with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Campbell,&rdquo; the former said, coming forward and warmly shaking his
+      hand, &ldquo;you are changed indeed, and you have come back to us almost the
+      living image of your father when he first joined.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The officers all shook hands with him warmly, and the colonel went on,
+      &ldquo;Macfarlane announced you as colonel, Hector, but surely you cannot have
+      gained that rank?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only obtained it two days ago. You see it is a good thing to be a
+      prince's aide-de-camp. Turenne, wishing to give me every opportunity of
+      seeing service, sent me to Enghien with a message asking him to employ me
+      on his staff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you were at Rocroi?&rdquo; the colonel exclaimed. &ldquo;What is the real news of
+      the battle? It was given out officially last night that we had won a
+      victory, and there are all sorts of rumours this morning in the town&mdash;they
+      say that three officers arrived last night with full details.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was one of the three, colonel; and I have just now come from the palace
+      after handing my despatches to the queen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it was Enghien who made you colonel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, then, you must have done something marked, or you could never have
+      got the rank. Why, he has half the young nobles of France in his train&mdash;he
+      has not made them all colonels, I suppose?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I suppose not; but we started early the next morning, and therefore
+      cannot say what promotions were made.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still they made yours, Campbell. When did they do that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just after the fight was over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Umph! and what for?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I luckily discovered that the Spaniards had set an ambush.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come, come, let us hear all about it. Tell us the whole story of the
+      fight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector gave all the details.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, it certainly seems to have been an extraordinary battle. Everyone
+      appears to have been beaten in turn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not Enghien's command, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, no; but when cavalry are repulsed three times with a loss, as you
+      say, of nearly half their numbers, it is pretty well equivalent to a
+      beating; and if Enghien had not been able to bring up the artillery and
+      reserves, I take it that the third charge would have been the last. The
+      ambush that you discovered was, I suppose, that of the thousand musketeers
+      Enghien charged at the beginning of the fight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector nodded his assent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, it is as well they were found out and surprised before the other
+      part of the business began, or there is no saying how the battle would
+      have ended. We heard you had got your company. Turenne himself was good
+      enough, when he came here to confer with Richelieu that summer, to call at
+      the barracks and to give me an account of the service you had rendered. We
+      all agreed that the rank was well earned, and I have no doubt that this
+      new step has been just as honourably gained. And how do you think matters
+      are going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know nothing about it, sir, beyond the fact that it was not a secret
+      that Enghien and Gassion were both in favour of advancing at once into
+      Flanders, and capturing the Spanish strong places before they could gather
+      another army together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt that would be the best way, but I should doubt very much if
+      Enghien will be allowed to carry out his plans. You see, the king's will,
+      appointing a council to act in concert with Conde, Orleans, and the queen,
+      has been set at nought. The queen is absolute regent, and Mazarin is her
+      minister&mdash;just as Richelieu was minister of Louis. Of course this
+      victory will put everyone in the best of temper, and make the way easy for
+      Mazarin just at first, but a defeat would set all the cliques at work
+      against him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is quite true that the defeat would not be his fault, but for some
+      mysterious reason or other the French always hold the ministers, for the
+      time being, responsible for military disasters. So long as Mazarin checks
+      Enghien, and prevents his running any risks of disaster, things are likely
+      to go on smoothly here, and you may be sure that he will give the prince
+      no chance of either suffering a defeat or achieving a victory. You see,
+      the prince and his father together might be a great deal too powerful for
+      the cardinal. Everyone knows that Conde himself has never cared much for
+      anything but his own interests. Enghien has the character of being the
+      most impetuous and violent young noble of the day, and the fact that he
+      forced this fight when, as is generally known, l'Hopital had the strictest
+      orders not to risk a battle, makes it clear that Enghien has but little
+      regard for authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will see that Mazarin will not give him further opportunities of
+      becoming the idol of France until he has assured himself that he can count
+      upon his friendship. Mazarin is not Richelieu. The red cardinal won his
+      way to the leadership of France by proving himself able to defeat all
+      intrigues against him, and crush every enemy, even those of the most
+      exalted position. Mazarin has no such antecedents. He is not even a
+      Frenchman; he does not even look like a noble. That he is clever we may be
+      sure, or Richelieu would not have recommended him as his successor. But I
+      fancy that it is the cleverness of an adventurer, and however adroit, an
+      adventurer, and especially a foreign adventurer, will not hold power in
+      France very long without exciting the hatred of the community and the
+      hostility of the nobles. However, I suppose you are remaining here for a
+      time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I do not know. I would rather return at once to the camp. But I
+      suppose I must wait for some intimation that I may do so. You see, I am
+      altogether out of my element in Paris, and I should feel particularly
+      uncomfortable at the court.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who would you rather go to, Enghien or Turenne?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just at present there is more doing with Enghien than Turenne, and more
+      to learn, otherwise I would far rather be with Turenne. Enghien's camp is
+      too full of young nobles; and I should say that he would take but little
+      trouble in keeping order and repressing license. Turenne is by no means
+      unduly strict, but he enforces order, and sets us such an example of
+      earnestness and attention to work, himself, that he has a right to expect
+      the same, to some degree, of everyone under him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you staying?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At the Hotel Conde. The prince was good enough this morning to ask me to
+      establish myself there while I remained in Paris, and I could not very
+      well decline his invitation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should think not,&rdquo; one of the other officers laughed. &ldquo;In these days a
+      powerful friend is of the greatest use. Without that one has not much
+      chance of advancement. Not that I want advancement; I would rather remain
+      as I am, a captain in the Scottish regiment, surrounded by good and loyal
+      friends and comrades, than be made a general. Still, one likes to have a
+      grumble sometimes at any rate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Home,&rdquo; the colonel said, &ldquo;Hector Campbell is a proof that even in
+      France merit will make its way. That Turenne should have taken a fancy to
+      him in the first place was fortunate. But Turenne would surely not have
+      promoted him to be a captain within three or four months of his joining
+      except for the marked bravery and diligence that he told us he displayed
+      at Turin; and I have no doubt that when we hear the particulars we shall
+      find that this promotion now has been equally well deserved, for certainly
+      Enghien is not likely to have gone out of his way to promote one
+      altogether a stranger to him when he had so many young nobles round him,
+      personal friends of his own, belonging to families whom he would wish to
+      oblige. Of course you will, as one of the bearers of despatches, attend at
+      the court this evening, Campbell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, the queen said that she would expect to see us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course; and you will be envied by every young courtier there. At the
+      present moment Paris is half wild over the victory of Rocroi, and as you
+      three will be the representatives of the army, specially selected for the
+      share you had in the battle, you may be sure that you will be regarded
+      with eyes of favour by every lady of the court.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I should think it would be a great nuisance,&rdquo; Hector said gruffly.
+      &ldquo;Hitherto I have had nothing to do with ladies. There were very few with
+      the Duchess of Savoy, and whenever there were receptions or state
+      ceremonies of any kind, I was always ready to exchange with de Lisle or
+      Chavigny, my fellow aides-de-camp. So that during the whole time I was
+      there, I never but once or twice accompanied the general on such
+      occasions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, you were younger then,&rdquo; Home laughed. &ldquo;You have passed eighteen now,
+      and, as you must know yourself, are by no means bad looking, with a
+      certain air of freshness and simplicity that is so rare here in Paris that
+      it will be regarded as refreshing and delightful after the flippancies of
+      the court gallants.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector laughed uncomfortably. &ldquo;I could not take up flippancies, I am
+      afraid. But what you say is true, Home; and if I had to remain at court, I
+      suppose I should have to set to work at once to cultivate some affectation
+      or other to counteract this simplicity of which you speak. However, thank
+      goodness, I do not suppose that I shall stay here long. At any rate, it is
+      lucky that I purchased a new court suit before I started to join the Duke
+      of Enghien. Coming from Viscount Turenne I thought that I was bound to
+      make a good figure among the crowd of young nobles round Enghien, but it
+      made a large hole in my savings.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mean to say that you had savings?&rdquo; one of the other officers
+      exclaimed. &ldquo;Who ever heard of such a thing? I never have a pistole left in
+      my pocket a week after I get my month's pay.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a very different thing living in Susa to living in Paris,&rdquo; Hector
+      laughed. &ldquo;I can assure you that I never spent more than half my pay; but
+      living was dearer down in Roussillon. Things have been in such a disturbed
+      state there for years that the country was well nigh a desert; and though
+      my two comrades and I messed together, the living cost twice as much as it
+      did at Susa. Shall I see any of you this evening at the palace?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be there,&rdquo; the colonel said, &ldquo;and so will Home and Lesley. It is
+      always expected that three officers from each of the regiments stationed
+      in Paris, and five from the one that happens to be on guard for the
+      evening, should attend the royal receptions. It will be a specially
+      brilliant affair tonight, for the queen has held but few receptions of
+      late. It was only announced yesterday afternoon, after the news of the
+      battle arrived. Had it not been for that, the salons would not have been
+      opened for another month.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very glad that there will be somebody there I shall know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't flatter yourself that you are going to consort with us,&rdquo; the
+      colonel laughed. &ldquo;You will have to be presented to at least a score of
+      court dames. However, fortunately, they will not expect the usual amount
+      of compliments. They will be really wanting to hear of the battle, and
+      most of them will be interested in some special friend with the army, and
+      will want to inquire about him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will not be so bad, then,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;If I only have to talk of
+      military matters I shall not mind, but it will be painful indeed if I have
+      to give news of the death of anyone dear to the lady I am speaking to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't think that you need fear very much about that. Enghien is pretty
+      sure to have sent a list containing the names of any court gallants that
+      have fallen, and their relatives will at once have been notified of it,
+      and will not be present at the court. As to the others, who have merely
+      lost lovers, they will not break their hearts over it. It is the fashion
+      to change them so rapidly that probably not a few of the ladies will have
+      consoled themselves for their absence already. However, to begin with, I
+      daresay I shall be able to act as your mentor and guide, and point out to
+      you who is who, so that you can avoid falling into serious errors. You
+      see, there are half a dozen parties at court already. There are Mazarin's
+      friends, who, by the way, are not numerous; there are the Duke of
+      Beaufort's clique; there is Conde's party.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Madame Chevreuse's party consists largely of herself. She is a power, but
+      at present no one can say with whom she will ally herself. Hitherto she
+      has been simply anti-Richelieu, and was his most troublesome and bitter
+      enemy; and I should say that not improbably she will at once begin to
+      conspire against Mazarin as she did against him. She has been the queen's
+      greatest ally; but then the queen was always a bitter enemy of Richelieu,
+      whereas at present it is supposed that she is strongly in favour of
+      Mazarin. In a few months the situation will clear itself, parties will
+      become defined. No doubt Enghien's victory will add to the power and
+      importance of Conde, who is already dangerously strong; then matters will
+      become interesting. At present the situation is somewhat chaotic, and
+      politics will not be openly and generally discussed, simply because no one
+      knows what anyone else's opinion may be.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, then, till the evening I will say goodbye, colonel. I am going to
+      have a chat with Sergeant MacIntosh, and shall then return to Conde's
+      hotel. I suppose I shall be expected to take my midday meal there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be as well to do so certainly, even though it is like enough
+      that he himself will not be there. He is the prince of schemers, and
+      doubtless at present his thoughts are concentrated on the manner in which
+      he and Enghien can best gain advantages from the victory.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER X: AN ESTATE AND TITLE
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      On entering the Scottish Soldier, Hector found that, as he hoped, the
+      cabaret was deserted, for it was the hour at which the regiment was
+      assembled for drill. It would have been a little embarrassing for him as a
+      colonel to come upon a number of private soldiers at the cabaret.
+      Separately he might have chatted with each, but a general greeting when a
+      number of them were there together would have been embarrassing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The old sergeant as he entered ran up to him. &ldquo;Well done, my lad, well
+      done! 'Tis a delight to me indeed to know that you have so grandly made
+      your way, and already won the rank of colonel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, how did you know, MacIntosh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The guard at the colonel's was changed just after you went into his
+      quarters, and you may be sure that they lost no time in spreading the news
+      that you had returned, and returned a colonel. In ten minutes this place
+      was as full as it would hold, and there was such a crowd outside the door
+      that a sergeant-de-ville came in to inquire what was the matter, thinking,
+      perhaps, that the regiment was in mutiny. I was right glad when I heard
+      the trumpet sound the assembly a few minutes ago, and they had to rush off
+      in a hurry, for I felt that it would be awkward for you were you to come
+      in when they were all so excited.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I was glad myself when I found that they were gone. I regard every
+      soldier in the regiment as my friend, and would shake hands with them now
+      as heartily as I did when I went away near four years back, but I myself
+      felt that it would be somewhat embarrassing were I greeted by them wine
+      cup in hand. Here are twenty pistoles; say that I left them here for them
+      to drink my health on my promotion, but that I shall be so busy during the
+      day or two that I remain in Paris that I shall not be able to pay another
+      visit here. Now let us have a quiet talk together, and give me all the
+      news of the regiment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps, colonel&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you need not call me colonel, MacIntosh, when you and I are together
+      alone. I am what I was&mdash;Hector Campbell, the lad to whom you showed
+      so much kindness for his father's sake. Yes, I will tell you one or two of
+      my adventures, and you shall come round to me tomorrow morning at seven
+      o'clock at the Hotel Conde, and we will stroll out together, and sit down
+      in the gardens of the Palais Cardinal, and you shall then tell me about
+      the regiment, who have gone, and what changes there are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be best,&rdquo; the sergeant said. &ldquo;We did hear something of how you
+      were made captain. Turenne was good enough to tell the colonel, and so
+      some of it came down to us, but of course it was very little. The men
+      would like to hear all about it and about this battle at Rocroi, at which,
+      of course, you must have in some way distinguished yourself to be
+      appointed colonel at your age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector gave him a full account of the battle. &ldquo;The special thing for which
+      I was promoted,&rdquo; he said, at the finish, &ldquo;was that, the night before, it
+      struck me that there might be an ambush set in the copses in the hollow
+      between the two armies. So far as I could see, no efforts whatever had
+      been made either to occupy the woods or to find out if the enemy had done
+      so; so I went with my servant, who is a capital fellow, and we made our
+      way into them, and discovered a regiment of musketeers hidden there. Of
+      course I reported the fact to General Gassion, and he told the prince. So,
+      before attacking the enemy's lines, the prince charged right along the
+      wood and destroyed the musketeers there. If he had not done so, they would
+      have taken him in rear when he was hotly engaged with the Spaniards, and
+      might have changed the fate of the battle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly they might,&rdquo; the sergeant said. &ldquo;A volley from a thousand
+      muskets from the rear would well shake even the best cavalry. It was a
+      happy thought of yours indeed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Any merit there is in it was due to Turenne, who had carefully instructed
+      me in everything that could be of importance when two hostile armies faced
+      each other; and as he would never have dreamt of retiring to rest before
+      having every place where an enemy could conceal himself carefully
+      searched, it seemed to me a matter of course that it should be done.
+      However, General Gassion and the prince were both good enough to consider
+      that the service was a vital one, and as soon as the battle was over the
+      prince gave me my promotion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And it was well earned, lad, well earned. And now about that affair at
+      Turin.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It could not have been better done, Hector,&rdquo; the old soldier said in high
+      delight when the story was told. &ldquo;I used to think that you spent more time
+      than was necessary in reading over accounts of battles and sieges, but I
+      see that the time was well spent. You may be sure that I will be with you
+      at seven tomorrow morning,&rdquo; he added as Hector rose to leave, &ldquo;though I
+      expect I shall have a heavy night of it here, for there will scarcely be a
+      man in the regiment who won't come round and stay to hear the news. I
+      warrant that by this evening there will not be a sou remaining out of the
+      money you have left for them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector arrived at the hotel just in time for the midday meal, and was
+      pleased to find that Conde himself was not present. He and his two
+      companions were placed at different points at the great table, so that as
+      many as possible could hear the story of the battle. After the meal was
+      over, Hector was glad to leave the salon, and in company with a gentleman
+      of the household, who had volunteered to be his guide, spent the afternoon
+      in visiting the principal sights of Paris, of which he had seen but little
+      when a boy in barracks. The hotels of the nobles, each a fortress rather
+      than a private building, interested him greatly, as also the streets in
+      which the principal traders lived; but he was unfavourably impressed with
+      the appearance of the population in all other parts, and could well
+      understand what his guide told him, that it was dangerous in the extreme
+      for a gentleman unattended to pass through these quarters.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At six o'clock he sat down to the evening meal at Conde's, after which,
+      having attired himself in his new suit, he repaired with de Penthiere and
+      de Caussac to the Louvre. It was eight o'clock when they entered, the
+      reception rooms were already full, and the brilliancy of the attire, both
+      of the courtiers and ladies, seen by the light of great chandeliers, was
+      impressive in the extreme to one who had never seen any gathering of the
+      kind before. There was a little pause in the buzz of conversation as the
+      three officers entered, and Hector's two companions were at once
+      surrounded by friends, while he himself was joined by Colonel Maclvor and
+      the other two officers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are the heroes of the evening, Campbell,&rdquo; the former said with a
+      laugh. &ldquo;A dozen ladies have already asked me to present you to them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, please don't do so just now, colonel; let me look round first.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is but fair, Campbell. First, though, I will tell you a piece of
+      news that I have just heard. The queen sent off a messenger two days ago
+      to Turenne, and it is believed that he is to have the command of the army
+      on the Rhine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is good news indeed,&rdquo; Hector exclaimed. &ldquo;It is high time that he
+      should be given a command, instead of being always put under men less
+      capable than himself. Still, it is unexpected at the present moment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know that the queen always had the greatest liking for Turenne,&rdquo; the
+      colonel said, &ldquo;but of course until now she has had no power. Moreover, I
+      fancy that the appointment is to some extent dictated by policy. Conde is
+      already dangerously powerful; Enghien's victory will, of course, largely
+      add to his influence. No doubt some large estates will be given to the
+      latter, such a service cannot be ungenerously rewarded, but it will be
+      thought unadvisable to give him at present further opportunities. Conde is
+      old, and his son, who is certainly ambitious and hotheaded now, will be
+      even more powerful than his father has been. Were he to win more
+      victories, and to become a popular idol, his power might well overshadow
+      that of the throne. Therefore it is likely enough that my news is true.
+      Turenne has proved that military duty is with him supreme, for he held
+      aloof from all the troubles in which his brother the duke has involved
+      himself, and he may act as a counterpoise to Enghien. I fancy that the
+      latter's plan, which, as you have told me, would lead to a conquest of
+      Flanders, will not be adopted. It would not have been so in Richelieu's
+      time. The red cardinal would not have lost a moment in ordering him to
+      march into Flanders, thinking only of the good of France, and disregarding
+      the fact that continued successes might lead to his own power being
+      shaken.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you do not think that Mazarin will act in the same way?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think not. Of course at present not much is known about him. He affects
+      the greatest humility, is almost obsequious to the great nobles, and even
+      professes to be anxious to return to Italy as soon as his services here
+      can be dispensed with. But I expect that he will in time occupy as great a
+      position as that of Richelieu, but that he will hold it by craft rather
+      than strength is, from the look of the man, likely enough. For myself I
+      should say that it is infinitely better for France that an ecclesiastic
+      like Richelieu or Mazarin should be at the head of affairs, than that the
+      great nobles should all struggle and intrigue for power, ready as they
+      have shown themselves over and over again to plunge France into civil war
+      for the attainment of their aims. Ah, here comes the queen!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The door at the end of the salon opened and Anne entered. By her side
+      walked the young king, a little behind were Orleans and Conde, Beaufort
+      and Bouillon, while, following them, with an air that was almost humble,
+      came Mazarin. The queen and the young king were dressed in violet, the
+      mourning colour of the court, and the ladies present all wore shades of
+      that colour relieved by white. All present formed themselves into two
+      lines, through which the queen walked. She acknowledged the deep
+      reverences, and the little king bowed repeatedly. Anne of Austria was one
+      of the most beautiful women of her time, and although the charm of youth
+      had disappeared, her stateliness of bearing made up for this loss, and
+      Hector thought that he had never seen so lovely a woman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as they had passed into an inner apartment known as the audience
+      chamber the lines broke up, and a buzz of conversation and light laughter
+      followed the silence that had reigned as the procession passed. The court,
+      indeed, felt a general feeling of relief at the death of Louis. Although
+      well meaning and desirous of doing good, the life of the monarch had not
+      been a happy one. His health had never been good, and although he had the
+      wisdom to see that in supporting Richelieu, and in every way adding to his
+      authority, he was acting for the good of France, the knowledge that he
+      himself was little more than a cipher galled and irritated him. His
+      disposition was a jealous one, and as the great minister knew that Anne of
+      Austria was ever his opponent politically, he worked upon this feeling,
+      and embittered the lives of both the king and queen, and the latter was
+      the constant victim of the king's jealousy and caprices.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      These things, combined with the ascetic temperament of the king, had
+      rendered the court of France a dismal one, and the royal salons formed a
+      strong contrast to the brilliancy of those of Richelieu. Now the king was
+      gone, and there was a general feeling of relief among the nobles and
+      ladies of the court. It might be that stormy times were ahead, and indeed
+      it was no secret that Conde, Beaufort, and many other nobles were already
+      united against Mazarin. They called themselves &ldquo;The Importants,&rdquo; a term
+      well suited to their own idea of their power, and of the position they
+      aspired to as the natural leaders of France.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Madame de Chevreuse wishes you to be presented to her,&rdquo; Colonel Maclvor
+      said to Hector. &ldquo;Everyone knows her reputation; she is the cleverest woman
+      in France, and one of the most intriguing. She is the queen's greatest
+      friend, and has been her mainstay in her struggle with Richelieu. Of one
+      thing we may be sure, that she will not tamely see Mazarin step into his
+      place, and she has, it is whispered, already thrown herself into the arms
+      of 'The Importants,' and if anyone can persuade the queen to throw over
+      the cardinal it is she.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With a slight shrug of his shoulders Hector followed the colonel to a
+      group of three or four ladies seated upon some fauteuils.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The colonel stopped before one of these, and bowing deeply said, &ldquo;Duchess,
+      I have the honour to present to you my compatriot, Colonel Campbell, who
+      arrived here this morning with despatches from the Duc d'Enghien.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Madame Chevreuse, like the queen, was still a beautiful woman. She was
+      petite, and possessed a face whose fascination few could withstand. She
+      was the most restless of intriguers, and was never so happy as when
+      engaged in conspiracies which might cost her her estates and liberty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; she said with a smile, &ldquo;I had looked to see a
+      fierce warrior, and, lo and behold I find one who, by his appearance, will
+      be far more in his element at court than in the field.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then appearances must greatly belie me, madame,&rdquo; Hector said; &ldquo;for while
+      I may say that I am at home in a military camp, I feel sorely ill at ease
+      here, and I feel I would rather face an enemy's battery than so many
+      beautiful faces.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is not bad for a beginner,&rdquo; the lady said with a smile, &ldquo;but
+      methinks you will soon get over that fear, for there is nothing very
+      dangerous in any of us. The Duchesse de Longueville,&rdquo; and she motioned to
+      the lady next to her, &ldquo;is as desirous as myself that you should be
+      presented to her, and that she should hear from your lips somewhat more of
+      the doings of her brother than she has yet learned.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector again bowed deeply. The sister of Enghien was as ambitious for her
+      brother's sake as he was for his own self, and she was his potent ally in
+      the troubles of the times.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Enghien was wounded,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Monsieur la Moussaie left the field
+      directly the battle was won, and could tell me little about my brother's
+      injuries.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He received three wounds, duchess, but happily none of them were severe,
+      and he was on horseback on the following morning. It seemed miraculous to
+      us all that he should so escape, for he rode ever ahead of us in the
+      charges against the Spanish square.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You were acting as one of his aides-de-camp? I do not remember having
+      seen your face before.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, madame. I have been for the past four years on the staff of the
+      Viscount de Turenne, and have not left the army during that time. The
+      general had the goodness, seeing that there was little doing in the south,
+      to send me to learn what I could from the operations of the duke against
+      the Spanish. He sent me a letter of recommendation to your brother, who
+      kindly appointed me to the same position under him that I had occupied
+      under Turenne.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you find the ladies of Italy very lovely?&rdquo; Madame de Chevreuse asked
+      suddenly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In truth, madame, I had but small opportunities of judging, seeing that,
+      unless when sent with some message from the general to the Duchess of
+      Savoy, I do not think that I exchanged a single word with a woman during
+      the whole of my stay there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Madame de Chevreuse, and the Duchesse de Longueville, and all the ladies
+      sitting round, smiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you have very much to learn, Colonel Campbell,&rdquo; Madame de Chevreuse
+      said. &ldquo;You will find plenty of ladies in the court here who will not
+      object to give you lessons.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I trust, madame,&rdquo; Hector said bluntly, &ldquo;that there will be little
+      opportunity for me to take lessons as to the manners of the court, for I
+      hope that my stay here will be short indeed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a most ungallant speech,&rdquo; the younger duchess said, laughing,
+      &ldquo;and shows indeed the truth of what you have said as to your ignorance of
+      women. Do you not know, sir; that it is an unwritten law at court that
+      every gentleman here must be at the feet of one fair lady?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose that, had I been brought up at court,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;I should
+      not be more insensible than others; but when one passes three-quarters of
+      one's time on horseback, and that under a commander like Turenne, who sets
+      us all an example in the matter of endurance and watchfulness, one has
+      small leisure indeed for aught else, and indeed is glad enough to seek
+      one's bed as soon as the day's work is done.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you are another Turenne,&rdquo; Madame de Chevreuse laughed, &ldquo;I give you up.
+      He is the most insensible of men. His head contains but one idea, and that
+      is duty; and as to us poor creatures, he is as insensible as was St.
+      Anthony.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this moment the door that separated the salon from that of the queen
+      opened, and the names of Monsieur de Penthiere and Monsieur de Caussac
+      were called. The two officers at once passed into the inner room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are either left out in the cold, monsieur le colonel, or you will
+      have the honour of a separate audience,&rdquo; Madame de Chevreuse said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As I have been rewarded far above my merits for any service that I have
+      rendered,&rdquo; Hector said quietly, &ldquo;it is probable that the queen has nothing
+      to say to me. She was pleased to receive me very graciously this morning,
+      and gave me her hand to kiss, and I assuredly have no right to expect any
+      further favours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In a few minutes the two officers came out, both looking radiant, the
+      queen having graciously presented them with the titles to two estates. A
+      minute later Hector's name was called, and he went off, with a deep bow to
+      the ladies and a murmured apology for leaving them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A loyal spirit, surely,&rdquo; Madame de Chevreuse said; &ldquo;bizarre, of course,
+      and at present simple as a child. Moreover, I should say that the
+      atmosphere of the court will not infect him as it has the others. It is
+      refreshing to meet with one who, although he must have distinguished
+      himself vastly, is still modest and simple, without a shadow of conceit or
+      of self consciousness. He spoke as frankly to us as if we were two waiting
+      maids at a cabaret. However, men of that stamp may always be made useful,
+      and I would rather have the devotion of a young officer like that, who is,
+      I should say, likely to rise to high rank, than that of half a dozen men
+      ready to lay their hearts at the feet of the first comer, and who are as
+      ready to change mistresses as sides.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time the door had closed behind Hector. The queen was sitting on a
+      sofa, with the little king by her side. Mazarin stood a pace behind her.
+      Conde and Orleans had a short time before gone out, and had mingled with
+      the crowd in the antechamber, and the courtiers present, who were all
+      members of her council, stood some distance in the rear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have had time, Colonel Campbell, to read our despatches, and can now
+      estimate the service that you rendered the Duc d'Enghien and our army.
+      General Gassion, or I should say Marshal Gassion, for he has today been
+      raised to that rank, speaks of the value of that service in terms of the
+      highest eulogy, and indeed says frankly, that had it not been for your
+      voluntary expedition and the discovery by you of the Spanish ambuscade, it
+      is probable that we should have suffered a defeat instead of a victory.
+      The duke speaks no less strongly in your favour. I can remember that when
+      the Viscount Turenne was here three years ago, he told us how a young
+      Scottish officer on his staff had saved Turin to us by a most daring
+      enterprise, by which he informed the garrison of the citadel that help
+      would soon reach them, and mentioned that for that service he had
+      appointed Monsieur Campbell a captain. You are Scottish by birth, are you
+      not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am, your majesty, by birth and descent. My father was a captain in the
+      Scottish regiment, and fell at the siege of La Rochelle. I was, I may say,
+      adopted by the regiment, and had the good fortune to be trained in arms
+      from a child, and the still greater fortune to attract the attention of
+      the Viscount de Turenne, who, young as I was, obtained a commission for me
+      and appointed me to his staff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, young sir, the viscount rewarded you for the great service that you
+      rendered him at Turin; the Duc d'Enghien has similarly rewarded you for
+      your service to him at Rocroi; but it is ours to reward you for your
+      services to France; and Cardinal Mazarin will, in my name, hand you
+      tomorrow the estate of de la Villar, in Poitou, which carries with it the
+      title of Baron de la Villar. A soldier who has rendered such service to us
+      cannot be allowed to remain a soldier dependent on his pay, and I am sure
+      that should need arise you will do me as good service as you have rendered
+      to Turenne and Enghien.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your majesty is too good and gracious,&rdquo; Hector stammered, overcome by
+      this sudden and unexpected reward; &ldquo;but be assured, madame&rdquo;&mdash;and he
+      recovered himself, and his voice was steady&mdash;&ldquo;should there be need, I
+      will willingly lay down my life in your majesty's service, and in that of
+      the king, your son.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Which means also,&rdquo; the queen said gently, &ldquo;in that of my minister, who
+      may need faithful friends even more than we do, and under whose advice we
+      have now acted.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Assuredly, madame. Cardinal Mazarin is your minister, and as long as he
+      possesses your confidence he represents France in my eyes, and I will
+      render as faithful service to him as to yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well spoken, baron,&rdquo; the queen said graciously. &ldquo;Henceforth I shall count
+      you as among my friends.&rdquo; She held out her hand for him to kiss, as did
+      the little king, and after a deep bow to them and to the cardinal, Hector
+      left the audience chamber still almost bewildered by the honours bestowed
+      upon him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector made his way through the crowd to the side of Colonel Maclvor, the
+      general verdict of those who watched him being that he had not met with
+      the same good fortune as those who preceded him, but that for some reason
+      or other he had been reprimanded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, lad,&rdquo; the colonel said, &ldquo;what fortune have you met with? Judging by
+      your face, either the queen or the cardinal have failed to recognize the
+      service that you have rendered.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Upon the contrary, colonel, they have so heaped favours upon me that at
+      present I can scarcely realize my good fortune, and feel almost humiliated
+      that so much should have been given for what was a mere matter of duty and
+      attended by no great peril.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What have they done, then, Campbell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, colonel, absurd as it seems even to myself, the queen has
+      graciously bestowed upon me the estate of la Villar, by which gift she
+      says I become as its owner the Baron de la Villar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is fortunate indeed, my dear Campbell,&rdquo; the colonel said, heartily
+      shaking him by the hand. &ldquo;It shows that the duke and Gassion were of the
+      same opinion that we expressed, namely, that your discovery of that ambush
+      was the chief factor in bringing about the victory of Rocroi.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But it was such a simple thing,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;It was merely a
+      reconnaissance, such as I have made scores of times in Italy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt, Campbell; but you see the other reconnaissances did not lead to
+      any results, while this did. My dear lad, it is by results that men are
+      judged. That you, a young officer on Enghien's staff, should unbidden,
+      and, as you say, as a matter of duty, have undertaken such a business,
+      shows how thoroughly you have profited by your teaching under Turenne; and
+      as such you deserve what you have gained, though I do not say that you
+      would have obtained your desserts had not your reconnaissance saved
+      Enghien from defeat. Now I will take you to Madame de Chevreuse again. She
+      beckoned to me after you entered the audience chamber, and told me to
+      bring you up again when you came out, as she and the Duchesse de
+      Longueville had taken a great fancy to you. Now, my dear boy, your
+      position is changed. You have become a French noble, and, however
+      unwilling, may find yourself mixed up on one side or the other with the
+      doings of your court. Both these ladies have power, and it is well to keep
+      in with them, for either of them might prove a valuable friend and
+      protector, and the first rule here is make as many friends as possible,
+      for no one can say when you may require them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector again followed the colonel to the group of ladies.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Madame,&rdquo; Maclvor said, &ldquo;I have the honour to present you&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, have you not presented him to us already?&rdquo; Madame de Chevreuse said
+      with a laugh. &ldquo;Your memory must be singularly short, colonel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My memory is not short, madame, but it is a somewhat different personage
+      that I have now to present to you. Madame, I have the honour to present
+      Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Both ladies uttered an exclamation of surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what has he done, colonel?&rdquo; the duchess exclaimed. &ldquo;It must have
+      been some remarkable action, surely, for him to be made colonel by my
+      brother and Baron de la Villar by the queen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the opinion of the Duc d'Enghien and General Gassion, duchess, he
+      performed a service that to a large extent brought about the victory of
+      Rocroi. My young friend is at present not beyond the age of modesty, and
+      therefore if you will allow me I will state the circumstances. Under
+      General de Turenne he was in the habit of constantly visiting the posts at
+      night with the viscount or alone, and endeavouring to discover the
+      position and intentions of the enemy. The night before the battle he
+      started voluntarily to perform the same duties, and, accompanied only by
+      his servant, he crept into a wood that lay between the two armies and
+      there discovered a thousand musketeers who were lying in ambush. He
+      reported the discovery to General Gassion, who on his part informed the
+      duke of this most important intelligence, for it was evident that, had the
+      ambuscade been unsuspected, they would have taken the cavalry in the rear
+      at the critical moment of the battle, and would have opened so heavy a
+      fire that even the bravest of cavalry, thus surprised and shot down by an
+      unsuspected foe in their rear, might have fallen into confusion. Being
+      forewarned, the duke directed his first charge upon the wood, took the
+      musketeers by surprise, and annihilated them, before charging and routing
+      the enemy's horse. Thus you see, ladies, that we have another illustration
+      of the mouse saving the lion, and the lion was generous and noble minded
+      enough to give the mouse full credit for the service that he had rendered
+      him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we have good reason to be grateful to you, monsieur le baron,&rdquo;
+       Madame Chevreuse said, laying aside the bantering tone in which she had
+      before addressed the young Scot, &ldquo;and her majesty has done well to reward
+      your loyalty, for the estate is a fine one, and has remained without a
+      master since Richelieu brought its last owner to the block for having, as
+      he affirmed, conspired against the king&mdash;that is to say, against
+      himself. You have begun well indeed, sir. Henceforth the Duchesse de
+      Longueville and myself may be counted upon as your friends. And now,&rdquo; she
+      said, changing the subject abruptly, &ldquo;as you say that you are anxious to
+      be off, with whom will you serve, with Turenne or with Enghien? For I hear
+      that Turenne has been sent for to take the command of the army of the
+      Rhine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I belong to Viscount Turenne,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;It is to him that I owe
+      everything. He picked me up a rough boy, with no recommendation save that
+      my father died fighting for France, and that I was more addicted to
+      military study than most lads of my age, and that, as he was good enough
+      to say, I reminded him of his own boyhood. It was owing to his kindness
+      and his tuition that I have now made my way, and it was still further to
+      increase my military knowledge that he sent me for a time to serve under
+      the Duc d'Enghien. Therefore, much as I admire the glory that the duke has
+      gained, and recognize his extraordinary genius, I feel that duty and
+      gratitude alike bind me to my great master.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite right,&rdquo; the Duchesse de Longueville said warmly. &ldquo;I am sure that my
+      brother will approve of your decision. He admires Turenne as much as you
+      do, and regards him as his master in military science, and it may be
+      perhaps that one of these days you will take part in a battle in which my
+      brother and Turenne will both have command.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it be so, madame,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;there can be little doubt of victory,
+      for with the two greatest military geniuses France has produced during the
+      last hundred years it would be hard indeed if victory did not attend their
+      united banners.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The news of the honour that had been bestowed upon this young colonel
+      circulated rapidly through the salon, and many gentlemen came up and
+      begged Colonel Maclvor to introduce him to them. One who had received so
+      marked a proof of the queen's favour, and who had won the praise and
+      goodwill of both Turenne and Enghien, might well become in time a man of
+      mark, and so many compliments were showered upon Hector that he was glad
+      indeed when the queen again passed through the room on her way to her
+      apartments and he was at liberty to retire. He walked slowly back to
+      Conde's palace, went up to his room, changed his court suit for that which
+      he had worn during the day, and then went out again, feeling that it would
+      be hopeless to attempt to sleep. He paced backwards and forwards for some
+      hours on the quay, thinking of the changes that three days had brought
+      about.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He could scarcely realize even now, that he who a week ago was but a
+      captain with nought but his pay, was now not only a colonel but a noble of
+      France, with an estate of whose value he was ignorant, but as it carried
+      with it a patent of nobility it was evident that it must be one of
+      dimensions sufficient to support the title. The change excited no feeling
+      of exultation. His whole thoughts so far had been directed solely to his
+      career as a soldier. He had hoped that some day he might win a colonelcy;
+      more than that he had never thought of. High commands in France were
+      matters of birth, interest, and connection. Gassion, who had just earned
+      his marshal's baton, was the sole exception to the rule. Hitherto
+      generals, and still more marshals, had always been men belonging to the
+      first families of France. It had been a matter of course that when an army
+      went to the field it was under the command of a prince of the blood, and
+      the utmost an outsider could look for was the command of a regiment. The
+      promotion had delighted him, not for the sake of the pay or position, but
+      because, if he obtained the command of one of the regiments that were
+      rapidly being formed to meet the dangers that threatened France, he would
+      have opportunities of doing good service and of earning the esteem of such
+      men as Turenne. His civil dignity, however, oppressed rather than
+      gratified him. He would have heavy responsibilities. When not on active
+      service he would be expected to show himself at court, and would have a
+      difficulty in holding himself aloof from its intrigues and conspiracies.
+      His thoughts turned to Scotland. He had relations there, it was true, both
+      on his father's and mother's side, but they were strangers to him.
+      Moreover, Scotland at present was torn by a civil and religious war. In
+      England a civil war was raging, and the extreme party in Scotland, having
+      got the upper hand, had allied themselves with the English
+      parliamentarians, and the cause of the king was well nigh lost.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Scottish officers and men in the French service had for the most part
+      left their homes owing to the bitter religious differences of the times,
+      and, under the easier conditions of the life in France, had come to look
+      with disgust at the narrow bigotry of the Scottish sects, a feeling
+      heightened perhaps by the deep resentment that still prevailed in France
+      at the insolence with which Knox and the Scottish reformers had treated
+      their princess, Queen Mary. Among the French officers the feeling was
+      wholly in favour of the royal cause in England. The queen was French, and
+      had France herself not been engaged in warfare numbers of the young nobles
+      would have gone over and drawn their swords in her cause, and Hector would
+      gladly have done the same.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For the time, at any rate, he had no idea whatever of returning to
+      Scotland. If better times came he had often thought that, if successful in
+      winning a competency, he would return to his native land, for his close
+      connection with the Scottish regiment kept alive in him his feeling of
+      nationality, and he always regarded himself as a stranger in France. The
+      estates and title now bestowed upon him seemed to put this hope further
+      away than ever, and to fix him permanently in France, a contingency more
+      disagreeable to him the more he saw how completely France was dominated by
+      faction, and how unstable were the conditions of life there. His musings,
+      therefore, as he walked up and down for hours, were very different from
+      those which most young men would have felt at so great and sudden a change
+      in their fortunes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XI: THE CASTLE OF LA VILLAR
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      The next morning he called at eleven o'clock, at which hour the cardinal's
+      secretary had informed him that Mazarin would expect him. He went to the
+      abode of the minister. Mazarin received him with marked courtesy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here are the deeds appointing to you the estate of la Villar and your
+      patent of nobility,&rdquo; he said, pointing to a box upon his table. &ldquo;You have
+      been singularly fortunate, sir, and from all inquiries that I have made
+      from officers who have served with Monsieur de Turenne, and, I may say,
+      from Colonel Maclvor, I hear nothing but good of you, as a soldier devoted
+      to duty, as a young man free from the vices and dissipations too common
+      among those of your age, and as possessing intelligence as well as
+      courage. Such men, sir, even royalty does well to attach to itself, and
+      for them a splendid career is open. I, high as is the office in which
+      Providence has placed me, may well envy you. You fight against the enemies
+      of France; I am surrounded by enemies open and secret, and the war is no
+      less earnest than that which Turenne and Enghien are waging.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The great nobles of France are jealous that I, a foreigner, should have
+      the ear of the queen, and be first minister of the country. Gladly indeed
+      would I resign my position and return to my bishopric in Italy, were it
+      not that I promised the great man to whose place I have so unworthily
+      succeeded, that I would do my best for the country on whose behalf he
+      spent every hour of his life, and that I would, unless driven from it by
+      force, hold the seals of office until the young king should be old enough
+      to rule France unaided. You, baron, are like myself a foreigner, and ready
+      to risk your life in the service of France, and you will understand how I
+      am situated and how I feel. You, happily for yourself, are not so highly
+      placed as to excite enmity, although doubtless not a few of those who
+      flocked round you yesterday evening to congratulate you on your good
+      fortune felt a sensation of envy that a young soldier of fortune should be
+      so honoured.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In my case envy is accompanied by the deepest animosity. The great nobles
+      find me an obstacle in the way of their grasping power, and they would
+      hesitate at nothing to rid themselves of me. Were it not for the support
+      of the queen, my position would be untenable even for an hour. Without me
+      the queen herself would speedily become as much a cipher as she was so
+      long as the weak king reigned. We have need, both of us, of men of heart
+      and devotion such as I take you to be. I ask for no engagements, sir, but
+      I felt that there was a genuine ring in your voice yesterday evening when
+      you promised faithful service to her majesty, and I feel that if such
+      service is needed you will be ready to render it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall indeed, your eminence. I cannot conceive that any circumstances
+      can occur that would render such aid as I could offer of service to you,
+      but be assured that should such an occasion arise, the queen may count
+      upon me to render it to the extent of my life; and when I say the queen I,
+      of course, include your eminence as her trusted adviser and supporter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well spoken, sir. I believe your words, and it may be that the occasion
+      is not so far distant as you may imagine. Here is the box, sir. By the
+      way, it will, I am sure, be a pleasure for you to know that her majesty
+      has the intention of creating the Viscount de Turenne field marshal as
+      soon as he arrives in Paris.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is indeed, monseigneur; never did a soldier better earn such honour.
+      There, indeed sir, is a true and noble heart, loyal to his duty beyond all
+      things, adored by his soldiers, ready to serve under officers altogether
+      inferior to himself, incapable of jealousy, and devoted to his sovereign
+      and his country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You do not speak too warmly of him,&rdquo; the cardinal said; &ldquo;and among all
+      the difficulties of the situation there seems to be but one fixed point,
+      and that point is that upon Monsieur de Turenne we can at least
+      confidently rely.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector felt that his audience was at an end, and taking the box from the
+      table, and again thanking the cardinal for the honour bestowed upon him,
+      he retired. The cardinal's chamberlain met him at the door. &ldquo;Will you step
+      in here, monsieur le baron?&rdquo; he said, and led the way into a small
+      apartment. &ldquo;As a stranger to the court, monsieur, you are probably unaware
+      of the value of the gift that has been granted to you, or of its duties
+      and obligations.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Altogether, sir; beyond the fact that it is in Poitou, which her majesty
+      mentioned yesterday, I know absolutely nothing about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Without being an estate of the first class,&rdquo; the chamberlain said, &ldquo;it is
+      one which is of importance in its province. The revenue is punctually paid
+      and is amply sufficient to enable its lord to make a good figure at court,
+      and to rank among the notables in the province. It is a fief held directly
+      from the crown; its owner is bound to furnish feudal service of
+      twenty-five mounted men and twenty-five arquebusiers, or, should he prefer
+      it, fifty horsemen in all. Some of its owners have in times of peril
+      raised a force of thrice that strength. So you will see that the Lord of
+      la Villar is not an unimportant personage. The estate is held at present
+      by a royal intendant. You will find in that box an order for him to place
+      you in possession of the castle and estate whensoever you may present
+      yourself, and as at the present moment your services can be spared from
+      the army, it might be as well to visit it at once, if only for a few days.
+      Possibly the cardinal did not inform you that he has ordered that the
+      regiment that has been just recruited shall bear the name of the regiment
+      of Poitou, and has appointed you to its command.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This news gave much greater pleasure to Hector than did the gift of the
+      fief, or the rank that accompanied it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you please give my earnest thanks to his excellency,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and
+      assure him that he can depend upon my devotion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When Hector returned to the Hotel Conde he found that the soldiers who had
+      started with him from Rocroi had all arrived, bringing with them the
+      twelve horses that had been left on the road; four of these were to be
+      handed over to each of the officers. The division was just being made as
+      he entered the courtyard, each officer taking the four he had ridden by
+      the way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo at once came up to him. &ldquo;What are we to do with these horses,
+      master?&rdquo; he asked, with an air of bewilderment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have now seven of them, counting mine, the one I led, and that you
+      rode when you set out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must see where I can bestow them for the present until we think the
+      matter over;&rdquo; and going up to one of Conde's officers, he asked him if he
+      could recommend a place where he might leave safely four horses for a
+      time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The auberge of the Pome d'Or is but a street from here, monsieur; it has
+      good stables, and the host is an honest man, which is not often the case
+      with men of his class. When the stables here are full the prince often
+      engages extra stalls there for the use of his guests. I will send four men
+      with the horses at once, if such is your pleasure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will greatly oblige me by doing so,&rdquo; Hector replied. Having seen the
+      horses safely and comfortably lodged at the inn, Hector returned to the
+      hotel with Paolo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not tired, I hope, Paolo?&rdquo; he asked as they walked back.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, master; we have taken three days to do what you did in one, and have
+      fatigued neither ourselves nor our beasts.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is well, for I am going to start on a journey this afternoon, that
+      is to say, if I can manage to make my arrangements.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I ask where you are going, master?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will be surprised to hear that I am going to visit my estates in
+      Poitou.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo looked sharply up to see whether Hector was joking. Seeing that he
+      looked serious, he said hesitatingly, &ldquo;But I did not know, master, that
+      you had estates in Poitou. I never heard you speak of them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I had them not, Paolo. That box that you are carrying holds the
+      titles. The fief was granted to me last night by the queen herself, the
+      Duc d'Enghien and General Gassion having been good enough to make a good
+      deal more of that night adventure of ours than it deserved. The estates
+      carry a title with them, and I am now the Baron de la Villar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo gave an exclamation of delight. &ldquo;Well, master, I am glad indeed;
+      but,&rdquo; he went on in a changed tone, &ldquo;now that you, monsieur, have become a
+      noble, you will no longer require the services of a lad from Savoy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed I shall, Paolo, as long as you choose to remain with me. Why, have
+      you not shared with me in the adventures, one of which made me a captain,
+      and the other a colonel and a noble? Of course I shall have other
+      servants, but you will always be my bodyservant and companion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And are you going to leave the army, monsieur?&rdquo; Paolo asked, after
+      pouring out his thanks.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I shall still remain in the army. Turenne will be in Paris soon, and
+      will then go to the Rhine to take the command there, and I hope to go with
+      my regiment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you have a regiment, master?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; one of the newly formed regiments has been named the regiment of
+      Poitou, and I am to have the command. Of course, it may be sent either to
+      him or to Enghien, but I hope that it will be to Turenne; and I should
+      think so, because from what I hear there is scarcely any army left on the
+      Rhine, and therefore it is probable that the new regiments will all be
+      sent there, as Enghien's force is quite sufficient to cope with any enemy
+      he is likely to meet with in Flanders. Now, I am going down to the
+      barracks, and for the next two or three hours you can amuse yourself by
+      taking a look at Paris.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was not to the barracks that Hector made his way, but to The Scottish
+      Soldier.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did not expect to see you so soon again, colonel. Your man brought me
+      word that I was not to come this morning, as you would be engaged,&rdquo; the
+      sergeant said when he entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but our talk was only postponed, sergeant; now I want you to aid me
+      in a matter that I have on hand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What sort of matter is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want to find four good men to take into my service. The queen has
+      granted me an estate, as if a colonelcy was not an ample and more than
+      ample reward for discovering that ambuscade. It is the fief of la Villar
+      in Poitou, and the most absurd point of the thing is that with it is a
+      title, and I am now Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, well,&rdquo; the sergeant exclaimed; &ldquo;you will be coming and telling me
+      next that you are going to marry a princess of the blood. Did one ever
+      hear of such things! However, Hector, lad, I congratulate you with all my
+      heart, and I am as glad as if it had been a bairn of my own that had had
+      your good fortune. Now, in what can I help you about the four men? What
+      sort of men do you want?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want four good men and true, sergeant, men that I can rely upon. I
+      shall want them to ride with me in the field as orderlies, for I have been
+      appointed to the command of an infantry regiment. Of course, I should like
+      young and active men, but that they should be steady and accustomed to
+      arms is still more important.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know but few men outside the regiment,&rdquo; the sergeant said. &ldquo;The laddies
+      like to have the place to themselves, and I don't encourage others about;
+      but if you can do with good men who have somewhat passed their prime, but
+      are still capable of service and handy with their arms, I know just the
+      men that will suit you. We had a little bit of trouble in the regiment a
+      week since; four of the men&mdash;Allan Macpherson, Jock Hunter, Donald
+      Nicholl, and Sandy Grahame&mdash;came in after tattoo, and all a bit fu'.
+      It was not here they got it, though; I know better than to supply men with
+      liquor when it is time for them to be off to the barracks. Captain Muir,
+      who is the only dour carl in the regiment, happened to be on duty, and he
+      spoke a good deal more hardly to them than to my mind there was any
+      occasion, seeing that they are good soldiers and not in the guardroom more
+      often than others. They answered him more freely, no doubt, than they
+      would have done had they not been in their cups.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They were had up before the colonel the next morning. They had all served
+      their time, and having been greatly angered at their treatment, they at
+      once up and told the colonel that they would take their discharges. The
+      colonel would have pacified them, but Captain Muir stood out strongly, and
+      said that if such insolence as theirs was allowed to go unpunished it
+      would be a bad example indeed for the regiment; so the colonel paid them
+      up to the day and gave them their papers. It has caused a lot of feeling
+      in the regiment, as you may guess, and the men all groaned and booed when
+      Muir came on parade the next day, and it was as much as the colonel
+      himself&mdash;whom they all love as a father&mdash;could do to silence
+      them. It is said that he spoke very sharply to Muir afterwards, and that
+      it is likely the captain will get transferred to another regiment.
+      However, that is too late for the men who have left. Their comrades are
+      going to get up a subscription to send them back to Scotland, for you may
+      be sure the hotheaded fools have not a bawbee of their pay laid by.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know them all, sergeant, and I should say they would be the very men to
+      suit me; they are all strong and hearty fellows, and might have been good
+      for another ten years campaigning if it had not been for this business.
+      Can you send for them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They will all be here in half an hour for their meal,&rdquo; the sergeant said.
+      &ldquo;They are lodged upstairs, for you may be sure that they would come to me;
+      and even if I kept them for six months, I should not have lost much when I
+      reckon what they have spent here during their service. I have no doubt
+      they will jump at the offer; for they were mere lads when they came over&mdash;it
+      was your father who sent for them&mdash;and I know that they reckon they
+      will find none of the old folk when they return home. And now what are
+      your estates like, lad?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know very little about them at present, beyond the fact that I am bound
+      by my feudal obligations to put fifty men in the field when called upon to
+      do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it must be a place of good size,&rdquo; the sergeant said. &ldquo;And you hold
+      it direct from the crown?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector nodded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is good. When you hold from one of the great lords, you never know
+      whom you may be called upon to fight against&mdash;it may be the king, it
+      may be his minister, it may be some other noble&mdash;while holding
+      direct, you have only the king's enemies to fight against.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Or rather, MacIntosh, the chief minister's enemies; for, after all, when
+      a king signs a proclamation, it is usually a minister's signature that
+      ought to be attached to it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, well, Master Hector, it makes little difference to us Scots who it
+      is that we fight for, it is no quarrel of ours. We have taken service
+      under the King of France; but when there are two parties, and each claims
+      to be in favour of the king, we have simply to fight for whoever happens
+      to have the king's signature. If they both have it, then it is the general
+      who commands our division who gives us orders, and it matters nought to us
+      whom he takes his orders from.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At any rate, MacIntosh, it is not for soldiers to inquire too deeply into
+      these matters; if we did, we should have one half of the regiment firing
+      into the other.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So we should, lad, so we should; therefore we soldiers do wisely in
+      leaving the matter to our officers. If the colonel says 'Charge!' we
+      charge; if he says 'Dismount and take to your musketoons!' we do so,
+      without troubling our heads as to whether it is Germans or Spaniards or
+      Frenchmen whom we have to aim at. Ah, here come your four men!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As the four troopers entered the cabaret and saw who was speaking to
+      MacIntosh they hesitated, and would have turned, but the sergeant called
+      out, &ldquo;Attention! salute!&rdquo; and they stood as motionless as statues till
+      Hector ordered them to stand easy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have been talking about you men to Sergeant MacIntosh, who tells me
+      that you have taken your discharge and the reason for your so doing. I
+      think that you acted hastily; however, that is your affair. The matter
+      that concerns me is this:&mdash;I am appointed colonel of an infantry
+      regiment and I want four good men as orderlies. They will be mounted, and
+      I shall see that they draw rations when there are any rations to be had;
+      but they will be my troopers and not soldiers of the regiment. I want good
+      men, who can be relied upon in any emergency; they will ride behind me in
+      battle, act as scouts if necessary, and they will receive double the pay
+      of ordinary troopers. In peacetime, or when the regiment is in winter
+      quarters, I shall pass my time either in Paris or on my estate in Poitou,
+      and they will of course accompany me. I may tell you that I am now Baron
+      de la Villar, but I should wish to be always addressed as Colonel
+      Campbell. I know you all of old, and that your only failing is somewhat
+      too great a love for the wine flask; that must only be indulged in at
+      times when you are not only off duty, but when there is no possibility of
+      your services being required. Now, what do you think, men; will my service
+      suit you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That it would, sir,&rdquo; burst from them simultaneously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course, there will be some other advantages beyond that of pay. When
+      the time comes that you get beyond active service in the field, I shall be
+      able to provide you with easier posts at la Villar, and there you will
+      find a comfortable home in your old age, if you prefer to stay with me
+      rather than to return to Scotland.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No further word need be spoken, colonel,&rdquo; Allan Macpherson said; &ldquo;we are
+      your men, and shall be proud to follow you, were there no question of pay
+      at all, but just our rations and a home to look forward to when our arms
+      get weak and eyes dim.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, men, if so say you all, the service begins from the present time.
+      You have your armour and headpieces, your doublets and jackboots, so there
+      is not much to buy. I have horses ready for you. You have pistols.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, we have all pistols and swords, colonel, but the musketoons belonged
+      to the regiment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There will be no occasion for you to carry them. Get for yourselves four
+      long cloaks well lined and serviceable&mdash;'tis best that they should be
+      all of a colour, dark blue or gray&mdash;and broad hats to match the
+      cloaks; have in each a small red feather. I would that you should make a
+      decent show, for we shall start in two hours for Poitou. Here are twenty
+      crowns. See that you have ammunition for your pistols. Be at the Hotel
+      Conde in two hours from the present time. Your dinner here is ready for
+      you, eat heartily, but do not drink too deeply in honour of your new
+      service.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, MacIntosh, I have a word or two further to speak to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They went into an inner room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, old friend, are you tired of this life of keeper of a cabaret?
+      because I shall want you down in Poitou. Your house was mine when I sorely
+      needed it, and mine shall be yours now. You are as yet but fifty-five, and
+      I take it that you can do a man's work still, for you no longer suffer
+      from that wound that disabled you ten years ago. Now, I shall require
+      someone to drill the fifty men who will form my contingent, if all vassals
+      of the king are called upon to take the field. Of course they will not
+      always be under arms; most of them will be the sons of tenants, or
+      substitutes provided by them, and will only give two or three days'
+      service a month. It is probable, however, that half will be regular
+      retainers at the castle. I know nothing about the castle at present, or
+      how large it is, or whether it is defensible or not; still, it was spoken
+      of as a castle, and 'tis, I suppose, one to a certain degree.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At any rate, I desire that if I do put a troop in the field they shall be
+      as well drilled and as well equipped as are the Scottish regiment of
+      musketeers. I suppose that there must be an official to act as my agent
+      when I am away, and to act as castellan, but in any case the captain of my
+      troop will be in charge of all matters connected with its defence. Now,
+      old friend, the post is yours if you like to take it. As a soldier, none
+      can be better fitted for the post than a sergeant of the Scottish
+      regiment; as a man, there is no one I could rely on better than you. Your
+      duties would not be heavy, your position an honourable one. The castle
+      would be your home as well as mine, and when I am there you would have the
+      four troopers to crack with.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your offer is a most kind one,&rdquo; the sergeant said, &ldquo;but I must think it
+      over in all lights before I answer. I should miss the company of the lads,
+      but already many of my old comrades are gone; most are still in Paris
+      earning with difficulty their bread, some are under the sod, some have
+      returned home. Every year the number who rode with me lessens. They will
+      be countrymen, but no longer comrades. Certainly I have no thought of
+      returning to Scotland, the people are ower gude for me; besides, the
+      country is all in a stir and the folks are flying at each other's throats.
+      I wudna go back, not if they offered me a barony. Then, on the other hand,
+      I misdoubt me how I should feel among strangers&mdash;I don't say
+      foreigners, for I have been so long here that as far as tongue goes I am
+      as much French as I am Scottish. Still, I would rather be forming troopers
+      in your service than drawing stoups of wine, and the young soldiers do not
+      regard me as the old ones did, and grumble if I will draw them no more.
+      Most of all, I should like to be with you and in your service, and to know
+      that I had a home in my old age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That you will have whenever you come to claim it, MacIntosh, whether you
+      accept my offer or not. However, I think that what you say is best, and
+      that it would be well for you to think the matter well over and give me no
+      answer until I return. I should be sorry indeed if, after giving up your
+      place here and going down to Poitou, you should regret the exchange.
+      Therefore, we will leave it so. And now I must be going; we must postpone
+      our chat over old times and the regiment until I return.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On returning to Conde's hotel Hector found Paolo awaiting him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Paolo, you must go out and buy six horse cloths and five housings; let
+      them be fairly handsome. I have taken four old soldiers into my service,
+      and should wish their horse appointments to be fit for troopers in one of
+      the royal regiments, but without any insignia or cognizance, say maroon
+      with yellow braiding. I shall also want four valises for the men, and bags
+      for carrying forage. You can wrap up the housings that came with the
+      horses; they all bear Enghien's cognizance, and this must be removed
+      before we can use them. The men can strap them behind their valises. Were
+      there pistols in the holsters?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, master, they were just as when you rode them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was a princely gift,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;for the horses are all splendid
+      animals. Have you packed up my things?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, master, they are all ready for placing on the sumpter horse. I
+      bought a dozen of good wine, thinking that you might need it on the way,
+      for some of these country auberges keep but poor stuff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are getting luxurious all at once,&rdquo; Hector laughed. &ldquo;How about my
+      armour?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is also packed up. I thought that you would not care to ride heavily
+      accoutred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly not. Which of the horses do you take to be the best?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly the one you rode in upon is the best, master, but all four are
+      grand animals. The two I picked up on the battlefield are fine animals
+      also.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It does not make much matter which I ride now, Paolo; we shall have the
+      opportunity of seeing which has the most fire and endurance as we ride
+      along; and at any rate I shall keep Enghien's four horses for my own
+      riding, keeping two with me and leaving two behind at the castle. I shall
+      buy four strong and serviceable horses for the troopers when I get my
+      first rents, for in sooth my purse is beginning to run very low.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Possibly, master, when you look in the armoire in your room you may find
+      something to replenish it. One of the cardinal's servants brought a packet
+      for you. I stowed it away and locked the door of your room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, there is no time to lose, Paolo, so see at once about the matters
+      that I have told you. Here is sufficient money to buy the other goods.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is the key of the room, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Having seen Paolo hurry away, Hector went up to his room. In the armoire
+      he found the packet, which was a heavy one. Opening it, he found a letter
+      and a bag sealed with wax. The letter was from the intendant general. It
+      was directed, &ldquo;A Monsieur le Baron de la Villar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It does not look as if it could be for me,&rdquo; Hector said, with a merry
+      laugh. Breaking the seal he found:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      By the order of Monseigneur Cardinal Mazarin, first minister of the crown,
+      I enclose the last half year's rents of the estates of la Villar received
+      by me from the royal intendant in charge of the said estates three weeks
+      since, to defray the necessary expenses that must be incurred by you
+      between the period of your taking possession and, of receiving the next
+      half yearly payment of rents.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Enclosed with this was a formal permit, giving a month's leave of absence
+      to visit his estates, &ldquo;To Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar, commanding
+      the Poitou regiment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very nice and thoughtful on the part of the cardinal,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;and,
+      moreover, very seasonable, for I was wondering how I should pay the
+      retainers at the castle and my four troopers until the rents began to come
+      in. By the time I had paid the usual fees to the servants here, and the
+      expenses of the journey to Poitou and back, I should have been almost
+      penniless, and should have been obliged to borrow from someone on the
+      strength of my coming rents, which would have been a very bad beginning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After bidding farewell to Conde, and thanking him for his hospitality,
+      Hector started immediately the midday meal was concluded. His cavalcade
+      made a good show as he rode through the streets of Paris, with the four
+      orderlies behind him, splendidly mounted, followed by Paolo leading
+      another fine horse carrying baggage. The journey was an uneventful one,
+      and on arriving at the castle of Villar, Hector was received by the royal
+      intendant. It was still a place of considerable strength, standing on the
+      crest of a hill. It had been kept in a good state of repair by the
+      intendant, and could offer a stout resistance to anything short of an army
+      provided with a powerful battering train. On making a tour of the estate
+      Hector found that here, as throughout France, an immense amount of
+      distress existed, owing to the crushing taxation rendered necessary by the
+      war; he made minute inquiries of the intendant of the circumstances of the
+      various tenants of the estate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The officer was about to return to Paris now that his commission was
+      ended, but as he had a son who had acted as his assistant, Hector
+      appointed him in his stead, charging him to press no one unduly. He placed
+      under his care the domestic arrangements of the castle, retaining the
+      servants who had been there under the royal officer. There was only a
+      permanent garrison of twelve men, but this could be raised to a hundred
+      were the tenants of the estates driven to take refuge within the walls.
+      The expenses of keeping up the castle were not large. The rivers afforded
+      an abundance of fish, and the forests on the mountainsides sheltered an
+      ample supply of game. Considerable numbers of half wild sheep and two or
+      three herds of cattle grazed on the domain round the castle, and there
+      were eight good horses in the stables, besides a score of others on the
+      hills. Most of the holdings had vineyards, and were bound to furnish a
+      certain amount of wine to the castle, and as the consumption had been
+      small since the estate was confiscated, the cellars were full. Hector told
+      the steward that the command of the castle itself would be taken by an
+      officer whom he would send down from Paris, who would have control in all
+      matters save in the management of the estate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Before leaving, he called all the tenants together and told them that,
+      seeing how heavily the royal taxes pressed upon them, he should remit half
+      their annual payments until better times came, and also the fine of a
+      year's rent which they would in the ordinary course of things pay on the
+      appointment of a new lord. The news filled the poor people with delight.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall, however,&rdquo; he went on, &ldquo;expect that you will render fully and
+      willingly the military service you are bound to give according to the
+      tenure of your holdings. In a short time my castellan will arrive here; he
+      will have instructions from me to make the service as little onerous as
+      possible, and that you shall each furnish your quota of men at times when
+      it may be most convenient for you. I shall, however, expect fifteen men
+      added to the strength of the garrison. These can be changed every eight
+      weeks. All the men capable of bearing arms will come up for training one
+      or two days in each month. I trust that you will never be called upon to
+      defend the castle, but I would have it always kept in such a state that
+      were troubles to arise you could all, with your wives and families, find
+      refuge here and be able to defend yourselves against all attacks.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Next winter I shall have the fortifications strengthened. I know that you
+      are bound to furnish horses and carts for so many days in the year. I
+      shall want this work performed, but you will be paid both for your own
+      work in building, and for your carts and horses; and as it will be done at
+      a time when there is little farm work on hand, this will be a benefit to
+      you, and the wages will be deducted from the payments that you have to
+      make.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Loud cheers rose from the men, who were overjoyed on learning that their
+      new lord was inclined to deal so generously with them, and especially that
+      the fine, which many of them would have found it impossible to pay, was to
+      be altogether remitted. Having completed all his arrangements Hector
+      returned to Paris, mounting his men on four of the horses he found in the
+      stables, and leaving at the castle two of those which Enghien had given
+      him, and the two Paolo had caught on the field of battle. He arrived on
+      the evening of the day before his leave expired, put up at the auberge of
+      the Pome d'Or, and early the next morning took his way to The Scottish
+      Soldier.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XII: THE POITOU REGIMENT
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, MacIntosh,&rdquo; Hector said as he entered the cabaret, &ldquo;have you made
+      up your mind? The castle is a strong one, and I mean to make it stronger.
+      The air is good and so is the wine, and I am sure that you will find the
+      duties pleasant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you go I think it would be as well that you should take a couple of
+      your old comrades&mdash;you said there were many of them in Paris&mdash;with
+      you, to act as your sergeants, drill the tenants, and see that all goes on
+      in order. It will be pleasant for you to have two of your old friends with
+      whom you can talk over past times.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had decided to accept your offer, Hector; but certainly this would have
+      decided me had I not already made up my mind. That was the one drawback,
+      that I should be among strangers, but with two of my old friends I should
+      not feel lonely. There is Sholto Macfarlane, he was in my troop. He lost a
+      hand from his musket bursting three years ago, and now makes his living by
+      helping the boatmen unload at the quays. Then there is Kenneth Munroe. He
+      was invalided after a bad attack of fever in Flanders, and now teaches the
+      broadsword exercise at a fencing master's place at St. Denis. They would
+      both jump at the offer if they only got free lodgings and keep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then that is settled, MacIntosh. I am heartily glad of it. Now the sooner
+      you get down there the better.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I can go at once. Sergeant Morrison is taking his discharge at the
+      end of the week. He is a married man with a helpful little wife. I was
+      telling him of the offer that you had made me, and he asked me what I
+      would take for the cabaret. It is a good business, and having a wife he
+      could manage it better than I can. I said that if he had a fancy for it I
+      would rather that he took it than another; and he would do better than a
+      Frenchman would, for the lads would not care for the place unless it was
+      kept by one of the regiment. He asked me what were the profits. I told
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'Then I am afraid that you would want a bigger sum than I could pay,
+      MacIntosh,' he said. 'I have been a saving man, especially since I first
+      thought of marrying, and I have laid by half my pay for the last eight
+      years; but that would not go far towards the purchase of the place, for
+      your profits in a year are as much as my savings of eight years.' So I
+      said to him, 'Well, we will get the place valued. You will want half the
+      money that you have saved to stock it well, the other half you shall pay
+      me down; and I will give you five years to pay the rest, you paying me a
+      tenth part every half year.'
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, sir, we struck a bargain on that. The place has been valued, and on
+      Saturday evening Morrison will come straight in and take it over. He is a
+      popular man in the regiment; and as he is only just leaving it he is known
+      to them all, while there are not above a quarter of the men who knew me as
+      a comrade in the old days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They then had a long talk over the sergeant's new duties, and Hector gave
+      him a plan of the new fortifications that he had drawn out, together with
+      full instructions how they were to be carried out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The steward will arrange all about the tenants coming to work, and the
+      proportion of labour that each will have to give. As I have told you, he
+      will manage all details of that kind, look after the indoor retainers, and
+      see to the food. You will have entire control of the garrison, of the
+      tenants who will come to drill, and of the works on the fortifications.
+      You will find the steward a very pleasant and agreeable young man. He will
+      take his meals with you. I have chosen a room for you, and you can have
+      another near it for your two sergeants. You can pay them at the same rate
+      as sergeants of the regiment receive, and I need hardly say that the
+      position will be a good deal better. As commander of the garrison and
+      castellan of the castle you will be called Captain MacIntosh, and as such
+      you will be named in my letter appointing you to the post, and I propose
+      that you shall receive the pay of captain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The pay is immaterial, lad, I have been nigh twelve years here, and have
+      laid by enough to keep me comfortably all my life, and as, so far as I can
+      see, there will be nothing to spend down there, I don't know what I should
+      do with pay.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is nonsense, MacIntosh. You must draw the pay, and spend it as you
+      like, or save it. You must remember that I may be killed in the next
+      battle I go into, and as I have no heirs the king will give the fief to
+      someone else. The newcomer might like myself have some friend who he might
+      appoint castellan.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would make no difference,&rdquo; the other said. &ldquo;In addition to what I have
+      saved I shall have the price of the cabaret.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is not to the point, MacIntosh. The steward has instructions to hand
+      you your money monthly, while the garrison will be paid weekly. If you
+      choose to throw the money into the fosse, that is your own business, mine
+      is to see that my castellan is paid. I am going over at noon today to St.
+      Denis, where my regiment is quartered, but will ride in on Saturday. You
+      must buy three horses for yourself and your sergeants; get good
+      serviceable animals.. I have told the steward to repay you their cost when
+      you arrive there; he has monies of mine in hand for all purposes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector then went round and had a chat with Colonel Maclvor, and returned
+      to the auberge, where the troopers and Paolo had the horses already
+      saddled. He mounted and rode with them to St. Denis, putting up at an
+      hotel. He found where the regiment of Poitou were stationed and at once
+      proceeded there on foot. Two or three officers were chatting together in
+      the barrack square, while some sergeants were drilling the companies.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He at once went up to them. &ldquo;Gentlemen,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I must introduce myself
+      to you. I am Colonel Campbell; I have the honour to command the regiment.
+      I shall be glad if you will order the officer's call to be sounded and
+      send orderlies off at once to the lodgings of the officers and ask them to
+      assemble. To whom have I the pleasure of speaking?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The senior officer introduced himself and the others. Report had told them
+      that their new colonel was still a young man, and that he had served with
+      distinction under both Turenne and Enghien, but they were not prepared for
+      so young a commander as this. The French regiments had, as a rule, two
+      colonels, the one a veteran soldier, who had won his way to the rank by
+      long service and long fighting, the other a young nobleman who had gained
+      the post solely by family influence, but possessed no knowledge whatever
+      of military matters, and who was never with the regiment except when it
+      went upon a campaign, and even then generally preferred the pleasures of
+      Paris to the hardships of war. Had Hector been appointed to what was
+      called the second no surprise would have been felt at his youth, but that
+      anyone should have gained the position of first colonel at his age by
+      sheer merit was astonishing indeed to them. In twenty minutes the officers
+      were all assembled and introduced by the senior captain to Hector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will not begin business now,&rdquo; the latter said. &ldquo;My leave of absence
+      does not terminate until tomorrow morning, and I think that it is much
+      more pleasant to talk over matters comfortably round a table than it is to
+      do so in a set manner. Therefore, gentlemen, if you will all sup with me
+      this evening at the Fleur de Lis, after we have finished our meal we will
+      talk over our wine. My opinion is that officers of a regiment should be
+      good comrades. The regiment benefits by it, and everything goes on more
+      smoothly and comfortably. This is specially so in a newly raised regiment,
+      where the officers either are altogether new to military matters, or join
+      from other regiments, and have no previous knowledge of each other. In the
+      same way the men are all new to each other, and to their officers. Unless
+      there is perfect harmony among the officers, there cannot be perfect
+      harmony in the regiment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If one officer looks after the comfort of his company, and treats them as
+      he should do, while another company is neglected and left solely to the
+      care of the sergeants, there will necessarily be envy and ill feeling. The
+      regiment will cease to be a unit. I may say, gentlemen, that this is the
+      dictum not of myself, but of Marshal Turenne, who was my instructor in the
+      art of war, and who followed out the better system from the time that he
+      was a boy of fourteen until now. The result is that his regiment is the
+      finest in the service. It will be my aim and ambition to raise the Poitou
+      regiment as nearly as possible to the same condition, and I shall rely
+      upon your assistance and cooperation to bring this about.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Supper will be served at six. I have only just returned from the country,
+      and have heard no news. I suppose that no intimation has been received as
+      to what is our destination and whither we shall march?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;None whatever, colonel,&rdquo; de Thiou, the senior captain, said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All the better. I hope that they will give us a couple of months to get
+      into shape. There is but little time for drill and discipline when we are
+      once in the field.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying he saluted the officers and returned to the hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who would have thought of seeing a mere lad placed at the head of the
+      regiment as colonel,&rdquo; one of the captains said. &ldquo;I cannot imagine how such
+      a thing can have come about, for certainly he can have no family
+      influence. A newly raised regiment like ours wants a bright man, one that
+      all can look up to and respect.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fancy that you will find that this young gentleman will be respected,&rdquo;
+       de Thiou said. &ldquo;He is young and pleasant looking, and whatever he is I
+      should say that he is levelheaded, and that he has an infinite fund of
+      firmness and resolution. I should certainly advise nobody to take
+      advantage of his youth. I have seen more service than any of you, and had
+      my family possessed any influence at court, I should have been a colonel
+      by this time. Unless I am greatly mistaken we shall find that we have a
+      man, a good man, and a strong one. Do you think that he could have won his
+      way to a regiment at the age of twenty unless there had been something
+      quite unusual? I was talking the other day with one of Gassion's staff,
+      who has come back until the wound that he got at Rocroi is healed. He told
+      me that Gassion&mdash;and France has no better soldier&mdash;said publicly
+      after the battle that the victory was largely due to this young friend of
+      ours, and that had it not been for him things might have gone altogether
+      differently; and he said that Enghien, proud and ambitious as he is,
+      frankly admitted the same thing. Of course I can only go upon what I have
+      seen of him, but from what he said, and the manner in which he said it, I
+      am convinced that we could not get a better chief than this young colonel.
+      I believe that he will make it a comfortable regiment to be in, but I also
+      believe that those who oppose him will find that they make a grievous
+      mistake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day Hector took up in earnest the work of organizing the
+      regiment. In the first place he insisted that the officers should learn
+      their drill; then, that instead of handing over the practical command of
+      their companies to their sergeants, they should themselves command them on
+      the drill ground, look after the discipline and comfort of the men in
+      barracks, and become personally acquainted with the character of every man
+      under their command. Many of the sergeants were inefficient; these were
+      speedily deprived of their rank, and men of good conduct and zeal
+      appointed to their places. The regard of the men was won by his insisting
+      that the contractors for their food should send in meat and bread and wine
+      of the quality that they had guaranteed to supply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Three officers were told off every day to examine the quality of all food
+      sent in; any reported as being bad was examined by Hector, and if the
+      complaint was well founded, was at once condemned. Great attention was
+      paid to the cooking, to the cleanliness of the barrack rooms, and to many
+      other details that had until then been entirely neglected. There were at
+      first some grumblers, not only among the men, but among the officers as
+      well; but the extraordinary and rapid improvement in the efficiency of the
+      regiment, its appearance and condition, was such that these were not long
+      in recognizing that although the work was hard, no unnecessary labour was
+      imposed upon them, while, as their knowledge of drill increased the work
+      became easier and less irksome. All recognized that by far the hardest
+      worker in the regiment was the colonel himself. Every morning for the
+      first month he himself drilled the officers in a courtyard that was not
+      overlooked, and when they all knew their work, sent them to take charge of
+      their companies. Until he considered the officers competent, he drilled
+      the companies by turn, and when drill was over, made a tour of every room
+      in the barracks, visited the kitchen, and conversed freely with the men,
+      listening to any complaints.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At first the number of men brought up for drunkenness was large. The first
+      offence he always condoned, giving the offender a lecture on the folly of
+      his conduct and of the discredit that it brought upon the regiment. For
+      the second offence a man was confined to barracks, and forced to wear his
+      coat inside out even at drill. The ridicule that the men had to suffer was
+      worse than any punishment inflicted upon them, and no case occurred of a
+      third offence. By turns the three officers of each company dined with him,
+      and, chatting with them as a friend, he not only gained their liking but
+      made himself acquainted with their individual characters. Turenne came to
+      Paris a short time after Hector assumed the command of his regiment, and
+      as soon as he heard of his arrival, the latter called upon him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I heard from the cardinal of your good fortune,&rdquo; the viscount said, &ldquo;and
+      congratulate you heartily upon it. Mazarin was good enough to say that the
+      discovery of the Spaniards' ambush was the result of my teaching, and
+      indeed I feel somewhat proud of my pupil. I am going to the Rhine, as
+      perhaps you may have heard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope to have the honour of serving under you with my regiment, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to have you, but I fear there is little chance of it. I
+      am to take the command of the Weimar troops. The death of the duke has
+      been a heavy blow to us, and it is thought that unless I go down there&mdash;I
+      say it because I have served there and am known by the Weimar troops&mdash;that
+      force will break up altogether. From what I hear, I hardly think there is
+      much chance of having any French regiments with me, and those now being
+      raised are likely to be sent to fight under Enghien in Flanders. My
+      position is, as you know, a painful one, owing to Bouillon having gone to
+      Italy to take the command of the Pope's troops. I believe that is the
+      reason why Mazarin has withdrawn me from the command of our army in Savoy.
+      However, as a soldier I accept the work he has given me, not allowing
+      family matters to interfere in any way with it, though it is my opinion
+      that Bouillon has been very hardly treated by the breaking of the
+      engagements that were given him when he surrendered Sedan to France.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A week later Hector presented himself at the levee of Cardinal Mazarin.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was expecting to see you, baron. I received your note saying that you
+      had taken the command of your regiment, and would do yourself the honour
+      of presenting yourself as soon as you had put matters in trim. Are you
+      satisfied with your men and your officers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;With both, your eminence, and trust that in two or three months' time you
+      will do us the honour of inspecting us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And how did you find your barony?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was delighted with it. The castle is a strong one, and I am taking
+      steps to add to its strength; and I believe when it is finished that it
+      will be almost impregnable save by an army, and that well commanded.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you think,&rdquo; the cardinal said with a smile, but with a certain air
+      of seriousness, &ldquo;that you could offer me a safe asylum if I needed one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I trust that such an event may never occur, your eminence, but if it
+      should, my castle is at your disposal, and I will guarantee that it will
+      resist for three months, whoever might attack it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One can never say,&rdquo; the cardinal said mournfully. &ldquo;Oh, these nobles! They
+      are, as they have ever been, the curse of France. Each man thinks only of
+      himself and of increasing his domains. What France may suffer matters
+      nothing to them so that they are enriched. Were one of them capable of
+      ruling France I would gladly retire; but who is there? Orleans, vain,
+      empty headed, treacherous to his friends, a man whose word is not to be
+      relied upon. Conde, who thinks only of enriching himself and adding to his
+      possessions. Beaufort, a roistering trooper. None of these men could
+      maintain his position for a moment. The whole country seethes with
+      discontent at the heavy taxation necessitated by the war; Paris, as is
+      always the case when there is trouble in the air, is restless and
+      turbulent. I have good friends, but they are insufficient to sustain me
+      against the intrigues of my enemies. The queen alone upholds me. Truly,
+      the burden is too great for one man to bear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will wonder why I am speaking thus to you, Colonel Campbell, but it
+      is of the greatest necessity that her majesty should know upon whom she
+      can rely absolutely in case of trouble. You, sir, being altogether
+      unconnected with any of the great families of France, stand in a different
+      position from that of the great majority of officers of your rank. Look
+      where I will, I see our regiments officered by men connected by birth and
+      family with one or other of the men who are at present intriguing against
+      us, and were they ordered to take steps to arrest, for example, one of
+      those persons connected with them, they might, without openly refusing,
+      give such warning to them that they would be able to escape. Now, sir, I
+      ask you to tell me frankly whether, under all contingencies, the queen can
+      rely upon your services? I give you my word that whatever your reply is,
+      it shall in no way count against you. There are cases in which it would
+      doubtless be painful to you to carry out such an order. You are a protege
+      of Monsieur de Turenne. Monsieur de Turenne is brother of the Duc de
+      Bouillon, and, as I know, you yourself were staying for some months in the
+      castle of Sedan, where you went to be cured of your wounds. Now, monsieur,
+      frankly, were you ordered to arrest the Duc de Bouillon, would you carry
+      it out without fear or favour?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly I would, your excellency; and should you give such an order to
+      Marshal Turenne he would do so himself. He is a soldier of the queen
+      before all things, and has taught me that my duty is towards the sovereign
+      who represents France, regardless of all other considerations.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The cardinal while speaking had watched the young soldier's face
+      scrutinizingly. Faithful as Turenne had always been to the crown, even
+      when his brother was in arms against it, Mazarin had still in his heart
+      some doubts as to his fidelity under all circumstances. He could not but
+      be conscious that faith had been absolutely broken with Bouillon, and,
+      accustomed to tortuous ways, he could scarce imagine that Turenne would
+      hold himself altogether above family interest. He saw by the manner more
+      than the words of Hector that he was speaking from a profound conviction.
+      In asking him the question, he had been thinking more of Turenne's loyalty
+      than of the young colonel's. Having been four years in the closest
+      connection with the marshal, he could not but know his real sentiments,
+      and he felt sure that had Turenne expressed any anger at the treatment his
+      brother had received, he would have seen it in the young man's face. The
+      answer was a reassuring one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, monsieur le baron; the musketeers and the Swiss guards we know
+      we can absolutely rely upon, and I shall be glad to be able to inform the
+      queen that she can place implicit faith in your regiment. I need not
+      impress upon you the necessity for our conversation being regarded by you
+      as absolutely confidential.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector, thinking the matter over, had no great difficulty in the end in
+      arriving at the truth, namely, that his own loyalty was a very secondary
+      object of interest to the minister, and that his real motive in thus
+      apparently opening his mind to him had been, not to gather his own
+      sentiments, but to endeavour to ascertain those of Turenne. From the talk
+      among his officers he had already learned that the general opinion was,
+      that although the queen had always entertained a most favourable opinion
+      of Turenne, and had herself nominated him as marshal and commander of the
+      forces on the Rhine, Mazarin had assented to the arrangement because he
+      feared that the army of Italy would probably follow its commander should
+      the latter take up the quarrel of his brother, while, on the Rhine with
+      but a few regiments, to all of whom he was a stranger, under his command,
+      he would be practically powerless, whatever his sentiments might be with
+      regard to Bouillon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the middle of August Hector received an order from Mazarin to take part
+      with his regiment in a review which the queen intended to hold at
+      Versailles two days later. At this review the musketeers, the Swiss
+      guards, the Scottish regiment, and two regiments of the line besides his
+      own, the queen, the young king, Mazarin, and most of the members of the
+      court were present. The Poitou regiment acquitted itself admirably, and
+      its marching, and the steadiness with which it went through its
+      manoeuvres, were in such strong contrast to that of the other two infantry
+      regiments, which had both been formed for some years, as to excite the
+      surprise and admiration of the spectators. After it was over a mounted
+      officer rode up to Hector and told him that the queen wished to speak to
+      him. Riding up, he dismounted, and advanced to the queen's pavilion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; the queen said graciously, &ldquo;I wish to express to you
+      how well satisfied we are with the efficiency of your regiment, and the
+      admirable way in which it has gone through its manoeuvres. Never have I
+      seen these better performed; and this is the more surprising as it has
+      been but four months raised, and but three months under your personal
+      command. The cardinal has informed me that he learns that this is due
+      entirely to your personal exertions, and the care that you have bestowed
+      upon it. I wish that all my officers showed the same zeal and diligence.
+      In order to mark my gratification at the conduct of the regiment, I have
+      requested monsieur le cardinal to order that two companies of your
+      regiment shall be quartered at the barracks now occupied by the Scottish
+      regiment, which is to march east tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector bowed deeply; and, immensely gratified at the praise that his
+      regiment had received, returned to his place at its head, and marched back
+      to St. Denis. On their arrival there he informed his men of the gracious
+      words the queen had been pleased to say about the regiment, and the great
+      honour bestowed upon them by the quartering of two companies in Paris. The
+      men broke into loud cheering as he concluded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector then called the officers together. &ldquo;Gentlemen,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I have to
+      thank you for the admirable way in which you have seconded my efforts, and
+      by the aid of which the regiment has just gained the high commendation of
+      Her Majesty, within so very short a time after it has been raised. I have
+      been thinking the matter over as I rode back, and I have decided that
+      where all did so well, it would be invidious to give to any the sole
+      honour of being thus quartered near the Louvre and furnishing guards, and
+      to yourselves the pleasure of being in Paris. Therefore, gentlemen, I
+      shall send, in the first place, the first and tenth companies. At the end
+      of two weeks the ninth company will take the place of the tenth; a
+      fortnight later, the second will take the place of the first, and so in
+      order, so that each company will in turn have its share in this honourable
+      service.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a general murmur of satisfaction. The next morning a formal
+      order was received that two companies of the Poitou regiment should march
+      into Paris, and occupy a portion of the barracks which the Scotch regiment
+      had just vacated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector called up the two companies he had selected.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, men,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;you see the advantage that you have gained by
+      discipline and good conduct. I have no doubt that before granting us the
+      honour of forming a part of the garrison of Paris, the minister has made
+      inquiries respecting the conduct of the regiment here, and has doubtless
+      heard that it has been eminently satisfactory, and that the authorities
+      and inhabitants have no complaint, of drunkenness or misconduct, against
+      us. Of misconduct there have been no cases, of drunkenness very few, and,
+      indeed, for the past month there has not been a single case among you. I
+      trust that you will remember that while in Paris the credit of the
+      regiment is in your hands, and that no single case of drunkenness or
+      brawling in the streets will take place. I feel confident that this will
+      be so, and I need hardly say that should there be an exception, the
+      punishment will be vastly more severe than any that has previously been
+      awarded, and I am sure that any offender will find, in the contempt with
+      which he will be regarded by his comrades, a still more severe punishment
+      than any that I can inflict.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      That evening Captain de Thiou and the other officers of the two companies
+      that were to march into Paris the next day dined with Hector; and after
+      dinner de Thiou rose and said: &ldquo;Colonel, I have been requested to express
+      to you, on behalf of the whole of the officers of the regiment, our deep
+      gratitude for the honours that our regiment has obtained. These you were
+      good enough yesterday to ascribe partly to us; but we feel that they are
+      wholly due to yourself. Although some of us were at first a little
+      inclined to think that the changes made by you in our work were
+      unnecessary, all now recognize fully how great has been the benefit, not
+      only to the regiment, but to ourselves. Duties which were at first
+      considered irksome are now regarded as pleasant. We feel that, as you said
+      would be the case, we have acquired the respect of the men, and that it is
+      upon us that they rely, and not upon their sergeants.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Our own time passes more pleasantly from being fully occupied, and from
+      consciousness that we are doing our duty. As to the regiment in general,
+      the benefit has been enormous. The men seem pleased with the interest
+      shown in them, as much as with the comfort that they now enjoy, and they
+      in turn endeavour to satisfy us, both by their attention to drill, by
+      their bearing and manner, and by their avoidance of giving any cause for
+      complaint. All this, monsieur, has been your work, and I am sure that we
+      are all conscious of the difference of the display we made in the park,
+      and that which we should have shown had it not been for the reforms which
+      have been introduced by you. We all trust that the day may not be far
+      distant when we shall be able to prove on the field of battle the same
+      efficiency that has won us credit upon the parade ground.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thank you heartily, Captain de Thiou, for what you have been good
+      enough to say on your own behalf and that of the officers of the regiment.
+      I can only say that I have endeavoured to act up to the teaching of
+      Monsieur de Turenne, and I felt sure that although my methods might at
+      first seem irksome to some of you, their value would gradually become
+      appreciated. I am scarcely less pleased at the decrease in drunkenness,
+      and at the general improvement in the men, than by the increase of
+      discipline and efficiency.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mean to come to Paris, colonel?&rdquo; De Thiou asked presently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I shall remain here. I shall ride in every day, but my presence will
+      be more necessary with the regiment than with only two companies. You as
+      senior officer will be responsible for the general order of the
+      detachment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector rode in the next day with his men, and after seeing them
+      comfortably lodged in barracks, returned to St. Denis. A week later
+      reports reached St. Denis of a strange scene at the court. The haughty and
+      insolent Duchess of Monthazon, who belonged to the party of the
+      Importants, had the impertinence to insult the queen grossly in the
+      gardens of the Tuileries. She had at once been disgraced and ordered to
+      retire to Rochfield, and the Duke of Beaufort and his friends were furious
+      at this exercise of Mazarin's authority. The next day Hector received a
+      message asking him to call at the Hotel de Cleves, the cardinal's
+      residence. On his presenting himself, he was at once shown into Mazarin's
+      private apartments.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Monsieur de Villar,&rdquo; Mazarin said, &ldquo;I am sorely in need of friends. You
+      have heard of what has happened, and from the threats that he has publicly
+      uttered against myself I am convinced that Beaufort will hesitate at
+      nothing to bring about my ruin. I hear that you are still with your
+      regiment at St. Denis. I shall be glad if for a time you will take up your
+      abode at Paris, and will hold yourself in readiness to be of service to me
+      if there should be occasion. Beaufort is capable of even attempting my
+      life; he is very unscrupulous, and will hesitate at nothing. I shall be
+      glad if you will take up your lodging within a short distance of this, so
+      that I can communicate with you instantly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, your excellency; I will keep half a company always under arms,
+      so that at the shortest notice they will be in readiness to act as you may
+      direct. But surely, your excellency, you have the queen's musketeers close
+      at hand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The queen's musketeers are a body of gallant soldiers, but they will take
+      their orders only from the queen. They were strongly anti-cardinalist in
+      the late reign, and I do not suppose that they are better affected towards
+      myself than they were towards Richelieu. If they heard that my hotel was
+      attacked they would not move a foot until they received orders from the
+      queen to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At any rate, you shall have no reason to complain of delay on our part,
+      your excellency, and I can assure you of my devotion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector at once went to an auberge but a few hundred yards from the
+      cardinal's residence. He thought it better to put up there than to take
+      lodgings, as he could then have his four mounted men with him; and, riding
+      to St. Denis, he returned the same night with them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A horse is always to be saddled,&rdquo; he said to them when they had
+      dismounted and his orderlies had come up to his room, &ldquo;and one of you by
+      turns will always remain here armed and ready to mount without an
+      instant's delay. The others will put aside their scarves; and one of you
+      will always be at the cabaret nearest to the Hotel de Vendome, the
+      residence of the Duke of Beaufort, who is a son of the Duc de Vendome. At
+      times two of you can be there so as to drink and play cards together, as
+      the appearance of one sitting too long might attract attention. Your
+      object is to find out from the conversation of the duke's guards and
+      servants whether they have any idea that anything unusual is going to take
+      place. I have reason to believe that there is a plot against the cardinal,
+      and I am much concerned in defeating it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When the four Scotch soldiers had retired, Hector said to Paolo:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Paolo, I place more reliance upon your finding out anything that is
+      afloat than upon the soldiers. It is not likely that any plans Beaufort
+      may form will be communicated to his people until the moment for action,
+      and indeed it is probable that he will rely solely upon his personal
+      friends. Now I want you to disguise yourself in any way you may think
+      best, and watch Beaufort's hotel; see who comes in and out, and if a
+      messenger goes out follow him, see the houses he calls at, and mark if
+      those who dwell there repair at once to the Hotel de Vendome. If you
+      perceive that this is the case let me know at once. See if you can get
+      hold of half a dozen street gamins, and employ them to watch the houses of
+      all these gentlemen, and especially that of Monsieur Id, captain of
+      Beaufort's guards, and of the two Messieurs de Campion and the Count de
+      Beaupuis, who are, I know, among the duke's most intimate friends. There
+      are scores of these street boys who for a few sous a day would gladly
+      undertake the work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do that, master. You can take my word that by tomorrow at noon the
+      lodging of these four gentlemen will be strictly watched. This is a
+      business after my own heart.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the first place, Paolo, take a note from me to the Hotel de Cleves and
+      wait for an answer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The note was a short one. It merely gave the name of the auberge at which
+      he had taken up his quarters, and added:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If your eminence will be good enough to send me every morning a list of
+      any visits that you may intend to pay, or any journey that you may make
+      during the day, it would enable me to regulate my movements accordingly in
+      order to be always here and ready to carry out any orders that you may
+      send me from your hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The cardinal's reply was even more brief:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is well thought of. I shall go nowhere but to the Louvre tomorrow, and
+      shall probably be there the greater part of the day. Unless you hear from
+      me to the contrary, you need only remain in between twelve and one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning Paolo appeared dressed in ragged clothes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is that bundle of papers that you have got?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are lampoons on the cardinal. Nothing so natural as that I should
+      try and sell them in front of the Hotel de Vendome.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nothing could be better, Paolo.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have already picked up a dozen gamins, master, sharp little beggars,
+      who jumped at the idea of being set to watch people. Between them everyone
+      who goes in or comes out from the hotel will be followed, and they will,
+      in the first place, find out his name and bring it to me, after that they
+      will follow him wherever he goes, and from time to time let me know what
+      he is doing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Several days passed. The four gentlemen specially named, together with
+      several others, were frequently at the hotel. There was in this, however,
+      nothing suspicious, as Hector easily learned that they were all vassals or
+      close friends of the house of Vendome. On the third day, however, he heard
+      that at least a dozen of these gentlemen met in twos or threes at various
+      cabarets near the Duke of Beaufort's, and spent the greater portion of
+      their time there. Hector at once procured dresses suitable for gentlemen
+      of the middle class for the troopers, and gave them instructions to spend
+      the greater portion of their time at the cabarets at which these gentlemen
+      stopped. Their reports were that they talked of indifferent subjects, but
+      that they were evidently waiting for someone, as they invariably turned a
+      glance at the door whenever a fresh comer entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day Hector received a note from the cardinal:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I am just starting with the Duke of Orleans for Maisons, where I shall
+      dine with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Two hours later the three troopers who had been out returned almost at the
+      same minute with the news that the persons they were watching had all got
+      up suddenly and gone out after a messenger wearing the Beaufort cognizance
+      had come in and spoken to them. And a few minutes later Paolo arrived and
+      said that the Duke of Beaufort had gone with the Count of Beaupuis to the
+      convent of the Capuchins, and that several horses had been taken there.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector thought the matter over. &ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; he said to himself, &ldquo;as the
+      cardinal's note is dated at nine o'clock, he is now some distance on his
+      way. As soon as the duke received notice of his having gone, he notified
+      his friends. It can only be on his way home that they will venture to
+      attack him; but even if they have that intention they will scarcely do so
+      if the Duke of Orleans returns with him, unless, indeed, the duke is
+      himself in the plot, and as none of Paolo's scouts have brought news of
+      any communications between Beaufort and Orleans, it is hardly likely that
+      it is so.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Paolo, do you go down and watch the convent of the Capuchins. If the Duke
+      of Beaufort remains there with his friend&mdash;and he may doubtless be
+      joined by others&mdash;let me know if he rides away. If he does so the
+      attack may take place anywhere along the road; if he remains, he will
+      doubtless attack the cardinal as his carriage passes. Should there be more
+      than one entrance to the convent, put boys to watch them, and bring you
+      news should the party sally out. I shall be at the barracks. It is there
+      that you must bring or send me word.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The troopers were ordered to put on their military clothes and saddle
+      their horses, and a quarter of an hour later Hector rode to the barracks,
+      followed by them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;De Thiou,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I want you and the other five officers to have your
+      horses ready at a moment's notice. I have some sort of idea that there is
+      a plot on foot against the cardinal, and I want to take a hand in the
+      matter. I fancy that with you and my five troopers we shall be strong
+      enough to disconcert the plotters.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Two hours later he received a message from Paolo, saying that the Duke of
+      Beaufort and three other gentlemen were still at the convent, but that
+      most of the others had gone to the residence of Henri de Campion in the
+      Rue St. Honore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They mean to attack him just at the end of the journey,&rdquo; Hector said to
+      himself, &ldquo;and close to the Hotel de Vendome. Now it only depends upon
+      whether the Duke of Orleans stays at Maisons or returns with the
+      cardinal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He ordered the officers and troopers to mount, and with them took his post
+      on the road by which the cardinal would return. In half an hour they saw
+      his carriage approaching. They then moved forward. As the carriage passed
+      them Hector saluted, and saw to his satisfaction that the Duke of Orleans
+      was with the cardinal. After the carriage had gone fifty yards Hector
+      turned, and with his party followed the carriage at that distance. When
+      within a quarter of a mile of the Rue St. Honore a horseman came along. He
+      met the carriage, and immediately it passed him turned and galloped back
+      along the road. Hector felt no doubt that he was placed there to warn the
+      conspirators to be in readiness if the Duke of Orleans was not in the
+      carriage, and that there would now be no attempt. However, he closed up to
+      within thirty yards. As they entered the Rue St. Honore all was quiet
+      there, and nothing happened until the cardinal alighted at the Hotel de
+      Cleves. As he did so he looked round, and beckoned to Hector to follow
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIII: THE BATTLES OF FREIBURG
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      The cardinal did not address Hector until he had entered his private room,
+      when he turned and said sharply, &ldquo;What means this, colonel? When I saw you
+      and your officers on the road I felt sure that you were not there for
+      nothing, and still more sure when on alighting I found you so closely
+      following me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was convinced, cardinal, that there was a plot against your life, and I
+      believe that it was only because the Duke of Orleans returned with you
+      that it was not carried into effect.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And possibly because they saw your troop behind the carriage. Now tell me
+      your reason for supposing that I was in danger.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector related the various steps that he had taken.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your spies worked better for you than mine did for me,&rdquo; the cardinal
+      said. &ldquo;That a dozen or so of Beaufort's friends were for some reason or
+      other spending their time at the Angel Inn and other cabarets I was aware,
+      but I have had no word of their proceedings today. You have been better
+      served, doubtless, because your plans were better laid. I hardly think
+      that they would have attacked me when Orleans was with me, but there is no
+      saying; for if Beaufort has daring and insolence enough to attempt to slay
+      the queen's minister within a quarter of a mile of the Louvre, he would
+      not trouble greatly whether princes of the blood were in the carriage or
+      not, especially if he had some reason for believing that Orleans would not
+      regard the deed with very great disapproval.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;However, whatever his intentions might be, it is clear that the
+      appearance of your party of twelve armed men decided the question. We may
+      regard it as certain that the news that I had such an escort was carried
+      to them by the man who galloped on ahead. I thank you, sir, I thank you
+      very heartily, not only for my sake, but for that of France. I will ask
+      you to go across to the Louvre; I will take half a dozen armed servants
+      with me, but there is little fear that the attempt will be renewed today.
+      They must be too much disconcerted by the failure of their plot to make
+      fresh arrangements so speedily. I shall go first to the Louvre and inform
+      her majesty of what has taken place. You will remain here for half an
+      hour, and will then leave by the gate at the back of the house and make a
+      circuit, and enter the palace by the river gate. The musketeers on guard
+      will stop you, but I will give you a pass.&rdquo; And he wrote a few lines on
+      paper. &ldquo;The queen's confidential servant, Laporte, will be at the door to
+      meet you, and will have instructions to escort you by corridors where you
+      will be unobserved, and so to her majesty's private closet. Were you to
+      accompany me, Beaufort would soon hear of it, and would be shrewd enough
+      to perceive that your meeting with me was by no means a matter of chance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector followed out his instructions, and on presenting himself at the
+      palace was at once taken up to the queen's closet. Laporte went in, and
+      returning immediately requested him to enter. The queen was walking up and
+      down the room, her face flushed with indignation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Her majesty would fain hear from your own lips, monsieur le baron, the
+      statement that you have made to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The queen sat down and listened intently while Hector repeated the story.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There can be no doubt about it, cardinal; this keeping of a number of
+      armed men within call for days, the summons to them to gather in the Rue
+      St. Honore, while he himself with others took up his post at the convent
+      of the Capuchins hard by, the moment his spies had discovered that you had
+      left for Maisons, could but have been for one purpose. But they shall
+      learn that although a woman, Anne of Austria, Queen of France, is not to
+      be deprived of her minister and faithful friend without striking back in
+      return. Monsieur de Villar, you have rendered me a great service. Is there
+      any boon that you would ask of me? it is granted beforehand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thank your majesty most humbly,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;Already I have received
+      honours far beyond anything I deserve. I had the honour when thanking your
+      majesty, to hope some day to be able to give proof that they were not
+      unworthily bestowed, and still hope to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have already shown yourself worthy,&rdquo; the queen said, &ldquo;by the manner
+      in which you have in so short a time rendered the regiment to which we
+      appointed you so efficient. However, if there is at present no boon that
+      we can bestow, then remember that the Queen of France holds herself your
+      debtor, and that you have my royal word that any boon that you may
+      hereafter ask for, that is in my power to grant, will be given you. Take
+      this as a pledge of my promise.&rdquo; And she took off a gold chain exquisitely
+      worked, and gave it him. He received it kneeling. &ldquo;Now, sir, we will keep
+      you here no longer. I have much to say to his excellency. I trust that you
+      will present yourself at the levee this evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One thing more, colonel,&rdquo; Mazarin added; &ldquo;I doubt not that some of
+      Beaufort's people will endeavour to find out how it was that you came to
+      be behind my carriage. If they do so you might carelessly mention that you
+      and your officers had ridden out in a party at St. Germain, and that on
+      your way back you chanced to fall in with my carriage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At the barracks Hector called the officers together. &ldquo;Gentlemen,&rdquo; he said,
+      &ldquo;I have no doubt that your little ride today has somewhat puzzled you. I
+      am not at liberty to tell you the reason why I requested you to ride with
+      me; but it is very probable that you may be asked the question, and I beg
+      you all to remember that we have been on a little party of pleasure to St.
+      Germain, and having dined there were on our way back when we overtook the
+      carriage of the cardinal; and seeing that he had the Duke of Orleans with
+      him, we reined back and followed him, deeming that it would not appear
+      respectful were we to gallop past the carriage. Please bear this story in
+      mind. Recall also that we dined at the Lion d'Or there, that our dinner
+      was a good one and that it was a sort of celebration on my part of our two
+      companies having the honour to be chosen for duty in Paris. This is a
+      matter upon which much depends; it is, in fact, a matter of state; and you
+      may well imagine that I should not be recalling these events to your mind
+      were it not that a good deal depends upon it, and that I have received
+      strict orders that this little comedy shall be carried out. I know that I
+      can rely implicitly upon your discretion, and I have indeed answered for
+      you all. The story will be true in every respect. Instead of the excursion
+      having come off today it shall come off on the first day I can arrange
+      that we can be all off duty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      That evening at the palace Hector was, as the cardinal predicted, accosted
+      by one of Beaufort's officers, to whom he had been previously introduced.
+      After talking on other subjects for a few minutes, he said:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I saw you today, monsieur, riding with a party of your officers along the
+      Rue St. Honore. You did not notice me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I assure you that I did not, sir, or I should not have been so rude as to
+      pass without saluting you.&rdquo; Then he added with a laugh, &ldquo;We were riding
+      slowly, too, for the cardinal's coach was in front of us, and it would not
+      have been good manners to have galloped past him, especially as he had the
+      Duke of Orleans with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Had you been far?&rdquo; the other asked carelessly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No great distance; a little party of pleasure with my officers to eat a
+      dinner together, to celebrate the honour we had received in being brought
+      into Paris. My officers have worked very hard, and the matter served as a
+      good excuse for giving them a little dinner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For the next day or two everything passed off quietly, but four of the
+      officers reported that when dining at a cabaret two or three of the duke's
+      officers had come in and entered into conversation with them, and had
+      brought up the subject of their riding in after the cardinal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You almost looked as if you were serving as a bodyguard to him,&rdquo; one of
+      them laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I daresay we did,&rdquo; was the answer. &ldquo;It was rather a nuisance; but it
+      would not have been courteous to have ridden past the carriage.&rdquo; And he
+      then repeated the story as had been arranged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Although the Duke of Beaufort had been told by some of his friends that
+      there were rumours abroad of a plot against Mazarin's life, and that it
+      would be best for him to leave Paris for a time, he refused to do so,
+      saying that even if it was discovered the cardinal would not dare to lay
+      hands on him. Moreover, the replies which had been obtained from Hector
+      and his officers convinced him that their riding behind Mazarin's carriage
+      was an accident.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the 2nd of September the duke presented himself at the Louvre as usual.
+      After speaking with him for a few minutes, the queen left the room with
+      Mazarin, and Guibaut, captain of the Guards, at once came forward and
+      arrested him. He was kept at the Louvre that night, and next day was taken
+      to the castle of Vincennes. Two companies of Swiss guards marched first,
+      followed by a royal carriage containing the duke and Guibaut. The carriage
+      was surrounded by the royal musketeers. A body of light cavalry followed,
+      and the two companies of the Poitou regiment brought up the rear. Thus the
+      people of Paris were shown that the queen had both the will and the power
+      to punish, and the fickle population, who would the day before have
+      shouted in honour of Beaufort, were delighted at seeing that the royal
+      authority was once again paramount in Paris. The other members of the
+      party of Importants either fled or were arrested. The Campions, Beaupuis,
+      and others, succeeded in making their escape from France. The Marquis of
+      Chateauneuf, governor of Touraine, was ordered back to his province. La
+      Chatres, colonel general, was dismissed from his post; the Duc de Vendome
+      was forced to leave France; and the ambitious Bishop of Beauvais and
+      several other prelates were commanded to return to their dioceses. All the
+      members of the Vendome family were exiled to the chateau of Annette.
+      Madame de Chevreuse, de Hautefort, and a large number of other members of
+      the party were ordered to leave Paris. Thus the party of the Importants
+      ceased to exist.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The people of Paris seemed greatly pleased at what appeared to them the
+      end of the troubles, and they exclaimed that Richelieu was not dead, but
+      that he had simply changed his appearance, and had become twenty years
+      younger. Mazarin chose a number of soldiers belonging to his own regiment,
+      and several officers who belonged to Richelieu's own guard. These were at
+      all times to follow him wherever he went. He selected a number of
+      noblemen, all of distinguished merit and influence, and created five of
+      them dukes, and thus secured to himself a party that would to some extent
+      balance the power of his adversaries.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He also made an effort to bring about a union between the Duke of Orleans
+      and the Condes, but failed, owing to the enormous demands that each put
+      forward. Conde demanded the government of Languedoc for himself, of
+      Burgundy for Enghien, and Normandy for the Duc de Longueville, and the
+      entire domains of his late brother-in-law, Henry of Montmorency. Orleans
+      on his part demanded the province of Champagne, the three bishoprics of
+      Metz, Toul, and Verdun, and the town and castle of Sedan. As these
+      demands, if granted, would have rendered the two families all powerful,
+      Mazarin gave up the attempt, and decided that the best plan to prevent
+      troubles was to let these dangerous families continue to be hostile to
+      each other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as he had finished his work of crushing the Importants, Mazarin
+      sent for Hector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I have breathing time. The conspiracy
+      among the nobles is for the time crushed, and now that they see that the
+      queen is determined to protect me, and that I am not afraid of using the
+      power committed to me, I hope that it will be some time before they
+      venture to conspire again. I have further strengthened my position by
+      granting honours to many distinguished gentlemen who were well inclined
+      towards me, and on whose support in the future I shall be able to rely.
+      Now it is time that I should turn to the man who has probably saved my
+      life, and to whose evidence given before the queen I in no small degree
+      owe it that she resolved to suppress these insolent nobles. I have not
+      hurried in this matter, since, by your answer to the queen, it was evident
+      that you desired no change in your position, and that the matter could
+      wait.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still, monsieur, her offer was to grant honours for services rendered to
+      the state. The matter of the service that you have rendered to Cardinal
+      Mazarin is still untouched. It is something so new to me that anyone in
+      France should be so perfectly contented with his lot as to refuse such an
+      offer as that made to you by the queen, that I feel somewhat at a loss
+      what to do. I can understand that, young and ardent, increased rank would
+      have no charm for you. Were it otherwise I could bestow the highest rank
+      upon you. I am aware that your habits are simple, for I have made
+      inquiries, and that money in itself goes for little in your eyes; still,
+      sir, one who has the honour of being first minister of France, and who is
+      also a very rich man, cannot remain with a debt of gratitude wholly
+      uncancelled. I hear from my agent in Poitou that you have voluntarily
+      remitted the fine that your vassals would pay on the occasion of a new
+      lord taking possession, on account of the heavy taxation that presses so
+      sorely upon them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I honour you, sir, for such a step, and have even mentioned it to the
+      queen as a proof of the goodness of your disposition, and I feel sure that
+      there is nothing that would please you better than that I should grant the
+      tenants of your estate an immunity from all taxation; but this I cannot
+      do. All private interests must give way to the necessities of the state. I
+      deplore the sufferings of the cultivators of France, sufferings that have
+      of late driven many to take up arms. It is my duty to repress such
+      risings; but I have ordered the utmost leniency to be shown to these
+      unfortunate men, that the troops should not be quartered upon their
+      inhabitants, and that the officers shall see that there is no destruction
+      of houses and no damage to property; that would increase still further
+      their difficulty in paying the imposts, which I regret to say press so
+      sorely and unduly upon them. Tell me frankly what is the greatest object
+      of your ambition?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thank your excellency most heartily for your kind intentions towards
+      me, but any ambition that I may have had is already much more than
+      gratified. I have never for a moment thought of, or even wished that I
+      might some day become lord of a fair estate and a noble of France. I had
+      not ventured to hope that I might become colonel of a regiment for another
+      fifteen years. Both these things have, thanks to the kind appreciation of
+      her majesty and yourself for a very simple act of duty, fallen to me. If I
+      might ask a boon, it would be that my regiment may be sent to join the
+      force of Marshal Turenne. So long as there was danger here I should not
+      have wished to be removed from a position where I might be of some
+      assistance, however slight, to the queen and yourself, but now that all
+      danger is at an end I should be glad to return to active duty. I have
+      endeavoured humbly to make Marshal Turenne my model. He has but one
+      thought and one desire&mdash;namely, to do his duty and to make the
+      soldiers under his command contented and happy, but I have no hope of ever
+      emulating his great merits as a commander.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That request is easily granted,&rdquo; Mazarin said, and drawing a sheet of
+      paper towards him, he wrote:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The regiment of Poitou will at once proceed to the Rhine, where it will
+      place itself under the orders of Marshal Turenne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He added his signature, and handed the paper to Hector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That counts for nothing,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You must remember that life is short
+      and, especially in the case of a minister of France, uncertain. In your
+      own case you might be disabled in the field and unable to serve further.
+      The advent of a party hostile to me in power would doubtless be signalized
+      by acts of vengeance against those who have been friends, and estates
+      change hands so frequently in France that la Villar might well be
+      confiscated. No man is above the chances of fortune. I have agents in
+      England, and have this morning given an order to my intendant to place in
+      the hands of Monsieur Wilson, a well known citizen of London, a goldsmith,
+      the sum of fifty thousand crowns to stand in your name, and to be payable
+      to your order. Here is his address. It is but a small sum for the saving
+      of my life, but it will place you above the risk of the contingencies of
+      fortune in this country. I wish for no thanks,&rdquo; he said, with a wave of
+      his hand as Hector was about to speak. &ldquo;I have given more for the most
+      trifling favours. I now bid you adieu, and doubt not that I shall hear
+      that you and your regiment have greatly distinguished yourselves in the
+      east, where hostilities will in all probability shortly be commenced. You
+      had better present yourself at the levee this evening to make your adieus
+      to the queen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This Hector did, and early the next morning rode with his two companies to
+      St. Denis, where the news that the regiment was to march towards the Rhine
+      was received with great satisfaction. It was now the middle of October,
+      and when, after ten days' march, the regiment reached Epernay, they heard
+      that Turenne had withdrawn his troops from the Rhine, where the
+      Imperialists had already gone into winter quarters, and had stationed them
+      in the various towns of Lorraine. His headquarters were at Nancy. Turenne
+      greeted him warmly upon his arrival.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Matters have been going on slowly since I saw you in Paris. I have been
+      too weak to fight the Bavarians, who fortunately were too undecided to
+      attack me. Could they but have made up their minds to throw in their
+      fortune with Austria, they might have overrun all Lorraine, for aught I
+      could have done to withstand them. The troopers were without horses, the
+      infantry almost without clothes, and as the court was unable to send me
+      any remittances I have been forced to borrow money upon my own estates for
+      the public service, and have mounted five thousand horse and enrolled
+      three thousand foot and am still sustaining them. However, I hear from
+      Mazarin that he will in a week send off a large convoy of treasure, which
+      will be welcome indeed, for I am nearly at the end of my resources. Some
+      of my troops are quartered in the town, but the most part are among the
+      mountains, where they trouble the inhabitants less and have small
+      temptations towards rioting and excesses. Which would you rather?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would much rather go into the country, marshal; my regiment is in good
+      condition now, but to stay in quarters in a town is bad for discipline.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So be it. You might make your headquarters at the village of Saline;
+      there are no other troops within thirty miles of it. On arriving there you
+      will make inquiries as to the supplies to be obtained within a circle of
+      fifteen miles round. Fortunately I have a good supply of tents, and any
+      men for whom you cannot find quarters in the villages can be placed under
+      canvas. You can draw as much wine as you require for three months' rations
+      from the stores here, and two months' rations of flour. I will direct the
+      intendants to take up carts for the transport of the supplies you take
+      from here. You will doubtless be able to buy meat up there, and I hope
+      that you will be able to obtain sufficient flour and wine to last you till
+      the end of the winter, for transport will be very difficult when the snow
+      is on the ground. Firewood your soldiers will, of course, cut for
+      themselves in the forests.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The winter passed quietly. Hector managed to obtain quarters for all his
+      troops&mdash;a village being allotted to each company. Before they marched
+      off to their various quarters, Hector urged the officers to impress upon
+      their men the advantage of behaving well to the villagers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course the presence of so many men will be of serious inconvenience to
+      them, but they will doubtless make the best of it if they find that they
+      are treated civilly and that their lodgers endeavour to give as little
+      trouble as possible. See that everything down to the smallest article is
+      paid for, and investigate every complaint, and I will punish any offenders
+      severely. I have inquired into the average prices that sheep, fowls, pigs,
+      goats, and other articles fetch, and have made out a list for each
+      company; the peasants will be gainers by it, for they will be saved the
+      journey down to the towns. Let this be stuck up in a conspicuous place in
+      each village.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The intendant will go round and make contracts for the supply of meat,
+      and will see whether it will be more advantageous to erect ovens for the
+      baking of bread in each village or to arrange to buy it ready baked there,
+      we supplying the flour; for the troops, after being accustomed to good
+      bread at St. Denis, will not be content with the black bread upon which
+      these poor people exist. I shall pay a visit to each company in regular
+      order, see that all is going on well, try men who have misbehaved
+      themselves, and listen gladly to any suggestions that the respective
+      captains may make to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The first company was quartered at Saline, and although the cold was
+      severe and the life rough the troops were well contented, and Hector was
+      glad to find that his instructions were carried out and that excellent
+      relations were maintained between the troops and their hosts.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Early in the spring Turenne collected a force of three regiments of
+      cavalry and two of infantry, and, passing the Rhine at Breisach, fell
+      suddenly upon a force of Imperialists in the Black Forest, defeated them,
+      and took three or four hundred prisoners, among whom were many officers,
+      the rest of them escaping to the army commanded by Count Merci. In May the
+      Bavarian army, numbering eight thousand foot and seven thousand horse,
+      marched to besiege Freiburg, five leagues from Breisach, and Turenne
+      followed with all his force, which now numbered ten thousand men. He
+      found, however, that the Imperialists had occupied all the strong
+      positions in the neighbourhood of the town, and not caring to run the risk
+      either of defeat or great loss, and receiving information that the town
+      had already opened negotiations for surrender, he fell back some five
+      miles from the town, sending news to the court that his force was
+      insufficient to attack the Imperialists. Mazarin thereupon sent orders to
+      Enghien to set out at once for Germany. As soon as he reached the Rhine
+      and his army prepared to cross, Enghien, who had been appointed
+      generalissimo, rode forward with Marshal de Gramont, who was in command of
+      the army under him, to the camp of Turenne. The meeting between Enghien
+      and Turenne was most cordial. Enghien had always felt the warmest
+      admiration for the talents of the older marshal, had been most intimate
+      with him whenever he was at court, and regarded him as his master in the
+      art of war. Turenne was free from the vice of jealousy; and as the armies
+      of France were almost always placed under the supreme if sometimes nominal
+      command of princes of the blood, it seemed nothing but natural to him that
+      Enghien should receive supreme authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The characters of the two men were in complete contrast with each other&mdash;the
+      one was ardent, passionate, prompt in action and swift in execution; the
+      other, though equally brave, was prudent and careful, anxious above all
+      things to accomplish his object with the smallest possible loss of men,
+      while Enghien risked the lives of his soldiers as recklessly as his own.
+      They always acted together in the most perfect harmony, and their
+      friendship remained unimpaired even when in subsequent days they stood in
+      arms against each other. At the council Turenne was in favour of making a
+      circuit and taking up their post in the valley of St. Pierre, by which
+      they would intercept the Bavarians' communications and force them by
+      famine to issue out from their strong lines and fight in the open, and
+      urged that to attack a position so strongly fortified would entail
+      terrible loss, even if successful.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Marshal de Gramont, and d'Erlac, governor of Breisach, were of the same
+      opinion. The Duc d'Enghien, however, was for attacking the enemy in their
+      intrenchments; the idea of starving out an enemy was altogether repugnant
+      to one of his impetuous disposition, and as generalissimo he overruled the
+      opinions of the others. He himself, led by Turenne, reconnoitred the
+      position of the enemy, and decided that the one army, which was called the
+      army of France, consisting of six thousand foot and four thousand horse,
+      commanded by Marshal de Gramont, should attack the enemy's position in
+      front and on their right flank, and the other, called the army of Weimar,
+      of five thousand foot and as many horse, under Turenne, should move round
+      by a narrow pass and attack the enemy on the left flank. Merci's army
+      occupied an almost inaccessible hill whose summit was strongly fortified,
+      and it was against this that de Gramont's army was to hurl itself. The
+      entrance to the valley by which Turenne was to fall upon their left flank
+      was closed at its mouth by very strong intrenchments, and it was behind
+      this that the main body of horse was posted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To gain his point of attack Turenne had to make a very wide circuit, and
+      started at break of day on the 3rd of August. It was arranged that
+      Enghien, who remained with de Gramont, should not attack until three hours
+      before sunset, in order to give Turenne time to attack at the same hour.
+      At the time agreed upon, Enghien sent forward two battalions to begin the
+      attack. The regiments of Conde and Mazarin were to follow, while the duke
+      held two others in reserve. In order to get at the enemy the assailants
+      were forced to climb a very steep ascent, and cross a vineyard intersected
+      by many walls four feet high facing the terrace on which the vines grew.
+      These were occupied by the Bavarians, but the French attacked with such
+      vigour that the enemy were driven back. When, however, the latter reached
+      the great cheval-de-frise, formed by felled trees, in front of the
+      intrenchments, they could make no further progress, so heavy was the fire
+      maintained by the enemy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Enghien, seeing this, dismounted, placed himself at the head of the
+      regiment of Conde, and led them forward, while Marshal Gramont and the
+      officers did the same. Encouraged by this example, the troops were filled
+      with enthusiasm, and, following their leaders unfalteringly, made their
+      way through the cheval-de-frise, and, pressing forward without a pause,
+      obtained possession of the intrenchments, driving the Bavarians into the
+      woods behind. The battle had lasted three hours, and had cost the
+      Bavarians three thousand men, while the French suffered at least equally.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne's force had been as hotly engaged. Merci, the best general in the
+      Austrian army, had foreseen that an attempt might be made through the
+      defile, and had posted strong bodies of infantry among the trees on either
+      side.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as Turenne entered the defile he was encountered by a heavy fire
+      from his unseen foes, who, falling back through the trees as he advanced,
+      continued to gain strength. Turenne had to fight every foot of his way in
+      order to dislodge the enemy, and it was not until Enghien had brought the
+      battle to a conclusion on his side, that Turenne arrived and, forcing the
+      intrenchments guarding the mouth of the defile, found himself in contact
+      with Merci, who was now able to concentrate his whole force against him.
+      The combat was a furious one. The troops were engaged at but forty paces
+      apart, and sometimes had hand-to-hand encounters. Merci brought the whole
+      of his cavalry into play, but Turenne was unable to use his, as they were
+      behind his infantry and could not make their way out through the mouth of
+      the defile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For seven hours the battle raged in the darkness. After losing three
+      thousand men here, General Merci decided that his army would be totally
+      destroyed if Enghien should bring his troops down from the hill at
+      daybreak. Accordingly, leaving a body of musketeers to hide the movement
+      by their fire, he withdrew the rest of his army and took up another strong
+      position, partly on a height known as the Black Mountain, covering the
+      entrance of the valley of St. Pierre and partly in the valley itself, thus
+      covering his line of retreat. Had the French been able to attack early the
+      next morning before the Bavarians had time to intrench themselves they
+      might have won an easy victory; but for the past twenty-four hours the
+      rain had been falling incessantly, Turenne's army had been marching on the
+      previous day, and had been fighting for seven hours, and was incapable of
+      further exertions, while that of Enghien was in little better plight,
+      having passed the night in the rain on the ground it had won.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After such hard fighting both commanders agreed that a twenty-four hours'
+      halt was absolutely necessary. The day could not be termed one of rest,
+      for there were thousands of wounded to be collected and cared for, arms to
+      be cleaned, for they had been rendered useless by the rain, and provisions
+      to be brought up from the rear. Merci made the most of the time thus given
+      him. The bottom of the mountain towards the plain was fortified by several
+      rows of felled trees, and a portion of his infantry was posted between
+      this point and the town of Freiburg, which was but half a mile away. The
+      intrenchments that had been formed during the siege of the town were
+      occupied by them; and as their front was covered by the fire of the guns
+      from the fortress, as well as by that of the infantry on the hill, he
+      considered the position to be impregnable, and therefore placed the main
+      body of his army at the edge of the flat top of the hill, a strong body
+      behind a wood about halfway up the slope, and his cavalry extended from
+      that point to the walls of the city.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After reconnoitering the position, Enghien determined to make two attacks,
+      one on the trenches between the foot of the hill and the town, and the
+      other on the rows of felled trees at the foot of the mountain. A false
+      attack was to be made between the two points. Turenne's force advanced
+      nearly to the foot of the hill, the prince's army followed him, and also
+      took up its position. But just as the attack was about to be made a great
+      tumult was heard on the hill, and Enghien and Turenne rode to a
+      neighbouring height in order to ascertain what was going on, leaving
+      strict orders that no movement was to be made until their return. Count
+      d'Espenan, who commanded the two advanced regiments of Enghien's army,
+      however, ordered a detachment to attack a redoubt which stood within the
+      line of attack, and Merci sent supports to its defenders.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      D'Espenan sent more troops on his side and the engagement became serious.
+      Suddenly the Imperialist artillery opened fire along the whole of their
+      line, and Enghien's troops, apparently taking this for the signal of the
+      beginning of the battle, moved forward for the assault without order or
+      leader. As they were broken and confused by endeavouring to pass through
+      the abattis of felled trees, the Bavarians rushed out and drove them back
+      with great slaughter. Enghien and Turenne, galloping up in all haste, in
+      vain attempted to rally them. Officers and men alike were panic stricken.
+      The two generals then rode to Turenne's army and advanced against the
+      defence of trees. For a long time the battle raged without any marked
+      success on either side. Several times the French made their way in to the
+      intrenchments and were as often repulsed. Merci ordered his cavalry to
+      dismount, and led them into the fray, but, darkness falling suddenly, the
+      assailants ceased to attack, and occupied for the night the ground on
+      which the struggle had taken place. The fight that day had cost them two
+      thousand troops, and the Bavarians twelve hundred, but as the latter had
+      lost half their infantry in the first day's fighting the French were still
+      superior in numbers. During the night Turenne had all the wounded of both
+      nationalities carried to Breisach. After giving the army four days' rest,
+      Enghien determined to resort to the tactics that Turenne had from the
+      first recommended, and, marching along the plain, ascended the valley of
+      Bloterthal and made for St. Pierre, where he would cut the Bavarian line
+      of retreat. As soon as Merci saw the movement he gave orders for his army
+      to fall back with all haste, and although Turenne pressed hard on his rear
+      he succeeded in drawing his troops off, though, in order to do so, he was
+      obliged to abandon his baggage and cannon. Altogether he lost between
+      eight and nine thousand men, with their artillery and most of their
+      horses. The French loss was equally great, and though the battle was
+      claimed as a victory by them owing to the Bavarians having finally fallen
+      back, it was really a drawn one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIV: JUST IN TIME
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      The regiment of Poitou had suffered heavily in the battles of Freiburg. In
+      the first advance Turenne had placed it in the rear of his infantry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must have, Hector,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;a reserve upon which I can implicitly
+      rely; brought up at the right moment it might decide the fate of a battle,
+      if we are beaten it can allow the disorganized regiments to pass, check
+      the pursuit of the enemy, and retire in good order, contesting every foot
+      of the ground until the rest of the force have emerged from the mouth of
+      the defile and been enabled to form up in sufficient order to withstand
+      the effect of the enemy's cavalry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The regiment, therefore, took no part in the work of clearing the defile
+      of the enemy's infantry, and for the first four hours of the battle
+      remained in the rear. Then Turenne ordered it to the front, to take the
+      place of the regiments which had already lost half their strength, and
+      were no longer capable of resisting the continued assaults of the
+      Imperialists. Turenne himself rode with Hector at the head of the
+      regiment. They pushed their way through the hardly pressed troops in
+      front, and when they faced the enemy deployed and poured a terrible volley
+      into their assailants, and for the remaining three hours bore the whole
+      brunt of the battle. Standing four deep, their flanks resting upon the
+      rising ground on either side of the mouth of the pass, the two front lines
+      alone maintained their fire so long as infantry only pressed them, the two
+      lines behind being ordered by Hector not to fire a shot. When, however,
+      the Bavarian infantry drew aside and the cavalry thundered down, the front
+      lines fell back through those behind them, and the latter received the
+      cavalry with such terrible volleys of musketry that they each time broke
+      and fled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne, after seeing the Poitou regiment take up its post, occupied
+      himself in reforming the remains of the other regiments, and raising their
+      spirits by warm words of commendation at the manner in which they had
+      fought, until assured that they in turn could, if necessary, join the
+      first line if it were forced to give way. When he had done this he
+      rejoined Hector, who had dismounted and moved backwards and forwards among
+      the men, seeing that the gaps caused by the enemy's fire were constantly
+      filled up, and encouraging the soldiers with praise and exhortations.
+      Turenne sat upon his horse some paces behind the rear line. When he saw
+      the Bavarian infantry draw aside, and heard the roar of the cavalry
+      charge, his lips tightened, and he half turned his horse as if to call up
+      the regiments behind. When, however, he saw the lines that had hitherto
+      been in rear take up their place in front and stand there quiet and
+      immovable, the look of irresolution passed from his face, and, after the
+      Bavarian horse had fallen back, shattered by their volleys, he pressed a
+      pace or two forward and shouted, &ldquo;Regiment of Poitou, I thank you in the
+      name of France; never saw I a regiment fight more bravely or steadily!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The men responded with a loud cheer to this praise from one whom all
+      respected and loved. Turenne then rode up to Hector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Splendidly done, Colonel Campbell! I had rather wondered why you kept
+      half your men idle in such a fight; I now understand why you did so. Had
+      all been firing, three-quarters of their muskets would have been empty,
+      and you would possibly have been overthrown. It was a stroke of genius. I
+      may have taught you many lessons in war, but tonight you have given me
+      one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne remained with the regiment till the end of the fight, and marked
+      with approval the way in which each line fought by turns, while the other
+      remained behind them ready to receive the charges of the cavalry. As soon
+      as the Bavarians drew off he saw that all the wounded were carried to the
+      rear, where the surgeons rendered what aid was possible, while the rest of
+      the troops threw themselves down to snatch a few hours' sleep. When, three
+      hours later, Enghien's troops came down from the hill they had won,
+      Turenne's force marched out from the defile. Turenne mounted his horse,
+      and, calling upon Hector to follow him, rode forward with his principal
+      officers to meet Enghien.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It has been a terrible battle, prince, and if your loss equals mine the
+      victory has indeed been won at a terrible cost.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mine has been heavy, too,&rdquo; Enghien said, &ldquo;but we have gained our object.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not wholly,&rdquo; Turenne replied, &ldquo;for Merci has taken up a position as
+      strong as that from which we have driven him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish that I could have lent you a hand in the fight,&rdquo; Enghien said,
+      &ldquo;but the Bavarians had fallen back into the woods, and we knew not whether
+      they still held their ground there. In the rain and darkness it would have
+      been dangerous to have crossed the broken ground with its woods and
+      ravines, and the troops, after their exertions and heavy marches, were
+      incapable of such an effort. Indeed, I had lost fully half my infantry,
+      and the cavalry would be useless for such work. You must indeed have been
+      sorely pressed, having Merci's whole force to contend with. Still, I had
+      no doubt even if you could not issue from the defile you would be able to
+      check the enemy.&rdquo; Then the generals in turn repeated the details of the
+      battles in which they had been engaged and the losses they had suffered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne then introduced his principal officers to Enghien, and when he had
+      done so called up Hector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I need not introduce this officer to you, prince,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, indeed,&rdquo; Enghien replied, holding out his hand; &ldquo;I have good reason
+      to recollect you, Colonel Campbell. You have heard, marshal, what a good
+      service he rendered me at Rocroi?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has rendered me one no less this night,&rdquo; Turenne said. &ldquo;I never saw a
+      regiment stand more steadily than the one which he commands, and which he
+      has trained to what seems to me perfection. For the last three hours that
+      regiment alone bore the brunt of the battle, although assailed alternately
+      by infantry and cavalry, and thus afforded time to reform the regiments
+      that fought earlier in the afternoon and to give me hope that even were
+      the enemy to overcome the resistance of his men, I could still be able to
+      check their further advance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He then told Enghien the manner in which Hector had arranged and fought
+      his troops.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A good device indeed,&rdquo; Enghien said warmly, &ldquo;and methinks it worthy of
+      adoption whenever infantry have to meet other infantry and cavalry, for
+      the muskets take so long to reload that there might not be half a dozen
+      men ready to give fire when the cavalry charge. Is that one of the many
+      lessons that he tells me you have given him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, indeed; it has not, so far as I am aware, ever been tried before.
+      Parts of regiments are often held in reserve to reinforce their comrades
+      if necessary, but this method, whereby half the regiment are able at a
+      moment's notice to meet cavalry with their muskets loaded, is methinks,
+      entirely new, and in such cases as the present very valuable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In the second day's fighting Turenne's army had taken but small share, for
+      during the retreat of the Bavarians the cavalry alone had come into play.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Bavarians having retreated into Wurtemberg, a council of war was held
+      to decide in what manner the greatest advantage could be gained during
+      their absence. Most of the chief officers were in favour of retaking
+      Freiburg. Turenne was of a different opinion. He represented that the
+      siege would occupy a considerable time, and that if successful they would,
+      at the end of a campaign, have simply retaken a town that was theirs when
+      it began. They could therefore point to no advantage gained by their
+      efforts or by the loss of so many men. He advised, therefore, that as the
+      Bavarian army was now sixty miles away, and could not very well return, as
+      it would need large reinforcements, fresh cannon, and baggage wagons, they
+      should take the opportunity of making themselves masters of the whole
+      course of the Rhine and even of the Palatinate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Duc d'Enghien declared for this plan. Turenne went at once to
+      Breisach, and arranged for the transport, by boat down the Rhine, of all
+      the necessaries for the siege of Philippsburg. The army started on the
+      16th of August, a part of Turenne's army being detached to capture small
+      towns and castles. On the 23rd of August Philippsburg was invested by
+      Turenne, Enghien's force arriving on the following day. Philippsburg stood
+      on the Rhine, which at this point formed a sharp elbow, and the land being
+      low, many morasses surrounded the town, and the approach therefore was
+      exceedingly difficult. Eight hundred paces from the town stood a square
+      fort, which commanded the river, and was connected with the town by a
+      causeway. The town itself had seven bastions, round these ran a very thick
+      hedge, and the moat was wide and full of water. The garrison was a weak
+      one, not exceeding a thousand men, but they had a hundred pieces of cannon
+      and a large store of ammunition.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Feeling that he could not hold a fort so far from the town, the commander
+      withdrew the garrison from it, and Turenne seized it, and placed a strong
+      force there. Enghien then threw up strong lines in a semicircle round the
+      town to protect the army in case any large force of the enemy should
+      endeavour to relieve it. This occupied four days, and in the meantime the
+      boats had arrived with cannon, ammunition, and provisions. A bridge was
+      thrown across the river in twenty-four hours, and a force was sent over;
+      this attacked and captured Germersheim, and then marched to Spires, which
+      at once opened its gates on the 29th of August. In the meantime the siege
+      of Philippsburg was begun in earnest. The approaches could only be carried
+      on in one place, where the ground was sandy, and continued so up to two of
+      the bastions of the town.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne commanded the attack against the right bastion, de Gramont that on
+      the left. They first diverted a brook running through the plain, and were
+      enabled to use its channel as an approach, thus advancing fifteen hundred
+      paces nearer to the town. They then formed an intrenchment that could be
+      used by both columns, and from this on the 1st of September they began to
+      open their trenches against their respective bastions. De Gramont's works
+      were attacked on the following day by a sortie; this, however, was driven
+      back. On the fifth night both columns made a lodgment on the counterscarp,
+      and their batteries opened fire. After some days' work they filled up the
+      ditch, and seeing that his force was too weak to oppose so strong an
+      attack, the commander surrendered on the 12th of September.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Although Merci was advancing with an army, Enghien continued the project
+      that had been formed, and, remaining with his own troops to protect
+      Philippsburg, sent Turenne with all his horse and five hundred foot to
+      Worms, which threw open its gates. Oppenheim surrendered without
+      resistance, and he arrived in front of Mayence. The garrison was very
+      small, and upon the threat of Turenne that he would attack it on all sides
+      the citizens sent a deputation offering to capitulate. Turenne sent word
+      of this to Enghien, who rode there at once, and received the surrender of
+      the town. Bingen capitulated; Landor, Mannheim, Neustadt, and several
+      other places were taken; and thus from Strasburg to a point near Coblenz,
+      the whole course of the Rhine, the Palatine, and all the country between
+      the Rhine and the Moselle fell into the hands of the French. Enghien
+      returned to pass the winter in Paris. The greater part of the army was
+      recalled, and Turenne was left with but a few regiments to hold the newly
+      acquired territory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you wish for leave, Campbell?&rdquo; Turenne asked Hector. &ldquo;You had but a
+      few days in your new lordship, and have a right to spend at least a
+      portion of the winter there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thank you, marshal, but I have no idea of leaving you. You have been
+      good enough to say that you will fill up the gaps in my regiment by
+      embodying in it the remains of the regiment of Ardennes, which will bring
+      it up to nearly its former strength. I certainly should not like to be
+      away while the work of fusion is being carried out. The new men must be
+      divided equally among the companies, and the officers so arranged that one
+      of those now appointed shall be attached to each company with two of my
+      own. Then I must see that all so work together as to arrive at the same
+      standard as before. I should have wished that if possible the captains of
+      the Ardennes regiment should be appointed to the new regiment that you are
+      about to form, and that the places of those who fell in action should be
+      filled from my list of lieutenants.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly. You lost five captains, did you not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you send me the names of the five senior lieutenants, I will promote
+      them at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, marshal; that will make all my lieutenants captains. I lost
+      five of them and three second lieutenants.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you will require thirteen more officers.&rdquo; He looked at a list.
+      &ldquo;There are eight belonging to the Ardennes, the rest I will draw from
+      other regiments. There is little fear of their objecting to the exchange,
+      for your corps won such a reputation that all will be glad to join it; I
+      will send you back to Nancy. There are barracks there, and no other
+      troops; and as we are not likely to be disturbed until the spring, you
+      will have plenty of time to bring the regiment up to its former mark.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The winter, indeed, passed quietly. The officers were all greatly pleased
+      when they heard the arrangements Hector had made, by which most of them
+      obtained a step in rank instead of being, as they had feared, passed over
+      by officers belonging to the Ardennes regiment. The battle of Freiburg had
+      shown them the great advantage that had been gained by the steadiness and
+      discipline of their men. They took up the work of drilling again with even
+      more zeal than before, and it was not long before the regiment was
+      restored to its former state of efficiency. The reason why he had sent the
+      regiment back from the Rhine was explained by Turenne to Hector before he
+      started.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The orders from court were,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that I was to retain only the
+      Weimar regiments, and I should have been obliged to send you back with
+      those of Enghien had I not represented to him that it might be of the
+      greatest importance to me to have even one good French regiment within
+      call. We talked it over at some length, and he finally agreed to take upon
+      himself the responsibility of ordering that your regiment should not go
+      beyond Nancy, upon the ground that there were very few troops in Lorraine;
+      and that peasant risings had taken place there, as in other departments,
+      owing to the terrible distress caused by heavy taxation. He has handed to
+      me a paper authorizing you to take such steps as you may think fit, as
+      soon as you receive news of such risings, to aid the civil authorities, if
+      they should take place at any point within reasonable reach. The regiments
+      stationed at Metz will naturally maintain order north of Pont-a-Mousson,
+      while you will send detachments to points south and east of Nancy. You
+      will understand that you are not to move troops on the strength of mere
+      rumours, but only when requests for aid are sent by local authorities.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Indeed, during the winter of 1644-45, as in that preceding it, troubles
+      broke out in many parts of France, and in some the risings of &ldquo;the
+      barefooted ones,&rdquo; as they were called, became for a time very formidable.
+      The rage of the unhappy peasantry was principally directed, as during the
+      Jacquerie, against the nobles, and any chateaux were sacked and burned,
+      all within killed, and terrible excesses committed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In February serious outbreaks took place. A messenger arrived at Nancy
+      with an urgent appeal for help, and Hector took four companies and marched
+      with all speed to the disturbed district. As soon as he reached it he
+      broke up his force, despatching each company in a different direction, his
+      instructions being that any body of armed peasants they might meet were to
+      be dispersed, but, once beaten, were not to be pursued and cut up, and
+      that life was not to be unnecessarily sacrificed. He himself, with one
+      company, marched towards Poissons. He was within a mile of the town when a
+      mounted man, bleeding from several wounds, rode up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The chateau of Blenfoix has been attacked by two hundred peasants,&rdquo; he
+      said. &ldquo;My lady and a dozen retainers are holding a tower, but they cannot
+      long resist; even now the place may have been captured. I broke my way
+      through, and, hearing that there were troops in this direction, I have
+      galloped at full speed to implore your aid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How far is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About ten miles.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You hear, de Mieville; bring the men on with all speed. I will gallop
+      forward with my troopers and do what I can. Do I go straight along the
+      road?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, nine miles hence you will see the chateau on an eminence a mile
+      away to the right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Followed by his troopers and Paolo, Hector dashed off at full speed. In
+      three quarters of an hour, at a turn of the road, they caught sight of the
+      chateau. Flames were pouring through most of the windows.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, lads,&rdquo; he said to the men, &ldquo;we have got long odds to face, but there
+      is a lady to be rescued, and if any men can accomplish it we will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The chateau was partly castellated, the new portion having been built
+      against what had formerly been a small castle. On its summit a flag was
+      still flying. Riding on at the top of their speed they soon saw a number
+      of men swarming round a gate which opened into the older portion of the
+      building.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Put your pistols in your belts, lads. Don't use them if you can help it,
+      but trust to your swords. Cut your way through that crowd. Ride in at the
+      gate, and dismount at the door leading up to the turret. Then do you,
+      Macpherson and Hunter, cover our rear while we fight our way up the steps.
+      Follow us as we go, and if you want aid, shout and we will come down to
+      you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On hearing the sound of the galloping hoofs the peasants for a moment made
+      a movement of retreat, but when they saw that the six horsemen were alone,
+      they began to gather courage, and again waved their arms, which were
+      mostly axes, or poles to which scythes or billhooks were attached. Riding
+      three abreast, the horsemen burst in among them, hewing and hacking with
+      their swords; and the crowd, unable to resist the impetus of the charge,
+      opened a way for them, and in a moment they had passed through the gate. A
+      group of men round an open door that marked the position of the turret
+      stairs, scattered with cries of alarm as they galloped up. In a moment
+      they sprang from their horses and entered the doorway. The stairs were
+      narrow, and but one man could mount and use his weapons at a time. They
+      were, however, densely packed with men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector sprang up, closely followed by the others. The resistance was
+      feeble, for the height above the winding steps was but six feet, and
+      insufficient for the use of either axes or longer weapons. Many of the
+      peasants, astounded at seeing the armed men mounting from below them, and
+      wholly ignorant of their numbers, threw down their weapons and cried for
+      mercy. Hector contented himself with pushing past them, and running his
+      sword through any who showed signs of resistance. One or two men armed
+      with rough pikes made a stand; these he shot, and pressed upwards until
+      within some twenty feet of the top, when the peasants, half maddened at
+      finding themselves caught, rushed down in a body. &ldquo;Close up!&rdquo; he shouted
+      to his followers. These pressed close up to him, but the weight was too
+      much for them, and they were borne by the rush backwards down the stairs,
+      when the peasants darted out through the door. Hector had received several
+      knife cuts on the shoulder and arms, and would have suffered still more
+      severely had not Paolo and Nicholl, who were next to him, thrust their
+      pistols over his shoulder and shot his assailants, whose bodies, borne
+      along by the pressure from behind, protected him from the blows of those
+      above them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you hurt badly, master?&rdquo; Paolo exclaimed as they stood breathless for
+      a moment at the bottom of the stairs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I think not; my gorget saved my neck; I have four or five cuts on the
+      shoulders, but they are mere flesh wounds. Now let us mount the stairs;
+      the men must have made a stout defence indeed to have held out so long.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The upper part of the stairs was indeed almost blocked with dead bodies.
+      At the top of the stairs stood two men with axes, which they lowered as
+      soon as they saw Hector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have made a brave stand,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;in defence of your mistress.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have arrived but just in time, monsieur, for we are the last two
+      left, and though we might have accounted for a few more, another five
+      minutes would have finished it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Stepping out on the platform at the top of the tower, Hector saw a lady
+      leaning against the battlements; she was deadly pale, but her face still
+      bore a look of calm determination. In her hands she held a dagger;
+      clinging to her was a girl of some fifteen years of age.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank God, madam, that we have arrived in time!&rdquo; Hector exclaimed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just in time, monsieur; we had given up all hope, when, as if sent by
+      God, we saw your little band appear riding towards us. Even then I hardly
+      ventured to hope; it seemed well nigh impossible that six men should be
+      able to clear a way through so many. Only two of my faithful retainers
+      still held the stairs, and it was but too evident that these could not
+      resist much longer; when one more had fallen I had resolved to plunge this
+      dagger into my daughter's heart and then into my own. Death would have
+      been a thousand times preferable to falling into the hands of these
+      wretches.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long have you been beleaguered, madam?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My men have been fighting for four hours. For upwards of three hours they
+      did well, for the peasants, being unable to use their weapons, frequently
+      drew back. Then they hit upon the device of fastening a hook to the end of
+      a pole, and, catching this round the leg of one of the defenders, dragged
+      him down, and then despatched him with their knives. One by one four of my
+      men were killed. For the last half hour the two who remained stood back,
+      one at each side of the doorway, so that they could not be so entrapped,
+      and slew those who, mounting the stairs, tried to rush past them. Both
+      were sorely spent, and the end must have come soon had you not appeared.
+      Whom have I to thank for this unlooked for deliverance?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar,&rdquo; Hector replied, &ldquo;and have the
+      honour to command his majesty's regiment of Poitou.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your name is not French,&rdquo; the lady said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, madam, I am a Scotchman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then,&rdquo; the lady said, speaking in English, &ldquo;I must claim you as a
+      countryman, for I am Irish. My husband was an officer in the army of the
+      Duke of Lorraine; he was killed in a skirmish four years ago, and a year
+      later I married the Baron of Blenfoix, and was again widowed at the battle
+      of Freiburg, where my husband, who had followed the fortunes of the Duke
+      of Lorraine, his feudal lord, fell fighting by the side of General Merci.
+      This is my daughter Norah. But I see that you are wounded,&rdquo; she went on as
+      Hector bowed to the young lady.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not seriously, madam; but I feel somewhat faint from loss of blood, and
+      will remove my helmet. As it turned out,&rdquo; he went on somewhat faintly, &ldquo;it
+      was unfortunate that I did not put on my body armour; but I had not
+      anticipated hard fighting, and preferred to ride without it. Thanks for
+      your offer, lady, but my men will see to me, they are all of them pretty
+      well accustomed to the bandaging of wounds.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He was now, indeed, almost too faint to stand, and Paolo and Nicholl
+      seated him against a battlement, and then proceeded to take off his upper
+      garments and examine his wounds. They were all at the back of the
+      shoulder, as his assailants, pressed closely against him, were unable to
+      strike him in front. The lady tore some strips off her garment and
+      assisted in bandaging the wound, being, as she said, well accustomed to
+      such matters.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is all quiet on the stairs?&rdquo; Hector inquired of the two men whom he had
+      placed on guard there.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Save for the sound of some groans all is still, colonel,&rdquo; Hunter replied.
+      &ldquo;Methinks that after being withstood for four hours by six retainers they
+      are not likely to make a fresh attempt against six well armed men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are they doing, Macpherson?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are gathered in front of the chateau, sir. A large number of things
+      were dragged out before the flames reached them, and at present they seem
+      to be quarrelling over the division of them. They have got some barrels of
+      wine out of the cellars and are making free with them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So much the better,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;The company will be up in half an hour
+      at latest, and will give them a lesson unless they move away before that;
+      and now that they have taken to drinking they are not likely to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The bandaging of his wounds being now completed, Hector was assisted to
+      his feet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I grieve, madam,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that I did not arrive in time to prevent the
+      chateau being burned.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The loss is not mine; my husband's estates were confiscated when he
+      crossed into Germany with the duke, and were some ten months ago granted
+      to a Monsieur de Thours, a relative of the Prince of Conde; but he sent me
+      a courteous letter to say that as he was serving with the Duc d'Enghien, I
+      was welcome to continue to occupy the chateau until the war was over,
+      receiving the rents as his chatelaine, paying the retainers, and keeping
+      up the establishment, and sending the surplus to his agents at Nancy. This
+      I was glad to do, for, indeed, had it not been for his kind offer my
+      daughter and I would scarcely have known whither to go, as my husband
+      expended his last crown in equipping a force for the service of the duke.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this moment Macpherson exclaimed:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see the head of a company mounting the slope, colonel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and there is Captain Mieville. Ah! he has halted the men, and is
+      riding forward alone to take in the situation. I hope that the peasants
+      won't catch sight of him.&rdquo; When Mieville reached a point where he could
+      obtain a view of the front of the chateau he checked his horse, and after
+      surveying the scene for a minute rode back to the company. A movement was
+      at once visible.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is extending them on each side,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;That is good. He is
+      going to inclose the peasants, and as from the slope in the ground they
+      cannot see the troops until they are within a hundred yards, he will catch
+      them in a trap.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The company moved round, in fact, until they had formed almost a
+      semicircle, then they advanced, closing in as they neared the house. When
+      they reached the spot where they could be seen by the peasants a trumpet
+      sounded and they ran in. The peasants, bewildered at seeing the line of
+      soldiers closing in around them, hesitated. Some were already too drunk to
+      rise from the ground on which they had thrown themselves, the others
+      caught up their arms and ran together. Retreat was impossible, for behind
+      them was the burning house. Suddenly a stream of fire burst from the
+      semicircle of troops. Some thirty of the insurgents fell, the others threw
+      down their arms and fell upon their knees crying for mercy. The troops
+      were rushing forward to finish their work, when Hector shouted &ldquo;Halt!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;De Mieville,&rdquo; he said, as the officer rode up towards the tower, &ldquo;do not
+      shed more blood. Thirty at least have fallen in their attack on this
+      turret, besides those who have been killed by your fire. Take the rest,
+      disarm them all, let the men cut some stout switches and give every man
+      twenty blows well laid on the back, and then let them go. Before you do
+      so, send a dozen of them to clear the staircase and to draw some buckets
+      of water from the well and sluice the steps down. Paolo, do you run down
+      and find a vessel of some sort and a goblet or horn, and bring up some
+      wine from one of those barrels. The ladies sorely need something after
+      what they have gone through, and I myself shall be all the better for it,
+      for the loss of blood has given me a raging thirst.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo had no difficulty in carrying out the order. The rioters had brought
+      out several pails for holding the wine, a score of silver cups and other
+      vessels lay where they had been dropped when the soldiers appeared, and
+      the officer had placed two men on guard over them. Paolo thoughtfully
+      brought up a pail of water as well as of wine. The ladies drank a little
+      wine and water, while Hector took a long draught, and made the two
+      retainers who had fought so stoutly, and his own men, do the same. In half
+      an hour the staircase was cleared and washed down, and the party then
+      descended. The baroness had told Hector that for the present at any rate
+      she would go to Nancy, and would report to the new lord's agents there
+      what had happened, and doubtless he would send a man to take charge of the
+      place.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;These cups,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;were all the personal property of my husband, and
+      I am therefore free to take them. Many of them have been in his family for
+      a very long time. Their sale will enable me to live until I can form some
+      plans for the future.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The several silver vessels were collected and wrapped up ready for
+      transport in some of the hangings that the rioters had torn down. An
+      outhouse adjoining the keep was cleared out and thickly spread with rushes
+      for the accommodation of the baroness and her daughter. The troops had
+      already had a very long march, and it was out of the question that they
+      could return to Nancy that night. Fires were lighted in front of the
+      house, and the soldiers prepared to bivouac there. Three of the troopers
+      were sent off with orders to the captains of the other three companies to
+      concentrate the next morning at a village on the line that would be taken
+      on their return march. Some men were sent down to the little town of
+      Blenfoix to purchase bread and meat, together with torches and other
+      necessaries. At nightfall Hector posted sentinels, as he considered it
+      quite possible that the peasants would raise the country for some distance
+      round and try to take vengeance for the loss they had suffered. When Paolo
+      took some supper round to the two ladies, he returned with a message that
+      they hoped Colonel Campbell would join them in their meal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;See that the sentries are on the alert, Mieville,&rdquo; he said as he got up
+      from the fire round which he and the three officers were sitting; &ldquo;you
+      must remember that these poor fellows are desperate. Of course you and I
+      know that they can do themselves no good by attacking castles and burning
+      chateaux, but were we in their place&mdash;famished, despairing, and
+      ignorant&mdash;we should doubtless do the same. And although, with men as
+      well disciplined as ours, there would be little chance of the peasants
+      overpowering us, they may trust in their numbers, and would believe that
+      if they could destroy us, the whole country might well rise and join them.
+      Should there be any sign of trouble, call me instantly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Two sentries had been placed at the door of the outhouse, and as he
+      entered Hector said, &ldquo;Keep good watch, men, and if you hear any noise that
+      might betoken the approach of a body of men, warn me at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I heard what you said to the sentries, Colonel Campbell; do you think
+      that there is any danger?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No danger, I trust, madam, for I am convinced that we could beat off any
+      number. Still, I do think that there is a possibility of our being
+      attacked. The peasants know that we are but a company. They may send to
+      all the villages round and call on them to come and revenge those who have
+      been slain. The people of the hills are strong fellows&mdash;wood cutters,
+      charcoal burners, and shepherds&mdash;and there can be no doubt that they
+      suffer terribly from the enormous taxation. I have seen it on my own
+      estate in Poitou, and can make every allowance for them. In many cases the
+      amounts they are adjudged to pay are absolutely greater than their whole
+      income. They are forced to live upon bread made of bran and sawdust, to
+      eat acorns and beechnuts; they are gaunt with hunger; they see their
+      children dying before their eyes. They know not how their sufferings
+      arise, they only know that they suffer, and in their despair they turn
+      like hungry wolves against all who are better off than themselves.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And your people, are they suffering as much as these, monsieur?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not quite so much, perhaps, but they are suffering. I have spent but a
+      fortnight on my estates, of which I have only been master for a year.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And could you do nothing for them, monsieur?&rdquo; the girl asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did what I could, mademoiselle. I remitted half their rents, which was
+      in fact but a small thing, seeing that I knew positively they could not
+      have paid them. Still it was no doubt some alleviation to know that the
+      arrears were not being piled up against them. As to the other half, I told
+      my intendant not to press any whom he thought could not pay, and that if
+      he drew enough to pay his own salary and the wages of the retainers I
+      should be content&mdash;for my pay as colonel is ample for my own wants.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very young to be a colonel, Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; the baroness
+      said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very young; but I have had singularly good fortune, and have been happy
+      enough to please both Marshal Turenne and the Duc d'Enghien.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you have served under them both?&rdquo; she said in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have had that good fortune. I was with Turenne for nearly four years in
+      Italy, and fought under Enghien at Rocroi, and I may say under both of
+      them at Freiburg.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is the name of your regiment, monsieur?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Poitou regiment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; she exclaimed. &ldquo;Of course, we have heard all the particulars of
+      the battle; and it was said that General Merci would have beaten Monsieur
+      Turenne back had it not been for the Poitou regiment, commanded by a
+      Scottish colonel, and said to be the finest under the command of the
+      French generals. They say it stood for three hours against the attacks of
+      the whole Bavarian army.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We were in a strong position,&rdquo; Hector said quietly, &ldquo;at the mouth of a
+      defile, so that no more than our own numbers could attack us at once.
+      However, I am proud of the conduct of my men; none could have fought more
+      steadily than they did.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My husband was killed in the battle against Enghien's army on the hill. I
+      am glad that it was not by your regiment, monsieur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad too, madam.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;These wars are terrible, and we of Lorraine&mdash;lying between France
+      and Germany&mdash;suffer whichever wins. Fortunately we lie at a distance
+      from the roads that the armies follow, and therefore have escaped the
+      devastation caused all along the line of march. Nevertheless we have the
+      sadness of knowing that in the field neighbours must fight against
+      neighbours, and kinsmen against kinsmen, for since the duke fled many of
+      our nobles, seeing that the country has now become part of France, have
+      joined her, while others, like my husband, followed the duke into Germany.
+      However, as an Irishwoman it matters little to me now which is the
+      victor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think of returning home, madam?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As to that, I have not yet made up my mind. The land there is as
+      distracted as is France by civil war. It is sixteen years since I left
+      Ireland with my husband, a few months after our marriage. I was an orphan,
+      and have no near relations to whom I can go, therefore it matters little
+      to me whether I live in France or Ireland, so that I can see some way of
+      earning my own living and that of my daughter. With economy, the sale of
+      the silver would suffice to keep us for three or four years, and long
+      before that I hope that I shall be able in some way to earn my living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector sat silent for two or three minutes. &ldquo;It seems to me, madam,&rdquo; he
+      said at last, &ldquo;that it would be better that you should not spend the
+      proceeds of your silver before looking for a post. I can offer you one at
+      once, if you will accept it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You, monsieur!&rdquo; she exclaimed in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam. It is bad for the vassals and tenants of a noble&mdash;even
+      though a newly made one, and on an estate of moderate dimensions&mdash;when
+      their lord is absent, and there is none to look after them save an
+      intendant, whose duty it is to collect as much rent as he is able. Such is
+      the position of my tenants. I am a soldier, and must perforce be absent.
+      What I need greatly is someone who will fill my place in this respect. I
+      have an old friend who is captain of the garrison, and sees to all things
+      in the household; I have an intendant, I believe a worthy young man, who
+      collects my rents and looks to the feeding and needs of the servants and
+      garrison; but I need someone who would interest herself actively in the
+      condition of my tenants, who would be a friend to them in sickness, would
+      give aid from my purse to those who really need it, would send food to the
+      starving, and aid my intendant by advising him as to who are worthy of
+      relief and who are suffering from their own idleness or thriftlessness&mdash;who
+      will, in short, act as I would have my wife act had I one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, madame la baronne if you will honour me by making my home yours so
+      long as I am away at the wars, which may last, for aught I know, for years
+      yet, you will be conferring a great favour upon me. You will have your own
+      suite of apartments, where your meals will be served to you. You will have
+      horses to ride. You will relieve my intendant of the necessity of seeing
+      that the servants perform their duties, and give him more time to devote
+      himself to the business of the estate, and will in fact act as chatelaine,
+      save only in matters connected with the garrison in the defence of the
+      castle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your offer is kind in the extreme, Colonel Campbell, but I could not
+      accept it,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;You are only inventing such an office in order to
+      give a home to me and Norah.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can assure you, madam, that the thought is not a new one to me&mdash;I
+      have often wished that there was a lady in the castle. One who would see
+      after the wives and families of the vassals; and I should feel myself
+      under a real obligation to you if you would fill the place. You see,
+      madam, it would cost me nothing, for food and drink there is in abundance.
+      I have two splendid horses, given me by the Duc d'Enghien, standing idle
+      in their stalls. I shall be happy in knowing that my tenants would be well
+      looked after, and shall be glad indeed that you and your daughter, my
+      countrywomen, should, for the present at any rate, have a home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The tears were streaming down the lady's face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Accept, mother,&rdquo; the girl said, putting her hand on her shoulder. &ldquo;Surely
+      God sent this gentleman to our rescue when we were very near death. Why
+      should we not accept this fresh kindness at his hands?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Her mother looked up. &ldquo;My daughter has chosen for me, Colonel Campbell. I
+      accept your offer with the deepest thankfulness. Were I to refuse now, the
+      time might come when I should be reduced to such straits that for my
+      daughter's sake I should bitterly regret that I had refused your generous
+      offer; therefore I accept it, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not wish you to see it in that light,&rdquo; he said with a smile. &ldquo;At
+      best it is but an arrangement for our mutual advantage, and I, on my part,
+      thank you and mademoiselle most heartily for falling in with my wishes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XV: THE BATTLE OF MARIENTHAL
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      The decision had scarcely been made when one of the lieutenants ran in.
+      &ldquo;Captain Mieville requests me to state that sounds have been heard in the
+      forest, and that he believes there is a large body of men approaching.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, ladies, I must beg you to mount the stairs to the turret at once. I
+      will place six men on guard there. The main body I must keep in front of
+      the chateau, as that affords a protection to our rear. Do not be alarmed.
+      I do not think the place is likely to be attacked; but should it be, the
+      six men could hold it for any time. As soon as I have beaten the main body
+      I will at once attack those who may be assailing the turret, though I
+      hardly think that they will do so, for they know that there is nothing to
+      be obtained that would in any way repay them for the loss that they would
+      suffer. They are marching here for the purpose of attacking us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He called to the two sentries.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;See the ladies up the stairs to the turret, and take up your post on the
+      lower stairs. Four more men shall join you at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He found that Mieville had already got all the men under arms, and had
+      ranged them between the bivouac fires and the still glowing chateau.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Move your men along farther, Mieville. Let your left flank rest on the
+      angle of the old castle, then we shall not be made anxious by another
+      attack on the turret. Let the right flank rest upon the chateau where the
+      old castle joins it. We shall then be in darkness, while the assailants,
+      if they come from that side, will have to cross the ground lit up by the
+      glow from the ruins. Let the centre of the line be some ten yards in front
+      of the building; let the line be two deep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as this disposition was made he called down the six men, as they
+      were no longer required to defend the staircase.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, men,&rdquo; he said when all were formed up, &ldquo;I need not admonish soldiers
+      who were so firm under the attack of the whole of the Bavarian army of the
+      necessity for steadiness. I have no doubt that if we are attacked it will
+      be in considerable force; but it will be by half armed peasants, and there
+      probably will not be a gun among them. But even peasants, when worked up
+      into a state of excitement are not to be despised. My orders are: The
+      front rank shall continue firing until they are close at hand, and shall
+      then fix bayonets. Until this is done the second line are not to fire a
+      shot; but as soon as the front rank are ready to repel the enemy with
+      fixed bayonets, you will begin. Don't throw a shot away, but continue
+      loading and firing, as quickly as you can; and unless very closely
+      pressed, let no man empty his musket until his comrade on the right has
+      reloaded, so that there will always be some shots in reserve. Should they
+      rush on in spite of the fire, I shall give the order, 'Empty your muskets
+      and fix bayonets,' and we will then charge them. Hunter, you and your
+      three comrades and Paolo will keep close to me, and if we find the men
+      wavering at any point we will go to their assistance. If, however, we
+      charge, remember that you six men I told off to guard the turret are at
+      once to pass through the gates and take up your post on the steps, for
+      some of them may slip in behind us and endeavour to rush up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The horses, that had been turned loose when Hector and the troopers
+      mounted the steps, had been seized by the peasants, and tied up to some
+      trees close by when the latter began to feast. They had been recovered
+      when the insurgents were scattered by Mieville's company and had then been
+      placed in the courtyard of the castle. As soon as the alarm was given,
+      Hector, the four troopers, and Paolo had mounted. The three officers were
+      also on horseback.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In case the company charges, Mieville,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;we nine mounted men can
+      cover the rear and charge any of the insurgents who try to rush in and
+      take them in the rear. I hope that we shall keep them off with our
+      musketry fire; but I don't disguise from myself that if they fall upon us
+      at close quarters we shall have to fight hard. Ah, here they come!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Suddenly in the darkness from the other side of the chateau a great crowd
+      of men poured out, shouting and yelling furiously, and brandishing their
+      rough weapons, which shone blood red in the glow of the fire in the ruins.
+      Someone had evidently been placed on the watch, and had told them where
+      the troops had taken up their post, for they came on without hesitation,
+      bearing outwards until they faced the centre of the line, at a distance of
+      fifty yards; then one of the men, who appeared to be the leader, shouted
+      an order, and they rushed impetuously forward. The front line at once
+      opened fire. Many of the peasants dropped, while the others hesitated a
+      little, and so gave the men who had first fired time to reload; but, urged
+      on by the shouts of their leaders, the peasants again rushed forward.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Fire a volley, and then fix bayonets!&rdquo; Hector shouted. The fifty muskets
+      flashed out, and as the peasants were but fifteen yards away every shot
+      told, and their front rank was completely swept away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Every other man in the second line fire!&rdquo; Hector ordered, and twenty-five
+      shots added to the confusion among the peasants. The slaughter, however,
+      only had the effect of maddening the great crowd, who numbered upwards of
+      two thousand, and with a howl of fury they rushed forward again. Hector
+      waited until they almost touched the row of bayonets, and then gave the
+      order for the remaining men to fire and all to fix bayonets. The instant
+      this was done he shouted &ldquo;Charge!&rdquo; for he saw that while standing quiet
+      his men were no match for the peasants, whose long poles with the scythes
+      at the end gave them great advantage over the shorter weapons of the
+      soldiers. With a cheer the latter threw themselves upon their opponents,
+      their close formation and more handy weapons depriving their enemies of
+      this advantage. Thrusting and overthrowing all in front of them, the line
+      burst its way through the mob, the little party of cavalry charging
+      furiously whenever the peasants endeavoured to fall upon their rear, and
+      the latter, boldly as they fought against the infantry, shrank back before
+      the flashing swords and the weight of horses and riders.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as they had passed through the crowd Hector gave the order for his
+      troops to face about, and they again burst their way through the mob that
+      had closed in behind them. Four times was the manoeuvre repeated, the
+      resistance growing fainter each time, as the peasants found themselves
+      unable to withstand the charge of the disciplined troops. When for the
+      fifth time they reached the gate of the castle the crowd no longer pressed
+      upon their rear, but stood hesitatingly some fifty yards away. Hector took
+      advantage of the pause, and ordered his men, who were panting from their
+      exertions, to load again. He formed them in single line now.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't fire a shot until I give the word,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;then pour in your
+      volley, fix bayonets instantly, and charge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Standing in the shade as they did, the movement of loading was unobserved
+      by the peasants, who, as they saw the line again advancing, prepared to
+      meet them, but gave a yell of surprise when a terrible volley was poured
+      into them at a distance of twenty yards. Then, before they had recovered
+      from their surprise, the long line was upon them with levelled bayonets.
+      Only a few stood their ground. These were instantly overthrown. The rest,
+      throwing away their weapons, fled in all directions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank God that is over!&rdquo; Hector said, as he told the troops to halt and
+      reload. &ldquo;If they had all been as courageous as their leader they would
+      have annihilated us, but each time we charged I observed that a
+      considerable number fell away on either flank, so that it was not a solid
+      mass through which we had to make our way. What is our loss, Mieville?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I rode along the line and counted the numbers. There are but seventy-five
+      on foot,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and most of these have got more or less severe wounds
+      with their ugly weapons.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let the ground over which we have passed be carefully searched,&rdquo; he said,
+      &ldquo;and any of our men who show signs of life be carried in front of the
+      chateau.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Twelve men were found to be living; their wounds were at once attended to
+      and bandaged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think most of them will do,&rdquo; Captain Mieville said. &ldquo;They are ugly
+      looking gashes, but it is not like a bullet in the body.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The men who had been killed were found in most cases to have been slain
+      outright from the blows of hatchets, which had in several cases completely
+      severed their heads. While the wounds of the soldiers were being attended
+      to, Hector went to the gate at which the baroness and her daughter were
+      now standing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are unhurt, I hope,&rdquo; the lady said as Hector approached.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have two or three more wounds,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but, like those I had before,
+      they are of little account.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was a terrible fight,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We watched it from the top of the
+      turret, and it seemed to us that you were lost each time you plunged into
+      the crowd, you were so few among such numbers. Have you lost any men?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have only had thirteen killed outright,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Twelve more are
+      very seriously wounded, but I think most of them will recover. As to the
+      rest of the company, I fancy that most of them will require some
+      bandaging. And now I shall recommend you and your daughter to return to
+      your shelter. I have no fear whatever of their coming back again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That we cannot do,&rdquo; she said firmly. &ldquo;It is our duty to do what we can to
+      aid those who have fought so bravely.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The men are now attending to each other's wounds,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;Every
+      man in my regiment carries, by my orders, a couple of bandages. We found
+      them most useful at Freiburg, and many a life was saved that would have
+      been lost but for their use; but if you insist upon doing anything, I
+      would ask you to carry wine and water round. The troopers will draw the
+      water for you from the well in the courtyard here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That we will do willingly,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For the next two hours the ladies were busy at work, moving among the men
+      and supplying them with refreshments. Not until all their wants were amply
+      supplied did they retire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the morning Hector said: &ldquo;Now, Madame de Blenfoix, I have been thinking
+      the matter over, and consider that it would be a wholly unnecessary
+      journey and a loss of four days were you to travel to Nancy with us. You
+      are only ten days' journey from Poitou, and I should advise you to start
+      at once. My man, Paolo, and two of the troopers will accompany you as an
+      escort. Your road will lead through Orleans, which will be almost halfway,
+      and you will also pass through Tours. At both these towns you can, if you
+      will, stay for a day to rest. I will ride down with you into Blenfoix,
+      where I shall be able to get paper and pens, and will write letters to
+      Captain MacIntosh and to my intendant explaining exactly the position that
+      you will occupy. One of the troopers will ride forward with these from
+      your last halting place before you arrive there, in order that you may
+      find everything prepared and be received properly on your arrival. Do you
+      both ride, or would you rather have a pillion's place behind the
+      troopers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We both ride,&rdquo; she said; &ldquo;but I should prefer, on a journey like this,
+      that my daughter should ride behind me on a pillion. You are altogether
+      too good, Colonel Campbell. You are heaping kindnesses upon us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all, madam. And now you will doubtless be glad to hear that in
+      searching round the place this morning, we have discovered that two of
+      your horses that had doubtless been turned loose by the peasants have
+      found their way back. No difficulty will therefore arise on that score.
+      The saddles are hanging from the beams in the stable, so that everything
+      is in readiness for your departure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A quarter of an hour later the whole party left the ruined chateau, the
+      troops taking their way to the point at which they had left the road,
+      while Hector with his four troopers and Paolo rode down into Blenfoix with
+      the ladies. Here the baroness purchased a few necessaries for the journey
+      while Hector was writing his letters. Hunter and Macpherson were to form
+      their escort, and were by turns to lead the spare horse, which on
+      alternate days was to carry the double burden. Paolo carried the purse,
+      which contained a sum ample for the expenses of the journey. When all was
+      ready the adieus were said, and the baroness repeated the heartfelt thanks
+      of her daughter and herself for the kindness shown them. Paolo took his
+      place beside the ladies, the two troopers fell in behind, and they started
+      west, while Hector with the other two troopers galloped off to overtake
+      his company.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At Joinville they found that de Thiou's company had just marched in, but
+      it was not until the next day that the other two returned. All had met
+      with scattered bodies of peasants, but these had dispersed as soon as the
+      troops were seen, and there had been no actual fighting except with the
+      parties Hector had met. The bodies of the soldiers that had fallen were
+      buried near the chateau. Those of the peasants were left where they lay,
+      and would doubtless be carried off by their friends as soon as the latter
+      knew that the troops had left. The lesson had been a severe one indeed,
+      upwards of two hundred and eighty being killed in the two encounters. The
+      insurgents were completely disheartened by their loss, and during the rest
+      of the winter the aid of the troops was not again called for.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as spring set in, the Poitou regiment marched to join the marshal.
+      The Bavarian army had been weakened by the withdrawal of four thousand men
+      to aid the Imperialists, who had been defeated by the Swedes in Bohemia.
+      Turenne, on hearing the news, at once prepared to take advantage of it,
+      crossed the Rhine on a bridge of boats at Spires, and passed the Neckar,
+      General Merci retiring before him. Stuttgart opened its gates, and Turenne
+      established himself at Marienthal on the river Tauber. Merci, as he fell
+      back, had caused a rumour to be spread that he was making for the Danube.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a great scarcity of forage in the country round Marienthal, and
+      the officers of the cavalry strongly urged upon Turenne that they should
+      divide and take up stations at various points where they could obtain food
+      for their animals, which were much exhausted by their long and heavy
+      marches. Turenne for some time resisted their entreaties, but at last,
+      seeing that the cavalry would speedily be ruined unless they could obtain
+      food, permitted this course to be taken. Before allowing them to leave,
+      however, he sent parties of horse forward in various directions to
+      discover what the enemy were doing. These returned with the news that the
+      Bavarian army had broken up, and was fortifying itself in the towns among
+      which it had been divided. Turenne, however, was still apprehensive. He
+      kept his cannon and the greater part of the infantry with him, and also
+      General Rosen with a portion of his horse, and refused to let the rest of
+      the cavalry go farther than three leagues from the army. He himself rode
+      out with a regiment of cavalry some ten miles beyond Marienthal, along the
+      road by which the Imperialists would advance were they to assemble to
+      attack him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At two o'clock the next morning a party he had sent to watch the Bavarians
+      brought in the news that Merci was advancing with all his force. Rosen was
+      ordered to hurry forward to the spot where the advanced division was
+      lying. Messengers were sent off in all directions to recall the scattered
+      cavalry, and having seen that everything had been done to place affairs in
+      a better position, Turenne rode off with what troops he could gather to
+      aid Rosen. The latter had made a serious blunder. In front of the position
+      held by the advanced division was a large wood, through which the
+      Bavarians must pass. Instead of taking possession of this and holding it
+      until reinforcements came up, he fell back, drew up his troops on the
+      plain, and allowed the Bavarians to occupy the wood without resistance.
+      With the troops which arrived with him, the marshal had now under him some
+      three thousand infantry and seven regiments of horse. He placed his
+      infantry on his right with two squadrons to support them; with the rest of
+      his cavalry, he formed his left wing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He himself took the command here. Rosen commanded on the right. Merci,
+      after passing through the wood, drew up his army in order of battle and
+      opened fire on the French. The artillery, however, in no way shook their
+      firmness, and seeing more troops in the distance advancing to reinforce
+      them, Merci began the battle by an attack on a little wood on which the
+      French right rested; while at the same time Turenne charged the Bavarian
+      right wing with his cavalry, broke it up, and captured the cannon and
+      twelve standards. But while on this side the victory was almost won, on
+      the other side disaster had befallen the French. Their infantry,
+      perceiving that the Bavarians, who were advancing to attack them, were
+      much superior in force, were seized with a panic and scattered in all
+      directions. The left wing of the Bavarians advanced rapidly, and, throwing
+      themselves behind Turenne's wing, prepared to fall upon him in the rear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne ordered his cavalry to retire, and passing through the wood found
+      beyond it three regiments that had just arrived. These with the fifteen
+      hundred horse that had been with him in the battle placed him in a
+      position to make a vigorous defence, but the Bavarians did not venture to
+      attack him. He now sent an officer to rally the scattered infantry, and
+      gave orders that they should at once retreat without a stop to
+      Philippsburg, a distance of seventy miles. He himself with his cavalry
+      started for Hesse, whose landgravine was in alliance with France. With two
+      regiments he covered the retreat, and so enabled the rest of the cavalry
+      as they came up from their distant quarters to cross the Tauber. This was
+      a bold and successful movement, for had he fallen back with his infantry
+      to Philippsburg the enemy would have possessed themselves of all the towns
+      he had captured, whereas they could not now advance without exposing their
+      line of communication to his attack.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Poitou regiment had, when Turenne advanced to Marienthal, been left at
+      a town some four leagues away. A messenger reached Hector from Turenne
+      with a note scribbled in pencil:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We have been beaten. The infantry behaved shamefully, and are hastening, a
+      crowd of stragglers, towards Philippsburg. I shall retire along the Tauber
+      with the cavalry and make for Hesse, do you march with all speed for that
+      river. If as you approach the river you hear that we have already passed,
+      do you direct your march to Hesse. I leave the choice of route to you, and
+      you must be guided by circumstances. At any rate you are unlikely to be
+      attacked except by cavalry, and these, if not in too great numbers, you
+      may be trusted to beat off.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ten minutes after the receipt of this order the regiment was on the march.
+      They arrived on the Tauber just in time, for a quarter of an hour after
+      they had piled arms, after a tremendous march, the cavalry came along.
+      They were in scattered parties, for the roads were terribly bad, and they
+      were obliged to break up and make their way as best they could by mere
+      tracks across the rocky and hilly country. Turenne himself, when he
+      arrived, had but twenty horsemen with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hardly expected you to be up in time, Campbell,&rdquo; he said, as he
+      dismounted. &ldquo;Your men must have marched well indeed. As you see, though
+      unbeaten, for we on our side defeated the enemy's horse, we are as much
+      dispersed as if we had suffered a disaster. I am trying to cover the
+      retreat with two regiments of cavalry that were not engaged in the battle.
+      Half an hour since we charged and drove back in confusion a party of
+      Bavarian horse, but they formed up again. The main body is ahead, but is
+      as scattered as we are, for besides the difficulty of keeping together on
+      these horrible roads, it is necessary that we should occupy every track by
+      which the enemy's horse could move, or they might get in front of us and
+      play havoc with us.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will have to march all night, and I should advise you to break up
+      your command into half companies, with orders to each to attach themselves
+      as far as possible to such parties of my two regiments of cavalry as they
+      may come across. We shall not proceed at any great pace, as we must give
+      time for the troops ahead of us to get clear. The horses are utterly worn
+      out, being half starved and fatigued with their march. So far we know not
+      whether the whole of the Bavarian cavalry is behind us, but it is probable
+      that one of their two divisions is pursuing the infantry. I wish you had
+      been there with them. In the first place your example would have prevented
+      their breaking, and in the second you could have covered their retreat. As
+      it is, I fear that but few of the three thousand who were with me will
+      reach Philippsburg. I shall be glad if you yourself will remain near me.
+      If your regiment were going to keep together I would not take you from
+      them, but being broken up into fragments, you could exercise no
+      supervision over them in the darkness.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector at once called the officers together, and gave them the necessary
+      orders. &ldquo;You understand,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that your main object is not so much
+      to save yourselves, though that is most important, but to enable the
+      cavalry to beat back the Bavarian horse.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a terrible march; both horse and foot made their way along with
+      difficulty through the darkness. Men and horses were alike fatigued, and
+      the cavalry for the most part dismounted and led their animals along.
+      There were several sharp fights with bodies of the enemy, who, ignorant of
+      the line by which the French were retreating, feared to press the
+      rearguard too close, lest they should find them in very superior numbers.
+      Once, when they passed a lane running down to the river, Turenne&mdash;who
+      had taken every opportunity of making his way across the line of retreat
+      and seeing how all was going on&mdash;said to Hector, &ldquo;Will you ride up
+      here, Campbell, and cheer up any parties you may come across. Tell them
+      that all is going on well, and that by morning we shall find that the
+      enemy have given up the pursuit, and shall be able to halt and take a few
+      hours' rest, and give battle should the enemy come up in force. Their
+      horses must be as fatigued as ours, for they must have been marching for
+      eight or ten hours since the morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector had only Paolo now with him, having appointed the four troopers to
+      go with different parties of the infantry, and to act as orderlies to
+      their captains. He rode rapidly up the lane, and presently heard the
+      cavalry passing across it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is one party, Paolo,&rdquo; he said, urging his horse into a gallop. In
+      two or three minutes he came up with the column of horse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where is your officer?&rdquo; he asked, drawing rein as he reached them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seize him!&rdquo; a voice cried in German, and before he and Paolo could turn
+      their horses half a dozen troopers were upon them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I surrender,&rdquo; he cried in German, seeing that resistance was impossible.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who are you, monsieur?&rdquo; an officer demanded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am colonel of the Poitou regiment of infantry,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This man is
+      my lackey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are your cavalry, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I cannot tell you exactly, seeing that no one knows. I thought that
+      you formed part of our rearguard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How comes it that you, an infantry officer, were there? We heard that
+      there were no infantry with them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We joined them just before nightfall, and were at once divided up among
+      the various regiments of horse.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must inform our colonel of that. Come along with me,&rdquo; and they pushed
+      past the troopers until they arrived at the head of the column, when the
+      officer reported to the colonel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Donner Blitzen!&rdquo; the latter exclaimed, &ldquo;it is well that we learned this
+      news, for we should have fared very ill if we had come upon horse and foot
+      together. The Poitou regiment! That is the one that we heard beat back our
+      charges so often at Freiburg, and they say the best regiment in the French
+      service. It is no use our going farther; we might well fall into an
+      ambush, and in these lanes they could shoot us down helplessly. We will
+      move on quietly until we get to a place where there is space enough for us
+      to dismount and bivouac. We could not have gone many more miles, for if we
+      did we should be a regiment without horses tomorrow morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They proceeded very slowly and cautiously until, when they came upon an
+      open tract of ground, the colonel ordered them to dismount and sound the
+      trumpets. His regiment, like those of Turenne, had been broken up, and he
+      had but half a squadron with him. In an hour the whole regiment was
+      assembled; a few fires were lighted, but most of the men threw themselves
+      down by their horses and at once went off to sleep. The colonel and his
+      officers sat down at one of the fires, where Hector was requested to join
+      them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose that your regiment took no part in the battle?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir; we were some way from Marienthal, and I received orders only
+      after the day was lost, to join Marshal Turenne and his cavalry on the
+      Tauber. We arrived on the river just at sunset, having marched ten leagues
+      in eight hours. I regret bitterly that my regiment was not on the field,
+      for assuredly they would not have given way. Had they stood, the rest of
+      the infantry would have stood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And in that case you would now be the pursuers,&rdquo; the colonel broke in,
+      &ldquo;for Turenne completely shattered our right wing. Well, sir, it is the
+      fortune of war, and we at least have the honour of having given your
+      marshal a defeat. He is a grand general, but we caught him napping today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was not his fault, sir. General Rosen and his officers insisted so
+      strongly that unless they were allowed to move off in search of forage,
+      the whole army would be disabled by the loss of their horses by hunger,
+      that he was almost forced to comply with their request.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, even so, he made a mistake,&rdquo; the colonel said. &ldquo;If instead of
+      marching to meet us in front of Marienthal he had fallen back directly he
+      had the news of our coming, he could have been joined by all his detached
+      troops before we came up with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He said as much to me tonight,&rdquo; Hector replied; &ldquo;but even the greatest
+      generals are liable to make a mistake sometimes. And, indeed, had General
+      Rosen with the advanced division held the wood in front of them, instead
+      of retiring on to the plain, they should have been able to keep you at bay
+      until all our troops came up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Undoubtedly that was a terrible blunder on his part,&rdquo; the colonel said,
+      &ldquo;and he rather than Turenne is to blame. And now, sir, may I ask how is it
+      that you, who cannot be more than twenty, come to be a colonel, and in
+      command of a regiment?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have been five years an officer, and was fortunate on two occasions to
+      obtain the approval, once of Monsieur de Turenne, and once of the Duc
+      d'Enghien.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I congratulate you, sir. It is seldom indeed that so young an officer has
+      opportunities of distinguishing himself. I myself had seen well nigh
+      thirty years service before I came to command a regiment. And now, sir,
+      will you give me your parole not to attempt to escape?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, sir,&rdquo; Hector replied promptly. He knew that should he refuse
+      four or five troopers would be set to watch him, and even if he evaded
+      these, which was well nigh impossible, he might be recaptured on the
+      following morning, as detachments of the Bavarian horse would be sure to
+      be pressing hard upon Turenne's troops. The pursuit was indeed taken up
+      again during the night, but Turenne succeeded in keeping his pursuers at
+      bay, and reaching the frontiers of Hesse. There he found the infantry and
+      cavalry who had not been engaged already assembled, for they had received
+      orders to march instantly to that spot. He had now with him some four
+      thousand horse and two thousand foot, and was joined by six thousand
+      troops from Hesse and four thousand Swedes. He was thus soon in a position
+      to advance with a much stronger force than that which he commanded before
+      the battle of Marienthal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Bavarian cavalry that had followed him rejoined General Merci at
+      Kirchheim. Hector was with Paolo taken to that place, and upon his refusal
+      to continue his parole, was confined in a prison there, Paolo being
+      allowed at his request to remain with him. He had had an interview with
+      General Merci, who had treated him with much courtesy; for there were
+      Scotch and Irish officers serving in the Imperial army as well as in that
+      of France, and they were held in high esteem for their courage and daring.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The battle of Marienthal was fought on the 2nd of May, and it was late in
+      July before any fresh movements took place. Turenne would willingly have
+      advanced with his army, but his movements were arrested by a peremptory
+      order from Paris, sent on receipt of the news of the defeat, that he was
+      not to take the offensive until joined by Enghien, who had with him a
+      force of eight thousand men. He therefore marched to join the
+      reinforcements, and the two armies met at Spires on the 2nd of July. As
+      before, Enghien was in supreme command, with de Gramont as his lieutenant
+      general. Long conferences took place between these generals: Turenne,
+      General Geis, who commanded the Hessians, and Konigsmark, who commanded
+      the Swedes. The Bavarians were known to be very strongly posted, and to
+      have been reinforced by four thousand Imperialists under the command of
+      General Geis.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was much difference of opinion between them as to the best course to
+      be pursued, but Enghien, who was always in favour of great battles,
+      finally determined so to place the army that the enemy would be forced to
+      come out and fight. He therefore marched to Venecher, captured Wimpfen,
+      and threw a bridge across the river, whereupon General Merci fell back
+      twenty leagues into Franconia. As soon as they had passed the river an
+      occurrence took place that threatened to overthrow all the plans of the
+      campaign. Some hasty words spoken by Enghien so angered the Generals Geis
+      and Konigsmark that they determined to retire at once with the Swedes and
+      Hessians. Turenne was requested by Enghien to endeavour to arrange
+      matters, and by his kind and gentle manner succeeded in conciliating Geis,
+      who consented to remain with the Hessians. Konigsmark, however, as hot
+      tempered as Enghien himself, refused to do so, and with his whole force
+      retired to Bremen, in Lower Saxony.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The French and Hessians marched towards the Tauber, captured Rothenburg
+      and other towns, and thereby obtained a large quantity of provisions and
+      stores; and hearing that the Bavarians were advancing to Nordlingen,
+      marched in all haste to give them battle there.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVI: AN ESCAPE
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      After being confined for a week in the prison at Kirchheim Hector was sent
+      with a number of other prisoners to Ingolstadt. Here he was confined in
+      the castle, a separate room being allotted to him in recognition of his
+      rank, and Paolo was, at his request, allowed to remain with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I cannot but think, master, that we should have done better if you had
+      given your parole not to try to escape. In that case we might have had
+      comfortable quarters in the town instead of this somewhat bare chamber. If
+      there had been a chance of escape it would have been different, but seeing
+      the strength of the castle, methinks there is no prospect whatever of our
+      being able to get out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That remains to be seen, Paolo. I fancy there is always a chance of
+      escape if one does but hit upon the right way. At present we know nothing
+      of the castle or the vigilance of the guard, and no doubt it will take us
+      some little time to find these matters out. The first thing we require is
+      patience. No doubt they will allow me out to take exercise, and like
+      enough, if I give my word that you will return every day at a certain
+      hour, they will allow you to go in to the town, seeing that you can
+      scarcely be called a prisoner, having no military rank or position, but
+      being in their eyes only a lackey. If they will do that it will be a great
+      step gained, for you will be able to bring in anything that we may
+      require. However, I will not ask that you should be permitted to go in and
+      out for some little time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Lose no opportunity of making yourself friendly with some of the
+      soldiers, and if the chance should occur, be useful to any of the
+      officers. The commandant is evidently disposed to be civil, and says that
+      he will grant me any indulgence in his power short of passing the gates of
+      the castle. I have no doubt that when the campaign is over and the army
+      has gone into winter quarters Turenne will offer to exchange some
+      prisoners of the same rank for me. But I have no wish to be cooped up here
+      when perhaps a great battle may be fought. As far as I can see, the
+      difficulty will not be so much in getting out of the castle, but out of
+      the town itself, for this is one of the most strongly fortified places in
+      the empire. One reason why I want you to go into the town is that you may
+      be able to obtain shelter there for us should we find, as I expect we
+      shall, that it is impossible for us to escape from the citadel and town at
+      the same attempt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The place was indeed so strong that but a careless watch was kept over the
+      prisoners in the castle. The soldiers were confined to their quarters save
+      that they were allowed for an hour a day to take exercise in the
+      courtyard, a company of troops being kept under arms while they were out;
+      but the officers were free at all times to wander about. Hector was soon
+      on friendly terms with many of the officers of the garrison, as in his
+      case there was none of the hostile feeling with which the French officers
+      were regarded. His youth, and the singularity of his having so soon
+      attained the rank of colonel, also predisposed them in his favour. It was
+      evident that this young soldier of fortune, unsupported by powerful family
+      interest, must have distinguished himself in an altogether exceptional
+      manner to have obtained the command of one of the best regiments of
+      France.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo was as popular among the sergeants and men as his master was with
+      the officers. As an Italian, and as Hector's lackey, he was not regarded
+      as a prisoner of war; and by his unfailing good humour, his readiness to
+      enter into any fun that might be going on, or to lend a hand in cleaning
+      accoutrements or completing a job that a soldier had left unfinished when
+      his turn came for duty, he became quite a popular character. The colonel
+      who commanded frequently walked with Hector in the courtyard, sent him
+      dishes from his own table, and more than once invited him to dine with
+      him. As he was very curious to learn how his young prisoner had so early
+      attained his rank, Hector one evening gave him a sketch of his career,
+      from the time when Turenne gave him his commission to that at which he was
+      taken prisoner, omitting only the incident of the attempt to assassinate
+      Mazarin.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have certainly been fortunate,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but it is equally certain
+      that you have deserved it. The fact that, in addition to your military
+      duties, you have learned Italian and German, besides transforming a newly
+      raised regiment into one of the best in the French service, shows how
+      assiduous you have been in your work. I trust that when the campaign is
+      over you may be exchanged, and I think it is foolish of you not to give me
+      your parole, for you must know well that you have no chance of escape from
+      here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They say everything comes to those who wait, colonel,&rdquo; Hector laughed,
+      &ldquo;and if I see a chance I shall certainly avail myself of it. Even if no
+      such chance comes I shall still be a gainer by not giving my parole. I am
+      exceedingly comfortable as it is, and can wish for nothing better. The one
+      drawback is that I have nothing to do, except perhaps to improve my
+      German, and it would be just the same if I were living in the town. But if
+      I were on my parole I should lose the amusement of planning methods for
+      escape, which I do unceasingly; but up till now, I may tell you in
+      confidence, I am as far from having hit upon a plan as I was when I
+      entered. By the way, colonel, although it is clear that I cannot be
+      allowed to go outside the castle gate, I should be glad if my lackey could
+      be given leave to do so. He is not a soldier, neither is he a Frenchman,
+      and can scarce be counted as a prisoner of war. He is a willing and
+      cheerful fellow, and would enjoy a run in the city much more than I
+      should. Besides, occasionally I may want a book or some other little thing
+      which I cannot get here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Such as a file, a rope, or a disguise, Colonel Campbell,&rdquo; the commandant
+      laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not thinking of that at present,&rdquo; Hector said smiling. &ldquo;Besides, you
+      can give orders that he can always be strictly searched when he comes in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The colonel shook his head. &ldquo;I will tell you what I will do,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;I
+      will let him have a pass to go in and out at will, if you will give me a
+      promise, on your honour as a soldier, that he shall not bring in anything
+      that can be used by you for facilitating your escape. I would much rather
+      trust to your word than to any search the soldiers might make as your man
+      comes in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, colonel,&rdquo; Hector said cheerfully, though at heart he felt
+      considerably disappointed. &ldquo;I give you my word of honour that he shall
+      bring in nothing that may aid me in making my escape, and I am much
+      obliged to you for letting him have the run of the town.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The colonel at once wrote a pass authorizing Paolo Monti, lackey to
+      Colonel Campbell, to enter and leave the castle at all times when the
+      gates were open.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo laughed when Hector told him the conditions on which the pass was
+      granted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The commandant is a shrewd fellow, master, but he is not quite shrewd
+      enough; he forgot that though I may bring in nothing myself I may be able
+      to arrange with someone else to bring something in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That flashed through my mind at once, Paolo; but at present neither file,
+      rope, nor disguise would be of any use. However, they may be so later. The
+      first thing for you to do when you get this pass will be to make yourself
+      master of the plan of the town and the fortifications, and see if there is
+      any place where you think an escape is possible. But even when you find
+      one, and you think that it might be managed, you must afterwards find a
+      place where I can be hidden for a time, at any rate for a few hours. You
+      see, were I to go out in disguise I must do so in broad daylight, for my
+      supper is served almost directly after the gates are closed; and were I
+      missing there would be a search for me at once, the sentries on the wall
+      would all be warned, and it would be impossible to get past them. If I
+      could get out two or three hours before the gates are closed at nine
+      o'clock I might, as soon as it became dark, attempt to get over the walls
+      before the alarm was given, or I might possibly go out in the same
+      disguise that I left here in, through the city gate and across the
+      bridge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see that, sir, and it seems to me that this would be easier than trying
+      to find a hiding place for you in the town. However, I will set my wits to
+      work. I have been able to think of nothing in here; but one's eyes always
+      help one's wits, and if I were in the town I might see something that
+      would give me an idea how the matter might be set about.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Day after day Paolo went into the town, always returning discouraged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must be growing a downright numbskull,&rdquo; he said one evening in disgust;
+      &ldquo;I have been three weeks at it and no single idea has come to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You need not be discouraged at that, Paolo; it's not such a simple thing
+      to plan an escape from a fortress like this as it was to get into the
+      citadel at Turin, where we also had the advantage of starting with
+      disguises. I can no more think of a disguise in which I can pass the gates
+      than you can. I am a good deal too tall to pass as a woman. My face is
+      perfectly well known to every soldier in the castle, and even if we hit
+      upon a disguise it would be very difficult to get it brought in. It struck
+      me today that if I am to get out it must be in some vehicle that has come
+      in with supplies.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a great idea, master; if I had not been a thick headed fool I
+      should have thought of that before. But at the same time it will not be
+      easy to manage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I quite see that, Paolo; even if the driver were bought over it would be
+      difficult indeed to manage to get into the cart with so many soldiers
+      standing about.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo shook his head.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I don't see that that could be managed at all, master.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He stood thinking a minute.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have it!&rdquo; he exclaimed joyfully. &ldquo;You know, sir, sometimes a train of
+      waggons containing faggots, or flour, or other things, comes in late.
+      Those that are unloaded before the gate is closed go out at once; the
+      others are unloaded that evening, but the empty carts have to remain in
+      the castle till morning, as the great gates are never opened between
+      sunset and sunrise, though officers come in by the postern. Now, if you
+      could manage during the night to slip into one of the waggons, say one
+      that has brought in flour, you might be so covered over by the empty sacks
+      they take out, that no one would dream anyone was hidden there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Capital, Paolo! It is evident that your head is not so thick as you
+      thought it was just now. Yes, I have noticed that as a rule if eight or
+      ten waggons came in together, the full sacks are carried in, and the same
+      number of empty ones are placed in one of the carts, being counted as they
+      are put in. Certainly I could hide myself easily enough if you were there
+      to assist in arranging the sacks as regularly as before over me. As I do
+      not generally get up until eight o'clock, and my first meal is not brought
+      to me till nine, I might be on my way two hours before it was discovered
+      that I was missing. How would you manage?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would get a countryman's suit, master, would go out soon after the
+      gates were open, find some quiet spot where I should have hidden the
+      clothes the day before, and slip them on over my own. Then I would join
+      the carts as they came along. They don't generally begin to harness the
+      horses up till the gates are open, so that I should get a quarter of an
+      hour's start of them, and I should go out with them without question, as
+      it would be thought that I belonged to the party. I should pay for some
+      beer at the first cabaret we come to, and make signs that I wanted a lift
+      in a waggon. I must, of course, pretend to be deaf and dumb, as, although
+      I have picked up a little German since we came into these parts, I could
+      not possibly pass as a countryman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be better still, Paolo, for you to put a blister on to your
+      cheek, then before you join them put a great lump of tow into your mouth,
+      so as to swell your cheek out almost to bursting point, and then tie a
+      bandage round your face; you could then by pointing to it make out that
+      you had so terrible a swelling that you were unable to talk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That would be better certainly, master, indeed, it would be a capital
+      plan. Of course I should get into the waggon in which you were, and
+      gradually shift the sacks so that you could crawl out. When we smuggled
+      you in we would try and put in with you a couple of brace of pistols, and
+      if we were armed with them the carters would not venture to interfere with
+      us. Of course, master, I should have to get a disguise for you. We could
+      never be tramping across the country with you dressed as a French
+      officer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Get something that I could put over the clothes I wear. A long frock,
+      some loose breeches, and rough cloth to wrap round the legs below them,
+      and of course a pair of countryman's shoes. The best plan would be for you
+      to stand treat again at a cabaret a few miles out of the town, get them
+      all in there, then I could slip out of the waggon and throw the sacks back
+      into their place. Of course you would choose some spot where the cabaret
+      either stands alone or is at the end of a village, so that there may be no
+      one standing by, and I could, when I got down, walk quietly back along the
+      road. You can make signs to them that you live hard by, and would leave
+      them there; then if there should be any suspicion that I had escaped in
+      the waggons, and a troop of cavalry were sent in pursuit, the men would be
+      all able to declare that they had seen nothing of me, and so could give no
+      clue whatever that would set them on our track.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, it is quite settled that we will try that way, but it may be some
+      time before the opportunity occurs. However, you may as well get the two
+      disguises and the two brace of pistols, and stow them away somewhere where
+      they are not likely to be found.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There are plenty of places where one can do that, master; there is a row
+      of old trees inside the fortifications, and I warrant that if I cannot
+      find one with a hollow large enough to stow them away in, I can hide them
+      in the branches with small chance of their ever being seen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Another month passed. Paolo made a point of occasionally going out soon
+      after the gates were open, saying casually that his master had a fancy for
+      a bottle of better wine with his breakfast, or that he was going to get
+      some eggs to make an omelette for him. Hector was in no particular hurry,
+      for the news had come that Turenne with his own troops and those of Hesse
+      had, with the Swedes, marched away for the Rhine. It was rumoured that
+      they would be joined by another army, for in no other way could the
+      Imperialists account for Turenne having retired when he had a force at
+      least equal to any that Merci could set in the field against him. Hector
+      saw that at any rate there was no chance of a great battle being fought
+      just then, and felt, therefore, no impatience to be off. Two or three
+      times carts with faggots had been unloaded after the gates were closed,
+      but as they took nothing out, it was impossible for him to conceal himself
+      in them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At last, to his satisfaction, a number of waggons of flour came in late
+      one afternoon, and he determined to carry his plan into execution that
+      night. The storehouses were not in the great court, but in a smaller one
+      off it. Beyond two soldiers at the gate and a sentry at the commandant's
+      door, no guards were kept in the courtyards, though a few sentries were
+      placed upon the walls. Hector had his supper as usual, and Paolo brought
+      in the news that eight of the waggons had not been unloaded in time to go
+      out. A fatigue party of soldiers were now completing the work, which would
+      be finished about nine o'clock. Taking off their boots a little after that
+      hour they went quietly downstairs, then put them on again and boldly
+      crossed the courtyard, for the night was so dark that there was no fear of
+      their figures being perceived.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As they entered the inner yard they again took off their boots and walked
+      up to the carts. In two of these the carters were fast asleep. They passed
+      on quietly, feeling in each cart for the sacks, and were delighted to find
+      that they were all placed in the one farthest up the yard, which would
+      therefore be the last to go out. They were tidily piled in lines side by
+      side at the forward end of the waggon. They cautiously removed the sacks
+      of the middle lines; Hector lay down feet foremost, and Paolo laid the
+      sacks regularly over him till they reached the level of the others. Half a
+      dozen were doubled and packed neatly in at the end, so as to conceal his
+      head and prevent its being noticed that any had been taken out. The rest
+      were distributed evenly, so that the sacks were all as level as before,
+      and no one would have suspected that they had been disturbed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo then returned to Hector's room. As the double sacks closing the
+      orifice at his head had not been packed very tightly, enough air entered
+      for Hector to breathe. He increased the opening somewhat by pressing one
+      of the sacks a little aside, but left it so that he could readily pull it
+      into its position in the morning. As soon as Paolo reached the room he
+      applied a blistering plaster to his cheek and kept it on till he could no
+      longer bear the pain, then he threw himself down on his pallet. But
+      neither he nor his master slept much, Hector being kept awake by the heat
+      and discomfort of his position, and Paolo by the smarting of his cheek. As
+      soon as it was light the latter rose, and sat impatiently waiting for the
+      time when the gates would open. Looking into the courtyard, he could see
+      the troops coming out from their quarters and moving about, then the gates
+      opened, and, tying a bandage over his cheek, he went down and crossed the
+      yard.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are out early,&rdquo; the sergeant of the guard remarked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He nodded. &ldquo;I am nigh mad with pain,&rdquo; he said, pointing to his cheek, &ldquo;and
+      I am going to get some salve from an apothecary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You seem to be bad indeed,&rdquo; the sergeant said commiseratingly, &ldquo;'tis a
+      terrible inflammation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo went down to the spot where he had hidden the bundles in the hollow
+      of a tree. It was an unfrequented place, and slipping his disguise over
+      his clothes, after putting the pistols in his belt, he took the second
+      bundle and returned to a street through which waggons leaving the castle
+      must pass. A few minutes later he saw them coming along. He had already
+      stuffed his cheek full of tow, and several people, struck with the raw and
+      swollen appearance of his face, had compassionately asked him what was the
+      matter. He had simply shaken his head, opened his lips, and pointed to his
+      clenched teeth, signifying that he could not speak. He fell in with the
+      waggons as they came along and passed through the gate without question.
+      When a short distance away from the town he made signs to the driver of
+      the last waggon, that if he would give him a lift in the cart he would pay
+      for some drink. The carter nodded and told him to climb up. After they had
+      gone four miles from the town, they came to a wayside inn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now is the time, master, they are all going in to get some drink. There
+      is no one about.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The waggons all stopped there, for there had been no opportunity for the
+      drivers to obtain refreshments as they passed through the town. All
+      therefore sauntered into the inn, their salutations to the host showing
+      that they were accustomed to stop there. Paolo followed them in, and
+      putting down the money for a large jug of beer, handed it to the carter,
+      and, shaking him by the hand, made a motion that he was going no farther.
+      Then he went back to the end waggon. Hector had already pushed out the
+      bags in front of him and had with great difficulty crawled out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is all right, master, we have a good ten minutes; there is no one
+      about, but you had better keep below the waggon rails until you have got
+      your disguise on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A couple of minutes sufficed for this, then Hector leapt to the ground,
+      while Paolo replaced the sacks in their position; and then together they
+      hurried across some twenty yards of broken ground and entered a wood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was a capitally managed business, Paolo. Now we have to find our way
+      across country. We cannot keep by the river, for it turns away to the
+      south, and would take us far from the point we want to reach. At any rate,
+      for a day or two we must travel at night, after that I think we can
+      venture boldly along&mdash;for it is not likely that the news that a
+      prisoner has escaped will travel very far&mdash;although no doubt a strict
+      search will be kept up for a day or two. I think that for today we had
+      better make our way north, keeping in the woods as much as possible; they
+      are less likely to search for us in that direction than to the west.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They found that the forest was fully two leagues across, and agreed that
+      it was unlikely in the extreme that any attempt would be made to search so
+      extensive an area, where two men could anywhere conceal themselves. Paolo
+      had on the previous afternoon placed a couple of loaves and some cold meat
+      in the bundles, and they now sat down by a little stream and ate a hearty
+      meal, then, crawling into a thick growth of underwood, they lay down to
+      sleep and did not awaken until the sun was setting.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There must be some country tracks through this forest, Paolo. We cannot
+      do better than keep along the edge of the stream until we come to one and
+      then follow it. It is sure, sooner or later, to take us to some small
+      hamlet, and I can go into a cabaret and get a couple of flasks of wine and
+      buy enough bread to last us until tomorrow, and perhaps a sausage, they
+      are not likely to have any other meat in a place of that sort. My German
+      is good enough to pass muster, and even if it sounds strange to their
+      ears, they will merely suppose that I have come from a different part of
+      the country, for the dialects differ greatly from each other.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as it became quite dark they found it impossible to follow the
+      rough ground, and after one or two falls had to stop. Hector said, &ldquo;This
+      won't do, we shall twist an ankle or break a bone if we go on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall we light a fire, master? I have brought flint and steel with me,
+      for I knew that we should want it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, it is better to run no risks; there may be a road near for aught we
+      know, and if anyone passing saw a fire among the trees, he might come to
+      see who had made it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not he, master; there are too many robbers about, deserters from their
+      army, or men who have been ruined by the war. You may be sure that if any
+      belated villager had the courage to go through this forest by night he
+      would, on seeing a fire, hurry on as fast as his legs would carry him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, no doubt you are right, Paolo; and though the night is warm enough
+      the air is damp under this thick covering of leaves, and it will certainly
+      be more cheerful. We will go a short distance among the trees before we
+      light it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Feeling their way&mdash;for it was pitch dark in the forest&mdash;they
+      went on until Hector stumbled over a fallen trunk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is the best place for a halt,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;for here is wood ready to
+      hand. This tree has been lying here for years, I can feel that it is quite
+      rotten.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo set to work&mdash;took a handful or two of the crumbling wood, broke
+      it up into dust, then struck a spark on to the tinder, touched it with a
+      slow match and inserted this into the little pile of wood; a minute's
+      blowing and the flames sprang up. He drew out the slow match and putting
+      his foot upon it placed it in his wallet, then he broke off some more wood
+      and soon had a blazing fire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have enough food left for supper, master, and if I spit some of this
+      cold meat on the ramrod of one of my pistols and hold it over the fire it
+      will be all the more tasty. I wish we had those flasks of wine that you
+      were speaking of. It seems to me that after sleeping for some ten hours we
+      shall find it hard to go off again for some time, even though neither of
+      us got any sleep last night. How furious the governor will be when he
+      finds that you have escaped!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a good fellow,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;and save that he will be annoyed&mdash;because
+      he will be blamed for my escape&mdash;I do not think he will be sorry that
+      I have got off. I left a note for him on the table saying that I was about
+      to make my escape, but that on my honour I had not obtained anything that
+      would aid me, by your assistance, and that you had never brought anything
+      into the castle save what you showed on entering to the guards. I should
+      not like him to think for a moment that I had broken my promise and taken
+      advantage of his kindness. How does your face feel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is mightily sore, but it does not smart as it did at first. I can tell
+      you that I was very glad when I was able to slip that great lump of tow
+      out of my mouth as soon as I entered the forest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't think in future that you need use so large a wad, Paolo; half
+      that size will be ample; and of course you need only slip it into your
+      mouth when we are going through a village, or meet a party likely to
+      question us. As to your cheek, it will be days before that fiery mark
+      disappears.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They talked until nearly midnight, and then lay down and slept till four,
+      by which time day had broken, for it was now the first week in July. After
+      walking for half an hour along the edge of the wood, they came to a track
+      issuing out of it. This they followed, and in about two hours saw a
+      village in front of them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go in and buy the things that we want, Paolo, and do you make a
+      circuit round it. If the news has reached them of our escape they will
+      have been told to look for two men; and the entry of a single countryman
+      will excite no suspicion, for of course no one will know what disguise we
+      have chosen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do not be anxious if I do not come along for half an hour. It will be
+      more natural that I should call for bread and cheese and beer and eat them
+      there; then I can say carelessly that I may as well take some with me to
+      eat later on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are early!&rdquo; the owner of the cabaret said as Hector entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I ought to have been earlier,&rdquo; he replied in a grumbling voice; &ldquo;but it
+      was so late before I reached the other side of the forest, that instead of
+      passing through it I thought it best to wait till daybreak, for it would
+      be desperately dark under the trees, and sometimes there are pretty rough
+      fellows to be met with there; so I slept in a shed until an hour before
+      daybreak and then started, and I lost no time in getting through it, I can
+      tell you. What can you give me now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The usual thing,&rdquo; the man said, shrugging his shoulders. &ldquo;Bread and beer
+      and black sausage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It might be worse,&rdquo; Hector said as he seated himself. The food was soon
+      placed before him. He ate a hearty meal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a long way to go,&rdquo; he said when he had finished, &ldquo;and as I am
+      blessed with a good appetite it will not be long before I am hungry again.
+      I suppose there is no one in the village that sells bread and sausage, so
+      if you will let me I will buy a whole one from you and a couple of
+      loaves.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will sell them to you willingly enough; but you will come to another
+      village three miles on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I sha'n't be hungry enough by that time,&rdquo; Hector laughed. &ldquo;Besides, I
+      like to choose my own place and time and sit down by the wayside and eat
+      my meal. One need never go very far without coming upon a stream; and
+      though I like beer better than water, I can put up with it when there is
+      nothing stronger to be had.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nothing but bread and sausage again, Paolo,&rdquo; Hector said as he joined his
+      comrade a quarter of a mile beyond the village.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And good enough too for a hungry man. I have often longed for such a meal
+      in the days before you took me, in spite of all warning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And we have often done no better since, Paolo, when we have been on the
+      march. Will you start on it now, or wait until we get to a stream?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will hold on for a bit, master. This black bread is so hard that it
+      needs a lot of washing down.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Making several detours to avoid villages, they walked all day, and towards
+      evening came upon a main road running west.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Unless I am mistaken in the line that I have taken, this must be the road
+      through Eichstadt. I can see some towers ahead, and I have no doubt that
+      they are those of the town. There is a bridge there across the Altmuhl.
+      The river makes a loop at this point, and the road cuts across it to the
+      northwest to Gunzenhausen, where there is another bridge. From there the
+      road runs to Hall. Thence we can cross the Neckar, either at Heilbronn or
+      Neckarsulm, and we are then in our own country, and but a short distance
+      from either Spires or Philippsburg, where we shall be likely enough to
+      meet Turenne advancing again, or shall at any rate learn where he is. We
+      will lie up now and not cross the bridge until it gets dusk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish we had swords, master.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but they would not suit our disguises. But when we get into the town
+      I will buy two woodmen's axes and a couple of the long knives that all the
+      peasants here carry. I fancy from what I heard when we were at Hall with
+      Turenne that the country between Eichstadt and there is for the most part
+      a great forest, and there are rough hills to pass before we get to Hall.
+      It will be just as well to have some weapons that we can use with effect
+      if we should come upon any bands of robbers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite so, master. A good axe is as good as a sword in a rough sort of
+      fight; but is there not some way we can travel so as to avoid this great
+      forest that you speak of?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not without making a great detour, and that through a country where there
+      will be bodies of Merci's troops quartered everywhere.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, master. Then I think that the risk will be less with the
+      robbers, especially as we have not apparently much worth stealing upon
+      us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not only apparently, but really, Paolo. Fortunately my purse was pretty
+      well filled when we were taken prisoners; but we spent a good deal at
+      Ingoldstadt, principally in buying articles we could have done without,
+      but which we got in order to give an excuse for your going into the town,
+      and in these disguises and pistols. However, we shall not, I hope, require
+      much more outlay; and after getting axes and knives we shall have enough
+      to pay for our food, such as it is, for some time. However, there is
+      certainly nothing in our pockets to tempt robbers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, master; but if they searched you they would notice your clothes. They
+      would show at once that you are a person of quality; and although, as you
+      left your scarf behind you, they might not know that you are an officer,
+      they would see that there was a mystery about you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true, and I think that perhaps it would be as well if both of us
+      were to take off our own clothes when we get beyond the town tonight, and
+      go on only in those you got for us. When we rejoin our friends we can get
+      money and replace them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have money with me, master,&rdquo; Paolo said. &ldquo;I have had no occasion to
+      spend aught for a long time, and have changed my wages as you paid them
+      into gold, and have forty pistoles sewn up in the waistbelt of my
+      breeches. I heard you say that it was always a good thing to carry a
+      certain amount about with one in case of being taken prisoner or laid up
+      wounded.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was a wise precaution, Paolo; but just at the present moment I would
+      rather that you did not have it about you. However, I do not suppose we
+      shall be interfered with. You may as well continue to wear your breeches
+      under those you have outside, but leave your doublet when I change. After
+      all, if you were to be searched the pistoles would show that we are not
+      what we seem, unless we could make up some plausible tale as to how we
+      came possessed of them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, we could manage that easily enough, master! There are other ways of
+      getting pistoles than by earning them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Thus chatting they had crossed the bridge and were now entering Eichstadt.
+      Going to a quiet cabaret they ate a hearty meal, and Hector afterwards
+      bought the axes and knives, and they left the town just before the gates
+      were closed. They had walked some miles when a thunderstorm, which had for
+      some time been threatening, broke over them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We must get some shelter if we can,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;I see a light on
+      ahead. Let us push on and take refuge before we are wet to the skin.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On reaching the house they saw that it was a wayside inn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are in luck, Paolo,&rdquo; Hector said as he lifted the latch.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The door, however, was fastened, and on his knocking a voice asked, &ldquo;Who
+      is there at this time of night?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Travellers,&rdquo; Hector replied. &ldquo;Come, open the door quickly or we shall be
+      wet to the skin!&rdquo; and he emphasized his words by kicking at the door. It
+      was, however, a minute or two before it was opened, and Hector, who was
+      becoming furious at this delay, had just taken his axe from his belt and
+      was about to break the door in when it opened, and a man with a torch in
+      one hand and a sword in the other stood on the threshold.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVII: A ROBBER'S DEN
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What mean you by knocking thus furiously?&rdquo; the landlord of the little inn
+      asked angrily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What mean you by keeping your door shut in the face of travellers on such
+      a night as this?&rdquo; Hector replied, even more loudly. &ldquo;Are honest men to be
+      kept waiting in the rain while you are taking no steps to let them in?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How could I tell that you are honest men?&rdquo; the landlord retorted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because if we had not been honest men we should long before this have
+      battered your door down, as indeed I was just going to do when you opened
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, come in,&rdquo; the landlord said with an evil smile. &ldquo;Maybe you would
+      have done better to have passed on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He showed them into the taproom, where two or three rough men were
+      sitting.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did these fellows mean by knocking so loudly?&rdquo; one of them asked
+      angrily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It means,&rdquo; Hector replied, &ldquo;that travellers have a right to claim shelter
+      of an inn; and indeed, inn or no inn, no one would refuse shelter to
+      travellers on such a night as this is going to be.&rdquo; And his words were
+      emphasized by a crash of thunder overhead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You crow pretty loud, young fellow,&rdquo; the man growled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I speak loud because I have right on my side. I desire to quarrel with no
+      man; but one need indeed be a saint to keep one's temper when one is kept
+      standing outside a door with the rain coming down in great drops, and
+      threatening in another minute to come in bucketfuls. It is all the worse
+      when, as you see, one has a sick comrade with one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The man spoke in a low voice to the three others seated at the table with
+      him. &ldquo;May I ask whither you were journeying when thus caught in the
+      storm?&rdquo; he asked in a more civil tone than he had hitherto used.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly you may. We were in haste to get on to Gunzenhausen by morning,
+      as a friend of ours has work ready for us there. We did not expect this
+      storm when we left Eichstadt just before the gates closed, and as the
+      nights are short we thought we would push straight through.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are woodmen, I see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ay, woodmen and charcoal burners.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not from this part, at least, judging from your tongue.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nor, I fancy, are you,&rdquo; Hector replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; the other said. &ldquo;In times like these every one is liable to be
+      driven from home either because the troops of one army or another have
+      plundered and destroyed everything, or perhaps because he has been forced
+      into the ranks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is just our case, and you will understand that in times like these,
+      as you say, no one cares to answer questions on the part of strangers. But
+      we have no particular cause of concealment. We have both been in the army,
+      and, as you see, have left it, and have our reasons for wishing to travel
+      at night, when there is no chance of falling in with troops whose officers
+      might ask inconvenient questions. As, thanks to our host and you, we are
+      nearly wet through, we will thank him to get ready as quick as may be two
+      flagons of hot beer, and if he has got a couple of eggs to beat up in each
+      of them, so much the better.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The landlord left the room, and a minute or two later the man who had
+      spoken to Hector got up and went out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;These men are up to no good,&rdquo; Hector whispered to Paolo as they sat down
+      on a bench at a table some little distance from that at which the other
+      men were seated. &ldquo;I am sorry now that I asked for the liquor, it was
+      necessary to order something. I should not be surprised if they drug it.
+      Do you put yours to your lips, and then groan as if it hurt you too much
+      to try to swallow, and leave it standing in front of you. I will pretend
+      to drink mine, and will manage to pour it away on the floor. Presently do
+      you lean forward on to the table and appear to fall asleep. As I am in the
+      corner, I will lean back and seem to go off also. Unless I am greatly
+      mistaken this is a regular thieves' den. Keep one hand on the butt of a
+      pistol. We will both keep awake for a time, and if nothing comes of it we
+      will then watch by turns. It is clear that they suspect that we are not
+      what we seem.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The men at the other table were talking together in low voices, and,
+      listening intently, Hector could hear a murmur of voices in the room
+      behind him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There were more than two voices there,&rdquo; he whispered presently to Paolo.
+      The latter nodded, for he too had been listening. Presently the landlord
+      returned with the two flagons of hot beer, which were set down on the
+      table before them. The room was lighted only by a torch stuck in a cresset
+      on the wall, and Hector had purposely seated himself as far from this as
+      possible. Paolo took up his mug, raised it to his lips, and then set it
+      down again with a sudden cry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid that you will not be able to take it,&rdquo; Hector said aloud.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is the matter with your comrade?&rdquo; the landlord asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has a terrible abscess in his jaw, and is unable to speak or to
+      swallow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The landlord took the torch from its place and walked over and looked at
+      Paolo's cheek. &ldquo;There is no mistake about that,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is indeed a
+      terrible swelling, and the cheek looks almost raw.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has put liniments on it,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;but they seem to have done him
+      harm rather than good. However, he is not so bad as he was, and I hope
+      that the abscess will break ere long.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The landlord fastened the torch up again, and said in a low tone to the
+      other men: &ldquo;There is no doubt about his face being bad.&rdquo; As he turned away
+      from the table he stood between Hector and the other men, and the former
+      seized the opportunity of pouring the contents of his mug against the wall
+      by his knee, knowing that as the floor was of earth it would soak it up at
+      once. From time to time he lifted the mug to his lips, until he apparently
+      drained it. Then half closing his eyes he leant up against the corner.
+      Paolo had already laid his head down on the table, and after a time both
+      breathed heavily and regularly. Half an hour later one of the men rose
+      noiselessly and left the room. Two or three minutes afterwards he returned
+      with the host, the man who had gone out before, and two others.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven against two,&rdquo; Hector thought to himself. &ldquo;However, we shall have
+      the advantage of a surprise.&rdquo; He touched Paolo with his foot to assure
+      himself that he had not really gone off to sleep, but the responsive
+      movement showed that he also was on his guard. The man who had first left
+      the room and one of the others drew their long knives and stepped quietly
+      forward, while the others, also with bared weapons, prepared to support
+      them if necessary. Hector waited until the two leaders were close, then he
+      exclaimed sharply, &ldquo;Now!&rdquo; at the same moment throwing forward his hand
+      with the pistol. Two reports rang out at the same moment, and the men
+      pitched heavily forward. A yell of surprise and fury broke from the
+      others, but ere they could step over their fallen comrades, Hector and his
+      companion stood erect with their second pistols in their right hands and
+      their axes ready for action in their left.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector's second shot took effect on the landlord, Paolo's apparently
+      missed, for the other four rushed forward. Hector dashed the table aside,
+      and he and Paolo, poising their heavy axes, rushed forward to meet their
+      assailants.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mind the beams,&rdquo; Hector shouted, as with a sweeping side blow he clove in
+      the head of one opponent. But the warning came too late. Paolo struck a
+      downward blow, the axe caught the low beams of the ceiling, and it flew
+      from his hand. His opponent sprang upon him. Paolo caught the man's right
+      wrist as he struck at him with his knife, and drew his own from his
+      girdle. His assailant threw his other arm round him, and, grappling, they
+      fell on to the ground. Hector could do nothing to assist him, for the
+      other two men were trying to circle round him, keeping beyond the swing of
+      his axe but watching for an opportunity to spring upon him. Keeping his
+      back against the wall he made feints against them. Presently one of the
+      men passed between him and the two antagonists struggling on the ground.
+      Suddenly they rolled over and over, coming in contact with him from behind
+      and almost throwing him over. Before he could recover from the shock
+      Hector's axe struck him below the ear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The other man would have turned and made for the door, but Hector knew
+      that it was important that he should not escape and carry the news to
+      others of his party, who might be in the forest. He therefore sprang after
+      him, and before the wretch could open the door struck him between the
+      shoulders with his long knife. As he did so Paolo sprung up with a shout.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank God that you are alive, Paolo! I was afraid that he might have
+      killed you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, master. I had him by the wrist too firmly for that, and my knife
+      did its work almost directly. But with those two fellows hovering round I
+      should have been at their mercy had I tried to get on my feet. So I kept
+      on struggling until I saw my opportunity, and then as that fellow's back
+      was turned I rolled over against him, and so gave you the chance that you
+      were waiting for. Well, master, it has been a sharp business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It has indeed. Now the first thing is to see if there is anyone else in
+      the house, and the next to look about for some clothes for you to put on,
+      for those you wear are covered with blood. Then we must be off, and put as
+      many miles between us and this place before morning as we can.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A brief search showed that the place was empty, save for the dead in the
+      taproom. An old doublet belonging to the landlord was found hanging up in
+      the loft where he slept. Taking off his outer garments, Paolo put this on.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is lucky I kept my breeches on under the others,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;for I
+      certainly could not have gone into a town with these stained things on. I
+      suppose there is some money hidden somewhere, but we have not time to
+      look. You may be sure that many a traveller has been murdered here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I quite agree with you, but we have certainly no time to spare to hunt
+      for it. Let us be off at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Reloading their pistols and carefully wiping their axes they went out by a
+      door at the back of the house, for neither cared to re-enter the scene of
+      the slaughter. Before doing so, however, they took a long draught from the
+      landlord's beer barrel, to make up for the drink of which they had
+      deprived themselves. The storm had passed, and the stars were shining
+      brightly. They met nobody on their way until within two or three miles of
+      Gunzenhausen; it was found that the haft of Paolo's axe was deeply stained
+      with blood; and he threw it away on issuing from the wood, as it did not
+      accord well with his present attire, which was rather that of a discharged
+      soldier or a worker in cities than of a countryman. Soon after eight
+      o'clock they approached the town. They were now greatly fatigued, for they
+      had done two long days' marches without any sleep between them, and
+      turning off from the road they made their way to a little clump of trees,
+      and there threw themselves down in the shade and slept until late in the
+      afternoon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think that after our experience of last night, Paolo,&rdquo; Hector said, as
+      they walked towards the town, &ldquo;we had better wait until we can join some
+      party going to Hall before we leave this place. From what I hear, the road
+      is a great deal more infested with bands of lawless men than that along
+      which we have come.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, master, I think we had certainly better wait, for I don't want
+      anything worse than we had yesterday.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They went to a small inn, had supper, and then lay down on some straw in
+      an outhouse and slept soundly until morning. Then they breakfasted, and as
+      there was no one else in the room Paolo was able to eat freely. Presently
+      the landlord came in, and Hector entered into conversation with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We want to go on to Hall,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We have friends there, and we are
+      obliged to leave home because we should be taken for the army.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I don't think that you will find yourself better off at Hall than
+      here. They are catching up every ablebodied young fellow and putting him
+      into the ranks, and as you both look strong and active, except for your
+      comrade's face, you are both likely to be seized as soon as you enter
+      Hall, especially if you have no papers to show.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are not thinking of entering Hall, landlord. Our friends live a few
+      miles away, and they will hide us till the army moves away from these
+      parts.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be before long, thank the saints! There is news that a great
+      French army marched from Spires three days ago, and there is like to be a
+      great fight before long; and if the French are beaten Merci will chase
+      them back to the Rhine, recapture all the towns that they have taken, and
+      perhaps enter Alsace.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Which way do they say that the French are marching?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They took the road to Weisloch. Some think that they will come through
+      Wimpfen, and then by Weinsberg here, unless Merci bars the way. Others
+      again think that they will make their way down through Stuttgart. Five
+      hundred men march from here tomorrow to Hall, whence they go on to
+      Heilbronn to strengthen the garrison there. All the waggons in the town
+      and country round have been fetched in to carry their stores and baggage
+      and a convoy of ammunition. I should say that you could not do better than
+      go on with the waggons. No one is likely to ask you any questions, for it
+      will be thought that you are drivers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you very much,&rdquo; Hector said; &ldquo;that would certainly be a capital
+      plan. We were afraid of going through the forests alone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and you were right. They are full of marauders. A party of troopers
+      arrived here from Eichstadt yesterday evening. They stopped to get a drink
+      at a cabaret in the forest, and on entering found seven men lying dead,
+      and no one living to say how they got there. That some, if not all, were
+      robbers was evident from the fact that, on the bodies being searched,
+      articles evidently plundered from travellers were found upon all of them.
+      An examination was made of the house, and considerable quantities of
+      plunder found hidden. Searching in the forest behind, several mounds of
+      earth, evidently graves, were discovered. The landlord himself was among
+      the killed, for one of the troopers, who had before stopped at the house,
+      recognized him. It was supposed that the brigands were killed by some
+      other party with whom they had quarrelled. Three of them were shot and two
+      killed by tremendous blows from an axe, and as neither pistols nor axes
+      were found in the room it is clear that those within had been killed by
+      some other band.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning, when the column started, Hector and Paolo fell in among
+      the carts, and rendered good service on the road by helping to move them
+      when the wheels of the waggons stuck fast at spots where the road crossed
+      marshy valleys. So bad was the journey that it occupied two days. Then the
+      waggons were parked outside the walls of Hall, a guard being placed round
+      them to prevent desertion. The troops slept inside the town. At daybreak
+      the next morning their march was arrested by an officer riding out from
+      the town, saying that news had arrived on the previous evening that the
+      French were marching upon Heilbronn, that General Merci was concentrating
+      his army there to oppose the passage of the river, and that the troops
+      were to push on with all speed, leaving their baggage train at Hall.
+      Hector at once decided that, with the Bavarian army gathering in front, it
+      would be madness to endeavour to push on, and that indeed it would be far
+      better to fall back until the direction of the French march was fully
+      determined, when they could make a detour and come down upon their flank
+      without having to pass through the Bavarian army. He did not, however,
+      care about remaining in Hall, which might be occupied by the Bavarians if
+      they fell back, and they therefore, after entering the town with the
+      waggons, purchased a store of provisions, and, going out again,
+      established themselves in a small farmhouse, whose occupants had deserted
+      it and fled into the town upon hearing that the French were but some
+      thirty miles distant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Every day Hector went into the place to gather news, and learned that
+      Wimpfen had been captured by the French by a sudden assault, and that they
+      had crossed the Neckar. On returning he at once started with Paolo, but on
+      approaching the Neckar learned that the French had marched on to
+      Rothenburg. They fell in, however, with a detachment which had been left
+      on the Neckar. Hector found among them several officers to whom he was
+      known, and, borrowing Paolo's money, fitted himself and follower out
+      again, bought a couple of horses that had been captured from the
+      Bavarians, who had, he learned, retired to Franconia, and set out to join
+      the army. Rothenburg had been, he found out on his arrival, captured in a
+      few hours, and the main body of the French had marched to Dinkelsbuhl, and
+      there he came up with them. He had learned from the party on the Neckar of
+      the defection of Konigsmark and the Swedes, and that Conde and Turenne's
+      united army did not exceed twenty thousand men, and, as he knew, that of
+      Merci was at least equal to it in strength. His first question on entering
+      the camp was as to the quarters of his own regiment, and he at once rode
+      there. As soon as he was recognized the men ran to him, cheering wildly,
+      and so great was the tumult that Turenne himself, whose headquarters were
+      but a short distance away, rode to the spot to enquire the cause of the
+      tumult. When he saw Hector surrounded by his cheering soldiers he passed
+      through the crowd, and, reaching him, shook him warmly by the hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had hoped that we might have made an exchange for you during the
+      winter, colonel, but I had not thought it possible that I should see you
+      again before that time; for in the first place, we captured no prisoners
+      in this campaign, but, on the contrary, have had many of our own officers
+      taken; and in the second place, we have been too busy ever since
+      Marienthal to enter into negotiations. You have, I suppose, given them the
+      slip, you and that varlet of yours, for I see him over there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, marshal; we had no very great difficulty in getting away. I have
+      been very well treated, and until I heard that you were again taking the
+      offensive, I had no reason to fret over my imprisonment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, you have joined us just in time, for at any moment we may fight a
+      great battle. When you have leisure this evening come over to my tent. I
+      shall be glad to hear how you managed to escape, and any news you have
+      gained as to Merci's force and intentions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as the marshal had ridden off, his officers pressed round him, but
+      before speaking to them individually Hector said a few words to the men,
+      thanking them for the greeting they had given him, and saying that he was
+      glad indeed to be back among them. Then he talked for a time to the
+      officers, two or three of whom, after saying a few words apart to Captain
+      de Thiou, had hurried away. Half an hour later de Thiou said:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have no doubt that you will be glad of supper, colonel. Ours is just
+      prepared, and we hope that you will join us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am hungry, de Thiou, now I come to think of it, for except a crust of
+      bread this morning I have not touched anything today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is fortunate that we are better off than usual,&rdquo; de Thiou said. &ldquo;We
+      had the luck to buy a pig from one of Weimar's troopers. The cavalry get
+      the best of it, for though there are orders against pillaging, there is no
+      doubt that a good deal of it goes on; and, marching as we have been, there
+      is no one to see that orders are strictly carried out. However, we have
+      benefited by it this afternoon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Accompanying de Thiou, Hector was surprised to find that at a short
+      distance in front of the spot where the regiment was bivouacked a large
+      arbour had been erected.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did not notice this as I rode in,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was not even thought of then, colonel; it was begun a few minutes
+      after you rode up, and the men have worked right willingly, and
+      fortunately there was a copse hard by. I may say that it was the men's own
+      idea. I had given orders that a table should be made of any materials that
+      came to hand, and one of the men started the idea of building an arbour
+      over it, and as many hands make quick work it has, as you see, been
+      constructed in little over half an hour.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As the evening was warm the front of the arbour had been left open.
+      Inside, a rough table had been constructed of empty casks, planks taken
+      from the bottom of the waggons, and a couple of doors from cottages near,
+      while powder barrels served as seats.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, colonel, will you take the head of the table?&rdquo; de Thiou said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly not, de Thiou. I am your guest upon this occasion, so do you
+      take that place, and I will sit upon your right hand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only wish that we could have given you a dinner like those you so often
+      gave us at St. Denis.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall enjoy it as much as if it were a royal feast,&rdquo; Hector said,
+      seating himself; &ldquo;for indeed since I escaped from Ingoldstadt some ten
+      days ago I have been living on black bread, sausage, and cheese.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The meal was a joyous one, for at the assault of Rothenburg on the
+      previous day several barrels of wine had been captured by the soldiers of
+      the regiment. These had been bought from them by the officers, who had
+      feared that some of the men might drink to excess, and so damage the
+      reputation which the regiment had obtained for sobriety and discipline.
+      One of these had been broached, and this and the pork afforded an
+      excellent supper even though the bread was of the worst possible quality.
+      When the meal was over, de Thiou stood up and proposed the health of the
+      colonel, and congratulated him most warmly upon his escape from the enemy,
+      expressing the extreme satisfaction of all the men as well as officers at
+      his return. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and Hector briefly
+      returned thanks. Then, in accordance with the general request, he related
+      the particulars of his escape from Ingoldstadt and of his journey. Paolo,
+      who had been waiting behind his master's chair, came in for warm praise
+      for the share he had taken in the matter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I certainly did not think when I first, against the advice of everyone,
+      took Paolo as my lackey five years ago, that he would turn out so valuable
+      a servant as he has done,&rdquo; Hector said as de Thiou handed a goblet of wine
+      to the man. &ldquo;He has been more than a servant, he has taken part in all my
+      adventures, and truly I regard him as my friend. Indeed, gentlemen, had it
+      not been for him I certainly should not be here tonight, for my own money
+      gave out altogether at Hall, and I had to borrow from his store the means
+      of buying clothes and horses.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By the way, colonel,&rdquo; de Thiou said, &ldquo;from the day that you were captured
+      I have drawn your pay for you, knowing that if it fell into arrear you
+      would have had hard work in getting it, so that I have now three months of
+      your money in the regimental chest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, de Thiou, it will be very welcome; though Paolo would not have
+      been a very hard creditor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At eight o'clock the party broke up, and Hector walked across to Turenne's
+      quarters. The latter had just returned from a consultation with the other
+      generals.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We shall open our trenches here tonight; the place is of some importance,
+      as it is on the direct road to Nordlingen, and it is as well not to leave
+      it behind us. This, however, we shall do, if news comes that Merci is
+      marching to give us battle before that city, which we expect he will do.
+      The Imperialists will like to fight there, for it was the scene of their
+      great victory over the Duke of Weimar and the Swedes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We must hope that we shall reverse matters this time, marshal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We must hope so,&rdquo; the latter said gravely; &ldquo;if we fight on a fair field I
+      have no misgivings whatever. But Merci always takes up strong positions
+      and entrenches himself, and Enghien is so anxious to fight that he will do
+      so at a disadvantage rather than wait until we can meet them on even
+      terms. You know what happened at Freiburg, where we lost some nine
+      thousand men and gained no great advantage; while if we had moved round
+      and threatened their line of retreat the enemy must have fallen back at
+      once, we should have obtained our object without the loss of a man, and
+      might possibly have fallen upon Merci in his retreat, and well nigh
+      annihilated his army. Do not think, Campbell, that I am for a moment
+      underestimating Enghien's genius. It is extraordinary, and in the hour of
+      battle he is superb, not only from his extreme personal bravery, but from
+      the quickness with which he grasps every point, seizes upon the spot where
+      a blow can be best delivered, and snatches victory, where another would
+      see only defeat before him. But he is reckless of life so long as he
+      carries his point, and rather than lose a day in turning the enemy's
+      position and so forcing him to relinquish it, will sacrifice whole
+      regiments by marching straight against the most formidable entrenchments.
+      Had he but patience in addition to his own splendid qualities, I think he
+      would be the greatest military genius the world has ever seen. And now let
+      me hear what happened to you after you left my side that night after
+      Marienthal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector again related his adventures. Turenne laughed at the account of his
+      escape, hidden under the flour bags.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was a good scheme,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;and it was well that you had that lackey
+      of yours with you, for I do not think that you could ever have managed it
+      unaided.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sure I could not, marshal; it was entirely his suggestion, and he
+      arranged all the details splendidly. He was equally valuable in another
+      way afterwards;&rdquo; and he described the fight in the cabaret.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was more dangerous than taking part in a pitched battle; seven
+      against two are heavy odds indeed, though you had the advantage of
+      weapons. The fellow has a ready wit to think of rolling against the man
+      who was waiting for a chance of running in and stabbing you; he would have
+      made his fortune somehow even if he had not had the good luck to fall in
+      with you. In some respects you resemble each other; you both have
+      enterprise, quickness, and daring, but he lacks your studious habits, your
+      determination to master everything connected with your profession, and
+      your ability to turn your knowledge to account. He would have made a good
+      soldier, an excellent leader of an irregular corps, but he would never
+      have gained distinction. Well, I am very glad to have had a quiet talk
+      with you; it takes one out of one's worries and anxieties. By the way, I
+      had a letter from Mazarin; it reached me while I was at Spires. He said he
+      was sorry to hear that you had been taken prisoner, and requested me to
+      make an exchange for you as soon as possible, even if I had to give a
+      general officer for you, for he was very deeply your debtor, and had the
+      highest esteem for you. What have you been doing to make him your debtor?
+      You never mentioned anything of the sort to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The matter was to some degree a state one, marshal, or I should have told
+      you of it; but as it took place nearly a year ago, and the circumstances
+      are altogether changed, I can mention them to you in confidence&mdash;for
+      even now, were it known, it might make me some powerful enemies.&rdquo; He then
+      related how it was that he had thwarted the attempt on Mazarin's life.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was a piece of singular good fortune,&rdquo; Turenne said. &ldquo;Mazarin is a
+      staunch friend and a bitter enemy. I owe him no goodwill, for he has
+      behaved shamefully to de Bouillon, refusing to hand to him the estates for
+      which he exchanged his principality of Sedan; but I do not permit myself
+      to allow family interests to weigh with me against my duties to France.
+      Truly, as you say, it were well to hide your share in a business that sent
+      De Beaufort and a score of others to prison, and a dozen members of
+      powerful families into exile; it might well cause you serious trouble were
+      it known. You did well to keep the matter to yourself, and you did
+      specially well to refuse to accept any personal honour, for had you done
+      so Mazarin's enemies would at once have connected that fact with the
+      discovery of the plot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On returning to his regiment, Hector found that an order had come just
+      after he left, for four companies to march down under the guidance of an
+      engineer officer to begin work on the trenches. De Thiou, knowing that he
+      had gone to the marshal's, had gone down with the four leading companies.
+      The other infantry regiments had furnished similar contingents, showing
+      that the siege was to be pushed forward with all haste.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Enghien does not allow the grass to grow under his feet,&rdquo; Captain
+      Mieville said. &ldquo;We stormed Wimpfen a few hours after our arrival before
+      it; we carried Rothenburg in a single night, and I expect that by tomorrow
+      evening we shall be masters of this place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In the morning four more companies went down to relieve those who had been
+      at work all night, and these had made great progress when, in the
+      afternoon, the news came that Merci was marching with all his strength
+      towards Nordlingen. Trumpets at once sounded to recall the troops from the
+      trenches, a meal was hastily cooked, and at sunset the army marched for
+      Nordlingen. All night they pushed on through the forest, and just as the
+      leading squadrons emerged from it on to the plain, Merci's forces were
+      seen issuing out from the forest facing them. Both armies at once formed
+      in order of battle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Enghien, anxious to attack, rode forward with Turenne, de Gramont, and
+      Geis to reconnoitre the ground. It was found that between the armies there
+      was a small river, with great pools and swamps on either side, and that
+      the only approaches were by narrow and winding paths where two horsemen
+      could scarcely ride abreast. Even Enghien felt that it would be madness to
+      venture upon an attack. His artillery opened fire, that of the Bavarians
+      replied, and the cannonade was continued till nightfall, inflicting a
+      certain amount of loss on either side but in no way altering the position.
+      Seeing that a battle could not be brought on here, Enghien marched two
+      hours before daybreak for Nordlingen. At nine the army came down on to the
+      great plain in front of that town, but he found that Merci had been
+      beforehand with him, and had already taken up a strong position two
+      leagues away, and between him and the city, and that his troops were
+      already at work throwing up intrenchments. The prince ordered all the
+      baggage to be left behind, and at once marched against the enemy. At four
+      o'clock they were facing each other. Merci had, as usual, chosen his
+      position with great judgment. In the middle of the plain rose two little
+      hills about a thousand yards apart. On the hill on his left stood the
+      castle of Allersheim, and here Merci's left wing, under General John de
+      Werth, was posted; while at Weinberg his right, commanded by General
+      Gleen, took up its station. The main body of the army, under Merci
+      himself, lay behind a village a couple of hundred yards beyond the hills,
+      and at the head of the passage between them. He had his cavalry on his two
+      wings, his infantry in the centre, and had thrown forward some regiments
+      to hold the village. On the two hills he had planted his cannon, sheltered
+      by intrenchments, and in a position to sweep the entrance to the valley.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His army consisted of between fourteen and fifteen thousand men, that of
+      Enghien of seventeen thousand. After examining the position a council of
+      war was held. Turenne was strongly against attacking the enemy in a
+      position of such strength, but Enghien as usual overruled his opinion.
+      Turenne then urged that the cavalry on the wings should not charge up the
+      hills and attack the positions held there until the enemy's centre had
+      been defeated, and his advice in this respect was taken. The generals then
+      separated and rode to their respective commands. De Gramont commanded the
+      right wing, consisting of all the French cavalry, and having as a second
+      line a reserve consisting of four battalions of infantry and six squadrons
+      of horse commanded by Chevalier de Chabot. Turenne commanded the left,
+      which consisted of his own army, with twelve squadrons of Weimar's
+      cavalry, with the Hessian army&mdash;six battalions and six squadrons&mdash;as
+      a second line. The centre, consisting of ten battalions and five squadrons
+      of horse, was commanded by Count de Marsin. Enghien took no special
+      command, preferring to remain free to go where his presence was most
+      needed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVIII: NORDLINGEN
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      It was five o'clock in the afternoon when all the arrangements for the
+      attack were completed. But as on the 3rd of August the evening is long, it
+      was judged that there would be sufficient daylight to carry out the
+      battle. The French began with a cannonade against the village, and this
+      was replied to by the guns on the two hills. Not only did the position of
+      the latter give them great superiority, but much time was lost by the
+      French in being obliged to move forward their guns as the army advanced, a
+      slow and tedious process in days when cannon were very heavy and cumbrous.
+      Seeing that they were losing time and suffering more loss than they
+      inflicted, Enghien gave the order to the infantry of the centre to
+      advance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They went forward with great speed and eagerness, for they were burning to
+      retrieve their cowardly conduct at Marienthal. They carried the
+      intrenchments Merci had thrown up at the mouth of the pass, and, heedless
+      of the firing of the guns, rushed at the village. Here, however, they were
+      received by so heavy a fire of musketry from the infantry posted there,
+      who had loopholed all the walls and houses, that they came to a stop, and,
+      being shot down in great numbers, turned and fled. The Count de Marsin was
+      himself dangerously wounded. The Duc d'Enghien sent the Marquis de la
+      Moussaie forward with a reinforcement of several regiments, but these,
+      too, fell back before the Imperialists' fire. The Duc d'Enghien then
+      rallied the infantry, added to them all those not yet engaged, and himself
+      led them to the charge. Merci on his part brought forward his main body to
+      the village.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The battle was now a desperate one. Enghien seemed to lead a charmed life.
+      He was ever where the fight was hottest, encouraging the soldiers and
+      setting them an example. His clothes were shot through in many places. Two
+      horses were killed under him, and he received a contusion in the thigh.
+      Merci on his part showed equal valour and intrepidity; but he was less
+      fortunate, for he was struck by a musketball and killed. The news of his
+      fall excited his soldiers to fury, and, hurling themselves on their
+      assailants they cut the greater part of the infantry to pieces.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The French on the right had done no better, for the Bavarian cavalry
+      charged them with such impetuosity that although they fought sturdily they
+      were broken and routed. De Gramont did all that a leader could do to check
+      their flight and lead them back to the battle; and when he saw that he was
+      powerless to do this he put himself at the head of two regiments that had
+      not yet been engaged, received the Bavarian horse with a heavy volley, and
+      leading his troopers to the charge, broke into them, but advancing too far
+      was surrounded and taken prisoner. John de Werth then fell on the reserve,
+      broke them, penetrated the baggage, which was plundered, and then pursued
+      the fugitives far away from the field of battle. Had he, instead of
+      allowing his troops and himself to be carried away by their ardour,
+      brought them round and attacked the French left in the rear, the
+      Imperialist victory would have been complete.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here for a time the conflict was doubtful. Turenne, in spite of the fire
+      of the Imperialist artillery, led his troops in good order up the hill of
+      Weinberg. His horse was shot under him and his cuirass was struck, but not
+      pierced, by a musketball. On gaining the top of the hill a terrible fight
+      took place between the Weimar and Hessian troops on one side, and the
+      Austrians and Bavarians on the other. The former showed valour in strong
+      contrast with the conduct of their French allies; and after repeated
+      volleys had been exchanged infantry and cavalry rushed upon each other and
+      fought with bayonet and sword. At last the first line of Imperialists gave
+      way, but General Gleen brought up the second line and threw Turenne's
+      first line into disorder, although they still maintained their ground. At
+      this moment Conde, seeing that his centre was destroyed and his right
+      utterly dispersed, came up and joined Turenne, and placing himself at the
+      head of the Hessians, who formed the second line, brought them forward.
+      The enemy's squadrons were broken, and the infantry defeated. The guns
+      were then turned upon the Imperialists on the slope of the hill leading
+      down to the village, and when they were shaken by the fire Turenne's
+      squadron charged down upon them and completed their defeat. General Gleen
+      was taken prisoner, and Turenne's troops, descending the hill, took the
+      village in flank.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Had the defenders here fought with the same courage that they had
+      previously evinced, they would have given time to John de Werth to return,
+      and the fate of the battle would have been doubtful, but they were seized
+      with unreasoning panic, and at once surrendered. The night had long since
+      closed in, and so far as the fighting had gone the battle might be
+      considered a drawn one. The French right and centre were utterly routed,
+      but their left had captured one of the keys of the position and the
+      village behind it. Had John de Werth, when he returned from the pursuit,
+      shown himself an able general, rallied the Imperialists and sent them to
+      recapture the village, and with his victorious cavalry made a circuit of
+      the Weinberg and fallen upon Turenne's rear, the Imperialist success would
+      have been as complete and striking as that which they had won on nearly
+      the same ground over the Swedes; but although an impetuous leader of
+      cavalry, he had no military genius, and on returning after dark, and
+      hearing that the Weinberg was lost and the village captured, he drew off
+      from the field.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was joined by the Imperialist infantry, and when the morning broke
+      Turenne's division stood victors on the field. A number of officers, many
+      standards, and all the cannon of the enemy fell into their hands. Of the
+      French infantry not more than fifteen hundred were rallied after the
+      battle, and of the allied army Turenne's German troops, although they had
+      suffered severely, alone remained intact. John de Werth retreated with the
+      remains of the Imperialist force to Donauworth, and crossed to the other
+      side of the Danube, although his force was still superior to that of
+      Turenne, for the loss suffered by the French and Turenne's German troops
+      was very much greater than that of the Imperialists. Enghien, in his
+      despatch announcing the victory, acknowledged in his letter to the queen
+      that it was due to the valour and honour of Turenne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl opened their gates to the victors. Enghien fell
+      ill and was forced to return to France, leaving Turenne in command. De
+      Gramont was exchanged for Gleen, and he and Turenne took counsel as to the
+      course that had best be pursued. John de Werth had already recrossed the
+      Danube, and the French generals fell back to Hall, where they remained for
+      twelve days to refresh the troops, provisions being plentiful in the
+      neighbourhood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But their position was daily becoming more untenable. The Duke of Bavaria,
+      greatly alarmed by the result of the battle of Nordlingen, wrote to the
+      emperor that unless Austria largely increased her force in the field he
+      should retire from the contest, of which he had hitherto borne the brunt,
+      and make terms with the French. The emperor, who had just brought a war
+      with Hungary to a close, despatched the Archduke Leopold, his son, with a
+      great body of horse, and he soon effected a junction with Gleen and John
+      de Werth, and together they pushed forward at the utmost speed to surprise
+      the French. As soon as Turenne received news of the movement he and de
+      Gramont agreed that an instant retreat must be made, seeing that their
+      force was less than half that which was advancing to attack them. The
+      baggage was abandoned, and as there was no bridge available the army
+      crossed the Neckar by swimming, each cavalryman taking one of the infantry
+      behind him. They continued their retreat until they arrived at
+      Philippsburg. Here Turenne with the whole of his army took up his
+      position, covered by the guns of the fortress, while Gramont passed the
+      river with the remains of Enghien's army and all the cavalry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Imperialists, after examining Turenne's position, came to the
+      conclusion that it could not be attacked, and, marching away, besieged and
+      captured all the towns taken by the French in their advance. Thus beyond
+      the empty honour of a nominal victory at Nordlingen, the campaign under
+      Enghien and Turenne ended, without any solid advantage whatever being
+      gained by the French.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Poitou regiment, which was the only French battalion in the army of
+      Turenne, had been placed with the Hessians in the second line. It had
+      fought with distinguished bravery on the crest of the Weinberg, and had
+      publicly been thanked by Enghien, who had on the day of the battle ridden
+      by the side of Hector at their head when they fell upon the Imperialists.
+      They had suffered but a small number of casualties, for the enemy were
+      already shaken before they charged, and had, after receiving a shattering
+      volley, broken and fled as the regiment charged with fixed bayonets.
+      Turenne was always anxious to impress upon Hector the lessons that were to
+      be learned from each action, and while they were encamped round Hall he
+      went over the events of the campaign with him on a map.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that what I said to you on the evening before we
+      marched from Dinkelsbuhl has been completely justified. Instead of
+      manoeuvring so as to fight in the open, we dashed ourselves against this
+      strong position, with the inevitable consequences, two-thirds of our army
+      were routed, and the infantry of the centre and right all but annihilated;
+      and although by hard fighting we on the left gained an advantage, it was
+      only the impetuous folly of John de Werth that saved us from destruction.
+      Now, you see, we are in no position to fight another battle. A victory won
+      in one's own country is decisive for a considerable time, but a victory in
+      an enemy's country, unless it involves his disastrous defeat and the utter
+      breakup of his army, is practically without value. We can receive no
+      reinforcements, for none can reach us from France in less than a couple of
+      months; the enemy, on the other hand, have rapidly filled up their ranks,
+      and have received, or are about to receive, large reinforcements, and as
+      soon as they advance we must retreat in all haste, sacrifice all the
+      advantages we have gained, and shall be lucky if we can maintain a footing
+      on this side of the Rhine.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five or six thousand lives have been thrown away and nothing whatever
+      gained. Now, you see, had we instead of knocking our heads against the
+      enemy's position, manoeuvred to place ourselves between him and the
+      Danube, he must have retreated without fighting a battle, for he was
+      inferior to us in numbers, and we should have been able to go into winter
+      quarters in Nordlingen and possibly lay siege to Eichstadt. A genius may
+      win a battle, Campbell, but genius, if accompanied by impetuosity and a
+      thirst for great victories, will very seldom win a campaign. I love as
+      well as admire Enghien; he is chivalrous and generous, he has great
+      military genius; possibly with age his impetuosity may be tempered with
+      discretion, but at present, although a brilliant leader, he is not the
+      general that I would choose to serve under in a long campaign.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When Weimar's cavalry crossed the Rhine with de Gramont they broke into
+      mutiny, declaring that they were raised to fight in Germany and would not
+      fight in France. Turenne crossed and endeavoured to get them to return to
+      their duty, recalling to them how nobly they had fought under him, and
+      appealing to them in the strongest way not to desert him now. A portion of
+      them gave in to his entreaties, but the rest rode away to effect a
+      junction with the Swedish army, and he was therefore deprived of a
+      considerable portion of the force that had been the mainstay of his little
+      army. Upon the other hand, the Archduke Leopold marched away to Bohemia to
+      oppose the Swedes, who had gained several successes in that direction.
+      Turenne, however, determined to carry out one more enterprise before the
+      winter set in, and to reinstate the Elector of Treves, who had been
+      deprived of his dominions for twelve years, in consequence of his having
+      entered into an alliance with France. In order to effect this he marched
+      in the first week in November with a small force of infantry and his
+      cavalry to the Moselle, a distance of forty leagues.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was joined by some of Enghien's troops from Metz, and on the 14th of
+      November he invested Treves. The Imperialists were unable to gather a
+      force of sufficient strength to relieve the town, which was, therefore,
+      after a short resistance, forced to capitulate. The small garrisons from
+      other towns in the elector's dominions were speedily driven out and the
+      elector restored to his possessions, a result doubly gratifying, since his
+      restoration produced a widespread effect among the German princes who had
+      thrown in their lot with France, while the material advantage was no less,
+      as it closed a door through which the Imperialists, when in sufficient
+      force, could at any time pour their troops into France. This brought the
+      campaign of 1645 to a close. Turenne was called to Paris, where he
+      received the honours that were due to him for the skill and bravery by
+      which, with altogether insufficient forces&mdash;raised, equipped and paid
+      to a large extent from his private purse&mdash;he had for two years
+      guarded the Rhine frontier from invasion by the united forces of Bavaria
+      and Austria. Hector's regiment had been left at Philippsburg when Turenne
+      marched away; but the marshal told him that there was no occasion whatever
+      for him to remain with it during the winter. He thought indeed that it
+      would be advantageous that he should pay a short visit to Paris, present
+      himself to Mazarin, and then go down and see how matters fared with the
+      estate, to which he had paid but a flying visit. He therefore set out
+      without delay, Turenne entrusting him with some despatches to the
+      cardinal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are of no great importance,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but it is always well for an
+      officer returning to Paris to carry despatches with him. It shows that he
+      has the hearty approval of his commander in leaving his post for a while,
+      and that he has distinguished himself in a special degree to be thus
+      selected. I have several times in my despatches had occasion to speak of
+      the excellent service rendered by your regiment, and it will ensure you a
+      good reception at court. Besides, Mazarin is evidently disposed to regard
+      you with special favour, and an occasional visit keeps that feeling alive,
+      whereas it naturally cools down after a prolonged absence. Therefore in
+      every respect it is as well that you should show yourself in Paris for a
+      short time before going down to Poitou, where I hear there have been some
+      troublesome risings of the peasantry. The province, being broken and hilly
+      for the most part, offers considerable advantages to irregular forces, who
+      move unencumbered with baggage, and against whom cavalry cannot well act.
+      I do not know that any of these troubles have occurred in the
+      neighbourhood of your estate, but you would naturally wish to see for
+      yourself how matters are going on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems more than two years since we left here, master,&rdquo; Paolo said, as
+      they rode into Paris.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It does indeed. It is more than six years now since I first rode away
+      with Turenne, and a month later you entered my service. We have gone
+      through a good deal together since those days, Paolo.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, indeed, sir. It was a fortunate day for me when my brother took me
+      to your quarters.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It has been quite as fortunate for me, Paolo. I doubt whether I should
+      ever have proposed undertaking to carry Turenne's message into the citadel
+      of Turin had I not felt that I could rely upon you as my companion in the
+      business, and it was that which gave me my first step. Since then you have
+      always been by my side, and have more than once saved my life.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On reaching Mazarin's hotel Hector found that he was at the Louvre, and
+      immediately went there, and as bearer of despatches from the army was at
+      once introduced to the minister's apartment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come with me at once to the queen's closet,&rdquo; the cardinal said as he
+      entered. &ldquo;She has just sent for me, and her majesty, being at once a woman
+      and a queen, does not like being kept waiting. She always wishes to
+      receive the first news from the army, therefore I can venture to take you
+      with me without asking her permission.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have brought Monsieur de Villar to your majesty,&rdquo; he said as he entered
+      the queen's apartment. &ldquo;He has just reached Paris with despatches from the
+      Viscount Turenne. He has only this instant arrived, and I thought I might
+      venture to bring him at once to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'Tis a long time since we have seen you, monsieur,&rdquo; the queen said
+      graciously, &ldquo;but we have heard of you from the marshal's despatches, and
+      were glad to see that your regiment bore itself as well in the field of
+      battle as in the park of Versailles. What news do you bring? Nothing of
+      importance, I hope, for there can hardly be good news when the marshal has
+      so scanty a force with which to guard the frontier.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Viscount de Turenne is too zealous in your service, madam, to remain
+      idle, however small his force. He started suddenly the day I left with his
+      cavalry and a small body of infantry to march to Treves, with two or three
+      regiments he has persuaded the Duc d'Enghien to send him from Metz with
+      some guns, and he hoped to capture the city and clear the electorate of
+      the enemy before they can receive strong reinforcements, seeing that they
+      are all scattered in their winter quarters.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A bold stroke indeed, cardinal,&rdquo; the queen said, much gratified. &ldquo;It has
+      touched our honour that the elector should so long have suffered for his
+      fidelity to France; and, moreover, its possession in his hands will
+      relieve us of much anxiety and give us the Moselle as a barrier against
+      the incursions of the enemy in that corner of our dominions. He is
+      indefatigable, this good viscount, cardinal; and he is not one of those
+      who look for great rewards for every service. He has indeed carried on the
+      war largely on his own resources, which has been of no slight advantage to
+      us, seeing that our exchequer is but too often strained to meet demands
+      from other quarters. If he succeeds in this enterprise, you must write in
+      our name and bid him come hither to receive our thanks in person, and to
+      rest for a while from his labours in our service.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have changed somewhat, Monsieur de Villar, since we last saw you. The
+      ladies of the court called you then the little colonel&mdash;not because
+      of your size, for you already overtopped the greater portion of our
+      courtiers, but from your age. Now you look all over a soldier, and a
+      weatherbeaten one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector had indeed aged during the past two years. He was now nearly
+      two-and-twenty, his moustache had grown, and, as was the custom of the
+      time, he wore a small imperial. The habit of command had given to his face
+      an expression of decision and resolution unusual at his age, and a life
+      spent in the open air, and for the most part sleeping without cover, had
+      bronzed his skin, and had counteracted the youthful appearance caused by
+      his fair complexion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'Tis but some three months since we heard of you as a prisoner, having
+      been captured while with your regiment covering the retreat after the
+      unfortunate battle of Marienthal. The cardinal told me that he had written
+      to the field marshal to try and arrange an exchange for you if possible.
+      We had not heard that he had done so when the Duc d'Enghien's report of
+      the battle of Nordlingen spoke of you as doing good service with your
+      regiment there. I suppose Turenne, in the press of business, omitted to
+      say that you had been exchanged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was not exchanged, madam. I succeeded in effecting my escape from the
+      fortress of Ingoldstadt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You seem born to have adventures, monsieur,&rdquo; the queen said. &ldquo;We heard
+      before of your regiment performing prodigies of valour at Freiburg, and of
+      withstanding Merci's whole army, foot and horse, for three hours. Last
+      winter the governor of Lorraine reported that you and a company of your
+      regiment from Nancy had defeated a great body of insurgent peasants, and
+      had rescued Madame de Blenfoix and her daughter from massacre at their
+      hands. There is no officer under the rank of general whose name has been
+      so frequently brought under our notice. You intend to make some stay in
+      Paris, I hope?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall do myself the honour later on, your majesty; but I hear that
+      there are peasant troubles down in Poitou, and as I only paid a visit of a
+      few days there, when your majesty had the goodness to present the fief to
+      me, I am anxious to know how matters are going on, and to see that my
+      castle is secure from attack by the insurgents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your excuse is a good one. It would be well if more possessors of estates
+      would spend their time in endeavouring to alleviate the condition of their
+      people, instead of wasting their time and money in Paris.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Monsieur de Villar took steps in that direction, your majesty, before
+      leaving for the war; for my agents, who keep me informed of most things
+      that take place, acquainted me with the fact that Monsieur de Villar
+      entirely remitted the usual fines on taking possession, and reduced the
+      annual payment of his tenants by one half until times should mend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A noble example!&rdquo; the queen said warmly. &ldquo;I would that we could afford to
+      do the same through all the royal domains. It is a pleasure to us to know
+      that one at least of our fiefs has been so worthily bestowed. Well, sir, I
+      shall see you at the court this evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector bowed and withdrew. His first step was to go to the clothing
+      establishment most frequented by men of good family. &ldquo;I have to attend at
+      the court this evening. I have just returned from the army, and have but
+      the clothes that I stand up in. Have you any garments that will fit me
+      suitable for such an occasion?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of shoulder cloaks I have great store in silks, satins, and velvets of
+      all shades and colours. There is no difficulty about doublets, for of
+      these I always keep a large stock in hand; and although you are a bigger
+      man than the majority of my customers, I think that I can suit you. Tight
+      pantaloons are chiefly worn by those who affect the latest fashion, but it
+      would be impossible for me to make these at such short notice. As you are
+      a military man this matters little, for these chiefly affect loose
+      breeches trimmed at the bottom with rich lace, stockings of silk, and
+      shoes with rosettes. Such breeches I could promise you in three hours, for
+      they require but little making. The stockings of all shades I have in
+      stock, also shoes. These would need but rosettes of the colour to suit the
+      dress, to be added to them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I put myself in your hands,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;I wish for a handsome dress,
+      and yet one which shall in no way be foppish, but shall be suitable to my
+      station. I am Baron de la Villar, colonel of the Poitou regiment of
+      infantry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you incline to silk, velvet, or satin? I should say a velvet cloak and
+      satin tunic and breeches would suit you best with your fair hair. I should
+      choose for the cloak a crimson or violet, and for the doublet and breeches
+      a yellow. If you would prefer a blue cloak I should say a white satin
+      doublet and breeches would become you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector shook his head. &ldquo;No, I should prefer the first mixture. I care not
+      whether the cloak is crimson or violet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think violet, monsieur, and rosettes of the same colour on your shoes.
+      It were best, I think, that the stockings should match the doublet. You
+      will, of course, have a pointed lace collar for your cloak, and at the
+      bottom of your breeches and at your wrists to match. I think, sir, that a
+      large collar and gold embroidery would go best with the costume.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector nodded. &ldquo;I leave it entirely to you, Master Poitrou, so that
+      everything is ready in time for me to wear them. I also want a travelling
+      suit of good fashion&mdash;I leave the matter of colour to you&mdash;and
+      also a suit for wearing here in Paris.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The cloak and doublets were speedily chosen, as M. Poitrou had several of
+      the colour and material in stock. Hector was then measured for the
+      breeches, which were of the fashion now known as knickerbockers, but
+      somewhat looser. He then chose a violet cap with a yellow feather to match
+      the court dress, a court sword, high riding boots, and loose turned-over
+      boots used for walking, but left all other matters to the tailor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When your man brings the things to me at the auberge Pome d'Or I will pay
+      him at once,&rdquo; he said. He was indeed well supplied with funds, for as he
+      passed through Nancy he had drawn the sums standing to his credit from an
+      agent there, to whom he had, as occasion offered, transmitted the greater
+      portion of his pay, and also the balance of the sum that had been paid him
+      when he first took possession of his estate, after paying for the various
+      expenses he had incurred in St. Denis and in Paris. Monsieur Poitrou was
+      faithful to his promise, and although free from vanity, Hector could not
+      but perceive, after he had donned his court suit, that he made a good
+      figure. Such, indeed, was the opinion of not a few of the ladies of the
+      court as he entered the great reception room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had now adopted the general fashion, and wore his hair in ringlets
+      hanging down on to the collar. His fair complexion contrasted strongly
+      with the much darker one of the majority of the courtiers, and this, as
+      well as his height and erect soldierly bearing, rendered him a conspicuous
+      object among them. The queen and cardinal both honoured him with marked
+      attention; but what pleased him most during the evening was the hearty
+      greeting that he received from Colonel Maclvor, of whom he had seen but
+      little during the campaign, as the Scottish regiment formed part of
+      Enghien's command, and was not present at the battle of Nordlingen, being
+      left in garrison at Metz when the duke marched to join Turenne. Mazarin
+      himself presented him to many of the ladies of the court, thereby showing
+      that he wished him to be regarded as a particular friend of his; and
+      Hector, having gained much in self possession since he had last appeared
+      there, was able to make himself more agreeable to them than before, to
+      bandy compliments, and adapt himself to the general atmosphere of the
+      court. The cardinal sent for him again the next morning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The news is bad from Poitou, Colonel Campbell, and I think that it would
+      be well that you should proceed there at once. So we will release you from
+      further attendance, and you can make up for it by giving us a longer time
+      on your return.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector, however, tarried two days longer in Paris, by which time he had
+      received all the clothes that he had ordered. Early on the morning of the
+      third day he mounted and rode away with Paolo and three of his troopers.
+      Hunter had been left behind at Philippsburg for the cure of a wound that
+      he had received at Nordlingen. Hector was mounted on one of the horses
+      that Enghien had given him; the other was in the hands of the
+      Imperialists. They traveled fast, and met with no adventure until they
+      arrived at Poitou, where Hector learned that in the western part of the
+      province the peasants had almost everywhere risen, had defeated the royal
+      troops who had marched against them from La Rochelle and Nantes, and had
+      captured and burnt any chateaux, slaying all persons of the better class
+      who fell into their hands.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he neared his own estate, learning that the tenants there had so far
+      not joined the rising, but that several bodies of insurgents were in the
+      neighbourhood, he rode still more rapidly forward. Signs of the trouble
+      were everywhere apparent. In the villages only women were to be seen;
+      there was no sign of life or movement in the fields; and he passed two
+      chateaux which were now but empty shells. As soon as he had crossed into
+      his own estates he found the houses entirely deserted; no man, woman, nor
+      child was to be seen; no animals grazed in the fields, and the little
+      stacks of hay and straw had been carried away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is evident,&rdquo; he said to Paolo, &ldquo;that MacIntosh has called all the
+      tenantry into the chateau; had they joined the insurgents the women and
+      children would still be here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As they ascended the steep hill on whose brow the chateau stood, he could
+      make out that there were a number of men posted upon the walls.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is evidently determined that he will not be caught napping, Paolo, and
+      all the peasants of Poitou could not take the place unless they were well
+      provided with cannon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The chateau, indeed, still retained the characteristics of a castle. The
+      site had evidently been selected with a sole eye to defence; the hill on
+      which it stood fell abruptly away on three sides, and could hardly be
+      attacked except in front. Here a plateau extended some three or four
+      hundred yards long and upwards of a hundred yards across. A wall with
+      flanking turrets had been a sufficient defence on the other three sides,
+      but here there was a strong tower on each flank, and also on each side of
+      the central gate. The walls inclosed a space of some two acres, in the
+      centre of which stood the castle. This had been to some extent modernized&mdash;windows
+      having taken the place of loopholes in the upper floors, while those
+      looking into the inner courtyard extended to the ground. The point where
+      the road reached the plateau was some three hundred yards from the
+      gateway, and as Hector galloped towards the walls it was evident that he
+      was recognized, for shouts were raised by the men on guard and the
+      drawbridge over the fosse&mdash;cut in the solid rock along the foot of
+      the wall&mdash;was lowered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he rode across it the gate swung open and MacIntosh ran out to meet
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is all well, old friend?&rdquo; Hector asked as he sprang from his horse and
+      clasped the sergeant's hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All is well so far, colonel; still, I am glad indeed that you have
+      returned, for at any moment trouble may begin. We hear that the peasants
+      mean to attack us. I hardly think they will venture to do so, but I have
+      no doubt they will play havoc on the estate and burn every house, because
+      the tenants, instead of joining them, have come up here to aid in the
+      defence. It was a good day indeed when madam and her daughter came here,
+      they have made themselves so loved by the tenants that they would do
+      anything for them. Ah, if all the ladies of France had been as good to
+      their people as they have been, we should not have these troubles on hand!
+      Here they come to welcome you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector hurried across the outer court, where two lines of palings had been
+      erected, forming a passage from one gate to the other, and keeping back
+      the animals that crowded the enclosure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Welcome back, welcome back, Colonel Campbell!&rdquo; the baroness said as she
+      came up with both hands extended, and her words were echoed by her
+      daughter. In the year that had elapsed since they started under the charge
+      of Paolo both had changed. The look of care and anxiety, which had been
+      heightened by the terrible events of the two previous days, had passed
+      from the elder lady's face, and had been succeeded by one of contentment
+      and happiness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Norah showed an even greater change; she had now attained her full height,
+      her figure had filled out, and she stood on the threshold of womanhood and
+      bid fair to attain a high degree of beauty of the type characteristic of
+      her nationality. Her hair was dark, her eyes gray, her expression changing
+      rapidly from grave to gay, the latter movement generally predominating.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I need hardly ask, madam,&rdquo; Hector said as they entered the chateau,
+      &ldquo;whether you have been comfortable here, for your face shows that you have
+      at least been contented with your lot as chatelaine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have been more than contented, I have been very happy, Monsieur
+      Campbell. It has been a pleasant task indeed to be your almoner, and to be
+      able to carry comfort to those in distress, sympathy and aid to those in
+      suffering. Within the castle, nothing could be more pleasant than our
+      position. Captain MacIntosh has been unwearied in his efforts to make us
+      comfortable, and your steward has in all cases been willing to aid me with
+      money and counsel when I asked for them. The proof that your goodness has
+      been appreciated by the tenants is that every one of them without
+      exception has refused to join the insurgents, and has forsaken his home in
+      order to come up and aid in the defence of the castle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is indeed gratifying, madam; but methinks their action is due rather
+      to the kindness of yourself and Mademoiselle Norah, than to the gifts they
+      receive.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not choose to be called Mademoiselle Norah,&rdquo; the girl said, tossing
+      her head. &ldquo;I am Irish on both sides, and have not a drop of French blood
+      in my veins. To strangers I am Miss Norah O'More; to you, and to any I may
+      love, I am plain Norah.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't think that you can be that to anyone, Norah.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now I don't like that, Colonel Campbell. That may do at the court of
+      Louis XIV, but not at the chateau of la Villar, and if you are going to
+      pay compliments I shall be stiff and unpleasant, and shall insist upon
+      being addressed as Miss Norah O'More.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As I did not mean to compliment you, for I spoke but the truth, I shall
+      not accept the penalty. Now,&rdquo; he went on, &ldquo;unromantic as it may sound, I
+      own that I am hungry, and I am sure that my four followers are also, for
+      we have ridden far and fast, and have not stopped, save to bait our horses
+      and snatch a mouthful while they ate, since daybreak. In truth the news we
+      received made me sorely anxious, though I felt sure that MacIntosh could
+      hold the chateau against any attack that was likely to be made on it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIX: THE PEASANTS' REVOLT
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      After eating a meal Hector had a talk aside with MacIntosh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you really think that these varlets will venture to attack us?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do indeed,&rdquo; the old sergeant said. &ldquo;They have taken several places as
+      strong as this by sudden assault. They are desperate, and, as I hear,
+      fight like demons, regardless as to how many fall. As far as stout arms go
+      we are well supplied, for there are at least a hundred men capable of
+      bearing arms, and all have had more or less drill since I have been here.
+      Unfortunately, however, our wall pieces are old and scarce fit for
+      service, several of them will, I feel sure, burst at the first discharge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But they have no artillery at all, MacIntosh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry to say that they have, sir, and a good amount of it. They
+      captured ten field pieces when they defeated the troops, and have obtained
+      a score of others from the chateaux that they have taken. They have only
+      to plant them three or four hundred yards away at the end of the plateau,
+      and they would easily batter down the gates, and might even in time effect
+      a breach in the walls.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is serious indeed, MacIntosh. Is there any other way in which they
+      can attack us save in front?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think not. I was careful to examine the face of the precipice when I
+      first took command here, and wherever it seemed to me that an active man
+      could climb up I had portions of the rock blown up, and have so scarped
+      the face that I do not think it is scalable by human foot. But there is
+      nothing to prevent their crossing the fosse on a dark night, and so
+      stealing along and making an attack on all sides of the house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then our first care must be to prevent this, MacIntosh, by building walls
+      along by the fosse from the corner towers to the edge of the plateau. The
+      distance is very short, not more than eight or ten yards at the outside.
+      We have, I see, any number of horses and not a few carts. Let the tenants
+      be set to work at once, and, going down the road into the ravine below,
+      fill their carts with blocks of stone and haul them up here. Let active
+      boys be sent out in all directions as scouts to bring in word when the
+      insurgents are approaching; and at the same time let twenty well armed men
+      of the garrison go down with the carts, so as to give confidence to the
+      tenants and cover their retreat up the road if the insurgents should
+      suddenly make their appearance. Let some of the men take billhooks and
+      axes down with them, and cut poles. These must be sharpened, and as the
+      walls are built, fixed among the stones so as to make a cheval-de-frise.
+      At the same time let half a dozen stout ladders be constructed, so that
+      the defenders of these walls may, if unable to hold them, make their
+      retreat up to the battlements. I wish now that I had ordered a strong
+      bastion to be thrown up so as to cover the gate from an attack by
+      artillery, but it did not seem likely that we should be besieged by any
+      force having guns, and I let the matter remain until the tenants should be
+      better off and we could spend our money on such work. However, it is too
+      late now to think of that. I suppose there is a portcullis to the gate?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and I got it in good working order when I first came here; but the
+      cannon would speedily shatter that, as well as the bridge drawn up in
+      front of it and the gate behind it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then as I have no doubt that there are plenty of flour sacks, we must
+      fill these with earth and pack them between the bridge and the portcullis,
+      and fasten the bridge in its place with any chains that may be available,
+      so that it will keep erect. The earth packing, however much it may be
+      battered, will protect the portcullis of the gate for some time against
+      their fire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a good idea if we have time to carry it out, colonel. We have still
+      four or five hours' daylight, and as I think that this is of even greater
+      importance than the side walls, we will set the tenants to work at once,
+      and it will save time if they take down the sacks, of which, as you say,
+      we have an abundance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A few minutes later a dozen active boys left the castle, and scattered to
+      various points on the hills around, so as to command a view over a
+      considerable extent of country. Soon after, some thirty carts went down
+      the road accompanied by a number of men with shovels, and twenty of the
+      garrison commanded by one of the old soldiers. All returned loaded with
+      sacks of earth; these were taken into the castle, when the portcullis was
+      lowered and the drawbridge across the fosse raised. An opening was left on
+      the top to allow the sacks to be lowered into the space between the bridge
+      and the portcullis. A score of men with ropes went on to the wall above
+      and lowered them behind the drawbridge, where five or six men stowed them
+      away. As soon as it became dark torches were lighted, and by ten o'clock a
+      solid mass of sacks filled with earth were packed in the space between the
+      portcullis and the drawbridge.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The night passed off quietly, the horses and carts remaining beyond the
+      fosse. Planks had been placed across one end of this, and the horses and
+      carts taken over. The horses were picketed round the castle, a supply of
+      forage being placed there for their use, while the carts were packed
+      closely by the fosse, so as to form an obstacle to any of the assailants
+      who might try to pass. At daybreak they were again run across the planks,
+      the horses brought round and harnessed, the scouts being sent out as on
+      the day before. All day the work went on, and by nightfall two walls
+      twenty feet long and eight feet high, bristling with pointed staves, were
+      erected. They stood some twenty feet back from the edge of the fosse, and
+      extended from the wall to the verge of the precipice. The carts and horses
+      had, before the walls were built, been taken round to the back of the
+      castle, where the plateau extended some fifty yards beyond the defences.
+      Evening was just coming on when the boys came in, two of them bringing a
+      report that a great crowd of men could be seen approaching from the west.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MacIntosh, with thirty men, were at once lowered down from the
+      battlements, and took up their places in an intrenchment which had been
+      during the day thrown up at the point where the road came up to the
+      plateau, while a score of the tenants assembled at the edge of the cliff,
+      where great piles of blocks of stone had been collected in readiness to
+      throw down. Lighted torches were placed at intervals along the road, and
+      three or four great cressets, holding balls of tow soaked in turpentine
+      and oil, were set up on the edge of the plateau; these were to be lighted
+      when the peasants attempted to mount the hill.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      An hour passed, and then a flame sprang up from a house and outbuildings
+      in the valley, lighting up the ground around and showing that a great
+      crowd was gathered on the road there.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How many should you say there were, MacIntosh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should put them at four or five thousand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, they are certainly not short of four thousand. What wild looking
+      figures! They are just the same in appearance as those who attacked Madame
+      de Blenfoix's chateau. See, they are lighting torches, and I expect they
+      mean to make an attack at once. Their guns are with that group in the rear
+      of the others; at any rate they will not be of any use in assisting them
+      to make their way up this road. They are evidently working themselves up
+      to a state of madness. There are half a dozen fellows addressing them from
+      various points.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The men who had been brought down to guard the intrenchments at the head
+      of the road were all armed with muskets, and carried in addition long
+      pikes. Presently a roar of shouts and yells was heard, and then there was
+      a rush on the part of the crowd towards the foot of the long ascent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector moved to the place where the tenants were posted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do not hurl a single stone down until I give you the word, nor light the
+      cressets; the torches they carry will be quite sufficient for us to make
+      them out, and the attack will be all the more successful if it comes as a
+      surprise.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then he returned to the breastwork. The men here had been posted by
+      MacIntosh eight abreast. When the head of the column of insurgents were
+      halfway up the hill they opened a scattered fire; they had armed
+      themselves with the muskets they had taken from the troops.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Their guns will be of little use to them, for few of them can ever have
+      had firearms in their hands before; do not fire a shot, MacIntosh, until I
+      give the order. It is clear that someone must have told them that we have
+      thrown up this intrenchment today, or they would not have wasted their
+      ammunition.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Not a shot was fired until the leaders of the peasants were within forty
+      yards. Up to this time no torches had been shown in the intrenchments, but
+      now these were suddenly brought forward, and Hector, in his helmet and
+      body armour, mounted on to the breastwork. The head of the column paused
+      on seeing a row of levelled muskets and three rows of pikes forming a
+      hedge of steel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My men,&rdquo; Hector shouted in a loud clear voice, &ldquo;halt, I beseech you,
+      before harm comes to you! I know that you have sore grievances, I know
+      that you and your wives and families are well nigh famishing, but how do
+      you think that you will better your condition by assaulting castles and
+      burning down chateaux? You are but preparing labour for yourselves and
+      heaping up fresh imposts on your own heads, for it is you who will have to
+      rebuild them, it is you who will have to pay for the damage that you have
+      done. At any rate, none can say that you have cause for enmity against me
+      and mine, for I have done all in my power to mitigate the sufferings of my
+      people, and the proof is that not one of them has joined you. The taxes
+      that press so heavily upon you are not the work of your feudal lords, they
+      are caused by the necessity for defending France against the assaults of
+      foreign enemies, and were every noble in the land slain it would still be
+      necessary that these taxes should be collected, unless France is to be
+      overrun by the Spaniards and Austrians. I would fain abstain from spilling
+      one drop of your blood, but I must defend myself if you attack me, and I
+      warn you that, numerous as you are, you will not succeed in capturing my
+      castle. I am a soldier of France, and as I have shed my blood in defending
+      her against her enemies, so if you persist I shall not hesitate in
+      shedding yours in my own defence. I implore you to disperse to your homes;
+      even if you gain successes for a time, it would but draw down vengeance
+      upon you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The assailants had paused when he commenced to speak, and those in front
+      had listened to his words, but those behind, not knowing what was going
+      on, continued to shout and to press up the hill. As he finished speaking
+      there was a yell of defiance, and the column rushed forward.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aim low,&rdquo; Hector shouted as he leapt down among his men, &ldquo;fire!&rdquo; Eight
+      muskets flashed out. &ldquo;Second line, fire! Now handle your pikes, the rear
+      lines will reserve their fire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Although ten or twelve of the leading rank of the insurgents had fallen,
+      there was no pause among the others, and they rushed forward to the hedge
+      of pikes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take charge here, MacIntosh; I will run and get the stones at work.&rdquo; In
+      half a minute he stood by the side of the tenants.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Heave then down!&rdquo; he said. He had chosen a spot where the rock rose
+      perpendicularly above the road. &ldquo;Drop them over,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;so that they
+      may fall straight. The biggest you must roll over with your levers, but
+      work them to the edge and let them topple over; don't thrust them out or
+      they will bound over the road. Now!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Twenty rocks were dropped down together. Even above the din of shouting
+      the crash as they fell below was heard, followed instantly by yells and
+      cries.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Move farther on and give them another shower,&rdquo; Hector said; and again the
+      rocks fell on the crowded causeway. The first volley had caused a pause&mdash;numbers
+      had been crushed, many of the stones as they rolled down the road had
+      carried confusion to those below; the second volley completed their
+      discomfiture. Appalled by a discharge against which they had no shelter
+      and which was wholly unexpected, those near whom the stones had fallen
+      turned, and in their panic swept those below them on the road down into
+      the valley, many being overthrown and trampled to death. Ignorant of what
+      was going on behind them, the crowd above the spot where the stones had
+      fallen were still pressing upward, those in front hewing with their
+      scythes and axes at the pikeheads.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector ran back there. &ldquo;The two rear ranks will now fire!&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The men dropped their pikes, and two volleys of musketry were poured into
+      the insurgents. Those of the front line were swept away by the fire, and
+      for a moment the whole recoiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, men,&rdquo; Hector shouted, &ldquo;cross the breastwork and sweep them away with
+      your pikes!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With a cheer the men leapt over the embankment. There was room for ten
+      abreast, and in a treble line with levelled spears they bore down upon the
+      rebels. The charge was irresistible. A few of the leaders of the peasants
+      threw themselves on to the spears and died there, the others strove, but
+      in vain, to fly. Their comrades behind, ignorant of what was going on,
+      still pressed up, and it was not until the screams and shouts of those in
+      front, and the pressure downwards, brought the column to a stand and then
+      bore it backward, that they learned that the defenders had taken the
+      offensive, and were sweeping all before them. Then a panic arose, and the
+      peasants rushed down the road, the tenants above saluting them as they
+      passed with another volley of rocks. Halfway down the hill Hector halted
+      his men, and led them up to the intrenchment again over a road encumbered
+      with dead bodies.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think that will do,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;After the tale those who have got down
+      safely will have to tell, we may be sure they will do nothing until
+      morning, and it may well be that they may think it advisable to be off to
+      attack some other place not so strongly defended. However, we will
+      presently beat them up, and if possible capture their cannon, and without
+      them they could not hope to take any fortified house well defended.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For a time there was a prodigious din in the valley, sounds of men
+      shouting and quarrelling, of others trying in vain to make their voices
+      heard, and to address the excited peasants. In an hour it quieted down,
+      and by midnight all was still. Hector had been busy with his preparations.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How many horses have we?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well nigh a hundred, colonel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is more than enough. Now, MacIntosh, do you and the men here go down
+      the road and pitch the bodies over; we should never get the horses over
+      them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then he went to where the tenants were still waiting. &ldquo;Now, my lads,&rdquo; he
+      said, &ldquo;I want a big gap made in one of these walls we built today, wide
+      enough for a horse to pass through it, and strong planks laid across the
+      fosse.&rdquo; Then he ascended the ladder up to the battlements. He found the
+      baroness and her daughter standing over the gateway.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is all over?&rdquo; they asked, as he came up to them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, for the present. We have beaten them handsomely, and without the
+      loss of a single man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will they attack again in the morning, do you think?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I feel sure that they will not do so. You see, they relied upon their
+      cannon for taking the chateau, and they find they are useless. I am going
+      to make a sortie before daybreak, for I want to capture those cannon. So
+      long as they hold them they will continue their work, and they may not
+      always meet with so stout a resistance. The loss of their cannon will
+      dishearten them, as well as lessen their power for evil. I shall take
+      every man who can carry arms, and leave ten at the breastwork to defend
+      it; but there is no chance whatever of their attempting to come up here
+      while we are attacking them, so you need have no fear.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We shall not be afraid, Colonel Campbell, our confidence in you is
+      absolute; but do you not think that you are running a great risk in
+      attacking a force some forty times as large as your own?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One cannot call it a force, it is simply a mob, and a mob that has
+      suffered a terrible repulse, and the loss of three or four hundred men
+      tonight. We shall take them by surprise. I am going to mount all the
+      tenants. MacIntosh tells me that they have all been drilled as cavalry as
+      well as infantry. He, with the twenty men of the regular garrison on foot
+      and ten of the tenants, will make straight for the guns. I shall be with
+      the horsemen, and as soon as we have scattered the mob, we will harness
+      the horses to the guns and bring them up here, so that I shall strengthen
+      the castle as well as weaken the peasants.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The tenants were all informed of what was going to be done.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will be to your benefit as well as ours,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;for you may be
+      sure that in the morning, if they give up the idea of again attacking us,
+      they will scatter all over the estates and sack and burn every house,
+      whereas if we succeed in dispersing them, no small portion of them will at
+      once scatter to their homes, and the rest will take care not to come near
+      this neighbourhood again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At twelve o'clock MacIntosh sent a man to say that the road down was
+      clear, and that three hundred and twenty dead bodies had been thrown over.
+      At three o'clock in the morning the horses, round whose hoofs pieces of
+      sacking had been tied, were led across the fosse. One of MacIntosh's
+      sergeants was put in charge of the ten men who were to remain at the
+      intrenchment, the castle being left entirely in the hands of the women and
+      boys. The mounted tenants were eighty in number, all carrying long spears
+      and swords. The torches had long since burnt out, and each man leading his
+      horse went noiselessly down the road, MacIntosh with the footmen leading
+      the way. They halted at the bottom of the road. There was no sound from
+      the spot where the insurgents were lying a couple of hundred yards down
+      the valley, fatigued by a very long march on the previous day, and the
+      exertion of dragging the cannon, for only a few of these were horsed.
+      Presently the day began to break, but not until it became light enough to
+      see perfectly, did Hector give the order to mount, and leaping into the
+      saddle prepared to lead them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The mounted men had been divided into four bands of twenty each. Paolo and
+      the three troopers each took the command of a party. Hector's orders were:
+      &ldquo;Keep together until the peasants are in full flight, then separate in
+      pursuit. The movement must be put down or the whole province will be
+      ruined, therefore give no quarter, and pursue until your horses are tired,
+      then return here. Now, MacIntosh, do you advance straight upon the guns;
+      it is probable that they are all loaded, therefore carry them with a rush.
+      The moment we see you engaged we will charge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The horsemen were in single line, extending from side to side of the
+      valley. Hector kept his eye upon MacIntosh's party. They were close to the
+      guns before any of the sleepers awoke. Then there was a sudden shout, and
+      numbers of the men rushed to the cannon. MacIntosh was there as soon as
+      they were, and pouring in a volley rushed upon the guns. At the same
+      moment Hector gave the word to charge, and with levelled spears the
+      horsemen rode down into the midst of the crowd. Appalled by this sudden
+      attack, which was wholly unexpected, the resistance was but slight. Many
+      of the peasants at once threw away their arms and fled. Those who resisted
+      were speared or overthrown by the horses. As the valley widened the four
+      troops separated a little, each cutting a way for itself through the
+      peasants. It was no longer a fight; and a wild panic seized upon the whole
+      of the insurgents. Some rushed straight down the valley, others ran up the
+      opposite hillside; but the slope here was gradual, and the horsemen were
+      able to pursue.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Paolo, take your troop up the hill. Let the others keep straight down the
+      valley.&rdquo; And, heading these, Hector galloped on, shouting to MacIntosh to
+      harness what teams there were to some of the guns and take them up to the
+      top of the road, and then bring the horses back for some more.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For two hours the pursuit continued. Occasionally a group of peasants
+      gathered together and tried to stem the tide, but these were speedily
+      overcome, the long spears bearing them down without their being able to
+      strike a blow at the riders, and at the end of that time the insurgents
+      were scattered over a wide extent of country, all flying for their lives.
+      Hector now ordered trumpets to sound; he was soon joined by the other
+      troops, and at a leisurely pace they rode back to their starting point.
+      Not more than half the guns had as yet been taken up, for MacIntosh had
+      found it necessary to put double teams to them in order to drag them up
+      the steep road. The mounted men had all brought ropes with them, and,
+      dismounting, eight yoked their horses to each gun, and in an hour the
+      whole were brought up to the plateau, the drawbridge was lowered, the
+      sacks of earth cleared away, and the portcullis raised, the gates thrown
+      open, and the garrison filed into the courtyard, greeted by cries of
+      welcome from the women.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think that we have crushed the insurrection in this part of Poitou,&rdquo;
+       Hector said to Madame de Blenfoix. &ldquo;We have certainly killed six or seven
+      hundred of them, and I am sure that the remainder will never rally. We
+      will rest today, and tomorrow morning we will set to work to complete the
+      defences of the chateau, so that it may be held by a comparatively small
+      number of men.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The joy of the women was extreme when they found that not a single man had
+      fallen, though a few had received gashes more or less severe. The next
+      morning the whole of the men and boys set to work under Hector's
+      directions. The intrenchment at the top of the road was greatly
+      strengthened, an opening through which a cart could pass being left in the
+      middle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A gun was placed on each side of this, and twenty sacks of earth laid down
+      by the side of the opening, so that this in the course of a few minutes
+      could be closed, and a gun placed close by run into position between the
+      other two. The greater part of the men, however, were employed in raising
+      a mound of stones and earth in front of the gateway, so as to cover this
+      from the fire of any guns which, after the outward intrenchment had been
+      stormed, might be brought up on to the plateau. The women, and even the
+      children, assisted in the work by carrying earth, while men, with the
+      horses and carts, brought stones up from the valley.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It took a fortnight's hard work before the outwork was completed. It was
+      twenty feet high, triangular in form, and solid in construction. Many of
+      the tenants were accustomed to stonework; and while the rest of the
+      bastion was constructed of rough stones mixed with earth, a parapet four
+      feet thick, of roughly dressed stones, was carried along on the crest of
+      the two outward sides. Four guns were mounted here; the rest of the cannon
+      were placed on the outer wall instead of the honeycombed guns before in
+      position, and the castle was thus prepared to stand a regular siege.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector remained for a week after the work was completed, paid the tenants
+      liberally for the services they had rendered, and dismissed them to their
+      homes, for the terrible blow that had been inflicted upon them had so
+      cowed the peasants that order had been completely restored in that part of
+      Poitou. Then, after taking an affectionate adieu of Madame de Blenfoix and
+      her daughter, he rode back to Paris, where he remained for two months.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the end of that time, being heartily tired of the frivolity and
+      intrigues, and disgusted at the immorality of the court, he obtained leave
+      from Mazarin to rejoin his regiment, as the campaign might be expected to
+      open shortly again. The cardinal had warmly congratulated him upon the
+      suppression of the insurrection in Poitou, of which he had received full
+      details from his agents long before Hector reached Paris.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have always exhorted the officers and the troops engaged in putting
+      down these risings to spill no more blood than is absolutely necessary.
+      But it needed a great lesson, such as you have given them. Otherwise, as
+      soon as the troops were withdrawn the peasants would rise again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne had also been in Paris, and had strongly represented to Mazarin
+      the necessity for the armies of France and Sweden in Germany acting
+      together, since while they were acting separately, and at great distances
+      apart, the Austrians and Bavarians could unite and crush the one, while
+      the other could offer it no assistance. It was owing to this that the
+      conquests made by the troop of France and Weimar had been repeatedly
+      wrested from them. The cardinal listened to his advice, and determined to
+      bring about a union between the two armies of the confederation. In the
+      meantime a conference was going on at Munster between the representatives
+      of the various conflicting powers, but each put forward such exorbitant
+      demands that no progress was made.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Duke of Bavaria, indignant at the small support that Austria had given
+      him, was playing off France against the latter power. Mazarin was
+      persuaded that he was only waiting for an opportunity to desert the
+      Imperialist cause, and therefore ordered Turenne not to cross the Rhine,
+      as the duke had promised that he would remain neutral unless the French
+      advanced into Germany, when the feelings of his subjects might force him
+      to take the field again on the side of Austria.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne was therefore ordered to besiege Luxembourg. The marshal, however,
+      had no belief in the Bavarian promises, and on arriving on the Rhine early
+      in April, and seeing that were he to march with his army away to
+      Luxembourg the cause of France and Germany would be lost, he continued to
+      make various excuses for not moving, until the Duke of Bavaria, having
+      obtained many concessions from Austria, threw off the mask, and marching
+      with his army joined that of the emperor in Franconia. Thus the whole
+      Imperial forces were posted between the French and the Swedes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne saw that his only hope of success would be to effect a juncture
+      with the Swedes, and wrote to the cardinal to that effect; then, without
+      waiting for an answer, he set his army in motion. A tremendous circuit had
+      to be made. He forded the Moselle six leagues above Coblenz, the bridges
+      over the Rhine being all in possession of the enemy, marched up into
+      Holland, and obtained permission from the king to cross at Wesel, which he
+      reached after fourteen days' march. Crossing the Rhine on the 15th of July
+      he marched through the country of La Mark, and through Westphalia, and on
+      the 10th of August joined the Swedes under General Wrangel, who had
+      received news of his coming, and had intrenched himself so strongly that
+      the enemy, who had arrived before him, did not venture to attack him. The
+      enemy now fell back at once and encamped near Freiburg. Their army was
+      superior in force to that of the allies, they having fourteen thousand
+      horse and ten thousand foot, while the allies had but ten thousand horse
+      and seven thousand foot. The allies had, however, sixty pieces of cannon
+      against fifty of the Imperialists. The allies advanced to Freiburg and
+      offered battle, but the Archduke Leopold, who commanded the Imperialists,
+      declined to come out of the great intrenchments he had thrown up round his
+      camp.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne then marched towards the Maine, and, halting ten leagues from
+      Mayence, sent for the infantry, of which he had left a portion there, to
+      join him. The whole force of the allies was now united, and took many
+      towns. As, however, they were still inferior in force to the Imperialists,
+      Turenne refused to weaken himself by placing garrisons in these places,
+      contenting himself with blowing up the fortifications of some and carrying
+      off the principal inhabitants of others as hostages. The Imperialist army
+      still remained inactive, and Turenne was able therefore to turn his
+      attention to Bavaria. Crossing the Rhine at Donauwurth he besieged
+      Augsburg and Rain. The latter place was captured, but the former, being
+      reinforced by fifteen hundred men, held out stoutly, and it was necessary
+      to open trenches and proceed in regular form against it. The Duke of
+      Bavaria, greatly alarmed at this invasion of his dominions, sent off
+      message after message to the emperor, complaining of the manner in which
+      the Imperial army remained inactive, leaving the allies to employ their
+      whole force against him. He threatened that unless the army advanced at
+      once to his assistance he would make terms with France. Imperative orders
+      were thereupon sent to the archduke to move against the French. The allies
+      fell back, as his force was greatly superior to theirs, and the archduke
+      took up a strong position, intending to force the allies to retire into
+      Franconia as soon as the country round them was exhausted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Turenne and Wrangel divined his purpose, and although it was now the
+      beginning of November and snow was on the ground, they marched against
+      him. On arriving near his camp they found that it was strongly fortified,
+      and could be attacked only by passing behind great marshes and defiles.
+      Changing their intentions, they left two thousand horse in front of his
+      camp, making believe that they intended to attack him, then marched with
+      all haste to the Lech and advanced against Landsberg, which they took by
+      assault. In the city were the principal magazines of the Imperialist army,
+      and the allies, finding sufficient provisions there to last for six
+      months, encamped round the city and decided to winter there unless
+      attacked, in the meantime sending out bodies of cavalry, which levied
+      contributions up to the very gates of Munich. Leopold, thus deprived of
+      his magazines, retired with the Austrian contingent, and the Bavarians
+      returned home.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Duke of Bavaria, finding that his whole dominions would be captured
+      unless he made terms, therefore opened negotiations, and on the 14th of
+      March, 1646, peace was signed, the terms being that he should separate
+      himself entirely from the empire and deliver five of his fortresses to the
+      allies, who would thus, should he again break his word, have means of
+      access into his dominions. The allied forces were now in a condition to
+      march upon Vienna. They had during the winter plundered a large portion of
+      Bavaria; they and their horses had recovered from their fatigue, and their
+      force now amounted to fourteen thousand foot and twenty thousand horse. At
+      this moment, when the Imperialists believed that all was lost, for without
+      the assistance of Bavaria they could put no army in the field that could
+      hope to make head against the allies, Mazarin interposed and saved Austria
+      from destruction.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Catholic powers had long been privately urging upon him the danger
+      that would arise should Austria be crushed. The Swedes would acquire very
+      large accessions of territory, the Protestant German princes, their
+      allies, would similarly benefit, and Protestantism would become the
+      dominant religion in Germany. Such would, indeed, have undoubtedly been
+      the case had the allies marched to Vienna and dictated terms of peace
+      there. An order was therefore sent to Turenne to march with his army to
+      Flanders, where the Spaniards were gaining great advantages, as Enghien,
+      now become Prince of Conde by the death of his father, had been sent into
+      Catalonia with the greater portion of his army. Turenne, foreseeing that
+      his German regiments would refuse to march to Flanders, leaving their own
+      country open to invasion and plunder by the Imperialists, warmly opposed
+      the plan, and sent messenger after messenger to the cardinal urging him to
+      countermand the order. The friends of Bavaria and the Catholic princes
+      urged strongly upon the queen that the continuance of the war would
+      utterly destroy the Catholic religion in Germany, and that the Swedes
+      alone would reap advantage from the fall of the house of Austria. Moved by
+      their arguments and those of Mazarin to the same effect, she supported the
+      latter, and peremptory orders were sent to Turenne to march to Flanders,
+      where matters were going from bad to worse. Turenne obeyed them, captured
+      on his march towards the Rhine several towns and fortresses, destroying
+      their fortifications so that they would not be able to oppose him if he
+      returned to Germany. But on arriving on the Rhine his anticipations of
+      trouble were fulfilled. General Rosen, whose blunder had been the cause of
+      the disaster at Marienthal, and who had since his return from captivity
+      persistently worked in opposition to Turenne, fomented discontent among
+      the troops of Weimar, and directly they crossed the Rhine they absolutely
+      refused to advance. They had just cause for complaint; they had fought
+      with distinguished valour, and they alone had saved the French army from
+      suffering crushing defeat at Nordlingen; their pay was six months in
+      arrear, and the proposal now that they should leave their own country and
+      fight in Flanders was naturally most repugnant to them. They at once
+      marched away towards Strasburg. Turenne followed them with three thousand
+      infantry, four French regiments of horse, and the only one of the Weimar
+      cavalry that had remained faithful to him, and came up just as they were
+      about to recross the Rhine.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Partly by entreaties, partly by showing his confidence in them, by putting
+      himself wholly in their power, the marshal induced a portion of the Weimar
+      cavalry to return to their duty. General Rosen, who was to a large extent
+      responsible for the mutiny, was arrested and imprisoned at Philippsburg,
+      the rest of the mutineers rode away with the loss of a portion of their
+      number, and joined the Swedes. After this the order for Turenne to march
+      to Flanders was countermanded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The war languished for a few months, the Imperialists were defeated after
+      a hard fought cavalry battle by Turenne and the Swedes, and the country
+      was overrun by the latter, whose horsemen raided almost up to Innsbruck.
+      But all parties were growing weary of the conflict, which had now lasted
+      thirty years. It had inflicted incredible suffering upon all who were
+      concerned in it, and had produced no important results whatever, except
+      that it had prevented the entire crushing out of Protestantism in Germany,
+      and the peace conference for the first time began to work in earnest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At last, after Bavaria had been wasted from end to end, and the duke
+      driven into exile, peace was concluded, the emperor yielding every point
+      demanded by France, as he saw plainly enough that unless he did so
+      Turenne's army would be at the gates of Vienna at the commencement of the
+      next campaign, and in October, 1648, hostilities ceased. Turenne went to
+      Munster and acted as the French negotiator in arranging the peace, to
+      which his genius, steadfast determination, and the expenditure of his own
+      means, by which he had kept the army on foot, had so largely contributed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XX: AN OLD SCORE
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Hector was not present with the army during the last three campaigns of
+      the war. He had joined Turenne in April, 1646, and shared in the general
+      disappointment when the order was received that the army was not to cross
+      the Rhine, because Bavaria had promised to remain neutral if it did not do
+      so.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I cannot think,&rdquo; the marshal said to him a day or two after he received
+      the order&mdash;for he had always maintained the same pleasant relations
+      with Hector that had subsisted between them in Italy, and placed the most
+      entire confidence in the discretion of the young colonel&mdash;&ldquo;how
+      Mazarin can allow Bavaria to hoodwink him. Indeed, I cannot believe that
+      he is really deceived; he must know that that crafty old fox the duke is
+      not to be relied upon in any way, and that he is merely trying to save
+      time. 'Tis hard indeed to see us powerless to move, now that the season
+      for campaigning is just opening, and when by advancing we could cut the
+      Bavarians off from Austria. As to besieging Luxembourg, it would be but a
+      waste of time, for before we could open a trench we should hear that the
+      duke has again declared against us, and we should have to hurry back with
+      all speed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was, indeed, but a fortnight later that the news came that the
+      Bavarians were on the move to join the Imperialists, and a fortnight later
+      it was known that the two armies had effected their junction. Turenne at
+      once collected his troops from the towns and villages where they were
+      placed, and marched to Mayence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to send you to Paris, Campbell,&rdquo; he said on the evening of
+      their arrival there. &ldquo;All is lost if the enemy, now united, throw
+      themselves upon the Swedes, and I have resolved to take upon myself the
+      responsibility of marching round through Holland and joining Wrangel.
+      There is, of course, risk in such an expedition, and the cardinal may
+      object very strongly to my undertaking such a movement, especially as it
+      will leave the frontier of France virtually unguarded, but I have no fear
+      that evil consequences will arise. The enemy will not hear of my march
+      until ten days after I have started, and even then they will probably
+      suppose that we have gone to Flanders. By the time they find out what my
+      intentions are, it will be too late for them to take advantage of my
+      absence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Even then they would have to storm Philippsburg or some other strong
+      place before they could cross the Rhine, and before they could do that
+      Wrangel and I would be at their heels. Moreover, as they would know that,
+      instead of pursuing them, we might, after effecting a junction, make
+      straight for Vienna, and that no army could be got together to oppose us,
+      I consider that the movement is a perfectly safe one. Now, I am going to
+      send you to Mazarin with my despatch telling him of my intention. I am
+      choosing you for the purpose, because you will be able to explain and
+      enforce the reasons that I have given him. He has a high opinion of you,
+      and will listen to you when perhaps he would not pay any regard to Rosen
+      or any other of these Weimar officers I might send. Remember that there is
+      no occasion for extreme hurry,&rdquo; and he smiled. &ldquo;Of course it is necessary
+      that you should travel with a certain amount of speed, but do not founder
+      your horse. Every day is of value to me, and if I am once well on my way
+      north Mazarin could hardly recall me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say that you take five days to get to Paris, by that time I should be
+      north of Cologne, and a courier from Mazarin can hardly overtake me until
+      I am in Holland, I should then feel justified in disregarding the order,
+      seeing that I should by pushing on effect a junction with the Swedes quite
+      as quickly as I could return here. Of course it would be too late for you
+      to overtake me, and I shall give you a written order to remain in Paris
+      until I am again so near the Rhine that you can join your regiment. I
+      consider that it will be an advantage to have you near the cardinal, as,
+      knowing my intentions and methods as you do, you would be able to so
+      explain matters to him that he will understand the reasons for my various
+      movements.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well marshal, I am ready to start as soon as you hand me the
+      despatch.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do that tomorrow morning, and you will then be able to tell
+      Mazarin that we were just setting out when you left us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As it will be some time before I shall rejoin my regiment, may I ask you
+      to appoint Captain de Thiou as second colonel? He has now served as senior
+      captain of the regiment for three years. He aided me heartily and
+      cordially in organizing it. He has seconded me throughout in a manner of
+      which I cannot speak too highly, and distinguished himself greatly at
+      Freiburg, and on every occasion in which we have been in contact with the
+      enemy. I think it very desirable that there should be an officer of rank
+      superior to the others while I am away; and both for the sake of the
+      regiment, and as a reward for the merit and conduct of Captain de Thiou
+      himself, I should be very glad were he promoted and should feel that the
+      regiment would in no way deteriorate during my absence.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, Campbell, I will carry out your recommendation. He has fairly
+      earned his promotion, and as you say, it is better in your absence that
+      the regiment should be led by an officer of rank above the others, and not
+      by a captain having but a very slight seniority to some of them. Doubtless
+      you will be saying goodbye to the officers tonight. I authorize you to
+      inform de Thiou that he will be placed in orders tomorrow morning as
+      second colonel of the regiment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did not think that we were likely to be back in Paris before next
+      winter, master,&rdquo; Paolo said rather discontentedly when Hector told him
+      that they were to start early next morning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nor did I, Paolo, and I should very much rather have remained with the
+      regiment; but as the marshal is good enough to consider that my presence
+      there may be of advantage to him, I have of course nothing to say against
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was great regret among the officers when they heard that their
+      colonel was not going to lead them, but all were pleased that de Thiou,
+      who was a general favourite, had obtained promotion. That officer was at
+      once surprised and gratified at the news, for it was not often that men
+      without strong family interest rose to the rank of colonel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know that this is your doing,&rdquo; he said gratefully. &ldquo;I never expected to
+      get above my present rank, and I am sure that I should never have done so
+      had it not been for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You thoroughly deserve it, de Thiou, for it was by your support that I
+      was enabled, when I first joined, to introduce reforms, and get the
+      officers to take upon themselves more work and responsibilities, and thus
+      make the regiment what it is. I hope I shall rejoin before the end of the
+      campaign. This may be the last, for now that they have begun the peace
+      conference at Munster, something must surely come of it sooner or later,
+      for all parties must be thoroughly sick of this long and terrible war,
+      which has ruined Germany and impoverished France, and from which neither
+      party, after nigh thirty years of fighting, has gained any material
+      advantage. At any rate it will be a great satisfaction to me to know that
+      the regiment is in your hands. I know that during the time that I have
+      been away this winter things have gone on satisfactorily; but it is
+      clearly impossible for an officer to keep a regiment well in hand when, as
+      in your case, your appointment was only a day or two earlier than that of
+      some of the others. You are likely to have some stiff marching now, for
+      only one other infantry regiment besides ours will accompany the cavalry,
+      the rest will remain here until they get an opportunity of rejoining. Of
+      course I shall take Paolo and my four mounted troopers back with me to
+      Paris. I may probably send them on to la Villar, as it is not likely that
+      I shall need them at court.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On the evening of the fifth day after leaving Mayence Hector arrived in
+      Paris, and alighted at the cardinal's hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you are again a bearer of despatches, Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; the cardinal
+      said, as Hector entered his apartment. &ldquo;They need be important, or the
+      marshal would hardly have sent you with them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are, as you will see, important, your eminence, but I am sent rather
+      to explain further than the marshal could do in a letter his reasons for
+      the step that he has taken. As you have learned long before this, the Duke
+      of Bavaria has proved false to his promises. He has effected a junction
+      with the Imperialist army, and the marshal has news that both are marching
+      against the Swedes, who are in no strength to show fight against so great
+      a force.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The cardinal opened the despatch, and read it in silence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'Tis a grave step for the marshal to have taken without orders,&rdquo; he said,
+      frowning; &ldquo;and do you mean to say that he has already started on this
+      expedition?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The troops had fallen into their ranks when I started, and by this time
+      they must be well on their way towards Holland. There was no time, sir,
+      for the marshal to await a reply to the despatch. The matter was most
+      urgent, every day was of importance, for if the Swedes fell back, as they
+      might do, before the archduke, the latter would be able to overrun all
+      northern Germany, to capture the towns of the Protestant princes, break up
+      their confederation, and compel them to give in their submission; for
+      Turenne with his small force would be powerless to interfere with their
+      operations, even if by pressing after them with all speed he arrived
+      within striking distance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And think you that he will reach Wrangel in time?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He hopes so, sir. He sent off a messenger before starting, with orders to
+      buy fresh horses at all cost at each halting place, to carry the news as
+      quickly as possible to Wrangel that he was on his way to join him, and
+      imploring him to intrench himself in some strong position until he should
+      come up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long hence will that be?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The march will be pressed forward with all speed, your eminence, with
+      such delays only as may be needed to keep the horses in such a state that
+      they may be ready for fighting as soon as they join the Swedes. He hopes
+      to be there in a month from the day of starting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And in the meantime,&rdquo; Mazarin said, &ldquo;France is open to invasion. He says,
+      indeed, that the Imperialists would hardly venture to march hitherward, as
+      thereby they in turn would leave it open to him and the Swedes to march
+      into the heart of Austria.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Assuredly that is so, sir. The archduke will hardly get news that Marshal
+      Turenne has moved until he has been some ten or twelve days on his march,
+      and even when he hears it he will not know in what direction he has gone,
+      but may think it likely that he either intends to seize Luxembourg or to
+      reinforce your army in Flanders. By the time they discover his true object
+      he will be within a week's march of the Swedes, possibly less than that.
+      It will be too late for them then to think of marching to the Rhine. If
+      they consider themselves strong enough to fight the marshal and the Swedes
+      together, they will do so at once; if they fear to give battle, still more
+      would they fear to be attacked by him when entering a country where they
+      would have him in their rear, and be hemmed in between him and the Rhine,
+      not to speak of the risk of leaving Austria open to invasion, should he,
+      instead of pursuing them, direct his march thither. If I might presume to
+      judge, I should say that the expedition that the marshal has undertaken is
+      at once worthy of his military genius, and will at the same time do far
+      more to ensure the safety of the Rhine provinces than he could do were he
+      to remain there with his small army until the Imperialists, having chased
+      the Swedes out of the country and reduced northern Germany, turned their
+      whole forces against him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see, Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; the cardinal said, turning the subject, &ldquo;that
+      you have been five days coming here from Mayence. It is a very different
+      rate of speed to that at which you traveled from Rocroi.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is so, your eminence; but on that occasion the Duc d'Enghien had
+      placed relays of his best horses all along the road, so that we were
+      enabled to travel without making a halt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And moreover, my dear colonel,&rdquo; Mazarin said, &ldquo;Turenne, far from urging
+      you to haste, was desirous of getting so far before he received my answer
+      as to render it impossible for me to recall him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I cannot think that your eminence would do that. It is a grand
+      enterprise, and almost without precedent in point both of daring and in
+      the great advantages to be gained from it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And Turenne thought that by sending you, you would be able to assist him
+      in persuading me to regard it favourably. Well, well, it is certainly too
+      late to recall him now. He has taken the responsibility upon himself, and
+      must stand or fall by the result. And now in the first place are you going
+      to hurry back again or are you going to remain here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My regiment is one of those that he has taken with him, sir, and as I
+      could not hope to overtake him he has requested me to remain here until I
+      receive orders from him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We shall be gainers so far,&rdquo; the cardinal said cordially, &ldquo;and I am sure
+      that from your knowledge of the country and of Turenne's methods your
+      advice upon military matters will be of great service to us. I must now go
+      and report to the queen this sudden change in the situation, and if she
+      disapproves of it I shall tell her that if she will but listen to you, you
+      will convert her to the view that this escapade of the marshal's is all
+      for the best, and seems likely indeed to retrieve the position that has
+      been caused by the treachery of Bavaria.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      During his stay in Paris Hector soon found that intrigue was more rampant
+      than ever. The Duke of Beaufort and others who had been implicated in the
+      plot on Mazarin's life had been pardoned and had returned to Paris, and as
+      the lesson that had been given them had taught them prudence, they were
+      now openly on good terms with the court. They were secretly, however,
+      intriguing with the parliament of Paris, which was now bitterly opposed to
+      Mazarin, had refused to register some of his decrees, and had even forced
+      him to dismiss his superintendent of finance, an Italian named Emeri. The
+      latter had imposed taxes at his will to satisfy his extravagance and
+      avarice, had raised the octroi duty, made the sale of firewood a monopoly,
+      and in various ways had incurred the indignation and hatred of the
+      Parisians.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mazarin's own greed had been in no slight degree the cause of his
+      unpopularity; he who had come to France a penniless priest was now the
+      owner of great estates. It was even said that much of the money that
+      should have been devoted to the needs of the army had been privately sent
+      into Italy by him, and throughout the country it was felt to be scandalous
+      that while the deepest distress was universal on account of the weight of
+      taxation, these two Italians should be piling up wealth for themselves.
+      But, avaricious as he was, the cardinal was lavish in his expenditure
+      among his friends and adherents; honours, titles, dignities, and estates
+      were freely bestowed upon them, and he did not hesitate to pay any sum
+      that would gain him the support of those whose aid he deemed to be
+      essential. Madame de Chevreuse was again at court, and was, as she had
+      always been, the centre of the intrigues that were going on. One evening
+      she made a sign for Hector to take a place by her side. She had taken a
+      fancy to the young Scottish colonel on the evening when he had been first
+      introduced to her, and was always gracious to him now.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Monsieur le baron,&rdquo; she said in a low tone, &ldquo;do you think that the air of
+      Paris agrees with you as well as that of the army?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He felt from the manner in which she spoke, that she meant more than she
+      said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So far, madam, it has not disagreed with me,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;and even did it
+      do so I should not be able to leave it, as I have orders to remain here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By the way, monsieur,&rdquo; she said, changing the subject of conversation,
+      &ldquo;it is whispered that that party of pleasure to which you took the
+      officers of your regiment at St. Germain did not come off, at least none
+      of the landlords of the hotels there can recall any such gathering, and it
+      is even said that your falling in with the carriage of the Duke of Orleans
+      was not altogether an accident. I only mention the reports; of course, it
+      was a matter of no moment whether your party dined at St. Germain or at
+      Sevres. But sometimes misapprehensions of this kind lead to trouble,
+      especially when they happen a few days before serious events. I like you,
+      Colonel Campbell, and that is why I have mentioned this; you understand
+      me, I have no doubt;&rdquo; and, turning to a gentleman who had at that moment
+      approached her, she entered into a lively conversation with him, and
+      Hector rose, and with the words, &ldquo;Thank you, madam,&rdquo; bowed, and moved
+      away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was easy to understand her meaning. Beaufort and the conspirators whose
+      plan he had thwarted, and who had suffered imprisonment and exile thereby,
+      had in some way discovered that it was to him that they owed their failure
+      and disgrace. At the moment his explanation and that of his officers had
+      deceived them, but doubtless someone whose connection with the plot was
+      unsuspected had instituted inquiries, found that the party he had spoken
+      of had not taken place, and had at once come to the conclusion that he had
+      in some way discovered their intentions, had really ridden out with his
+      officers to furnish a guard to Mazarin, and had afterwards acquainted him
+      with what he had discovered. Doubtless, as Madame de Chevreuse had warned
+      him, the air of Paris was at present dangerously unwholesome for him. He
+      had been the means of bringing disgrace and punishment upon the Duc de
+      Vendome and the Duke of Beaufort, two of the most powerful nobles in
+      France, and a host of their friends.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was probable that they only recently assured themselves that it was he
+      who had thwarted their plans; had it been otherwise he would scarcely have
+      escaped their vengeance the last time that he was in Paris. Now, from what
+      Madame de Chevreuse had said, he had no doubt whatever that some plot
+      would be made against his life. He might thwart one such attempt, but
+      others would follow. He resolved to lay the matter before the cardinal and
+      take his advice. Accordingly he waited until he was leaving; several
+      gentlemen of his suite accompanied him, and at the entrance to the Louvre
+      the men of the cardinal's guard fell in on either side. When they reached
+      Mazarin's hotel Hector moved up to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can I have a few words with you, your eminence?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, Colonel Campbell; I never retire to bed till long past
+      midnight. It is something serious, I see,&rdquo; he said quickly as they entered
+      his apartment, where a number of candles were burning, and he obtained a
+      full view of Hector's face. &ldquo;Another plot?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not against your eminence; it is a matter which concerns myself only. I
+      have been warned tonight that my share in the last affair has been
+      discovered, that inquiries have been made at St. Germain, and that the
+      various innkeepers have declared that no party of officers dined there
+      that morning, and that it was therefore concluded that our presence behind
+      your carriage was not accidental. They no doubt guessed that it was I who
+      discovered the plot, in consequence of which so many were arrested and
+      exiled. I have been distinctly warned that the air of Paris is unwholesome
+      for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who warned you?&rdquo; the cardinal said abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would not be fair of me to mention the name, but it is at any rate one
+      who is of Beaufort's party.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; the cardinal said sharply, &ldquo;I noticed you sitting for a few minutes
+      by Madame de Chevreuse. Never mind, I will respect your confidence. I can
+      well understand, after what you have said, that there is great danger
+      here, and it is a danger from which it is well nigh impossible to protect
+      you, unless you take up your residence here and never stir abroad. Nor do
+      I know that you would be safer with the army; an assassin's knife can
+      reach a man as easily in a camp as in a city, and with perhaps less risk
+      of detection. Neither Beaufort nor Vendome are men to forget or forgive an
+      injury, and they have scores of fellows who would for a few crowns murder
+      anyone they indicated, and of gentlemen of higher rank who, although not
+      assassins, would willingly engage you in a duel, especially those who
+      suffered in the plot that you discovered. Frankly, what do you think
+      yourself?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might retire to la Villar, cardinal. I should be safe there in my own
+      castle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So long as you did not leave it; but a man with a musket in ambush behind
+      a hedge might cut your career short. It is probable enough that you are
+      watched, and in that case I should doubt whether you would ever get to la
+      Villar, nor do I think that if you left for the Rhine you would get
+      halfway. Now you see, Monsieur Campbell, that your cause is mine, and that
+      your safety touches me as if it were my own, for it was in my service that
+      you incurred the danger. I must think the matter over. In the meantime I
+      beg of you to sleep here tonight. I will send word to your servant that
+      you will not return. I could of course send a guard with you to your
+      hotel, but some of the servants there may have been bribed to murder you
+      as you slept. I can look after myself; I seldom leave the house except to
+      go to the Louvre, and I never go even that short distance without a guard,
+      but it is much more difficult to protect you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have my own bodyguard, your excellency&mdash;four stout Scotch soldiers
+      and my lackey, Paolo, who is a good swordsman also; and as it does not
+      seem to me that I should be safer elsewhere than here, I shall at any rate
+      stay for a time. I should imagine that the warning was a general one. They
+      have just found out that I had a hand in thwarting their plot against you,
+      and I dare say used threats; but the threats of angry men come very often
+      to nothing; and at any rate, I do not choose that they should obtain the
+      satisfaction of driving me from Paris against my will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The cardinal shook his head. &ldquo;You see, monsieur, that Beaufort is a man
+      who hesitates at nothing. A scrupulous person would hardly endeavour to
+      slay a cardinal, who is also the minister of France, in the streets of
+      Paris in broad daylight. He is capable of burning down the Pome d'Or, and
+      all within it, in order to obtain revenge on you. I feel very uneasy about
+      you. However, sleep may bring counsel, and we will talk it over again in
+      the morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you thought of anything, Monsieur Campbell?&rdquo; Mazarin asked when they
+      met in the morning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have not, sir, save to go on trusting to my own sword and my
+      followers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can think of nothing,&rdquo; the cardinal said, &ldquo;save to send an order to
+      Turenne for two companies of your regiment to march hither, where, on
+      their arrival, you will receive orders to proceed with them to your castle
+      of la Villar, and to use them in the king's service in repressing all
+      troubles that may occur in Poitou. What say you to that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would not deprive her majesty of two hundred of her best soldiers to
+      guard me from what may not be after all a very real danger. My own
+      conclusions, after thinking it over this morning, are that I will remain
+      here for a time, trusting to my friends and my own sword. If a serious
+      attempt is made on my life I could then consider whether it would be best
+      to withdraw myself, and if so, whither to go; but I will not run away
+      merely on a vague hint that my life is in danger. I have faced death in
+      battle many times, and this danger can hardly be considered as more
+      serious. I imagine that in the first case some of the duke's followers
+      will force me into a duel, before proceeding to try assassination, and
+      although doubtless he has some good blades among his friends, I do not
+      think that I need to feel uneasy on that score. I was always practising
+      with my sword as a boy. Since I have been in the army I have spent a good
+      deal of my time, when in winter quarters, in such practice with my own
+      officers, and with any maitres d'armes in the towns where I have been, and
+      while in Italy had the opportunity of learning much, for there are fine
+      fencers there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So be it, then,&rdquo; Mazarin said. &ldquo;But if matters go to extremes, remember
+      that I consider myself responsible for you. I believe that you saved my
+      life, and although there are many things that men say against me, none
+      have ever charged me with ingratitude. If I can protect you in no other
+      way I shall have you arrested, sent to the frontier, that is to say, to
+      the sea frontier, and put on board ship and sent to England or Scotland,
+      as you choose, with a chest containing a sum that will suffice to purchase
+      any estate you may choose there.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am in earnest,&rdquo; he went on as Hector was about to answer. &ldquo;It is for my
+      own sake as much as yours; when my friends are attacked I am attacked, and
+      I am doubly bound in your case. It needs but a stroke of my pen to make
+      you a duke and lord of half a province; and if I cannot do that here,
+      because you would still be within reach of your enemies, I can, as far as
+      the estates go, do it for you abroad. Do not fail to let me know each day
+      if anything new takes place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector felt that there was no more to say, and bowing, left the cardinal's
+      presence and went out. Paolo and Macpherson were waiting outside.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The cardinal's messenger, who brought the news last night that you would
+      not return, master,&rdquo; the former said when he saw by Hector's look of
+      surprise that he had not expected to see him there, &ldquo;said also that I and
+      one of your men had best be here at eight this morning and wait until you
+      came out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did not know that he had sent such a message, Paolo, but I will when we
+      get to the hotel tell you why he sent it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The street was somewhat crowded, and Hector had gone but a short distance
+      when he saw three gentlemen, who he knew to be intimates of the Duke of
+      Beaufort, coming in the other direction. One of them was Monsieur de
+      Beauvais, who said in a loud tone to his companions just as Hector was
+      passing:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is the Scotchman whom the cardinal employs to do his dirty
+      business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector faced round at once. &ldquo;At any rate, Monsieur de Beauvais, the
+      Scotchman in question is not employed by the cardinal as an assassin,
+      which is an even more dishonourable post.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      De Beauvais turned white with anger. &ldquo;Behind the Luxembourg in an hour's
+      time, Monsieur de Villar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be there,&rdquo; Hector said coldly. He paused a minute, after the
+      three gentlemen, with the customary salute, walked on. He did not like to
+      go to the Hotel Mazarin lest the cardinal should obtain news of what was
+      going to take place, so he waited in the neighbourhood, knowing that some
+      of Mazarin's personal friends would be sure to arrive about this hour.
+      Presently he saw a colonel who, like himself, was spending the winter in
+      Paris, and who frequently attended the cardinal's levees.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Colonel de Serres, as a fellow soldier I have a service to ask of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am entirely at your disposal, Monsieur Campbell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have just had a quarrel forced upon me by Monsieur de Beauvais, and I
+      have to meet him in fifty minutes' time at the back of the Luxembourg. As
+      he was in company with two gentlemen, the Comte de Marplat and Monsieur de
+      Vipont, I shall be glad if you would kindly act as my second, and if you
+      can find another officer who would do so, I shall be glad of his services
+      also.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to support you, Monsieur Campbell, and can lay my hand on
+      another second at once, for here comes my friend and yours, Monsieur Emile
+      de Chavigny, who will, like myself, be charmed to be concerned in any
+      affair against the duke's friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      De Chavigny, whom Hector had seen at the court on the previous day for the
+      first time since they had parted in Italy, agreed at once to Hector's
+      request.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;De Beauvais has the reputation of being a good swordsman, Campbell,&rdquo; he
+      said as they walked together towards the Luxembourg, Paolo and his
+      companion having now returned to the inn at his master's order; &ldquo;but I
+      should say that he will want all his skill now. You were by far the best
+      swordsman among us when you left us suddenly in the south, and doubtless
+      since then your skill will not have fallen off.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I know a good deal more than I knew then, Chavigny. There were few
+      days when we were in winter quarters that I had not an hour's work in the
+      fencing school with the officers of my regiment, and whenever I heard that
+      there was a professor of the art I have never failed to frequent his salon
+      and to learn his favourite strokes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is all right, then. We need have no fear whatever as to the result.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They reached the point fixed upon a minute or two before the clock struck,
+      and just as it chimed de Beauvais and his friends made their appearance.
+      The seconds exchanged a few words and selected a piece of ground for the
+      encounter, the principals at once removed their doublets and faced each
+      other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is a duel a la mort,&rdquo; de Beauvais said in a loud voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For that I am quite prepared,&rdquo; Hector said quietly; &ldquo;but you are likely
+      to find, Monsieur de Beauvais, that it is not so easy a thing to kill the
+      colonel of one of her majesty's regiments as it is to stab a churchman in
+      his carriage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      De Beauvais at once took up his position, and, without the parade of
+      courtesy that usually preceded an encounter, fell furiously upon Hector.
+      The latter did not give way a step. With a wrist of iron he put aside half
+      a dozen thrusts, and then lunging, ran de Beauvais through the body, his
+      sword hilt striking against his adversary's chest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      De Beauvais' two seconds ran forward as their principal fell. &ldquo;He is
+      dead,&rdquo; one said as they knelt over him. Then rising he addressed Hector:
+      &ldquo;Monsieur le Colonel Campbell,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I claim satisfaction at your
+      hands, for I take it that your words applied to me as well as to de
+      Beauvais, though addressed only to him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may take it so,&rdquo; Hector replied coldly, &ldquo;for you were also at that
+      house in the Rue St. Honore on that occasion you know of.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector's two seconds endeavoured to interpose, but he said: &ldquo;Gentlemen, I
+      must ask you to let the matter go on. This is no ordinary duel. These
+      gentlemen, with whom I have no personal animosity, have picked a quarrel
+      with me at the request of one higher in rank than themselves, and are
+      simply his agents. I had no hesitation in killing the first of them, but
+      as Monsieur de Vipont wishes an encounter with me in spite of what he has
+      seen I will give him one, but will content myself with a less severe
+      lesson than that I have given Monsieur de Beauvais. Now, sir, I am at your
+      service.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      De Vipont, knowing now how dangerous an opponent he was meeting, fought
+      cautiously. Hector, however, was anxious to finish the matter before they
+      were interrupted, and therefore took the offensive, and after two passes
+      ran his antagonist through the shoulder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Monsieur le Comte, do you desire a turn?&rdquo; he said carelessly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The count was pale, but he answered steadily, &ldquo;I claim it by the same
+      right as Monsieur de Vipont.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Agreed,&rdquo; Hector said; and as soon as the count had removed his upper
+      garments they engaged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The swords had scarcely clashed when the count's weapon was wrenched from
+      his hand and sent flying for a distance of twenty paces.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is enough,&rdquo; Colonel de Serres said, stepping forward; &ldquo;you have done
+      what you thought to be your duty, Monsieur le Comte, but it needs very
+      different blades from those of yourself and your companions to stand
+      before Colonel Campbell. He had you at his mercy, and had a right to take
+      your life if he chose; but as he refrained from doing that when you had
+      your sword in your hand, he certainly will not do so now. Messieurs, we
+      wish you good morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you may mention,&rdquo; Hector added, &ldquo;to this person of high rank, that I
+      shall be happy to accommodate as many of the gentlemen of his following as
+      choose to take the matter up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He will send no more to you, Campbell,&rdquo; Chavigny said as they moved off,
+      leaving the count, whose valet now ran up, to obtain a vehicle and carry
+      his dead and wounded comrades away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I fancy not; he will try other means now. The war has only begun. Men
+      like Lei, Brillet, and the Campions are not the sort of men who would act
+      as bravos, even for the Duke of Beaufort, and I do not think that he would
+      even venture to propose it to them. It will be meaner instruments that he
+      will employ next time. However, I shall of course go straight to the
+      cardinal and acquaint him with what has happened. I doubt not but that he
+      will lay the matter before the queen, and then that Beaufort will hear of
+      it; but, passionate and revengeful as he is, I think that he will not be
+      turned from his purpose, even if he knows that he may be forced to retire
+      to his estates, or even leave the country till the matter blows over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXI: THE DUKE'S REVENGE
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      The cardinal listened gravely to Hector's account of the duel, and of the
+      circumstances that gave rise to it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go at once to the Louvre and appeal to her majesty,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;you
+      know how warmly she spoke to you on the day when you saved my life. Still,
+      I fear that the sternest reproof, or even an order to retire to his
+      estates, would not turn him from his purpose.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sure of it, your eminence; still, as I have proved victor in the
+      first battle in the campaign I will bide a second.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mind that you do not get stabbed in the back, colonel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will beware of that, sir; whenever I walk the streets in future Paolo
+      shall keep a pace behind me, and I warrant that he will protect me from
+      any attempt of that sort.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At any rate remain here until I return from the Louvre.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In an hour Mazarin returned. &ldquo;The duke has been beforehand with us,&rdquo; he
+      said. &ldquo;When I told the queen of what had happened, and why this quarrel
+      had been fastened upon you, she sent at once for the duke, and drew out an
+      order, which I signed, for him to retire at once to his estates; but the
+      royal messenger returned with the news that he had half an hour before
+      ridden away to visit his father at Vendome. A courier will start at once
+      with the order, but I doubt whether he will be found there. It is probable
+      that he has gone to one of his own estates, and it may be some time before
+      we find out where he is. However, it is something that he has gone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On his return to the inn Hector told Paolo what had taken place.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a pity that you did not kill them all, master.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all, Paolo; had I done so every one of their friends would have
+      been set against me. Both these men are of good families, and will
+      doubtless report that I had their lives at my mercy and spared them, and
+      after that no gentleman of reputation would take the matter up. I shall
+      have to be very careful in future, but now that the duke has gone there is
+      not likely to be any further trouble just at present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo shook his head. &ldquo;Nay, master, I think the danger all the greater. In
+      the first place, we do not know that he has gone. I think it far more
+      likely that he is hiding in the house of one of his friends. He has
+      pretended to leave because he was sure the cardinal would take the matter
+      up, and in order that, if he is absent from Paris when any harm befell
+      you, it could not be brought home to him. I do not suppose that next time
+      he will employ any of his own people. He is most popular among the mob of
+      Paris, who call him the King of the Markets, and he will have no
+      difficulty in getting as many daggers as he wishes from the scum of the
+      faubourgs. It would be difficult in the extreme to prove that he had aught
+      to do with it, for you may be sure that he would really go down into the
+      country with all speed the moment the deed was done.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In future, master, you must not go out without having me close behind
+      you; as for the others, I would put them in ordinary citizen garb, and let
+      them follow some twenty yards behind, so as to be in readiness to run up
+      at once. They could carry swords openly, and have their pistols hidden
+      under their doublets.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It might be as well, at any rate for the present. If, as you think,
+      Beaufort is hidden in Paris, it is certain he will lose no time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo nodded. &ldquo;I will get the men disguises at once. They had better be
+      different; Macpherson can be dressed as a soldier, Nicholl as a burgher,
+      and Sandy Grahame and Hunter as rough mechanics. They, of course, could
+      not carry swords, but might take heavy cudgels. They would not walk
+      together, or seem to have any knowledge of each other. Sandy might be ten
+      paces behind you, Nicholl twenty, and the others thirty, or where the
+      street is wide they could keep abreast of you on the other side. Are you
+      going to the Louvre this evening?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, the cardinal said that the queen wished that I should appear there.
+      I would much rather have stayed away, as doubtless the affair behind the
+      Luxembourg will be generally known by this evening, and I shall feel my
+      position a very unpleasant one, though I imagine that the queen intends,
+      by her countenance of me, to show that I have not fallen into disgrace for
+      duelling.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Such was indeed the case. All eyes were turned upon Hector when he entered
+      the royal saloon. Many of Mazarin's friends came up and shook hands with
+      him warmly, while the adherents of Beaufort and Vendome stood aloof from
+      him with angry faces. Presently the door opened, and the queen, closely
+      followed by Mazarin and a train of ladies and gentlemen, entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As she passed Hector she stopped. &ldquo;Monsieur le Baron de la Villar,&rdquo; she
+      said in clear tones, which were heard all over the apartment, &ldquo;much as I
+      object to duelling, and determined as I am to enforce the edicts against
+      it, I feel that in the encounter this morning you were in no way to blame,
+      and that it was forced upon you. It is scandalous that one who has so
+      bravely shed his blood and risked his life in defence of France should be
+      assailed in the capital, and for what reason? Because he proved faithful
+      to the queen and her minister. You have punished the chief of the
+      aggressors, and I shall know how to punish those who stood behind him;&rdquo;
+       and with a gracious bow in response to his deep reverence she moved on.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The little speech created a deep sensation among the courtiers. That the
+      queen herself should so publicly give her countenance to this young
+      Scottish gentleman, and should&mdash;for no one doubted to whom she
+      alluded&mdash;even threaten one of the most powerful nobles in the land,
+      showed how strongly she felt. No one, with the exception of half a dozen
+      persons, understood her allusion to the service that he had rendered to
+      her and the cardinal, but all felt that it must be something altogether
+      exceptional. Many of the nobles who belonged neither to the party of
+      Beaufort nor the cardinal came up and congratulated him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He received these signs of the impression that the queens' words had
+      conferred upon him quietly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very sorry for what has occurred,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I have killed many in
+      battle, but this is the first time that I have killed anyone in a private
+      quarrel. It was not one of my seeking, but I am none the less sorry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As he passed near Madame de Chevreuse, she made a gesture to him to come
+      to her. &ldquo;You did not accept my warning,&rdquo; she said sadly. &ldquo;Remember, a
+      storm is not past because the first flash of lightning does not strike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am well aware of that, madam; I thank you for your warning, but I am
+      bound here by my duties as a tree is bound to the earth by its roots, and
+      neither can move at will to escape a storm passing overhead.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Should I hear of any fresh danger, Monsieur Campbell,&rdquo; she said in a low
+      voice, &ldquo;I will have you informed of it, but it is more probable that I
+      shall not know. Were it a state secret I should surely hear of it, but in
+      a matter like this none save those concerned would be likely to know of it
+      until it was over. Be always on your guard night and day, you cannot tell
+      when the bolt may fall;&rdquo; and she motioned to him to pass on again. As
+      before, Hector accompanied the cardinal as far as his hotel, then he went
+      towards his own lodgings, Paolo, with his hand on his dagger, keeping a
+      pace behind him, while the four troopers followed one by one at a
+      distance. The streets were almost deserted until, just as they approached
+      the inn, a number of rough men rushed out from side alleys and doorways.
+      Hector had just time to throw himself with his back to a house and draw
+      his sword. Paolo's knife had levelled the first man who approached, and
+      then drawing his sword he took his place by the side of his master. The
+      ruffians stood round, each anxious to be the first to strike, and yet
+      fearful of meeting the sword that had, as they had heard, mastered three
+      gentlemen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Run in at him, fools!&rdquo; a man in a cloak, with his hat pulled down over
+      his eyes, and keeping in the rear of the others, shouted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Before his orders could be carried out there was a sudden movement, and
+      four men burst through them and joined Hector. The assailants hesitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But again the man behind shouted: &ldquo;Cowards, there are but six of them, and
+      you are five-and-twenty, are you such curs that you are afraid to attack
+      when you are nigh five to one?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then, with a hoarse yell the crowd rushed forward. One was struck down by
+      a heavy cudgel, three fell on the pavement, and another one tottered back
+      disabled, but others took their places, and for a time the little band
+      were hardly pressed. The four Scotchmen fought stoutly, but although fair
+      swordsmen they gained no great advantage over their opponents until they
+      betook them to their pistols, when several of their assailants fell, but
+      not without inflicting wounds. Paolo also fought well, and brought three
+      to the ground. Hector, however, took the offensive, and before his swift
+      blade, with its deadly thrust, those opposed to him fell back as one after
+      another dropped dead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Down with him! down with him!&rdquo; the voice shouted; &ldquo;are ye men thus to
+      give way before a single blade?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And are you a man,&rdquo; Hector shouted back, &ldquo;to set on others to fight when
+      you dare not fight yourself? Whoever you are, you are a coward!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With a fierce oath the man pushed his way through those in front of him
+      and drew his sword. He threw back his cloak to obtain the full use of his
+      sword arm, and the rich gold braiding of his doublet confirmed the opinion
+      Hector had already formed as to his identity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is better, my lord duke; it is at least more honourable to fight in
+      your own quarrels than to employ a band of assassins to do your work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With a roar of fury Beaufort rushed upon him. He was a good swordsman, and
+      personally brave, but his rage neutralized his skill, and after parrying
+      two or three of his lunges Hector repeated the thrust with which he had
+      that morning disabled de Vipont, and ran his assailant through the
+      shoulder. He fell back with a curse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kill him! kill him!&rdquo; he shouted. But at that moment there was a cry, &ldquo;The
+      watch! the watch!&rdquo; Four of the fellows caught up the wounded man and
+      carried him off, some of the others skirmishing with the watch to hinder
+      their advance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To the inn!&rdquo; Hector cried to his men, &ldquo;leave the matter to the watch.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      And sheathing their weapons they ran on to the door of the hotel and
+      obtained entry there before the watch came up. As soon as they had passed
+      Hector said, &ldquo;Come with me, Paolo, and see the cardinal; there is no fear
+      of any renewal of the attack now.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know who it was I wounded, Paolo?&rdquo; he asked as they hurried along.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, master, I was too busy myself to look round.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was Beaufort himself; I ran him through, low down in the shoulder.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Paolo uttered an exclamation of dismay.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It cannot be helped now,&rdquo; Hector went on, &ldquo;but there will be no living in
+      Paris or even in France after this!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mazarin had not retired to bed when they reached his hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What now, monsieur?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have had our second battle, your eminence, and it has been a serious
+      one. We were attacked by five-and-twenty ruffians; we slew some ten of
+      them. Then their leader, who had been keeping in the rear shouting to
+      them, seeing that his men were not likely to get the best of us, pushed
+      through them and himself attacked me. I wounded him somewhat seriously, at
+      least the thrust was just below the shoulder; and when I tell you that it
+      was Beaufort himself you will see that the matter is serious indeed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It could not be worse,&rdquo; the cardinal said gravely; &ldquo;you will have the
+      whole of the adherents of the house of Vendome banded against you, and
+      even your bravery could not long triumph over such odds. France is no
+      longer a place for you. Neither the queen's protection nor mine would
+      avail you aught.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He took two or three turns up the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the first place, Monsieur Campbell, I will buy your fief back from
+      you; there are plenty who would gladly purchase it, or I can bestow it, as
+      it was bestowed upon you, upon someone who has served the crown well. I
+      will send the price to the banker who already holds money of yours in his
+      keeping. I should advise you to mount tonight and ride for the seacoast.
+      Tomorrow would be too late.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He opened a cabinet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here are a thousand crowns for your present expenses. Which road will you
+      take? I should advise you not to go to Calais; that is the line on which,
+      as soon as it is known that you have gone, they will pursue you, and even
+      did they not overtake you on the way they might reach Calais before you
+      could obtain a ship for England, for at present there is but little trade
+      between the countries, and that not openly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will make for Nantes, your eminence; there I can be joined by friends
+      from my chateau.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A slight smile passed over the cardinal's face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'Tis no time for jesting,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;but in truth I had intended to find
+      a rich heiress for you. But when I heard that two ladies were staying at
+      the castle I laid the project aside; and 'tis as well that I did so, for,
+      were you married to a princess, your life would not be safe in France.
+      Farewell, Monsieur Campbell, I have not so many friends that I can afford
+      to lose so true and stout a one, especially one upon whom misfortunes have
+      come through his good services to myself. I will send a messenger to the
+      governor of Nantes with orders that he shall in every way forward your
+      wishes as to your departure, as it is with my consent and approval that
+      you are sailing for England. Your devotion has brought you into the
+      gravest peril, and now it forces you to relinquish your profession, in
+      which you have so greatly distinguished yourself. Truly, my friendship for
+      you is genuine, and it cuts me to the heart that, although I could uphold
+      you against the most powerful nobles in open enmity, I can do naught to
+      save you from assassination. I trust some day that I may see you again,
+      but, should it not be so, remember that I shall always feel myself your
+      debtor; and should you have friends for whom you may ask my protection be
+      sure that I will for your sake do all in my power for them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was no doubting the real emotion with which Mazarin spoke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is one thing that I forgot,&rdquo; the latter said; &ldquo;here is a pass for
+      you to leave the gates at once. You had better go out by the north, so
+      that they may think that you have ridden to Calais, and then take a wide
+      detour and ride for Nantes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector returned to the hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We must mount at once,&rdquo; he said to the troopers; &ldquo;my enemies have failed
+      twice, but they might not fail the third time, and by tomorrow morning it
+      is certain that the hotel will be watched. I have a pass to issue out
+      through the gate at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      While he had been away the troopers had bandaged each other's wounds, and
+      had packed their valises, for they thought it probable after what had
+      happened that their master would be obliged to fly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As the horses were being saddled and brought out Hector saw the innkeeper
+      and paid him his bill.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Monsieur,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I am going away on business of the cardinal's, and
+      he desires that none shall know that I have left; therefore I pray you
+      keep the matter secret as long as you can. It may be reasonably supposed
+      that after the fray in which we have just been engaged, we might well keep
+      our beds for a day or two.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Going out in the courtyard, he gave a couple of crowns to the hostler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are like to be asked tomorrow if we are still here,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Give
+      such answers as to lead them to believe that our horses are still in the
+      stalls.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They mounted and rode rapidly through the streets to the northern gate,
+      which was immediately, upon Hector's handing the guard the cardinal's
+      pass, opened to them. To the surprise of the men, he turned off after
+      riding a few miles.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you not going to make for Calais, master?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I am bound for Poitou. We will cross the Seine by the bridge of boats
+      at Nantes, ride down through Dreux and Le Mans. There we will separate. I
+      shall follow the Sarthe, strike the Loire at Angers, and then go on to
+      Nantes. You will cross the Loire at Tours, and then make for la Villar. I
+      shall take you, Macpherson and Hunter, with me. Paolo will ride with the
+      other two, and will be the bearer of letters from me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Daylight was breaking when they crossed the bridge of boats. Hector halted
+      a mile from the river, keeping Paolo with him, and telling the others to
+      pass at intervals of a quarter of an hour apart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will go first, Macpherson. You will ride south for an hour, and then
+      wait till the rest of us join you. It is like enough that as soon as they
+      find out that we have left they will send men off in all directions to
+      find out which way we followed, though doubtless the chief pursuit will be
+      directed towards Calais. I am afraid that it will not be very long before
+      they find we have left the hotel, for the landlord, however well he may
+      wish us, will not dare mislead any person of consequence that Beaufort may
+      send.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They had, however, a much longer start than Hector expected, for early the
+      next morning ten of the cardinal's guards appeared at the hotel. The
+      officer in command of them told the innkeeper that, in consequence of the
+      tumult before his doors, in which, as he heard, some of those lodging
+      there had been concerned, he had orders to post his men round the house,
+      and to allow no one to enter or leave under any pretence whatever until
+      the cardinal himself had examined into the affair. These orders were
+      delivered in a loud voice before the servants of the inn, but the officer
+      privately assured the innkeeper afterwards that he would be well paid for
+      his loss of custom, and that it was probable that the guard would be
+      removed in a day or two. Thus Beaufort's emissaries were not able to
+      obtain news of what was passing within, and did nothing until past noon,
+      when it occurred to them that the cardinal had taken this strange step of
+      closing the inn in order to prevent its being known that Hector and his
+      followers had left Paris.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Men were at once sent off to the different gates of the city, and one of
+      these returning with the news that the north gate had been opened at one
+      o'clock in the morning and that six men bearing a pass from the cardinal
+      had ridden out, a party of twenty horsemen started out in pursuit, while
+      others were ordered to ride by all the different routes to Poitou, in
+      case, as was likely enough, Hector had ridden to his castle. The fugitive,
+      however, and his followers were all well mounted, and had fourteen hours'
+      start. They separated at Le Mans. Hector here wrote a long letter to the
+      Baronne de Blenfoix, and a shorter one to MacIntosh. The latter he told
+      only that his fief had again reverted to the crown, and gave instructions
+      that the steward should be ordered to return, from the moneys he had in
+      hand, three months' rent to every tenant, to hand the balance to MacIntosh
+      himself, and to hold possession of the chateau and estate until he
+      received orders from the cardinal himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MacIntosh was then, with Paolo, two troopers, and his own two sergeants,
+      to escort the baroness and her daughter to Nantes, if she decided to go
+      there. All arrangements were to be completed within twelve hours of
+      Paolo's arrival there. To the baroness he related briefly what had passed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Therefore, as you see,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;there is no course open for me but to
+      fly for England or Ireland, where I intend to settle. I trust, madam, that
+      you and your daughter will accompany me. Putting aside my respect and, I
+      may say, my affection for yourself, you will have understood from what I
+      said to you when last at la Villar, that I hope some day to make your
+      daughter Norah my wife, if I should be so fortunate as to obtain her
+      affections. How this may be I cannot say, but at any rate I trust that you
+      will return to England, and as I have ample funds you may be assured that
+      my first care will be to provide for your future.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On arriving at Nantes Hector at once rode to the governor, and presented
+      the cardinal's letter to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may be assured, Colonel Campbell, that I shall carry out his
+      eminence's instructions,&rdquo; he said, after perusing the cardinal's letter.
+      &ldquo;I will send an officer down to the port with you to aid you in obtaining
+      passage, should there be a ship leaving for England, or to take up a ship
+      for your service.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would rather the latter,&rdquo; Hector said. &ldquo;I may have ladies with me, and
+      so should wish to have plenty of accommodation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am also instructed,&rdquo; the governor said, &ldquo;to close the gate, in case any
+      party, followers of the Dukes of Vendome or Beaufort, or of any families
+      connected with them, arrive before you leave, and to grant them no
+      admittance until a messenger from the mouth of the river informs me that
+      you are fairly out at sea.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am indeed obliged to his eminence for that order, sir; he did not
+      mention to me that he was giving it, but it will certainly save me from
+      much anxiety.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As Hector was not disposed to haggle about terms, he had no difficulty in
+      hiring a vessel to carry them across the Channel. Twenty-four hours after
+      his arrival the party from the chateau rode in, and but half an hour later
+      fifty horsemen wearing the cognizance of Vendome galloped up to the gate.
+      They were headed by four or five gentlemen, one of whom demanded angrily
+      why the gates were shut.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are closed by order of the governor,&rdquo; the officer in charge replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell the governor that the Count d'Erlon, with a party of gentlemen,
+      retainers of the Duke of Vendome, are here, and demand instant
+      admittance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Twenty minutes later the governor himself arrived at the gate. &ldquo;I am
+      sorry, gentlemen,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that I am compelled to keep the gates closed.
+      I have an order from Cardinal Mazarin to that effect, and that, coming
+      from the first minister of France, I dare not disregard even if the duke
+      himself were with you. It would cost me my place, and possibly gain me a
+      cell in the Bastille; and, grieved as I am to refuse admittance to such
+      honourable gentlemen, still I must do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And for how long is this monstrous edict to remain in force?&rdquo; the leader
+      of the party asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I am unable to say precisely, but I believe that I can open them
+      tomorrow morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, we were right, count,&rdquo; another of the horsemen said. &ldquo;The
+      description of the man who rode along here with two attendants tallies
+      with that of this Scot, and doubtless this order was brought by him from
+      Mazarin to enable him to get either by water away abroad or to his chateau
+      of la Villar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, gentlemen, at any rate we have done our best, and though we must
+      have slain the fellow if we had overtaken him, I cannot say that I am
+      altogether grieved that he has escaped. His name is well known to
+      everyone. He did brave service to France under Turenne and Conde. We
+      learned from the messenger who brought the letter from Beaufort that he
+      killed de Beauvais in fair fight, wounded de Vipont, and disarmed the
+      Comte de Marplat, that at night he and five of his followers, though
+      attacked by some thirty ruffians from the faubourgs under Beaufort
+      himself, killed twelve of them outright, and that he himself seriously
+      wounded the duke. Well, there is nothing for us but to ride back to the
+      village we last passed through and wait there until tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he mounted his horse and galloped off with his party.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who could have thought when we parted last, Colonel Campbell, that we
+      should meet again under such greatly changed circumstances!&rdquo; Madame de
+      Blenfoix exclaimed as Hector met the party as they alighted before the
+      principal inn of Nantes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a change, indeed,&rdquo; he replied; &ldquo;so great that I myself can hardly
+      realize it, and am not sure whether I am sorry or the reverse at what has
+      taken place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very glad to hear you say so, as I feared that it would be a
+      terrible blow to you to give up the army.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have hardly had time to think of it,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I have had so much else
+      to occupy my thoughts. Now, I pray you, enter the inn for a few minutes; I
+      have warned them to get a meal ready to be served at the shortest notice,
+      for I am anxious that no time shall be lost; everything is ready for our
+      embarkation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Had we not best go aboard at once?&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Your enemies might arrive
+      at any moment by what Paolo tells us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The matter is not so pressing as I thought, madam, for the cardinal sent
+      orders to the governor that he is not to open the gates to any armed party
+      of friends of Beaufort or Vendome until I am fairly at sea.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He went with the ladies to a private room he had secured.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must leave you for a few minutes,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;while I have a talk with
+      MacIntosh and the others.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, old friend,&rdquo; he said as he went out to where the little party of
+      Scotchmen were standing in a group, &ldquo;what are your plans and wishes? 'Tis
+      a pity now that I persuaded you to leave Paris and go down to la Villar,
+      but I did it for the best. I thought of you much as I rode hither.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do not trouble about me, colonel, I am by no means sorry at the change. I
+      was getting tired of the cabaret, and should soon have given it up even
+      had you not come to offer me the wardenship of your chateau. I have
+      chatted matters over with my two friends, and we have not yet agreed
+      whether to return to Scotland or to remain in France. At any rate we shall
+      go to Paris first; my money is there all in good keeping, together with
+      the two years' payment for the cabaret. Are you thinking of going to
+      Scotland yourself, colonel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly not to Scotland, I have no friends there, and from all that I
+      have heard the people are so hard and bigoted, so full of their religious
+      differences, that I should feel sorely out of place with them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, MacIntosh, as soon as I am settled in England I will have a letter
+      conveyed to you in some way at the address of The Scottish Soldier.
+      Wherever I am, there will be a home always open to you, and glad indeed I
+      shall be to have you near me. My four troopers are going to accompany me.
+      I have talked the matter over with them, and have promised that I will
+      find a house with a small farm for them on any estate I may purchase,
+      where they can do such an amount of work as pleases them, or that they can
+      remain in my service on the present conditions. You can make the same
+      offer in my name to your two comrades. After all, things are not so
+      settled across the water that I can dispense with old friends on whom I
+      can rely. Paolo, of course, goes with me, and will be my right hand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will think it all over, Hector, and maybe one of these days I and the
+      other two may knock at your door. It is hard if seven old fellow soldiers
+      could not end their days happily and quietly together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as the meal had been eaten Hector went to say goodbye to the
+      governor, and heard how Vendome's men had been refused entrance. After
+      thanking him for the courtesy that he had shown him, he returned to the
+      inn. As the party would require horses on landing, and there was plenty of
+      room on board the vessel that he had engaged, Hector shipped the three
+      horses that Conde had given him, and four others for the use of his men,
+      and after a hearty farewell to MacIntosh on his part and that of the
+      ladies, they went on board, and a few minutes later the sails were set and
+      the vessel started down the river. The wind was favourable, and they made
+      a fast voyage down to the sea. Before they reached the mouth of the river,
+      however, Hector had ascertained to his satisfaction that Norah O'More
+      returned the feeling that he felt for her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have loved you,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;from the moment when you came to us as our
+      saviour from death on the summit of the turret; and though as time went on
+      I did not venture to think that you, who had so fair a future before you,
+      would ever think of the girl who with her mother you had so nobly
+      entertained and treated, I should never have loved any other man to the
+      end of my life.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The voyage was without incident, and five days after leaving Nantes they
+      arrived at Plymouth. Here Hector hired a house, and when the ladies were
+      comfortably settled he left them in charge of Paolo and two of the men,
+      and rode to London accompanied by the others. Here he called upon the
+      banker whose address Mazarin had given him, and on sending in his name was
+      shown into the room in which private business was transacted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have certain moneys of mine in your hands, Mr. Wilson?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have had fifty thousand crowns for the past three years and have put
+      them out on good security, so that the sum stands at present in my books
+      at sixty-four thousand crowns. Three days ago I received from Cardinal
+      Mazarin bills to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand crowns,
+      being, he said, due to you for the surrender of the fief of la Villar, and
+      for other services rendered to him. The cardinal is a good paymaster,&rdquo; he
+      added with a slight smile at seeing Hector's surprise at the news, &ldquo;but it
+      was plain from his letter to me that he considered that the value of your
+      services was greatly in excess of the sum, large as it is, that he sent,
+      especially as they had brought great misfortunes upon you, and had forced
+      you to abandon France, and give up your profession, in which, he said,
+      your prospects of gaining the highest rank were of the brightest. Now,
+      sir, if there are any services that I can render you I am at your
+      disposal. You will naturally wish to invest your money in some way, and,
+      though I say it myself, I know of no one who could lay it out to better
+      advantage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may help me assuredly,&rdquo; Hector said, &ldquo;for I am an entire stranger in
+      England. I wish to purchase an estate, but have no idea how to set about
+      it, while, doubtless, you are acquainted with many such domains at present
+      for sale. I may say that I will on no account purchase an estate which has
+      been confiscated by parliament on account of its owner being loyal to the
+      crown. Charles II may, and I believe will, return and mount the throne,
+      and these estates will then beyond doubt be restored to their former
+      owners, therefore I will have nought to do with such property.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You could not choose a better time for laying out your money in land,&rdquo;
+       the banker said. &ldquo;Great numbers of the nobles and gentlemen of England
+      have been killed or are in exile; many, again, who still hold their land
+      are well nigh ruined by the moneys they spent in the king's service, and
+      would gladly sell now could they obtain anything like a fair value for
+      their estates. I know of a score at least of such properties which are so
+      deeply mortgaged that the owners can scarce afford to live in their own
+      homes, and would gladly take a sum that would suffice to pay off the
+      mortgage and give them the wherewithal to live upon, either abroad or in
+      Virginia, to which colony many loyal gentlemen have already gone to
+      settle. If you will call tomorrow I will give you a list of such estates,
+      with their size, the amount of their revenues, and the price at which
+      their owners would, I know, be glad to sell, for I and some of my friends
+      have been approached by them with that view.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hector spent the next three weeks in visiting eight of the estates that
+      seemed suitable and were all situated in counties near London. Finally he
+      settled upon one in Berkshire, which was of considerable size and with a
+      stately house in a fair position. This he purchased, and then, returning
+      to Plymouth, his marriage with Norah was celebrated there, and he, with
+      his wife and Madame de Blenfoix and his five followers, rode down into
+      Berkshire and took possession of the estate, with which all were
+      delighted. The troopers, instead of accepting the house he offered them,
+      preferred to remain in his service, and Paolo was installed as majordomo
+      of the household. Six months later MacIntosh and his two comrades came
+      over.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The former declined Hector's offer to take up his abode at the house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, colonel, I have an abundance for myself and my two comrades, and
+      would rather be near you, where we can live in our own fashion, and give
+      trouble to no one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, if you will not come here, MacIntosh, there is a house a quarter of
+      a mile away which will, I think, suit you well. It is not a large place,
+      but is a comfortable one, and has been used as the house of the steward of
+      the estate. As I shall be my own steward it is vacant, and will, I think,
+      suit you well. It is furnished, so that you and your comrades can move in
+      when you like, though the longer you stay with us the better we shall be
+      pleased.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A fortnight later MacIntosh and his comrades moved in, and there, when not
+      occupied with their duties, one or other of the troopers was generally to
+      be found. Hector often dropped in, and one day laughingly said that the
+      house ought to be renamed The Scottish Soldier.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Until the Restoration Hector kept aloof from London, but when Charles II
+      mounted the throne of his fathers he went up, and was presented at court
+      by one of the many English gentlemen whom he had known in France, where
+      they had sought refuge with the queen when the royal cause was lost in
+      England. He did not, however, repeat the visit very often. He was
+      perfectly happy in his country life, and never once regretted the chain of
+      events that had forced him to give up his life of adventure and excitement
+      and to settle down peacefully in England.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      THE END <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Won by the Sword, by G.A. Henty
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+</pre>
+  </body>
+</html>
diff --git a/4931.txt b/4931.txt
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/4931.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,13127 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Won by the Sword, by G.A. Henty
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Won by the Sword
+       A Story of the Thirty Years' War
+
+Author: G.A. Henty
+
+Release Date: January, 2004  [EBook #4931]
+Posting Date: June 13, 2009
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WON BY THE SWORD ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Martin Robb
+
+
+
+
+
+
+WON BY THE SWORD
+
+A STORY OF THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR
+
+
+By G.A. Henty
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+MY DEAR LADS,
+
+In my preface to the Lion of the North I expressed a hope that I might
+some day be able to continue the history of the Thirty Years' War. The
+deaths of Gustavus and his great rival Wallenstein and the crushing
+defeat of the Swedes and their allies at the battle of Nordlingen
+brought the first period of that war to a close. Hostilities, indeed,
+never ceased, but the Swedes no longer played the leading part on the
+Protestant side that they had hitherto occupied. Oxenstiern, the great
+chancellor of Sweden, saw that the only hope of eventual success lay in
+engaging France in the struggle, and he and the Duke of Weimar went
+to Paris and pointed out to Richelieu that unless France intervened,
+Austria must become the master of all Germany, and as the ally of Spain
+would have it in her power to completely dominate France. Richelieu
+perceived the opportunity, made a treaty with the Swedes and Weimar, and
+engaged to grant large subsidies to the former, and to send an army to
+cooperate with the latter. Then began the second period of this long and
+terrible struggle, France now taking the place that Sweden had hitherto
+occupied, and bearing the brunt of the conflict. She emerged triumphant
+with her territories largely increased, while Austria was crushed and
+humiliated, and Spain was dethroned from her position as the dominating
+power of Europe. The success of France was greatly due to the fact that
+her armies were led by two of the greatest military geniuses of all
+times, viz., Conde and Turenne, men of very different types, but equally
+great as commanders, and equally at the time of which we are speaking
+devoted to the cause of France. Both were men of extraordinary personal
+courage, and although one was as prudent and careful of the lives of his
+troops as the other was impetuous and careless at what cost he won his
+victories, they worked together with a harmony that could have hardly
+been expected among men so differently constituted. Although, in
+the subsequent wars of the Fronde they took different sides, their
+friendship, except during a short period of alienation, was never
+shaken, and their admiration for each other's genius never abated.
+
+Yours sincerely,
+
+G.A. HENTY
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I: A STROKE OF GOOD FORTUNE
+
+
+A mounted officer, followed by two orderlies, was proceeding at a brisk
+trot from Paris to St. Denis, in October, 1639, when he came upon a
+large party of boys, who, armed with sticks, were advancing in something
+like military order against a wall on the top of a low hill.
+
+"What are you doing?" he asked the lad who appeared to be the leader.
+
+"We are playing at war, sir. We are advancing against the fortress of La
+Motte. This is the regiment of Turenne."
+
+"And who are you at other times?" the officer asked with a smile.
+
+"My name is Hector Campbell, sir."
+
+"Then you are not French?"
+
+"No, sir; my father was an officer in the Scotch regiment. He was killed
+at the siege of La Rochelle."
+
+"And who is taking care of you?"
+
+"I live with Angus MacIntosh. He was a sergeant in my father's company.
+He was badly wounded at La Rochelle, and not being fit for further
+service, he took a cabaret near the barracks. The officers are very
+kind. They allow him a sum for taking care of me. Of course I am often
+in barracks, and have learned the drill, and I have heard and read about
+battles and sieges, so I am chosen to command."
+
+"And so you know something of the battles in which Turenne was engaged?"
+
+"I think I know about them all, sir, both in Holland and on the Rhine,
+and have seen plans of the battles. Of course this is not at all like
+La Motte, which was on the top of a high rock, so that when Turenne was
+ordered to attack with his regiment after the general's son had failed,
+he had to pass not only through a heavy fire, but through the huge
+stones that the enemy hurled down. It was grand; and he did well at
+all the other sieges. Then, again, there was Saverne. See how he
+fought there, and stormed the place when even the Swedes, who are good
+soldiers, had failed. I think he is going to be the greatest of our
+captains."
+
+"Turenne is only a learner in the art of war," the other said gravely.
+
+"I think he has learnt more than any of the rest," the boy said boldly;
+"and all the soldiers love him more than any of the other generals, for
+he takes such care of them, and does not treat them as if they were dirt
+under his feet, only meant to obey orders, and go and get killed when
+told."
+
+"You have heard him very much over praised," the officer said quietly.
+"I think that he does his best; but he is a young man yet, not older
+than I am. His advance has been due to fortune rather than to his own
+merits."
+
+"I don't think so," the boy said sturdily. "Do you think that he would
+be a lieutenant general at twenty-eight, and that all the soldiers would
+speak of him as they do, if it were only fortune? Look how he captured
+Landrecies and Solre, and drove the Austrians back from Maubeurge, and
+aided the Duke of Weimar to thrash them at Weilenweir, and stormed the
+main fort of Breisach! He has been successful in all his enterprises,
+and now it is said he is to command in Italy, where things have been
+going on badly. The cardinal would not have chosen him had he not
+considered that no one could do better than he."
+
+The officer laughed. "Well, young sir, I see that you are so well
+acquainted with the sieges and battles of our time that I cannot argue
+with you."
+
+"I did not mean that, sir," the boy said in some confusion. "I was only
+saying what our soldiers think, and it is natural that I, being only a
+boy, should make him my hero, for he went to the wars when he was a year
+younger than I am, and at fourteen carried a musket as a volunteer
+under Maurice of Nassau, and for five years he was in all the battles in
+Holland, and raised the first battery that opened on Bois-le-duc."
+
+"And do you receive no pension as the son of an officer killed in
+battle?"
+
+"No, sir. When the living soldiers often have to go months without their
+pay, the sons of dead ones can hardly expect to be thought of. But I
+don't care; in two years I shall be old enough to enlist, and I shall go
+to the frontier and join Hepburn's Scottish brigade, who are now, they
+say, in the French service."
+
+"They are fine soldiers--none better," the officer said. "But why does
+not the colonel of your father's regiment ask for a commission for you?"
+
+"The regiment is not in favour with the cardinal," the boy replied with
+a smile. "They are too Protestant for his eminence, and the colonel is
+not a man to ask favours if he is likely to be refused."
+
+"Well," the officer said, "it is clear to me that you are a lad of
+spirit, and that you have done your best to prepare yourself for your
+profession as a soldier by studying military history, and I think it
+hard that, as the son of an officer who died in battle for France,
+France should have done nothing for you. I have some little influence
+myself. What is the name of this cabaret that Sergeant MacIntosh keeps?"
+
+"The Scottish Soldier, sir. It is near the gate of the barracks of St.
+Denis."
+
+"Do not go out tomorrow afternoon. I will have a talk with him, and
+maybe I can be of some assistance to you."
+
+So saying, he touched his horse's flank with his heel and rode on, while
+the boys continued their play. The next afternoon the lad remained at
+home, to the surprise of the sergeant.
+
+"What keeps you in today, Hector? It is rare indeed that you are indoors
+in the afternoon."
+
+"An officer came along while we were playing," the lad said, "and
+asked me some questions. I told him who I was. He said that he had some
+influence, and might be able to assist me."
+
+"What sort of assistance?" the sergeant grumbled. "He must have
+influence indeed if he can get you a pension."
+
+"I don't think it was that," the boy said. "I said that I should like to
+enlist as a volunteer."
+
+The sergeant laughed. "Well, they do take volunteers as young as you
+are, Hector, but they must be cadets of a noble family. You will have to
+wait another couple of years before they will enlist you, much less take
+you as a volunteer."
+
+There were a good many Scottish soldiers sitting in the room, when an
+officer rode up to the door and dismounted.
+
+"It is a general officer," one of the men said, looking out of the
+window, and as the door opened and the officer entered, all stood up and
+saluted.
+
+"Sit down, men," he said. "I am not here to disturb you, but to have a
+talk with Sergeant MacIntosh. Have you a room, sergeant, where we can
+speak privately?"
+
+"Yes, general," the sergeant said, saluting again, and led the way into
+a little room generally devoted to the use of noncommissioned officers.
+The officer caught Hector's eye, and beckoned to him to follow.
+
+"Do you know me, sergeant?"
+
+"Yes, general, you are Viscount Turenne."
+
+Hector gave an involuntary exclamation of horror at the thought of the
+freedom with which he had the day before discoursed with this famous
+commander. Military officers at that time did not wear any set uniforms,
+and indeed there was very considerable latitude among the soldiers, and
+it was only because he was followed by two attendants that the boy had
+taken him to be an officer, probably a young captain. The quietness of
+his dress had not even led him to believe that he belonged to a noble
+family.
+
+"This lad tells me that he is the son of Captain Campbell of the
+Scottish regiment?"
+
+"That is so, general."
+
+"And also that you were a sergeant in his father's company, and have
+since taken care of him."
+
+"I have done the best I could for him, general; but indeed the officers
+of the regiment allow me quite as much as the lad's food costs."
+
+"He seems to be a careful student of military history, sergeant?"
+
+"That he is, sir. I don't think there has been a battle, or even a
+skirmish, in the past ten years which he cannot tell you the ins and
+outs of. He will sit here for hours as quiet as a mouse when some
+soldiers from the wars come in, and sometimes he gets books lent him
+with the plans of battles and sieges, and when he is not doing that he
+is in the barrack yard watching the men drill. I believe he knows all
+the words of command as well as any captain in the Scottish regiment. As
+to handling his musket, I have taught him that myself, and the use of
+a sword, too, since he was ten years old, and the men of his father's
+company have taken pleasure in teaching the lad all they knew in that
+way."
+
+"He reminds me of my own boyhood," the general said. "I like his looks,
+and it seems to me that he has the making of a good officer. All the
+officers of the regiment are men of good Scottish families, and as such
+can serve in any capacity. I have often need of a young officer who can
+carry my messages on a field of battle, and can be trusted to understand
+their import and deliver them faithfully. Now, Campbell," he said,
+turning to the lad, who was standing with flushed face and eyes beaming
+with delight and gratitude, "I will give you the choice. I will either
+appoint you a volunteer for a year, in which time, if your conduct is
+satisfactory, I will name you lieutenant, or I will take you directly
+into my own household. My object in either case would be to produce an
+officer likely to be useful to his Majesty.
+
+"I should certainly not have adopted that course had it not been that
+you appear already to have learned the duties of a soldier, and to
+be acquainted with the ordinary drill and with the necessities of a
+soldier's life. If you enter my household you will find it no child's
+play, certainly no life of ease and comfort. I do not spare myself, nor
+do I spare the officers immediately under me. In a regiment you would
+learn better, perhaps, the duties of a regimental officer, but with me
+you will have more opportunities of learning the art of war, and of some
+day becoming a distinguished officer, always supposing that you are
+not shot down in battle or die of fatigue and hardship. Which do you
+choose?"
+
+"Oh, sir, how can I thank you for your goodness? There is nothing in the
+world that I should like so much as to be in your service."
+
+"So be it," the general said. "I shall obtain an appointment for you as
+lieutenant attached to my household. At first, you will simply have to
+carry messages for me; but when I have learnt more of your character I
+shall employ you as one that I can trust.
+
+"Sergeant, here is a purse, use the contents in furnishing the lad with
+clothes suitable for his position, and let him call on me in three days
+at the hotel of the Duc de Bouillon, where I am staying.
+
+"Can you ride?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I will see to the matter of a horse for you. I shall be leaving at the
+end of a week to join the army in Italy. And remember always, lad," he
+added with a smile, "that I am still but a learner in the art of war."
+
+So saying he nodded kindly to him and the sergeant, went out, returned
+the salute of the soldiers, mounted his horse, which his orderly was
+holding for him, and rode off.
+
+"Well, well," said the sergeant, who with Hector had followed him out,
+"the like of this I never saw before: to think that the Viscount of
+Turenne should visit the cabaret of a soldier, and should have deigned
+to offer you a position in his household! I can scarce believe that I
+am not dreaming. How did it all come about, and how have you thus gained
+his favour?"
+
+"I am ashamed to say, sergeant, that I gained it by my presumption; now
+that I know who he was, I may say by my insolence. A party of us were
+having a mimic battle. We were acting as the regiment of Turenne at the
+storming of La Motte. I was in command, and so acting as Turenne, when
+a gentleman, who, by his appearance and age, and by the fact that two
+troopers rode behind him, I took to be a captain in the army, came up
+and questioned me as to what we were doing. I told him, then he talked
+about Turenne. I said I thought he was our greatest general. He, that
+Turenne was only a learner in the art of war. I upheld him, and spoke
+of the battles and sieges in which he had taken part. Then he asked me
+about myself, and I told him my birth and bringing up, and he said he
+might be of assistance to me, and would call here and see you."
+
+"Well, well, it almost passes belief, Hector, that a boy like you should
+have dared to enter into an argument with an officer, even if only, as
+you believed, a captain. And to think that this has come of it, instead
+of his having laid his whip across your back, as you deserved. Your
+fortune is made, lad, that is, if you behave yourself. Turenne is a
+great soldier; and more than that, from what I have heard he is loved by
+his men more than any other general, and they will do anything for
+him. His regiment here, though he was but nineteen when he obtained
+his command, was admitted to be one of the best drilled and the best
+disciplined of any in the service.
+
+"He saw to everything himself, spent his whole time in drilling them
+as if he had been only a lieutenant with nothing but his sword for his
+fortune, instead of a great noble. When he was with de la Valette
+and Weimar, and the army had to fall back and were well nigh starved,
+Turenne sold his plate and his carriages to buy food for the men. He had
+his own baggage thrown out of the wagons to make room for those who
+were too weak to march; and on one occasion gave up his own horse to a
+soldier who was sinking from fatigue and hunger, and himself marched on
+foot. He always leads his troops in battle, and wherever he goes they
+will follow. He was right in saying that he does not spare himself. The
+soldiers believe that he does without any sleep when on a campaign, for
+he is for ever going round seeing that everything is in order, that the
+outposts are properly placed and vigilant, and that the soldiers have
+food, and such comfort as can be obtained. Now let us go in and tell my
+comrades of your good fortune. There is not a man in the regiment who
+will not be glad to hear of it. I will go across with you myself to the
+colonel's lodging."
+
+"But please, sergeant, do not say a word about my folly; only say that
+the general, coming across a party of us playing at war, questioned me,
+and finding that I was the son of a Scottish officer who had been killed
+at La Rochelle, and that I had worked hard at getting up the history
+of the wars, and longed much to go into the army, had promised to come
+round the next day, and said that he might be able to aid me."
+
+"I understand, lad. Yes, it is better that your foolishness should not
+be known."
+
+The colonel was greatly pleased when he heard of what had happened.
+
+"I had intended myself to have asked for a commission for you when you
+were a couple of years older," he said to Hector, "but I was by no means
+sure of getting it, for the cardinal is not partial to the regiment.
+Turenne, however, stands high in his favour--in spite of the fact that
+his brother, the Duc de Bouillon, has left Richelieu's party, and is
+regarded by him as an enemy--so we may be sure that your commission will
+be at once signed. You must sup with me and the officers of the regiment
+tonight. There is not one who will not rejoice that your father's son
+has met with such good fortune, for assuredly you could not have entered
+the army under better auspices.
+
+"It is just like Turenne to have thus come forward to assist the son of
+a brave soldier killed in action. As a rule, I am sorry to say that the
+officers of our army concern themselves but little with the affairs
+of the soldiers under their command. Of course in our regiment it is
+different, as we have many gentlemen of well known Scottish families
+serving in the ranks, and most of the others are our own clansmen,
+or come from our dales. We all cling together as countrymen among
+strangers, though indeed we can hardly regard them as strangers, seeing
+that Scotland and France have ever been allies, and that our Queen Mary
+was a French princess. And now that Scotland has given kings to England,
+and English troops fought side by side with the French under Henry of
+Navarre against the Spaniards and Guises, and, although not in strict
+alliance, are alike enemies of the Spaniards, we can scarce feel
+ourselves as strangers here. Besides, is not a French princess wife of
+King Charles?
+
+"I do not say that either England or France has altogether forgotten the
+long wars between them, but that is a very old story now, and as long
+as Spain threatens to extend her power over all Europe, so long are we
+likely to remain good friends. If the power of Spain is once broken, old
+quarrels may break out again, but I trust that that will not be in my
+time, for assuredly the regiment, although willing to fight against all
+other enemies of France, would refuse to march against our countrymen.
+Now, Sergeant MacIntosh, I know that you must be anxious to get back to
+your inn. You will have a busy time this afternoon unless I am greatly
+mistaken. Leave Campbell with me.
+
+"In the first place, it will be as well that he should not be down
+there, for the fun is likely to get fast and furious. There is not a
+man in the regiment who knew his father but will be drinking the lad's
+health, and it were better that he should go tomorrow through the
+barracks and shake their hands, than that he should be among them there.
+You can tell them that I have taken the boy off, so that they may not
+think that he stayed away on his own account. We will see him fitted
+out. It is a matter that touches the honour of the regiment that the
+son of our old comrade should make a fair show in the household of the
+viscount."
+
+"The general has left me a purse for that purpose, colonel."
+
+"It was a kindly thought, but let the lad start with it in his pocket.
+It is our duty to see that he has everything befitting his father's
+son."
+
+As soon as the sergeant left, the colonel said, "Now, Campbell, do you
+go into the anteroom. I shall be ready to go out with you in half an
+hour."
+
+Orderlies were then despatched to the various officers' lodgings, and in
+a few minutes they assembled. The colonel told them what had happened,
+and said that in his opinion it concerned the honour of the regiment to
+see that their comrade's son was properly equipped.
+
+All those who had known Captain Campbell were greatly pleased with the
+news, and there was not a dissenting voice when the colonel proposed
+that there should be a general subscription of two days' pay. He
+himself, however, and Captain Campbell's friends, gave a much larger
+amount, and the total was amply sufficient for the equipment of a young
+man of good family joining the army. Hector was then called in and
+informed of what had taken place, and heartily congratulated by the
+officers. He was greatly affected by their kindness and the proof of the
+estimation in which his father had been held.
+
+"We had always intended to do this," the colonel said, "when the time
+came for your entering the army, for we felt that it would indeed be
+a discredit to the regiment were you to go into the world without the
+equipment that a Scottish gentleman should have. Now, Captain Mackenzie
+and Captain Home, I will ask you to act as furnishers. You know what
+is required for a young officer on the staff of a general like Viscount
+Turenne, who would be called upon to accompany him to court, and must
+do him no discredit; besides which, he must of course have clothes for
+a campaign. He will not need arms, for I have kept for him his father's
+sword and pistols. See that the tailors undertake to get his clothes
+ready quickly, for he is to accompany Turenne to Italy in four or five
+days. One suit at least must be finished in two days, for on the third
+he is to wait upon Turenne, who is staying at the hotel of the Duc de
+Bouillon, and he may possibly be presented to the cardinal."
+
+The dress of a French gentleman in the reign of Louis XIII differed but
+slightly from that worn at the same time by the cavaliers of Charles
+I. It consisted of a loose cloak of cloth, silk, satin, or velvet,
+according to the occasion and the wealth of the wearer. It generally
+hung loosely on the shoulders, but two or three of the top buttons were
+sometimes fastened; the sleeves were loose and open from the elbow.
+Sometimes the cloak was richly embroidered. Over it fell a collar of
+rich lace, with Vandyke border. Beneath it was worn a short tightly
+fitted doublet embroidered in front, with puffed sleeves, and with a
+belt or sash round the waist. The breeches were very full, reaching to
+the knee. For walking or riding, loose high boots turned down at the top
+and trimmed with lace or frillings joined the breeches; while in court
+dress, silk stockings and shoes with rosettes were worn. The swords hung
+from a richly embroidered baldrick going over the right shoulder.
+
+Officers of the different regiments were distinguished by the colour of
+their sashes, which was the only point of regimental uniformity. When on
+a campaign doublets were usually worn of thick buff leather; armour was
+still used, but was far less cumbrous than it had been, consisting
+for the most part solely of shoulder pieces and cuirass, with plates
+covering the upper part of the arm, thick buff leather gauntlets being
+considered sufficient protection below the elbow. Four suits were
+ordered for Hector: one for court, another for general use when in Paris
+or other large towns, the third for travelling and when in attendance
+with the general, the fourth for actual service in the field.
+
+Almost as expensive as the suits were the shirts, with their deep lace
+collars and ruffle; while for service in the field half a dozen plain
+shirts were purchased. The headdress on ordinary occasions was a broad
+beaver hat with plumes, and in the field a close fitting helmet with
+cheek pieces. Visors had been almost entirely given up. On the third day
+Hector presented himself at the appointed hour at the hotel of the Duc
+de Bouillon. He was dressed in the second best of his costumes, and
+wore for the first time his father's sword. In the hall were numbers of
+soldiers and lackeys. One of the latter came up to him.
+
+"I am here to see the Viscount Turenne by appointment," he said.
+
+The lackey led the way to a large chamber, where several officers and
+gentlemen were waiting. Here Hector gave his name to a chamberlain, who
+took it into another apartment. He waited for half an hour, and observed
+that while the officers, one by one, were taken into the room where the
+lackey had carried his name, the nobles and gentlemen, who were
+much more numerous, were shown into another, which was evidently the
+principal reception room. He guessed at once that it was here that the
+Duc de Bouillon was receiving visitors, while his brother was engaged in
+giving interviews to officers, who perhaps desired appointments in his
+army, or in arranging details of stores, arms, and ammunition required
+for its use. At last his turn came; and on his name being called, he
+followed the usher into a small apartment, where Turenne was sitting at
+a table covered with letters. The general looked at him critically.
+
+"You make a very good figure," he said, "and better, I can tell you,
+than I did at your age, for I was but weakly, while you are well grown
+and strong. Among your other exercises you have not neglected the use of
+your sword. I could tell that as soon as my eyes fell upon you."
+
+"No, general, I have practised for two or three hours a day since I was
+ten years old, and I think that almost every soldier in the regiment
+has been my instructor in turn, and the maitre-d'armes of the regiment
+himself gave me lessons twice a week."
+
+"I have managed your business for you," the viscount said. "I saw the
+cardinal yesterday and asked for a commission for you. He simply asked
+for what regiment, and I said that at present I intended to keep you
+about my own person, as I thought you would make a good officer and
+would some day do me credit. He was busy at the time, so he simply
+signed an appointment as a lieutenant and gave it to me to fill in your
+name. I asked if I should bring you to his levee tomorrow, but he said,
+'There is no occasion, viscount, we have both plenty on our hands;
+neither you nor I can waste time on young lieutenants. You can present
+him to me when you return from the war.' You know the cardinal by sight,
+I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, general, I have seen him many times."
+
+"He is a great man," Turenne said thoughtfully, rather as if speaking to
+himself than to Hector; "the greatest that France has ever known--he is
+the soul of France. It is well, indeed, that we have at present a king
+who recognizes how great a man he is, and is wise enough to know that
+although he himself is somewhat overshadowed, France is made greater and
+stronger and his own reign more glorious by his genius." Then he broke
+off with a smile. "I was talking to myself rather than to you. I shall
+ride to St. Denis at two o'clock today; be here at that time. I will
+order the horse, that I have purchased for you, to be brought round
+here."
+
+Hector was about to express his gratitude, but the general at once
+stopped him. "I need no thanks," he said. "I perceived in the ardour
+with which you have studied military matters that you would make a good
+officer, and you remind me of my own boyhood. I always like to help
+forward officers who I see ready, not only to do their actual business
+but to go beyond it, in order to acquire knowledge, and I doubt not that
+I shall find this in you. But you must remember, lad, that you are now
+no longer a civilian, but a soldier, that you must be not only obedient
+but respectful to those above you in rank, that discretion as well as
+courage is necessary for success, that you must be thoughtful for
+the comfort of the soldiers, ready to expose your life in battle
+to encourage them, and also to set them an example of endurance,
+cheerfulness, and good spirits in times of hardship and distress.
+Remember that, to the soldier, there is no such thing as party; he
+fights for France and for France only, and should hold himself aloof
+from even the smallest expression of opinion on political matters. Then,
+at two o'clock."
+
+Hector bowed deeply and left the room. When he returned to the hotel
+at two o'clock, six grooms were standing with the horses before the
+entrance; he waited outside until the viscount, followed by four
+officers, came out.
+
+"Oh, here you are, lieutenant!" he said, as his eye fell on Hector; "I
+was afraid that punctuality was not among your virtues. Gentlemen, this
+is Lieutenant Hector Campbell, son of a brave officer of the Scottish
+regiment who fell at La Rochelle; he is, for the present, attached to
+my household, and will ride with us for Italy the day after tomorrow.
+Campbell, this gentleman is Colonel d'Estampes, who is the head of
+my staff; this Major Mutton, who will have the control of all matters
+connected with the artillery; these are Messieurs de Lisle and Emile de
+Chavigny, who are my aides-de-camp. Now, gentlemen, let us mount."
+
+As the Scottish regiment was a mounted one, Hector had had ample
+opportunities to learn to ride well, and he now fell in with the two
+aides-de-camp, who were both young men of eighteen or nineteen years of
+age, members of good families, and together they followed the Viscount
+Turenne, who rode on ahead with the two staff officers. While they
+were making their way through the narrow streets of Paris they rode but
+slowly, but as soon as they passed through the gates they went on at a
+brisk pace.
+
+"You are fortunate," de Lisle said, "in having obtained a commission so
+young, although I do not say that there are not many of similar age in
+the army."
+
+"I am fortunate indeed," Hector replied, "fortunate beyond anything
+that I could have believed possible, thanks to the goodness of Viscount
+Turenne."
+
+"You could not enter the army under better patronage," de Chavigny said.
+"We have both served under him for two years on the Rhine, and had we
+been his brothers he could not have been more kind; but the work, ma
+foi, was tremendous. The soldiers may well say that the general is
+sleepless. Happily he does not expect us to go altogether without rest.
+Frequently he is away all night by himself in the saddle, sometimes
+he takes one or other of us with him, but at any rate we get a night's
+sleep by turns. Much as he has to worry him--what with the ignorance
+of some and the carelessness of others--I have never seen him out of
+temper; but then a reproof, however mildly spoken, by him, is more
+dreaded than a volley of abuse from any other general. He was telling us
+before he came out that you are already well up in drill, and in the use
+of arms."
+
+"Yes; I have been brought up, I may say, in the Scottish regiment, and
+after my father's death the officers and men were all very kind to me,
+and I learnt my drill both as a soldier and an officer, to fence, use
+my pistols, and ride. The officers lent me books on military history and
+tactics."
+
+"The viscount said you were wonderfully well read in such matters," de
+Lisle said. "I own that beyond the campaigns that I have taken part in I
+have a very vague idea of such things. My time before I joined was taken
+up with learning the use of arms, equitation, and certain dry studies
+under an abbe. I wish now that instead of Latin I had learned something
+of military history; it seems to me that when one is intended for the
+army it is a good deal more important than Latin or theology."
+
+"I fancy, de Lisle," his companion said laughing, "that from what I know
+of you your objection was not so much to the course of study as to study
+altogether. I know that that was my case."
+
+"Well, perhaps so; still, I might as well have been whipped into
+learning something useful, instead of something that, so far as I can
+see, will never be of any value whatever. Were you born over here,
+lieutenant?"
+
+"No, I was born in Scotland; but my father, who was a younger son, saw
+no chance of making his way by his sword at home. It was certain that
+James would never go to war, and as there was no regular army, there
+seemed no opening for a penniless cadet in England or Scotland, so he
+came over here and obtained a commission, and as soon as he did so sent
+for my mother and myself. She died two years later; he kept me with him.
+When he went on service I was left in the charge of a Huguenot family,
+and it was well that it was so, for otherwise I might have grown up
+unable to read or write. The last time that I saw him was before he rode
+to La Rochelle. After his death I was adopted by the regiment, for the
+good people I was with left Paris to join their friends in the south.
+Had it been otherwise I should have stayed with them. The good man would
+probably have brought me up to be, like himself, a minister, and I am
+afraid I should have made a very poor one."
+
+The two young men laughed. "Just at present," de Lisle said, "the two
+religions get on quietly together. The cardinal, churchman as he is,
+knows that if France is to be great religious enmities must cease, and
+that the wars of the last reign cost tens of thousands of lives, and
+drove great numbers of men to take refuge in Holland or England, to the
+benefit of those countries and our loss. Still, his successor, whoever
+he may be, may think more of party and less of France, and in that case
+you might have found your vocation of a Huguenot minister as full of
+danger as that of a soldier."
+
+"It would have been much worse," Hector said, "for it would not have
+been a question of fighting, but of being massacred. I know nothing of
+either religious disputes or of politics. In the regiment these things
+were never talked about, either among the men or the officers; all were
+for the king. But at the same time, as it seemed to them that it was the
+cardinal who had stopped the persecution of the Huguenots, and who had
+now gone to war with the Austrians to prevent the Protestant princes
+of Germany being altogether subjugated by the Imperialists, they felt
+grateful to him; for of course Scotchmen are all on the side of the
+princes, and nigh half the army of Gustavus Adolphus was composed of my
+countrymen."
+
+"I do not suppose," Chavigny laughed, "that the cardinal would have
+cared very much for the destruction of all the Protestant princes
+of Germany, had it not been that their ruin would make Austria more
+formidable than ever. As long as Gustavus lived and the Swedes were able
+to hold their own against the Imperialists, France troubled herself
+in no way in the matter; but when the Swedes were finally routed
+at Nordlingen, and it seemed that the Imperialists would triumph
+everywhere--for most of the Protestant princes were leaving the
+Confederacy and trying to make the best terms they could for
+themselves--Richelieu stepped in; and now we see France, which for the
+past hundred years has been trying to stamp out Protestantism, uniting
+with Protestant Holland and Sweden to uphold the Protestant princes of
+Germany, and this under the direction of a cardinal of the Church of
+Rome. And here are we riding behind a Huguenot general, who perhaps more
+than any other possesses the cardinal's confidence."
+
+"It seems strange," de Lisle said, "but it is assuredly good policy.
+While fighting Austria we are fighting Spain, for Austria and Spain are
+but two branches of one empire. Spain is our eternal enemy. True, she is
+not as formidable as she was. Henry of Navarre's triumph over the Guises
+half emancipated us from her influence. The English destroyed her
+naval power. Holland well nigh exhausted her treasury, and brought such
+discredit on her arms as she had never before suffered. Still, she and
+Austria combined dominate Europe, and it is on her account that we have
+taken the place of the Swedes and continued this war that has raged for
+so many years."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II: CHOOSING A LACKEY
+
+
+The policy of the great cardinal had for its objects the aggrandizement
+of France, as well as the weakening of the power of Austria. So long as
+the struggle between the Protestant princes and the Swedes against the
+Imperialists had been maintained with equal successes on both sides, he
+had been well content to see Germany watering its soil with the blood of
+its people. Nearly a third of the population had been swept away during
+the terrible war. Many hundreds of towns and villages had already
+disappeared, while large tracts of country lay uncultivated, and
+whichever party won a victory France gained by it. Her interest,
+however, lay with the Protestant confederation. So long as Germany was
+cut up into a number of small principalities, divided by religion and
+political animosity, she could count for little against a foreign enemy.
+
+France had for centuries suffered from the same cause. The families
+of Lorraine, Bouillon, Enghien, Burgundy, the Guises, Longueville, the
+Counts of Armagnac, and other powerful vassals of France, paid but a
+nominal allegiance to the crown, and were really independent princes.
+Louis XI had done much to break their power. Richelieu continued the
+work, and under him France for the first time became consolidated into
+a whole. Had he lived, the work would doubtless have been completed, but
+his death and that of the king postponed the work for years. The long
+regency, controlled by a minister possessing none of the courage and
+firmness of Richelieu, and personally obnoxious alike to the nobles and
+to the population of Paris, again threw the power into the hands of
+the great nobles, plunged France into civil strife, and the wars of the
+Fronde, like those of the Roses in England, so weakened the nobles that
+the crown under Louis XIV became absolutely dominant.
+
+Had Austria succeeded in crushing the Protestant princes, that empire,
+with all Germany under her control, would have become a power greatly
+superior in strength and population to France. It was principally to
+prevent this result that Richelieu after the battle of Nordlingen threw
+himself into the struggle, but his aim was also to carry the frontier of
+France up to the Rhine. Here the territories of the Dukes of Lorraine,
+and Bouillon Prince of Sedan, not only cut France off from the Rhine and
+the Moselle, but opened a door by which she could at any time be invaded
+from Germany. The Dukes of Lorraine had always borne themselves as
+independent princes, giving, indeed, a nominal allegiance to France, but
+as often allying themselves with German princes as with her. The Duc de
+Bouillon, on the north of Lorraine, and the Duke of Savoy, farther
+to the south, also regarded themselves as independent. The former, as
+Huguenots, had a strong leaning towards the Protestant Hollanders, and
+both were ready to furnish asylums to French nobles who had incurred the
+wrath of their kings or ministers.
+
+The Duc de Bouillon, father of Turenne, had fought bravely on the side
+of Henry of Navarre through the wars of the League. He died when the
+viscount was but ten years of age, and, his elder brother being but six
+years older, his mother became regent of the little state. After having
+greatly weakened the strength of the Huguenot nobles by the siege and
+capture of La Rochelle, which had long been the stronghold and bulwark
+of that religion, Richelieu obtained from the duchess a treaty by which
+she engaged to remain always attached to the interests of France, while
+the king undertook to protect the house of Bouillon. The Duke of Savoy
+was next compelled to hand over to France the town and province of
+Pignerol, and Richelieu then turned his attention to Lorraine. The
+reigning duke had entered into an alliance with Austria, and the
+invasion of his territory was therefore the first step by which France
+entered into the terrible struggle known as the Thirty Years' War.
+
+The duke had given Richelieu an excuse for hostilities. He had married
+his cousin, the nearest heir to the dukedom, but he treated her so badly
+that she fled to France and begged the protection of Louis XIII. This he
+gave her, a French army was at once set in motion against Lorraine, and
+it was in this struggle that Turenne had first fought under the French
+flag. He had always evinced the strongest predilection for the life of a
+soldier, and when he reached the age of fourteen, Richelieu being at the
+time engaged in breaking the power of the Huguenots and in the siege of
+La Rochelle, the boy's mother sent him to his uncle Maurice of Nassau,
+who at the death of his father had become the leader of the Dutch
+people. He was treated by his uncle in exactly the same way as other
+gentlemen volunteers, carried a musket, and performed all the duties of
+a private soldier.
+
+Six months later Prince Maurice died, and his brother, Henry Frederick,
+succeeded him in the government of the United Provinces. He at once
+promoted his nephew, and the latter speedily rose to the rank of captain
+of infantry. Here he was indefatigable in his duties, and unlike most
+young men of good family, who left the internal economy and discipline
+of their companies to subordinate officers, Turenne saw to everything
+himself. He drilled and instructed his soldiers, insisted not only upon
+strict military discipline, but on good manners and conduct in every
+particular. He won their respect and affection by his personal kindness,
+and denied himself almost the necessities of life in order to be able
+to add to their comforts. In the wars in the Netherlands there were few
+pitched battles, and the operations consisted almost entirely of the
+sieges of fortified towns or of measures for their relief.
+
+In all these Turenne took much more than his full share, paying
+attention not only to his own duties but to all that was being done,
+spending his whole time in the batteries and the trenches, and in
+learning all that was possible of war carried on under such conditions.
+In the winter, operations were always suspended, and Turenne spent his
+time in Paris, where his manner and conduct won for him the favour of
+all with who he came in contact. He had been severely brought up under
+a Calvinist tutor; his habits were simple, his tastes quiet and almost
+ascetic, and he cared little for the amusements of the brilliant and
+corrupt court. When the war with Lorraine broke out, Turenne at once
+sought for employment with the French army.
+
+He recognized that there was comparatively little to be done in the war
+of sieges in Holland, and longed to enter a wider field. His request was
+gladly granted, for the presence of the Duc de Bouillon's brother in the
+French army was in itself some guarantee of the duke's fidelity to
+his engagements with France, and Turenne was at once appointed to the
+colonelcy of a regiment. He devoted himself as assiduously to his work
+as he had done in Holland, and it was not long before his regiment
+gained the reputation of being the best disciplined in the king's
+service. He took part in a short expedition in 1630, but there was on
+that occasion no fighting, and he first saw real service under Marshal
+de la Force in 1634. After the siege of La Motte, the success of which
+was due to the storming of the breach by Turenne and his regiment, and
+for which exploit he was promoted to the rank of Marechal de Camp,
+a rank equivalent to that of major general, he took part in several
+sieges, until Lorraine was completely conquered and its duke driven to
+abdicate and retire to Austria.
+
+The battle of Nordlingen showed Richelieu that if France did not
+resolutely enter into the conflict the Austrians would become absolute
+masters of all Germany. He at once signed a treaty with the Swedes,
+agreeing to grant them large subsidies to carry on the war. By a similar
+treaty he promised subsidies and the province of Alsace to the Duke of
+Saxe-Weimar. He entered into an arrangement with the Dutch, who were to
+aid France to conquer Flanders, which was to be divided between the two
+powers; while the Dukes of Savoy, Parma, and Mantua agreed to undertake,
+in alliance with France, the invasion of Milan, and to receive in return
+a portion of the territory won from Spain. At the same time France
+declared war against Spain. It was to the army commanded by Cardinal
+de la Valette, which was to act with that of Saxe-Weimar against the
+Imperialists, that Turenne was attached.
+
+The campaign began unfavourably. The impetuosity of Saxe-Weimar, who
+hoped to recover his own principality, induced Valette to cross the
+Rhine; but he was forced to retire in all haste, and the army suffered
+terribly in the retreat. Turenne was in command of the advanced
+guard, and his courage and activity alone saved the army from complete
+destruction--seizing upon defiles, overthrowing the enemy who barred
+the passages, and enabling the army to recross the Rhine with numbers
+diminished only by sickness, fatigue, and hunger. At the siege of
+Saverne, Turenne led the French troops to the attack after three
+repulses, and succeeded in gaining a footing in the town, but received
+himself a very severe wound in the arm with a musket ball. During the
+following year several towns were captured but no decisive operations
+took place.
+
+In 1638, the Duke of Saxe-Weimar gained some great successes, defeated
+the Imperialists with heavy loss at Rheinfelden, and besieged Breisach,
+the key of southern Germany. The Imperialist army marched to relieve
+the place, but reinforcements were sent from France under the command
+of Turenne and Longueville. Three battles were fought and the Austrians
+driven off. After an assault by Turenne, Breisach capitulated, and
+all Alsace had now fallen into the hands of Saxe-Weimar. Having been
+promised Alsace he refused, as Richelieu desired, to hand over Breisach
+to France; but on the death of the duke in the following year, Richelieu
+bought over his lieutenants, the French flag waved over the towns of
+Alsace, and the Upper Rhine became the French frontier. Turenne returned
+to court, where he was received with enthusiasm, and was a short time
+afterwards ordered to Italy to assist De la Valette, who had been faring
+but badly there.
+
+Matters had not gone there as Richelieu had calculated. The Duke of
+Savoy remained true to his engagement with France, but he died in
+October, 1637. The Spaniards had captured Vercelli, and the emperor had
+bestowed the regency of the duchy on the Cardinal of Savoy and on Prince
+Thomas, brother-in-law of the duchess. These, supported by the Duke of
+Modena and the Governor of Milan, the Marquess of Leganez, declared that
+they were determined to protect the people against the French and to
+deliver the young duke from French domination. The duchess implored help
+from France, and la Valette advanced to her aid.
+
+While in Paris, Turenne had obtained from the cardinal permission to
+raise a regiment of dragoons and also that a company of dragoons should
+be attached to each regiment of cavalry. These troops were not intended
+to fight on horseback, but were, in fact, mounted infantry, an arm
+which, after being in disuse for many years, has lately been recognized
+as a very valuable one, possessing as it does the mobility of cavalry
+with the fighting power of infantry. It was at the head of this regiment
+that the general started for Italy. The position of affairs in Savoy was
+dark indeed, for the whole of Piedmont had risen against the duchess.
+Many considerable towns had been captured by the Spanish, others,
+including the city of Turin, had opened their gates to them, and with
+the exception of Susa, Carignano, Chivasso, Casale, and the citadel
+of Turin, the whole country was lost to her. The French forces were,
+however, too weak to take the offensive, and the ill health of La
+Valette deprived him of his former energy and rendered him unwilling
+to undertake any offensive movement. Nevertheless, Turenne's counsels
+infused a new spirit into the army, and indeed the news that the young
+general, whose name was already known throughout Europe, had arrived,
+and the belief that his coming would be followed by that of large
+reinforcements from France, at once reanimated the remaining supporters
+of the duchess and dispirited the Piedmontese, who began to fear that
+they had been too hasty in siding with Spain.
+
+But if, for the time, Turenne was not in a position to act in the field,
+he began at once to take steps to prepare to meet the coming storm.
+Early in October La Valette died. The general opinion was that Turenne
+would have succeeded to the command, but his brother the Duc de Bouillon
+had broken with Richelieu and joined the party opposed to him. When in
+Paris, the duke had been on terms of intimate friendship with the
+Count of Soissons and had invited him to stay with him at Sedan. The
+invitation had been declined, but the count, having been implicated in a
+plot against Richelieu, had been obliged to fly and had taken refuge at
+Sedan, where he had been most warmly received by the duke. Richelieu had
+at first invited, and then in the name of the king commanded, Bouillon
+to expel his guest. This the duke absolutely refused to do, and becoming
+deeply offended at the manner in which he was pressed, joined the party
+opposed to Richelieu.
+
+It was for this reason that the cardinal decided not to appoint Turenne
+to the command, knowing the warm affection that existed between the
+brothers, and fearing that Turenne might be influenced by Bouillon, and
+might, beloved as he was by the soldiers, lead many of the troops away
+from their allegiance were he to join the party opposed to him. He
+therefore appointed the Count d'Harcourt to the command. He had proved
+himself a brilliant officer on many occasions, and Turenne did not
+feel in any way aggrieved at his being placed over him. He made a rapid
+journey to Paris to arrange with the cardinal and d'Harcourt the general
+plan of the campaign, and was now setting out again to make preparations
+for it.
+
+Hector Campbell enjoyed the journey greatly. His duties were nominal;
+and the party always halted at towns, where the troops were billeted
+upon the inhabitants, and the viscount and his suite entertained by
+the authorities. After crossing the Alps, however, by the pass of Mount
+Cenis, and arriving at Susa, his work began in earnest. Turenne himself
+was almost entirely occupied in consultations with the duchess; his
+three aides-de-camp, however, were kept hard at work carrying messages
+to the governors of towns that still adhered to the duchess, with orders
+for the strengthening of the defences and for the collection of stores
+and provisions in case of siege. Each was provided with three horses,
+and almost lived in the saddle.
+
+"You seem to be tireless, Campbell," de Lisle said, when it one day
+happened that all three were together at headquarters. "I feel as if I
+had not a whole bone in my body; as I have not had a whole night in bed
+for the last six days, I can hardly keep my eyes open, while you, who
+have been doing as much as we have, are going about as actively as if
+you had had nothing to do for a week."
+
+"I have the advantage of riding so much lighter than you do," Hector
+said; "weight tells both on horse and rider, and when the horse is tired
+his pace soon adds to the weariness of his rider. If we had had to do
+this work when we first left Paris, I have no doubt that I should have
+felt it, but the journey here has been a fine preparation. Another thing
+is, that every morning I take a dip in the first mountain stream I come
+to, and that does one almost as much good as a night's sleep."
+
+De Lisle shivered. "It may do good, Campbell, but I would not jump into
+one of these icy streams for anything. It makes one shudder to think of
+it."
+
+"I always had a swim in the Seine every morning when it was not closed
+by ice," Hector said. "I was told that there was nothing braced one up
+and made one so hardy as that; and I certainly found that even in the
+coldest weather I never felt the need of a cloak."
+
+"Well, I don't deny that it may be a good custom, and if all Scotchmen
+do it, it may account for their hardiness; but I like comfort when I can
+get it."
+
+"But it is not comfort to be always in the saddle, and to feel so sleepy
+that you fancy that at any moment you may fall off. Even if a dip in
+snow water is, to those unaccustomed to it, somewhat sharp, it is better
+than having to struggle against sleep for hours."
+
+"Well, possibly I may try the experiment some day when I feel that I
+must either lie down by the roadside and sleep or take a dip, but until
+I feel like breaking down altogether I shall postpone the experiment."
+
+Turenne several times spoke approvingly to Hector. On one occasion,
+when the lad presented himself on being told that an aide-de-camp was
+required to carry a message, Turenne said to him: "But it is not your
+turn, Campbell; de Lisle and Chavigny both returned some hours ago,
+while it is not an hour since you came in."
+
+"They are both asleep, general," Campbell said; "they have been
+thirty-six hours in the saddle."
+
+"But you have been more than that, Campbell?"
+
+"But I do not feel it, sir," he said. "I am perfectly fresh and ready to
+go on. I was a little tired when I came in, but I have taken a swim in
+the river, and am now at your service."
+
+Turenne hesitated. "You see, sir," Hector went on, "being of light
+weight the horse does not feel it as he does that of a heavier man, his
+pace continues light and elastic, and his spirit good, and that makes
+all the difference to the fatigue of his rider. After two days' rest my
+horses are perfectly ready for another long day's work, while those of
+Chavigny and de Lisle start heavily, not having recovered from their
+fatigue."
+
+"Very well, you can go then, Campbell. I am pleased with your spirit,
+and also with your thoughtfulness for your companions, who, although
+strong young men, do not seem to have your power of endurance. I find,
+too, that you always carry out your instructions with intelligence, and
+that your reports on matters touching which I have sent you to inquire
+are always clear and full. It may be that ere long I may find employment
+for you in which courage as well as intelligence is required. There is
+but one drawback, namely, that you do not speak Italian. I know that
+there are few officers in our service who do so; but it would be so much
+the more valuable were you able to master it."
+
+"I had intended to study the language, general, as soon as I got here,
+but have had no time to begin it."
+
+"That you certainly have not," Turenne said with a smile.
+
+"Do you think that it would be of any use, sir, if I were to take a
+Savoyard servant? I find that many of them who come from places near the
+frontier speak French as well as their own language."
+
+"That would be useful, certainly; but you would have to be careful in
+your choice, and see that you get one whose sympathies are with the
+duchess; not only for your own safety, but because a chance word heard
+here, or an order given and conveyed to the Spaniards, might involve the
+loss of a battle."
+
+"I see that, general, and will be very careful."
+
+Hector had formed the acquaintance of several young officers attached to
+the household of the duchess, and on the day following his return from
+his mission he was supping with a party of four of them when he said:
+
+"Can one of you gentlemen recommend a servant to me? He must be able
+to talk French as well as Italian. He must be active and intelligent. I
+should like him to be handy and accustomed to camp service, though this
+is not so important, for I want him as an interpreter before anything
+else. I should like him to be a lightweight, so as to be able to ride
+with me. He must be accustomed to fatigue, and he must have courage, for
+some of the journeys on which I may be sent will not be without danger,
+and of course he must be of the duchess's party."
+
+"And I suppose," one of the young men said, "that this Admirable
+Crichton of whom you are in search must be sober, honest, and truthful.
+Are you particular whether he is Huguenot or Catholic?"
+
+"As to the last, not a bit. I should like him to be as sober as soldiers
+in general are, and if he confined himself to taking his wine when I did
+not require him, it would not be very important, provided that he is
+not talkative when in liquor. As to his honesty, he would have no great
+temptation so far as I am concerned, but I certainly should not wish
+to lose him by his being strung up by the provost marshal for robbing
+citizens. As to his truthfulness, providing he did not lie to me, it is
+a point on which I should not be particular."
+
+There was a general laugh.
+
+"And as to his age?" the officer asked.
+
+"If I could find all the qualifications that I require, I should not be
+particular about that; but I think that for choice I would take a lad of
+from sixteen to twenty."
+
+"In that case I fancy that I know a lad who might suit you," one of the
+other officers said. "He is a brother of my groom, and I may own that he
+has been of no little trouble to him. The boy is an orphan, and having
+no other friends so far as I know, he has attached himself to his
+brother, and for the past two years, wherever he has gone Paolo has gone
+too. He earns a little money by doing odd jobs--running messages, and so
+on, helps his brother to clean the horses; and with an occasional crown
+from me, and what he earns otherwise, it cannot be said that he costs
+his brother anything in money; but in other respects he is always
+getting him into trouble, for he is a very imp of mischief. Two or three
+times his brother has obtained places for him, but he always comes back
+at the end of a week, and sometimes sooner, with bitter complaints from
+his master that he has set the household in a turmoil with his tricks
+and ill conduct. Many a thrashing has he had, but they do him no good."
+
+The others laughed.
+
+"There is no doubt that Paolo is a perfect young imp," one of them said,
+"but he is as sharp as a needle. I have no doubt that if he could be
+tamed he would make a most useful lad. As it is, I certainly would not
+recommend anyone who cares for his peace of mind to have anything to do
+with him."
+
+"I will see him anyhow," Hector said. "I think that I would rather have
+a sharp boy than a man. Being but a boy myself, I could appreciate and
+put up with more in the way of mischief than a man could."
+
+"I will tell my groom to bring him round to your quarters in the
+morning," the officer said; "but mind, I in no way recommend your taking
+him. You won't keep him a week if you do."
+
+The next morning Hector's orderly told him that a man desired to speak
+to him.
+
+"Has he a boy with him?"
+
+"Yes, lieutenant."
+
+"Bring them in here, then."
+
+In a minute a man entered, followed by a boy. The former was a good
+looking young Savoyard of some four- or five-and-twenty years; the
+latter was a lad of about the same height as Hector but somewhat older.
+He had black hair which fell over his forehead down to his eyebrows. His
+face bore an expression of extreme humility, which, however, was marred
+by the merry twinkle of his dark eyes.
+
+"My master has bid me bring my brother with me, Lieutenant Campbell,"
+the man said, "and I have done so, but I fear greatly that he will
+hardly suit you as a servant. I have obtained a dozen places for him,
+but he is always sent back at the end of three or four days, and I told
+him last time that I would never say a word in his recommendation again,
+for that it only gets me into trouble with the gentlemen."
+
+"Well, that is honest," Hector said with a smile. "However, I will
+ask him a few questions. Now, Paolo, in the first place, could you be
+faithful?"
+
+"I could be faithful to a master I loved," he said.
+
+"In the second place, are you honest?"
+
+"He is honest," the man said, "I will say that for him."
+
+"Are you truthful?"
+
+"I am as truthful as other people," the boy said.
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"I mean, sir, that if I were asked a straightforward question I would
+give a straightforward answer, unless it were wiser not to do so. I
+would tell the truth to my master, but I do not consider it necessary
+always to do so to others. For instance, sir, if you were my master, and
+questions were asked about you, there might be times when it would not
+be convenient for you that I should mention where you had gone, or what
+you were doing."
+
+"That is so," Hector said with a laugh. "The important thing for me to
+know is, would you always tell me the truth?"
+
+"I think that I could promise to do that, sir, or at least to be very
+near the truth."
+
+"You understand horses?"
+
+"I do, sir."
+
+"And you can ride?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I can ride and run too. In a long day's journey I should get
+to the end on foot nearly as fast as you would on horseback."
+
+"He can make himself useful on a campaign," the brother said. "He has
+been with my master and myself in the field for the last three years,
+and knows his work well if he chooses to do it."
+
+"The principal point with me is that which I first asked him about,
+can he be faithful? I may have to ride on dangerous missions for the
+general. I may have to enter an enemy's town to obtain information.
+There is another thing, being of the general's staff, and sometimes
+quartered in the same house with him and chatting freely with his other
+aides-de-camp, secrets might be picked up by a sharp pair of ears that
+if repeated would do grievous harm to the cause of the duchess, as you
+can well understand. Now, the question, Paolo, is, can you be absolutely
+trusted; can you, as to all matters you may hear, be as one who is deaf
+and dumb?"
+
+"I could, sir," the boy said earnestly. "I am all for the duchess, and
+I hate the Spaniards. I once was found out in a bit of mischief in the
+palace, and should have been whipped for it and turned out of the town,
+but the duchess herself said that I was only a boy and forgave me, and I
+would do anything for her. I would indeed, sir, and I swear that I would
+be always honest and truthful with you. I should like you as a master.
+You don't speak to me as if I were dirt under your feet, and I am sure
+by your voice that you would be kind. Try me, sir; my brother will tell
+you that I have never said as much before to anyone to whom he has taken
+me, for indeed I never meant to stay with them, preferring my liberty,
+rough though my fare may sometimes be."
+
+"I will try you, Paolo. I believe that you are in earnest, and that
+I can trust you; but mind, there must be no monkey tricks here. The
+general must not be disturbed by the antics of a servant boy. You are
+likely, in my service, to have as much excitement and adventure as you
+can wish for, and you must behave yourself, for if you do not do so
+you will be lucky if you escape with a flogging and being turned out of
+camp. I am younger than you are, and am just as fond of a piece of fun,
+but I know when it is good to enjoy one's self and when one must put
+aside boyish pranks. I have my duties to perform, and do them to the
+best of my power, and shall expect you to do the same."
+
+"I will, sir," the boy said respectfully. "I will give you no cause to
+complain of me, at least no wilful cause."
+
+"Then that is settled. Here," he said to the boy's brother, "are five
+pistoles; see that he is decently clad so as to make a fair appearance
+by my side. When he is so, let him return here. It were best that he
+should come this evening, for it is likely that I shall be away on duty
+tomorrow."
+
+"He shall be here, sir," he said, "and I thank you heartily for engaging
+him; and I do think that he means this time to behave himself."
+
+"I do mean it," the boy said. "You shall have no reason to complain of
+me, sir."
+
+Shortly afterwards Hector met the officer who had spoken of the boy.
+
+"Well, have you thought anything more of young ne'er-do-well?"
+
+"I have engaged him."
+
+"You have, after the warning I gave you? Well, I hope you will not have
+reason to repent it."
+
+"I do not think that I shall. I can quite believe that he is a
+mischievous young varlet, he shows it in his face; but I am sure that he
+is shrewd, and I believe that he will be faithful. At any rate I think
+that we took to each other, and that he has made up his mind to try for
+once to stay in a place. He really seemed in earnest about it, and if
+he keeps to his promises I think that he will be just the sort of lad to
+suit me."
+
+"Well, we shall see," the officer said; "but if he turns out badly,
+please remember that I warned you against him."
+
+"And if he turns out well," Hector said with a laugh, "I shall not fail
+also to remind you of your prognostications."
+
+That evening when Hector returned to his room after he had finished his
+meal, he found Paolo waiting outside his door. His appearance had so
+changed that he would not have known him. His hair had been cut short
+in the front and left long behind, as was the custom of the day, hanging
+down on to his collar. He was neat and tidy. He wore a dark blue doublet
+reaching to the hips, with a buff leather belt, in which was stuck a
+dagger. His leggings, fitting tightly down to the ankles, were of dark
+maroon cloth, and he wore short boots of tanned leather. A plain white
+collar, some four inches deep, was worn turned down over the neck of the
+doublet, and a yellow cloth cap, with a dark cock's feather, was stuck
+on one side of his head. In his hand he held a bundle containing a
+leather jerkin and breeches of the same material, and a pair of buff
+leather riding boots that would reach to the knee.
+
+"Your brother has laid out the money well, Paolo," Hector said, as he
+opened the door and led the way into his room. "I do not think that I
+should have known you."
+
+"I am quite sure that I should not have known myself, master, if I had
+looked into a horse trough and seen my reflection. It will be a long
+time before I shall be able to persuade myself that these clothes are
+my own, and that I really am an officer's lackey. Now, master, you must
+teach me my duties, of which I know nought when in a house like this,
+though I know well enough what they are when you are in the field."
+
+"They are few enough at present, Paolo. Monsieur de Turenne's stablemen
+look after the horses of his staff. When I do not dine with him, I and
+my two friends, M. de Lisle and M. de Chavigny, dine and sup together
+at an inn. There is my room to keep tidy, my bed to make, my armour and
+arms to be polished, and my clothes to be brushed. Hitherto, my orderly
+has done these things, but it will now be your duty. As I do not eat in
+my rooms, it is clear that there is no food for you, and when we are in
+towns I shall give you money to pay for your meals at a cabaret."
+
+"I hope, master, that you will soon find something more useful for me
+to do, for, in truth, I fear that with so much time on my hands I shall
+find it sorely difficult to comport myself as is due to your lackey."
+
+"Do not fear, I have little doubt that you will soon find work enough
+and to spare, and indeed you will often ride with me."
+
+Some few days later, the other two aides-de-camp being away, the
+viscount requested Hector to accompany him on a tour of inspection that
+might last two or three days. He was accompanied by his orderly and
+three other troopers, behind who rode two of his own lackeys with
+baskets of provisions. With them rode Paolo, Hector having asked the
+general if he should take him with him.
+
+"You may as well do so, Campbell, it will accustom him to his work. What
+made you choose so young a servant?" he asked, as he rode off.
+
+"He is a year older than I am, though perhaps not so tall. He is the
+brother of a man in the employment of Monsieur de Vevey. He has been
+through the last two campaigns. I find him very intelligent. He obeys
+my orders promptly, and as he is heart and soul in the cause of the
+duchess, I feel sure of his fidelity, especially as he has had a hard
+time of it up to now, and is, I think, grateful to me for taking him.
+He speaks French very well, and might certainly be of great use to me
+in any enterprise that your lordship might be good enough to entrust
+me with. Being about the same age, I think that we might perhaps go
+together unquestioned where a man would be unable to pass."
+
+The viscount rode on for some minutes without speaking. "There is
+something in what you say, Campbell, and after this journey is over I
+may be able to employ you in that way when it is necessary to obtain
+information I can get in no other manner. Has he ridden with you
+before?"
+
+"Yes, sir, he has ridden behind me each time that I have been away since
+I engaged him. When I say behind me, he starts behind me, but when out
+of town I call him up beside me, and we talk, or rather try to talk,
+in Italian--or rather I should say in Piedmontese, for he tells me that
+each district of Italy has its own dialect, and that the natives of one
+can scarce understand the other. I have bought a book printed here and a
+dictionary, and of an evening when I have no duties to perform he comes
+into my room, and translates sentence by sentence as I read it to him. I
+learn it by heart, and hope that ere long I shall be able to make myself
+understood in it."
+
+"You do well--very well," the viscount said. "If all my young officers
+were to do the same, instead of spending the evening and half the night
+in drinking and gambling, things would go on much more smoothly, and
+there would not be so many blunders in carrying out my orders. You will
+greatly add to your usefulness by acquiring a knowledge of the language,
+and it would certainly enable you to carry out with far less danger such
+commissions as those you were just speaking of; for you might be asked a
+question, and if it were replied to by your lackey, suspicions would be
+at once aroused. You have ridden along this road before?"
+
+"Several times, sir."
+
+"Have you noted the features of the country--I mean from a military
+point of view?"
+
+"I have nothing else to do as I ride along, sir. As I go I notice where
+an ambuscade might be laid, either by ourselves or an enemy, where we
+might expect to be opposed on our march forward, or where a rear guard
+might check an enemy were we retiring before him."
+
+"Good! the fate of a battle depends in nine cases out of ten upon a
+knowledge of the ground, and in quickness in utilizing that knowledge.
+Our journey today is only taken for that purpose. I want to see for
+myself the country across which we shall at first operate, to inspect
+the various routes by which we might advance, or through which, if we
+find the enemy in too great a force to be encountered, we should be
+obliged to retire. As we go you shall point out to me the observations
+that you have made, and I shall be able to judge whether the spots are
+well chosen for the purpose."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III: THE FIRST BATTLE
+
+
+During the three days that were spent in reconnoitering the country
+Hector Campbell learnt more than he would have done in as many years
+under ordinary circumstances. Turenne took the greatest pains to point
+out to him how the nature of the ground could be taken advantage of, how
+flanks could be protected against attack by comparatively small bodies,
+occupying positions from which they could be with difficulty expelled;
+how important was the action of guns, especially when so placed as to
+be able to sweep the ground across which an enemy must advance in any
+endeavour to turn the position of an army. Turenne, on his part, took
+pleasure in instructing a pupil who was at once so eager to learn, and
+who showed himself so apt in profiting by his teaching.
+
+"You see," he said, "I am concerned rather in defensive positions at
+present than in seeing how we could best turn an enemy barring our
+advance. Although the greater portion of the dominions of the duchess
+has fallen into the hands of the enemy, she is fortunate in that the few
+places that remain are those that at once enable her to make a defence
+with comparatively small forces; and at the same time, it is possible
+for her to receive aid from France, or, if absolutely necessary, for her
+to fall back across the Alps. Susa, her headquarters, lying at the mouth
+of the valley up which the road over Mount Cenis finds its way, at once
+guards the pass and keeps open communication with France.
+
+"It is, as it were, the handle of a fan, and can be approached by three
+main roads only,--those to Turin, Carignano, and Chivasso. Unfortunately
+Turin is in the enemy's hands, but as the duchess's troops still hold
+the citadel, an advance could not very well be made until that has
+fallen. Chivasso and Carignano are safe from any sudden attack. There
+are other minor roads, but so long as these towns are in our hands
+and held by strong garrisons, an enemy advancing by any of these roads
+towards Susa would be liable to have their communications cut, and their
+convoys captured by parties from these fortresses. It has long been a
+fixed idea in military operations that an army cannot advance as long
+as a town near the line of route is held by the enemy. That idea is an
+erroneous one, and several times upon the Rhine we have gained successes
+by neglecting this rule and disregarding the towns, contenting ourselves
+with leaving a force sufficient to keep the garrison in check.
+
+"The Spaniards, however, are slow to change their tactics, good soldiers
+as they are. The consequence is that, although greatly superior in
+force, last year they made no offensive movement against us. We have had
+several regiments join us since we arrived here, and although I believe
+the enemy's force to be twice as strong as our own, I have no doubt that
+the Count d'Harcourt will as soon as he arrives decide upon taking the
+offensive. You see our position here, guarded as it is on both flanks by
+the line of mountains, is as favourable for offence as defence, for we
+can advance either through Carignano on our right or Chivasso on our
+left; and however the enemy may dispose themselves they are vulnerable
+on one side or the other."
+
+This anticipation was justified. D'Harcourt arrived three days later.
+A council of war was held, and it was decided that an advance should at
+once be made against the enemy. The main body of the Spanish troops were
+posted in a fortified camp at Villanova, halfway between Asti and Turin.
+Leaving only a small body of troops to guard the lower valley of
+Susa from an attack by the Spaniards at Turin, the army advanced
+to Carignano, and thence towards Villanova. The Spaniards, however,
+although nearly twice as strong as the French, were so much surprised
+at the boldness of this proceeding that instead of marching out to give
+battle they contented themselves with strengthening still further
+the defences of their camp, and in order to force them to come out
+d'Harcourt advanced to Chieri--called by the French Quiers--a town
+situated between Villanova and Turin, and about two leagues distant from
+each.
+
+Turenne was in command of the cavalry, and took post between Chieri and
+Villanova. The Spaniards, however, made no effort to relieve the town,
+which capitulated after a resistance of only two or three days. While
+the siege was proceeding, a large convoy of provisions succeeded,
+unmolested, in making its way to Casale, and thus placed the garrison
+there in a position to hold out for several weeks to come. But a very
+small store of provisions was found in Chieri, and the army was forced
+to fall back towards Carignano to obtain food from the stores collected
+there. The Marquis of Leganez, whose headquarters were at Asti, knowing
+that the French had sent all the stores they had brought with them to
+Casale, had foreseen that this would be the case, and advancing rapidly
+with the troops from Villanova seized Poirino, on the line by which the
+French would retire, while at the same time Prince Thomas, who commanded
+at Turin, advanced with the greater portion of his troops, and marched
+towards the little river Santina, intending to cross there. Thus the
+French army could not retire on Carignano without exposing both flanks
+to the attack of the enemy.
+
+During the short campaign Hector had ridden behind Turenne, and shared
+in the general disappointment of the army when the enemy refused to
+accept their offer of battle, and still more so when after the capture
+of Chieri it became necessary to retreat. His two fellow aides-de-camp
+loudly bewailed the bad fortune that thus obliged them to retire without
+having effected anything beyond the capture of an insignificant town,
+which, however, had the advantage of opening a way for them into the
+heart of the country then held by the enemy.
+
+"You seem to take it rather philosophically, Campbell," de Lisle said to
+Hector, as he remained silent while they were bemoaning their fate.
+
+"I do not see that it is of any use taking it otherwise. At least we
+have had the satisfaction of bearding the Spaniards, who indeed seem
+to me to behave wisely in remaining in their intrenchments and waiting
+until they can unite all their forces against us. However, we have shown
+them that we are not afraid of them, and that even in the middle of
+November we are so eager to meet them that we have hastened to take the
+field and to strike a blow before winter sets in in earnest; but I think
+it possible that we may have a fight yet before we get back. Leganez
+has the reputation of being a good general, and he may yet combine his
+troops at Asti with those of Villanova and Turin and try to cut us off
+from Carignano." At this moment Turenne suddenly entered the room.
+
+"To horse, gentlemen! News has come that Prince Thomas is marching at
+the head of three thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse to cut us off,
+and that Leganez is moving with all speed towards Poirino with the same
+object. Carry my orders for a thousand cavalry and as many infantry to
+be ready to march at once. We must be beforehand with Prince Thomas."
+
+In ten minutes the cavalry and infantry selected were in movement, and
+Turenne, placing himself at the head of the former, rode on at a gallop,
+and keeping on at full speed with his cavalry, occupied the bridge
+before Prince Thomas came up. On his arrival, the latter, having with
+him three thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse, prepared to attack,
+but before he did so Turenne's infantry arrived. The Spaniards attacked
+with fury, but Turenne's troops stood firm and repulsed them, and as
+soon as they fell back charged in turn, broke the enemy, and drove them
+in headlong rout towards Turin. Prince Thomas himself was twice unhorsed
+and thrown into a ditch, but it was now almost dark, his rank was
+unrecognized, and he succeeded in making his escape and rejoining his
+scattered troops.
+
+While this fight was going on, d'Harcourt had attacked the Marquis of
+Leganez and gained a considerable advantage, but not knowing how the
+fight was going on at Santina did not venture to advance towards the
+Po. As soon, however, as a messenger from Turenne brought him news
+that Prince Thomas had been defeated he continued his march towards
+Carignano. He was speedily joined by Turenne's horse, which took up the
+duty of rear guard and checked the Spaniards, who were pressing on in
+hopes of attacking the French as they crossed the river. He held them at
+bay until d'Harcourt had got all his guns and baggage wagons across the
+river, and then, following him, broke down the bridge and joined him at
+Carignano. Here the army went into winter quarters.
+
+D'Harcourt, whose health was bad, retired to pass the winter at
+Pinerolo, leaving the command in the hands of Turenne, who again
+established himself at Susa, and began to make preparations for throwing
+a convoy of provisions into the citadel of Turin.
+
+During the fight at Santina Hector remained behind Turenne, while the
+two young Frenchmen, carried away by their ardour, joined in the hot
+pursuit of the enemy. The prince, who had led the charge, had halted.
+
+"Are you alone here, Monsieur Campbell?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Where are de Lisle and Chavigny?"
+
+"They rode on with the cavalry, sir."
+
+Turenne frowned.
+
+"You have done well to remain. An aide-de-camp's place is to carry
+orders, not to fight. Now, sir, ride at once to the count. I hear his
+battle is still going on. Tell him that I have defeated and scattered
+the troops of the prince, and that as soon as I can gather my men I
+shall march to join him."
+
+Hector bowed, turned his horse and galloped off, while the general rode
+on, sending every officer he overtook in search of the cavalry with
+orders that they were to abandon the pursuit and return instantly. That
+evening after they had entered Carignano he called de Lisle and Chavigny
+into his room.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, "you will have to choose whether you remain with
+me or join one of the cavalry regiments. If you remain with me, you must
+bear in mind in future that you are my aides-de-camp, and that your sole
+duty here is to carry my orders, and not to fight like troopers in a
+battle. It is through hotheadedness of this sort that battles are lost.
+A general, without officers to carry his orders, can do nothing towards
+controlling the movements of his troops in battle, of following up a
+victory or covering a defeat."
+
+The two young officers hung their heads and murmured their excuses.
+
+"Enough, gentlemen," Turenne said. "I am perfectly aware that it was
+your ardour that carried you away, but ardour is a bad leader. Over and
+over again the ardour of cavalry to pursue the troops they have defeated
+has brought about the loss of a battle. Courage is a virtue, and most
+soldiers possess it, but steadiness and coolness are rarer and more
+useful, and on the part of officers on a general's staff are absolutely
+indispensable. I doubt not that you will remember this in future, and
+that I shall not have reason to complain of you again."
+
+The next morning it was Hector's turn to be in attendance on the
+general.
+
+"You behaved as I expected you would do," Turenne said, when he entered
+his room on hearing the bell sound. "You fought close to me as long as
+there was fighting to be done, and I observed that you used your sword
+well. The moment I drew rein you did the same, and took up your post
+behind me, showing that although this was your first battle you retained
+your coolness. I will therefore tell you in confidence that Count
+d'Harcourt has enjoined me to throw provisions, if possible, into the
+citadel at Turin. It will take me some time to make arrangements, and my
+only fear is that the garrison, on hearing that we have retired across
+the Po--of which you may be sure the Spaniards will take care to inform
+them--may believe that we shall do no more this winter; and as we know
+that their provisions must be well nigh exhausted, they will abandon the
+citadel and march thither.
+
+"It is now well nigh eighteen months since they were first cut off. It
+is certain that their investment is a very close one, and that the most
+vigilant watch is used to prevent news of any kind from reaching them
+from the outside. We have made several efforts to communicate with them,
+but without success. Some of the messengers we sent never returned,
+and were, doubtless, detected and killed. Others came back and reported
+their failure, saying that every avenue to the citadel was so closely
+watched that it was impossible to get through."
+
+"Have you any objection, general, to my mentioning this matter to
+my boy? I am absolutely convinced that he is thoroughly faithful and
+trustworthy."
+
+"You may do so if you like, Campbell, though it is hardly likely that
+he will be able to suggest any method of communication with the garrison
+that has not already been tried."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+The general shortly afterwards went out to wait upon the duchess; in two
+hours he returned, and as soon as he did so Hector entered his room.
+
+"What is it?" Turenne asked.
+
+"I have been thinking about what you said about the garrison of Turin.
+I have been talking it over with Paolo, and have come to offer to do my
+best to deliver a letter from you to the garrison if you will do me the
+great honour to entrust the mission to me. We both think that two boys
+would be much more likely to succeed than men. No one would regard them
+with suspicion; and they could creep and crawl more easily. I do not say
+that we should succeed, but I think that we should have some chance of
+doing so. At any rate I am willing to try."
+
+"It would be a very dangerous expedition," Turenne said gravely.
+
+"Not more dangerous than going into a battle, viscount. Not a quarter as
+dangerous as storming a breach."
+
+Turenne smiled. "The idea has passed through my mind," he said, "but I
+should not have proposed it had you not first spoken. It is the sort of
+mission in which I thought you could be made useful, but it is a rough
+adventure to begin with, and you must not minimize the danger. It is the
+duty of a soldier to run the risk of being killed in battle, but it
+lies beyond his duty to go into the enemy's camp to obtain news. He
+may volunteer for it, but with a knowledge that if detected he would
+assuredly be hanged."
+
+"I do not think, general, that the risk of detection would be great,
+but the risk of failure would be so. If when we get there we can see no
+possible means of passing through the line of sentries, there would be
+nothing to do but to come back, and I own that in talking it over the
+thought that I might be obliged to return and to tell you that I had
+failed occupied a much larger portion of my thoughts than the risk of
+being detected."
+
+"But I shall not expect you to succeed, Campbell; the chances are
+a hundred to one against it. I should be glad, however, to have the
+experiment tried once again, so that if the garrison capitulates before
+we arrive to its succour, I shall not be able to blame myself for not
+having made one more effort to induce them to hold out for another few
+weeks. Have you thought of your plans?"
+
+"Only so far, sir, that we shall dress up as two country boys, cross the
+Po, and enter the city from the other side. After that we must be guided
+by circumstances and trust to good luck. May I ask, general, if you have
+a plan of the city and fortress?"
+
+"Yes; at least the duchess has one, which she has placed at my disposal.
+I can send an officer to the palace to request her to let me have it.
+No doubt it would be a great advantage to you to study the position
+beforehand."
+
+"Well, sir, we will see about getting our disguises at once."
+
+"I will give you an order on the paymaster for a hundred crowns for
+special service," Turenne said. "It is as well to be amply provided with
+money, as it may be necessary to buy fresh disguises or to bribe someone
+to conceal you;" and he drew an order on the treasury and handed it to
+Hector.
+
+"You will find the plan of the town in your room when you return."
+
+Paolo was waiting for him.
+
+"It is settled, Paolo; we are to go."
+
+"This is an adventure after my own heart," the boy said with delight.
+"It will be great fun to outwit the Spaniards."
+
+"Yes, but we must mind that they don't outwit us, Paolo, which is quite
+as likely. Now let us talk of our disguises again. I think you had
+better go and buy them. I would rather get old ones than new. I don't
+suppose that anyone is likely to take notice of me in the streets, but
+it would be well at any rate that we should not both have new clothes,
+and better that neither of us did so."
+
+"I can manage that, sir. There are shops here where one can buy old
+clothes as well as new ones. I noticed one the other day in a narrow
+street by the wall. I wondered then who would buy some of the garments
+hung up. They were so old and so often mended that it was difficult to
+say what was the original colour. The people are very poor up in the
+mountains; since the war began, doubtless they have grown poorer, and
+are glad to buy anything that will cover them."
+
+"Well, here are ten crowns."
+
+"They won't cost half that, master, but I will take them."
+
+"Mind and get something warm, Paolo; it is like enough that we shall
+have to sleep more than once in the open air, and the winds are bitterly
+cold."
+
+In half an hour the officer came with the plan, which Hector at once set
+to to study. The citadel stood on ground but little, if at all, higher
+than that upon which the town was situated. It was pentagonal in form,
+and was built in 1565, and was the earliest fortification in Europe in
+this style, and was considered a masterpiece. It was separated from the
+town by its glacis. A deep fosse ran along the foot of the wall. The
+town itself was walled, and extended to the foot of the citadel, and
+was capable of offering a sturdy resistance even after the citadel had
+fallen, just as the citadel could protect itself after the capture of
+the town by an enemy. Hector examined carefully that portion of the town
+facing the citadel, and took notes of the streets that ran through to
+the walls, specially noting those which extended farthest from the wall
+before being broken by cross lanes.
+
+It was evident from the width of the streets that this was the poorest
+quarter of the town, for the wealthy would not care to build their
+houses in a position where, if the town and citadel were hostile to each
+other, they would be exposed to the fire of the latter's guns.
+
+In another half hour Paolo returned with a large bundle. It contained
+two coarse cotton shirts, two warm garments resembling waistcoats, and
+fastened by strings closing up to the neck, two red sashes of coarse
+flannel, and two loose doublets reaching down to the hips. These were
+worn and patched, but had been newly lined with sheepskin. The breeches,
+which reached down to the knee, were of coarse brown cloth; to cover the
+leg below the knee were bands of gray flannel which were wrapped round
+and round the leg and foot, while over these were worn wooden shoes. The
+hats were of conical shape with wide brims, and both, like the clothes,
+bore signs of long wear.
+
+"It could not have been better, Paolo," Hector said as he examined them.
+"I have seen scores of boys so dressed, and we shall certainly attract
+no attention by our garb. They are warm, too, and we sha'n't come to any
+harm from sleeping out in them."
+
+"They cost more than I expected, master, owing to the doublets being
+freshly lined, but I thought it would be worth it."
+
+"Quite right! those sheepskins will be most useful. There is one thing
+more we shall want, a thin rope, that will bear our weight well, some
+twenty yards long. You had better go to a smith's and get him to make a
+strong iron hook, by which we can fix the rope on to the edge of a wall
+should it be needed. You had better have it made a good nine inches
+across the hook, and the shank fifteen inches long."
+
+After again studying the map he took it to the general.
+
+"We have our disguises, sir, and shall be ready to start tomorrow
+morning."
+
+"You have lost no time," the general said approvingly. "You will, of
+course, ride to Chivasso. I will give you an order to the governor
+there, to take charge of your horses and clothes, telling him that you
+are about to proceed on a mission in disguise, and requesting him to
+send an officer to pass you through the outposts beyond the bridge
+across the Po, that is if the other side is not guarded by the Spanish
+troops. I should advise you to make straight south so as to strike the
+road from Casale two miles west of Turin. I do not like letting you go,
+lad, and yet I feel it is of such importance that the garrison should
+know that aid will be at hand before long, that I feel I ought not to
+prevent you from carrying out your enterprise. When do you think of
+starting?"
+
+"At eight in the morning, sir. If we do so we shall easily reach
+Chivasso before dark, and may be near Turin by morning."
+
+"I will have my note for the commandant ready by the time your horses
+are at the door. I will make it as small as possible, and you had better
+before you start sew it up in the lining of your coat, so that if you
+are searched--which I own I do not think to be likely, unless in some
+other way you excite the suspicions of the Spaniards--it may not be
+found upon you."
+
+"I think, sir, that I would rather make it into a little pellet which
+I can swallow. I fancy that if they were suspicious enough to search me
+they would rip all the linings open."
+
+"That would be a better way certainly, Campbell; I see that you have
+thought the matter over thoroughly. Of course, you will take no arms
+with you."
+
+"Nothing but a long knife each. Every peasant carries one, and it may be
+possible that we shall be compelled to silence a sentinel. If you would
+not mind, sir, I should like to have six copies of your letter to the
+commandant. I could manage to swallow six as well as one, and as it is
+not likely that I shall be able to enter the citadel it would be as well
+to give them a better chance of finding the letter if I have to try to
+shoot or throw it in."
+
+"That shall be done; we will use the thinnest paper, so that if you have
+to swallow them you can do so without difficulty."
+
+"If I find that I cannot by any possibility get my message in through
+the town, sir, I shall try to cross the river and so make my way in on
+that side."
+
+"That would be even more dangerous than the other," Turenne said. "On
+that side an even stricter watch is likely to be kept than on that
+facing the town, for the Spaniards know that the garrison is not strong
+enough to attempt any enterprise against the city, while it might at any
+moment attempt to break out and march away on the other side.
+
+"I own that I do not see myself how you can possibly succeed in either
+case, but assuredly there must be more chance on the side of the town.
+I have been thinking it over, and will order a troop of cavalry to
+ride with you to Chivasso, for the Spanish horse from time to time make
+forays from Turin, carry off prisoners, and burn villages. Until we are
+in a position to make a general advance it is impossible to check these
+attacks without keeping the whole of our cavalry massed near Turin, and
+wearing out horses and men by the necessity for perpetual vigilance. And
+now, goodbye; may fortune attend you! Do not be too rash. The letters
+shall be sent you in an hour's time."
+
+As they issued out from Susa they found the troop of cavalry awaiting
+them. The officer in command was well known to Hector, and said:
+
+"So it is you that I am to escort to Chivasso, Monsieur Campbell?"
+
+"Yes; I am sorry to give you occasion for so much trouble."
+
+"No trouble at all; we have not been in the saddle for the past week,
+and a ride to Chivasso will make a pleasant change. Besides, I have
+a brother in the garrison there, so that altogether I shall be your
+debtor. You see, we are not allowed to ride beyond St. Ambrogio, or
+Rivoli at farthest, for once beyond that, we should be liable to be
+caught by the enemy's scouting parties. Of course we have a strong force
+at Rivoli, but except to drive off small parties of the enemy who
+may venture to come up too close, they are forbidden to engage in any
+affairs. It is annoying, but one can understand that the general is
+anxious to avoid encounters in which the enemy is sure to be superior
+in force, until his reinforcements come up and we are able to take the
+field in earnest."
+
+"I do not think we shall be otherwise than inferior in force even when
+our last regiment comes up," Hector said. "What with Holland and the
+Rhine and the frontier of Spain, it is clear that the cardinal must have
+as much as he can do to enable all our commanders to make head against
+the enemy, and it is no secret that beyond one more regiment of cavalry
+that will arrive with Count d'Harcourt, no other reinforcements are
+likely to reach us for some time to come. But then, you see, we have
+Turenne as well as d'Harcourt, and each of them ought to count for two
+or three thousand men."
+
+"Well, I would rather fight against long odds," the officer said, "than
+be kept here month after month doing nothing. Here is winter coming on,
+and I suppose that will put a stop to everything."
+
+"I should hardly think so," Hector replied. "I am sure that the viscount
+is as eager for action as we are, and winter here is not the same thing
+as in Holland or on the Rhine. From what I hear there is very little
+snow in the plains; and as the country is generally flat, an army could
+march almost as easily as in summer, and in some respects they would be
+better off."
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that in summer the barns would be all empty of food until filled
+again by the harvest, whereas in winter they would be all well stocked
+with forage for the cattle and horses."
+
+"You are right, Monsieur Campbell. Certainly there should be nothing to
+prevent our operating through the winter, and I shall look forward even
+more eagerly than I did before for d'Harcourt's return. Will you come
+back with us tomorrow from Chivasso?"
+
+"That will depend upon circumstances. I think it is more probable that I
+shall not return to Susa for a few days; my orders are to report myself
+to the governor."
+
+No bodies of the enemy's cavalry were met with on the way, and at four
+o'clock in the afternoon they rode into Chivasso. They alighted at the
+commandant's, and on stating that he was the bearer of a despatch from
+the general Hector was at once shown in. As he had more than once ridden
+there with despatches from Turenne, he was known to the officer.
+
+"We heard of the victory three days since," the latter said, as Hector
+handed him the despatch, "and fired a salvo of guns in honour of it. An
+Italian deserter from the other side brought the news. The two generals
+were unwounded, I hope?"
+
+"Yes, colonel, and our losses were altogether slight."
+
+The commandant opened the despatch. He looked a little surprised at
+its contents. "So you are going to endeavour to pass a message into
+the citadel. It is a difficult undertaking. The enemy's watch is a
+very vigilant one. Once or twice during the siege men have succeeded in
+swimming the Po and evading the enemy's guards, but of late these have
+been doubled, for it is thought that the garrison may attempt to break
+out. On the town side the firing has all but ceased; they know that the
+store of provisions is almost exhausted, and regard it as a waste of
+powder and shot to continue their cannonade, which only results in
+the citadel answering it, and that with very much more effect than the
+Spanish guns produce. May I ask if you have any plan of getting in?"
+
+"No, sir, we must decide upon that when we see how matters stand."
+
+"Who is the we?" the colonel asked.
+
+"Myself and my servant, who is a very sharp and intelligent lad whom I
+can thoroughly trust. Alone I could do nothing, for I have only picked
+up a few phrases in Italian yet, and should be detected at once; so
+anything that has to be said must be said by him. May I ask, sir, if the
+enemy are in force on the other side of the bridge? if so, we must cross
+by swimming, either above or below it."
+
+"No; there was a regiment there until three days ago, but they marched
+away, and no doubt formed a portion of Prince Thomas's force. They know
+well enough that although our garrison can hold the walls, we are not
+strong enough to undertake any enterprise."
+
+"Then, sir, we have only to ask for an escort for a mile or so beyond
+the other side of the bridge, in case a company should have been left
+to watch the road. Beyond that we will dismount and proceed on foot. We
+will, if you please, put on our disguises here, with the exception of
+our hats, and perhaps you will lend us a couple of long cloaks, so that
+our appearance may not be noticed. Although we shall not start until
+after dark, it is as well to be upon the safe side. Maybe the enemy have
+spies in the town, and were it noticed that two young peasants rode out
+under the escort of a troop of cavalry news might be sent to Turin. In
+that case we might be arrested as soon as we entered the city. I should
+be obliged if you would give orders to the officer in command that one
+of the troopers should bring the horses, cloaks, and hats back here with
+him."
+
+The governor rang a bell, and on an orderly entering said: "Tell Captain
+Sion to have his troop in readiness to start in an hour's time, in order
+to form an escort for one of Viscount Turenne's officers, and tell
+him that when he has the troop ready to start he is to come to me for
+detailed orders. I have said an hour, Monsieur Campbell," he went on,
+after the orderly had left the room, "because, in the first place, it
+is not yet dark, and in the second, it will take some twenty minutes to
+prepare a meal. You will have a long night's work before you, and I dare
+say you have had nothing since you halted for breakfast."
+
+"Thank you, colonel, I had not thought of it; but I should certainly
+have remembered it before tomorrow morning. We halted for breakfast at
+eleven, and if it had not been for your kind offer we should have had
+no chance of getting anything till we entered Turin, and even there the
+less we go into any cabarets the better."
+
+"That is true. I have sent a message to the cook that twenty minutes is
+the utmost we can give for the preparation of a meal."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV: SUCCESS
+
+
+Although the governor apologized to Hector for the poorness of the
+repast and the haste with which it had been prepared, it was really
+excellent, consisting of soup, some fish fresh from the river, a cutlet,
+and an omelette, with a bottle of good wine of Asti. Paolo's wants had
+been attended to in the kitchen. It was six o'clock when they started.
+The officer in command had already received his instructions, and the
+governor accompanied Hector to the door, where two horses were standing
+saddled.
+
+"They are not your own," he said, "but are two of mine. I thought that
+yours had made a sufficiently long journey today."
+
+Thanking him for his kindness, Hector mounted, and took his place by
+the side of Captain Simon, while Paolo fell in with the orderlies riding
+close behind.
+
+"I presume, monsieur, that you are going to obtain some information for
+Viscount Turenne. I don't want to ask any questions as to the nature of
+your mission, but as I have orders to bring back with the horses your
+cloaks and hats, I presume that in the first place you are going on
+foot, and in the second, you are going in disguise."
+
+"Your judgment is correct, captain. The viscount wishes to obtain
+certain information, and I am going to fetch it for him, if I can."
+
+"I hope that you will be successful, sir. It is a good night for
+travelling, the stars are bright and the moon down, so that you will
+have light enough to keep the road, and time enough to step aside should
+you meet any party who might be inclined to question all passersby."
+
+"Do you know the roads well about here?" Hector asked.
+
+"I was stationed in Turin before the enemy came with too great a force
+to be resisted."
+
+"I want to strike across the country, and to come into the road from
+Turin to Casale at a distance of three or four miles from the city."
+
+"A mile or so away a road branches off from this which keeps by the
+river. It is a mere country road, and except in two or three small
+villages that you will pass through, you are not likely to meet with
+anyone upon it. It is about eight miles to the main road from the point
+where you turn off, and you will then be five miles from Turin. It is
+just possible that you may meet patrols, but I should think it very
+unlikely; now that our army has gone into winter quarters at Carignano,
+they are not likely to be very vigilant."
+
+As they rode along Hector related some of the incidents of the late
+battle. No signs of the enemy were met with, and the officer presently
+said, "I am sorry to say that this is the point where you leave us,
+monsieur. I wish it had been a little farther, so that I could hear more
+of the fight."
+
+Hector and Paolo dismounted. Two troopers were called up and took charge
+of their horses, while the cloaks and hats were given to the officer's
+orderly, then the two lads put on the Savoyard hats they had carried
+under their cloaks. The officer took two packets from his holster.
+
+"The colonel bade me give this to you at starting," he said. "He thought
+that after a long walk on foot you would want some slight refreshment
+before the inns were open in the morning."
+
+"Will you please give him my hearty thanks for his thoughtfulness,"
+Hector said, "and accept the same yourself for your courtesy in
+escorting me."
+
+"Now we are fairly on our way, Paolo," he went on as he turned down the
+lane, for it was little more; "this package is a bottle of wine, and the
+one that I have handed to you contains the eatables."
+
+"That is good, master. We shall find it pretty cold before morning, and
+there is nothing like a good meal to warm one up again."
+
+"Did you get the bow and arrows at Chivasso?"
+
+"Yes, sir. I went out and bought them as soon as we got there. I wanted
+them, I told the man, for a boy of ten years old, but all he had were a
+good deal too long, which I was glad of, for a child's bow would hardly
+have been strong enough, so I made him cut one down until it was not
+more than three feet long. That way I shall be able, as we agreed, to
+carry it under my doublet. Of course it will make me walk stiffly, and
+there will be no possibility of sitting down, but that matters not at
+all. It is all the stronger, and will send an arrow a good distance. I
+have got six arrows as you ordered me. They are regular arrows, but I
+made the man shorten them so as to suit the bow, and then repoint them.
+I have got them inside my doublet. I tied them together, made a hole in
+the lining under the arm, and put them in."
+
+"You have not forgotten the cord, I hope, Paolo?"
+
+"Not I, master. I should have deserved having my ears cut off if I had
+done so."
+
+They were in no hurry, and walked only fast enough to keep themselves
+warm. In two hours and a half they arrived at the main road and turned
+to the right. "Now we will go another couple of miles, Paolo, and then
+look out for a sleeping place. An empty barn or stable or a stack of
+fodder is what we want. We may as well sleep warm as cold. We shall not
+want to be moving on till seven o'clock."
+
+After walking three miles they came upon a small village.
+
+"Do you stay here, master, I will go round and see if I can find a
+place. I am more accustomed to these villages than you are."
+
+In five minutes he returned. "I have found a capital place," he said.
+"It is a stable, but it is empty. No doubt the Spaniards have taken the
+horses, and are using them in their transport wagons."
+
+"It is enough for us that the place is empty, Paolo."
+
+The door stood ajar. They entered and closed it behind them, and they
+then felt about until they found a pile of rough fodder. They pulled
+some of this aside, lay down and covered themselves up with the stalks
+they had removed, and in three minutes were fast asleep, for they had
+had a long day's work. Hector slept until he was awakened by Paolo,
+who said, "The day is breaking, and the village will be astir in a few
+minutes." The weather had changed, and as they stepped out fine flakes
+of snow were drifting through the air, and the ground was already
+whitened. They regained the road and walked along until they came to a
+wood.
+
+"We may as well wait here and breakfast, Paolo." The parcel was opened
+and found to contain a cold capon and some bread, and on these and the
+wine they made a capital breakfast, each taking a long sip at the bottle
+to the health of the colonel. "The market people are beginning to come
+along, and we may as well buy something from them going in. If we
+have not something to sell it is not unlikely that we shall be asked
+questions." It was now broad daylight, and they saw several peasants
+pass along the road, some with baskets, others driving a pig or a goat.
+
+"Either of these would do," Hector said; "but we don't know where the
+market is, and it would never do to seem ignorant of that." The snow had
+stopped suddenly some minutes before, and the sun was now shining.
+
+"That is lucky," Hector said as they walked down towards the road, "we
+may hope that there will be no more snow and that the sun will soon melt
+what has fallen. It would be fatal to us if the ground were white, for
+the most careless sentry could not help seeing us upon it."
+
+They reached the road just as a peasant came along. He was an old man,
+and was dragging behind him a pile of faggots, which were placed upon
+two rough poles. He was walking between these, holding two ends in his
+hands, while the others trailed along on the ground behind.
+
+"Bargain with him, Paolo."
+
+"That is a heavy load, father," the latter said.
+
+"Ay, it is heavy."
+
+"How much do you expect to get for your faggots in the town?"
+
+"I shall get a crown," the man said. "I would not take under, and they
+ought to be worth more than that now the snow has begun to fall."
+
+"We are going into the town," Paolo said. "We are younger than you,
+and between us we could drag it along easily. I have got a crown in my
+pocket to buy some things with. I don't mind giving it to you for your
+load. If I can sell the faggots for a few soldi over that we shall be
+able to buy something for ourselves."
+
+"It is a bargain, lad," the old man said. "I am getting old and the
+rheumatism is in my bones, and I shall be very glad to be spared the
+journey; so give me your money and take the poles. I hope you will be
+successful, and sell them a little higher. You had better ask a crown
+and a half. The women are sure to beat you down, but you will make ten
+or twelve soldi for yourselves."
+
+Paolo handed the crown to the old man.
+
+"How had we better take this, Paolo?" Hector asked, as the old man,
+chuckling with satisfaction at having escaped a toilsome journey, turned
+to retrace his steps.
+
+"There is room for us both between the shafts," Paolo said, "one behind
+the other. It would be much easier to walk holding both poles than for
+us both to take one, as in that way the weight will be balanced on each
+side of us."
+
+There was indeed just room between the ends of the poles and the pile of
+brushwood for them to walk close behind each other, and as the greater
+portion of the weight rested on the other ends of the poles they did not
+find the burden a heavy one.
+
+"How are we going to sell these, Paolo?"
+
+"We shall have no difficulty in selling them, master. This frost will
+set every housewife on the lookout for wood, and you will find that we
+sha'n't have to go far before we are accosted."
+
+It was two miles from the spot where they had bought the faggots to the
+gates of Turin.
+
+"I sha'n't be sorry to get rid of this load," Hector said. "It is not
+the weight but the roughness of the poles. My hands are quite chafed by
+them."
+
+"Loose your hold for a bit, master. My hands have been accustomed to
+rough work, and many a load of faggots have I drawn in my time."
+
+"I will hold on, Paolo. It is not more than a quarter of a mile farther.
+My hands have done plenty of work, too, but it has been done with smooth
+handled weapons. It is well that they should become accustomed to harder
+work."
+
+They passed without a question through the gate, and following the
+example of other vendors of wood, of whom they saw several, Paolo began
+to shout, "Large faggots for sale!"
+
+It was not long before a door opened and a woman beckoned him.
+
+"How much do you want for the whole?"
+
+"A crown and a half," Paolo said.
+
+"I have been offered as many for a crown," the woman replied.
+
+"Then, signora, you did wrong to refuse. It took two days' work to cut
+them, and we have dragged them here for miles. Two crowns would not pay
+for the labour. Not one scudo would I take under the price that I have
+named. Why, if the town is besieged these faggots would be worth twenty
+crowns before the winter is over."
+
+"Well, I will give you the money," the woman said. "It is extortionate.
+Generally I can buy them at half that price."
+
+"I do not say no to that," Paolo laughed, "but with two armies wanting
+firewood and cutting down the copses without even taking trouble to ask
+leave of their owners, I think that you will see firewood very scarce in
+the city before long."
+
+"Well, carry it in and pile it in the yard."
+
+This was soon done, the poles were thrown on to the top of the heap, and
+the boys went off along the street again.
+
+"We have made half a crown for ourselves," Paolo laughed; "now we must
+decide how we shall spend it."
+
+"It would be a good plan to spend some money anyhow," Hector said.
+"What kind of things would you be likely to buy for your family in the
+country?"
+
+"Well, I should say a cooking pan to begin with, and a few yards of warm
+stuff for making my mother a skirt."
+
+"Well, buy the cooking pan first and sling it across your shoulder, and
+then as we wander about we can look in the shops and it will seem as if
+we were on the search for articles that we had been told to purchase; it
+would be better than sauntering about without any apparent object.
+But first let us walk briskly towards the side of the town facing the
+citadel. The Strada Vecchia is the one that I want to examine first."
+
+The knowledge that he had gained from the plan of the city enabled
+Hector to find the street without their having to ask any questions.
+
+"Now, buy your cooking pan at the next smith's shop you come to, and
+then we can go slowly along making our observations."
+
+They soon found that the street they had entered was, for the most part,
+deserted by its inhabitants. The shops were all closed, the road was
+strewn with fallen chimneys and balconies, and here and there were
+yawning holes showing how severely the street had suffered when the
+artillery duel was going on between the guns on the walls and those
+of the citadel. A short distance down the street a chain was stretched
+across it, and here a musketeer was pacing up and down on guard. Two
+others could be seen at the farther end of the street, where there was
+a gateway in the wall, now closed up with sandbags piled thickly against
+it.
+
+"We will see if the other streets are similarly guarded."
+
+This was found to be so, sentries being placed in every street running
+down to the wall in this quarter.
+
+"So far so good, Paolo. I do not think that matters could have been
+better for us. The next thing is to buy a tool with which we can wrench
+open a door or the shutter of a window; but a door will be best, because
+we could not work at a shutter without running the risk of being seen by
+a sentinel, while in a doorway we should be screened from observation.
+These houses in the Strada Vecchia are old, and the doors ought not to
+give us much trouble."
+
+"Some of these old locks are very strong, master. I should think that
+it would be easier to cut out one of the panels than to force the door
+open."
+
+"Possibly it would, but it is not an easy thing to get the saw to work.
+We should have to bore a hole large enough for the saw to go through
+before we could use it. However, we will buy both a saw and a crowbar;
+as they are both things that are useful to woodcutters, your buying them
+will not appear suspicious, nor will the purchase of an auger, but we
+had better get them at different shops."
+
+Leaving that part of the town they re-entered the streets where business
+was being carried on as usual.
+
+"We won't buy the things until late in the afternoon, Paolo. There would
+be no advantage in dragging them about all day."
+
+They sauntered about the streets for some hours, then Paolo went into a
+small baker's and bought two loaves of coarse bread. At another shop he
+purchased some cheese, and with these they sat down on a stone bench in
+the principal square and leisurely ate their food and looked on at the
+crowd, which consisted principally of soldiers, Spanish veterans, stiff
+in carriage and haughty in manner, together with others, horse and
+foot, belonging to the contingent of the Duke of Milan, an ally of the
+Spanish. Among these were townspeople, the younger ones chatting with
+each other or with ladies of their acquaintance; the middle aged and
+older men talking gravely together as they walked up and down.
+
+Among these there was an air of gloom and depression. The state of panic
+in which the troops of Prince Thomas, who had marched out confident
+that they were about to annihilate the French, had returned, and the
+knowledge that the Marquis of Leganez had also failed, had created a
+feeling of the deepest disquiet among that portion of the population who
+had taken a leading part in throwing off the authority of the duchess
+and in acknowledging that of Prince Thomas. They had regarded her cause
+as lost, but the vigorous steps that France was taking to assist her had
+caused uneasiness; and if, while as yet a comparatively small force had
+arrived, these had shown so bold a front, had captured Chieri in the
+face of a powerful army, had revictualled Casale, had defeated Prince
+Thomas and forced their way past the array of Leganez, it might well be
+that in the spring, when reinforcements reached them, they might even
+defeat the Spaniards and lay siege to Turin itself. The boys remained
+where they were until it began to grow dusk, when, after buying at
+three shops a saw, a crowbar, and an auger, they went and sat down on a
+doorway in a quiet street until eight o'clock. Then they took their way
+to the Strada Vecchia. It was entirely deserted. Lights showed in one
+or two of the windows, but, except that they could hear the tread of the
+nearest sentry, all was silent. Taking off their wooden shoes they moved
+cautiously along, keeping close to the houses. The fourth they came to
+had an unusually deep doorway, and they decided at once that this would
+suit their purpose. First they tried with the crowbar, but the lock held
+firmly.
+
+"We will try another way, Paolo. If the door yields, it will go with a
+crash, and the sentry might come down to see what had caused the noise.
+We had better take out this lower panel; we shall want four holes bored
+touching each other to make one large enough for the saw to enter."
+
+The wood was of oak, and it took Paolo fully five minutes to make the
+holes.
+
+"Now give me the auger," Hector said when it was found that the hole was
+large enough for the saw to pass through.
+
+"I will begin at the bottom of the panel while you saw away at the top."
+
+Paolo had done his share by the time the holes along the bottom were
+ready for the saw.
+
+"Now you take the auger again," Hector said. "We have not done half our
+work yet. The holes must be made on each side. There is no turning the
+saw."
+
+It took them an hour and a half of hard work before the last cut was
+completed and the panel fell forward.
+
+"You go in first, Paolo. I will follow you, and will wedge the panel
+into its place again with some of the chips that the auger has cut out.
+No one has passed since we began, and if anyone did come along before
+morning he would not be likely to notice that the panel was gone. Still
+it is as well to avoid all risk."
+
+As soon as the panel was replaced they mounted the stairs. Before
+beginning they had seen that there were no lights in any of the windows,
+and feeling sure that the house was deserted they groped their way
+upstairs without hesitation until they reached the attics in the sloping
+roof. They entered one of these facing the street, opened the casement,
+in which oiled paper took the place of glass, and stepped down on to
+the parapet. Their course was now easy. The divisions between the houses
+were marked by walls some six feet high extending from the edge of the
+parapet over the roof. They were able to climb these, however, without
+having to use their cord, one helping the other up and then being
+assisted by him. They had left the cooking pan and their tools, with
+the exception of the crowbar, behind them, and had fastened their wooden
+shoes round their necks. The sun during the day had melted the snow that
+had fallen in the morning, but light flakes were again beginning to come
+down fast.
+
+"I don't care how hard it snows as long as it keeps on," Hector said in
+a low voice in answer to an exclamation from Paolo when the first flake
+fell upon his face. "The harder the better, for in that case no sentry
+could see us half a dozen paces away. There is another advantage. The
+wind is from the north, and we have only to keep the driving snow on our
+right cheeks to make our way straight to the fortress, whereas with an
+overcast sky on such a dark night as this we should very soon lose all
+idea of the direction that we were going in."
+
+Being obliged to use great caution to avoid noise while getting over the
+walls, it took them half an hour to reach the end of the street. They
+had, while waiting before commencing their operations, twisted one of
+their sashes, and then wound it round the hook so thickly that this
+would fall almost noiselessly upon the ground. The snow prevented them
+from seeing six feet below them, but they felt sure that there must be
+a narrow lane between the house and the wall. They had during the day
+bought a length, equal to that of their rope, of strong string.
+
+"I have got it as you ordered it, master," Paolo said as they came out
+of the shop, "but it would never bear our weight."
+
+"I think it might do in case of necessity," Hector said. "In fact, I am
+sure it would. It does not require a great thickness of new cord to hold
+a man's weight; but I don't want it for that."
+
+Paolo walked silently along for some time, and then said: "If it is not
+wanted to carry our weight, master, I cannot think what it is wanted
+for."
+
+"It is wanted to get the hook down with. You see when we get down into
+the street there would be little chance of getting the hook off its
+hold. We shall most likely want it again, and certainly we shall want
+the rope. I have been puzzling over it, and I think I have found a way
+at last. My idea is to fasten this thin rope to the point of the hook,
+then, on pulling upon it the point will rise until it gets level with
+the top of the wall on which it is fixed, and we can then shake it down
+without difficulty. I don't know whether it will act, but I think that
+it ought to do so; an upward pull at the point must, I should think,
+lift it as far as the edge."
+
+
+"I should think that it must," Paolo agreed. "I should never have
+thought of that."
+
+"We will try it on this last division wall. I have no doubt about it
+myself, because even if it did not pull it quite to the top the thing
+would be so canted over that I think it would fall from its own weight."
+
+They now attached the string to the point, fixed the hook to the top
+of the wall, and then pulled upon the string. The hook at once fell to
+their feet.
+
+"That is capital," Hector said. "Now we can go to work. We need carry
+this crowbar no farther. In the first place we will cross this roof and
+other roofs as far as we can go; the sentry at the corner is probably
+standing up for shelter in a doorway, and we may as well get as far as
+we can from him, and at the same time not go far enough to get near the
+one at the next corner."
+
+After one or two attempts the hook became fixed on the ridge of the
+roof, and they at once climbed up, unfastened the hook, and slid down on
+the now snow covered tiles. Two more roofs were crossed in the same
+way, and then they prepared to descend. They had, when they put on their
+disguises, tied knots in the rope at a distance of a foot apart. They
+now adjusted the hook on the parapet.
+
+"Shall I go first, master, or will you?"
+
+"I will go first, though in fact it matters little which of us does it;
+but first I must warm my fingers. I don't think that I could trust to
+them at present."
+
+He gathered a handful of snow, made it into a ball, and held it in his
+hands until the cold pained him, then he dropped the snow and thrust his
+hands up the sleeves of his doublet. Paolo looked on in astonishment,
+but having great faith in his master imitated his example.
+
+"That is a curious way of warming the hands," he said.
+
+"I daresay you have made snowballs in your time, Paolo, and if you have
+you will remember that, although it made your hands bitterly cold at
+first, after you had done they soon became almost as hot as fire."
+
+"I do remember that, master, but I should never have thought of it as a
+way of warming our hands."
+
+For a minute or two there was a sharp pain as the blood began to rush
+into the fingers, and when this passed off their hands were in a glow.
+Hector took the rope, lowered himself over the parapet, and then began
+to descend. When halfway down the darkness became more intense than
+before, and he knew that he was now below the level of the outer wall.
+When he reached the ground he shook the rope as a signal, and then,
+stretching his arms before him, crossed the lane. It was but a step, for
+the house stood but five feet back from the wall. He waited until Paolo
+joined him, then he drew on the thin rope and, to his satisfaction, he
+felt it yield.
+
+"Stand aside," he said, "it is heavy enough to give one a nasty thump."
+
+Paolo withdrew a few paces, then Hector gave another pull. The rope gave
+way at once. He flattened himself against the house, and the hook fell
+with a dull thud a foot or two away.
+
+"Coil up the rope, Paolo, and then feel along the wall to the right;
+don't go too far. I will go to the left, there may be some steps up to
+the rampart."
+
+This proved to be the case, and together they made their way up quietly,
+but even had they had their shoes on, the snow was already sufficiently
+deep to deaden their footsteps. On reaching the top they stood silent
+for a minute or two. Presently they heard the sound of heavy stamping of
+feet. They turned at once to descend, if necessary, the steps they
+had mounted, then Hector put his hand upon the other's shoulder and
+whispered, "It is the sentry trying to warm his feet; no doubt he is
+standing up somewhere to shelter himself from the snow; let us go on at
+once."
+
+They crossed the rampart, fastened the hook on the top of the wall, and
+descended, and were again successful in bringing the rope down after
+them.
+
+"Go carefully, Paolo; no doubt there is a moat somewhere here." There
+was, however, no necessity for caution, for the white surface of the
+snow was soon broken by a black line.
+
+"It will be awfully cold," Paolo said, with teeth that chattered at the
+prospect.
+
+"Of course you can swim, Paolo?"
+
+"Not very well, master."
+
+"Then I will go first. You fasten the rope under your arms, and I will
+haul you across. Be sure you do not make a noise in getting into the
+water. But first of all take off your doublet, I will carry it and mine
+across on my head. It cannot be many yards across. The wind will soon
+dry the rest of our things, and once our work is done we can warm
+ourselves by running. I would say strip altogether, but we may have to
+do another swim; for, as we agreed, there is no chance of our being able
+to return by the way we came."
+
+Fastening the two doublets on his head, Hector lowered himself into the
+water, which was three feet below the level on which they stood. He
+had fastened the rope across his shoulder. As he expected, he found the
+water out of his depth, and at once struck out to the opposite side. It
+was about forty feet across. He found, on reaching the other side, that
+the wall was there nearly five feet above the water. He undid the rope
+and threw up the hook. At the second attempt it caught, and he climbed
+the side, and then in a low voice told Paolo to start. Presently he
+heard a slight splash, followed by a gasp. He hauled away rapidly on the
+rope, and in a couple of minutes Paolo stood beside him, shivering and
+gasping.
+
+"Put your doublet on. Now let us go forward as fast as we can." They
+climbed the steep slope to the top of the glacis, and then ran down
+until they were brought to a standstill by another moat.
+
+"This is the one marked in the plan as dividing the fortifications of
+the town from those of the citadel. Now we have another swim before
+us. It is wider than the last, but is really no distance. Give me your
+doublet again."
+
+"I don't mind this so much," Paolo said. "I cannot be colder than I am."
+
+"Don't try to swim, Paolo; lie on your back, with your mouth just out of
+water. I will have you over in no time."
+
+It was fully fifty yards across; but, accustomed to bathe in almost icy
+cold water, the swim was nothing to Hector, who was soon across, and
+who then towed Paolo over as before. They mounted another glacis, and
+presently reached the edge of a third moat.
+
+"We need go no farther. I know that this moat is but some fifteen yards
+from the foot of the fortifications. Now, get the arrows out. Cut off
+a foot or two of the thin cord, and unravel it. I must warm my fingers
+again first, I cannot use them at all."
+
+"Mine are pretty cold, too." And both lads warmed them as before. Paolo
+then set to work to string the bow, which required all his strength to
+accomplish. While he was doing so, Hector drew from his pouch the six
+little pellets, and taking the arrows, straightened out each pellet,
+wrapped it round an arrow, and secured it firmly with a small strand
+from the string. When he had done this, he took the bow from Paolo,
+fitted an arrow to the string, drew it with his full strength, and then,
+pointing the arrow high, loosed it. The six arrows were sent off. Just
+as the last was discharged there was a shout of "Who is there? Speak,
+or I fire!" It was a sentry on the wall, who had caught the sound of the
+twang of the bow.
+
+"I am a friend, a messenger from the French general," Hector replied.
+"I have just shot six arrows into the fortress; a message is attached to
+each for the governor. Report to the officer, and have a search made for
+them in the morning.
+
+"That is a piece of good luck," he went on as they turned away. "I
+thought of shouting, but we might have got a shot in reply, and I made
+sure that one or other of the arrows would be picked up. Still, this
+makes certain of it."
+
+"I think I would rather stop out here until morning," Paolo said, "then
+they will take me in. I am afraid I shall never get across the river."
+
+"Nonsense! The water is low, and we are not likely to have to swim
+farther than we did in crossing the last moat. Getting through the part
+of the town between us and the river is a more serious matter. However,
+it is not very far across, and they are not likely to be very vigilant."
+
+They turned to the right, and kept along at the edge of the moat, until
+Hector considered that they had made a fourth of the circuit of the
+walls, and were now facing the river. They had decided before that this
+would be the easiest side on which to leave the town. The sentinels
+would not expect that anyone attempting to enter or leave the citadel
+would try to do so here; as, in addition to passing the wall facing the
+fortress and that bordering the river, they would be obliged to swim
+the river itself. The snow was falling as quickly as ever, and the wind
+blowing fiercely.
+
+"There is no fear of their seeing us, unless we happen to run into the
+very arms of the sentry," Hector said encouragingly; "we shall only have
+the moat to swim; and as, according to the plan, it is nothing like so
+wide as that we passed before, we shall have no trouble with it."
+
+"Ah! here it is," Paolo groaned.
+
+"Nonsense!" Hector said. "One cold bath more or less makes no difference
+now. There, give me your coat again, and I will take it over."
+
+The moat was indeed but some twelve yards across, and in two or three
+minutes Paolo stood shivering on the other side.
+
+"The edge is not far from the wall, not much more than the breadth of
+the moat. Give me the cord."
+
+A few steps and they reached the wall. After two attempts the hook
+caught, and Hector climbed up. He was looking back to watch Paolo when
+he was suddenly seized from behind, and a deep voice in Italian said,
+"If you move I will kill you. Who are you?"
+
+With a sudden effort Hector twisted himself round and seized the
+disengaged wrist of his opponent, which he doubted not held a dagger.
+The man loosened his hold of his doublet and tried to grasp his neck,
+but Hector in a moment leapt forward and threw his arm round the man's
+waist. They wrestled backwards and forwards, but the soldier was a
+powerful man, and Hector found that he could not long retain a grasp of
+his wrist. Suddenly he felt his antagonist collapse; the dagger dropped
+from his hand, the other arm relaxed its hold, and he fell a lifeless
+mass.
+
+"Thank you, Paolo. You were but just in time. The fellow was too strong
+for me. Now let us slip down the inside of the wall as quickly as
+possible."
+
+A minute later they both stood at the foot of the wall, the hook was
+shaken off, and they proceeded along the wall until they came to a
+street.
+
+"It is not more than two or three hundred yards to the outer wall,"
+Hector whispered.
+
+Whether there were sentinels or not in the street they knew not. If so,
+they had withdrawn themselves into deep doorways to avoid the blinding
+snow, and the wind drowned the slight sound made by their feet on the
+soft snow.
+
+In a short time they reached the outer wall, crept along it until they
+found the steps leading up, crossed it in safety, fixed their hook, and
+rapidly descended. A run of fifty yards brought them to the edge of the
+river bank.
+
+"We will try to find a boat," Hector said. "There are sure to be some
+along here."
+
+They walked across the dry bed of the river till they reached the
+water's edge, and then followed this. In a few minutes, to their
+delight, they came upon a boat. The bow was hauled a few feet out of
+water, and a rope, doubtless attached to a heavy stone anchor, stretched
+from its bows. This they cut, put their shoulders to the gunwale,
+and soon had her afloat. Then they scrambled in, put the oars out
+cautiously, and began to row. Both had had some practice at the
+exercise, and it was not long before the boat grounded on the opposite
+shore.
+
+"Pull it up a bit," Hector said. "No doubt it belongs to some poor
+fisherman to whom its loss would be serious. Now we must keep along the
+bank for some distance, until quite sure that we are well beyond any
+patrols the enemy may have on the road. Let us get into a run, Paolo,
+and see if we can't get our blood in motion again, for I own that I feel
+half frozen."
+
+They set off at a brisk trot, which they kept up for half an hour, and
+then they struck off from the river and soon found the road. Following
+this, after an hour's walking they came upon a little shed by the
+roadside, and in one corner found a pile of old sacks.
+
+"We are in luck again!" Hector exclaimed joyfully. "Tired as I am, I
+don't think that I could have slept in these wet clothes, if one can
+call them wet--at present they are frozen stiff. These sacks are the
+very thing. We can strip now and wring out our clothes thoroughly. There
+are enough sacks here to lay under us and cover us too. After wringing
+out the shirts we will put them in under the sacks next to us. The heat
+of our bodies will dry them to some extent, and they will be warm to
+put on in the morning. The other things we can pile over us. There is no
+chance of their getting dry; but I am so pleased with our success that I
+am not disposed to grumble at trifles."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V: THE RELIEF OF THE CITADEL
+
+
+As soon as the first gleam of daylight showed itself Hector and his
+companion were on their feet again.
+
+The operation of dressing was by no means a comfortable one, for the
+frost had set in in earnest during the night, and their clothes, with
+the exception of the shirts, were as stiff as boards. The snow had
+ceased and the sky was clear.
+
+"It is going to be a fine day, master," Paolo said as they left the hut.
+
+"That is better than battling with a snowstorm such as that of yesterday
+evening. Come on, Paolo, let us trot for a bit. The snow is four inches
+deep, and we shall soon get warm running through it."
+
+In a quarter of an hour they broke into a walk again, panting from their
+exertions.
+
+"I am as warm as a toast now, Paolo. There is a village half a mile
+ahead. I expect that lies on the road. The sun will be up before we get
+there, and no doubt we shall be able to get some hot spiced wine and
+some bread at a wineshop."
+
+This turned out to be the case. They had settled what story to tell;
+and when the landlord asked what brought them there so early, Paolo said
+that they had been on the road a couple of hours, as they were going to
+see an aunt who was ill at Chivasso, and their father wanted them back
+again that night. The explanation satisfied the host and he asked no
+further questions, and in ten minutes they were on their way again,
+greatly warmed and comforted by their meal, and after walking for
+another hour and a half they arrived at the bridge of Chivasso. There
+was a strong guard at the bridge head, for at any moment the garrison
+of Turin, aided by a force from Leganez's army, might endeavour to carry
+the town by a sudden assault. The lads passed the bridge unquestioned,
+entered the gate of the town, and made their way to the commandant's
+house.
+
+"What do you want?" the sentry at the door asked as they came up.
+
+The regiment was French, and Hector answered at once:
+
+"We want to see the governor, we have important news for him."
+
+The soldier was greatly surprised, for he had not expected his question
+to be understood by these peasant boys.
+
+"Sergeant," he called out, "here are two peasant boys who speak French.
+They want to see the governor, and say that they have news of importance
+to give him."
+
+A sergeant came out.
+
+"Sergeant," Hector went on quietly, "you will please tell the governor
+that the two persons he sent out under an escort the evening before
+last, wish to see him."
+
+By the tone of assurance in which the lad spoke, rather than by his
+words, the sergeant saw that there was something more than appeared
+on the surface, and at once took up the message. He returned almost
+immediately. "Please to follow me," he said, and led the way up to the
+governor's room.
+
+"Welcome back again, Monsieur Campbell! You have returned sooner than I
+expected. You found, of course, that the difficulties were insuperable?"
+
+"On the contrary, sir, we have been successful, and have communicated
+with the garrison of the citadel."
+
+"You have!" the governor exclaimed in astonishment. "How on earth
+did you manage it? I heard that the watch was so strict that it was
+absolutely impossible for a message to be sent through."
+
+"It was not very difficult after all, and we were greatly favoured by
+the snowstorm." He then gave an account of how they had managed it.
+
+"Pardieu!" he exclaimed, "that was admirably done; but I am keeping you
+talking while you are sitting in your wet clothes."
+
+"I think they are quite dry now, sir; and we have walked so fast that
+we are both thoroughly warm. Still, I own that I shall not be sorry to
+change them for my own."
+
+The governor rose and opened the door. "Your clothes are all hanging up
+in that closet. I will have some hot water sent up at once. I shall
+be breakfasting in half an hour, so you will have time to change
+comfortably."
+
+Hector was even more glad of a thorough wash than of a change of
+clothes, and went down to join the governor at breakfast, feeling
+greatly refreshed.
+
+"Shall I wait on you, master?"
+
+"No, it is not necessary, Paolo; you had better go into the kitchen at
+once. I have no doubt the governor has ordered them to attend to your
+wants as he did before."
+
+Four other officers had just arrived on the invitation of the governor
+to breakfast; one of these was the captain who had commanded the escort.
+
+"Gentlemen," the commandant said, "let me introduce to you Monsieur
+Campbell, a lieutenant on the staff of Viscount Turenne. He has just
+returned after having successfully carried out a most dangerous and
+difficult mission, namely, that of communicating with the garrison of
+Turin."
+
+The officers gave an exclamation of surprise, while Captain Simon
+stepped forward and shook hands warmly with Hector.
+
+"You did not tell me exactly what you were going to do," he said. "I
+thought that it was to see some of the duchess's adherents in Turin, but
+I never dreamt that you were going to attempt to communicate with the
+citadel. Had I known that, I certainly should not have expected to see
+you again, for from what we have heard it is next to impossible to get
+through the enemy's lines."
+
+"We will not trouble Monsieur Campbell until he has finished his
+breakfast," the commandant said. "He has already told me briefly how he
+managed, but I shall be as glad as you will to have the details."
+
+Accordingly, after breakfast Hector related at much greater length the
+story that he had told the governor of the manner in which the mission
+had been carried out.
+
+"Ma foi!" the colonel said, "I would rather have faced a battery than
+swum those moats in such weather. Well, gentlemen, I think that you will
+agree with me that Monsieur de Turenne is fortunate in having so brave
+and enterprising an officer on his staff."
+
+The officers cordially assented.
+
+"I wonder that you did not enter the citadel and stay there till the
+convoy arrived."
+
+"In the first place, colonel, I had received no orders to do so, and the
+general might require me for other service. And in the second place, had
+I not returned he would not have known whether his message had reached
+the garrison, and so might have hurried on his preparations more hastily
+than he otherwise would have done, and might, in his fear that the
+garrison would surrender, have made the attempt before he had collected
+sufficient food to last them until he was in a position to raise the
+siege."
+
+"Your reasons are good ones; but certainly, with shelter and warmth
+close at hand--for the sentry would speedily have passed the word along,
+and as soon as it was ascertained that you were indeed a French officer,
+and alone, the gates would have been opened for you--it must have
+required no small effort to turn away and to face the danger of passing
+the sentries and scaling the walls, of possibly having to swim the Po,
+and of certainly having no chance of getting a change of clothes until
+you arrived here, for you could not have calculated upon finding the
+shed, much less those sacks, with the snow falling heavily."
+
+"That was a piece of good fortune, indeed. If we had not found it, we
+should have gone on walking until we got here. Still, we had had little
+sleep the night before, and were heartily glad that we had no farther to
+go. And now, sir, with your permission we will start for Susa at once."
+
+"Your escort returned yesterday, but I will send a troop of cavalry with
+you."
+
+"Thank you, sir, but I do not think that there is any necessity for it.
+We are very well mounted, and should we see any party of the enemy's
+cavalry I think that we ought to be able to outdistance them. I shall
+be glad, colonel, if you and your officers will say nothing about the
+manner in which I communicated with the garrison, as doubtless the enemy
+have spies here; and if the story comes out and reaches the ears of the
+authorities at Turin, I should have no chance whatever of making my
+way in, in the same manner, should the general entrust me with another
+mission to communicate with the citadel."
+
+A quarter of an hour later Hector and Paolo mounted and rode out of the
+town. They kept a vigilant lookout, and traveled by byroads, but they
+saw none of the enemy's parties, and reached Susa late that afternoon.
+On sending in his name to Turenne, Hector was at once shown into his
+room.
+
+"I did not expect you back for another three or four days, Campbell,"
+the general said, "and I am heartily glad to see you again safe and
+sound. I blamed myself for letting you go. Of course, as I expected, you
+found the task an altogether impossible one. Had it been otherwise you
+would not have been back so soon."
+
+"On the contrary, general, for I should have tried many plans before I
+gave it up. As it is, I have only to report that I have carried out your
+instructions, and that your despatches are in the hands of the garrison
+of the citadel."
+
+"You do not say so!" Turenne said, rising from the table at which he had
+been sitting writing when Hector entered, and shaking him warmly by the
+hand. "I congratulate both you and myself on your having performed a
+mission that seemed well nigh hopeless. But by what miracle did you
+succeed in passing through the enemy's lines? All who have tried it
+before have either died in the attempt or have returned to tell me that
+it was an absolutely impossible one."
+
+"It would have been very difficult, general, had not the weather
+favoured us. The snowstorm drove the sentries into shelter, and even
+had they remained at their posts they could not have seen us five yards
+away."
+
+"No, I can understand that once beyond the wall you might in such a
+storm make your way unnoticed up to the fortress; but I understood that
+not only were there guards on the walls and down near the great moat,
+but that there were also sentries in all the streets leading to the
+walls, and that none were allowed to pass along those leading to the
+walls facing the citadel. Tell me how you managed it."
+
+"The story is a long one, sir."
+
+"Never mind how long it is; give me all details. I am not particularly
+busy at present, and I would fain know exactly how this feat has been
+accomplished."
+
+Hector told his story at length. Beyond asking a question now and then,
+Turenne remained silent until he had brought it to a conclusion.
+
+"I have never heard a story that interested me more," he said, "and I do
+not know which to admire more, your ingenuity in planning this affair or
+the hardihood and courage with which you carried it out. Even had there
+been no enemy to get through, the adventure of letting yourself down by
+a rope from the housetop and then from the battlements, swimming three
+moats, crossing the river in such terrible weather, and finally making
+your way to Chivasso in your frozen clothes, is no slight feat of
+endurance. The service that you have rendered is a great one, the manner
+in which you have carried it out is worthy of the highest praise, and I
+shall at once make out your commission as captain. You are still a year
+behind me," he added with a smile, "but if you go on in this way, you
+bid fair to obtain a regiment as soon as I did. You have nearly four
+years to do it in. Tomorrow you will dictate your story in full to
+my secretary. I shall be sending a messenger with despatches on the
+following day. I shall mention that I have promoted you to the rank of
+captain, and that the story of the action that you have performed, which
+I shall inclose, will fully explain my reason for so speedily advancing
+you. No, I require no thanks; you have to thank yourself only. I may
+consider that you have not only done me but the state a service. Your
+servant deserves a reward also. Here are twenty pistoles; tell him
+not to throw them away, but to lay them by where some day they will be
+useful to him."
+
+Paolo was astonished indeed when Hector handed him the general's
+present. He could at first hardly believe that it was meant for him.
+
+"Why, master," he said, "it would buy me a farm up in the hills!"
+
+"Not a very large one, Paolo, but I daresay that you will add to it;
+still, this is a good beginning, and some more opportunities may come in
+your way."
+
+"What shall I do with them, master?"
+
+"That I cannot say. Certainly you cannot carry them about with you. Do
+you know anyone to whom you could entrust them?"
+
+Paolo shook his head. "There is never any knowing who is an honest man
+and who is not," he said. "I will bury them, master."
+
+"But somebody might find them."
+
+"No fear of that, sir. I will go a bit up the valley and bury them under
+a big rock well above the river, so that it will not be reached in the
+highest floods. They might lie there a hundred years without anyone
+finding them, even if every soul in Susa knew that they were hidden
+somewhere and went out to search for them."
+
+"Very well; but be sure you take notice of the exact position of the
+stone, or you may not be able to find it again yourself. One big stone
+is a good deal like another. Choose a stone with a tree growing near it,
+and make a cross with your knife on the bark. That will serve as a guide
+to you, and you would recognize the stone by it even if you could not
+find it in any other way."
+
+"Thank you, master. I will go out tomorrow morning and choose my stone,
+and then when it begins to get dark I will go out and bury my money
+there. It would not do to hide it in the daytime, for even were there no
+one on the road someone upon the hills might catch sight of me and come
+down afterwards to see what I was disposing of."
+
+"Well, I think that that is the best thing that you can do, Paolo. There
+is certainly a danger in leaving it in anyone's hands, for when you
+return to claim it, perhaps some years hence, you might find that he was
+dead, or the place might be captured and burned down. Yes, I think
+that hiding it is the safest way. You will be pleased to hear that the
+general has given me a commission as captain."
+
+"That is good news, indeed," the boy said. "I was just going to ask,
+master, what he had done for you, because, though I went with you, it
+was you who planned the business, and I only did as you told me."
+
+"You had something to do with the planning, too, Paolo. However, I
+think that we may both feel well content with the rewards that we have
+obtained for two days' work."
+
+As Hector went out he met de Lisle and Chavigny.
+
+"Well met!" the former exclaimed. "We have just left the general, and
+he has told us what you have done, and that he has made you a captain
+in consequence. We were just coming to look for you to carry you off to
+supper in honour of your promotion."
+
+"You deserve it, if anyone ever did, there is no doubt of that,"
+Chavigny said heartily. "We are quite proud of our comrade."
+
+"It seems absurd that I should be a captain."
+
+"Not absurd at all," Chavigny said. "Turenne was a captain when he was a
+year younger than you are, and there is many a noble who has been made a
+colonel before he ever drew sword in battle."
+
+Hector was much pleased at the evidently genuine congratulations of
+his companions. He had indeed rather feared that they would take his
+promotion ill; being nearly five years his senior, and having served in
+two previous campaigns, they might well feel hurt at his being promoted
+while they still remained only lieutenants. The young nobles indeed felt
+no shade of jealousy. It was but of late that there had been a regular
+army, for the nobles still brought their tenants and retainers to the
+field and supported them at their own expense.
+
+To de Lisle and Chavigny these grades of military rank were of no
+account whatever. The rank of colonel would add in no way to their
+position as members of noble families. They fought for honour, and
+against the enemies of France. They were always addressed by their
+family name, and would both have resented being called lieutenant.
+They were proud of being Turenne's aides-de-camp, but had no thought of
+remaining in the army after the war was over, as they would then resume
+their place at court. They had both taken a strong liking to their young
+comrade, whose manner of thought differed so widely from their own. They
+appreciated the merits of the action of which their general had spoken
+in such warm terms, and the fact that in point of military rank he was
+now above them concerned them in no way. It was a merry supper at the
+best hotel in Susa.
+
+"You see now, de Lisle," Chavigny said, "the advantage of taking a
+morning dip in snow water. Neither you nor I would have swum across
+those moats, and remained all night long in our wet clothes, for a
+thousand crowns."
+
+"No, no, nor for five thousand," the other laughed. "Pass me the wine;
+it makes me shiver to think of it. I fancy we may as well admit at once
+that if the mission had been entrusted to us, we should have made a mess
+of it. We should have been shot by the guards in the first street we
+entered. As to climbing along the roofs of houses till we had passed the
+first line of sentinels, the idea would never have entered our heads.
+Of course we might have disguised ourselves, and might have got into
+the town by harnessing ourselves to a load of faggots, but once there we
+should have had no more chance of getting into the fortress than if we
+had at once proclaimed ourselves French officers, and had requested a
+pass into the citadel."
+
+For the next ten days every effort was made to obtain carts and pack
+horses from the villages round Susa, and a number of wagons filled with
+provisions were brought from Carignano, where the principal supplies for
+the army had been collected. On the fourteenth day all was ready, and
+late in the afternoon the convoy, with fifteen hundred men from Susa,
+and four pieces of artillery, marched out. At the same hour the force
+at Carignano, six thousand strong, leaving only a small body to garrison
+the city, started for Turin along the farther bank of the Po, and just
+as day broke a heavy cannonade was opened by them against one of the
+city gates.
+
+Astonished and alarmed, the troops in the city flew to arms, and hurried
+to repulse the attack. A quarter of an hour later the dim light of
+the morning showed the astonished sentries at the end of the town
+surrounding the citadel a considerable force advancing to the attack of
+the gate there, opposite which, at a distance of two hundred yards, four
+cannon were placed, and scarcely had they made out the enemy when
+these opened fire. A few rounds and the gate was in splinters, and the
+infantry rushed forward. The sentries on the walls took to flight, and
+the assailants pushed forward to the inner gate. Access was obtained
+from that side to the citadel, and then, under the direction of their
+officers, the assailants occupied all the side streets. At once the
+procession of carts was allowed to pass along. Some of the garrison
+ran down and lowered the drawbridge across the moat, and amid exultant
+shouts a store sufficient for many months was conveyed into the citadel.
+The carts as quickly as they were unloaded returned through the gates
+and passed out into the country beyond. By this time a fierce fight
+had begun. As soon as the firing was heard opposite the citadel, Prince
+Thomas and his military advisers guessed at once that the attack had
+been but a feint, made with the object of effecting the relief of the
+citadel, and calling several regiments to follow them they hastened in
+that direction. On their way they met the fugitives, and hurried on with
+all speed. As they approached the street through which the wagons were
+passing out, they were checked by a heavy fire. The four guns had been
+placed in pairs at the end of the streets, and the houses near them
+filled with troops who kept up a murderous fire from the windows, on the
+head of the columns, and held them completely in check until the last
+wagon had been taken out. Then the cannon were removed, and when these
+too were fairly outside the city, a bugle call summoned the defenders of
+the houses, and the infuriated Italians and Spaniards, when they rushed
+down into the street between the gates, found that the last of their
+foes had escaped them. The artillerymen ran up to the walls, only to
+find that the guns had been spiked, and they were powerless to inflict
+any serious damage upon the retiring force.
+
+Prince Thomas ordered a sally, but at this moment a regiment of cavalry
+from Chivasso was seen dashing across the plain, and being without
+artillery or cavalry the order was countermanded. Indeed, the prolonged
+roll of artillery at the other end of the city seemed to show that the
+French were converting their feigned attack into a real one. Turenne
+had himself accompanied the column from Carignano, for he knew that the
+sound of firing might bring up Leganez from Asti, and that he might
+find his retreat to Carignano intercepted. The moment, however, that the
+sound of four guns at equal intervals showed that the other column
+had achieved its object, he at once fell back, his fire ceasing a few
+minutes before Prince Thomas and his horse arrived at the walls. He had
+not been accompanied by Hector, who was with the force from Susa.
+
+"You carried my message to the garrison," he said, "and it is but right
+that you should have the honour of leading the party to its relief."
+
+On arriving near the city Hector had dismounted, and, giving his horse
+in charge of Paolo, had placed himself at the head of the company that
+was first to enter the town, its captain being transferred to another
+company.
+
+"Now, men," he said, as they stood waiting for the dawn to break, "the
+moment we enter the gates half the company will mount the wall to the
+right, the other half to the left, and each will push along to the next
+angle of the wall. Lieutenants, one of you will go with each wing of the
+company, and you will oppose to the last any force that may march along
+the rampart to attack you. I want one soldier to keep by me."
+
+As day began to break, each man grasped his firelock and awaited the
+signal with impatience. A cheer broke from them as the four cannon
+roared out at the same moment, and at so short a distance that every
+shot told on the gate. Another salvo and both halves of the gate were
+splintered.
+
+"Aim at the centre where the lock is," an officer shouted.
+
+"Get ready, men," Hector said. "Another round and the gate will fall."
+
+As the cannon rung out there was a shout of triumph. One of the gates
+fell to the ground and Hector dashed forward, followed closely by his
+company. Not a single shot was fired from the walls, and the men burst
+through the gates cheering. The leading wing of the company turned to
+the right, and, led by Hector, ran up the steps close to the gateway on
+to the rampart.
+
+"Take them on to that bastion at the angle of the wall, lieutenant. I do
+not think that you are likely to be attacked at present. The enemy must
+all have been drawn off to the other end of the city. Now, my man, open
+that bag."
+
+In it were a couple of dozen large nails and a hammer. "Drive one of
+those right down the vent of this gun. That is right. One more blow.
+That will do. They won't get that nail out soon."
+
+He went along the wall spiking each gun until they reached the half
+company drawn up in the bastion. "No enemy in sight, lieutenant?"
+
+"None, sir, at least not on the wall. We heard them running away in the
+streets below."
+
+"Remember, lieutenant, whatever force may come along you must withstand
+them. It will not be for long. You will be at once supported if we hear
+firing."
+
+Then he retraced his steps along the ramparts, passed over the gateway,
+and saw to the spiking of each gun as far as the next angle of the wall.
+Here he repeated his instructions to the lieutenant there.
+
+"I do not think," he said, "that there is much chance of your being
+attacked. The enemy would have to make a detour right round the citadel
+to come here, and certainly they will return by the shortest way, as
+soon as they discover that the other attack is but a feint."
+
+Then he returned to the first party.
+
+"Get the two guns," he said, "out of their embrasures and wheel them
+here. It is likely enough that we may be hotly attacked presently."
+
+They waited half an hour, by which time the wagons were beginning to
+pour out of the town.
+
+"We have done our business, lieutenant; the citadel is revictualled. Ah!
+here come the enemy, just too late."
+
+A strong body of troops were seen marching rapidly towards them, and
+almost at the same moment a heavy fire broke out in the street. The
+guns had been loaded from a small magazine in the bastion, and had been
+trained to fire along the rampart. When within a hundred yards the enemy
+opened fire. Hector ordered the men to lie down and not to reply until
+he gave the order. They lay in two lines, the first were to fire and the
+second to reserve their fire until ordered. He took his post at one gun
+and the lieutenant at the other. A messenger had been sent along the
+wall to bring up the twenty-five men of the other wing. When the enemy
+were within fifty yards he asked quietly, "Does your gun bear well on
+the centre of the column?"
+
+"Yes, captain."
+
+"Then fire!"
+
+The ball cut a way through the dense column.
+
+"Load again!"
+
+The four men, told off to the duty, leapt to their feet. There was a
+halt for a moment, and then the Spaniards came on again. When they were
+within twenty paces Hector fired, and at the same time shouted, "First
+line give fire!" and twenty-five muskets flashed out, every ball taking
+effect on the head of the column. The Spaniards recoiled, the leading
+ranks being swept away and many of those behind wounded, for three balls
+had been rammed down the mouth of the cannon fired by Hector, and these
+and the musketry volley had done terrible execution. At this moment the
+twenty-five men sent for ran up.
+
+"Second line give fire!" Hector shouted; and the discharge added to the
+confusion in the column, and many ran down some steps into the lane by
+the side of the wall.
+
+"Have you loaded again, lieutenant?"
+
+"Yes, sir, with three balls."
+
+"Then form up, men, and deliver your fire," Hector said to the
+newcomers. "Now, lieutenant, touch it off."
+
+As the discharge rang out, mingled with the roar of the guns, Hector
+shouted, "Fix bayonets, and charge!" The wooden shafts of the bayonets
+were thrust down the barrels of the firelocks, and with a cheer the
+seventy-five men rushed upon the shattered head of the column. The
+charge was irresistible, and the enemy at once fled at full speed along
+the rampart or leapt from the wall into the lane below.
+
+"Well done, men, well done!" Hector shouted. "Do not pursue. Reload your
+cannon, though I do not think there is much fear of their returning."
+
+A few minutes later the soldier who had carried the spikes, and who had
+been left on the wall, ran up to say that the last cart had passed out.
+
+"Go and tell the other party to fall back to the gate," Hector said;
+"but first give me two spikes and the hammer. They might run these
+cannons into the places of those disabled." So saying, he spiked the
+two guns that had done such good service, and then retired to the gate,
+where he was joined by the remainder of the company. As the bugle rung
+out after the last wagon had passed, and he saw the troops issuing from
+the houses at the corners of the cross streets, he marched his company
+across the drawbridge, out into the country, and followed the guns. When
+he reached the spot where Paolo was holding the horses, he resigned the
+command of the company and mounted.
+
+"Men," he said, "you have played your part well, and I am proud to have
+commanded soldiers so steady and courageous."
+
+At this moment the general, who was in command of the force, and who had
+been the last to leave the town, rode up, the men coming along at a run.
+
+"You had better hurry your men on," he said to the colonel with whom
+Hector had acted; "the enemy will be on the ramparts in a minute, and
+you may be sure that they won't let us off without trouble from their
+guns."
+
+"I beg your pardon, general," Hector said saluting, "but the guns all
+along this side of the wall are useless; I have spiked them."
+
+"You have, sir! That was well done indeed. Who gave you the orders, and
+how did you come by spikes?"
+
+"I had no orders, general; but I was appointed to command the first
+company that entered, and was told that we were to turn right and left
+along the ramparts. It struck me that as, when we had left, the enemy
+would be sure to turn their guns upon us, it would be as well to silence
+them, so I brought the nails and a hammer with me for the purpose."
+
+"It would be well, sir, if we had a good many officers as thoughtful
+as you are. You have saved us from heavy loss, for, as the country is
+perfectly level for a mile round, they would have swept our ranks as we
+marched off. Were you attacked, sir?"
+
+"Yes, general, by a force of about four hundred men, but I turned two of
+the guns against them. My men fought well, and we repulsed them with a
+loss of fully a hundred men."
+
+"Bravo, sir, bravo! I shall not fail to mention the service that you
+have rendered in my report of the affair. Have you lost any men?"
+
+"No, sir; they lay down until the enemy were within twenty paces of us,
+and their volleys and the two cannon created such a confusion among the
+Spaniards that when we went at them with the bayonet they fled at once,
+and I have not a single man killed, and only two or three slightly
+wounded."
+
+"We have only lost twenty," the general said, "and most of those were
+killed while serving the guns. That was a small price indeed to pay for
+our magnificent success."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI: A CHANGE OF SCENE
+
+
+Hector gained great credit from the report of the manner in which the
+force had been enabled to draw off without loss from the enemy's guns,
+owing to his forethought in bringing with him the means of spiking them,
+and also for his success in checking the advance of the enemy along the
+ramparts.
+
+"You see, messieurs," Turenne said to the members of his staff, who,
+with the exception of Hector, were together on the day after his return
+to Susa, "how important it is for officers, before setting out on an
+expedition, to think seriously over every contingency that may happen.
+Now the vast proportion of officers consider that all the thinking has
+to be done by the general, and that they only have to obey orders. No
+doubt that is essential, but there may be numerous little matters in
+which an officer may render great service. This young captain of ours
+did not content himself with leading the company to which I appointed
+him through the gateway. Before leaving Susa he must have thought over
+every incident likely to occur. As the leading company he would know
+that it would be his business to clear the ramparts, to check any
+parties of the enemy coming along that way, and it would be only natural
+for him to determine to use the enemy's cannon to keep them at bay.
+
+"This would probably have occurred to most officers placed as he was.
+But he did not stop there--he must have thought over the events that
+would probably follow the entry. He knew, of course, that our feint
+at the other end of the town would draw off the greater portion of the
+garrison, but would be sure also that as soon as the attack began, and
+it became evident that our real object was to revictual the citadel,
+they would come pouring back again. He would have said to himself, 'We
+shall be able to keep them at bay until our work is done, then we shall
+have to fall back. What then? The enemy will mount the ramparts, and
+while their main force pours out in pursuit, their guns on the walls
+will play havoc with us. To prevent this I must silence them before my
+company retires.'
+
+"It is all very simple when we look at it after it is done, and yet
+probably it did not occur to a single officer of that force except to
+Captain Campbell. I admit that it did not occur to myself. Had it done
+so, I should have ordered that some of the artillerymen should carry
+spikes and hammers, and that upon entering the town they should
+immediately take steps, by rendering the guns harmless, to enable the
+force to draw off without heavy loss. In the same way he showed a cool
+and calculating brain when he carried out that most dangerous service of
+bearing the news that we should speedily bring aid to the citadel. It
+is difficult to imagine a better laid plan. He thought of everything--of
+his disguise, of the manner in which it would alone be possible to
+approach closely to the wall.
+
+"I think that few of us would have thought of making our way up through
+a house a hundred yards away, working along the roofs and descending
+into the lane by the wall itself. I asked him how he got the rope down
+which it was necessary for him to use four or five times afterwards,
+and he showed me the plan by which he contrived to free the hook; it
+was most ingenious. It did not seem to me that it would have acted as
+he told me, and I asked him to have another one made so that I might
+understand how it was worked, for such a contrivance would be extremely
+useful in escalades, when the troops, after descending into a deep
+fosse, need the rope for climbing a wall or bastion. There it is,
+gentlemen, and as you see, by pulling this thin cord the hook is lifted
+from its hold, and the slightest shake will bring it down.
+
+"The contrivance is an excellent one. The line he took was well chosen.
+He accomplished the most dangerous part first, and made his way out
+by the side where the watch was most likely to be careless, as anyone
+leaving or entering the town there would have to swim the river. The
+feat shows that he has not only abundance of courage of the very highest
+order, but that he has a head to plan and leaves nothing to chance. You
+will see, gentlemen, that if this young officer lives he is likely
+to gain the highest rank and position. Already I have every reason to
+congratulate myself upon having, almost as it were by chance, taken him
+under my protection."
+
+The winter passed quietly, but as soon as spring set in and the roads
+were sufficiently good for the passage of wagons, d'Harcourt prepared to
+attempt to raise the siege of Casale, before which Leganez with twenty
+thousand men had intrenched himself. The roads were still, however, far
+too heavy for cannon, and as the garrison were becoming hardly pressed
+he left his guns behind him and started at the end of April with seven
+thousand foot and three thousand horse. The position occupied by the
+Spaniards was a strong one, and their general did not for a moment
+think that the French, with a force half the strength of his own, would
+venture to attack him. D'Harcourt, however, resolved upon doing so. He
+divided his force into three parts; two of these were composed of French
+soldiers, the third comprised the forces of the Duchess of Savoy. The
+attack was successful on all sides--although d'Harcourt for a time could
+make no way, and Turenne was repulsed three times before he entered the
+intrenchments--the Spaniards were completely defeated, and lost their
+guns, ammunition, and baggage, three thousand killed, two thousand
+prisoners, and great numbers were drowned in endeavouring to cross the
+river.
+
+A council of war was held, and Turenne's advice that Turin should be
+besieged was after much debate accepted, although it seemed a desperate
+enterprise for an army of ten thousand men to besiege a town garrisoned
+by twelve thousand, while the Spaniards, after recovering from their
+defeat and drawing men from their various garrisons, could march
+to relieve the town with eighteen thousand men. No time was lost in
+carrying Turenne's advice into effect. The army marched upon Turin,
+seized the positions round the town, threw up lines facing the city to
+prevent sorties being made by the enemy, and surrounded themselves by
+similar lines to enable them to resist attack by the Spaniards, who
+were not long in approaching them. Thus there were now four bodies
+of combatants--the garrison of the citadel, which was surrounded and
+besieged by that of the town; the town was besieged by Turenne, and
+he himself was surrounded by the Spaniards. Each relied rather upon
+starving the others out than upon storming their positions, but Leganez
+managed to send a messenger into Turin telling Prince Thomas that he
+intended to attack the French and calling upon him to fall upon them
+with his troops at the same time.
+
+In pursuance of this design he retired some distance up the Po, and
+proceeded to cross the river at Moncalieri. D'Harcourt despatched
+Turenne to oppose the passage, but before he could arrive there some
+five thousand men had crossed the bridge. Without hesitating a moment,
+although his force was a much smaller one than that of the Spaniards,
+Turenne attacked them at once, carried the intrenchments they had begun
+to throw up, killed a large number, and drove the rest into the river,
+where hundreds were drowned. Then he set fire to the bridge, which was
+of wood, and intrenched himself on the banks of the river, occupied all
+the fords higher up, and completely checked any advance of the Spaniards
+in that direction. He was, however, wounded in the shoulder, and was
+obliged to leave the army and to be carried to Pinerolo. While he was
+away Leganez attacked the French line from without, and Prince Thomas
+from within, and the former succeeded in passing twelve hundred horse
+and one thousand foot into the town.
+
+The French were now closely beleaguered, and began to suffer severely
+from famine. In the meantime fresh troops had arrived from France, and
+although not yet recovered from his wounds, Turenne took the command,
+and escorted a great convoy of provisions into the camp in spite of the
+enemy's efforts to prevent him. The townspeople were suffering even more
+severely. Sorties were made in great force, but were always repulsed,
+as were the attacks made by Leganez, and on the 17th of September the
+garrison surrendered, being allowed to march out with their arms. The
+Count d'Harcourt returned to France, and Turenne again assumed the
+command of the army for the winter.
+
+Hector conducted himself to the satisfaction of his general throughout
+the campaign, but was severely wounded in the last sortie made by the
+besieged, having been thrown down in a charge of Prince Thomas's cavalry
+and trampled upon by the horses, and being taken up for dead when the
+enemy fell back.
+
+Directly he heard the news Turenne sent his surgeon to examine him. He
+reported that he still breathed, but that several of his ribs and his
+left arm were broken. He mended but slowly, and Turenne, a month after
+the surrender of the town, came in one day to see him, and said, "The
+surgeon tells me that it will be some months before you are fit for
+service again, and that you will need a period of perfect rest to
+recover your health. There is a convoy of invalids returning to France
+tomorrow, and I think it were best that you should accompany them. There
+is no rest to be obtained here, and I know that you will be fretting at
+being unable to ride, and at your forced inactivity. I shall give orders
+that you are conveyed in a horse litter to Sedan, where my brother, the
+Duc de Bouillon, will gladly entertain you for my sake, and you must
+remain there until entirely restored to strength.
+
+"I do not think that there will be much doing on this side of the Alps
+in the next campaign. Unhappily France has troubles of her own, and will
+find it difficult to spare more troops in this direction, and without
+reinforcements we can but act on the defensive. Though we may capture
+a few towns, there is small chance of any great operations. Indeed,
+methinks that it is by no means unlikely that Prince Thomas, seeing that
+his effort to rule Savoy in place of his sister-in-law, the duchess, is
+likely to end in discredit and loss to himself, will before long open
+negotiations with her. Therefore you will be losing nothing by going.
+It is to the duchess that I shall commend you rather than to my brother,
+who is unfortunately occupied by public matters, and is at present
+almost at war with Richelieu.
+
+"He is a man of noble impulses, generous in the extreme, and the soul of
+honour, but he knows not how to conceal his feelings; and in these days
+no man, even the most powerful, can venture to rail in public against
+one who has offended him, when that man happens to be the cardinal. I
+love my brother dearly, but I have mixed myself up in no way with his
+affairs. I am an officer of the king, and as such I stand aloof from all
+parties in the state. The cardinal is his minister; doubtless he has his
+faults, but he is the greatest man in France, and the wisest. He lives
+and works for the country. It may be true that he is ambitious for
+himself, but the glory of France is his chief care. It is for that
+purpose that we have entered upon this war, for he sees that if Germany
+becomes united under an emperor who is by blood a Spaniard, France
+must eventually be crushed, and Spain become absolutely predominant in
+Europe. If he is opposed, Richelieu strikes hard, because he deems those
+who oppose him as not only his own enemies but as enemies of France.
+
+"As a prince of the church it must have been bitter for him to have to
+ally himself with the Protestant princes of Germany, with Protestant
+Holland, and Protestant England, but he has done so. It is true that he
+has captured La Rochelle, and broken the power of the Huguenot lords of
+the south, but these new alliances show that he is ready to sacrifice
+his own prejudices for the good of France when France is endangered,
+and that it is on account of the danger of civil broils to the country,
+rather than from a hatred of the Huguenots, that he warred against them.
+Here am I, whom he deigns to honour with his patronage, a Huguenot; my
+brother, Bouillon, was also a Huguenot, and strangely enough the quarrel
+between him and the cardinal did not break out until my brother had
+changed his religion.
+
+"He was more rigorously brought up than I was, and was taught to look
+upon the Catholics with abhorrence; but he married, not from policy but
+from love, a Catholic lady, who is in all respects worthy of him, for
+she is as high spirited and as generous as he is, and at the same time
+is gentle, loving, and patient. Though deeply pious, she is free from
+bigotry, and it was because my brother came to see that the tales he
+had been taught of the bigotry and superstition of the Catholics
+were untrue, at least in many instances, that he revolted against the
+intolerance of the doctrines in which he had been brought up, renounced
+them, and became an adherent of his wife's religion.
+
+"Nigh four years ago the Duke of Soissons, a prince of the blood,
+incurred the enmity of Richelieu by refusing, with scorn, his proposal
+that he should marry the Countess of Cobalet, Richelieu's niece. The
+refusal, and still more the language in which he refused, excited the
+deep enmity of the cardinal. Soissons had joined the party against him,
+but as usual Richelieu had the king's ear. Soissons was ordered to
+leave the court, and went to Sedan, where he was heartily received by
+my brother, who had a warm affection for him. Bouillon wrote to the king
+hoping that he would not be displeased at his offering a retreat to a
+prince of the blood, and the king wrote permitting the count to stay
+at Sedan. After a time Richelieu again endeavoured to bring about the
+marriage upon which he had set his heart, but was again refused, and,
+being greatly exasperated, insisted on Bouillon obliging the count to
+leave Sedan. My brother naturally replied that the king having at first
+approved of his receiving Soissons, he could not violate the laws of
+hospitality to a prince of the blood.
+
+"Richelieu then persuaded the king to refuse further payments to the
+garrisons at Sedan, although the latter had confirmed the agreement
+entered into by his father, whereupon my brother openly declared against
+Richelieu, and still further excited the cardinal's anger by furnishing
+an asylum to the Archbishop of Rheims, second son of Charles of
+Lorraine, who had also quarrelled with Richelieu. So matters stand
+at present. What will come of it, I know not. I doubt not that the
+cardinal's hostility to Bouillon does not arise solely from the Soissons
+affair, which but serves him as a pretext. You see his object for the
+past four years has been to strengthen France by extending her frontiers
+to the east by the conquest of Lorraine. He has already carried them to
+the Upper Rhine, and by obtaining from the Duke of Savoy Pinerolo and
+its dependencies has brought them up to the foot of the Alps.
+
+"But my brother's dukedom stands in the way of his grand project, for
+it is a gate through which an enemy from beyond the Rhine might invade
+France; and, moreover, the close family relationship between us and the
+Prince of Holland would add to the danger should Holland, at present our
+ally, fall out with France. Thus the possession of Bouillon's dukedom,
+or at any rate its military occupation for a time, is a consideration of
+vital importance to the kingdom. Such, you see, is the situation. Were I
+not an officer in the French army doubtless my feelings would be on the
+side of my brother. As it is, I am a faithful servant of the king and
+his minister, and should deem it the height of dishonour were I to use
+my influence against what I perceive is the cause of France. I tell you
+this in order that you may understand the various matters which might
+surprise you at Sedan.
+
+"You go there as a patient to be nursed by the duchess, my
+sister-in-law, and having no influence, and at present not even the
+strength to use your sword, there is little fear that any will seek to
+involve you in these party turmoils. I shall write to my brother that
+you are a soldier of France and that you have done her good service,
+that you are a protege of mine, and being of Scottish blood belong to no
+party save my party, and that I entreat that he will not allow anyone to
+set you against the cardinal, or to try and attach you to any party, for
+that I want you back again with me as soon as you are thoroughly cured."
+
+Hector would much rather have remained to be cured in Italy, but he did
+not think of raising the slightest objection to Turenne's plans for him,
+and the next day he started for Sedan, taking, of course, Paolo with
+him. The convoy traveled by easy stages over the passes into France,
+and then, escorted by a sergeant and eight troopers, Hector was carried
+north to Sedan. Though still very weak, he was able to alight at the
+entrance of the duke's residence, and sent in Turenne's letters to him
+and the duchess. Three minutes later the duke himself came down.
+
+"Captain Campbell," he said heartily, "my brother has done well in
+sending you here to be taken care of and nursed. In his letters to me
+he has spoken of you more than once, especially with reference to the
+manner in which you carried a message for him to the citadel of Turin.
+I shall be glad to do anything that I can for so brave a young officer,
+but I fear that for the present you will have to be under the charge of
+the duchess rather than mine."
+
+The duke was a tall, handsome man with a frank and open face, a merry
+laugh, and a ready jest. He was extremely popular, not only in his own
+dominions, but among the Parisians. His fault was that he was led too
+easily. Himself the soul of honour, he believed others to be equally
+honourable, and so suffered himself to become mixed up in plots and
+conspiracies, and to be drawn on into an enterprise wholly foreign to
+his nature.
+
+"I will take you at once to the duchess, but I see that you are quite
+unfit to walk. Sit down, I beg you, until I get a chair for you."
+
+Three or four minutes later four lackeys came with a carrying chair, and
+Hector was taken upstairs to the duchess's apartments.
+
+"This is the gentleman of whom Turenne has written to me, and doubtless,
+as I see by that letter upon the table, to you also. He has been a good
+deal damaged, having been ridden over by a squadron of Prince Thomas's
+horsemen, and needs quiet and rest."
+
+"Turenne has told me all about it," the duchess said. "I welcome you
+very heartily, monsieur. My brother says that he has great affection for
+you, and believes you will some day become a master in the art of war.
+He says you have rendered him most valuable services, which is strange
+indeed, seeing that you are as yet very young."
+
+"I was sixteen the other day, madam."
+
+"Only sixteen, and already a captain!" she exclaimed.
+
+"I was made a captain nine months ago," he said, "for a little service
+that I performed to his satisfaction."
+
+"Turenne would not have promoted you unless it had been an important
+service, I am sure," she said with a smile. "He does great things
+himself, and expects great things from others."
+
+"It was the affair of carrying the message to the garrison of the
+citadel of Turin urging them to hold out, as he would come to their
+relief soon," the duke said. "Do you not remember that he wrote us an
+account of it?"
+
+"I remember it perfectly. Turenne said a young officer, but I did not
+imagine that it could have been but a lad. However, Captain Campbell, I
+will not detain you here talking, or you will begin by considering me to
+be a very bad nurse. Directly I received the letter I ordered a chamber
+to be prepared for you. By this time all will be in readiness, and a
+lackey ready to disrobe you and assist you to bed."
+
+"I do not need," he began, but she held up her finger.
+
+"Please to remember, sir, that I am head nurse here. You will go to
+bed at once, and will take a light repast and a glass of generous wine.
+After that our surgeon will examine you, and remove your bandages, which
+have been, I doubt not, somewhat disarranged on your journey; then he
+will say whether it will be advisable that you should keep your bed for
+a time, which will, I think, be far the best for you, for you will be
+much more comfortable so than on a couch, which, however good to be sat
+upon by those in health, affords but poor comfort to an invalid. Have
+you brought a servant with you?"
+
+"Yes, madam. He is a very faithful lad, and accompanied me on that
+enterprise that you have been speaking of. He is a merry fellow, and
+has proved himself a good and careful nurse. He sat up with me for many
+nights when I was first hurt, and has ever since slept on the floor in
+my room."
+
+"I will give him in charge of my majordomo, who will see that he is well
+taken care of, and we can have a pallet laid for him at night on the
+floor of your room."
+
+She herself led the way to a very comfortable apartment where a fire was
+burning on the hearth; a lackey was already in waiting, and after a few
+kind words she left him.
+
+"I have fallen into good hands indeed," Hector said to himself. "What
+would Sergeant MacIntosh say if he knew that I was lodged in a ducal
+palace, and that the duke and duchess had both spoken to me and seen
+after my comfort as if I had been a relation of their own?"
+
+In spite of the care and attention that he received, Hector's recovery
+was slow, and even when spring came the surgeon said that he was unfit
+for severe work. However, the letters that he received from time to time
+from de Lisle and Chavigny consoled him, for not only had the winter
+passed without any incident save the capture of three or four towns
+by Turenne, but it was not at all likely that any events of great
+importance would take place. All accounts represented the Spaniards as
+being engaged in adding to the strength of three or four towns in
+the duchy of Milan, so that evidently they intended to stand upon the
+defensive.
+
+The palace of Sedan was the centre of a formidable conspiracy against
+Richelieu. Messengers came and went, and Bouillon, Soissons, and the
+Archbishop of Rheims were constantly closeted together. They had various
+allies at court, and believed that they should be able to overthrow the
+minister who had so long ruled over France in the name of the king.
+
+As Hector was now able to move about, and was acquainted with all the
+members of the duke's household, he learned much of what was going on;
+and from a conversation that he accidentally overheard, he could see
+that the position was an extremely serious one, as a treaty had been
+signed with Ferdinand, son of the King of Spain, and the Archduke
+Leopold-William, son of the Emperor of Austria, by which each agreed to
+assist the duke and his friends with a large sum of money for raising
+soldiers, and with seven thousand men. In order to justify themselves,
+the heads of the movement issued a manifesto, in which they styled
+themselves Princes of Peace. In this they rehearsed the cardinal's
+various acts of tyranny and cruelty towards his rivals, the arbitrary
+manner in which he carried on the government, and declared that they
+were leagued solely to overthrow the power that overshadowed that of
+the king, plunged France into wars, and scourged the people with heavy
+taxation.
+
+As soon as this manifesto was published in Sedan, Hector went to the
+duke.
+
+"My lord duke," he said, "I cannot sufficiently thank you for the
+hospitality and kindness with which you and the duchess have treated me.
+Nevertheless, I must ask you to allow me to leave at once."
+
+"Why this sudden determination, Captain Campbell?"
+
+"If, sir, I were but a private person I should have no hesitation,
+after the kindness that you have shown me, in requesting you to give me
+employment in the force that you are raising; but I am an officer of the
+king, and what is of far greater importance at the present moment, an
+aide-de-camp of the Viscount Turenne, your brother. Were it reported
+that I was with your army, or even indeed that I was here, the cardinal
+would at once conclude that I was representing the viscount, and was
+perhaps the intermediary through whom communications between you
+and your brother were being carried on. Therefore I should not only
+compromise myself, which is of no importance, but I might excite
+suspicion in Richelieu's mind against your brother, which might result
+in his recall from the position in which he has so distinguished
+himself, and grievously injure his prospects. The viscount himself
+warned me against mixing myself with any party, saying that a soldier
+should hold himself free from all entanglement, bent only on serving, to
+the utmost of his power, the king and France."
+
+"You are right," the duke said heartily. "Turenne has no grievances
+against king or cardinal, and has acted wisely in holding himself aloof
+from any party; and badly as I am affected towards Richelieu, I will
+own that he has never allowed my brother's relationship towards me to
+prevent his employing him in posts of honour. I have never sought to
+influence him in the slightest, and am far too proud of the credit and
+honour he has gained to do aught that would in any way cause a breach
+between him and the cardinal. What you have said is very right and true.
+Doubtless Richelieu has spies in this town, as he has elsewhere, and may
+have learned that a young officer on my brother's staff was brought here
+last autumn grievously wounded. But it is certainly well that now, as
+the time for action is at hand, you should retire. You are not thinking,
+I hope, of returning at once, for it was but a day or two ago that the
+surgeon assured me that it would need another three or four months of
+quiet before you would be fit to resume your duties."
+
+"I feel that myself, my lord, and moreover I think that it would be as
+well that I should not join the viscount at present, for it might well
+be supposed that I was the bearer of some important news from you to
+him; therefore I propose to go to Geneva, and remain there until I have
+completely recruited my strength. In the Swiss republic I should pass
+unnoticed, even by the cardinal's agents. And the fact that, although
+being but a comparatively short distance from Piedmont, I abstained from
+joining the general, would, if they inquired, show that I could not have
+been entrusted with any private communication from you to him."
+
+"It could not be better," the duke said. "When you leave here you
+should no longer wear that military scarf. Of course, when you enter
+Switzerland there is no reason why you should disguise the fact that you
+are a French officer, and having been severely wounded, have come there
+to repair your health. Doubtless many others have done so; and, dressed
+as a private person, you would excite no attention. But the Swiss, who
+strive to hold themselves neutral and to avoid giving offence, might
+raise objections to a French officer wearing military attire staying
+among them."
+
+That evening Hector bade his adieu to the duchess and to the friends he
+had made during his stay, and the next morning, attended by Paolo, he
+started for Geneva.
+
+"I am glad indeed that we are off, master," the latter said. "In truth,
+had I stayed here much longer I should have become useless from fat and
+idleness, for I have had nothing whatever to do but to eat and sleep."
+
+"I am glad to be off, too, Paolo. I am convinced myself, in spite of
+what the surgeon says, that actual exercise will do more for me than the
+doctor's potions and rich food. I am stiff still, but it is from doing
+nothing, and were it not that coming from here my presence might be
+inconvenient for Turenne, I would journey straight to his camp. You saw
+the prince's manifesto?"
+
+Paolo nodded. "I did, master. Not being able to read or write, I could
+make nothing of it myself, but a burgher coming along read it aloud, and
+it made me shake in my shoes with fright. I made my way as quickly as I
+could from so dangerous a spot, for it seemed nothing short of treason
+to have heard such words read against the cardinal."
+
+"I fear that the duke has made a terrible mistake, Paolo. Hitherto all
+who have ventured to measure their strength with the cardinal have
+been worsted, and many have lost everything and are now fugitives from
+France. Some have lost their lives as well as honours and estates.
+Bouillon is an independent prince, and so was Lorraine, and although
+the latter could put ten men in the field to every one the duke could
+muster, he has been driven from his principality. Soissons could not
+help him except with his name, nor can the Archbishop of Rheims. Not a
+few of the great nobles would join the duke did they think that he had a
+prospect of success. None have so far done so, though possibly some have
+given him secret pledges, which will count for nothing unless it seems
+that he is likely to triumph.
+
+"It is rumoured, as you know, that he has made an alliance with Spain
+and Austria. Both will use him as an arm against France, but will throw
+him over and leave him to his fate whenever it suits them. Moreover,
+their alliance would assuredly deter any, who might otherwise range
+themselves with him, from taking up arms. No Huguenot would fight by
+the side of a Spaniard; and although the Guises and the Catholic nobles
+allied themselves with Spain against Henri of Navarre, it was in a
+matter in which they deemed their religion in danger, while this is but
+a quarrel between Bouillon and the cardinal; and with Spain fighting
+against France in the Netherlands, they would not risk their lands and
+titles. Bouillon had better have stood alone than have called in the
+Spaniards and Austrians. We know whose doing that is, the Archbishop of
+Rheims, who is a Guise, and, methinks, from what I have seen of him, a
+crafty one.
+
+"I am sure that neither the duke nor Soissons would, unless won over
+by the archbishop, have ever consented to such a plan, for both are
+honourable gentlemen, and Soissons at least is a Frenchman, which
+can hardly be said of Bouillon, whose ancestors have been independent
+princes here for centuries. However, I fear that he will rue the day
+he championed the cause of Soissons. It was no affair of his, and it is
+carrying hospitality too far to endanger life and kingdom rather than
+tell two guests that they must seek a refuge elsewhere. All Europe was
+open to them. As a Guise the archbishop would have been welcome wherever
+Spain had power. With Spain, Italy, and Austria open to him, why should
+he thus bring danger and misfortune upon the petty dukedom of Sedan?
+The same may be said of Soissons; however reluctant Bouillon might be to
+part with so dear a friend, Soissons himself should have insisted upon
+going and taking up his abode elsewhere. Could he still have brought a
+large force into the field, and have thus risked as much as Bouillon,
+the case would be different, but his estates are confiscated, or, at any
+rate, he has no longer power to summon his vassals to the field, and
+he therefore risks nothing in case of defeat, while Bouillon is risking
+everything."
+
+"I daresay that that is all true, master, though in faith I know nothing
+about the matter. For myself, it seems to me that when one is a noble,
+and has everything that a man can want, he must be a fool to mix himself
+up in troubles. I know that if the King of France were to give me a big
+estate, and anyone came to me and asked me to take part in a plot, I
+would, if I had the power of life and death, have him hung up over the
+gate of my castle."
+
+"That would be a short way, no doubt, Paolo, but it might not keep you
+out of trouble," Hector said, smiling. "If the person who came to you
+were also a noble, his family and friends would rise in arms to avenge
+his death, and instead of avoiding trouble you would bring it at once
+upon your head."
+
+"I suppose that would be so, master," Paolo said thoughtfully; "so I
+think that it would be best for me that the king should not take it into
+his head to give me that estate. And so we are going to Geneva, master?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That pleases me not," the other one said, "for I have heard of it as
+a terribly serious place, where a man dares not so much as smile, and
+where he has to listen to sermons and exhortations lasting half a day.
+My father was a Huguenot, and I suppose that I am, too, though I never
+inquired very closely into the matter; but as for exhortations of four
+hours in length, methinks I would rather swim those moats again, master,
+and to go all day without smiling would be a worse penance than the
+strictest father confessor could lay upon me."
+
+"I own that I am somewhat of your opinion, Paolo. My father brought me
+up a Protestant like yourself, and when I was quite young I had a very
+dreary time of it while he was away, living as I did in the house of a
+Huguenot pastor. After that I attended the Protestant services in the
+barracks, for all the officers and almost all the men are Protestants,
+and, of course, were allowed to have their own services; but the
+minister, who was a Scotchman, knew better than to make his discourses
+too lengthy; for if he did, there was a shuffling of jackboots on the
+stone floor and a clanking of sabres that warned him that the patience
+of the soldiers was exhausted. In our own glen my father has told me
+that the ministers are as long winded as those of Geneva; but, as he
+said, soldiers are a restless people, and it is one thing for men who
+regard their Sunday gathering as the chief event in the week to listen
+to lengthy discourses, but quite another for soldiers, either in the
+field or a city like Paris, to do so. However, if we do not find Geneva
+to our taste, there is no reason why we should tarry there, as Zurich
+lies on the other end of the lake, and Zurich is Catholic, or at any
+rate largely so, and Calvinist doctrines have never flourished there.
+But, on the other hand, the sympathies of Geneva have generally been
+with France, while those of Zurich are with Austria; therefore I think
+that if we like not Geneva we will go to Lyons, where, as an officer of
+Viscount Turenne's, I am sure to be well received."
+
+"Why not go there at once, master?"
+
+"Because I think that the fresh air of the lake will brace me up, and
+maybe if I find the people too sober minded for me we will go up into
+the mountains and lodge there in some quiet village. I think that would
+suit both of us."
+
+"It would suit me assuredly," Paolo said joyfully. "I love the
+mountains."
+
+Such was indeed the course eventually taken. The strict Calvinism of
+Geneva suited neither of them; and after a fortnight's stay there they
+went up among the hills, and in the clear brisk air Hector found his
+blood begin to run more rapidly through his veins, and his strength and
+energy fast returning. Sometimes he rode, but soon found more pleasure
+in climbing the hills around on foot, for the mountain paths were so
+rough that it was seldom indeed that his horse could break into a trot.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII: THE DUC D'ENGHIEN
+
+
+From time to time news came up of what was passing in the world. The
+Spaniards had afforded no assistance in men to the duke, for Richelieu
+had sent a powerful army into the heart of Flanders, and so kept them
+fully occupied. An Austrian force, however, joined that of the duke, and
+a battle was fought with the royal army which, under Marshal Chatillon,
+lay encamped a league from Sedan. The Austrian general commanded the
+main body, the Duc de Bouillon the cavalry, while the Count de Soissons
+was with the reserve. At first Chatillon's army had the advantage, but
+Bouillon charged with such vehemence that he drove the cavalry of the
+royalists down upon their infantry, which fell into confusion, most of
+the French officers being killed or made prisoners, and the rest put to
+rout. The duke, after the victory, rode to congratulate Soissons, whose
+force had not been engaged. He found the count dead, having accidentally
+shot himself while pushing up the visor of his helmet with the muzzle of
+his pistol.
+
+Bouillon soon learned the hollowness of the promises of his allies.
+The Spaniards sent neither money nor men, while the Austrians received
+orders to march away from Sedan and to join the Spaniards, who were
+marching to the relief of Arras.
+
+The duke, deserted by his allies, prepared to defend Sedan till the
+last. Fortunately for him, however, the position of the French at Arras
+was critical. The place was strong, two armies were marching to its
+relief, and it would therefore have been rash to have attempted at
+the same time the siege of Sedan. The king himself had joined the army
+advancing against Bouillon, while the cardinal remained in Paris. Many
+of those round the person of the king, foremost among whom was the
+Marquis of Cinq-Mars, his master of horse, spoke very strongly in favour
+of the duke, and represented that he had been driven to take up arms
+by the persecution of the cardinal. The king was moved by their
+representations, and gave a complete pardon to Bouillon, who was
+restored to the full possession of all his estates in France, while on
+his part he released the prisoners, baggage, and standards taken in the
+late battle.
+
+This was welcome news to Hector, who at once prepared to cross into
+Italy; but when they reached Chambery he heard that Turenne had been
+ordered to join the army that was collected near the Spanish frontier,
+in order to conquer Roussillon, which lay between Languedoc and
+Catalonia. The latter province had been for three years in a state of
+insurrection against Spain, and had besought aid from France. This,
+however, could not easily be afforded them so long as the fortress of
+Perpignan guarded the way, and with other strongholds prevented all
+communication between the south of France and Catalonia. As it was
+uncertain whether Turenne would follow the coast route or cross the
+passes, Hector and his companion rode forward at once, and arrived at
+Turin before he left.
+
+"I am glad to see you back again," the general said as Hector entered
+his room, "and trust that you are now strong again. Your letter, giving
+me your reasons for leaving Sedan, was forwarded to me by a messenger,
+with others from my brother and his wife. He speaks in high terms of
+you, and regretted your leaving them; but the reason you gave for so
+doing in your letter to me more than justified the course you took,
+and showed that you were thoughtful in other than military matters. You
+served me better by leaving Sedan than you could have done in any other
+way. In these unhappy disputes with my brother, the cardinal has never
+permitted my relationship to Bouillon to shake his confidence in me. But
+after being engaged for many years in combating plots against him, he
+cannot but be suspicious of all, and that an officer of my staff should
+be staying at Sedan when the dispute was going to end in open warfare
+might well have excited a doubt of me while, had you traveled direct
+here at that moment, it might, as you said, have been considered that
+you were the bearer of important communications between my brother and
+myself.
+
+"Now, I hope that you are completely restored to health; you are looking
+well, and have grown a good deal, the consequence, no doubt, of your
+being so long in bed. You have heard that I am ordered to Roussillon,
+of which I am glad, for the war languishes here. The king, I hear, will
+take up his headquarters at Narbonne, and Richelieu is coming down to
+look after matters as he did at Rochelle. So I expect that things will
+move quickly there. They say the king is not in good health, and that
+the cardinal himself is failing. Should he die it will be a grievous
+loss for France, for there is no one who could in any way fill his
+place. It has been evident for some time that the king has been in weak
+health. The dauphin is but a child. A regency with the queen as its
+nominal head, and Richelieu as its staff and ruler, would be possible;
+but without Richelieu the prospect would be a very dark one, and I
+cannot think of it without apprehension. However, I must continue to do
+as I have been doing ever since Bouillon fell out with the court; I
+must think only that I am a soldier, prepared to strike where ordered,
+whether against a foreign foe or a rebellious subject.
+
+"Happily my family troubles are over. I hear that there is a probability
+that, now Bouillon has been restored to favour, he will obtain the
+command of the army in Italy, which will just suit his active spirit."
+
+Three days later Turenne with his staff crossed the Alps, and journeying
+across the south of France reached Perpignan. The Marquis of Mielleraye
+was in supreme command, and Turenne was to act as his lieutenant; the
+latter at once took charge of the operations of the siege of Perpignan,
+which had already been beleaguered for some months by the French. The
+fortress was a very strong one, but as the efforts of the Spanish
+to reinforce the garrison by a landing effected on the coast failed
+altogether, and as the operations of Mielleraye in the field were
+successful, and there was no chance of any relief being afforded to
+the besieged town by a Spanish army advancing through Catalonia, it was
+certain that the fortress must in time surrender by hunger. As it could
+not be captured by assault unless with a very heavy loss indeed, Turenne
+contented himself with keeping up so vigilant a watch round it that its
+communications were altogether cut off, and the garrison knew nothing
+whatever of what was passing around them.
+
+The Duc de Bouillon had received the command of the army in Italy, and
+Turenne hoped that henceforth his mind would be free from the family
+trouble that had for the past four years caused him great pain and
+anxiety. Unfortunately, however, Cinq-Mars, the king's master of horse
+and personal favourite, had become embroiled with the cardinal. Rash,
+impetuous, and haughty, the young favourite at once began to intrigue.
+The Duke of Orleans, the king's only brother, one of the most
+treacherous and unstable of men, joined him heart and soul, and Bouillon
+was induced to ally himself with them, not from any political feeling,
+but because Cinq-Mars had been mainly instrumental in obtaining terms
+for him before, and appealed to his sense of gratitude to aid him now.
+He insisted, however, that this time there should be no negotiating with
+Spain and Austria, but that the movement should be entirely a French
+one.
+
+Unknown to him, however, the others entered into an alliance with Spain,
+who engaged to find money and an army. The conspirators had gained the
+ear of the king, Cinq-Mars representing to him that their hostility
+was directed solely against the cardinal, and the latter was in great
+disfavour until he obtained a copy of the treaty with Spain. The
+disclosure opened the king's eyes. The Duke of Orleans, Cinq-Mars,
+Monsieur de Thou, his intimate friend, and de Bouillon were at once
+arrested. Orleans immediately turned traitor to his fellow conspirators,
+revealed every incident of the plot, and was sentenced to exile.
+Cinq-Mars and de Thou were tried and executed. De Bouillon saved his
+life by relinquishing his principality to France, any hesitation there
+may have been in sparing him on those terms being removed by the receipt
+of a message from the duchess, that if her husband were put to death she
+would at once deliver Sedan into the hands of the Spaniards. De Bouillon
+was therefore pardoned, and in exchange for the surrender of his
+principality, his estates in France were to be enlarged, and a
+considerable pension granted to him.
+
+All this was a terrible trial to Turenne, who was deeply attached to his
+brother, and who mourned not only the danger he had incurred, but that
+he should have broken his engagements, and while commanding a royal army
+should have plotted against the royal authority.
+
+At the end of November the cardinal's illness, from which he had long
+suffered, took an unfavourable turn, and the king, who had returned to
+Paris, went to see him. Richelieu advised him to place his confidence
+in the two secretaries of state, Chavigny and de Noyers, recommended
+Cardinal Mazarin strongly as first minister of the crown, and handed
+the king a document he had prepared barring the Duke of Orleans from any
+share in the regency in case of the king's death, the preamble calling
+to mind that the king had five times pardoned his brother, who had yet
+recently engaged in a fresh plot against him. On the 2nd of December,
+1642, Richelieu died, and the king, on the following day, carried out
+his last advice, and appointed Mazarin to a place in his council.
+
+The year had passed quietly with Hector Campbell. His duties had been
+but slight during the siege, and as during his stay at Sedan and in
+Switzerland he had continued to work hard at Italian, at the former
+place under a teacher, who instructed him in more courtly dialect than
+that which he acquired from Paolo, so during the six months before
+Perpignan he had, after taking the advice of Turenne, set himself to
+acquire a knowledge of German. Working at this for eight hours a day
+under the tuition of a German gentleman, who had been compelled to leave
+the country when his native town was captured by the Imperialists, he
+was soon able to converse as fluently in it as in Italian.
+
+"It is in Germany that the next great campaign is likely to take place,"
+Turenne said to him, "and your knowledge of German will be of infinite
+utility to you. Fortunately for myself, Sedan standing on the border
+between the two countries, I acquired German as well as French without
+labour, and while in Holland spoke it rather than French; the knowledge
+of languages is of great importance to one who would rise high in the
+army or at the court, and I am very glad that you have acquired German,
+as it may be of great use to you if we are called upon to invade that
+country again, that is, if the new council of the king are as kindly
+disposed towards me as Richelieu always showed himself to be; but I fear
+that ere long there may be changes. The king's health is very poor.
+He may not live long, and then we have a regency before us, and the
+regencies of France have always been times of grievous trouble.
+
+"Even had Richelieu lived he might not have been able to avert such
+disasters. He and the queen have never been friends, and he would
+not have had the support from her that he has had from the king, who,
+although he no doubt fretted at times under Richelieu's dictation, yet
+recognized his splendid genius, and knew that he worked heart and soul
+for the good of France. However, his death is a sore misfortune. A
+regency needs a strong head, but where is it to come from? The Duke of
+Orleans is a schemer without principle, weak, easily led, ambitious,
+and unscrupulous. The Prince of Conde is equally ambitious, even more
+grasping, and much more talented. There is no one else, save men like
+Chavigny, the father of our friend here, de Noyers, and some others of
+good family, honest and capable business men, but who would speedily
+become mere ciphers; and Cardinal Mazarin, who has just been appointed
+to the council."
+
+"Do you know him, sir?" Hector asked.
+
+"I have seen him more than once. He is said to be very clever, and it
+is no secret that he is nominated to the council on Richelieu's
+recommendation, which speaks volumes in his favour, for Richelieu was
+a judge of men, and must have believed, when recommending him, that
+Mazarin would render good service to France. But however clever he is
+he cannot replace the great cardinal. On him was stamped by nature the
+making of a ruler of men. He was tall, handsome, and an accomplished
+cavalier. Seeing him dressed as a noble among noblemen, one would have
+picked him out as born to be the greatest of them. No doubt this noble
+appearance, aided by his haughty manner and by his ruthlessness in
+punishing those who conspired against him, had not a little to do with
+his mastery over men.
+
+"Mazarin is a man of very different appearance. He is dark in
+complexion, handsome in a way, supple, and, I should say, crafty; an
+Italian rather than a Frenchman. Such a man will meet with difficulties
+far greater than those which assailed Richelieu. The latter, personally
+fearless, went straight to his end, crushing his enemies if they
+stood in his way, possessed of an indomitable will and unflinching
+determination. Mazarin, if I mistake not, will try to gain his end by
+other means--by intrigues, by setting those who oppose him against each
+other, by yielding rather than by striking. He is said to stand high in
+the queen's favour, and this will be a great aid to him; for those who
+might rebel against the authority of a cardinal will hesitate to do
+so when he has at his back the protection and authority of a queen.
+However, we must hope for the best. It is probable that Richelieu
+acquainted him with all his plans and projects, and urged him to carry
+them into effect. I sincerely trust that he will do so; and in that
+case, if he comes to the head of affairs, I should assuredly serve him
+as willingly and faithfully as I served Richelieu, knowing that it will
+be for the good of France."
+
+It was, indeed, but a short time after the loss of his great adviser
+that the king followed him to the tomb. He had for long suffered from
+bad health, and now that the statesman who had borne the whole burden
+of public affairs had left him, he felt the weight overpowering. He had
+always been devoted to religious exercises, and saw his end approaching
+without regret, and died calmly and peacefully on May 14, 1643. By his
+will he left the queen regent. He had never been on good terms with her,
+and now endeavoured to prevent her from having any real power. The Duke
+of Orleans was appointed lieutenant general, but as the king had rightly
+no confidence in him, he nominated a council which, he intended, should
+override both. It was composed of the Prince of Conde, Cardinal
+Mazarin, the chancellor, Seguerin, the secretary of state, Chavigny,
+and superintendent Bouthillier. The king's will prohibited any change
+whatever being made in the council, but this proviso was not observed.
+The queen speedily made terms with the ministers; and when the little
+king was conducted in great state to the parliament of Paris, the Duke
+of Orleans addressed the queen, saying that he desired to take no other
+part in affairs than that which it might please her to give him. The
+Prince of Conde said the same; and that evening, to their astonishment,
+the queen having become by their resignation the sole head of the
+administration, announced that she should retain Cardinal Mazarin as her
+minister, and shortly afterwards nominated Turenne to the command of
+the army in Italy. Prince Thomas had now broken altogether with the
+Spaniards, finding that their protection was not available, for the King
+of Spain had been obliged to recall a considerable proportion of his
+troops from Italy to suppress an insurrection in Catalonia. Hector did
+not accompany Turenne to Italy, for early in April Turenne had said to
+him:
+
+"There seems no chance of employment here at present, Campbell, while
+there is likely to be some heavy fighting on the Rhine frontier.
+
+"The death of Richelieu has given fresh courage to the enemies of
+France, and I hear that de Malo, the governor of the Low Countries, has
+gathered a large army, and is about to invade France. Our army there is
+commanded by the young Duc d'Enghien, the Prince of Conde's son. He
+is but twenty-two, and of course owes his appointment to his father's
+influence. The king has, however, sent with him Marshal de l'Hopital,
+who will be his lieutenant and director. I know Enghien well, and esteem
+his talents highly. He is brave, impetuous, and fiery; but at the same
+time, if I mistake not, cautious and prudent. I will give you a letter
+to him. I shall tell him that you have greatly distinguished yourself
+while on my staff, and being anxious above all things to acquire
+military knowledge and to serve with honour, I have sent you to him,
+begging him to give you the same post on his staff as you have had on
+mine, asking it as a personal favour to myself. This, I have no doubt,
+he will grant. He has affected my company a good deal when I have been
+in Paris, and has evinced the greatest desire to learn as much as he can
+of military matters from me."
+
+"I am grateful indeed for your kindness, sir, of which I will most
+gladly avail myself, and shall indeed be pleased at the opportunity of
+seeing a great battle."
+
+"I wish to show my approbation of the manner in which you have, since
+you left me in Italy, endeavoured to do all in your power to acquire
+useful knowledge, instead of wasting your time in idleness or gambling,
+to which so many young officers in the army give themselves up."
+
+The next day Hector and Paolo joined the army of Enghien as it was
+on the march to Eperney. The former was now within a few months of
+seventeen, of middle height, strongly built, his hard exercise and
+training having broadened him greatly. He had a pleasant and good
+tempered face, his hair, which was brown with a tinge of gold, clustered
+closely round his head, for he had not adopted the French mode of
+wearing it in long ringlets, a fashion unsuited for the work of a
+campaign, and which de Lisle and Chavigny had in vain urged him to
+adopt. He was handsomely dressed, for he knew that Conde would be
+surrounded by many of the young nobles of France. He wore his broad hat
+with feather; his helmet and armour being carried, together with his
+valises, on a sumpter mule led by Paolo.
+
+Putting up at an hotel, he made his way to the house occupied by Enghien
+and the marshal. It was crowded by young officers, many of whom were
+waiting in an anteroom. On one of the duke's chamberlains approaching
+him Hector gave his name, and requested him to deliver Viscount
+Turenne's letter to the prince. In a few minutes his name was called,
+to the surprise of those who had been waiting for some time for an
+interview. Enghien was seated at a table, from which he rose as Hector
+entered.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Captain Campbell, both for your own sake and
+for that of Turenne, whom I greatly love and admire. As I was with
+Mielleraye during the campaign in the south, while you were with
+Turenne, we did not meet there, for though he once rode over and stayed
+for a few days you did not accompany him. But he has told me of your
+adventure at Turin, and has spoken of your diligent studies and your
+desire to learn all that is known of the art of war. I shall be glad
+indeed to have you riding with me, for I, too, am a diligent student in
+the art, though until last year I had no opportunity whatever of gaining
+practical knowledge. I envy Turenne his good fortune in having been sent
+to begin to learn his duty when he was but fourteen. He tells me that
+you were but a year older when you rode to Italy with him. It humiliates
+me to think that while I am sent to command an army simply because my
+father is a prince of the blood, Turenne gained every step by merit, and
+is a general in spite of the fact that his brother was an enemy of the
+cardinal and defied alike his power and that of the king. However, I
+hope to show that I am not altogether unworthy of my position; and at
+least, like Turenne, I can lead my troops into battle, and fight in
+their front, even if I cannot always come out victorious. Where have you
+put up your horses? With the best will in the world, I cannot put either
+room or stable at your disposal today, for I believe that every cupboard
+in the house is occupied; but at our halting place tomorrow we shall be
+under canvas, and a tent shall be assigned to you."
+
+"I thank you, sir. I have fortunately been able to find quarters at an
+inn."
+
+"At any rate, I hope that you will sup with me. I will then introduce
+you to some of my friends."
+
+Enghien was at the age of twenty-two of a striking rather than a
+handsome figure. His forehead was wide, his eyes sunken and piercing,
+his nose very prominent and hooked giving to his face something of the
+expression of an eagle's. He resembled Turenne in the eagerness with
+which in childhood he had devoted himself to his studies, and especially
+to military exercises; but except that both possessed a remarkable
+genius for war, and both were extremely courageous, there was but
+slight resemblance between their characters. While Turenne was prudent,
+patient, and thoughtful, weighing duly every step taken, bestowing
+the greatest pains upon the comfort and well being of his troops,
+and careful as to every detail that could bring about success in his
+operations, Conde was passionate and impetuous, acting upon impulse
+rather than reflection. Personally ambitious, impatient of opposition,
+bitter in his enmities, his action and policy were influenced chiefly
+by his own ambitions and his own susceptibilities, rather than by the
+thought of what effect his action might have on the destinies of France.
+He was a born general, and yet but a poor leader of men, one of the
+greatest military geniuses that the world has ever seen, and yet so full
+of faults, foibles, and weaknesses that, except from a military point
+of view, the term "the Great Conde" that posterity has given him is but
+little merited. He had much brain and little heart. Forced by his father
+into a marriage with a niece of Richelieu's, he treated her badly and
+cruelly, although she was devoted to him, and was in all respects an
+estimable woman and a true wife, and that in a court where virtue was
+rare indeed.
+
+At supper that evening Enghien introduced Hector first to the Marshal de
+l'Hopital and then to the young nobles of his company.
+
+"Monsieur Campbell," he said, "is the youngest of our party, and yet
+he is, as the Viscount of Turenne writes to me, one in whom he has the
+greatest confidence, and who has so carefully studied the art of war,
+and so much profited by his opportunities, that he would not hesitate
+to commit to him any command requiring at once courage, discretion, and
+military knowledge. No one, gentlemen, could wish for a higher eulogium
+from a greater authority. Turenne has lent him to me for the campaign,
+and indeed I feel grateful to him for so doing. When I say, gentlemen,
+that it was he who saved the citadel of Turin to our arms, by
+undertaking and carrying out the perilous work of passing through the
+city and the Spanish lines to carry word to the half starved garrison
+that succour would arrive in a fortnight's time, and so prevented their
+surrendering, you will admit that Turenne has not spoken too highly of
+his courage and ability. I have heard the full details of the affair
+from Turenne's own lips, when he paid a short visit to Paris after that
+campaign closed; and I should feel proud indeed had I accomplished such
+an enterprise. Captain Campbell is a member of an old Scottish family,
+and his father died fighting for France at the siege of La Rochelle, a
+captain in the Scottish regiment. And now, gentlemen, to supper."
+
+It was a joyous meal, and of a character quite new to Hector. Grave
+himself, Turenne's entertainments were marked by a certain earnestness
+and seriousness. He set, indeed, all his guests at ease by his courtesy
+and the interest he took in each; and yet all felt that in his presence
+loud laughter would be out of place and loose jesting impossible.
+Enghien, on the other hand, being a wild and reckless young noble, one
+who chose not his words, but was wont to give vent in terms of unbridled
+hatred to his contempt for those whom he deemed his enemies, imposed no
+such restraint upon his guests, and all talked, laughed, and jested as
+they chose, checked only by the presence of the gallant old marshal,
+who was nominally Enghien's guide and adviser. Next to Hector was
+seated General Gassion, one of the finest soldiers of the time. He, like
+Hector, had no family influence, but had gained his position solely by
+his own merits. He was enterprising and energetic, and eager to still
+further distinguish himself, and Hector was not long in perceiving that
+Enghien had his cordial support in combating the prudent and cautious
+counsels of the marshal. He spoke very cordially to the young captain.
+He saw in him one who, like himself, was likely to make his way by merit
+and force of character, and he asked him many questions as to his past
+history and the various services in which he had been engaged.
+
+"I hope some day to win my marshal's baton, and methinks that if you
+have as good fortune as I have had, and escape being cut off by bullet
+or sabre, you, too, may look forward to gaining such a distinction. You
+see all these young men around us have joined rather in the spirit of
+knight errants than that of soldiers. Each hopes to distinguish himself,
+not for the sake of advancing his military career, but simply that he
+may stand well in the eyes of some court beauty. The campaign once over,
+they will return to Paris, and think no more of military service until
+another campaign led by a prince of the blood like Enghien takes place,
+when they will again take up arms and fight in his company.
+
+"Such campaigns as those under Turenne in Italy would be distasteful
+in the extreme to them. They would doubtless bear the hardships as
+unflinchingly as we professional soldiers, but as soon as they could
+with honour retire you may be sure they would do so. It is well for us
+that they should. Were it otherwise our chances of advancement would
+be rare indeed, while as it is there are plenty of openings for men of
+determination and perseverance who will carry out precisely any order
+given to them, and who are always, whether in the field or in winter
+quarters, under the eyes of a commander like Turenne, who remains with
+his army instead of rushing off like d'Harcourt to spend his winter in
+the gaieties of the court, and to receive their smiles and praises as a
+reward for his successes."
+
+"I suppose, general, there is no doubt that we shall give battle to the
+Spaniards?"
+
+"No doubt whatever. It depends upon Enghien, though no doubt the marshal
+will throw every obstacle in the way. In the first place, there can be
+no denying that the Spanish infantry are superb, and that Fuentes, who
+commands them, is a fine old soldier, while our infantry are largely
+composed of new levies. Thus, though the armies are not unequal in
+strength, l'Hopital may well consider the chances of victory to be
+against us. In the second place, in a battle Enghien will be in command,
+and though all of us recognize that he possesses extraordinary ability,
+his impetuosity might well lead to a disaster. Then the marshal must
+feel that while the glory of a victory would fall to Enghien, the
+discredit of a defeat would be given to him, while if aught happened to
+Enghien himself the wrath of Conde and his faction would bring about his
+disgrace.
+
+"I doubt not that he has received instructions not to hazard a battle
+except under extraordinary circumstances, while Enghien would, if
+possible, bring one about under any circumstances whatever. Lastly, the
+king is desperately ill, ill unto death, some say, and none can foretell
+what would take place were we to suffer a heavy defeat while France is
+without some great head to rally the nation and again show face to the
+Spaniards. At the same time, I may tell you at once, that in this matter
+I am heart and soul with Enghien. I consider that did we shrink from
+battle now, it would so encourage Spain and Austria that they would put
+such a force in the field as we could scarcely hope to oppose, while a
+victory would alter the whole position and show our enemies that French
+soldiers are equal to those of Spain, which at present no one believes.
+And lastly, if we win, Enghien, when his father dies, will be the
+foremost man in France, the leading spirit of the princes of the blood,
+and having behind him the vast possessions and wealth accumulated by
+Conde, will be a power that even the greatest minister might dread,
+and I need hardly say that my marshal's baton would be very appreciably
+nearer than it is at present."
+
+"Then I may take it," Hector said with a smile, "that the chances are in
+favour of a pitched battle."
+
+"That is certainly so; l'Hopital's instructions are to force the
+Spaniards, who have advanced against Rocroi, to raise the siege, but to
+do so if possible by manoeuvering, and to avoid anything like a pitched
+battle. But I fancy that he is likely to find circumstances too strong
+for him, and that one of these mornings we shall stand face to face with
+the enemy.
+
+"The Spaniards are doubtless grand soldiers, and the army we shall meet
+is largely composed of veteran troops; but we must remember that for
+years and years the Dutchmen, by nature peaceable and for the most part
+without training in arms, and although terribly deficient in cavalry,
+have boldly withstood the power of Spain."
+
+"They seldom have met them in the open field," Hector said doubtfully.
+
+"Not very often, I grant, though when allied with your countrymen they
+fairly beat them on the sands near Ostend, and that over and over again
+they fought them in their breaches on even terms, and, burghers though
+they were, beat back Alva's choicest troops."
+
+The next morning the army marched forward. Hector rode with the group
+of young nobles who followed Enghien. Rocroi was a town of considerable
+strength lying in the forest of Ardennes. It was the key to the province
+of Champagne, and its capture would open the road to the Spaniards. The
+siege was being pressed forward by de Malo, who had with him an army of
+twenty-seven thousand veteran troops, being five thousand more than
+the force under Enghien. Gassion, who as Enghien's lieutenant had the
+control of the movements, so arranged the marches that, while steadily
+approaching Rocroi, the marshal believed that he intended to force the
+Spaniards to fall back, rather by menacing their line of communications
+than by advancing directly against them.
+
+After the first day Gassion invited Hector to ride with him, an
+invitation which he gladly accepted, for the conversation of his younger
+companions turned chiefly upon court intrigues and love affairs in
+Paris, and on people of whose very names he was wholly ignorant. Riding
+with Gassion across from one road to another along which the army was
+advancing, he was able to see much of the movements of bodies of troops
+through a country wholly different from that with which he was familiar.
+He saw how careful the general was to maintain communication between the
+heads of the different columns, especially as he approached the enemy.
+
+"De Malo ought," he said, "to have utilized such a country as this for
+checking our advance. In these woods he might have so placed his men as
+to annihilate one column before another could come to its assistance. I
+can only suppose that he relies so absolutely upon his numbers, and
+the valour and discipline of his soldiers, that he prefers to fight a
+pitched battle, where a complete success would open the road to Paris,
+and thus lay France at his feet and bring the war to a conclusion at one
+stroke."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII: ROCROI
+
+
+Gassion conducted the movements of the army so adroitly that he had
+brought it to within almost striking distance of the Spanish divisions
+before Marshal l'Hopital perceived the fact that it was so placed that
+a battle was almost inevitable. He besought Enghien to fall back while
+there was yet time, pointing out the orders that had been given that a
+battle was not to be hazarded, and the terrible misfortunes that would
+fall upon France in case of defeat. Enghien, however, was deaf to his
+advice, and refused to acknowledge his authority.
+
+Turenne, under similar circumstances, would have drawn off and
+forced the enemy to raise the siege by threatening their line of
+communications; but Turenne thought nothing of personal glory, and
+fought only for France. Enghien, on the other hand, throughout his
+career was animated by personal motives, and cared nothing for the
+general welfare of France. Turenne was wholly unselfish; Enghien was
+ready to sacrifice anything or everything for his own glory or interest.
+At present, surrounded as he was by young nobles as eager to fight as
+he was himself, and backed by Gassion, one of the most able and
+enterprising soldiers of the day, he declared that he had come to
+fight and would do so. Even had l'Hopital known the news that had been
+received by Enghien, he would have been powerless to check or control
+him. A courier had indeed the day before brought the young duke a
+despatch containing the news of the king's death and peremptory orders
+not to fight. Enghien simply put the letter in his pocket, and the
+contents were known only to Gassion and a few of his most intimate
+friends.
+
+De Malo was as anxious to bring on a general engagement as was his fiery
+opponent. He was kept well informed of what was going on in Paris,
+and knew that the king's death was imminent. His position on a plain,
+surrounded on all sides by woods and marshes with but one approach,
+and that through a narrow defile, was practically impregnable; and by
+occupying the defile he could have kept the French at bay without
+the slightest difficulty until Rocroi surrendered. He knew, too, that
+General Beck with a considerable force was hastening to join him; but
+he feared that prudent counsels might at the last moment prevail in the
+French camp, or that the news of the king's death might reach them, and
+he therefore left the defile open and allowed the French army to gain
+the plain and form up in order of battle facing him, without offering
+the slightest opposition or firing a single gun.
+
+It was late in the afternoon by the time the French were in position,
+and as both commanders were anxious that the battle should be a
+decisive one neither took any step to bring on the fight, but contented
+themselves with preparing for the encounter next morning. The night was
+cold and somewhat thick, and the positions of the two armies were marked
+by lines of fire. The march had been a long and fatiguing one, and
+silence soon fell upon the scene. Enghien wrapped himself in his cloak,
+and, lying down by a watch fire, was speedily asleep, wholly unoppressed
+by the tremendous responsibilities that he had assumed, or the fact
+that he had risked the destinies of France for the sake of his personal
+ambition, and that in any case the slaughter that must ensue in the
+morning would be terrible. Gassion, however, with a few of the older
+officers, sat for hours discussing the probabilities of the battle.
+Hector, remembering the manner in which Turenne exercised the
+most ceaseless vigilance, and nightly inspected all the outposts,
+endeavouring to ascertain the plans and positions of the enemy, had, as
+night closed in, requested Gassion's permission to go the rounds.
+
+"Certainly, if it so pleases you, Captain Campbell. The watchword
+tonight is 'Conde', but I will in addition give you a pass enjoining all
+officers to allow you to go where you please, you being on the staff of
+the prince. I shall go round myself later on, for de Malo may intend a
+night attack, by which he would certainly gain advantages. His troops
+are fresh, while ours are weary. He has had every opportunity of
+studying the ground, while it is all new to us. Still, I hardly think
+that he will move till morning. Enterprise is not the strong point of
+the Spaniards, they love to fight in solid bodies, and hitherto their
+infantry have never been broken by cavalry. At night they would lose
+the advantage of their steadiness of formation. It is clear, by his
+willingness to allow us to pass the defile and take up this position,
+that de Malo is absolutely certain of victory and will wait, for
+daylight would permit him to make his expected victory a complete one,
+while at night great numbers of our army would be able to make their
+escape through the woods."
+
+Hector returned to the spot where his horses were picketed with those
+of Enghien's staff. He found Paolo lying down under a tree where he
+had been ordered to take up his post, so that Hector could find him if
+required.
+
+"Are you asleep, Paolo?"
+
+"No, master; I have been thinking about the battle tomorrow, and where I
+had best bestow myself."
+
+"As to that, Paolo, I should say that you had better keep with the
+prince's servants here. You will, of course, have your horse saddled and
+be ready to ride on the instant. If we are victorious there will be no
+occasion for you to move, but if you see that we are beaten, my orders
+are that you are not to think of waiting for me. I must keep with the
+others. Doubtless the cavalry would cover the retreat, and it would be
+a serious inconvenience for me to have to come here to look after you,
+therefore as soon as you see that the day has gone against us mount and
+ride. You can wait at our halting place of last night until you see the
+prince's party come along. If I am alive I shall be with them; if not,
+my advice to you is to ride south and to report yourself to Turenne.
+He will, I doubt not, either take you into his own service, or give
+you such strong recommendations that you will have no difficulty in
+obtaining a post with some officer of distinction should you wish to
+continue with the army. Now, I am going along our line of outposts, and
+I intend to reconnoitre the ground between us and the enemy. That is
+what Turenne would be doing were he in command here."
+
+"I will go with you, master; when it comes to reconnoitering, methinks
+that I am as good as another. I can run like a hare, and though a
+bullet would go faster, I am quite sure that none of these heavily armed
+Spaniards would have a chance of catching me."
+
+"I intended to take you with me, Paolo. We shall need as much care and
+caution here as we did in getting into the citadel of Turin."
+
+"I think, master, that it would be well for you to leave your armour
+behind you. It will be of small avail if you fall into the midst of a
+band of Spanish spearmen, while it would be a sore hindrance in passing
+through these woods, and the lighter you are accoutred the better."
+
+"That is so, and I will take your advice. I will give it into the charge
+of the horse guard. I will, of course, take my sword and pistols, and
+you may as well take yours."
+
+"I like a knife better than a sword, master, but I will take the both. I
+think it would be as well for you to lay aside your helmet also, for the
+light from one of these watchfires might glint upon it and catch the eye
+of a Spaniard."
+
+"You are right, Paolo; have you got the hat?"
+
+"Yes, sir, it is here with your valises."
+
+"That is certainly more comfortable," Hector said as he put it on. "Now,
+you had better carry the things across to that fire where the prince's
+staff are sitting. There is no fear of anyone interfering with them
+there."
+
+As soon as this had been done they started, picking their way carefully
+through numbers of sleeping men, and stopping once or twice to exchange
+a word with the groups still gathered round the fires. First they passed
+along the whole line of outposts, answering the challenges by the words,
+"Officer of the prince's staff on duty." They found the sentries fairly
+vigilant, for with so powerful an enemy within striking distance every
+soldier felt that the occasion was one for unusual watchfulness. At
+each post Hector questioned the sentinels closely as to whether they
+had heard any sounds indicating the movement of troops in the interval
+between the two armies, and in only one case was there an affirmative
+answer.
+
+"I heard a sound such as might be made by the clash of armour against a
+tree or by an armed man falling. I have listened attentively since, but
+have heard nothing more."
+
+"From which direction did the noise seem to come?"
+
+"From across there, sir. It seemed to me to come from that copse in the
+hollow."
+
+"That is just what I thought might be likely, Paolo," Hector said as he
+walked on. "That hollow ground between the armies, with its wood and
+low brushwood, is just the place where an ambush might be posted with
+advantage. Turenne would have taken possession of it as soon as darkness
+closed in, for it would not only prevent the possibility of the army
+being taken by surprise during the night, but it might be invaluable
+during the fight tomorrow, for a force ambushed there might take an
+advancing enemy in the rear. We will go farther on till we get to a
+point where the brushwood extends nearly up to our line. We will enter
+it there, and make our way along until we see whether de Malo has taken
+advantage of our failure to utilize the wood."
+
+As soon as they reached the point he indicated they moved forward,
+crouching low until they reached the bushes; then they crawled along,
+keeping outside but close to them. In this way they would be invisible
+to any sentries posted near the edge of the wood, and would also avoid
+the risk of drawing the enemy's attention by accidentally breaking a
+dried branch or even snapping a twig. In ten minutes they entered the
+wood that extended along the greater portion of the hollow.
+
+"Keep on your hands and knees," Hector whispered, "and feel the ground
+as you go to make sure that there are no broken branches that would
+crack if you placed your knee upon them. We may come upon the Spaniards
+at any moment. Keep close to me. Touch me if you hear the slightest
+sound, and I will do the same to you. The touch will mean stop. Move
+your sword along the belt till the handle is round at your back; in
+that way there will be no risk of it striking a tree or catching in a
+projecting root."
+
+"I will do that, master, and will keep my knife between my teeth. It may
+be that we shall come upon a Spanish sentinel who may need silencing."
+
+"No, Paolo; only in the last extremity and to save our lives must we
+resort to arms. Were a sentry found killed in the morning they would
+know that their position in the wood had been discovered. It is most
+important that they should believe that their ambush is unsuspected."
+
+Their progress was very slow. When they were nearly opposite the
+centre of their position Paolo was suddenly touched by his master. They
+listened intently, and could hear at no great distance ahead low sounds
+at regular intervals.
+
+"Men snoring," Paolo whispered in his ear.
+
+They moved forward again even more cautiously than before. Presently
+they stopped, for at the edge of the wood facing the camp they heard a
+slight movement and a low clash of arms, as if a sentinel on the lookout
+had changed his position. Feeling sure that the guards would all be
+placed along the edge of the wood, they moved forward again, stopping
+every few yards to listen. There was no doubt now that they were close
+to a large body of sleepers. Occasional snores, broken murmurs, and a
+sound as one turned from side to side rose from in front of them.
+
+"You go round on one side, I will go round on the other, Paolo. We will
+meet again when we have passed beyond them. It is important that we
+should form some estimate as to their numbers."
+
+In half an hour they met again, and crawled along for some distance side
+by side in silence.
+
+"How many should you say, Paolo?"
+
+"They were lying four deep as far as I could make out, master. I kept
+very close to the outside line. I could not count them accurately
+because of the trees, but I should say that there were about two hundred
+and fifty in a line."
+
+"That was very close to what I reckoned them at. At any rate, it is a
+regiment about a thousand strong. They are musketeers, for several times
+I went close enough to feel their arms. In every case it was a musket
+and not a pike that my hand fell on. Now we will go on till we are
+opposite our last watchfire, and then crawl up the hill."
+
+They were challenged as they approached the lines.
+
+"A friend," Hector replied. "An officer of the prince's staff."
+
+"Give the countersign," the soldier said.
+
+"Conde."
+
+"That is right, but wait until I call an officer."
+
+"Good! but make no noise; that is important."
+
+The sentinel went to the watchfire, and an officer sitting there at once
+rose and came forward.
+
+"Advance, officer of the staff!" he said in low tones. "That is right,
+monsieur," he went on as Hector advanced close enough to be seen by the
+light of the fire.
+
+"I have a special pass signed by General Gassion," he said.
+
+The officer took it, and looked at it by the light of the fire.
+
+"That is all in order," he said as he returned it; "but the sentry had
+the strictest orders that no one coming from the side of the enemy
+was to be allowed to enter our lines, even if he gave the countersign
+correctly, until he had been examined by an officer."
+
+"He did his duty, sir. One cannot be too careful on the eve of battle. A
+straggler might stray away and be captured, and be forced under pain of
+death to give up the countersign, and once in our lines much information
+might be obtained as to our position. However, I hardly think that any
+such attempts will be made. The Spaniards saw us march in and take up
+our position, and must have marked where our cavalry and artillery were
+posted. Good night!"
+
+The greater part of the night had already gone, for in May the days
+are already lengthening out. After the troops had fallen out from their
+ranks wood had to be collected and rations cooked, and it was past ten
+o'clock before any of them lay down, and an hour later, before Hector
+left on his expedition. The examination of the outposts had taken more
+than an hour; it was now three o'clock in the morning, and the orders
+were that the troops should all be under arms before daybreak. Hector
+returned to the spot where he had left General Gassion. All was quiet
+there now, and he lay down until, somewhat before five, a bugle sounded.
+The signal was repeated all along the line, and almost at the same
+moment the Spanish trumpets told that the enemy, too, were making
+preparations for the day's work. General Gassion was one of the first to
+spring to his feet. Hector at once went up to him.
+
+"I have come to report, general," he said, "that I have reconnoitred
+along the whole line of wood in the hollow in front, and have found that
+a regiment of musketeers about a thousand strong have been placed in
+ambush there."
+
+"Then, by heavens, you have done us good service indeed, Captain
+Campbell! They might have done us an ill turn had we advanced knowing
+nothing of their presence there. Nothing shakes troops more than a
+sudden attack in the rear. Please come across with me and repeat the
+news that you have given me to the prince himself."
+
+There was bustle all along the line. The troops were falling into their
+ranks, stamping their feet to set the blood in motion, swinging their
+arms, and growling at the sharp morning air. At the headquarters bivouac
+the young nobles were laughing and jesting as they prepared to mount.
+
+"Where is the prince?" Gassion asked.
+
+"There he lies under his cloak, general. He is still fast asleep. It
+is evident that the thought of the coming battle does not weigh heavily
+upon him. I acknowledge that I have not closed an eye; I do not think
+that any of us have done so."
+
+So sound, indeed, was the prince's sleep that Gassion had to shake him
+almost roughly to rouse him.
+
+As soon, however, as his eyes opened he leapt to his feet. "I have had a
+wonderful night," he laughed; "never have I slept more soundly on a down
+bed than on this hard ground, which, however, as I find, makes my bones
+ache wonderfully. Well, it is a fine day for a battle. What is your
+news, Gassion?"
+
+"It is important, monseigneur. Captain Campbell has spent the night in
+reconnoitering on his own account, and has discovered that a thousand
+Spanish musketeers are lying in ambush in the copse in the hollow."
+
+"Is that so?" the duke said shortly. "Well, Captain Campbell, you have
+rendered us a vital service indeed, and one that I shall not forget.
+However, now we are forewarned, we shall know how to deal with them.
+If I should fall, Gassion, and you should survive, see that Captain
+Campbell's service is duly represented. Now, to horse, gentlemen!"
+
+The morning sun rose on the 20th of May on a brilliant scene. The two
+armies were disposed along slightly elevated ridges, between which lay
+the hollow with its brushwood and copses. Enghien commanded the cavalry
+on the right wing, with Gassion as second in command. In place of his
+helmet the prince wore a hat with large white plumes, remembering,
+perhaps, how Henri of Navarre's white plumes had served as a rallying
+point. Marshal l'Hopital commanded the cavalry on the French left, Baron
+d'Espenan commanded the infantry in the centre, and Baron Sirot the
+reserves. The right of the Spanish army was composed of the German
+horse led by de Malo, the Walloons on the left were under the Duke of
+Albuquerque, while in the centre were the veteran Spanish infantry under
+the command of General Fuentes, who had often led them to victory. He
+was too old and infirm to mount a horse, but lay in a litter in the
+midst of his hitherto unconquerable infantry.
+
+All being ready on both sides, the trumpet sounded, and simultaneously
+the cavalry of both armies moved forward. Enghien moved farther to
+the right, and then dashing down the slopes led his cavalry along the
+bottom, fell suddenly upon the musketeers in ambush and cut them to
+pieces. Then galloping forward he fell upon the Spanish left in front
+and flank. The impetuous charge was irresistible; the Walloons broke and
+fled before it, and were speedily scattered over the plain, pursued
+by the victorious French. But upon the other wing de Malo's charge had
+proved equally irresistible. L'Hopital's horse was broken and scattered,
+and, wheeling his cavalry round, de Malo fell upon the flank and rear of
+d'Espenan's infantry, shattered them at once, captured the whole of
+the French artillery, and then fell upon the reserves. Baron Sirot, an
+officer of great courage and ability, held them together and for a time
+repelled the attack of the German cavalry; but these, inspirited by
+their previous success, continued their attacks with such fury that the
+reserves began to waver and fall back. Enghien was still in pursuit of
+the Walloons when an officer rode up with news of the disaster that had
+befallen the rest of the army. Enghien grasped the situation instantly,
+and his military genius pointed out how the battle might yet be
+retrieved. His trumpets instantly recalled his scattered squadrons, and
+galloping round the Spanish centre he fell like a thunderbolt upon the
+rear of de Malo's cavalry, already exulting in what appeared certain
+victory.
+
+Astounded at this unlooked for attack, they in vain bore up and tried
+to resist it; but the weight and impetus of the French assault bore all
+before it, and they clove their way through the confused mass of cavalry
+without a pause. Then wheeling right and left they charged into the
+disorganized crowd of German horsemen, who, unable to withstand this
+terrible onslaught, broke and fled, de Malo himself galloping off the
+field with his disorganized troopers. Never was a more sudden change
+in the fate of a great battle. The French cause had appeared absolutely
+lost; one wing and their centre were routed; their reserves had suffered
+heavily, and were on the point of giving way. Humanly speaking, the
+battle seemed hopelessly lost, and yet in ten minutes victory had been
+converted into defeat, and the right and left wings of the Spanish army
+had ceased to exist as collected bodies. There remained the Spanish
+infantry, and Enghien, recklessly courageous as he was, hesitated to
+attack the solid formation that had hitherto proved invincible.
+
+While still doubting whether, having defeated the rest of the army,
+it might not be best to allow this formidable body to march away
+unmolested, news reached him that General Beck, with his reinforcements,
+would be on the ground in an hour. This decided him, and he ordered the
+whole of the guns that had been rescued from their late captors to be
+turned on the Spanish square, and then, collecting his cavalry into a
+mass, dashed at it. The Spaniards remained motionless till the French
+line was within twenty yards of them, then men stepped aside, a number
+of guns poured their contents into the cavalry, while a tremendous
+volley swept away their front line. So terrible was the effect, so great
+the confusion caused by the carnage, that had the Walloon cavalry been
+rallied and returned to the field, the tide of the battle might again
+have been changed; but they were miles away, and Enghien rallied his men
+without a moment's delay, while the French artillery again opened fire
+upon the Spanish square. Again the French cavalry charged and strove
+to make their way into the gaps made by the artillery, but before they
+reached the face of the square these were closed up, and the guns and
+musketry carried havoc among the French squadrons, which again recoiled
+in confusion. Once more Enghien rallied them, and, when the French
+artillery had done their work, led them forward again with a bravery as
+impetuous and unshaken as that with which he had ridden in front of them
+in their first charge; nevertheless for the third time they fell back,
+shattered by the storm of iron and lead. Enghien now brought up his
+artillery to close quarters, Baron de Sirot led up the infantry of the
+reserve, and the attack was renewed.
+
+The aged Spanish general, though streaming with blood from several
+wounds, still from his litter encouraged his soldiers, who, stern and
+unmoved, filled up the gaps that had been made, and undauntedly faced
+their foes. But the struggle could not be long continued. The square was
+gradually wasting away, and occupied but half the ground which it had
+stood upon when the battle began. And Fuentes, seeing that further
+resistance could only lead to the annihilation of his little band, felt
+that no more could be done. There were no signs of Beck coming to
+his assistance. Indeed the troops of that general had been met by the
+cavalry in their flight; these communicated their own panic to them, and
+such was the alarm that the division abandoned its baggage and guns and
+fled from the field, where their arrival might still have turned the
+tide of battle.
+
+Fuentes at last ordered his officers to signal their surrender. Enghien
+rode forward, but, the Spanish soldiers believing that, as before, he
+was but leading his cavalry against them, poured in a terrible volley.
+He escaped by almost a miracle, but his soldiers, maddened by what they
+believed to be an act of treachery, hurled themselves upon the enemy.
+The square was broken, and a terrible slaughter ensued before the
+exertions of the officers put a stop to it. Then the remaining Spaniards
+surrendered. The battle of Rocroi was to the land forces of Spain a blow
+as terrible and fatal as the destruction of the Armada had been to their
+naval supremacy. It was indeed a death blow to the power that Spain had
+so long exercised over Europe. It showed the world that her infantry
+were no longer irresistible, and while it lowered her prestige it
+infinitely increased that of France, which was now regarded as the first
+military power in Europe.
+
+The losses in the battle were extremely heavy. The German and Walloon
+cavalry both suffered very severely, while of the Spanish infantry not
+one man left the battlefield save as a prisoner, and fully two-thirds
+of their number lay dead on the ground. Upon the French side the losses
+were numerically much smaller. The German cavalry, after routing those
+of l'Hopital, instead of following up the pursuit hurled themselves upon
+the infantry, who broke almost without resistance. These also escaped
+with comparatively little loss, de Malo leading the cavalry at once
+against the French reserves. Among the cavalry commanded by Enghien the
+loss was very heavy, and included many gentlemen of the best blood of
+France. There was no pursuit; half the French cavalry were far away
+from the field, the rest had lost well nigh half their number, and were
+exhausted by the fury of the fight; indeed, the fugitive cavalry were
+miles away before the conflict ended. The gallant old general, Fuentes,
+expired from his wounds soon after the termination of the battle.
+
+Hector was with the body of young nobles who followed close behind
+Enghien in the three first desperate charges. In the third his horse was
+shot under him just as the cavalry recoiled from the deadly fire of the
+square. He partly extracted his foot from the stirrup as he fell, but
+not sufficiently to free him, and he was pinned to the ground by the
+weight of the horse. It was well for him that it was so, for had he
+been free he would assuredly have been shot down as he followed the
+retreating cavalry. This thought occurred to his mind after the first
+involuntary effort to extricate his leg, and he lay there stiff and
+immovable as if dead. It was a trying time. The balls from the French
+cannon whistled over his head, the musket shots flew thickly round him,
+and he knew that ere long the attack would be renewed.
+
+Fortunately the fourth advance of the French did not come directly
+over him, the commanders purposely leading their troops so as to avoid
+passing over the ground where so many of the young nobles had fallen.
+Not until the last musket had been discharged and the cessation of the
+din told that all was over, did he endeavour to rise. Then he sat up and
+called to two dismounted soldiers, who were passing near, to aid him.
+They at once came up, and soon lifted the horse so far that he was able
+to withdraw his leg. His thick jackboot had protected it from injury,
+although it had been partly the cause of his misfortune, for the sole
+had caught against the side of the horse and so prevented him from
+withdrawing it. Nevertheless, his leg was so numbed that it was some
+time before he could limp away. He retraced his steps towards the spot
+where he had mounted at starting. He had not gone far when he saw
+Paolo galloping towards him. The young fellow gave a shout of joy as he
+recognized him, and a minute later drew rein by his side and leapt off
+his horse.
+
+"Thank God I see you alive again, master! Are you wounded?"
+
+"No; my horse was killed and fell upon my foot, and has no doubt bruised
+it a bit, otherwise I am unhurt."
+
+"It has been terrible, master. I climbed up into that tree beneath which
+we halted yesterday and watched the battle. I shouted with joy when I
+saw Enghien clear out the ambuscade, and again when he drove the Walloon
+horse away; then everything seemed to go wrong. I saw the marshal's
+cavalry on the left driven off the field like chaff before the wind.
+Then the centre broke up directly they were charged; and as the enemy
+fell upon the reserve it seemed to me that all was lost. Then I saw
+Enghien and his horsemen coming along like a whirlwind, bursting their
+way through the enemy's horse, and in turn driving them off the field.
+I hoped then that the battle was all over, and that the Spanish infantry
+would be allowed to march away; but no, my heart fell again when, time
+after time, our cavalry dashed up against them, and each time fell back
+again, leaving the slope behind them covered with dead men and horses;
+and I shouted aloud when I saw the artillery move up and the reserves
+advancing. As soon as I saw that the square was broken and a terrible
+melee was going on, I knew that all was over, and could restrain my
+impatience no longer, so I mounted my horse with, I may say, small hope
+of finding you alive, seeing that you rode behind Enghien, whose white
+plumes I could see ever in front of the line."
+
+"It has been a marvellous victory, Paolo, and there can be no doubt that
+Enghien has covered himself with glory. It was his quick eye that saw
+what there was to be done, his brain that instantly directed the blow
+where alone it could be effectual, and his extraordinary bravery that
+roused the enthusiasm of those around him to a point at which no man
+thought of his life. But for him it was a lost battle."
+
+"Well, master, I am glad that we have won the battle, but that is as
+nothing to me in comparison that you have come out of it safely, and I
+think, master, that we have a right to say that we helped in some degree
+to bring about the victory by discovering that ambuscade down in the
+hollow."
+
+"That had not occurred to me, Paolo," Hector laughed. "No doubt it was
+a fortunate discovery, for had the musketeers lain hidden there until we
+were beaten back after our first charge, and then poured their fire into
+us, it would doubtless have thrown us into some confusion, and might
+even have caused a panic for a while."
+
+"Now, master, if you will mount this horse I will be off and catch
+another; there are scores of them running about riderless, some of them
+belonging to the marshal's men, but many more to the Germans, and a few
+that galloped off riderless each time Enghien fell back."
+
+"Don't take one of those, Paolo; it might be claimed by its master's
+lackeys; get one of the best German horses that you can find. You might
+as well get two if you can, for I want a second horse while I am here
+with the prince."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX: HONOURS
+
+
+In half an hour Paolo returned leading two horses. By their trappings
+and appearance both had evidently belonged to officers.
+
+"Take off the trappings," Hector said, "then put a saddle on one for
+me; shift your own saddle on to the other, and picket your own with the
+spare horses of the staff, then we will ride over and get my saddle,
+bridle, holsters, and trappings. The horse has carried me well ever
+since I left Paris, and I am grieved indeed to lose it."
+
+"So am I, master; it was a good beast, but I think that either of these
+is as good, though it will be long before I get to like them as I did
+Scotty. We shall want housings for this second horse, master."
+
+"Yes; there will be no difficulty about that. There are scores of dead
+horses on the field; choose one without any embroidery or insignia. You
+may as well take another pair of holsters with pistols."
+
+Riding across to the spot where Enghien and his officers were forming up
+the prisoners, talking courteously to the Spanish officers and seeing
+to the wounded, Hector, leaving Paolo to find his fallen horse and shift
+his trappings to the one that he rode, cantered up to the spot where
+Enghien's white plume could be seen in the midst of a group of officers,
+among whom was General Gassion. He saluted as he came up.
+
+"I am glad indeed to see you, Captain Campbell," Enghien said warmly,
+holding out his hand; "I feared that you were killed. Some of my friends
+told me that you were struck down in the third charge, and that they had
+not seen you since and feared that you were slain."
+
+"My horse was killed, prince, and in falling pinned me to the ground,
+and being within thirty yards of the Spanish square, I lay without
+movement until you came back again and broke them. Then some soldiers so
+far lifted my horse that I could get my foot from under it, my servant
+found and caught a riderless German horse, and here I am unharmed."
+
+"Well, sir, at the time that you came up General Gassion was just
+telling these gentlemen that had it not been for you things might have
+gone very differently. Had you not discovered that ambush their fire
+would have been fatal to us, for we fell back, as you know, farther than
+the copse, and a volley from a thousand muskets would have played havoc
+among us, and after so terrible a repulse might well have decided the
+day against us. For this great service, rendered by you voluntarily and
+without orders, I as commander-in-chief of this army, with the full and
+warm approval of General Gassion, appoint you to the rank of colonel,
+a rank which I am sure will be confirmed by the queen's minister when I
+report to him my reasons for the promotion. General Gassion reports
+that the man who accompanied you on this reconnaissance was the same who
+followed you in the expedition to Turin. As he is not a soldier I cannot
+promote him, but I will order my chamberlain to hand him a purse of a
+hundred pistoles. When you return to Turenne, tell him that I owe him
+my best thanks for having sent you to me, and that, thanks to the aid of
+his teaching, you have been the means of preventing a great disaster to
+our forces."
+
+"I thank you, indeed, monsieur, for your kindness, and for promoting
+me so far beyond my merits, but I hope in the future I shall be able to
+still further prove my gratitude."
+
+"That is proved already," Gassion said, "for although every man today
+has fought like a hero, you were the only one in camp that suspected
+that the Spanish might be lying in an ambush, and who not only thought
+it, but took means to find out whether it was so."
+
+The next morning Enghien informed Hector that he was elected as one
+of the three officers who were to have the honour of carrying his
+despatches to Paris, and that he was to start in half an hour. Paolo,
+who was in the highest state of delight at the purse that had been
+presented to him the evening before, was greatly pleased with the
+prospect.
+
+"Heaven be praised, master, that you are not going into another battle!
+It was well nigh a miracle that you escaped last time, and such good
+luck does not befall a man twice. I have never seen Paris, and greatly
+do I long to do so. How they will shout when they hear the news we
+bring!"
+
+"It will not be altogether news to them, Paolo. La Moussaie, Enghien's
+intimate friend, who acted as his aide-de-camp during the battle, was
+sent off ten minutes after the fight ended with a paper, on which the
+prince had pencilled that he had utterly defeated the enemy. He will
+change horses at every post, and will be in Paris by this evening. We
+bear the official despatches, giving a full account of the battle, and
+of the total destruction of the Spanish infantry, with no doubt a list
+of the nobles and gentlemen who have fallen. Well, I should think now,
+Paolo, that when we have seen enough of Paris and we have journeyed down
+to Perpignan again, you will leave my service and buy a farm; you can
+afford a substantial one now."
+
+"What, master! I leave your service, where gold comes in in showers, and
+where one serves a master whom one loves? No, sir, I am not such a fool
+as that. I do not say that when the war is over I may not settle down in
+a snug home among the mountains of Savoy, but not until then; besides, I
+am but eighteen, and a nice hand I should make at managing a farm."
+
+"Well, get the horses ready at once and the valises packed. You can put
+them on my spare horse. The mule will scarce keep up with us, for we
+shall certainly travel fast, so you had best hand it over to someone who
+you think will treat it kindly."
+
+Twenty minutes later Hector, and two officers who had distinguished
+themselves especially in the battle, sat mounted before the tent that
+had now been raised for d'Enghien. The young prince himself came out.
+"Gentlemen," he said, handing the three sealed packets, "you will
+present these to the queen, who is now Regent of France, for Louis XIII
+died a week ago. They contain the despatches and reports of myself and
+General Gassion. Your packet, colonel," he added to Hector, "is General
+Gassion's report; it goes more fully into military details than mine.
+You, Monsieur de Penthiere, carry my despatches in reference to the
+battle of yesterday. You, Monsieur de Caussac, are the bearer of my
+plans for our future operations. I think that you will all agree with me
+that, after the battle we have won, we shall be able to make ourselves
+masters of Flanders with but slight resistance."
+
+The three officers bowed their agreement with the words.
+
+"I know not who is in power or on whom the queen chiefly relies for
+counsel, but should any questions be put to you, you will, I hope, be
+able to express the urgency of prompt action in this matter before the
+Spaniards have time to rally from the terrible blow that this defeat has
+inflicted upon them. And now, gentlemen, a rapid and pleasant journey.
+Orders were sent on last night that four sets of fresh horses should
+be in readiness along the road. They are my own horses, and good ones.
+Twelve troopers will accompany you; three of these will remain behind at
+each stage where you change, and the horses that you have used will be
+brought on at a more leisurely pace after you. They will readily find
+out in Paris where you are lodged, and I beg that you will retain the
+horses as a slight proof of my goodwill."
+
+Then he waved his hand and went into his tent again. The three lackeys,
+each holding a spare horse, were sitting in readiness for a start some
+fifty yards away. After a moment's conversation the officers rode up to
+them.
+
+"You must follow us quietly," one of them said. "For today you can keep
+up with us to the end of the first stage. Three fresh horses have been
+provided for us, for we ride without a stop to Paris. Three soldiers
+will there take charge of the horses we ride. When we go on you will
+follow quietly with the horses that you are now leading. It will be
+impossible for you to keep up with us."
+
+Then they placed themselves at the head of their escort of dragoons, the
+lackeys fell in behind them, and they started at a fast pace.
+
+"Do you know where the first relays are?" one of the officers asked the
+sergeant in charge of the escort, after they had ridden three or four
+miles.
+
+"The first is at Rethel, monsieur, the second at Rheims, the third at
+Chateau-Thierry, the fourth at Meaux."
+
+"Then we will ride on at once. You have your orders?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Whereupon the three officers quickened their pace. The distance to be
+traversed was about a hundred and thirty miles, and as they had five
+horses, including those they rode, each stage would average about
+twenty-six miles.
+
+"Now, gentlemen," de Penthiere said, "it seems to me that it would be
+a pity to founder fifteen good horses in order to gain an hour on this
+journey. The queen has already received news of the victory, or at least
+she will receive it some time today, therefore the details we bring are
+not of particular importance. It is now eight o'clock. If we were to
+gallop all the way we might do it in twelve hours. The roads in many
+places will be bad, and we must stop for meals at least three times;
+with the utmost speed we could hardly be in Paris in less than fifteen
+hours. Her majesty will scarce want to read long despatches at that
+time, and may take it that we ourselves will need a bath and a change of
+garments, and the services of a barber, before we could show ourselves
+in court. Had we been bearers of the original despatch, we might have
+gone in splashed from head to foot. As it is, it seems to me that if we
+present ourselves with our papers at seven in the morning we shall have
+done that which is necessary. What do you both say?"
+
+"I agree with you, de Penthiere. It would be a sore pity to injure good
+horses by galloping them at the top of their speed, to say nothing of
+knocking ourselves up. Had we been sent off from the field of battle I
+should have said, spare neither the horses nor ourselves. But indeed it
+seems to me that tomorrow morning will be quite early enough for us
+to present ourselves and our despatches. To tell you the truth, I have
+never ridden a hundred and thirty miles or so at the pace of a courier.
+I should say let us go at a reasonable pace, and get into Paris soon
+after midnight, which will give us time for some little sleep, and
+afterwards to make ourselves presentable. What say you, Colonel
+Campbell?"
+
+"I have no opinion, messieurs. I know nothing of the manners of the
+court, and if you think that tomorrow morning will be quite soon enough
+for us to deliver the despatches I am quite willing to fall in with your
+view. It is certainly a long ride, and as we marched hither we found
+that the roads were very bad, and certainly where the army has passed
+they are so cut up by the artillery and wagons that they are sure to
+be quite unfit for going at racing speed. Therefore I think that if we
+present ourselves at the palace early in the morning, we shall have done
+all that can be expected of us."
+
+It was indeed two o'clock in the morning when they arrived at the gates
+of Paris. Accustomed though they all were to horse exercise, the journey
+had been a very fatiguing one. Until night fell they had ridden briskly,
+talking as they went on the probable state of affairs in France and of
+the military operations that were likely to be undertaken as the result
+of the victory, but progress became slow after darkness set in. The
+roads were in many places detestably bad. In passing through forests it
+was not possible to travel much beyond a walk, as it was necessary not
+only to avoid overhanging arms of trees, but to keep the track, for the
+road in many places was nothing more.
+
+Once or twice they lost it altogether, and it was only when they hit
+upon the house of a peasant or a little village, and obtained a guide,
+that they were able to recover their road. Consequently all were
+thoroughly exhausted when they reached Paris. The gates were opened to
+them when it was understood that they bore despatches from the army.
+They made their way to the Hotel Conde. It was illuminated, for the
+prince had given a great banquet in honour of the victory won by his
+son; and although most of the guests had left long before, a party
+of the closest friends and connections of the prince were holding an
+informal council, when the word came to them that three officers had
+arrived with despatches from the Duc d'Enghien. The prince came down.
+Hector had dismounted without assistance, but the other two officers had
+to be lifted from their saddles.
+
+"Are you bearers of any special news, de Penthiere?" the prince asked;
+for the two young nobles were well known to him.
+
+"No, monseigneur, save that our despatches give full details of the
+battle."
+
+"What is our loss?"
+
+"It is very heavy," de Penthiere said. "Fully a hundred men of good
+blood have fallen. The loss principally fell upon the cavalry commanded
+by the duke, who three times charged the Spanish infantry, and only
+succeeded at the fourth attempt in breaking their square."
+
+"And the Spanish infantry?"
+
+"Every man was either killed or taken."
+
+"Glorious!" the prince said. "Well, I will not detain you now, for I see
+that you can scarce stand, and it would be cruel to keep you up, much as
+we desire to hear the particulars."
+
+"I think, monseigneur, that this gentleman, Colonel Campbell, is more in
+a condition to talk to you than de Caussac or myself."
+
+"I shall be happy to answer any questions," Hector said, bowing to the
+prince. "I have been campaigning for the last four years under Monsieur
+de Turenne, and am accustomed to long journeys and sleepless nights."
+
+"Thank you, colonel. We will not keep you up long."
+
+Some lackeys were ordered to assist the two young nobles to couches,
+and then Conde and his companions left the courtyard and entered a small
+saloon where they had supped two hours before. Some fresh bottles of
+wine and cold viands were at once placed upon the table. Hector drank
+off a goblet of wine.
+
+"Now, Monsieur le Prince, I will tell you all I know about the fight."
+And he gave Conde and his companions a brief sketch of the various
+movements and changes of the battle.
+
+"It was a hard fought field indeed," Conde said, "and the result is
+a glorious one for France. Now we will keep you no longer from your
+couch."
+
+"May I ask, sir, at what time we ought to present ourselves with the
+despatches at the palace?"
+
+"It will not be necessary for you to present yourselves before ten
+o'clock, for it was late last night before her majesty retired. Paris
+was wild at the news of the victory, and the reception at the palace was
+crowded. Still, I should say that at ten it would be well that you and
+your companions should attend there, though you may have to wait for an
+hour or more for an audience."
+
+At ten o'clock Hector and his companions presented themselves at the
+palace. Seven hours' sleep, a warm bath, and the services of the barber,
+who curled the hair of the two young nobles and sprinkled them all with
+perfume, did much to restore them, though they were all somewhat stiff,
+and every bone seemed to ache. They were kept waiting for half an hour,
+at the end of which time the door of the antechamber was opened and
+their names were called. The queen, who was still a beautiful woman,
+was standing talking to a gentleman, in whose attire there were but few
+symbols that would betray to a stranger that he was an ecclesiastic of
+high rank.
+
+"You are the bearers of despatches from the army, messieurs?"
+
+"We have that honour, your majesty," de Penthiere, who was the senior of
+the party, said. "We arrived from Paris at two o'clock this morning, but
+did not venture to disturb your majesty at that hour."
+
+"You did rightly," the queen said graciously. "We already knew that
+a great victory had been gained, and could afford to wait for the
+particulars. Do you each bear a despatch?"
+
+"We do, your majesty," de Penthiere said, producing that which he bore.
+"This, your majesty, is the general report of the Duc d'Enghien of
+the events of the battle. Colonel Campbell is intrusted with the more
+detailed description of General Gassion. Monsieur de Caussac's despatch
+contains the duke's views as to the carrying on of the campaign; these
+he submits to the judgment of your majesty and the council."
+
+Cardinal Mazarin stepped forward and took the three documents.
+
+"These we will peruse and consider at our leisure," the queen said, "and
+I shall, I hope, see you at my levee this evening. In the meantime I
+thank you for your service in having brought the despatches so speedily
+here, and am well aware that the fact that you have been chosen as the
+messengers of the commander-in-chief is in itself a proof that your
+share in the battle was in the highest degree honourable."
+
+She graciously held out her hand, which de Penthiere and his companions,
+dropping upon one knee, raised to their lips, one after the other.
+
+"You are aware of the contents of the despatches, cardinal," the queen
+said when they were alone.
+
+"Of their general scope, madam. The Prince of Conde did me the honour to
+call upon me at eight this morning. He had gathered a general account
+of the battle from the lips of that young Scottish colonel, who was the
+only one of the party who was capable of relating it, the others being
+almost speechless with fatigue, for the road from Rocroi hither is long
+and rough."
+
+"You may well say the young Scottish colonel, cardinal. He is but a
+youth, and it is strange indeed that he should already have attained
+that rank."
+
+"He has served for four years under the Viscount Turenne," Mazarin
+said, "and must therefore have had good opportunities of distinguishing
+himself. Still, it is seldom indeed that any save one of royal blood or
+of the very highest families obtains such a rank so quickly. Turenne,
+however, was himself a colonel after less than four years service."
+
+"Yes, cardinal, but he had the advantage of belonging to the family of
+an almost independent sovereign."
+
+"Conde said that he had himself asked the young man how it was that he
+had won it, and he replied that it was solely due to the kindness of the
+Duc d'Enghien, who had been pleased to consider a small service he had
+rendered as worthy of recognition. It is like enough, your majesty, that
+we shall see his name mentioned in one of these documents. It is certain
+that he would not have been chosen to carry the despatches--a duty which
+is regarded as a reward of the most distinguished service--unless he had
+done something of marked importance."
+
+The two French officers on leaving the palace at once went off to pay
+their respects in the first place to the heads of their families, and
+afterwards to visit the various circles and coteries with which they
+were connected, and where they would be sure of a flattering welcome and
+attentive listeners. Hector, for his part, rode direct to the quarters
+of the colonel of the Scottish regiment. A soldier came out and took the
+bridle of his horse as he saluted, while a sergeant asked what name he
+should announce.
+
+"Then you do not remember me, Sergeant Macfarlane?"
+
+The soldier looked at him earnestly. "Why," he exclaimed suddenly, "it's
+Hector Campbell!"
+
+"Right enough, sergeant."
+
+"You have changed mightily, sir; you were but a laddie when you went
+away nigh four years ago. The news came to the regiment that you had
+been made a captain, and proud we all were. The colonel will be right
+glad to see you," and he led the way into the house.
+
+"Then the regiment has not been on service just lately?"
+
+"We had two years on the Rhine; but we came back here last autumn.
+The Red Cardinal was not fond of us, but he knew that he could trust
+us--which is more than he could have done some of the regiments--so
+he had us back again; and we were not sorry, for it was but dull work
+there--sieges and nought else."
+
+He was just going to open the door of the inner room when Hector said,
+"You can announce me, Macfarlane, as Colonel Campbell."
+
+"Gude Lord," the sergeant ejaculated, "ye dinna say that ye are a
+colonel?" Then reassuming with a great effort his military stiffness, he
+opened the door and announced in a loud tone, "Colonel Hector Campbell."
+
+There was an exclamation of astonishment from the colonel and two or
+three officers who were sitting with him.
+
+"Why, Campbell," the former said, coming forward and warmly shaking his
+hand, "you are changed indeed, and you have come back to us almost the
+living image of your father when he first joined."
+
+The officers all shook hands with him warmly, and the colonel went on,
+"Macfarlane announced you as colonel, Hector, but surely you cannot have
+gained that rank?"
+
+"I only obtained it two days ago. You see it is a good thing to be a
+prince's aide-de-camp. Turenne, wishing to give me every opportunity of
+seeing service, sent me to Enghien with a message asking him to employ
+me on his staff."
+
+"And you were at Rocroi?" the colonel exclaimed. "What is the real news
+of the battle? It was given out officially last night that we had won
+a victory, and there are all sorts of rumours this morning in the
+town--they say that three officers arrived last night with full
+details."
+
+"I was one of the three, colonel; and I have just now come from the
+palace after handing my despatches to the queen."
+
+"Then it was Enghien who made you colonel?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, then, you must have done something marked, or you could never
+have got the rank. Why, he has half the young nobles of France in his
+train--he has not made them all colonels, I suppose?"
+
+"No, I suppose not; but we started early the next morning, and therefore
+cannot say what promotions were made."
+
+"Still they made yours, Campbell. When did they do that?"
+
+"Just after the fight was over."
+
+"Umph! and what for?"
+
+"Well, I luckily discovered that the Spaniards had set an ambush."
+
+"Come, come, let us hear all about it. Tell us the whole story of the
+fight."
+
+Hector gave all the details.
+
+"Well, it certainly seems to have been an extraordinary battle. Everyone
+appears to have been beaten in turn."
+
+"Not Enghien's command, sir."
+
+"Well, no; but when cavalry are repulsed three times with a loss, as
+you say, of nearly half their numbers, it is pretty well equivalent to a
+beating; and if Enghien had not been able to bring up the artillery and
+reserves, I take it that the third charge would have been the last.
+The ambush that you discovered was, I suppose, that of the thousand
+musketeers Enghien charged at the beginning of the fight."
+
+Hector nodded his assent.
+
+"Well, it is as well they were found out and surprised before the other
+part of the business began, or there is no saying how the battle would
+have ended. We heard you had got your company. Turenne himself was good
+enough, when he came here to confer with Richelieu that summer, to
+call at the barracks and to give me an account of the service you had
+rendered. We all agreed that the rank was well earned, and I have no
+doubt that this new step has been just as honourably gained. And how do
+you think matters are going?"
+
+"I know nothing about it, sir, beyond the fact that it was not a secret
+that Enghien and Gassion were both in favour of advancing at once into
+Flanders, and capturing the Spanish strong places before they could
+gather another army together."
+
+"No doubt that would be the best way, but I should doubt very much if
+Enghien will be allowed to carry out his plans. You see, the king's
+will, appointing a council to act in concert with Conde, Orleans, and
+the queen, has been set at nought. The queen is absolute regent, and
+Mazarin is her minister--just as Richelieu was minister of Louis. Of
+course this victory will put everyone in the best of temper, and make
+the way easy for Mazarin just at first, but a defeat would set all the
+cliques at work against him.
+
+"It is quite true that the defeat would not be his fault, but for some
+mysterious reason or other the French always hold the ministers, for
+the time being, responsible for military disasters. So long as Mazarin
+checks Enghien, and prevents his running any risks of disaster, things
+are likely to go on smoothly here, and you may be sure that he will
+give the prince no chance of either suffering a defeat or achieving a
+victory. You see, the prince and his father together might be a great
+deal too powerful for the cardinal. Everyone knows that Conde himself
+has never cared much for anything but his own interests. Enghien has
+the character of being the most impetuous and violent young noble of the
+day, and the fact that he forced this fight when, as is generally known,
+l'Hopital had the strictest orders not to risk a battle, makes it clear
+that Enghien has but little regard for authority.
+
+"You will see that Mazarin will not give him further opportunities of
+becoming the idol of France until he has assured himself that he can
+count upon his friendship. Mazarin is not Richelieu. The red cardinal
+won his way to the leadership of France by proving himself able to
+defeat all intrigues against him, and crush every enemy, even those of
+the most exalted position. Mazarin has no such antecedents. He is not
+even a Frenchman; he does not even look like a noble. That he is clever
+we may be sure, or Richelieu would not have recommended him as his
+successor. But I fancy that it is the cleverness of an adventurer, and
+however adroit, an adventurer, and especially a foreign adventurer, will
+not hold power in France very long without exciting the hatred of the
+community and the hostility of the nobles. However, I suppose you are
+remaining here for a time."
+
+"That I do not know. I would rather return at once to the camp. But I
+suppose I must wait for some intimation that I may do so. You see, I am
+altogether out of my element in Paris, and I should feel particularly
+uncomfortable at the court."
+
+"Who would you rather go to, Enghien or Turenne?"
+
+"Just at present there is more doing with Enghien than Turenne, and more
+to learn, otherwise I would far rather be with Turenne. Enghien's camp
+is too full of young nobles; and I should say that he would take but
+little trouble in keeping order and repressing license. Turenne is by no
+means unduly strict, but he enforces order, and sets us such an example
+of earnestness and attention to work, himself, that he has a right to
+expect the same, to some degree, of everyone under him."
+
+"Where are you staying?"
+
+"At the Hotel Conde. The prince was good enough this morning to ask me
+to establish myself there while I remained in Paris, and I could not
+very well decline his invitation."
+
+"I should think not," one of the other officers laughed. "In these days
+a powerful friend is of the greatest use. Without that one has not
+much chance of advancement. Not that I want advancement; I would rather
+remain as I am, a captain in the Scottish regiment, surrounded by good
+and loyal friends and comrades, than be made a general. Still, one likes
+to have a grumble sometimes at any rate."
+
+"Well, Home," the colonel said, "Hector Campbell is a proof that even in
+France merit will make its way. That Turenne should have taken a fancy
+to him in the first place was fortunate. But Turenne would surely not
+have promoted him to be a captain within three or four months of his
+joining except for the marked bravery and diligence that he told us
+he displayed at Turin; and I have no doubt that when we hear the
+particulars we shall find that this promotion now has been equally well
+deserved, for certainly Enghien is not likely to have gone out of his
+way to promote one altogether a stranger to him when he had so many
+young nobles round him, personal friends of his own, belonging to
+families whom he would wish to oblige. Of course you will, as one of the
+bearers of despatches, attend at the court this evening, Campbell?"
+
+"Yes, the queen said that she would expect to see us."
+
+"Of course; and you will be envied by every young courtier there. At the
+present moment Paris is half wild over the victory of Rocroi, and as you
+three will be the representatives of the army, specially selected
+for the share you had in the battle, you may be sure that you will be
+regarded with eyes of favour by every lady of the court."
+
+"Well, I should think it would be a great nuisance," Hector said
+gruffly. "Hitherto I have had nothing to do with ladies. There were very
+few with the Duchess of Savoy, and whenever there were receptions or
+state ceremonies of any kind, I was always ready to exchange with de
+Lisle or Chavigny, my fellow aides-de-camp. So that during the whole
+time I was there, I never but once or twice accompanied the general on
+such occasions."
+
+"Ah, you were younger then," Home laughed. "You have passed eighteen
+now, and, as you must know yourself, are by no means bad looking, with
+a certain air of freshness and simplicity that is so rare here in
+Paris that it will be regarded as refreshing and delightful after the
+flippancies of the court gallants."
+
+Hector laughed uncomfortably. "I could not take up flippancies, I am
+afraid. But what you say is true, Home; and if I had to remain at
+court, I suppose I should have to set to work at once to cultivate some
+affectation or other to counteract this simplicity of which you speak.
+However, thank goodness, I do not suppose that I shall stay here long.
+At any rate, it is lucky that I purchased a new court suit before I
+started to join the Duke of Enghien. Coming from Viscount Turenne I
+thought that I was bound to make a good figure among the crowd of young
+nobles round Enghien, but it made a large hole in my savings."
+
+"Do you mean to say that you had savings?" one of the other officers
+exclaimed. "Who ever heard of such a thing? I never have a pistole left
+in my pocket a week after I get my month's pay."
+
+"It is a very different thing living in Susa to living in Paris," Hector
+laughed. "I can assure you that I never spent more than half my pay;
+but living was dearer down in Roussillon. Things have been in such a
+disturbed state there for years that the country was well nigh a desert;
+and though my two comrades and I messed together, the living cost twice
+as much as it did at Susa. Shall I see any of you this evening at the
+palace?"
+
+"I shall be there," the colonel said, "and so will Home and Lesley.
+It is always expected that three officers from each of the regiments
+stationed in Paris, and five from the one that happens to be on guard
+for the evening, should attend the royal receptions. It will be a
+specially brilliant affair tonight, for the queen has held but few
+receptions of late. It was only announced yesterday afternoon, after the
+news of the battle arrived. Had it not been for that, the salons would
+not have been opened for another month."
+
+"I am very glad that there will be somebody there I shall know."
+
+"Don't flatter yourself that you are going to consort with us," the
+colonel laughed. "You will have to be presented to at least a score of
+court dames. However, fortunately, they will not expect the usual amount
+of compliments. They will be really wanting to hear of the battle, and
+most of them will be interested in some special friend with the army,
+and will want to inquire about him."
+
+"It will not be so bad, then," Hector said. "If I only have to talk of
+military matters I shall not mind, but it will be painful indeed if I
+have to give news of the death of anyone dear to the lady I am speaking
+to."
+
+"I don't think that you need fear very much about that. Enghien is
+pretty sure to have sent a list containing the names of any court
+gallants that have fallen, and their relatives will at once have been
+notified of it, and will not be present at the court. As to the others,
+who have merely lost lovers, they will not break their hearts over it.
+It is the fashion to change them so rapidly that probably not a few
+of the ladies will have consoled themselves for their absence already.
+However, to begin with, I daresay I shall be able to act as your mentor
+and guide, and point out to you who is who, so that you can avoid
+falling into serious errors. You see, there are half a dozen parties
+at court already. There are Mazarin's friends, who, by the way, are
+not numerous; there are the Duke of Beaufort's clique; there is Conde's
+party.
+
+"Madame Chevreuse's party consists largely of herself. She is a power,
+but at present no one can say with whom she will ally herself. Hitherto
+she has been simply anti-Richelieu, and was his most troublesome and
+bitter enemy; and I should say that not improbably she will at once
+begin to conspire against Mazarin as she did against him. She has been
+the queen's greatest ally; but then the queen was always a bitter enemy
+of Richelieu, whereas at present it is supposed that she is strongly
+in favour of Mazarin. In a few months the situation will clear itself,
+parties will become defined. No doubt Enghien's victory will add to the
+power and importance of Conde, who is already dangerously strong; then
+matters will become interesting. At present the situation is somewhat
+chaotic, and politics will not be openly and generally discussed, simply
+because no one knows what anyone else's opinion may be."
+
+"Well, then, till the evening I will say goodbye, colonel. I am going
+to have a chat with Sergeant MacIntosh, and shall then return to Conde's
+hotel. I suppose I shall be expected to take my midday meal there."
+
+"It would be as well to do so certainly, even though it is like enough
+that he himself will not be there. He is the prince of schemers, and
+doubtless at present his thoughts are concentrated on the manner in
+which he and Enghien can best gain advantages from the victory."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X: AN ESTATE AND TITLE
+
+
+On entering the Scottish Soldier, Hector found that, as he hoped, the
+cabaret was deserted, for it was the hour at which the regiment was
+assembled for drill. It would have been a little embarrassing for him
+as a colonel to come upon a number of private soldiers at the cabaret.
+Separately he might have chatted with each, but a general greeting when
+a number of them were there together would have been embarrassing.
+
+The old sergeant as he entered ran up to him. "Well done, my lad, well
+done! 'Tis a delight to me indeed to know that you have so grandly made
+your way, and already won the rank of colonel."
+
+"Why, how did you know, MacIntosh?"
+
+"The guard at the colonel's was changed just after you went into his
+quarters, and you may be sure that they lost no time in spreading the
+news that you had returned, and returned a colonel. In ten minutes this
+place was as full as it would hold, and there was such a crowd outside
+the door that a sergeant-de-ville came in to inquire what was the
+matter, thinking, perhaps, that the regiment was in mutiny. I was right
+glad when I heard the trumpet sound the assembly a few minutes ago, and
+they had to rush off in a hurry, for I felt that it would be awkward for
+you were you to come in when they were all so excited."
+
+"Yes, I was glad myself when I found that they were gone. I regard every
+soldier in the regiment as my friend, and would shake hands with them
+now as heartily as I did when I went away near four years back, but I
+myself felt that it would be somewhat embarrassing were I greeted by
+them wine cup in hand. Here are twenty pistoles; say that I left them
+here for them to drink my health on my promotion, but that I shall be
+so busy during the day or two that I remain in Paris that I shall not be
+able to pay another visit here. Now let us have a quiet talk together,
+and give me all the news of the regiment."
+
+"Perhaps, colonel--"
+
+"Oh, you need not call me colonel, MacIntosh, when you and I are
+together alone. I am what I was--Hector Campbell, the lad to whom you
+showed so much kindness for his father's sake. Yes, I will tell you one
+or two of my adventures, and you shall come round to me tomorrow morning
+at seven o'clock at the Hotel Conde, and we will stroll out together,
+and sit down in the gardens of the Palais Cardinal, and you shall then
+tell me about the regiment, who have gone, and what changes there are."
+
+"That will be best," the sergeant said. "We did hear something of how
+you were made captain. Turenne was good enough to tell the colonel, and
+so some of it came down to us, but of course it was very little. The
+men would like to hear all about it and about this battle at Rocroi, at
+which, of course, you must have in some way distinguished yourself to be
+appointed colonel at your age."
+
+Hector gave him a full account of the battle. "The special thing for
+which I was promoted," he said, at the finish, "was that, the night
+before, it struck me that there might be an ambush set in the copses
+in the hollow between the two armies. So far as I could see, no efforts
+whatever had been made either to occupy the woods or to find out if the
+enemy had done so; so I went with my servant, who is a capital fellow,
+and we made our way into them, and discovered a regiment of musketeers
+hidden there. Of course I reported the fact to General Gassion, and
+he told the prince. So, before attacking the enemy's lines, the prince
+charged right along the wood and destroyed the musketeers there. If he
+had not done so, they would have taken him in rear when he was hotly
+engaged with the Spaniards, and might have changed the fate of the
+battle."
+
+"Certainly they might," the sergeant said. "A volley from a thousand
+muskets from the rear would well shake even the best cavalry. It was a
+happy thought of yours indeed."
+
+"Any merit there is in it was due to Turenne, who had carefully
+instructed me in everything that could be of importance when two hostile
+armies faced each other; and as he would never have dreamt of retiring
+to rest before having every place where an enemy could conceal himself
+carefully searched, it seemed to me a matter of course that it should be
+done. However, General Gassion and the prince were both good enough to
+consider that the service was a vital one, and as soon as the battle was
+over the prince gave me my promotion."
+
+"And it was well earned, lad, well earned. And now about that affair at
+Turin."
+
+"It could not have been better done, Hector," the old soldier said in
+high delight when the story was told. "I used to think that you spent
+more time than was necessary in reading over accounts of battles and
+sieges, but I see that the time was well spent. You may be sure that I
+will be with you at seven tomorrow morning," he added as Hector rose to
+leave, "though I expect I shall have a heavy night of it here, for there
+will scarcely be a man in the regiment who won't come round and stay to
+hear the news. I warrant that by this evening there will not be a sou
+remaining out of the money you have left for them."
+
+Hector arrived at the hotel just in time for the midday meal, and was
+pleased to find that Conde himself was not present. He and his two
+companions were placed at different points at the great table, so that
+as many as possible could hear the story of the battle. After the meal
+was over, Hector was glad to leave the salon, and in company with a
+gentleman of the household, who had volunteered to be his guide, spent
+the afternoon in visiting the principal sights of Paris, of which he had
+seen but little when a boy in barracks. The hotels of the nobles, each a
+fortress rather than a private building, interested him greatly, as
+also the streets in which the principal traders lived; but he was
+unfavourably impressed with the appearance of the population in all
+other parts, and could well understand what his guide told him, that it
+was dangerous in the extreme for a gentleman unattended to pass through
+these quarters.
+
+At six o'clock he sat down to the evening meal at Conde's, after which,
+having attired himself in his new suit, he repaired with de Penthiere
+and de Caussac to the Louvre. It was eight o'clock when they entered,
+the reception rooms were already full, and the brilliancy of the
+attire, both of the courtiers and ladies, seen by the light of great
+chandeliers, was impressive in the extreme to one who had never seen any
+gathering of the kind before. There was a little pause in the buzz of
+conversation as the three officers entered, and Hector's two companions
+were at once surrounded by friends, while he himself was joined by
+Colonel Maclvor and the other two officers.
+
+"You are the heroes of the evening, Campbell," the former said with a
+laugh. "A dozen ladies have already asked me to present you to them."
+
+"Well, please don't do so just now, colonel; let me look round first."
+
+"That is but fair, Campbell. First, though, I will tell you a piece of
+news that I have just heard. The queen sent off a messenger two days
+ago to Turenne, and it is believed that he is to have the command of the
+army on the Rhine."
+
+"That is good news indeed," Hector exclaimed. "It is high time that he
+should be given a command, instead of being always put under men less
+capable than himself. Still, it is unexpected at the present moment."
+
+"I know that the queen always had the greatest liking for Turenne," the
+colonel said, "but of course until now she has had no power. Moreover,
+I fancy that the appointment is to some extent dictated by policy. Conde
+is already dangerously powerful; Enghien's victory will, of course,
+largely add to his influence. No doubt some large estates will be given
+to the latter, such a service cannot be ungenerously rewarded, but
+it will be thought unadvisable to give him at present further
+opportunities. Conde is old, and his son, who is certainly ambitious and
+hotheaded now, will be even more powerful than his father has been. Were
+he to win more victories, and to become a popular idol, his power might
+well overshadow that of the throne. Therefore it is likely enough that
+my news is true. Turenne has proved that military duty is with him
+supreme, for he held aloof from all the troubles in which his brother
+the duke has involved himself, and he may act as a counterpoise to
+Enghien. I fancy that the latter's plan, which, as you have told me,
+would lead to a conquest of Flanders, will not be adopted. It would not
+have been so in Richelieu's time. The red cardinal would not have lost a
+moment in ordering him to march into Flanders, thinking only of the good
+of France, and disregarding the fact that continued successes might lead
+to his own power being shaken."
+
+"And you do not think that Mazarin will act in the same way?"
+
+"I think not. Of course at present not much is known about him. He
+affects the greatest humility, is almost obsequious to the great nobles,
+and even professes to be anxious to return to Italy as soon as his
+services here can be dispensed with. But I expect that he will in time
+occupy as great a position as that of Richelieu, but that he will hold
+it by craft rather than strength is, from the look of the man, likely
+enough. For myself I should say that it is infinitely better for France
+that an ecclesiastic like Richelieu or Mazarin should be at the head of
+affairs, than that the great nobles should all struggle and intrigue for
+power, ready as they have shown themselves over and over again to plunge
+France into civil war for the attainment of their aims. Ah, here comes
+the queen!"
+
+The door at the end of the salon opened and Anne entered. By her side
+walked the young king, a little behind were Orleans and Conde, Beaufort
+and Bouillon, while, following them, with an air that was almost humble,
+came Mazarin. The queen and the young king were dressed in violet, the
+mourning colour of the court, and the ladies present all wore shades of
+that colour relieved by white. All present formed themselves into
+two lines, through which the queen walked. She acknowledged the deep
+reverences, and the little king bowed repeatedly. Anne of Austria was
+one of the most beautiful women of her time, and although the charm of
+youth had disappeared, her stateliness of bearing made up for this loss,
+and Hector thought that he had never seen so lovely a woman.
+
+As soon as they had passed into an inner apartment known as the audience
+chamber the lines broke up, and a buzz of conversation and light
+laughter followed the silence that had reigned as the procession passed.
+The court, indeed, felt a general feeling of relief at the death of
+Louis. Although well meaning and desirous of doing good, the life of the
+monarch had not been a happy one. His health had never been good, and
+although he had the wisdom to see that in supporting Richelieu, and in
+every way adding to his authority, he was acting for the good of France,
+the knowledge that he himself was little more than a cipher galled
+and irritated him. His disposition was a jealous one, and as the great
+minister knew that Anne of Austria was ever his opponent politically, he
+worked upon this feeling, and embittered the lives of both the king and
+queen, and the latter was the constant victim of the king's jealousy and
+caprices.
+
+These things, combined with the ascetic temperament of the king, had
+rendered the court of France a dismal one, and the royal salons formed
+a strong contrast to the brilliancy of those of Richelieu. Now the king
+was gone, and there was a general feeling of relief among the nobles
+and ladies of the court. It might be that stormy times were ahead, and
+indeed it was no secret that Conde, Beaufort, and many other nobles were
+already united against Mazarin. They called themselves "The Importants,"
+a term well suited to their own idea of their power, and of the position
+they aspired to as the natural leaders of France.
+
+"Madame de Chevreuse wishes you to be presented to her," Colonel Maclvor
+said to Hector. "Everyone knows her reputation; she is the cleverest
+woman in France, and one of the most intriguing. She is the queen's
+greatest friend, and has been her mainstay in her struggle with
+Richelieu. Of one thing we may be sure, that she will not tamely see
+Mazarin step into his place, and she has, it is whispered, already
+thrown herself into the arms of 'The Importants,' and if anyone can
+persuade the queen to throw over the cardinal it is she."
+
+With a slight shrug of his shoulders Hector followed the colonel to a
+group of three or four ladies seated upon some fauteuils.
+
+The colonel stopped before one of these, and bowing deeply said,
+"Duchess, I have the honour to present to you my compatriot, Colonel
+Campbell, who arrived here this morning with despatches from the Duc
+d'Enghien."
+
+Madame Chevreuse, like the queen, was still a beautiful woman. She was
+petite, and possessed a face whose fascination few could withstand.
+She was the most restless of intriguers, and was never so happy as when
+engaged in conspiracies which might cost her her estates and liberty.
+
+"Why, Monsieur Campbell," she said with a smile, "I had looked to see
+a fierce warrior, and, lo and behold I find one who, by his appearance,
+will be far more in his element at court than in the field."
+
+"Then appearances must greatly belie me, madame," Hector said; "for
+while I may say that I am at home in a military camp, I feel sorely ill
+at ease here, and I feel I would rather face an enemy's battery than so
+many beautiful faces."
+
+"That is not bad for a beginner," the lady said with a smile, "but
+methinks you will soon get over that fear, for there is nothing very
+dangerous in any of us. The Duchesse de Longueville," and she motioned
+to the lady next to her, "is as desirous as myself that you should be
+presented to her, and that she should hear from your lips somewhat more
+of the doings of her brother than she has yet learned."
+
+Hector again bowed deeply. The sister of Enghien was as ambitious for
+her brother's sake as he was for his own self, and she was his potent
+ally in the troubles of the times.
+
+"Enghien was wounded," she said. "Monsieur la Moussaie left the field
+directly the battle was won, and could tell me little about my brother's
+injuries."
+
+"He received three wounds, duchess, but happily none of them were
+severe, and he was on horseback on the following morning. It seemed
+miraculous to us all that he should so escape, for he rode ever ahead of
+us in the charges against the Spanish square."
+
+"You were acting as one of his aides-de-camp? I do not remember having
+seen your face before."
+
+"No, madame. I have been for the past four years on the staff of the
+Viscount de Turenne, and have not left the army during that time. The
+general had the goodness, seeing that there was little doing in the
+south, to send me to learn what I could from the operations of the
+duke against the Spanish. He sent me a letter of recommendation to your
+brother, who kindly appointed me to the same position under him that I
+had occupied under Turenne."
+
+"Did you find the ladies of Italy very lovely?" Madame de Chevreuse
+asked suddenly.
+
+"In truth, madame, I had but small opportunities of judging, seeing
+that, unless when sent with some message from the general to the Duchess
+of Savoy, I do not think that I exchanged a single word with a woman
+during the whole of my stay there."
+
+Madame de Chevreuse, and the Duchesse de Longueville, and all the ladies
+sitting round, smiled.
+
+"Then you have very much to learn, Colonel Campbell," Madame de
+Chevreuse said. "You will find plenty of ladies in the court here who
+will not object to give you lessons."
+
+"I trust, madame," Hector said bluntly, "that there will be little
+opportunity for me to take lessons as to the manners of the court, for I
+hope that my stay here will be short indeed."
+
+"That is a most ungallant speech," the younger duchess said, laughing,
+"and shows indeed the truth of what you have said as to your ignorance
+of women. Do you not know, sir; that it is an unwritten law at court
+that every gentleman here must be at the feet of one fair lady?"
+
+"I suppose that, had I been brought up at court," Hector said, "I should
+not be more insensible than others; but when one passes three-quarters
+of one's time on horseback, and that under a commander like Turenne, who
+sets us all an example in the matter of endurance and watchfulness, one
+has small leisure indeed for aught else, and indeed is glad enough to
+seek one's bed as soon as the day's work is done."
+
+"If you are another Turenne," Madame de Chevreuse laughed, "I give you
+up. He is the most insensible of men. His head contains but one idea,
+and that is duty; and as to us poor creatures, he is as insensible as
+was St. Anthony."
+
+At this moment the door that separated the salon from that of the queen
+opened, and the names of Monsieur de Penthiere and Monsieur de Caussac
+were called. The two officers at once passed into the inner room.
+
+"You are either left out in the cold, monsieur le colonel, or you will
+have the honour of a separate audience," Madame de Chevreuse said.
+
+"As I have been rewarded far above my merits for any service that I
+have rendered," Hector said quietly, "it is probable that the queen has
+nothing to say to me. She was pleased to receive me very graciously this
+morning, and gave me her hand to kiss, and I assuredly have no right to
+expect any further favours."
+
+In a few minutes the two officers came out, both looking radiant, the
+queen having graciously presented them with the titles to two estates. A
+minute later Hector's name was called, and he went off, with a deep bow
+to the ladies and a murmured apology for leaving them.
+
+"A loyal spirit, surely," Madame de Chevreuse said; "bizarre, of course,
+and at present simple as a child. Moreover, I should say that the
+atmosphere of the court will not infect him as it has the others. It
+is refreshing to meet with one who, although he must have distinguished
+himself vastly, is still modest and simple, without a shadow of conceit
+or of self consciousness. He spoke as frankly to us as if we were two
+waiting maids at a cabaret. However, men of that stamp may always be
+made useful, and I would rather have the devotion of a young officer
+like that, who is, I should say, likely to rise to high rank, than that
+of half a dozen men ready to lay their hearts at the feet of the first
+comer, and who are as ready to change mistresses as sides."
+
+By this time the door had closed behind Hector. The queen was sitting
+on a sofa, with the little king by her side. Mazarin stood a pace behind
+her. Conde and Orleans had a short time before gone out, and had mingled
+with the crowd in the antechamber, and the courtiers present, who were
+all members of her council, stood some distance in the rear.
+
+"We have had time, Colonel Campbell, to read our despatches, and can now
+estimate the service that you rendered the Duc d'Enghien and our army.
+General Gassion, or I should say Marshal Gassion, for he has today been
+raised to that rank, speaks of the value of that service in terms of the
+highest eulogy, and indeed says frankly, that had it not been for your
+voluntary expedition and the discovery by you of the Spanish ambuscade,
+it is probable that we should have suffered a defeat instead of a
+victory. The duke speaks no less strongly in your favour. I can remember
+that when the Viscount Turenne was here three years ago, he told us how
+a young Scottish officer on his staff had saved Turin to us by a most
+daring enterprise, by which he informed the garrison of the citadel that
+help would soon reach them, and mentioned that for that service he had
+appointed Monsieur Campbell a captain. You are Scottish by birth, are
+you not?"
+
+"I am, your majesty, by birth and descent. My father was a captain in
+the Scottish regiment, and fell at the siege of La Rochelle. I was, I
+may say, adopted by the regiment, and had the good fortune to be trained
+in arms from a child, and the still greater fortune to attract the
+attention of the Viscount de Turenne, who, young as I was, obtained a
+commission for me and appointed me to his staff."
+
+"Well, young sir, the viscount rewarded you for the great service that
+you rendered him at Turin; the Duc d'Enghien has similarly rewarded you
+for your service to him at Rocroi; but it is ours to reward you for
+your services to France; and Cardinal Mazarin will, in my name, hand you
+tomorrow the estate of de la Villar, in Poitou, which carries with it
+the title of Baron de la Villar. A soldier who has rendered such service
+to us cannot be allowed to remain a soldier dependent on his pay, and
+I am sure that should need arise you will do me as good service as you
+have rendered to Turenne and Enghien."
+
+"Your majesty is too good and gracious," Hector stammered, overcome
+by this sudden and unexpected reward; "but be assured, madame"--and he
+recovered himself, and his voice was steady--"should there be need, I
+will willingly lay down my life in your majesty's service, and in that
+of the king, your son."
+
+"Which means also," the queen said gently, "in that of my minister, who
+may need faithful friends even more than we do, and under whose advice
+we have now acted."
+
+"Assuredly, madame. Cardinal Mazarin is your minister, and as long as
+he possesses your confidence he represents France in my eyes, and I will
+render as faithful service to him as to yourself."
+
+"Well spoken, baron," the queen said graciously. "Henceforth I shall
+count you as among my friends." She held out her hand for him to
+kiss, as did the little king, and after a deep bow to them and to the
+cardinal, Hector left the audience chamber still almost bewildered by
+the honours bestowed upon him.
+
+Hector made his way through the crowd to the side of Colonel Maclvor,
+the general verdict of those who watched him being that he had not met
+with the same good fortune as those who preceded him, but that for some
+reason or other he had been reprimanded.
+
+"Well, lad," the colonel said, "what fortune have you met with? Judging
+by your face, either the queen or the cardinal have failed to recognize
+the service that you have rendered."
+
+"Upon the contrary, colonel, they have so heaped favours upon me that
+at present I can scarcely realize my good fortune, and feel almost
+humiliated that so much should have been given for what was a mere
+matter of duty and attended by no great peril."
+
+"What have they done, then, Campbell?"
+
+"Well, colonel, absurd as it seems even to myself, the queen has
+graciously bestowed upon me the estate of la Villar, by which gift she
+says I become as its owner the Baron de la Villar."
+
+"That is fortunate indeed, my dear Campbell," the colonel said, heartily
+shaking him by the hand. "It shows that the duke and Gassion were of
+the same opinion that we expressed, namely, that your discovery of that
+ambush was the chief factor in bringing about the victory of Rocroi."
+
+"But it was such a simple thing," Hector said. "It was merely a
+reconnaissance, such as I have made scores of times in Italy."
+
+"No doubt, Campbell; but you see the other reconnaissances did not lead
+to any results, while this did. My dear lad, it is by results that
+men are judged. That you, a young officer on Enghien's staff, should
+unbidden, and, as you say, as a matter of duty, have undertaken such a
+business, shows how thoroughly you have profited by your teaching under
+Turenne; and as such you deserve what you have gained, though I do
+not say that you would have obtained your desserts had not your
+reconnaissance saved Enghien from defeat. Now I will take you to Madame
+de Chevreuse again. She beckoned to me after you entered the audience
+chamber, and told me to bring you up again when you came out, as she and
+the Duchesse de Longueville had taken a great fancy to you. Now, my
+dear boy, your position is changed. You have become a French noble, and,
+however unwilling, may find yourself mixed up on one side or the other
+with the doings of your court. Both these ladies have power, and it is
+well to keep in with them, for either of them might prove a valuable
+friend and protector, and the first rule here is make as many friends as
+possible, for no one can say when you may require them."
+
+Hector again followed the colonel to the group of ladies.
+
+"Madame," Maclvor said, "I have the honour to present you--"
+
+"Why, have you not presented him to us already?" Madame de Chevreuse
+said with a laugh. "Your memory must be singularly short, colonel."
+
+"My memory is not short, madame, but it is a somewhat different
+personage that I have now to present to you. Madame, I have the honour
+to present Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar."
+
+Both ladies uttered an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Why, what has he done, colonel?" the duchess exclaimed. "It must have
+been some remarkable action, surely, for him to be made colonel by my
+brother and Baron de la Villar by the queen."
+
+"In the opinion of the Duc d'Enghien and General Gassion, duchess, he
+performed a service that to a large extent brought about the victory of
+Rocroi. My young friend is at present not beyond the age of modesty,
+and therefore if you will allow me I will state the circumstances. Under
+General de Turenne he was in the habit of constantly visiting the posts
+at night with the viscount or alone, and endeavouring to discover the
+position and intentions of the enemy. The night before the battle he
+started voluntarily to perform the same duties, and, accompanied only
+by his servant, he crept into a wood that lay between the two armies
+and there discovered a thousand musketeers who were lying in ambush. He
+reported the discovery to General Gassion, who on his part informed the
+duke of this most important intelligence, for it was evident that, had
+the ambuscade been unsuspected, they would have taken the cavalry in
+the rear at the critical moment of the battle, and would have opened so
+heavy a fire that even the bravest of cavalry, thus surprised and
+shot down by an unsuspected foe in their rear, might have fallen into
+confusion. Being forewarned, the duke directed his first charge upon
+the wood, took the musketeers by surprise, and annihilated them, before
+charging and routing the enemy's horse. Thus you see, ladies, that we
+have another illustration of the mouse saving the lion, and the lion was
+generous and noble minded enough to give the mouse full credit for the
+service that he had rendered him."
+
+"Then we have good reason to be grateful to you, monsieur le baron,"
+Madame Chevreuse said, laying aside the bantering tone in which she
+had before addressed the young Scot, "and her majesty has done well
+to reward your loyalty, for the estate is a fine one, and has remained
+without a master since Richelieu brought its last owner to the block
+for having, as he affirmed, conspired against the king--that is to
+say, against himself. You have begun well indeed, sir. Henceforth the
+Duchesse de Longueville and myself may be counted upon as your friends.
+And now," she said, changing the subject abruptly, "as you say that you
+are anxious to be off, with whom will you serve, with Turenne or with
+Enghien? For I hear that Turenne has been sent for to take the command
+of the army of the Rhine."
+
+"I belong to Viscount Turenne," Hector said. "It is to him that I owe
+everything. He picked me up a rough boy, with no recommendation save
+that my father died fighting for France, and that I was more addicted to
+military study than most lads of my age, and that, as he was good enough
+to say, I reminded him of his own boyhood. It was owing to his kindness
+and his tuition that I have now made my way, and it was still further to
+increase my military knowledge that he sent me for a time to serve under
+the Duc d'Enghien. Therefore, much as I admire the glory that the duke
+has gained, and recognize his extraordinary genius, I feel that duty and
+gratitude alike bind me to my great master."
+
+"Quite right," the Duchesse de Longueville said warmly. "I am sure that
+my brother will approve of your decision. He admires Turenne as much as
+you do, and regards him as his master in military science, and it may be
+perhaps that one of these days you will take part in a battle in which
+my brother and Turenne will both have command."
+
+"If it be so, madame," Hector said, "there can be little doubt of
+victory, for with the two greatest military geniuses France has produced
+during the last hundred years it would be hard indeed if victory did not
+attend their united banners."
+
+The news of the honour that had been bestowed upon this young colonel
+circulated rapidly through the salon, and many gentlemen came up and
+begged Colonel Maclvor to introduce him to them. One who had received
+so marked a proof of the queen's favour, and who had won the praise and
+goodwill of both Turenne and Enghien, might well become in time a man of
+mark, and so many compliments were showered upon Hector that he was glad
+indeed when the queen again passed through the room on her way to her
+apartments and he was at liberty to retire. He walked slowly back to
+Conde's palace, went up to his room, changed his court suit for that
+which he had worn during the day, and then went out again, feeling
+that it would be hopeless to attempt to sleep. He paced backwards and
+forwards for some hours on the quay, thinking of the changes that three
+days had brought about.
+
+He could scarcely realize even now, that he who a week ago was but a
+captain with nought but his pay, was now not only a colonel but a noble
+of France, with an estate of whose value he was ignorant, but as it
+carried with it a patent of nobility it was evident that it must be one
+of dimensions sufficient to support the title. The change excited no
+feeling of exultation. His whole thoughts so far had been directed
+solely to his career as a soldier. He had hoped that some day he might
+win a colonelcy; more than that he had never thought of. High commands
+in France were matters of birth, interest, and connection. Gassion, who
+had just earned his marshal's baton, was the sole exception to the
+rule. Hitherto generals, and still more marshals, had always been men
+belonging to the first families of France. It had been a matter of
+course that when an army went to the field it was under the command of
+a prince of the blood, and the utmost an outsider could look for was the
+command of a regiment. The promotion had delighted him, not for the sake
+of the pay or position, but because, if he obtained the command of one
+of the regiments that were rapidly being formed to meet the dangers that
+threatened France, he would have opportunities of doing good service
+and of earning the esteem of such men as Turenne. His civil dignity,
+however, oppressed rather than gratified him. He would have heavy
+responsibilities. When not on active service he would be expected to
+show himself at court, and would have a difficulty in holding himself
+aloof from its intrigues and conspiracies. His thoughts turned to
+Scotland. He had relations there, it was true, both on his father's and
+mother's side, but they were strangers to him. Moreover, Scotland at
+present was torn by a civil and religious war. In England a civil war
+was raging, and the extreme party in Scotland, having got the upper
+hand, had allied themselves with the English parliamentarians, and the
+cause of the king was well nigh lost.
+
+The Scottish officers and men in the French service had for the most
+part left their homes owing to the bitter religious differences of the
+times, and, under the easier conditions of the life in France, had come
+to look with disgust at the narrow bigotry of the Scottish sects, a
+feeling heightened perhaps by the deep resentment that still prevailed
+in France at the insolence with which Knox and the Scottish reformers
+had treated their princess, Queen Mary. Among the French officers the
+feeling was wholly in favour of the royal cause in England. The queen
+was French, and had France herself not been engaged in warfare numbers
+of the young nobles would have gone over and drawn their swords in her
+cause, and Hector would gladly have done the same.
+
+For the time, at any rate, he had no idea whatever of returning to
+Scotland. If better times came he had often thought that, if successful
+in winning a competency, he would return to his native land, for his
+close connection with the Scottish regiment kept alive in him his
+feeling of nationality, and he always regarded himself as a stranger in
+France. The estates and title now bestowed upon him seemed to put this
+hope further away than ever, and to fix him permanently in France, a
+contingency more disagreeable to him the more he saw how completely
+France was dominated by faction, and how unstable were the conditions of
+life there. His musings, therefore, as he walked up and down for hours,
+were very different from those which most young men would have felt at
+so great and sudden a change in their fortunes.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI: THE CASTLE OF LA VILLAR
+
+The next morning he called at eleven o'clock, at which hour the
+cardinal's secretary had informed him that Mazarin would expect him.
+He went to the abode of the minister. Mazarin received him with marked
+courtesy.
+
+"Here are the deeds appointing to you the estate of la Villar and your
+patent of nobility," he said, pointing to a box upon his table. "You
+have been singularly fortunate, sir, and from all inquiries that I have
+made from officers who have served with Monsieur de Turenne, and, I may
+say, from Colonel Maclvor, I hear nothing but good of you, as a soldier
+devoted to duty, as a young man free from the vices and dissipations too
+common among those of your age, and as possessing intelligence as well
+as courage. Such men, sir, even royalty does well to attach to itself,
+and for them a splendid career is open. I, high as is the office in
+which Providence has placed me, may well envy you. You fight against the
+enemies of France; I am surrounded by enemies open and secret, and the
+war is no less earnest than that which Turenne and Enghien are waging.
+
+"The great nobles of France are jealous that I, a foreigner, should
+have the ear of the queen, and be first minister of the country. Gladly
+indeed would I resign my position and return to my bishopric in Italy,
+were it not that I promised the great man to whose place I have so
+unworthily succeeded, that I would do my best for the country on whose
+behalf he spent every hour of his life, and that I would, unless driven
+from it by force, hold the seals of office until the young king should
+be old enough to rule France unaided. You, baron, are like myself a
+foreigner, and ready to risk your life in the service of France, and
+you will understand how I am situated and how I feel. You, happily
+for yourself, are not so highly placed as to excite enmity, although
+doubtless not a few of those who flocked round you yesterday evening to
+congratulate you on your good fortune felt a sensation of envy that a
+young soldier of fortune should be so honoured.
+
+"In my case envy is accompanied by the deepest animosity. The great
+nobles find me an obstacle in the way of their grasping power, and they
+would hesitate at nothing to rid themselves of me. Were it not for the
+support of the queen, my position would be untenable even for an hour.
+Without me the queen herself would speedily become as much a cipher as
+she was so long as the weak king reigned. We have need, both of us,
+of men of heart and devotion such as I take you to be. I ask for no
+engagements, sir, but I felt that there was a genuine ring in your voice
+yesterday evening when you promised faithful service to her majesty, and
+I feel that if such service is needed you will be ready to render it."
+
+"I shall indeed, your eminence. I cannot conceive that any circumstances
+can occur that would render such aid as I could offer of service to you,
+but be assured that should such an occasion arise, the queen may count
+upon me to render it to the extent of my life; and when I say the
+queen I, of course, include your eminence as her trusted adviser and
+supporter."
+
+"Well spoken, sir. I believe your words, and it may be that the occasion
+is not so far distant as you may imagine. Here is the box, sir. By the
+way, it will, I am sure, be a pleasure for you to know that her majesty
+has the intention of creating the Viscount de Turenne field marshal as
+soon as he arrives in Paris."
+
+"It is indeed, monseigneur; never did a soldier better earn such honour.
+There, indeed sir, is a true and noble heart, loyal to his duty beyond
+all things, adored by his soldiers, ready to serve under officers
+altogether inferior to himself, incapable of jealousy, and devoted to
+his sovereign and his country."
+
+"You do not speak too warmly of him," the cardinal said; "and among all
+the difficulties of the situation there seems to be but one fixed
+point, and that point is that upon Monsieur de Turenne we can at least
+confidently rely."
+
+Hector felt that his audience was at an end, and taking the box from the
+table, and again thanking the cardinal for the honour bestowed upon him,
+he retired. The cardinal's chamberlain met him at the door. "Will you
+step in here, monsieur le baron?" he said, and led the way into a small
+apartment. "As a stranger to the court, monsieur, you are probably
+unaware of the value of the gift that has been granted to you, or of its
+duties and obligations."
+
+"Altogether, sir; beyond the fact that it is in Poitou, which her
+majesty mentioned yesterday, I know absolutely nothing about it."
+
+"Without being an estate of the first class," the chamberlain said, "it
+is one which is of importance in its province. The revenue is punctually
+paid and is amply sufficient to enable its lord to make a good figure at
+court, and to rank among the notables in the province. It is a fief held
+directly from the crown; its owner is bound to furnish feudal service
+of twenty-five mounted men and twenty-five arquebusiers, or, should he
+prefer it, fifty horsemen in all. Some of its owners have in times of
+peril raised a force of thrice that strength. So you will see that the
+Lord of la Villar is not an unimportant personage. The estate is held at
+present by a royal intendant. You will find in that box an order for him
+to place you in possession of the castle and estate whensoever you may
+present yourself, and as at the present moment your services can be
+spared from the army, it might be as well to visit it at once, if only
+for a few days. Possibly the cardinal did not inform you that he has
+ordered that the regiment that has been just recruited shall bear the
+name of the regiment of Poitou, and has appointed you to its command."
+
+This news gave much greater pleasure to Hector than did the gift of the
+fief, or the rank that accompanied it.
+
+"Will you please give my earnest thanks to his excellency," he said,
+"and assure him that he can depend upon my devotion."
+
+When Hector returned to the Hotel Conde he found that the soldiers who
+had started with him from Rocroi had all arrived, bringing with them the
+twelve horses that had been left on the road; four of these were to be
+handed over to each of the officers. The division was just being made as
+he entered the courtyard, each officer taking the four he had ridden by
+the way.
+
+Paolo at once came up to him. "What are we to do with these horses,
+master?" he asked, with an air of bewilderment.
+
+"We have now seven of them, counting mine, the one I led, and that you
+rode when you set out."
+
+"I must see where I can bestow them for the present until we think the
+matter over;" and going up to one of Conde's officers, he asked him if
+he could recommend a place where he might leave safely four horses for a
+time.
+
+"The auberge of the Pome d'Or is but a street from here, monsieur; it
+has good stables, and the host is an honest man, which is not often the
+case with men of his class. When the stables here are full the prince
+often engages extra stalls there for the use of his guests. I will send
+four men with the horses at once, if such is your pleasure."
+
+"You will greatly oblige me by doing so," Hector replied. Having seen
+the horses safely and comfortably lodged at the inn, Hector returned to
+the hotel with Paolo.
+
+"You are not tired, I hope, Paolo?" he asked as they walked back.
+
+"No, master; we have taken three days to do what you did in one, and
+have fatigued neither ourselves nor our beasts."
+
+"That is well, for I am going to start on a journey this afternoon, that
+is to say, if I can manage to make my arrangements."
+
+"May I ask where you are going, master?"
+
+"You will be surprised to hear that I am going to visit my estates in
+Poitou."
+
+Paolo looked sharply up to see whether Hector was joking. Seeing that he
+looked serious, he said hesitatingly, "But I did not know, master, that
+you had estates in Poitou. I never heard you speak of them."
+
+"Because I had them not, Paolo. That box that you are carrying holds the
+titles. The fief was granted to me last night by the queen herself, the
+Duc d'Enghien and General Gassion having been good enough to make a good
+deal more of that night adventure of ours than it deserved. The estates
+carry a title with them, and I am now the Baron de la Villar."
+
+Paolo gave an exclamation of delight. "Well, master, I am glad indeed;
+but," he went on in a changed tone, "now that you, monsieur, have become
+a noble, you will no longer require the services of a lad from Savoy."
+
+"Indeed I shall, Paolo, as long as you choose to remain with me. Why,
+have you not shared with me in the adventures, one of which made me a
+captain, and the other a colonel and a noble? Of course I shall have
+other servants, but you will always be my bodyservant and companion."
+
+"And are you going to leave the army, monsieur?" Paolo asked, after
+pouring out his thanks.
+
+"No, I shall still remain in the army. Turenne will be in Paris soon,
+and will then go to the Rhine to take the command there, and I hope to
+go with my regiment."
+
+"Then you have a regiment, master?"
+
+"Yes; one of the newly formed regiments has been named the regiment of
+Poitou, and I am to have the command. Of course, it may be sent either
+to him or to Enghien, but I hope that it will be to Turenne; and I
+should think so, because from what I hear there is scarcely any army
+left on the Rhine, and therefore it is probable that the new regiments
+will all be sent there, as Enghien's force is quite sufficient to cope
+with any enemy he is likely to meet with in Flanders. Now, I am going
+down to the barracks, and for the next two or three hours you can amuse
+yourself by taking a look at Paris."
+
+It was not to the barracks that Hector made his way, but to The Scottish
+Soldier.
+
+"I did not expect to see you so soon again, colonel. Your man brought me
+word that I was not to come this morning, as you would be engaged," the
+sergeant said when he entered.
+
+"Yes, but our talk was only postponed, sergeant; now I want you to aid
+me in a matter that I have on hand."
+
+"What sort of matter is it?"
+
+"I want to find four good men to take into my service. The queen has
+granted me an estate, as if a colonelcy was not an ample and more than
+ample reward for discovering that ambuscade. It is the fief of la Villar
+in Poitou, and the most absurd point of the thing is that with it is a
+title, and I am now Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar."
+
+"Well, well," the sergeant exclaimed; "you will be coming and telling me
+next that you are going to marry a princess of the blood. Did one ever
+hear of such things! However, Hector, lad, I congratulate you with all
+my heart, and I am as glad as if it had been a bairn of my own that had
+had your good fortune. Now, in what can I help you about the four men?
+What sort of men do you want?"
+
+"I want four good men and true, sergeant, men that I can rely upon. I
+shall want them to ride with me in the field as orderlies, for I have
+been appointed to the command of an infantry regiment. Of course, I
+should like young and active men, but that they should be steady and
+accustomed to arms is still more important."
+
+"I know but few men outside the regiment," the sergeant said. "The
+laddies like to have the place to themselves, and I don't encourage
+others about; but if you can do with good men who have somewhat passed
+their prime, but are still capable of service and handy with their arms,
+I know just the men that will suit you. We had a little bit of trouble
+in the regiment a week since; four of the men--Allan Macpherson, Jock
+Hunter, Donald Nicholl, and Sandy Grahame--came in after tattoo, and all
+a bit fu'. It was not here they got it, though; I know better than
+to supply men with liquor when it is time for them to be off to the
+barracks. Captain Muir, who is the only dour carl in the regiment,
+happened to be on duty, and he spoke a good deal more hardly to them
+than to my mind there was any occasion, seeing that they are good
+soldiers and not in the guardroom more often than others. They answered
+him more freely, no doubt, than they would have done had they not been
+in their cups.
+
+"They were had up before the colonel the next morning. They had all
+served their time, and having been greatly angered at their treatment,
+they at once up and told the colonel that they would take their
+discharges. The colonel would have pacified them, but Captain Muir stood
+out strongly, and said that if such insolence as theirs was allowed to
+go unpunished it would be a bad example indeed for the regiment; so
+the colonel paid them up to the day and gave them their papers. It has
+caused a lot of feeling in the regiment, as you may guess, and the men
+all groaned and booed when Muir came on parade the next day, and it was
+as much as the colonel himself--whom they all love as a father--could
+do to silence them. It is said that he spoke very sharply to Muir
+afterwards, and that it is likely the captain will get transferred to
+another regiment. However, that is too late for the men who have left.
+Their comrades are going to get up a subscription to send them back to
+Scotland, for you may be sure the hotheaded fools have not a bawbee of
+their pay laid by."
+
+"I know them all, sergeant, and I should say they would be the very men
+to suit me; they are all strong and hearty fellows, and might have
+been good for another ten years campaigning if it had not been for this
+business. Can you send for them?"
+
+"They will all be here in half an hour for their meal," the sergeant
+said. "They are lodged upstairs, for you may be sure that they would
+come to me; and even if I kept them for six months, I should not have
+lost much when I reckon what they have spent here during their service.
+I have no doubt they will jump at the offer; for they were mere lads
+when they came over--it was your father who sent for them--and I know
+that they reckon they will find none of the old folk when they return
+home. And now what are your estates like, lad?"
+
+"I know very little about them at present, beyond the fact that I am
+bound by my feudal obligations to put fifty men in the field when called
+upon to do so."
+
+"Then it must be a place of good size," the sergeant said. "And you hold
+it direct from the crown?"
+
+Hector nodded.
+
+"That is good. When you hold from one of the great lords, you never know
+whom you may be called upon to fight against--it may be the king, it may
+be his minister, it may be some other noble--while holding direct, you
+have only the king's enemies to fight against."
+
+"Or rather, MacIntosh, the chief minister's enemies; for, after all,
+when a king signs a proclamation, it is usually a minister's signature
+that ought to be attached to it."
+
+"Well, well, Master Hector, it makes little difference to us Scots who
+it is that we fight for, it is no quarrel of ours. We have taken service
+under the King of France; but when there are two parties, and each
+claims to be in favour of the king, we have simply to fight for whoever
+happens to have the king's signature. If they both have it, then it
+is the general who commands our division who gives us orders, and it
+matters nought to us whom he takes his orders from."
+
+"At any rate, MacIntosh, it is not for soldiers to inquire too deeply
+into these matters; if we did, we should have one half of the regiment
+firing into the other."
+
+"So we should, lad, so we should; therefore we soldiers do wisely in
+leaving the matter to our officers. If the colonel says 'Charge!' we
+charge; if he says 'Dismount and take to your musketoons!' we do so,
+without troubling our heads as to whether it is Germans or Spaniards or
+Frenchmen whom we have to aim at. Ah, here come your four men!"
+
+As the four troopers entered the cabaret and saw who was speaking to
+MacIntosh they hesitated, and would have turned, but the sergeant called
+out, "Attention! salute!" and they stood as motionless as statues till
+Hector ordered them to stand easy.
+
+"I have been talking about you men to Sergeant MacIntosh, who tells me
+that you have taken your discharge and the reason for your so doing. I
+think that you acted hastily; however, that is your affair. The matter
+that concerns me is this:--I am appointed colonel of an infantry
+regiment and I want four good men as orderlies. They will be mounted,
+and I shall see that they draw rations when there are any rations to be
+had; but they will be my troopers and not soldiers of the regiment. I
+want good men, who can be relied upon in any emergency; they will ride
+behind me in battle, act as scouts if necessary, and they will receive
+double the pay of ordinary troopers. In peacetime, or when the regiment
+is in winter quarters, I shall pass my time either in Paris or on my
+estate in Poitou, and they will of course accompany me. I may tell
+you that I am now Baron de la Villar, but I should wish to be always
+addressed as Colonel Campbell. I know you all of old, and that your only
+failing is somewhat too great a love for the wine flask; that must only
+be indulged in at times when you are not only off duty, but when there
+is no possibility of your services being required. Now, what do you
+think, men; will my service suit you?"
+
+"That it would, sir," burst from them simultaneously.
+
+"Of course, there will be some other advantages beyond that of pay. When
+the time comes that you get beyond active service in the field, I shall
+be able to provide you with easier posts at la Villar, and there you
+will find a comfortable home in your old age, if you prefer to stay with
+me rather than to return to Scotland."
+
+"No further word need be spoken, colonel," Allan Macpherson said; "we
+are your men, and shall be proud to follow you, were there no question
+of pay at all, but just our rations and a home to look forward to when
+our arms get weak and eyes dim."
+
+"Then, men, if so say you all, the service begins from the present time.
+You have your armour and headpieces, your doublets and jackboots,
+so there is not much to buy. I have horses ready for you. You have
+pistols."
+
+"Yes, we have all pistols and swords, colonel, but the musketoons
+belonged to the regiment."
+
+"There will be no occasion for you to carry them. Get for yourselves
+four long cloaks well lined and serviceable--'tis best that they should
+be all of a colour, dark blue or gray--and broad hats to match the
+cloaks; have in each a small red feather. I would that you should make a
+decent show, for we shall start in two hours for Poitou. Here are twenty
+crowns. See that you have ammunition for your pistols. Be at the Hotel
+Conde in two hours from the present time. Your dinner here is ready for
+you, eat heartily, but do not drink too deeply in honour of your new
+service.
+
+"Now, MacIntosh, I have a word or two further to speak to you."
+
+They went into an inner room.
+
+"Now, old friend, are you tired of this life of keeper of a cabaret?
+because I shall want you down in Poitou. Your house was mine when
+I sorely needed it, and mine shall be yours now. You are as yet but
+fifty-five, and I take it that you can do a man's work still, for you
+no longer suffer from that wound that disabled you ten years ago. Now,
+I shall require someone to drill the fifty men who will form my
+contingent, if all vassals of the king are called upon to take the
+field. Of course they will not always be under arms; most of them will
+be the sons of tenants, or substitutes provided by them, and will only
+give two or three days' service a month. It is probable, however, that
+half will be regular retainers at the castle. I know nothing about the
+castle at present, or how large it is, or whether it is defensible or
+not; still, it was spoken of as a castle, and 'tis, I suppose, one to a
+certain degree.
+
+"At any rate, I desire that if I do put a troop in the field they shall
+be as well drilled and as well equipped as are the Scottish regiment of
+musketeers. I suppose that there must be an official to act as my agent
+when I am away, and to act as castellan, but in any case the captain of
+my troop will be in charge of all matters connected with its defence.
+Now, old friend, the post is yours if you like to take it. As a soldier,
+none can be better fitted for the post than a sergeant of the Scottish
+regiment; as a man, there is no one I could rely on better than you.
+Your duties would not be heavy, your position an honourable one. The
+castle would be your home as well as mine, and when I am there you would
+have the four troopers to crack with."
+
+"Your offer is a most kind one," the sergeant said, "but I must think
+it over in all lights before I answer. I should miss the company of the
+lads, but already many of my old comrades are gone; most are still in
+Paris earning with difficulty their bread, some are under the sod, some
+have returned home. Every year the number who rode with me lessens. They
+will be countrymen, but no longer comrades. Certainly I have no thought
+of returning to Scotland, the people are ower gude for me; besides,
+the country is all in a stir and the folks are flying at each other's
+throats. I wudna go back, not if they offered me a barony. Then, on the
+other hand, I misdoubt me how I should feel among strangers--I don't say
+foreigners, for I have been so long here that as far as tongue goes I
+am as much French as I am Scottish. Still, I would rather be forming
+troopers in your service than drawing stoups of wine, and the young
+soldiers do not regard me as the old ones did, and grumble if I will
+draw them no more. Most of all, I should like to be with you and in your
+service, and to know that I had a home in my old age."
+
+"That you will have whenever you come to claim it, MacIntosh, whether
+you accept my offer or not. However, I think that what you say is best,
+and that it would be well for you to think the matter well over and give
+me no answer until I return. I should be sorry indeed if, after giving
+up your place here and going down to Poitou, you should regret the
+exchange. Therefore, we will leave it so. And now I must be going; we
+must postpone our chat over old times and the regiment until I return."
+
+On returning to Conde's hotel Hector found Paolo awaiting him.
+
+"Paolo, you must go out and buy six horse cloths and five housings; let
+them be fairly handsome. I have taken four old soldiers into my service,
+and should wish their horse appointments to be fit for troopers in one
+of the royal regiments, but without any insignia or cognizance, say
+maroon with yellow braiding. I shall also want four valises for the men,
+and bags for carrying forage. You can wrap up the housings that came
+with the horses; they all bear Enghien's cognizance, and this must be
+removed before we can use them. The men can strap them behind their
+valises. Were there pistols in the holsters?"
+
+"Yes, master, they were just as when you rode them."
+
+"It was a princely gift," Hector said, "for the horses are all splendid
+animals. Have you packed up my things?"
+
+"Yes, master, they are all ready for placing on the sumpter horse. I
+bought a dozen of good wine, thinking that you might need it on the way,
+for some of these country auberges keep but poor stuff."
+
+"We are getting luxurious all at once," Hector laughed. "How about my
+armour?"
+
+"That is also packed up. I thought that you would not care to ride
+heavily accoutred."
+
+"Certainly not. Which of the horses do you take to be the best?"
+
+"Certainly the one you rode in upon is the best, master, but all four
+are grand animals. The two I picked up on the battlefield are fine
+animals also."
+
+"It does not make much matter which I ride now, Paolo; we shall have the
+opportunity of seeing which has the most fire and endurance as we ride
+along; and at any rate I shall keep Enghien's four horses for my own
+riding, keeping two with me and leaving two behind at the castle. I
+shall buy four strong and serviceable horses for the troopers when I get
+my first rents, for in sooth my purse is beginning to run very low."
+
+"Possibly, master, when you look in the armoire in your room you may
+find something to replenish it. One of the cardinal's servants brought a
+packet for you. I stowed it away and locked the door of your room."
+
+"Well, there is no time to lose, Paolo, so see at once about the matters
+that I have told you. Here is sufficient money to buy the other goods."
+
+"Here is the key of the room, sir."
+
+Having seen Paolo hurry away, Hector went up to his room. In the armoire
+he found the packet, which was a heavy one. Opening it, he found a
+letter and a bag sealed with wax. The letter was from the intendant
+general. It was directed, "A Monsieur le Baron de la Villar."
+
+"It does not look as if it could be for me," Hector said, with a merry
+laugh. Breaking the seal he found:
+
+By the order of Monseigneur Cardinal Mazarin, first minister of the
+crown, I enclose the last half year's rents of the estates of la Villar
+received by me from the royal intendant in charge of the said estates
+three weeks since, to defray the necessary expenses that must be
+incurred by you between the period of your taking possession and, of
+receiving the next half yearly payment of rents.
+
+Enclosed with this was a formal permit, giving a month's leave of
+absence to visit his estates, "To Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar,
+commanding the Poitou regiment."
+
+"Very nice and thoughtful on the part of the cardinal," Hector said,
+"and, moreover, very seasonable, for I was wondering how I should pay
+the retainers at the castle and my four troopers until the rents began
+to come in. By the time I had paid the usual fees to the servants here,
+and the expenses of the journey to Poitou and back, I should have been
+almost penniless, and should have been obliged to borrow from someone
+on the strength of my coming rents, which would have been a very bad
+beginning."
+
+After bidding farewell to Conde, and thanking him for his hospitality,
+Hector started immediately the midday meal was concluded. His cavalcade
+made a good show as he rode through the streets of Paris, with the four
+orderlies behind him, splendidly mounted, followed by Paolo leading
+another fine horse carrying baggage. The journey was an uneventful one,
+and on arriving at the castle of Villar, Hector was received by the
+royal intendant. It was still a place of considerable strength, standing
+on the crest of a hill. It had been kept in a good state of repair by
+the intendant, and could offer a stout resistance to anything short of
+an army provided with a powerful battering train. On making a tour of
+the estate Hector found that here, as throughout France, an immense
+amount of distress existed, owing to the crushing taxation rendered
+necessary by the war; he made minute inquiries of the intendant of the
+circumstances of the various tenants of the estate.
+
+The officer was about to return to Paris now that his commission was
+ended, but as he had a son who had acted as his assistant, Hector
+appointed him in his stead, charging him to press no one unduly. He
+placed under his care the domestic arrangements of the castle, retaining
+the servants who had been there under the royal officer. There was
+only a permanent garrison of twelve men, but this could be raised to a
+hundred were the tenants of the estates driven to take refuge within the
+walls. The expenses of keeping up the castle were not large. The rivers
+afforded an abundance of fish, and the forests on the mountainsides
+sheltered an ample supply of game. Considerable numbers of half wild
+sheep and two or three herds of cattle grazed on the domain round the
+castle, and there were eight good horses in the stables, besides a score
+of others on the hills. Most of the holdings had vineyards, and were
+bound to furnish a certain amount of wine to the castle, and as the
+consumption had been small since the estate was confiscated, the cellars
+were full. Hector told the steward that the command of the castle itself
+would be taken by an officer whom he would send down from Paris, who
+would have control in all matters save in the management of the estate.
+
+Before leaving, he called all the tenants together and told them that,
+seeing how heavily the royal taxes pressed upon them, he should remit
+half their annual payments until better times came, and also the fine of
+a year's rent which they would in the ordinary course of things pay
+on the appointment of a new lord. The news filled the poor people with
+delight.
+
+"I shall, however," he went on, "expect that you will render fully and
+willingly the military service you are bound to give according to the
+tenure of your holdings. In a short time my castellan will arrive here;
+he will have instructions from me to make the service as little onerous
+as possible, and that you shall each furnish your quota of men at times
+when it may be most convenient for you. I shall, however, expect fifteen
+men added to the strength of the garrison. These can be changed every
+eight weeks. All the men capable of bearing arms will come up for
+training one or two days in each month. I trust that you will never be
+called upon to defend the castle, but I would have it always kept in
+such a state that were troubles to arise you could all, with your wives
+and families, find refuge here and be able to defend yourselves against
+all attacks.
+
+"Next winter I shall have the fortifications strengthened. I know that
+you are bound to furnish horses and carts for so many days in the year.
+I shall want this work performed, but you will be paid both for your own
+work in building, and for your carts and horses; and as it will be done
+at a time when there is little farm work on hand, this will be a benefit
+to you, and the wages will be deducted from the payments that you have
+to make."
+
+Loud cheers rose from the men, who were overjoyed on learning that their
+new lord was inclined to deal so generously with them, and especially
+that the fine, which many of them would have found it impossible to pay,
+was to be altogether remitted. Having completed all his arrangements
+Hector returned to Paris, mounting his men on four of the horses he
+found in the stables, and leaving at the castle two of those which
+Enghien had given him, and the two Paolo had caught on the field of
+battle. He arrived on the evening of the day before his leave expired,
+put up at the auberge of the Pome d'Or, and early the next morning took
+his way to The Scottish Soldier.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII: THE POITOU REGIMENT
+
+
+"Well, MacIntosh," Hector said as he entered the cabaret, "have you
+made up your mind? The castle is a strong one, and I mean to make it
+stronger. The air is good and so is the wine, and I am sure that you
+will find the duties pleasant.
+
+"If you go I think it would be as well that you should take a couple of
+your old comrades--you said there were many of them in Paris--with you,
+to act as your sergeants, drill the tenants, and see that all goes on in
+order. It will be pleasant for you to have two of your old friends with
+whom you can talk over past times."
+
+"I had decided to accept your offer, Hector; but certainly this would
+have decided me had I not already made up my mind. That was the one
+drawback, that I should be among strangers, but with two of my old
+friends I should not feel lonely. There is Sholto Macfarlane, he was in
+my troop. He lost a hand from his musket bursting three years ago, and
+now makes his living by helping the boatmen unload at the quays. Then
+there is Kenneth Munroe. He was invalided after a bad attack of fever in
+Flanders, and now teaches the broadsword exercise at a fencing master's
+place at St. Denis. They would both jump at the offer if they only got
+free lodgings and keep."
+
+"Then that is settled, MacIntosh. I am heartily glad of it. Now the
+sooner you get down there the better."
+
+"Well, I can go at once. Sergeant Morrison is taking his discharge at
+the end of the week. He is a married man with a helpful little wife. I
+was telling him of the offer that you had made me, and he asked me what
+I would take for the cabaret. It is a good business, and having a wife
+he could manage it better than I can. I said that if he had a fancy for
+it I would rather that he took it than another; and he would do better
+than a Frenchman would, for the lads would not care for the place unless
+it was kept by one of the regiment. He asked me what were the profits. I
+told him.
+
+"'Then I am afraid that you would want a bigger sum than I could pay,
+MacIntosh,' he said. 'I have been a saving man, especially since I first
+thought of marrying, and I have laid by half my pay for the last eight
+years; but that would not go far towards the purchase of the place, for
+your profits in a year are as much as my savings of eight years.' So I
+said to him, 'Well, we will get the place valued. You will want half the
+money that you have saved to stock it well, the other half you shall pay
+me down; and I will give you five years to pay the rest, you paying me a
+tenth part every half year.'
+
+"Well, sir, we struck a bargain on that. The place has been valued, and
+on Saturday evening Morrison will come straight in and take it over. He
+is a popular man in the regiment; and as he is only just leaving it he
+is known to them all, while there are not above a quarter of the men who
+knew me as a comrade in the old days."
+
+They then had a long talk over the sergeant's new duties, and Hector
+gave him a plan of the new fortifications that he had drawn out,
+together with full instructions how they were to be carried out.
+
+"The steward will arrange all about the tenants coming to work, and the
+proportion of labour that each will have to give. As I have told you, he
+will manage all details of that kind, look after the indoor retainers,
+and see to the food. You will have entire control of the garrison,
+of the tenants who will come to drill, and of the works on the
+fortifications. You will find the steward a very pleasant and agreeable
+young man. He will take his meals with you. I have chosen a room for
+you, and you can have another near it for your two sergeants. You can
+pay them at the same rate as sergeants of the regiment receive, and
+I need hardly say that the position will be a good deal better. As
+commander of the garrison and castellan of the castle you will be called
+Captain MacIntosh, and as such you will be named in my letter appointing
+you to the post, and I propose that you shall receive the pay of
+captain."
+
+"The pay is immaterial, lad, I have been nigh twelve years here, and
+have laid by enough to keep me comfortably all my life, and as, so far
+as I can see, there will be nothing to spend down there, I don't know
+what I should do with pay."
+
+"That is nonsense, MacIntosh. You must draw the pay, and spend it as
+you like, or save it. You must remember that I may be killed in the next
+battle I go into, and as I have no heirs the king will give the fief
+to someone else. The newcomer might like myself have some friend who he
+might appoint castellan."
+
+"It would make no difference," the other said. "In addition to what I
+have saved I shall have the price of the cabaret."
+
+"That is not to the point, MacIntosh. The steward has instructions to
+hand you your money monthly, while the garrison will be paid weekly. If
+you choose to throw the money into the fosse, that is your own business,
+mine is to see that my castellan is paid. I am going over at noon
+today to St. Denis, where my regiment is quartered, but will ride in on
+Saturday. You must buy three horses for yourself and your sergeants; get
+good serviceable animals.. I have told the steward to repay you their
+cost when you arrive there; he has monies of mine in hand for all
+purposes."
+
+Hector then went round and had a chat with Colonel Maclvor, and returned
+to the auberge, where the troopers and Paolo had the horses already
+saddled. He mounted and rode with them to St. Denis, putting up at an
+hotel. He found where the regiment of Poitou were stationed and at once
+proceeded there on foot. Two or three officers were chatting together in
+the barrack square, while some sergeants were drilling the companies.
+
+He at once went up to them. "Gentlemen," he said, "I must introduce
+myself to you. I am Colonel Campbell; I have the honour to command the
+regiment. I shall be glad if you will order the officer's call to be
+sounded and send orderlies off at once to the lodgings of the officers
+and ask them to assemble. To whom have I the pleasure of speaking?"
+
+The senior officer introduced himself and the others. Report had told
+them that their new colonel was still a young man, and that he had
+served with distinction under both Turenne and Enghien, but they were
+not prepared for so young a commander as this. The French regiments had,
+as a rule, two colonels, the one a veteran soldier, who had won his
+way to the rank by long service and long fighting, the other a young
+nobleman who had gained the post solely by family influence, but
+possessed no knowledge whatever of military matters, and who was never
+with the regiment except when it went upon a campaign, and even then
+generally preferred the pleasures of Paris to the hardships of war. Had
+Hector been appointed to what was called the second no surprise would
+have been felt at his youth, but that anyone should have gained the
+position of first colonel at his age by sheer merit was astonishing
+indeed to them. In twenty minutes the officers were all assembled and
+introduced by the senior captain to Hector.
+
+"We will not begin business now," the latter said. "My leave of absence
+does not terminate until tomorrow morning, and I think that it is much
+more pleasant to talk over matters comfortably round a table than it is
+to do so in a set manner. Therefore, gentlemen, if you will all sup with
+me this evening at the Fleur de Lis, after we have finished our meal
+we will talk over our wine. My opinion is that officers of a regiment
+should be good comrades. The regiment benefits by it, and everything
+goes on more smoothly and comfortably. This is specially so in a
+newly raised regiment, where the officers either are altogether new to
+military matters, or join from other regiments, and have no previous
+knowledge of each other. In the same way the men are all new to each
+other, and to their officers. Unless there is perfect harmony among the
+officers, there cannot be perfect harmony in the regiment.
+
+"If one officer looks after the comfort of his company, and treats them
+as he should do, while another company is neglected and left solely
+to the care of the sergeants, there will necessarily be envy and ill
+feeling. The regiment will cease to be a unit. I may say, gentlemen,
+that this is the dictum not of myself, but of Marshal Turenne, who was
+my instructor in the art of war, and who followed out the better system
+from the time that he was a boy of fourteen until now. The result is
+that his regiment is the finest in the service. It will be my aim and
+ambition to raise the Poitou regiment as nearly as possible to the same
+condition, and I shall rely upon your assistance and cooperation to
+bring this about.
+
+"Supper will be served at six. I have only just returned from the
+country, and have heard no news. I suppose that no intimation has been
+received as to what is our destination and whither we shall march?"
+
+"None whatever, colonel," de Thiou, the senior captain, said.
+
+"All the better. I hope that they will give us a couple of months to get
+into shape. There is but little time for drill and discipline when we
+are once in the field."
+
+So saying he saluted the officers and returned to the hotel.
+
+"Who would have thought of seeing a mere lad placed at the head of the
+regiment as colonel," one of the captains said. "I cannot imagine how
+such a thing can have come about, for certainly he can have no family
+influence. A newly raised regiment like ours wants a bright man, one
+that all can look up to and respect."
+
+"I fancy that you will find that this young gentleman will be
+respected," de Thiou said. "He is young and pleasant looking, and
+whatever he is I should say that he is levelheaded, and that he has
+an infinite fund of firmness and resolution. I should certainly advise
+nobody to take advantage of his youth. I have seen more service than
+any of you, and had my family possessed any influence at court, I should
+have been a colonel by this time. Unless I am greatly mistaken we shall
+find that we have a man, a good man, and a strong one. Do you think
+that he could have won his way to a regiment at the age of twenty unless
+there had been something quite unusual? I was talking the other day with
+one of Gassion's staff, who has come back until the wound that he got
+at Rocroi is healed. He told me that Gassion--and France has no better
+soldier--said publicly after the battle that the victory was largely due
+to this young friend of ours, and that had it not been for him things
+might have gone altogether differently; and he said that Enghien, proud
+and ambitious as he is, frankly admitted the same thing. Of course I
+can only go upon what I have seen of him, but from what he said, and
+the manner in which he said it, I am convinced that we could not get a
+better chief than this young colonel. I believe that he will make it a
+comfortable regiment to be in, but I also believe that those who oppose
+him will find that they make a grievous mistake."
+
+The next day Hector took up in earnest the work of organizing the
+regiment. In the first place he insisted that the officers should learn
+their drill; then, that instead of handing over the practical command of
+their companies to their sergeants, they should themselves command them
+on the drill ground, look after the discipline and comfort of the men in
+barracks, and become personally acquainted with the character of every
+man under their command. Many of the sergeants were inefficient; these
+were speedily deprived of their rank, and men of good conduct and
+zeal appointed to their places. The regard of the men was won by his
+insisting that the contractors for their food should send in meat and
+bread and wine of the quality that they had guaranteed to supply.
+
+Three officers were told off every day to examine the quality of all
+food sent in; any reported as being bad was examined by Hector, and if
+the complaint was well founded, was at once condemned. Great attention
+was paid to the cooking, to the cleanliness of the barrack rooms, and
+to many other details that had until then been entirely neglected. There
+were at first some grumblers, not only among the men, but among the
+officers as well; but the extraordinary and rapid improvement in the
+efficiency of the regiment, its appearance and condition, was such that
+these were not long in recognizing that although the work was hard, no
+unnecessary labour was imposed upon them, while, as their knowledge of
+drill increased the work became easier and less irksome. All recognized
+that by far the hardest worker in the regiment was the colonel himself.
+Every morning for the first month he himself drilled the officers in a
+courtyard that was not overlooked, and when they all knew their work,
+sent them to take charge of their companies. Until he considered the
+officers competent, he drilled the companies by turn, and when drill was
+over, made a tour of every room in the barracks, visited the kitchen,
+and conversed freely with the men, listening to any complaints.
+
+At first the number of men brought up for drunkenness was large. The
+first offence he always condoned, giving the offender a lecture on
+the folly of his conduct and of the discredit that it brought upon the
+regiment. For the second offence a man was confined to barracks, and
+forced to wear his coat inside out even at drill. The ridicule that the
+men had to suffer was worse than any punishment inflicted upon them, and
+no case occurred of a third offence. By turns the three officers of each
+company dined with him, and, chatting with them as a friend, he not only
+gained their liking but made himself acquainted with their individual
+characters. Turenne came to Paris a short time after Hector assumed the
+command of his regiment, and as soon as he heard of his arrival, the
+latter called upon him.
+
+"I heard from the cardinal of your good fortune," the viscount said,
+"and congratulate you heartily upon it. Mazarin was good enough to
+say that the discovery of the Spaniards' ambush was the result of my
+teaching, and indeed I feel somewhat proud of my pupil. I am going to
+the Rhine, as perhaps you may have heard."
+
+"I hope to have the honour of serving under you with my regiment, sir."
+
+"I shall be glad to have you, but I fear there is little chance of it.
+I am to take the command of the Weimar troops. The death of the duke
+has been a heavy blow to us, and it is thought that unless I go down
+there--I say it because I have served there and am known by the Weimar
+troops--that force will break up altogether. From what I hear, I hardly
+think there is much chance of having any French regiments with me, and
+those now being raised are likely to be sent to fight under Enghien in
+Flanders. My position is, as you know, a painful one, owing to Bouillon
+having gone to Italy to take the command of the Pope's troops. I believe
+that is the reason why Mazarin has withdrawn me from the command of our
+army in Savoy. However, as a soldier I accept the work he has given me,
+not allowing family matters to interfere in any way with it, though it
+is my opinion that Bouillon has been very hardly treated by the breaking
+of the engagements that were given him when he surrendered Sedan to
+France."
+
+A week later Hector presented himself at the levee of Cardinal Mazarin.
+
+"I was expecting to see you, baron. I received your note saying that you
+had taken the command of your regiment, and would do yourself the honour
+of presenting yourself as soon as you had put matters in trim. Are you
+satisfied with your men and your officers?"
+
+"With both, your eminence, and trust that in two or three months' time
+you will do us the honour of inspecting us."
+
+"And how did you find your barony?"
+
+"I was delighted with it. The castle is a strong one, and I am taking
+steps to add to its strength; and I believe when it is finished that it
+will be almost impregnable save by an army, and that well commanded."
+
+"Then you think," the cardinal said with a smile, but with a certain air
+of seriousness, "that you could offer me a safe asylum if I needed one."
+
+"I trust that such an event may never occur, your eminence, but if it
+should, my castle is at your disposal, and I will guarantee that it will
+resist for three months, whoever might attack it."
+
+"One can never say," the cardinal said mournfully. "Oh, these nobles!
+They are, as they have ever been, the curse of France. Each man thinks
+only of himself and of increasing his domains. What France may suffer
+matters nothing to them so that they are enriched. Were one of them
+capable of ruling France I would gladly retire; but who is there?
+Orleans, vain, empty headed, treacherous to his friends, a man whose
+word is not to be relied upon. Conde, who thinks only of enriching
+himself and adding to his possessions. Beaufort, a roistering trooper.
+None of these men could maintain his position for a moment. The whole
+country seethes with discontent at the heavy taxation necessitated by
+the war; Paris, as is always the case when there is trouble in the
+air, is restless and turbulent. I have good friends, but they are
+insufficient to sustain me against the intrigues of my enemies. The
+queen alone upholds me. Truly, the burden is too great for one man to
+bear.
+
+"You will wonder why I am speaking thus to you, Colonel Campbell, but it
+is of the greatest necessity that her majesty should know upon whom
+she can rely absolutely in case of trouble. You, sir, being altogether
+unconnected with any of the great families of France, stand in a
+different position from that of the great majority of officers of your
+rank. Look where I will, I see our regiments officered by men connected
+by birth and family with one or other of the men who are at present
+intriguing against us, and were they ordered to take steps to arrest,
+for example, one of those persons connected with them, they might,
+without openly refusing, give such warning to them that they would be
+able to escape. Now, sir, I ask you to tell me frankly whether, under
+all contingencies, the queen can rely upon your services? I give you my
+word that whatever your reply is, it shall in no way count against you.
+There are cases in which it would doubtless be painful to you to carry
+out such an order. You are a protege of Monsieur de Turenne. Monsieur de
+Turenne is brother of the Duc de Bouillon, and, as I know, you yourself
+were staying for some months in the castle of Sedan, where you went to
+be cured of your wounds. Now, monsieur, frankly, were you ordered to
+arrest the Duc de Bouillon, would you carry it out without fear or
+favour?"
+
+"Certainly I would, your excellency; and should you give such an order
+to Marshal Turenne he would do so himself. He is a soldier of the
+queen before all things, and has taught me that my duty is towards
+the sovereign who represents France, regardless of all other
+considerations."
+
+The cardinal while speaking had watched the young soldier's face
+scrutinizingly. Faithful as Turenne had always been to the crown, even
+when his brother was in arms against it, Mazarin had still in his heart
+some doubts as to his fidelity under all circumstances. He could not but
+be conscious that faith had been absolutely broken with Bouillon, and,
+accustomed to tortuous ways, he could scarce imagine that Turenne would
+hold himself altogether above family interest. He saw by the manner
+more than the words of Hector that he was speaking from a profound
+conviction. In asking him the question, he had been thinking more of
+Turenne's loyalty than of the young colonel's. Having been four years in
+the closest connection with the marshal, he could not but know his real
+sentiments, and he felt sure that had Turenne expressed any anger at the
+treatment his brother had received, he would have seen it in the young
+man's face. The answer was a reassuring one.
+
+"Thank you, monsieur le baron; the musketeers and the Swiss guards we
+know we can absolutely rely upon, and I shall be glad to be able to
+inform the queen that she can place implicit faith in your regiment.
+I need not impress upon you the necessity for our conversation being
+regarded by you as absolutely confidential."
+
+Hector, thinking the matter over, had no great difficulty in the end in
+arriving at the truth, namely, that his own loyalty was a very secondary
+object of interest to the minister, and that his real motive in thus
+apparently opening his mind to him had been, not to gather his own
+sentiments, but to endeavour to ascertain those of Turenne. From the
+talk among his officers he had already learned that the general opinion
+was, that although the queen had always entertained a most favourable
+opinion of Turenne, and had herself nominated him as marshal and
+commander of the forces on the Rhine, Mazarin had assented to the
+arrangement because he feared that the army of Italy would probably
+follow its commander should the latter take up the quarrel of his
+brother, while, on the Rhine with but a few regiments, to all of whom
+he was a stranger, under his command, he would be practically powerless,
+whatever his sentiments might be with regard to Bouillon.
+
+In the middle of August Hector received an order from Mazarin to take
+part with his regiment in a review which the queen intended to hold
+at Versailles two days later. At this review the musketeers, the Swiss
+guards, the Scottish regiment, and two regiments of the line besides his
+own, the queen, the young king, Mazarin, and most of the members of the
+court were present. The Poitou regiment acquitted itself admirably,
+and its marching, and the steadiness with which it went through its
+manoeuvres, were in such strong contrast to that of the other two
+infantry regiments, which had both been formed for some years, as to
+excite the surprise and admiration of the spectators. After it was over
+a mounted officer rode up to Hector and told him that the queen wished
+to speak to him. Riding up, he dismounted, and advanced to the queen's
+pavilion.
+
+"Monsieur Campbell," the queen said graciously, "I wish to express to
+you how well satisfied we are with the efficiency of your regiment, and
+the admirable way in which it has gone through its manoeuvres. Never
+have I seen these better performed; and this is the more surprising
+as it has been but four months raised, and but three months under your
+personal command. The cardinal has informed me that he learns that this
+is due entirely to your personal exertions, and the care that you have
+bestowed upon it. I wish that all my officers showed the same zeal
+and diligence. In order to mark my gratification at the conduct of
+the regiment, I have requested monsieur le cardinal to order that
+two companies of your regiment shall be quartered at the barracks now
+occupied by the Scottish regiment, which is to march east tomorrow."
+
+Hector bowed deeply; and, immensely gratified at the praise that his
+regiment had received, returned to his place at its head, and marched
+back to St. Denis. On their arrival there he informed his men of the
+gracious words the queen had been pleased to say about the regiment, and
+the great honour bestowed upon them by the quartering of two companies
+in Paris. The men broke into loud cheering as he concluded.
+
+Hector then called the officers together. "Gentlemen," he said, "I
+have to thank you for the admirable way in which you have seconded my
+efforts, and by the aid of which the regiment has just gained the high
+commendation of Her Majesty, within so very short a time after it has
+been raised. I have been thinking the matter over as I rode back, and I
+have decided that where all did so well, it would be invidious to give
+to any the sole honour of being thus quartered near the Louvre and
+furnishing guards, and to yourselves the pleasure of being in Paris.
+Therefore, gentlemen, I shall send, in the first place, the first and
+tenth companies. At the end of two weeks the ninth company will take the
+place of the tenth; a fortnight later, the second will take the place of
+the first, and so in order, so that each company will in turn have its
+share in this honourable service."
+
+There was a general murmur of satisfaction. The next morning a formal
+order was received that two companies of the Poitou regiment should
+march into Paris, and occupy a portion of the barracks which the Scotch
+regiment had just vacated.
+
+Hector called up the two companies he had selected.
+
+"Now, men," he said, "you see the advantage that you have gained by
+discipline and good conduct. I have no doubt that before granting us the
+honour of forming a part of the garrison of Paris, the minister has made
+inquiries respecting the conduct of the regiment here, and has doubtless
+heard that it has been eminently satisfactory, and that the authorities
+and inhabitants have no complaint, of drunkenness or misconduct, against
+us. Of misconduct there have been no cases, of drunkenness very few,
+and, indeed, for the past month there has not been a single case among
+you. I trust that you will remember that while in Paris the credit of
+the regiment is in your hands, and that no single case of drunkenness or
+brawling in the streets will take place. I feel confident that this
+will be so, and I need hardly say that should there be an exception, the
+punishment will be vastly more severe than any that has previously been
+awarded, and I am sure that any offender will find, in the contempt
+with which he will be regarded by his comrades, a still more severe
+punishment than any that I can inflict."
+
+That evening Captain de Thiou and the other officers of the two
+companies that were to march into Paris the next day dined with Hector;
+and after dinner de Thiou rose and said: "Colonel, I have been requested
+to express to you, on behalf of the whole of the officers of the
+regiment, our deep gratitude for the honours that our regiment has
+obtained. These you were good enough yesterday to ascribe partly to us;
+but we feel that they are wholly due to yourself. Although some of us
+were at first a little inclined to think that the changes made by you
+in our work were unnecessary, all now recognize fully how great has been
+the benefit, not only to the regiment, but to ourselves. Duties which
+were at first considered irksome are now regarded as pleasant. We feel
+that, as you said would be the case, we have acquired the respect of
+the men, and that it is upon us that they rely, and not upon their
+sergeants.
+
+"Our own time passes more pleasantly from being fully occupied, and from
+consciousness that we are doing our duty. As to the regiment in general,
+the benefit has been enormous. The men seem pleased with the interest
+shown in them, as much as with the comfort that they now enjoy, and they
+in turn endeavour to satisfy us, both by their attention to drill, by
+their bearing and manner, and by their avoidance of giving any cause for
+complaint. All this, monsieur, has been your work, and I am sure that we
+are all conscious of the difference of the display we made in the park,
+and that which we should have shown had it not been for the reforms
+which have been introduced by you. We all trust that the day may not be
+far distant when we shall be able to prove on the field of battle the
+same efficiency that has won us credit upon the parade ground."
+
+"I thank you heartily, Captain de Thiou, for what you have been good
+enough to say on your own behalf and that of the officers of the
+regiment. I can only say that I have endeavoured to act up to the
+teaching of Monsieur de Turenne, and I felt sure that although my
+methods might at first seem irksome to some of you, their value would
+gradually become appreciated. I am scarcely less pleased at the decrease
+in drunkenness, and at the general improvement in the men, than by the
+increase of discipline and efficiency."
+
+"Do you mean to come to Paris, colonel?" De Thiou asked presently.
+
+"No; I shall remain here. I shall ride in every day, but my presence
+will be more necessary with the regiment than with only two companies.
+You as senior officer will be responsible for the general order of the
+detachment."
+
+Hector rode in the next day with his men, and after seeing them
+comfortably lodged in barracks, returned to St. Denis. A week later
+reports reached St. Denis of a strange scene at the court. The haughty
+and insolent Duchess of Monthazon, who belonged to the party of the
+Importants, had the impertinence to insult the queen grossly in the
+gardens of the Tuileries. She had at once been disgraced and ordered
+to retire to Rochfield, and the Duke of Beaufort and his friends were
+furious at this exercise of Mazarin's authority. The next day Hector
+received a message asking him to call at the Hotel de Cleves, the
+cardinal's residence. On his presenting himself, he was at once shown
+into Mazarin's private apartments.
+
+"Monsieur de Villar," Mazarin said, "I am sorely in need of friends.
+You have heard of what has happened, and from the threats that he
+has publicly uttered against myself I am convinced that Beaufort will
+hesitate at nothing to bring about my ruin. I hear that you are still
+with your regiment at St. Denis. I shall be glad if for a time you will
+take up your abode at Paris, and will hold yourself in readiness to be
+of service to me if there should be occasion. Beaufort is capable of
+even attempting my life; he is very unscrupulous, and will hesitate at
+nothing. I shall be glad if you will take up your lodging within a short
+distance of this, so that I can communicate with you instantly."
+
+"Certainly, your excellency; I will keep half a company always under
+arms, so that at the shortest notice they will be in readiness to act
+as you may direct. But surely, your excellency, you have the queen's
+musketeers close at hand?"
+
+"The queen's musketeers are a body of gallant soldiers, but they
+will take their orders only from the queen. They were strongly
+anti-cardinalist in the late reign, and I do not suppose that they are
+better affected towards myself than they were towards Richelieu. If they
+heard that my hotel was attacked they would not move a foot until they
+received orders from the queen to do so."
+
+"At any rate, you shall have no reason to complain of delay on our part,
+your excellency, and I can assure you of my devotion."
+
+Hector at once went to an auberge but a few hundred yards from the
+cardinal's residence. He thought it better to put up there than to take
+lodgings, as he could then have his four mounted men with him; and,
+riding to St. Denis, he returned the same night with them.
+
+"A horse is always to be saddled," he said to them when they had
+dismounted and his orderlies had come up to his room, "and one of you
+by turns will always remain here armed and ready to mount without an
+instant's delay. The others will put aside their scarves; and one of
+you will always be at the cabaret nearest to the Hotel de Vendome, the
+residence of the Duke of Beaufort, who is a son of the Duc de Vendome.
+At times two of you can be there so as to drink and play cards together,
+as the appearance of one sitting too long might attract attention. Your
+object is to find out from the conversation of the duke's guards and
+servants whether they have any idea that anything unusual is going to
+take place. I have reason to believe that there is a plot against the
+cardinal, and I am much concerned in defeating it."
+
+When the four Scotch soldiers had retired, Hector said to Paolo:
+
+"Now, Paolo, I place more reliance upon your finding out anything
+that is afloat than upon the soldiers. It is not likely that any plans
+Beaufort may form will be communicated to his people until the moment
+for action, and indeed it is probable that he will rely solely upon his
+personal friends. Now I want you to disguise yourself in any way you may
+think best, and watch Beaufort's hotel; see who comes in and out, and if
+a messenger goes out follow him, see the houses he calls at, and mark
+if those who dwell there repair at once to the Hotel de Vendome. If you
+perceive that this is the case let me know at once. See if you can get
+hold of half a dozen street gamins, and employ them to watch the houses
+of all these gentlemen, and especially that of Monsieur Id, captain of
+Beaufort's guards, and of the two Messieurs de Campion and the Count de
+Beaupuis, who are, I know, among the duke's most intimate friends. There
+are scores of these street boys who for a few sous a day would gladly
+undertake the work."
+
+"I will do that, master. You can take my word that by tomorrow at noon
+the lodging of these four gentlemen will be strictly watched. This is a
+business after my own heart."
+
+"In the first place, Paolo, take a note from me to the Hotel de Cleves
+and wait for an answer."
+
+The note was a short one. It merely gave the name of the auberge at
+which he had taken up his quarters, and added:
+
+If your eminence will be good enough to send me every morning a list of
+any visits that you may intend to pay, or any journey that you may make
+during the day, it would enable me to regulate my movements accordingly
+in order to be always here and ready to carry out any orders that you
+may send me from your hotel.
+
+The cardinal's reply was even more brief:
+
+It is well thought of. I shall go nowhere but to the Louvre tomorrow,
+and shall probably be there the greater part of the day. Unless you hear
+from me to the contrary, you need only remain in between twelve and one.
+
+The next morning Paolo appeared dressed in ragged clothes.
+
+"What is that bundle of papers that you have got?"
+
+"They are lampoons on the cardinal. Nothing so natural as that I should
+try and sell them in front of the Hotel de Vendome."
+
+"Nothing could be better, Paolo."
+
+"I have already picked up a dozen gamins, master, sharp little beggars,
+who jumped at the idea of being set to watch people. Between them
+everyone who goes in or comes out from the hotel will be followed, and
+they will, in the first place, find out his name and bring it to me,
+after that they will follow him wherever he goes, and from time to time
+let me know what he is doing."
+
+Several days passed. The four gentlemen specially named, together
+with several others, were frequently at the hotel. There was in this,
+however, nothing suspicious, as Hector easily learned that they were
+all vassals or close friends of the house of Vendome. On the third day,
+however, he heard that at least a dozen of these gentlemen met in twos
+or threes at various cabarets near the Duke of Beaufort's, and spent
+the greater portion of their time there. Hector at once procured dresses
+suitable for gentlemen of the middle class for the troopers, and gave
+them instructions to spend the greater portion of their time at the
+cabarets at which these gentlemen stopped. Their reports were that they
+talked of indifferent subjects, but that they were evidently waiting for
+someone, as they invariably turned a glance at the door whenever a fresh
+comer entered.
+
+The next day Hector received a note from the cardinal:
+
+I am just starting with the Duke of Orleans for Maisons, where I shall
+dine with him.
+
+Two hours later the three troopers who had been out returned almost at
+the same minute with the news that the persons they were watching had
+all got up suddenly and gone out after a messenger wearing the Beaufort
+cognizance had come in and spoken to them. And a few minutes later Paolo
+arrived and said that the Duke of Beaufort had gone with the Count of
+Beaupuis to the convent of the Capuchins, and that several horses had
+been taken there.
+
+Hector thought the matter over. "Certainly," he said to himself, "as the
+cardinal's note is dated at nine o'clock, he is now some distance on his
+way. As soon as the duke received notice of his having gone, he notified
+his friends. It can only be on his way home that they will venture to
+attack him; but even if they have that intention they will scarcely do
+so if the Duke of Orleans returns with him, unless, indeed, the duke is
+himself in the plot, and as none of Paolo's scouts have brought news
+of any communications between Beaufort and Orleans, it is hardly likely
+that it is so.
+
+"Paolo, do you go down and watch the convent of the Capuchins. If the
+Duke of Beaufort remains there with his friend--and he may doubtless be
+joined by others--let me know if he rides away. If he does so the attack
+may take place anywhere along the road; if he remains, he will doubtless
+attack the cardinal as his carriage passes. Should there be more than
+one entrance to the convent, put boys to watch them, and bring you news
+should the party sally out. I shall be at the barracks. It is there that
+you must bring or send me word."
+
+The troopers were ordered to put on their military clothes and saddle
+their horses, and a quarter of an hour later Hector rode to the
+barracks, followed by them.
+
+"De Thiou," he said, "I want you and the other five officers to have
+your horses ready at a moment's notice. I have some sort of idea that
+there is a plot on foot against the cardinal, and I want to take a hand
+in the matter. I fancy that with you and my five troopers we shall be
+strong enough to disconcert the plotters."
+
+Two hours later he received a message from Paolo, saying that the Duke
+of Beaufort and three other gentlemen were still at the convent, but
+that most of the others had gone to the residence of Henri de Campion in
+the Rue St. Honore.
+
+"They mean to attack him just at the end of the journey," Hector said
+to himself, "and close to the Hotel de Vendome. Now it only depends
+upon whether the Duke of Orleans stays at Maisons or returns with the
+cardinal."
+
+He ordered the officers and troopers to mount, and with them took his
+post on the road by which the cardinal would return. In half an hour
+they saw his carriage approaching. They then moved forward. As the
+carriage passed them Hector saluted, and saw to his satisfaction that
+the Duke of Orleans was with the cardinal. After the carriage had gone
+fifty yards Hector turned, and with his party followed the carriage at
+that distance. When within a quarter of a mile of the Rue St. Honore a
+horseman came along. He met the carriage, and immediately it passed him
+turned and galloped back along the road. Hector felt no doubt that he
+was placed there to warn the conspirators to be in readiness if the
+Duke of Orleans was not in the carriage, and that there would now be no
+attempt. However, he closed up to within thirty yards. As they entered
+the Rue St. Honore all was quiet there, and nothing happened until the
+cardinal alighted at the Hotel de Cleves. As he did so he looked round,
+and beckoned to Hector to follow him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII: THE BATTLES OF FREIBURG
+
+
+The cardinal did not address Hector until he had entered his private
+room, when he turned and said sharply, "What means this, colonel? When
+I saw you and your officers on the road I felt sure that you were not
+there for nothing, and still more sure when on alighting I found you so
+closely following me."
+
+"I was convinced, cardinal, that there was a plot against your life, and
+I believe that it was only because the Duke of Orleans returned with you
+that it was not carried into effect."
+
+"And possibly because they saw your troop behind the carriage. Now tell
+me your reason for supposing that I was in danger."
+
+Hector related the various steps that he had taken.
+
+"Your spies worked better for you than mine did for me," the cardinal
+said. "That a dozen or so of Beaufort's friends were for some reason
+or other spending their time at the Angel Inn and other cabarets I was
+aware, but I have had no word of their proceedings today. You have been
+better served, doubtless, because your plans were better laid. I hardly
+think that they would have attacked me when Orleans was with me, but
+there is no saying; for if Beaufort has daring and insolence enough to
+attempt to slay the queen's minister within a quarter of a mile of the
+Louvre, he would not trouble greatly whether princes of the blood were
+in the carriage or not, especially if he had some reason for believing
+that Orleans would not regard the deed with very great disapproval.
+
+"However, whatever his intentions might be, it is clear that the
+appearance of your party of twelve armed men decided the question. We
+may regard it as certain that the news that I had such an escort was
+carried to them by the man who galloped on ahead. I thank you, sir, I
+thank you very heartily, not only for my sake, but for that of France. I
+will ask you to go across to the Louvre; I will take half a dozen armed
+servants with me, but there is little fear that the attempt will be
+renewed today. They must be too much disconcerted by the failure of
+their plot to make fresh arrangements so speedily. I shall go first
+to the Louvre and inform her majesty of what has taken place. You will
+remain here for half an hour, and will then leave by the gate at the
+back of the house and make a circuit, and enter the palace by the river
+gate. The musketeers on guard will stop you, but I will give you a
+pass." And he wrote a few lines on paper. "The queen's confidential
+servant, Laporte, will be at the door to meet you, and will have
+instructions to escort you by corridors where you will be unobserved,
+and so to her majesty's private closet. Were you to accompany me,
+Beaufort would soon hear of it, and would be shrewd enough to perceive
+that your meeting with me was by no means a matter of chance."
+
+Hector followed out his instructions, and on presenting himself at the
+palace was at once taken up to the queen's closet. Laporte went in, and
+returning immediately requested him to enter. The queen was walking up
+and down the room, her face flushed with indignation.
+
+"Her majesty would fain hear from your own lips, monsieur le baron, the
+statement that you have made to me."
+
+The queen sat down and listened intently while Hector repeated the
+story.
+
+"There can be no doubt about it, cardinal; this keeping of a number of
+armed men within call for days, the summons to them to gather in the Rue
+St. Honore, while he himself with others took up his post at the convent
+of the Capuchins hard by, the moment his spies had discovered that you
+had left for Maisons, could but have been for one purpose. But they
+shall learn that although a woman, Anne of Austria, Queen of France, is
+not to be deprived of her minister and faithful friend without striking
+back in return. Monsieur de Villar, you have rendered me a great
+service. Is there any boon that you would ask of me? it is granted
+beforehand."
+
+"I thank your majesty most humbly," Hector said. "Already I have
+received honours far beyond anything I deserve. I had the honour when
+thanking your majesty, to hope some day to be able to give proof that
+they were not unworthily bestowed, and still hope to do so."
+
+"You have already shown yourself worthy," the queen said, "by the manner
+in which you have in so short a time rendered the regiment to which we
+appointed you so efficient. However, if there is at present no boon that
+we can bestow, then remember that the Queen of France holds herself
+your debtor, and that you have my royal word that any boon that you may
+hereafter ask for, that is in my power to grant, will be given you.
+Take this as a pledge of my promise." And she took off a gold chain
+exquisitely worked, and gave it him. He received it kneeling. "Now, sir,
+we will keep you here no longer. I have much to say to his excellency. I
+trust that you will present yourself at the levee this evening."
+
+"One thing more, colonel," Mazarin added; "I doubt not that some of
+Beaufort's people will endeavour to find out how it was that you came to
+be behind my carriage. If they do so you might carelessly mention that
+you and your officers had ridden out in a party at St. Germain, and that
+on your way back you chanced to fall in with my carriage."
+
+At the barracks Hector called the officers together. "Gentlemen," he
+said, "I have no doubt that your little ride today has somewhat puzzled
+you. I am not at liberty to tell you the reason why I requested you
+to ride with me; but it is very probable that you may be asked the
+question, and I beg you all to remember that we have been on a little
+party of pleasure to St. Germain, and having dined there were on our way
+back when we overtook the carriage of the cardinal; and seeing that
+he had the Duke of Orleans with him, we reined back and followed him,
+deeming that it would not appear respectful were we to gallop past the
+carriage. Please bear this story in mind. Recall also that we dined at
+the Lion d'Or there, that our dinner was a good one and that it was a
+sort of celebration on my part of our two companies having the honour to
+be chosen for duty in Paris. This is a matter upon which much depends;
+it is, in fact, a matter of state; and you may well imagine that I
+should not be recalling these events to your mind were it not that a
+good deal depends upon it, and that I have received strict orders
+that this little comedy shall be carried out. I know that I can rely
+implicitly upon your discretion, and I have indeed answered for you all.
+The story will be true in every respect. Instead of the excursion having
+come off today it shall come off on the first day I can arrange that we
+can be all off duty."
+
+That evening at the palace Hector was, as the cardinal predicted,
+accosted by one of Beaufort's officers, to whom he had been previously
+introduced. After talking on other subjects for a few minutes, he said:
+
+"I saw you today, monsieur, riding with a party of your officers along
+the Rue St. Honore. You did not notice me?"
+
+"I assure you that I did not, sir, or I should not have been so rude
+as to pass without saluting you." Then he added with a laugh, "We were
+riding slowly, too, for the cardinal's coach was in front of us, and it
+would not have been good manners to have galloped past him, especially
+as he had the Duke of Orleans with him."
+
+"Had you been far?" the other asked carelessly.
+
+"No great distance; a little party of pleasure with my officers to eat
+a dinner together, to celebrate the honour we had received in being
+brought into Paris. My officers have worked very hard, and the matter
+served as a good excuse for giving them a little dinner."
+
+For the next day or two everything passed off quietly, but four of the
+officers reported that when dining at a cabaret two or three of the
+duke's officers had come in and entered into conversation with them, and
+had brought up the subject of their riding in after the cardinal.
+
+"You almost looked as if you were serving as a bodyguard to him," one of
+them laughed.
+
+"I daresay we did," was the answer. "It was rather a nuisance; but it
+would not have been courteous to have ridden past the carriage." And he
+then repeated the story as had been arranged.
+
+Although the Duke of Beaufort had been told by some of his friends that
+there were rumours abroad of a plot against Mazarin's life, and that it
+would be best for him to leave Paris for a time, he refused to do so,
+saying that even if it was discovered the cardinal would not dare to lay
+hands on him. Moreover, the replies which had been obtained from Hector
+and his officers convinced him that their riding behind Mazarin's
+carriage was an accident.
+
+On the 2nd of September the duke presented himself at the Louvre as
+usual. After speaking with him for a few minutes, the queen left the
+room with Mazarin, and Guibaut, captain of the Guards, at once came
+forward and arrested him. He was kept at the Louvre that night, and next
+day was taken to the castle of Vincennes. Two companies of Swiss guards
+marched first, followed by a royal carriage containing the duke and
+Guibaut. The carriage was surrounded by the royal musketeers. A body
+of light cavalry followed, and the two companies of the Poitou regiment
+brought up the rear. Thus the people of Paris were shown that the queen
+had both the will and the power to punish, and the fickle population,
+who would the day before have shouted in honour of Beaufort, were
+delighted at seeing that the royal authority was once again paramount in
+Paris. The other members of the party of Importants either fled or were
+arrested. The Campions, Beaupuis, and others, succeeded in making their
+escape from France. The Marquis of Chateauneuf, governor of Touraine,
+was ordered back to his province. La Chatres, colonel general, was
+dismissed from his post; the Duc de Vendome was forced to leave France;
+and the ambitious Bishop of Beauvais and several other prelates were
+commanded to return to their dioceses. All the members of the Vendome
+family were exiled to the chateau of Annette. Madame de Chevreuse, de
+Hautefort, and a large number of other members of the party were ordered
+to leave Paris. Thus the party of the Importants ceased to exist.
+
+The people of Paris seemed greatly pleased at what appeared to them the
+end of the troubles, and they exclaimed that Richelieu was not dead, but
+that he had simply changed his appearance, and had become twenty
+years younger. Mazarin chose a number of soldiers belonging to his own
+regiment, and several officers who belonged to Richelieu's own guard.
+These were at all times to follow him wherever he went. He selected
+a number of noblemen, all of distinguished merit and influence, and
+created five of them dukes, and thus secured to himself a party that
+would to some extent balance the power of his adversaries.
+
+He also made an effort to bring about a union between the Duke of
+Orleans and the Condes, but failed, owing to the enormous demands
+that each put forward. Conde demanded the government of Languedoc
+for himself, of Burgundy for Enghien, and Normandy for the Duc de
+Longueville, and the entire domains of his late brother-in-law, Henry of
+Montmorency. Orleans on his part demanded the province of Champagne, the
+three bishoprics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun, and the town and castle
+of Sedan. As these demands, if granted, would have rendered the two
+families all powerful, Mazarin gave up the attempt, and decided that
+the best plan to prevent troubles was to let these dangerous families
+continue to be hostile to each other.
+
+As soon as he had finished his work of crushing the Importants, Mazarin
+sent for Hector.
+
+"Now, Monsieur Campbell," he said, "I have breathing time. The
+conspiracy among the nobles is for the time crushed, and now that they
+see that the queen is determined to protect me, and that I am not afraid
+of using the power committed to me, I hope that it will be some time
+before they venture to conspire again. I have further strengthened my
+position by granting honours to many distinguished gentlemen who were
+well inclined towards me, and on whose support in the future I shall
+be able to rely. Now it is time that I should turn to the man who has
+probably saved my life, and to whose evidence given before the queen I
+in no small degree owe it that she resolved to suppress these insolent
+nobles. I have not hurried in this matter, since, by your answer to the
+queen, it was evident that you desired no change in your position, and
+that the matter could wait.
+
+"Still, monsieur, her offer was to grant honours for services rendered
+to the state. The matter of the service that you have rendered to
+Cardinal Mazarin is still untouched. It is something so new to me that
+anyone in France should be so perfectly contented with his lot as to
+refuse such an offer as that made to you by the queen, that I feel
+somewhat at a loss what to do. I can understand that, young and ardent,
+increased rank would have no charm for you. Were it otherwise I could
+bestow the highest rank upon you. I am aware that your habits are
+simple, for I have made inquiries, and that money in itself goes for
+little in your eyes; still, sir, one who has the honour of being first
+minister of France, and who is also a very rich man, cannot remain with
+a debt of gratitude wholly uncancelled. I hear from my agent in Poitou
+that you have voluntarily remitted the fine that your vassals would pay
+on the occasion of a new lord taking possession, on account of the heavy
+taxation that presses so sorely upon them.
+
+"I honour you, sir, for such a step, and have even mentioned it to the
+queen as a proof of the goodness of your disposition, and I feel sure
+that there is nothing that would please you better than that I should
+grant the tenants of your estate an immunity from all taxation; but this
+I cannot do. All private interests must give way to the necessities
+of the state. I deplore the sufferings of the cultivators of France,
+sufferings that have of late driven many to take up arms. It is my duty
+to repress such risings; but I have ordered the utmost leniency to be
+shown to these unfortunate men, that the troops should not be quartered
+upon their inhabitants, and that the officers shall see that there is
+no destruction of houses and no damage to property; that would increase
+still further their difficulty in paying the imposts, which I regret to
+say press so sorely and unduly upon them. Tell me frankly what is the
+greatest object of your ambition?"
+
+"I thank your excellency most heartily for your kind intentions towards
+me, but any ambition that I may have had is already much more than
+gratified. I have never for a moment thought of, or even wished that I
+might some day become lord of a fair estate and a noble of France. I
+had not ventured to hope that I might become colonel of a regiment
+for another fifteen years. Both these things have, thanks to the kind
+appreciation of her majesty and yourself for a very simple act of duty,
+fallen to me. If I might ask a boon, it would be that my regiment may be
+sent to join the force of Marshal Turenne. So long as there was danger
+here I should not have wished to be removed from a position where I
+might be of some assistance, however slight, to the queen and yourself,
+but now that all danger is at an end I should be glad to return to
+active duty. I have endeavoured humbly to make Marshal Turenne my model.
+He has but one thought and one desire--namely, to do his duty and to
+make the soldiers under his command contented and happy, but I have no
+hope of ever emulating his great merits as a commander."
+
+"That request is easily granted," Mazarin said, and drawing a sheet of
+paper towards him, he wrote:
+
+The regiment of Poitou will at once proceed to the Rhine, where it will
+place itself under the orders of Marshal Turenne.
+
+He added his signature, and handed the paper to Hector.
+
+"That counts for nothing," he said. "You must remember that life is
+short and, especially in the case of a minister of France, uncertain.
+In your own case you might be disabled in the field and unable to serve
+further. The advent of a party hostile to me in power would doubtless be
+signalized by acts of vengeance against those who have been friends, and
+estates change hands so frequently in France that la Villar might well
+be confiscated. No man is above the chances of fortune. I have agents in
+England, and have this morning given an order to my intendant to place
+in the hands of Monsieur Wilson, a well known citizen of London, a
+goldsmith, the sum of fifty thousand crowns to stand in your name, and
+to be payable to your order. Here is his address. It is but a small sum
+for the saving of my life, but it will place you above the risk of the
+contingencies of fortune in this country. I wish for no thanks," he
+said, with a wave of his hand as Hector was about to speak. "I have
+given more for the most trifling favours. I now bid you adieu, and
+doubt not that I shall hear that you and your regiment have greatly
+distinguished yourselves in the east, where hostilities will in all
+probability shortly be commenced. You had better present yourself at the
+levee this evening to make your adieus to the queen."
+
+This Hector did, and early the next morning rode with his two companies
+to St. Denis, where the news that the regiment was to march towards the
+Rhine was received with great satisfaction. It was now the middle of
+October, and when, after ten days' march, the regiment reached Epernay,
+they heard that Turenne had withdrawn his troops from the Rhine,
+where the Imperialists had already gone into winter quarters, and had
+stationed them in the various towns of Lorraine. His headquarters were
+at Nancy. Turenne greeted him warmly upon his arrival.
+
+"Matters have been going on slowly since I saw you in Paris. I have been
+too weak to fight the Bavarians, who fortunately were too undecided to
+attack me. Could they but have made up their minds to throw in their
+fortune with Austria, they might have overrun all Lorraine, for aught I
+could have done to withstand them. The troopers were without horses, the
+infantry almost without clothes, and as the court was unable to send me
+any remittances I have been forced to borrow money upon my own estates
+for the public service, and have mounted five thousand horse and
+enrolled three thousand foot and am still sustaining them. However,
+I hear from Mazarin that he will in a week send off a large convoy of
+treasure, which will be welcome indeed, for I am nearly at the end of
+my resources. Some of my troops are quartered in the town, but the most
+part are among the mountains, where they trouble the inhabitants less
+and have small temptations towards rioting and excesses. Which would you
+rather?"
+
+"I would much rather go into the country, marshal; my regiment is
+in good condition now, but to stay in quarters in a town is bad for
+discipline."
+
+"So be it. You might make your headquarters at the village of Saline;
+there are no other troops within thirty miles of it. On arriving there
+you will make inquiries as to the supplies to be obtained within a
+circle of fifteen miles round. Fortunately I have a good supply of
+tents, and any men for whom you cannot find quarters in the villages
+can be placed under canvas. You can draw as much wine as you require for
+three months' rations from the stores here, and two months' rations of
+flour. I will direct the intendants to take up carts for the transport
+of the supplies you take from here. You will doubtless be able to buy
+meat up there, and I hope that you will be able to obtain sufficient
+flour and wine to last you till the end of the winter, for transport
+will be very difficult when the snow is on the ground. Firewood your
+soldiers will, of course, cut for themselves in the forests."
+
+The winter passed quietly. Hector managed to obtain quarters for all his
+troops--a village being allotted to each company. Before they marched
+off to their various quarters, Hector urged the officers to impress upon
+their men the advantage of behaving well to the villagers.
+
+"Of course the presence of so many men will be of serious inconvenience
+to them, but they will doubtless make the best of it if they find that
+they are treated civilly and that their lodgers endeavour to give as
+little trouble as possible. See that everything down to the smallest
+article is paid for, and investigate every complaint, and I will punish
+any offenders severely. I have inquired into the average prices that
+sheep, fowls, pigs, goats, and other articles fetch, and have made out a
+list for each company; the peasants will be gainers by it, for they
+will be saved the journey down to the towns. Let this be stuck up in a
+conspicuous place in each village.
+
+"The intendant will go round and make contracts for the supply of meat,
+and will see whether it will be more advantageous to erect ovens for
+the baking of bread in each village or to arrange to buy it ready baked
+there, we supplying the flour; for the troops, after being accustomed to
+good bread at St. Denis, will not be content with the black bread upon
+which these poor people exist. I shall pay a visit to each company
+in regular order, see that all is going on well, try men who have
+misbehaved themselves, and listen gladly to any suggestions that the
+respective captains may make to me."
+
+The first company was quartered at Saline, and although the cold was
+severe and the life rough the troops were well contented, and Hector was
+glad to find that his instructions were carried out and that excellent
+relations were maintained between the troops and their hosts.
+
+Early in the spring Turenne collected a force of three regiments of
+cavalry and two of infantry, and, passing the Rhine at Breisach, fell
+suddenly upon a force of Imperialists in the Black Forest, defeated
+them, and took three or four hundred prisoners, among whom were many
+officers, the rest of them escaping to the army commanded by Count
+Merci. In May the Bavarian army, numbering eight thousand foot and seven
+thousand horse, marched to besiege Freiburg, five leagues from Breisach,
+and Turenne followed with all his force, which now numbered ten thousand
+men. He found, however, that the Imperialists had occupied all the
+strong positions in the neighbourhood of the town, and not caring to run
+the risk either of defeat or great loss, and receiving information that
+the town had already opened negotiations for surrender, he fell back
+some five miles from the town, sending news to the court that his force
+was insufficient to attack the Imperialists. Mazarin thereupon sent
+orders to Enghien to set out at once for Germany. As soon as he
+reached the Rhine and his army prepared to cross, Enghien, who had been
+appointed generalissimo, rode forward with Marshal de Gramont, who was
+in command of the army under him, to the camp of Turenne. The meeting
+between Enghien and Turenne was most cordial. Enghien had always felt
+the warmest admiration for the talents of the older marshal, had been
+most intimate with him whenever he was at court, and regarded him as his
+master in the art of war. Turenne was free from the vice of jealousy;
+and as the armies of France were almost always placed under the supreme
+if sometimes nominal command of princes of the blood, it seemed nothing
+but natural to him that Enghien should receive supreme authority.
+
+The characters of the two men were in complete contrast with each
+other--the one was ardent, passionate, prompt in action and swift in
+execution; the other, though equally brave, was prudent and careful,
+anxious above all things to accomplish his object with the smallest
+possible loss of men, while Enghien risked the lives of his soldiers as
+recklessly as his own. They always acted together in the most perfect
+harmony, and their friendship remained unimpaired even when in
+subsequent days they stood in arms against each other. At the council
+Turenne was in favour of making a circuit and taking up their post in
+the valley of St. Pierre, by which they would intercept the Bavarians'
+communications and force them by famine to issue out from their strong
+lines and fight in the open, and urged that to attack a position so
+strongly fortified would entail terrible loss, even if successful.
+
+Marshal de Gramont, and d'Erlac, governor of Breisach, were of the same
+opinion. The Duc d'Enghien, however, was for attacking the enemy in
+their intrenchments; the idea of starving out an enemy was altogether
+repugnant to one of his impetuous disposition, and as generalissimo
+he overruled the opinions of the others. He himself, led by Turenne,
+reconnoitred the position of the enemy, and decided that the one army,
+which was called the army of France, consisting of six thousand foot and
+four thousand horse, commanded by Marshal de Gramont, should attack
+the enemy's position in front and on their right flank, and the other,
+called the army of Weimar, of five thousand foot and as many horse,
+under Turenne, should move round by a narrow pass and attack the enemy
+on the left flank. Merci's army occupied an almost inaccessible hill
+whose summit was strongly fortified, and it was against this that de
+Gramont's army was to hurl itself. The entrance to the valley by which
+Turenne was to fall upon their left flank was closed at its mouth by
+very strong intrenchments, and it was behind this that the main body of
+horse was posted.
+
+To gain his point of attack Turenne had to make a very wide circuit,
+and started at break of day on the 3rd of August. It was arranged that
+Enghien, who remained with de Gramont, should not attack until three
+hours before sunset, in order to give Turenne time to attack at the same
+hour. At the time agreed upon, Enghien sent forward two battalions to
+begin the attack. The regiments of Conde and Mazarin were to follow,
+while the duke held two others in reserve. In order to get at the enemy
+the assailants were forced to climb a very steep ascent, and cross a
+vineyard intersected by many walls four feet high facing the terrace
+on which the vines grew. These were occupied by the Bavarians, but the
+French attacked with such vigour that the enemy were driven back. When,
+however, the latter reached the great cheval-de-frise, formed by
+felled trees, in front of the intrenchments, they could make no further
+progress, so heavy was the fire maintained by the enemy.
+
+Enghien, seeing this, dismounted, placed himself at the head of the
+regiment of Conde, and led them forward, while Marshal Gramont and
+the officers did the same. Encouraged by this example, the troops were
+filled with enthusiasm, and, following their leaders unfalteringly, made
+their way through the cheval-de-frise, and, pressing forward without a
+pause, obtained possession of the intrenchments, driving the Bavarians
+into the woods behind. The battle had lasted three hours, and had cost
+the Bavarians three thousand men, while the French suffered at least
+equally.
+
+Turenne's force had been as hotly engaged. Merci, the best general in
+the Austrian army, had foreseen that an attempt might be made through
+the defile, and had posted strong bodies of infantry among the trees on
+either side.
+
+As soon as Turenne entered the defile he was encountered by a heavy
+fire from his unseen foes, who, falling back through the trees as he
+advanced, continued to gain strength. Turenne had to fight every foot of
+his way in order to dislodge the enemy, and it was not until Enghien
+had brought the battle to a conclusion on his side, that Turenne arrived
+and, forcing the intrenchments guarding the mouth of the defile, found
+himself in contact with Merci, who was now able to concentrate his whole
+force against him. The combat was a furious one. The troops were engaged
+at but forty paces apart, and sometimes had hand-to-hand encounters.
+Merci brought the whole of his cavalry into play, but Turenne was unable
+to use his, as they were behind his infantry and could not make their
+way out through the mouth of the defile.
+
+For seven hours the battle raged in the darkness. After losing three
+thousand men here, General Merci decided that his army would be totally
+destroyed if Enghien should bring his troops down from the hill at
+daybreak. Accordingly, leaving a body of musketeers to hide the movement
+by their fire, he withdrew the rest of his army and took up another
+strong position, partly on a height known as the Black Mountain,
+covering the entrance of the valley of St. Pierre and partly in the
+valley itself, thus covering his line of retreat. Had the French been
+able to attack early the next morning before the Bavarians had time to
+intrench themselves they might have won an easy victory; but for the
+past twenty-four hours the rain had been falling incessantly, Turenne's
+army had been marching on the previous day, and had been fighting for
+seven hours, and was incapable of further exertions, while that of
+Enghien was in little better plight, having passed the night in the rain
+on the ground it had won.
+
+After such hard fighting both commanders agreed that a twenty-four
+hours' halt was absolutely necessary. The day could not be termed one of
+rest, for there were thousands of wounded to be collected and cared for,
+arms to be cleaned, for they had been rendered useless by the rain, and
+provisions to be brought up from the rear. Merci made the most of the
+time thus given him. The bottom of the mountain towards the plain was
+fortified by several rows of felled trees, and a portion of his infantry
+was posted between this point and the town of Freiburg, which was but
+half a mile away. The intrenchments that had been formed during the
+siege of the town were occupied by them; and as their front was covered
+by the fire of the guns from the fortress, as well as by that of the
+infantry on the hill, he considered the position to be impregnable, and
+therefore placed the main body of his army at the edge of the flat top
+of the hill, a strong body behind a wood about halfway up the slope, and
+his cavalry extended from that point to the walls of the city.
+
+After reconnoitering the position, Enghien determined to make two
+attacks, one on the trenches between the foot of the hill and the town,
+and the other on the rows of felled trees at the foot of the mountain.
+A false attack was to be made between the two points. Turenne's force
+advanced nearly to the foot of the hill, the prince's army followed him,
+and also took up its position. But just as the attack was about to be
+made a great tumult was heard on the hill, and Enghien and Turenne
+rode to a neighbouring height in order to ascertain what was going
+on, leaving strict orders that no movement was to be made until their
+return. Count d'Espenan, who commanded the two advanced regiments of
+Enghien's army, however, ordered a detachment to attack a redoubt
+which stood within the line of attack, and Merci sent supports to its
+defenders.
+
+D'Espenan sent more troops on his side and the engagement became
+serious. Suddenly the Imperialist artillery opened fire along the whole
+of their line, and Enghien's troops, apparently taking this for the
+signal of the beginning of the battle, moved forward for the
+assault without order or leader. As they were broken and confused by
+endeavouring to pass through the abattis of felled trees, the Bavarians
+rushed out and drove them back with great slaughter. Enghien and
+Turenne, galloping up in all haste, in vain attempted to rally them.
+Officers and men alike were panic stricken. The two generals then rode
+to Turenne's army and advanced against the defence of trees. For a long
+time the battle raged without any marked success on either side. Several
+times the French made their way in to the intrenchments and were as
+often repulsed. Merci ordered his cavalry to dismount, and led them
+into the fray, but, darkness falling suddenly, the assailants ceased to
+attack, and occupied for the night the ground on which the struggle had
+taken place. The fight that day had cost them two thousand troops, and
+the Bavarians twelve hundred, but as the latter had lost half their
+infantry in the first day's fighting the French were still superior
+in numbers. During the night Turenne had all the wounded of both
+nationalities carried to Breisach. After giving the army four days'
+rest, Enghien determined to resort to the tactics that Turenne had
+from the first recommended, and, marching along the plain, ascended the
+valley of Bloterthal and made for St. Pierre, where he would cut the
+Bavarian line of retreat. As soon as Merci saw the movement he gave
+orders for his army to fall back with all haste, and although Turenne
+pressed hard on his rear he succeeded in drawing his troops off, though,
+in order to do so, he was obliged to abandon his baggage and cannon.
+Altogether he lost between eight and nine thousand men, with their
+artillery and most of their horses. The French loss was equally great,
+and though the battle was claimed as a victory by them owing to the
+Bavarians having finally fallen back, it was really a drawn one.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV: JUST IN TIME
+
+
+The regiment of Poitou had suffered heavily in the battles of Freiburg.
+In the first advance Turenne had placed it in the rear of his infantry.
+
+"I must have, Hector," he said, "a reserve upon which I can implicitly
+rely; brought up at the right moment it might decide the fate of a
+battle, if we are beaten it can allow the disorganized regiments
+to pass, check the pursuit of the enemy, and retire in good order,
+contesting every foot of the ground until the rest of the force have
+emerged from the mouth of the defile and been enabled to form up in
+sufficient order to withstand the effect of the enemy's cavalry."
+
+The regiment, therefore, took no part in the work of clearing the defile
+of the enemy's infantry, and for the first four hours of the battle
+remained in the rear. Then Turenne ordered it to the front, to take the
+place of the regiments which had already lost half their strength,
+and were no longer capable of resisting the continued assaults of
+the Imperialists. Turenne himself rode with Hector at the head of the
+regiment. They pushed their way through the hardly pressed troops in
+front, and when they faced the enemy deployed and poured a terrible
+volley into their assailants, and for the remaining three hours bore the
+whole brunt of the battle. Standing four deep, their flanks resting upon
+the rising ground on either side of the mouth of the pass, the two front
+lines alone maintained their fire so long as infantry only pressed them,
+the two lines behind being ordered by Hector not to fire a shot. When,
+however, the Bavarian infantry drew aside and the cavalry thundered
+down, the front lines fell back through those behind them, and the
+latter received the cavalry with such terrible volleys of musketry that
+they each time broke and fled.
+
+Turenne, after seeing the Poitou regiment take up its post, occupied
+himself in reforming the remains of the other regiments, and raising
+their spirits by warm words of commendation at the manner in which they
+had fought, until assured that they in turn could, if necessary, join
+the first line if it were forced to give way. When he had done this he
+rejoined Hector, who had dismounted and moved backwards and forwards
+among the men, seeing that the gaps caused by the enemy's fire were
+constantly filled up, and encouraging the soldiers with praise and
+exhortations. Turenne sat upon his horse some paces behind the rear
+line. When he saw the Bavarian infantry draw aside, and heard the roar
+of the cavalry charge, his lips tightened, and he half turned his horse
+as if to call up the regiments behind. When, however, he saw the lines
+that had hitherto been in rear take up their place in front and stand
+there quiet and immovable, the look of irresolution passed from his
+face, and, after the Bavarian horse had fallen back, shattered by their
+volleys, he pressed a pace or two forward and shouted, "Regiment of
+Poitou, I thank you in the name of France; never saw I a regiment fight
+more bravely or steadily!"
+
+The men responded with a loud cheer to this praise from one whom all
+respected and loved. Turenne then rode up to Hector.
+
+"Splendidly done, Colonel Campbell! I had rather wondered why you kept
+half your men idle in such a fight; I now understand why you did so. Had
+all been firing, three-quarters of their muskets would have been empty,
+and you would possibly have been overthrown. It was a stroke of genius.
+I may have taught you many lessons in war, but tonight you have given me
+one."
+
+Turenne remained with the regiment till the end of the fight, and marked
+with approval the way in which each line fought by turns, while the
+other remained behind them ready to receive the charges of the cavalry.
+As soon as the Bavarians drew off he saw that all the wounded were
+carried to the rear, where the surgeons rendered what aid was possible,
+while the rest of the troops threw themselves down to snatch a few
+hours' sleep. When, three hours later, Enghien's troops came down from
+the hill they had won, Turenne's force marched out from the defile.
+Turenne mounted his horse, and, calling upon Hector to follow him, rode
+forward with his principal officers to meet Enghien.
+
+"It has been a terrible battle, prince, and if your loss equals mine the
+victory has indeed been won at a terrible cost."
+
+"Mine has been heavy, too," Enghien said, "but we have gained our
+object."
+
+"Not wholly," Turenne replied, "for Merci has taken up a position as
+strong as that from which we have driven him."
+
+"I wish that I could have lent you a hand in the fight," Enghien said,
+"but the Bavarians had fallen back into the woods, and we knew not
+whether they still held their ground there. In the rain and darkness
+it would have been dangerous to have crossed the broken ground with
+its woods and ravines, and the troops, after their exertions and heavy
+marches, were incapable of such an effort. Indeed, I had lost fully half
+my infantry, and the cavalry would be useless for such work. You must
+indeed have been sorely pressed, having Merci's whole force to contend
+with. Still, I had no doubt even if you could not issue from the
+defile you would be able to check the enemy." Then the generals in turn
+repeated the details of the battles in which they had been engaged and
+the losses they had suffered.
+
+Turenne then introduced his principal officers to Enghien, and when he
+had done so called up Hector.
+
+"I need not introduce this officer to you, prince," he said.
+
+"No, indeed," Enghien replied, holding out his hand; "I have good reason
+to recollect you, Colonel Campbell. You have heard, marshal, what a good
+service he rendered me at Rocroi?"
+
+"He has rendered me one no less this night," Turenne said. "I never saw
+a regiment stand more steadily than the one which he commands, and which
+he has trained to what seems to me perfection. For the last three hours
+that regiment alone bore the brunt of the battle, although assailed
+alternately by infantry and cavalry, and thus afforded time to reform
+the regiments that fought earlier in the afternoon and to give me hope
+that even were the enemy to overcome the resistance of his men, I could
+still be able to check their further advance."
+
+He then told Enghien the manner in which Hector had arranged and fought
+his troops.
+
+"A good device indeed," Enghien said warmly, "and methinks it worthy of
+adoption whenever infantry have to meet other infantry and cavalry, for
+the muskets take so long to reload that there might not be half a dozen
+men ready to give fire when the cavalry charge. Is that one of the many
+lessons that he tells me you have given him?"
+
+"No, indeed; it has not, so far as I am aware, ever been tried before.
+Parts of regiments are often held in reserve to reinforce their comrades
+if necessary, but this method, whereby half the regiment are able at a
+moment's notice to meet cavalry with their muskets loaded, is methinks,
+entirely new, and in such cases as the present very valuable."
+
+In the second day's fighting Turenne's army had taken but small share,
+for during the retreat of the Bavarians the cavalry alone had come into
+play.
+
+The Bavarians having retreated into Wurtemberg, a council of war was
+held to decide in what manner the greatest advantage could be gained
+during their absence. Most of the chief officers were in favour of
+retaking Freiburg. Turenne was of a different opinion. He represented
+that the siege would occupy a considerable time, and that if successful
+they would, at the end of a campaign, have simply retaken a town that
+was theirs when it began. They could therefore point to no advantage
+gained by their efforts or by the loss of so many men. He advised,
+therefore, that as the Bavarian army was now sixty miles away, and
+could not very well return, as it would need large reinforcements, fresh
+cannon, and baggage wagons, they should take the opportunity of making
+themselves masters of the whole course of the Rhine and even of the
+Palatinate.
+
+The Duc d'Enghien declared for this plan. Turenne went at once to
+Breisach, and arranged for the transport, by boat down the Rhine, of all
+the necessaries for the siege of Philippsburg. The army started on the
+16th of August, a part of Turenne's army being detached to capture small
+towns and castles. On the 23rd of August Philippsburg was invested by
+Turenne, Enghien's force arriving on the following day. Philippsburg
+stood on the Rhine, which at this point formed a sharp elbow, and the
+land being low, many morasses surrounded the town, and the approach
+therefore was exceedingly difficult. Eight hundred paces from the town
+stood a square fort, which commanded the river, and was connected with
+the town by a causeway. The town itself had seven bastions, round these
+ran a very thick hedge, and the moat was wide and full of water. The
+garrison was a weak one, not exceeding a thousand men, but they had a
+hundred pieces of cannon and a large store of ammunition.
+
+Feeling that he could not hold a fort so far from the town, the
+commander withdrew the garrison from it, and Turenne seized it, and
+placed a strong force there. Enghien then threw up strong lines in a
+semicircle round the town to protect the army in case any large force of
+the enemy should endeavour to relieve it. This occupied four days,
+and in the meantime the boats had arrived with cannon, ammunition, and
+provisions. A bridge was thrown across the river in twenty-four hours,
+and a force was sent over; this attacked and captured Germersheim, and
+then marched to Spires, which at once opened its gates on the 29th of
+August. In the meantime the siege of Philippsburg was begun in earnest.
+The approaches could only be carried on in one place, where the ground
+was sandy, and continued so up to two of the bastions of the town.
+
+Turenne commanded the attack against the right bastion, de Gramont that
+on the left. They first diverted a brook running through the plain, and
+were enabled to use its channel as an approach, thus advancing fifteen
+hundred paces nearer to the town. They then formed an intrenchment that
+could be used by both columns, and from this on the 1st of September
+they began to open their trenches against their respective bastions. De
+Gramont's works were attacked on the following day by a sortie; this,
+however, was driven back. On the fifth night both columns made a
+lodgment on the counterscarp, and their batteries opened fire. After
+some days' work they filled up the ditch, and seeing that his force was
+too weak to oppose so strong an attack, the commander surrendered on the
+12th of September.
+
+Although Merci was advancing with an army, Enghien continued the project
+that had been formed, and, remaining with his own troops to protect
+Philippsburg, sent Turenne with all his horse and five hundred foot
+to Worms, which threw open its gates. Oppenheim surrendered without
+resistance, and he arrived in front of Mayence. The garrison was very
+small, and upon the threat of Turenne that he would attack it on all
+sides the citizens sent a deputation offering to capitulate. Turenne
+sent word of this to Enghien, who rode there at once, and received the
+surrender of the town. Bingen capitulated; Landor, Mannheim, Neustadt,
+and several other places were taken; and thus from Strasburg to a point
+near Coblenz, the whole course of the Rhine, the Palatine, and all the
+country between the Rhine and the Moselle fell into the hands of the
+French. Enghien returned to pass the winter in Paris. The greater part
+of the army was recalled, and Turenne was left with but a few regiments
+to hold the newly acquired territory.
+
+"Do you wish for leave, Campbell?" Turenne asked Hector. "You had but
+a few days in your new lordship, and have a right to spend at least a
+portion of the winter there."
+
+"I thank you, marshal, but I have no idea of leaving you. You have been
+good enough to say that you will fill up the gaps in my regiment by
+embodying in it the remains of the regiment of Ardennes, which will
+bring it up to nearly its former strength. I certainly should not like
+to be away while the work of fusion is being carried out. The new
+men must be divided equally among the companies, and the officers so
+arranged that one of those now appointed shall be attached to each
+company with two of my own. Then I must see that all so work together as
+to arrive at the same standard as before. I should have wished that if
+possible the captains of the Ardennes regiment should be appointed to
+the new regiment that you are about to form, and that the places of
+those who fell in action should be filled from my list of lieutenants."
+
+"Certainly. You lost five captains, did you not?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"If you send me the names of the five senior lieutenants, I will promote
+them at once."
+
+"Thank you, marshal; that will make all my lieutenants captains. I lost
+five of them and three second lieutenants."
+
+"Then you will require thirteen more officers." He looked at a list.
+"There are eight belonging to the Ardennes, the rest I will draw
+from other regiments. There is little fear of their objecting to the
+exchange, for your corps won such a reputation that all will be glad to
+join it; I will send you back to Nancy. There are barracks there, and no
+other troops; and as we are not likely to be disturbed until the spring,
+you will have plenty of time to bring the regiment up to its former
+mark."
+
+The winter, indeed, passed quietly. The officers were all greatly
+pleased when they heard the arrangements Hector had made, by which most
+of them obtained a step in rank instead of being, as they had feared,
+passed over by officers belonging to the Ardennes regiment. The battle
+of Freiburg had shown them the great advantage that had been gained by
+the steadiness and discipline of their men. They took up the work of
+drilling again with even more zeal than before, and it was not long
+before the regiment was restored to its former state of efficiency. The
+reason why he had sent the regiment back from the Rhine was explained by
+Turenne to Hector before he started.
+
+"The orders from court were," he said, "that I was to retain only the
+Weimar regiments, and I should have been obliged to send you back with
+those of Enghien had I not represented to him that it might be of the
+greatest importance to me to have even one good French regiment within
+call. We talked it over at some length, and he finally agreed to take
+upon himself the responsibility of ordering that your regiment should
+not go beyond Nancy, upon the ground that there were very few troops in
+Lorraine; and that peasant risings had taken place there, as in other
+departments, owing to the terrible distress caused by heavy taxation. He
+has handed to me a paper authorizing you to take such steps as you may
+think fit, as soon as you receive news of such risings, to aid the civil
+authorities, if they should take place at any point within reasonable
+reach. The regiments stationed at Metz will naturally maintain order
+north of Pont-a-Mousson, while you will send detachments to points south
+and east of Nancy. You will understand that you are not to move troops
+on the strength of mere rumours, but only when requests for aid are sent
+by local authorities."
+
+Indeed, during the winter of 1644-45, as in that preceding it, troubles
+broke out in many parts of France, and in some the risings of
+"the barefooted ones," as they were called, became for a time very
+formidable. The rage of the unhappy peasantry was principally directed,
+as during the Jacquerie, against the nobles, and any chateaux were
+sacked and burned, all within killed, and terrible excesses committed.
+
+In February serious outbreaks took place. A messenger arrived at Nancy
+with an urgent appeal for help, and Hector took four companies and
+marched with all speed to the disturbed district. As soon as he reached
+it he broke up his force, despatching each company in a different
+direction, his instructions being that any body of armed peasants
+they might meet were to be dispersed, but, once beaten, were not to
+be pursued and cut up, and that life was not to be unnecessarily
+sacrificed. He himself, with one company, marched towards Poissons. He
+was within a mile of the town when a mounted man, bleeding from several
+wounds, rode up.
+
+"The chateau of Blenfoix has been attacked by two hundred peasants,"
+he said. "My lady and a dozen retainers are holding a tower, but they
+cannot long resist; even now the place may have been captured. I broke
+my way through, and, hearing that there were troops in this direction, I
+have galloped at full speed to implore your aid."
+
+"How far is it?"
+
+"About ten miles."
+
+"You hear, de Mieville; bring the men on with all speed. I will gallop
+forward with my troopers and do what I can. Do I go straight along the
+road?"
+
+"Yes, sir, nine miles hence you will see the chateau on an eminence a
+mile away to the right."
+
+Followed by his troopers and Paolo, Hector dashed off at full speed. In
+three quarters of an hour, at a turn of the road, they caught sight of
+the chateau. Flames were pouring through most of the windows.
+
+"Now, lads," he said to the men, "we have got long odds to face, but
+there is a lady to be rescued, and if any men can accomplish it we
+will."
+
+The chateau was partly castellated, the new portion having been built
+against what had formerly been a small castle. On its summit a flag was
+still flying. Riding on at the top of their speed they soon saw a number
+of men swarming round a gate which opened into the older portion of the
+building.
+
+"Put your pistols in your belts, lads. Don't use them if you can help
+it, but trust to your swords. Cut your way through that crowd. Ride in
+at the gate, and dismount at the door leading up to the turret. Then do
+you, Macpherson and Hunter, cover our rear while we fight our way up the
+steps. Follow us as we go, and if you want aid, shout and we will come
+down to you."
+
+On hearing the sound of the galloping hoofs the peasants for a moment
+made a movement of retreat, but when they saw that the six horsemen were
+alone, they began to gather courage, and again waved their arms, which
+were mostly axes, or poles to which scythes or billhooks were attached.
+Riding three abreast, the horsemen burst in among them, hewing and
+hacking with their swords; and the crowd, unable to resist the impetus
+of the charge, opened a way for them, and in a moment they had passed
+through the gate. A group of men round an open door that marked the
+position of the turret stairs, scattered with cries of alarm as they
+galloped up. In a moment they sprang from their horses and entered the
+doorway. The stairs were narrow, and but one man could mount and use his
+weapons at a time. They were, however, densely packed with men.
+
+Hector sprang up, closely followed by the others. The resistance was
+feeble, for the height above the winding steps was but six feet, and
+insufficient for the use of either axes or longer weapons. Many of the
+peasants, astounded at seeing the armed men mounting from below them,
+and wholly ignorant of their numbers, threw down their weapons and cried
+for mercy. Hector contented himself with pushing past them, and running
+his sword through any who showed signs of resistance. One or two men
+armed with rough pikes made a stand; these he shot, and pressed upwards
+until within some twenty feet of the top, when the peasants, half
+maddened at finding themselves caught, rushed down in a body. "Close
+up!" he shouted to his followers. These pressed close up to him, but the
+weight was too much for them, and they were borne by the rush backwards
+down the stairs, when the peasants darted out through the door. Hector
+had received several knife cuts on the shoulder and arms, and would have
+suffered still more severely had not Paolo and Nicholl, who were next
+to him, thrust their pistols over his shoulder and shot his assailants,
+whose bodies, borne along by the pressure from behind, protected him
+from the blows of those above them.
+
+"Are you hurt badly, master?" Paolo exclaimed as they stood breathless
+for a moment at the bottom of the stairs.
+
+"No, I think not; my gorget saved my neck; I have four or five cuts
+on the shoulders, but they are mere flesh wounds. Now let us mount the
+stairs; the men must have made a stout defence indeed to have held out
+so long."
+
+The upper part of the stairs was indeed almost blocked with dead bodies.
+At the top of the stairs stood two men with axes, which they lowered as
+soon as they saw Hector.
+
+"You have made a brave stand," he said, "in defence of your mistress."
+
+"You have arrived but just in time, monsieur, for we are the last two
+left, and though we might have accounted for a few more, another five
+minutes would have finished it."
+
+Stepping out on the platform at the top of the tower, Hector saw a lady
+leaning against the battlements; she was deadly pale, but her face
+still bore a look of calm determination. In her hands she held a dagger;
+clinging to her was a girl of some fifteen years of age.
+
+"Thank God, madam, that we have arrived in time!" Hector exclaimed.
+
+"Just in time, monsieur; we had given up all hope, when, as if sent
+by God, we saw your little band appear riding towards us. Even then I
+hardly ventured to hope; it seemed well nigh impossible that six men
+should be able to clear a way through so many. Only two of my faithful
+retainers still held the stairs, and it was but too evident that these
+could not resist much longer; when one more had fallen I had resolved to
+plunge this dagger into my daughter's heart and then into my own. Death
+would have been a thousand times preferable to falling into the hands of
+these wretches."
+
+"How long have you been beleaguered, madam?"
+
+"My men have been fighting for four hours. For upwards of three hours
+they did well, for the peasants, being unable to use their weapons,
+frequently drew back. Then they hit upon the device of fastening a hook
+to the end of a pole, and, catching this round the leg of one of the
+defenders, dragged him down, and then despatched him with their knives.
+One by one four of my men were killed. For the last half hour the two
+who remained stood back, one at each side of the doorway, so that they
+could not be so entrapped, and slew those who, mounting the stairs,
+tried to rush past them. Both were sorely spent, and the end must have
+come soon had you not appeared. Whom have I to thank for this unlooked
+for deliverance?"
+
+"I am Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar," Hector replied, "and have
+the honour to command his majesty's regiment of Poitou."
+
+"Your name is not French," the lady said.
+
+"No, madam, I am a Scotchman."
+
+"Then," the lady said, speaking in English, "I must claim you as a
+countryman, for I am Irish. My husband was an officer in the army of the
+Duke of Lorraine; he was killed in a skirmish four years ago, and a
+year later I married the Baron of Blenfoix, and was again widowed at the
+battle of Freiburg, where my husband, who had followed the fortunes
+of the Duke of Lorraine, his feudal lord, fell fighting by the side
+of General Merci. This is my daughter Norah. But I see that you are
+wounded," she went on as Hector bowed to the young lady.
+
+"Not seriously, madam; but I feel somewhat faint from loss of blood, and
+will remove my helmet. As it turned out," he went on somewhat faintly,
+"it was unfortunate that I did not put on my body armour; but I had not
+anticipated hard fighting, and preferred to ride without it. Thanks for
+your offer, lady, but my men will see to me, they are all of them pretty
+well accustomed to the bandaging of wounds."
+
+He was now, indeed, almost too faint to stand, and Paolo and Nicholl
+seated him against a battlement, and then proceeded to take off his
+upper garments and examine his wounds. They were all at the back of the
+shoulder, as his assailants, pressed closely against him, were unable
+to strike him in front. The lady tore some strips off her garment and
+assisted in bandaging the wound, being, as she said, well accustomed to
+such matters.
+
+"Is all quiet on the stairs?" Hector inquired of the two men whom he had
+placed on guard there.
+
+"Save for the sound of some groans all is still, colonel," Hunter
+replied. "Methinks that after being withstood for four hours by six
+retainers they are not likely to make a fresh attempt against six well
+armed men.
+
+"What are they doing, Macpherson?"
+
+"They are gathered in front of the chateau, sir. A large number of
+things were dragged out before the flames reached them, and at present
+they seem to be quarrelling over the division of them. They have got
+some barrels of wine out of the cellars and are making free with them."
+
+"So much the better," Hector said. "The company will be up in half an
+hour at latest, and will give them a lesson unless they move away before
+that; and now that they have taken to drinking they are not likely to do
+so."
+
+The bandaging of his wounds being now completed, Hector was assisted to
+his feet.
+
+"I grieve, madam," he said, "that I did not arrive in time to prevent
+the chateau being burned."
+
+"The loss is not mine; my husband's estates were confiscated when he
+crossed into Germany with the duke, and were some ten months ago granted
+to a Monsieur de Thours, a relative of the Prince of Conde; but he
+sent me a courteous letter to say that as he was serving with the Duc
+d'Enghien, I was welcome to continue to occupy the chateau until the war
+was over, receiving the rents as his chatelaine, paying the retainers,
+and keeping up the establishment, and sending the surplus to his agents
+at Nancy. This I was glad to do, for, indeed, had it not been for his
+kind offer my daughter and I would scarcely have known whither to go, as
+my husband expended his last crown in equipping a force for the service
+of the duke."
+
+At this moment Macpherson exclaimed:
+
+"I see the head of a company mounting the slope, colonel."
+
+"Yes, and there is Captain Mieville. Ah! he has halted the men, and is
+riding forward alone to take in the situation. I hope that the peasants
+won't catch sight of him." When Mieville reached a point where he could
+obtain a view of the front of the chateau he checked his horse, and
+after surveying the scene for a minute rode back to the company. A
+movement was at once visible.
+
+"He is extending them on each side," Hector said. "That is good. He is
+going to inclose the peasants, and as from the slope in the ground they
+cannot see the troops until they are within a hundred yards, he will
+catch them in a trap."
+
+The company moved round, in fact, until they had formed almost a
+semicircle, then they advanced, closing in as they neared the house.
+When they reached the spot where they could be seen by the peasants a
+trumpet sounded and they ran in. The peasants, bewildered at seeing the
+line of soldiers closing in around them, hesitated. Some were already
+too drunk to rise from the ground on which they had thrown themselves,
+the others caught up their arms and ran together. Retreat was
+impossible, for behind them was the burning house. Suddenly a stream of
+fire burst from the semicircle of troops. Some thirty of the insurgents
+fell, the others threw down their arms and fell upon their knees crying
+for mercy. The troops were rushing forward to finish their work, when
+Hector shouted "Halt!"
+
+"De Mieville," he said, as the officer rode up towards the tower, "do
+not shed more blood. Thirty at least have fallen in their attack on this
+turret, besides those who have been killed by your fire. Take the rest,
+disarm them all, let the men cut some stout switches and give every man
+twenty blows well laid on the back, and then let them go. Before you do
+so, send a dozen of them to clear the staircase and to draw some buckets
+of water from the well and sluice the steps down. Paolo, do you run down
+and find a vessel of some sort and a goblet or horn, and bring up some
+wine from one of those barrels. The ladies sorely need something after
+what they have gone through, and I myself shall be all the better for
+it, for the loss of blood has given me a raging thirst."
+
+Paolo had no difficulty in carrying out the order. The rioters had
+brought out several pails for holding the wine, a score of silver cups
+and other vessels lay where they had been dropped when the soldiers
+appeared, and the officer had placed two men on guard over them. Paolo
+thoughtfully brought up a pail of water as well as of wine. The ladies
+drank a little wine and water, while Hector took a long draught, and
+made the two retainers who had fought so stoutly, and his own men, do
+the same. In half an hour the staircase was cleared and washed down,
+and the party then descended. The baroness had told Hector that for the
+present at any rate she would go to Nancy, and would report to the new
+lord's agents there what had happened, and doubtless he would send a man
+to take charge of the place.
+
+"These cups," she said, "were all the personal property of my husband,
+and I am therefore free to take them. Many of them have been in his
+family for a very long time. Their sale will enable me to live until I
+can form some plans for the future."
+
+The several silver vessels were collected and wrapped up ready for
+transport in some of the hangings that the rioters had torn down. An
+outhouse adjoining the keep was cleared out and thickly spread with
+rushes for the accommodation of the baroness and her daughter. The
+troops had already had a very long march, and it was out of the question
+that they could return to Nancy that night. Fires were lighted in front
+of the house, and the soldiers prepared to bivouac there. Three of the
+troopers were sent off with orders to the captains of the other three
+companies to concentrate the next morning at a village on the line that
+would be taken on their return march. Some men were sent down to the
+little town of Blenfoix to purchase bread and meat, together with
+torches and other necessaries. At nightfall Hector posted sentinels,
+as he considered it quite possible that the peasants would raise the
+country for some distance round and try to take vengeance for the loss
+they had suffered. When Paolo took some supper round to the two ladies,
+he returned with a message that they hoped Colonel Campbell would join
+them in their meal.
+
+"See that the sentries are on the alert, Mieville," he said as he got up
+from the fire round which he and the three officers were sitting; "you
+must remember that these poor fellows are desperate. Of course you and
+I know that they can do themselves no good by attacking castles and
+burning chateaux, but were we in their place--famished, despairing, and
+ignorant--we should doubtless do the same. And although, with men as
+well disciplined as ours, there would be little chance of the peasants
+overpowering us, they may trust in their numbers, and would believe that
+if they could destroy us, the whole country might well rise and join
+them. Should there be any sign of trouble, call me instantly."
+
+Two sentries had been placed at the door of the outhouse, and as he
+entered Hector said, "Keep good watch, men, and if you hear any noise
+that might betoken the approach of a body of men, warn me at once."
+
+"I heard what you said to the sentries, Colonel Campbell; do you think
+that there is any danger?"
+
+"No danger, I trust, madam, for I am convinced that we could beat off
+any number. Still, I do think that there is a possibility of our being
+attacked. The peasants know that we are but a company. They may send to
+all the villages round and call on them to come and revenge those
+who have been slain. The people of the hills are strong fellows--wood
+cutters, charcoal burners, and shepherds--and there can be no doubt that
+they suffer terribly from the enormous taxation. I have seen it on my
+own estate in Poitou, and can make every allowance for them. In many
+cases the amounts they are adjudged to pay are absolutely greater than
+their whole income. They are forced to live upon bread made of bran and
+sawdust, to eat acorns and beechnuts; they are gaunt with hunger; they
+see their children dying before their eyes. They know not how their
+sufferings arise, they only know that they suffer, and in their despair
+they turn like hungry wolves against all who are better off than
+themselves."
+
+"And your people, are they suffering as much as these, monsieur?"
+
+"Not quite so much, perhaps, but they are suffering. I have spent but a
+fortnight on my estates, of which I have only been master for a year."
+
+"And could you do nothing for them, monsieur?" the girl asked.
+
+"I did what I could, mademoiselle. I remitted half their rents, which
+was in fact but a small thing, seeing that I knew positively they could
+not have paid them. Still it was no doubt some alleviation to know that
+the arrears were not being piled up against them. As to the other half,
+I told my intendant not to press any whom he thought could not pay,
+and that if he drew enough to pay his own salary and the wages of the
+retainers I should be content--for my pay as colonel is ample for my own
+wants."
+
+"You are very young to be a colonel, Monsieur Campbell," the baroness
+said.
+
+"Very young; but I have had singularly good fortune, and have been happy
+enough to please both Marshal Turenne and the Duc d'Enghien."
+
+"And you have served under them both?" she said in surprise.
+
+"I have had that good fortune. I was with Turenne for nearly four years
+in Italy, and fought under Enghien at Rocroi, and I may say under both
+of them at Freiburg."
+
+"What is the name of your regiment, monsieur?"
+
+"The Poitou regiment."
+
+"Indeed!" she exclaimed. "Of course, we have heard all the particulars
+of the battle; and it was said that General Merci would have beaten
+Monsieur Turenne back had it not been for the Poitou regiment, commanded
+by a Scottish colonel, and said to be the finest under the command
+of the French generals. They say it stood for three hours against the
+attacks of the whole Bavarian army."
+
+"We were in a strong position," Hector said quietly, "at the mouth of
+a defile, so that no more than our own numbers could attack us at once.
+However, I am proud of the conduct of my men; none could have fought
+more steadily than they did."
+
+"My husband was killed in the battle against Enghien's army on the hill.
+I am glad that it was not by your regiment, monsieur."
+
+"I am glad too, madam."
+
+"These wars are terrible, and we of Lorraine--lying between France and
+Germany--suffer whichever wins. Fortunately we lie at a distance
+from the roads that the armies follow, and therefore have escaped the
+devastation caused all along the line of march. Nevertheless we have
+the sadness of knowing that in the field neighbours must fight against
+neighbours, and kinsmen against kinsmen, for since the duke fled many of
+our nobles, seeing that the country has now become part of France,
+have joined her, while others, like my husband, followed the duke into
+Germany. However, as an Irishwoman it matters little to me now which is
+the victor."
+
+"Do you think of returning home, madam?"
+
+"As to that, I have not yet made up my mind. The land there is as
+distracted as is France by civil war. It is sixteen years since I left
+Ireland with my husband, a few months after our marriage. I was an
+orphan, and have no near relations to whom I can go, therefore it
+matters little to me whether I live in France or Ireland, so that I
+can see some way of earning my own living and that of my daughter. With
+economy, the sale of the silver would suffice to keep us for three or
+four years, and long before that I hope that I shall be able in some way
+to earn my living."
+
+Hector sat silent for two or three minutes. "It seems to me, madam,"
+he said at last, "that it would be better that you should not spend the
+proceeds of your silver before looking for a post. I can offer you one
+at once, if you will accept it."
+
+"You, monsieur!" she exclaimed in surprise.
+
+"Yes, madam. It is bad for the vassals and tenants of a noble--even
+though a newly made one, and on an estate of moderate dimensions--when
+their lord is absent, and there is none to look after them save an
+intendant, whose duty it is to collect as much rent as he is able. Such
+is the position of my tenants. I am a soldier, and must perforce be
+absent. What I need greatly is someone who will fill my place in this
+respect. I have an old friend who is captain of the garrison, and sees
+to all things in the household; I have an intendant, I believe a worthy
+young man, who collects my rents and looks to the feeding and needs of
+the servants and garrison; but I need someone who would interest herself
+actively in the condition of my tenants, who would be a friend to them
+in sickness, would give aid from my purse to those who really need it,
+would send food to the starving, and aid my intendant by advising him
+as to who are worthy of relief and who are suffering from their own
+idleness or thriftlessness--who will, in short, act as I would have my
+wife act had I one.
+
+"Now, madame la baronne if you will honour me by making my home yours
+so long as I am away at the wars, which may last, for aught I know, for
+years yet, you will be conferring a great favour upon me. You will have
+your own suite of apartments, where your meals will be served to you.
+You will have horses to ride. You will relieve my intendant of the
+necessity of seeing that the servants perform their duties, and give him
+more time to devote himself to the business of the estate, and will in
+fact act as chatelaine, save only in matters connected with the garrison
+in the defence of the castle."
+
+"Your offer is kind in the extreme, Colonel Campbell, but I could not
+accept it," she said. "You are only inventing such an office in order to
+give a home to me and Norah."
+
+"I can assure you, madam, that the thought is not a new one to me--I
+have often wished that there was a lady in the castle. One who would see
+after the wives and families of the vassals; and I should feel myself
+under a real obligation to you if you would fill the place. You
+see, madam, it would cost me nothing, for food and drink there is in
+abundance. I have two splendid horses, given me by the Duc d'Enghien,
+standing idle in their stalls. I shall be happy in knowing that my
+tenants would be well looked after, and shall be glad indeed that you
+and your daughter, my countrywomen, should, for the present at any rate,
+have a home."
+
+The tears were streaming down the lady's face.
+
+"Accept, mother," the girl said, putting her hand on her shoulder.
+"Surely God sent this gentleman to our rescue when we were very near
+death. Why should we not accept this fresh kindness at his hands?"
+
+Her mother looked up. "My daughter has chosen for me, Colonel Campbell.
+I accept your offer with the deepest thankfulness. Were I to refuse now,
+the time might come when I should be reduced to such straits that for
+my daughter's sake I should bitterly regret that I had refused your
+generous offer; therefore I accept it, and thank you from the bottom of
+my heart."
+
+"I do not wish you to see it in that light," he said with a smile. "At
+best it is but an arrangement for our mutual advantage, and I, on my
+part, thank you and mademoiselle most heartily for falling in with my
+wishes."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV: THE BATTLE OF MARIENTHAL
+
+
+The decision had scarcely been made when one of the lieutenants ran in.
+"Captain Mieville requests me to state that sounds have been heard
+in the forest, and that he believes there is a large body of men
+approaching."
+
+"Then, ladies, I must beg you to mount the stairs to the turret at once.
+I will place six men on guard there. The main body I must keep in front
+of the chateau, as that affords a protection to our rear. Do not be
+alarmed. I do not think the place is likely to be attacked; but should
+it be, the six men could hold it for any time. As soon as I have beaten
+the main body I will at once attack those who may be assailing the
+turret, though I hardly think that they will do so, for they know that
+there is nothing to be obtained that would in any way repay them for the
+loss that they would suffer. They are marching here for the purpose of
+attacking us."
+
+He called to the two sentries.
+
+"See the ladies up the stairs to the turret, and take up your post on
+the lower stairs. Four more men shall join you at once."
+
+He found that Mieville had already got all the men under arms, and had
+ranged them between the bivouac fires and the still glowing chateau.
+
+"Move your men along farther, Mieville. Let your left flank rest on the
+angle of the old castle, then we shall not be made anxious by another
+attack on the turret. Let the right flank rest upon the chateau where
+the old castle joins it. We shall then be in darkness, while the
+assailants, if they come from that side, will have to cross the ground
+lit up by the glow from the ruins. Let the centre of the line be some
+ten yards in front of the building; let the line be two deep."
+
+As soon as this disposition was made he called down the six men, as they
+were no longer required to defend the staircase.
+
+"Now, men," he said when all were formed up, "I need not admonish
+soldiers who were so firm under the attack of the whole of the Bavarian
+army of the necessity for steadiness. I have no doubt that if we are
+attacked it will be in considerable force; but it will be by half armed
+peasants, and there probably will not be a gun among them. But even
+peasants, when worked up into a state of excitement are not to be
+despised. My orders are: The front rank shall continue firing until they
+are close at hand, and shall then fix bayonets. Until this is done the
+second line are not to fire a shot; but as soon as the front rank are
+ready to repel the enemy with fixed bayonets, you will begin. Don't
+throw a shot away, but continue loading and firing, as quickly as you
+can; and unless very closely pressed, let no man empty his musket until
+his comrade on the right has reloaded, so that there will always be some
+shots in reserve. Should they rush on in spite of the fire, I shall
+give the order, 'Empty your muskets and fix bayonets,' and we will then
+charge them. Hunter, you and your three comrades and Paolo will keep
+close to me, and if we find the men wavering at any point we will go to
+their assistance. If, however, we charge, remember that you six men I
+told off to guard the turret are at once to pass through the gates and
+take up your post on the steps, for some of them may slip in behind us
+and endeavour to rush up."
+
+The horses, that had been turned loose when Hector and the troopers
+mounted the steps, had been seized by the peasants, and tied up to some
+trees close by when the latter began to feast. They had been recovered
+when the insurgents were scattered by Mieville's company and had then
+been placed in the courtyard of the castle. As soon as the alarm was
+given, Hector, the four troopers, and Paolo had mounted. The three
+officers were also on horseback.
+
+"In case the company charges, Mieville," he said, "we nine mounted men
+can cover the rear and charge any of the insurgents who try to rush in
+and take them in the rear. I hope that we shall keep them off with our
+musketry fire; but I don't disguise from myself that if they fall upon
+us at close quarters we shall have to fight hard. Ah, here they come!"
+
+Suddenly in the darkness from the other side of the chateau a great
+crowd of men poured out, shouting and yelling furiously, and brandishing
+their rough weapons, which shone blood red in the glow of the fire in
+the ruins. Someone had evidently been placed on the watch, and had told
+them where the troops had taken up their post, for they came on without
+hesitation, bearing outwards until they faced the centre of the line, at
+a distance of fifty yards; then one of the men, who appeared to be the
+leader, shouted an order, and they rushed impetuously forward. The front
+line at once opened fire. Many of the peasants dropped, while the others
+hesitated a little, and so gave the men who had first fired time to
+reload; but, urged on by the shouts of their leaders, the peasants again
+rushed forward.
+
+"Fire a volley, and then fix bayonets!" Hector shouted. The fifty
+muskets flashed out, and as the peasants were but fifteen yards away
+every shot told, and their front rank was completely swept away.
+
+"Every other man in the second line fire!" Hector ordered, and
+twenty-five shots added to the confusion among the peasants. The
+slaughter, however, only had the effect of maddening the great crowd,
+who numbered upwards of two thousand, and with a howl of fury they
+rushed forward again. Hector waited until they almost touched the row of
+bayonets, and then gave the order for the remaining men to fire and all
+to fix bayonets. The instant this was done he shouted "Charge!" for he
+saw that while standing quiet his men were no match for the peasants,
+whose long poles with the scythes at the end gave them great advantage
+over the shorter weapons of the soldiers. With a cheer the latter threw
+themselves upon their opponents, their close formation and more handy
+weapons depriving their enemies of this advantage. Thrusting and
+overthrowing all in front of them, the line burst its way through
+the mob, the little party of cavalry charging furiously whenever the
+peasants endeavoured to fall upon their rear, and the latter, boldly as
+they fought against the infantry, shrank back before the flashing swords
+and the weight of horses and riders.
+
+As soon as they had passed through the crowd Hector gave the order for
+his troops to face about, and they again burst their way through the mob
+that had closed in behind them. Four times was the manoeuvre repeated,
+the resistance growing fainter each time, as the peasants found
+themselves unable to withstand the charge of the disciplined troops.
+When for the fifth time they reached the gate of the castle the crowd no
+longer pressed upon their rear, but stood hesitatingly some fifty yards
+away. Hector took advantage of the pause, and ordered his men, who were
+panting from their exertions, to load again. He formed them in single
+line now.
+
+"Don't fire a shot until I give the word," he said; "then pour in your
+volley, fix bayonets instantly, and charge."
+
+Standing in the shade as they did, the movement of loading was
+unobserved by the peasants, who, as they saw the line again advancing,
+prepared to meet them, but gave a yell of surprise when a terrible
+volley was poured into them at a distance of twenty yards. Then, before
+they had recovered from their surprise, the long line was upon them with
+levelled bayonets. Only a few stood their ground. These were instantly
+overthrown. The rest, throwing away their weapons, fled in all
+directions.
+
+"Thank God that is over!" Hector said, as he told the troops to halt and
+reload. "If they had all been as courageous as their leader they
+would have annihilated us, but each time we charged I observed that
+a considerable number fell away on either flank, so that it was not
+a solid mass through which we had to make our way. What is our loss,
+Mieville?"
+
+"I rode along the line and counted the numbers. There are but
+seventy-five on foot," he said, "and most of these have got more or less
+severe wounds with their ugly weapons."
+
+"Let the ground over which we have passed be carefully searched," he
+said, "and any of our men who show signs of life be carried in front of
+the chateau."
+
+Twelve men were found to be living; their wounds were at once attended
+to and bandaged.
+
+"I think most of them will do," Captain Mieville said. "They are ugly
+looking gashes, but it is not like a bullet in the body."
+
+The men who had been killed were found in most cases to have been
+slain outright from the blows of hatchets, which had in several cases
+completely severed their heads. While the wounds of the soldiers were
+being attended to, Hector went to the gate at which the baroness and her
+daughter were now standing.
+
+"You are unhurt, I hope," the lady said as Hector approached.
+
+"I have two or three more wounds," he said, "but, like those I had
+before, they are of little account."
+
+"It was a terrible fight," she said. "We watched it from the top of the
+turret, and it seemed to us that you were lost each time you plunged
+into the crowd, you were so few among such numbers. Have you lost any
+men?"
+
+"We have only had thirteen killed outright," he said. "Twelve more are
+very seriously wounded, but I think most of them will recover. As to
+the rest of the company, I fancy that most of them will require some
+bandaging. And now I shall recommend you and your daughter to return to
+your shelter. I have no fear whatever of their coming back again."
+
+"That we cannot do," she said firmly. "It is our duty to do what we can
+to aid those who have fought so bravely."
+
+"The men are now attending to each other's wounds," Hector said. "Every
+man in my regiment carries, by my orders, a couple of bandages. We found
+them most useful at Freiburg, and many a life was saved that would have
+been lost but for their use; but if you insist upon doing anything, I
+would ask you to carry wine and water round. The troopers will draw the
+water for you from the well in the courtyard here."
+
+"That we will do willingly," she said.
+
+For the next two hours the ladies were busy at work, moving among the
+men and supplying them with refreshments. Not until all their wants were
+amply supplied did they retire.
+
+In the morning Hector said: "Now, Madame de Blenfoix, I have been
+thinking the matter over, and consider that it would be a wholly
+unnecessary journey and a loss of four days were you to travel to Nancy
+with us. You are only ten days' journey from Poitou, and I should
+advise you to start at once. My man, Paolo, and two of the troopers will
+accompany you as an escort. Your road will lead through Orleans, which
+will be almost halfway, and you will also pass through Tours. At both
+these towns you can, if you will, stay for a day to rest. I will ride
+down with you into Blenfoix, where I shall be able to get paper and
+pens, and will write letters to Captain MacIntosh and to my intendant
+explaining exactly the position that you will occupy. One of the
+troopers will ride forward with these from your last halting place
+before you arrive there, in order that you may find everything prepared
+and be received properly on your arrival. Do you both ride, or would you
+rather have a pillion's place behind the troopers?"
+
+"We both ride," she said; "but I should prefer, on a journey like this,
+that my daughter should ride behind me on a pillion. You are altogether
+too good, Colonel Campbell. You are heaping kindnesses upon us."
+
+"Not at all, madam. And now you will doubtless be glad to hear that in
+searching round the place this morning, we have discovered that two of
+your horses that had doubtless been turned loose by the peasants have
+found their way back. No difficulty will therefore arise on that score.
+The saddles are hanging from the beams in the stable, so that everything
+is in readiness for your departure."
+
+A quarter of an hour later the whole party left the ruined chateau, the
+troops taking their way to the point at which they had left the road,
+while Hector with his four troopers and Paolo rode down into Blenfoix
+with the ladies. Here the baroness purchased a few necessaries for the
+journey while Hector was writing his letters. Hunter and Macpherson were
+to form their escort, and were by turns to lead the spare horse, which
+on alternate days was to carry the double burden. Paolo carried the
+purse, which contained a sum ample for the expenses of the journey.
+When all was ready the adieus were said, and the baroness repeated the
+heartfelt thanks of her daughter and herself for the kindness shown
+them. Paolo took his place beside the ladies, the two troopers fell in
+behind, and they started west, while Hector with the other two troopers
+galloped off to overtake his company.
+
+At Joinville they found that de Thiou's company had just marched in, but
+it was not until the next day that the other two returned. All had met
+with scattered bodies of peasants, but these had dispersed as soon as
+the troops were seen, and there had been no actual fighting except with
+the parties Hector had met. The bodies of the soldiers that had fallen
+were buried near the chateau. Those of the peasants were left where they
+lay, and would doubtless be carried off by their friends as soon as the
+latter knew that the troops had left. The lesson had been a severe
+one indeed, upwards of two hundred and eighty being killed in the two
+encounters. The insurgents were completely disheartened by their loss,
+and during the rest of the winter the aid of the troops was not again
+called for.
+
+As soon as spring set in, the Poitou regiment marched to join the
+marshal. The Bavarian army had been weakened by the withdrawal of four
+thousand men to aid the Imperialists, who had been defeated by the
+Swedes in Bohemia. Turenne, on hearing the news, at once prepared to
+take advantage of it, crossed the Rhine on a bridge of boats at Spires,
+and passed the Neckar, General Merci retiring before him. Stuttgart
+opened its gates, and Turenne established himself at Marienthal on the
+river Tauber. Merci, as he fell back, had caused a rumour to be spread
+that he was making for the Danube.
+
+There was a great scarcity of forage in the country round Marienthal,
+and the officers of the cavalry strongly urged upon Turenne that they
+should divide and take up stations at various points where they could
+obtain food for their animals, which were much exhausted by their long
+and heavy marches. Turenne for some time resisted their entreaties, but
+at last, seeing that the cavalry would speedily be ruined unless they
+could obtain food, permitted this course to be taken. Before allowing
+them to leave, however, he sent parties of horse forward in various
+directions to discover what the enemy were doing. These returned with
+the news that the Bavarian army had broken up, and was fortifying itself
+in the towns among which it had been divided. Turenne, however, was
+still apprehensive. He kept his cannon and the greater part of the
+infantry with him, and also General Rosen with a portion of his horse,
+and refused to let the rest of the cavalry go farther than three leagues
+from the army. He himself rode out with a regiment of cavalry some ten
+miles beyond Marienthal, along the road by which the Imperialists would
+advance were they to assemble to attack him.
+
+At two o'clock the next morning a party he had sent to watch the
+Bavarians brought in the news that Merci was advancing with all his
+force. Rosen was ordered to hurry forward to the spot where the advanced
+division was lying. Messengers were sent off in all directions to recall
+the scattered cavalry, and having seen that everything had been done to
+place affairs in a better position, Turenne rode off with what troops
+he could gather to aid Rosen. The latter had made a serious blunder. In
+front of the position held by the advanced division was a large wood,
+through which the Bavarians must pass. Instead of taking possession of
+this and holding it until reinforcements came up, he fell back, drew up
+his troops on the plain, and allowed the Bavarians to occupy the wood
+without resistance. With the troops which arrived with him, the marshal
+had now under him some three thousand infantry and seven regiments of
+horse. He placed his infantry on his right with two squadrons to support
+them; with the rest of his cavalry, he formed his left wing.
+
+He himself took the command here. Rosen commanded on the right. Merci,
+after passing through the wood, drew up his army in order of battle and
+opened fire on the French. The artillery, however, in no way shook their
+firmness, and seeing more troops in the distance advancing to reinforce
+them, Merci began the battle by an attack on a little wood on which the
+French right rested; while at the same time Turenne charged the Bavarian
+right wing with his cavalry, broke it up, and captured the cannon and
+twelve standards. But while on this side the victory was almost won,
+on the other side disaster had befallen the French. Their infantry,
+perceiving that the Bavarians, who were advancing to attack them, were
+much superior in force, were seized with a panic and scattered in
+all directions. The left wing of the Bavarians advanced rapidly, and,
+throwing themselves behind Turenne's wing, prepared to fall upon him in
+the rear.
+
+Turenne ordered his cavalry to retire, and passing through the wood
+found beyond it three regiments that had just arrived. These with the
+fifteen hundred horse that had been with him in the battle placed him in
+a position to make a vigorous defence, but the Bavarians did not venture
+to attack him. He now sent an officer to rally the scattered infantry,
+and gave orders that they should at once retreat without a stop to
+Philippsburg, a distance of seventy miles. He himself with his cavalry
+started for Hesse, whose landgravine was in alliance with France. With
+two regiments he covered the retreat, and so enabled the rest of the
+cavalry as they came up from their distant quarters to cross the Tauber.
+This was a bold and successful movement, for had he fallen back with his
+infantry to Philippsburg the enemy would have possessed themselves
+of all the towns he had captured, whereas they could not now advance
+without exposing their line of communication to his attack.
+
+The Poitou regiment had, when Turenne advanced to Marienthal, been
+left at a town some four leagues away. A messenger reached Hector from
+Turenne with a note scribbled in pencil:--
+
+We have been beaten. The infantry behaved shamefully, and are hastening,
+a crowd of stragglers, towards Philippsburg. I shall retire along the
+Tauber with the cavalry and make for Hesse, do you march with all speed
+for that river. If as you approach the river you hear that we have
+already passed, do you direct your march to Hesse. I leave the choice of
+route to you, and you must be guided by circumstances. At any rate you
+are unlikely to be attacked except by cavalry, and these, if not in too
+great numbers, you may be trusted to beat off.
+
+Ten minutes after the receipt of this order the regiment was on the
+march. They arrived on the Tauber just in time, for a quarter of an hour
+after they had piled arms, after a tremendous march, the cavalry came
+along. They were in scattered parties, for the roads were terribly bad,
+and they were obliged to break up and make their way as best they could
+by mere tracks across the rocky and hilly country. Turenne himself, when
+he arrived, had but twenty horsemen with him.
+
+"I hardly expected you to be up in time, Campbell," he said, as he
+dismounted. "Your men must have marched well indeed. As you see, though
+unbeaten, for we on our side defeated the enemy's horse, we are as much
+dispersed as if we had suffered a disaster. I am trying to cover the
+retreat with two regiments of cavalry that were not engaged in the
+battle. Half an hour since we charged and drove back in confusion a
+party of Bavarian horse, but they formed up again. The main body is
+ahead, but is as scattered as we are, for besides the difficulty of
+keeping together on these horrible roads, it is necessary that we should
+occupy every track by which the enemy's horse could move, or they might
+get in front of us and play havoc with us.
+
+"You will have to march all night, and I should advise you to break
+up your command into half companies, with orders to each to attach
+themselves as far as possible to such parties of my two regiments of
+cavalry as they may come across. We shall not proceed at any great pace,
+as we must give time for the troops ahead of us to get clear. The horses
+are utterly worn out, being half starved and fatigued with their march.
+So far we know not whether the whole of the Bavarian cavalry is behind
+us, but it is probable that one of their two divisions is pursuing the
+infantry. I wish you had been there with them. In the first place your
+example would have prevented their breaking, and in the second you could
+have covered their retreat. As it is, I fear that but few of the three
+thousand who were with me will reach Philippsburg. I shall be glad if
+you yourself will remain near me. If your regiment were going to keep
+together I would not take you from them, but being broken up into
+fragments, you could exercise no supervision over them in the darkness."
+
+Hector at once called the officers together, and gave them the necessary
+orders. "You understand," he said, "that your main object is not so much
+to save yourselves, though that is most important, but to enable the
+cavalry to beat back the Bavarian horse."
+
+It was a terrible march; both horse and foot made their way along with
+difficulty through the darkness. Men and horses were alike fatigued, and
+the cavalry for the most part dismounted and led their animals along.
+There were several sharp fights with bodies of the enemy, who, ignorant
+of the line by which the French were retreating, feared to press
+the rearguard too close, lest they should find them in very superior
+numbers. Once, when they passed a lane running down to the river,
+Turenne--who had taken every opportunity of making his way across the
+line of retreat and seeing how all was going on--said to Hector, "Will
+you ride up here, Campbell, and cheer up any parties you may come
+across. Tell them that all is going on well, and that by morning we
+shall find that the enemy have given up the pursuit, and shall be able
+to halt and take a few hours' rest, and give battle should the enemy
+come up in force. Their horses must be as fatigued as ours, for they
+must have been marching for eight or ten hours since the morning."
+
+Hector had only Paolo now with him, having appointed the four troopers
+to go with different parties of the infantry, and to act as orderlies
+to their captains. He rode rapidly up the lane, and presently heard the
+cavalry passing across it.
+
+"There is one party, Paolo," he said, urging his horse into a gallop. In
+two or three minutes he came up with the column of horse.
+
+"Where is your officer?" he asked, drawing rein as he reached them.
+
+"Seize him!" a voice cried in German, and before he and Paolo could turn
+their horses half a dozen troopers were upon them.
+
+"I surrender," he cried in German, seeing that resistance was
+impossible.
+
+"Who are you, monsieur?" an officer demanded.
+
+"I am colonel of the Poitou regiment of infantry," he said. "This man is
+my lackey."
+
+"Where are your cavalry, sir?"
+
+"That I cannot tell you exactly, seeing that no one knows. I thought
+that you formed part of our rearguard."
+
+"How comes it that you, an infantry officer, were there? We heard that
+there were no infantry with them."
+
+"We joined them just before nightfall, and were at once divided up among
+the various regiments of horse."
+
+"I must inform our colonel of that. Come along with me," and they pushed
+past the troopers until they arrived at the head of the column, when the
+officer reported to the colonel.
+
+"Donner Blitzen!" the latter exclaimed, "it is well that we learned this
+news, for we should have fared very ill if we had come upon horse and
+foot together. The Poitou regiment! That is the one that we heard beat
+back our charges so often at Freiburg, and they say the best regiment in
+the French service. It is no use our going farther; we might well fall
+into an ambush, and in these lanes they could shoot us down helplessly.
+We will move on quietly until we get to a place where there is space
+enough for us to dismount and bivouac. We could not have gone many more
+miles, for if we did we should be a regiment without horses tomorrow
+morning."
+
+They proceeded very slowly and cautiously until, when they came upon an
+open tract of ground, the colonel ordered them to dismount and sound the
+trumpets. His regiment, like those of Turenne, had been broken up, and
+he had but half a squadron with him. In an hour the whole regiment
+was assembled; a few fires were lighted, but most of the men threw
+themselves down by their horses and at once went off to sleep. The
+colonel and his officers sat down at one of the fires, where Hector was
+requested to join them.
+
+"I suppose that your regiment took no part in the battle?"
+
+"No, sir; we were some way from Marienthal, and I received orders only
+after the day was lost, to join Marshal Turenne and his cavalry on
+the Tauber. We arrived on the river just at sunset, having marched ten
+leagues in eight hours. I regret bitterly that my regiment was not on
+the field, for assuredly they would not have given way. Had they stood,
+the rest of the infantry would have stood."
+
+"And in that case you would now be the pursuers," the colonel broke in,
+"for Turenne completely shattered our right wing. Well, sir, it is the
+fortune of war, and we at least have the honour of having given your
+marshal a defeat. He is a grand general, but we caught him napping
+today."
+
+"It was not his fault, sir. General Rosen and his officers insisted so
+strongly that unless they were allowed to move off in search of forage,
+the whole army would be disabled by the loss of their horses by hunger,
+that he was almost forced to comply with their request."
+
+"But, even so, he made a mistake," the colonel said. "If instead of
+marching to meet us in front of Marienthal he had fallen back directly
+he had the news of our coming, he could have been joined by all his
+detached troops before we came up with him."
+
+"He said as much to me tonight," Hector replied; "but even the greatest
+generals are liable to make a mistake sometimes. And, indeed, had
+General Rosen with the advanced division held the wood in front of them,
+instead of retiring on to the plain, they should have been able to keep
+you at bay until all our troops came up."
+
+"Undoubtedly that was a terrible blunder on his part," the colonel
+said, "and he rather than Turenne is to blame. And now, sir, may I
+ask how is it that you, who cannot be more than twenty, come to be a
+colonel, and in command of a regiment?"
+
+"I have been five years an officer, and was fortunate on two occasions
+to obtain the approval, once of Monsieur de Turenne, and once of the Duc
+d'Enghien."
+
+"I congratulate you, sir. It is seldom indeed that so young an officer
+has opportunities of distinguishing himself. I myself had seen well nigh
+thirty years service before I came to command a regiment. And now, sir,
+will you give me your parole not to attempt to escape?"
+
+"Certainly, sir," Hector replied promptly. He knew that should he refuse
+four or five troopers would be set to watch him, and even if he evaded
+these, which was well nigh impossible, he might be recaptured on the
+following morning, as detachments of the Bavarian horse would be sure to
+be pressing hard upon Turenne's troops. The pursuit was indeed taken up
+again during the night, but Turenne succeeded in keeping his pursuers
+at bay, and reaching the frontiers of Hesse. There he found the infantry
+and cavalry who had not been engaged already assembled, for they had
+received orders to march instantly to that spot. He had now with him
+some four thousand horse and two thousand foot, and was joined by six
+thousand troops from Hesse and four thousand Swedes. He was thus soon
+in a position to advance with a much stronger force than that which he
+commanded before the battle of Marienthal.
+
+The Bavarian cavalry that had followed him rejoined General Merci at
+Kirchheim. Hector was with Paolo taken to that place, and upon his
+refusal to continue his parole, was confined in a prison there, Paolo
+being allowed at his request to remain with him. He had had an interview
+with General Merci, who had treated him with much courtesy; for there
+were Scotch and Irish officers serving in the Imperial army as well as
+in that of France, and they were held in high esteem for their courage
+and daring.
+
+The battle of Marienthal was fought on the 2nd of May, and it was late
+in July before any fresh movements took place. Turenne would willingly
+have advanced with his army, but his movements were arrested by a
+peremptory order from Paris, sent on receipt of the news of the defeat,
+that he was not to take the offensive until joined by Enghien, who had
+with him a force of eight thousand men. He therefore marched to join the
+reinforcements, and the two armies met at Spires on the 2nd of July.
+As before, Enghien was in supreme command, with de Gramont as his
+lieutenant general. Long conferences took place between these generals:
+Turenne, General Geis, who commanded the Hessians, and Konigsmark,
+who commanded the Swedes. The Bavarians were known to be very strongly
+posted, and to have been reinforced by four thousand Imperialists under
+the command of General Geis.
+
+There was much difference of opinion between them as to the best course
+to be pursued, but Enghien, who was always in favour of great battles,
+finally determined so to place the army that the enemy would be forced
+to come out and fight. He therefore marched to Venecher, captured
+Wimpfen, and threw a bridge across the river, whereupon General Merci
+fell back twenty leagues into Franconia. As soon as they had passed
+the river an occurrence took place that threatened to overthrow all the
+plans of the campaign. Some hasty words spoken by Enghien so angered the
+Generals Geis and Konigsmark that they determined to retire at once with
+the Swedes and Hessians. Turenne was requested by Enghien to endeavour
+to arrange matters, and by his kind and gentle manner succeeded
+in conciliating Geis, who consented to remain with the Hessians.
+Konigsmark, however, as hot tempered as Enghien himself, refused to do
+so, and with his whole force retired to Bremen, in Lower Saxony.
+
+The French and Hessians marched towards the Tauber, captured Rothenburg
+and other towns, and thereby obtained a large quantity of provisions
+and stores; and hearing that the Bavarians were advancing to Nordlingen,
+marched in all haste to give them battle there.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI: AN ESCAPE
+
+
+After being confined for a week in the prison at Kirchheim Hector
+was sent with a number of other prisoners to Ingolstadt. Here he
+was confined in the castle, a separate room being allotted to him in
+recognition of his rank, and Paolo was, at his request, allowed to
+remain with him.
+
+"I cannot but think, master, that we should have done better if you had
+given your parole not to try to escape. In that case we might have had
+comfortable quarters in the town instead of this somewhat bare chamber.
+If there had been a chance of escape it would have been different,
+but seeing the strength of the castle, methinks there is no prospect
+whatever of our being able to get out."
+
+"That remains to be seen, Paolo. I fancy there is always a chance
+of escape if one does but hit upon the right way. At present we know
+nothing of the castle or the vigilance of the guard, and no doubt it
+will take us some little time to find these matters out. The first
+thing we require is patience. No doubt they will allow me out to take
+exercise, and like enough, if I give my word that you will return every
+day at a certain hour, they will allow you to go in to the town, seeing
+that you can scarcely be called a prisoner, having no military rank or
+position, but being in their eyes only a lackey. If they will do that it
+will be a great step gained, for you will be able to bring in anything
+that we may require. However, I will not ask that you should be
+permitted to go in and out for some little time.
+
+"Lose no opportunity of making yourself friendly with some of the
+soldiers, and if the chance should occur, be useful to any of the
+officers. The commandant is evidently disposed to be civil, and says
+that he will grant me any indulgence in his power short of passing the
+gates of the castle. I have no doubt that when the campaign is over and
+the army has gone into winter quarters Turenne will offer to exchange
+some prisoners of the same rank for me. But I have no wish to be cooped
+up here when perhaps a great battle may be fought. As far as I can see,
+the difficulty will not be so much in getting out of the castle, but
+out of the town itself, for this is one of the most strongly fortified
+places in the empire. One reason why I want you to go into the town is
+that you may be able to obtain shelter there for us should we find, as I
+expect we shall, that it is impossible for us to escape from the citadel
+and town at the same attempt."
+
+The place was indeed so strong that but a careless watch was kept
+over the prisoners in the castle. The soldiers were confined to their
+quarters save that they were allowed for an hour a day to take exercise
+in the courtyard, a company of troops being kept under arms while they
+were out; but the officers were free at all times to wander about.
+Hector was soon on friendly terms with many of the officers of the
+garrison, as in his case there was none of the hostile feeling with
+which the French officers were regarded. His youth, and the singularity
+of his having so soon attained the rank of colonel, also predisposed
+them in his favour. It was evident that this young soldier of fortune,
+unsupported by powerful family interest, must have distinguished himself
+in an altogether exceptional manner to have obtained the command of one
+of the best regiments of France.
+
+Paolo was as popular among the sergeants and men as his master was with
+the officers. As an Italian, and as Hector's lackey, he was not regarded
+as a prisoner of war; and by his unfailing good humour, his readiness to
+enter into any fun that might be going on, or to lend a hand in cleaning
+accoutrements or completing a job that a soldier had left unfinished
+when his turn came for duty, he became quite a popular character. The
+colonel who commanded frequently walked with Hector in the courtyard,
+sent him dishes from his own table, and more than once invited him to
+dine with him. As he was very curious to learn how his young prisoner
+had so early attained his rank, Hector one evening gave him a sketch of
+his career, from the time when Turenne gave him his commission to
+that at which he was taken prisoner, omitting only the incident of the
+attempt to assassinate Mazarin.
+
+"You have certainly been fortunate," he said, "but it is equally certain
+that you have deserved it. The fact that, in addition to your military
+duties, you have learned Italian and German, besides transforming a
+newly raised regiment into one of the best in the French service, shows
+how assiduous you have been in your work. I trust that when the campaign
+is over you may be exchanged, and I think it is foolish of you not to
+give me your parole, for you must know well that you have no chance of
+escape from here."
+
+"They say everything comes to those who wait, colonel," Hector laughed,
+"and if I see a chance I shall certainly avail myself of it. Even if no
+such chance comes I shall still be a gainer by not giving my parole. I
+am exceedingly comfortable as it is, and can wish for nothing better.
+The one drawback is that I have nothing to do, except perhaps to improve
+my German, and it would be just the same if I were living in the town.
+But if I were on my parole I should lose the amusement of planning
+methods for escape, which I do unceasingly; but up till now, I may tell
+you in confidence, I am as far from having hit upon a plan as I was when
+I entered. By the way, colonel, although it is clear that I cannot be
+allowed to go outside the castle gate, I should be glad if my lackey
+could be given leave to do so. He is not a soldier, neither is he a
+Frenchman, and can scarce be counted as a prisoner of war. He is a
+willing and cheerful fellow, and would enjoy a run in the city much more
+than I should. Besides, occasionally I may want a book or some other
+little thing which I cannot get here."
+
+"Such as a file, a rope, or a disguise, Colonel Campbell," the
+commandant laughed.
+
+"I am not thinking of that at present," Hector said smiling. "Besides,
+you can give orders that he can always be strictly searched when he
+comes in."
+
+The colonel shook his head. "I will tell you what I will do," he said;
+"I will let him have a pass to go in and out at will, if you will give
+me a promise, on your honour as a soldier, that he shall not bring in
+anything that can be used by you for facilitating your escape. I would
+much rather trust to your word than to any search the soldiers might
+make as your man comes in."
+
+"Thank you, colonel," Hector said cheerfully, though at heart he felt
+considerably disappointed. "I give you my word of honour that he shall
+bring in nothing that may aid me in making my escape, and I am much
+obliged to you for letting him have the run of the town."
+
+The colonel at once wrote a pass authorizing Paolo Monti, lackey to
+Colonel Campbell, to enter and leave the castle at all times when the
+gates were open.
+
+Paolo laughed when Hector told him the conditions on which the pass was
+granted.
+
+"The commandant is a shrewd fellow, master, but he is not quite shrewd
+enough; he forgot that though I may bring in nothing myself I may be
+able to arrange with someone else to bring something in."
+
+"That flashed through my mind at once, Paolo; but at present neither
+file, rope, nor disguise would be of any use. However, they may be so
+later. The first thing for you to do when you get this pass will be to
+make yourself master of the plan of the town and the fortifications,
+and see if there is any place where you think an escape is possible. But
+even when you find one, and you think that it might be managed, you must
+afterwards find a place where I can be hidden for a time, at any rate
+for a few hours. You see, were I to go out in disguise I must do so in
+broad daylight, for my supper is served almost directly after the gates
+are closed; and were I missing there would be a search for me at once,
+the sentries on the wall would all be warned, and it would be impossible
+to get past them. If I could get out two or three hours before the gates
+are closed at nine o'clock I might, as soon as it became dark, attempt
+to get over the walls before the alarm was given, or I might possibly go
+out in the same disguise that I left here in, through the city gate and
+across the bridge."
+
+"I see that, sir, and it seems to me that this would be easier than
+trying to find a hiding place for you in the town. However, I will set
+my wits to work. I have been able to think of nothing in here; but
+one's eyes always help one's wits, and if I were in the town I might see
+something that would give me an idea how the matter might be set about."
+
+Day after day Paolo went into the town, always returning discouraged.
+
+"I must be growing a downright numbskull," he said one evening in
+disgust; "I have been three weeks at it and no single idea has come to
+me."
+
+"You need not be discouraged at that, Paolo; it's not such a simple
+thing to plan an escape from a fortress like this as it was to get into
+the citadel at Turin, where we also had the advantage of starting with
+disguises. I can no more think of a disguise in which I can pass the
+gates than you can. I am a good deal too tall to pass as a woman. My
+face is perfectly well known to every soldier in the castle, and even if
+we hit upon a disguise it would be very difficult to get it brought in.
+It struck me today that if I am to get out it must be in some vehicle
+that has come in with supplies."
+
+"That is a great idea, master; if I had not been a thick headed fool I
+should have thought of that before. But at the same time it will not be
+easy to manage."
+
+"I quite see that, Paolo; even if the driver were bought over it would
+be difficult indeed to manage to get into the cart with so many soldiers
+standing about."
+
+Paolo shook his head.
+
+"Yes, I don't see that that could be managed at all, master."
+
+He stood thinking a minute.
+
+"I have it!" he exclaimed joyfully. "You know, sir, sometimes a train
+of waggons containing faggots, or flour, or other things, comes in late.
+Those that are unloaded before the gate is closed go out at once; the
+others are unloaded that evening, but the empty carts have to remain
+in the castle till morning, as the great gates are never opened between
+sunset and sunrise, though officers come in by the postern. Now, if you
+could manage during the night to slip into one of the waggons, say one
+that has brought in flour, you might be so covered over by the empty
+sacks they take out, that no one would dream anyone was hidden there."
+
+"Capital, Paolo! It is evident that your head is not so thick as you
+thought it was just now. Yes, I have noticed that as a rule if eight
+or ten waggons came in together, the full sacks are carried in, and the
+same number of empty ones are placed in one of the carts, being counted
+as they are put in. Certainly I could hide myself easily enough if you
+were there to assist in arranging the sacks as regularly as before over
+me. As I do not generally get up until eight o'clock, and my first meal
+is not brought to me till nine, I might be on my way two hours before it
+was discovered that I was missing. How would you manage?"
+
+"I would get a countryman's suit, master, would go out soon after the
+gates were open, find some quiet spot where I should have hidden the
+clothes the day before, and slip them on over my own. Then I would join
+the carts as they came along. They don't generally begin to harness the
+horses up till the gates are open, so that I should get a quarter of an
+hour's start of them, and I should go out with them without question, as
+it would be thought that I belonged to the party. I should pay for some
+beer at the first cabaret we come to, and make signs that I wanted a
+lift in a waggon. I must, of course, pretend to be deaf and dumb, as,
+although I have picked up a little German since we came into these
+parts, I could not possibly pass as a countryman."
+
+"It would be better still, Paolo, for you to put a blister on to your
+cheek, then before you join them put a great lump of tow into your
+mouth, so as to swell your cheek out almost to bursting point, and then
+tie a bandage round your face; you could then by pointing to it make out
+that you had so terrible a swelling that you were unable to talk."
+
+"That would be better certainly, master, indeed, it would be a capital
+plan. Of course I should get into the waggon in which you were, and
+gradually shift the sacks so that you could crawl out. When we smuggled
+you in we would try and put in with you a couple of brace of pistols,
+and if we were armed with them the carters would not venture to
+interfere with us. Of course, master, I should have to get a disguise
+for you. We could never be tramping across the country with you dressed
+as a French officer."
+
+"Get something that I could put over the clothes I wear. A long frock,
+some loose breeches, and rough cloth to wrap round the legs below them,
+and of course a pair of countryman's shoes. The best plan would be for
+you to stand treat again at a cabaret a few miles out of the town, get
+them all in there, then I could slip out of the waggon and throw the
+sacks back into their place. Of course you would choose some spot where
+the cabaret either stands alone or is at the end of a village, so that
+there may be no one standing by, and I could, when I got down, walk
+quietly back along the road. You can make signs to them that you
+live hard by, and would leave them there; then if there should be any
+suspicion that I had escaped in the waggons, and a troop of cavalry were
+sent in pursuit, the men would be all able to declare that they had seen
+nothing of me, and so could give no clue whatever that would set them on
+our track.
+
+"Well, it is quite settled that we will try that way, but it may be some
+time before the opportunity occurs. However, you may as well get the
+two disguises and the two brace of pistols, and stow them away somewhere
+where they are not likely to be found."
+
+"There are plenty of places where one can do that, master; there is
+a row of old trees inside the fortifications, and I warrant that if I
+cannot find one with a hollow large enough to stow them away in, I can
+hide them in the branches with small chance of their ever being seen."
+
+Another month passed. Paolo made a point of occasionally going out soon
+after the gates were open, saying casually that his master had a fancy
+for a bottle of better wine with his breakfast, or that he was going to
+get some eggs to make an omelette for him. Hector was in no particular
+hurry, for the news had come that Turenne with his own troops and
+those of Hesse had, with the Swedes, marched away for the Rhine. It was
+rumoured that they would be joined by another army, for in no other way
+could the Imperialists account for Turenne having retired when he had
+a force at least equal to any that Merci could set in the field against
+him. Hector saw that at any rate there was no chance of a great battle
+being fought just then, and felt, therefore, no impatience to be off.
+Two or three times carts with faggots had been unloaded after the gates
+were closed, but as they took nothing out, it was impossible for him to
+conceal himself in them.
+
+At last, to his satisfaction, a number of waggons of flour came in late
+one afternoon, and he determined to carry his plan into execution that
+night. The storehouses were not in the great court, but in a smaller one
+off it. Beyond two soldiers at the gate and a sentry at the commandant's
+door, no guards were kept in the courtyards, though a few sentries were
+placed upon the walls. Hector had his supper as usual, and Paolo brought
+in the news that eight of the waggons had not been unloaded in time to
+go out. A fatigue party of soldiers were now completing the work, which
+would be finished about nine o'clock. Taking off their boots a little
+after that hour they went quietly downstairs, then put them on again and
+boldly crossed the courtyard, for the night was so dark that there was
+no fear of their figures being perceived.
+
+As they entered the inner yard they again took off their boots and
+walked up to the carts. In two of these the carters were fast asleep.
+They passed on quietly, feeling in each cart for the sacks, and were
+delighted to find that they were all placed in the one farthest up the
+yard, which would therefore be the last to go out. They were tidily
+piled in lines side by side at the forward end of the waggon. They
+cautiously removed the sacks of the middle lines; Hector lay down feet
+foremost, and Paolo laid the sacks regularly over him till they reached
+the level of the others. Half a dozen were doubled and packed neatly in
+at the end, so as to conceal his head and prevent its being noticed that
+any had been taken out. The rest were distributed evenly, so that the
+sacks were all as level as before, and no one would have suspected that
+they had been disturbed.
+
+Paolo then returned to Hector's room. As the double sacks closing the
+orifice at his head had not been packed very tightly, enough air entered
+for Hector to breathe. He increased the opening somewhat by pressing one
+of the sacks a little aside, but left it so that he could readily pull
+it into its position in the morning. As soon as Paolo reached the room
+he applied a blistering plaster to his cheek and kept it on till he
+could no longer bear the pain, then he threw himself down on his pallet.
+But neither he nor his master slept much, Hector being kept awake by the
+heat and discomfort of his position, and Paolo by the smarting of his
+cheek. As soon as it was light the latter rose, and sat impatiently
+waiting for the time when the gates would open. Looking into the
+courtyard, he could see the troops coming out from their quarters and
+moving about, then the gates opened, and, tying a bandage over his
+cheek, he went down and crossed the yard.
+
+"You are out early," the sergeant of the guard remarked.
+
+He nodded. "I am nigh mad with pain," he said, pointing to his cheek,
+"and I am going to get some salve from an apothecary."
+
+"You seem to be bad indeed," the sergeant said commiseratingly, "'tis a
+terrible inflammation."
+
+Paolo went down to the spot where he had hidden the bundles in the
+hollow of a tree. It was an unfrequented place, and slipping his
+disguise over his clothes, after putting the pistols in his belt, he
+took the second bundle and returned to a street through which waggons
+leaving the castle must pass. A few minutes later he saw them coming
+along. He had already stuffed his cheek full of tow, and several
+people, struck with the raw and swollen appearance of his face, had
+compassionately asked him what was the matter. He had simply shaken his
+head, opened his lips, and pointed to his clenched teeth, signifying
+that he could not speak. He fell in with the waggons as they came along
+and passed through the gate without question. When a short distance away
+from the town he made signs to the driver of the last waggon, that if
+he would give him a lift in the cart he would pay for some drink. The
+carter nodded and told him to climb up. After they had gone four miles
+from the town, they came to a wayside inn.
+
+"Now is the time, master, they are all going in to get some drink. There
+is no one about."
+
+The waggons all stopped there, for there had been no opportunity for
+the drivers to obtain refreshments as they passed through the town. All
+therefore sauntered into the inn, their salutations to the host showing
+that they were accustomed to stop there. Paolo followed them in, and
+putting down the money for a large jug of beer, handed it to the
+carter, and, shaking him by the hand, made a motion that he was going no
+farther. Then he went back to the end waggon. Hector had already pushed
+out the bags in front of him and had with great difficulty crawled out.
+
+"It is all right, master, we have a good ten minutes; there is no one
+about, but you had better keep below the waggon rails until you have got
+your disguise on."
+
+A couple of minutes sufficed for this, then Hector leapt to the ground,
+while Paolo replaced the sacks in their position; and then together they
+hurried across some twenty yards of broken ground and entered a wood.
+
+"That was a capitally managed business, Paolo. Now we have to find our
+way across country. We cannot keep by the river, for it turns away to
+the south, and would take us far from the point we want to reach. At any
+rate, for a day or two we must travel at night, after that I think we
+can venture boldly along--for it is not likely that the news that a
+prisoner has escaped will travel very far--although no doubt a strict
+search will be kept up for a day or two. I think that for today we had
+better make our way north, keeping in the woods as much as possible;
+they are less likely to search for us in that direction than to the
+west."
+
+They found that the forest was fully two leagues across, and agreed that
+it was unlikely in the extreme that any attempt would be made to search
+so extensive an area, where two men could anywhere conceal themselves.
+Paolo had on the previous afternoon placed a couple of loaves and some
+cold meat in the bundles, and they now sat down by a little stream and
+ate a hearty meal, then, crawling into a thick growth of underwood, they
+lay down to sleep and did not awaken until the sun was setting.
+
+"There must be some country tracks through this forest, Paolo. We cannot
+do better than keep along the edge of the stream until we come to one
+and then follow it. It is sure, sooner or later, to take us to some
+small hamlet, and I can go into a cabaret and get a couple of flasks
+of wine and buy enough bread to last us until tomorrow, and perhaps a
+sausage, they are not likely to have any other meat in a place of that
+sort. My German is good enough to pass muster, and even if it sounds
+strange to their ears, they will merely suppose that I have come from a
+different part of the country, for the dialects differ greatly from each
+other."
+
+As soon as it became quite dark they found it impossible to follow the
+rough ground, and after one or two falls had to stop. Hector said, "This
+won't do, we shall twist an ankle or break a bone if we go on."
+
+"Shall we light a fire, master? I have brought flint and steel with me,
+for I knew that we should want it."
+
+"No, it is better to run no risks; there may be a road near for aught we
+know, and if anyone passing saw a fire among the trees, he might come to
+see who had made it."
+
+"Not he, master; there are too many robbers about, deserters from their
+army, or men who have been ruined by the war. You may be sure that if
+any belated villager had the courage to go through this forest by night
+he would, on seeing a fire, hurry on as fast as his legs would carry
+him."
+
+"Well, no doubt you are right, Paolo; and though the night is warm
+enough the air is damp under this thick covering of leaves, and it will
+certainly be more cheerful. We will go a short distance among the trees
+before we light it."
+
+Feeling their way--for it was pitch dark in the forest--they went on
+until Hector stumbled over a fallen trunk.
+
+"This is the best place for a halt," he said, "for here is wood ready
+to hand. This tree has been lying here for years, I can feel that it is
+quite rotten."
+
+Paolo set to work--took a handful or two of the crumbling wood, broke
+it up into dust, then struck a spark on to the tinder, touched it with
+a slow match and inserted this into the little pile of wood; a minute's
+blowing and the flames sprang up. He drew out the slow match and putting
+his foot upon it placed it in his wallet, then he broke off some more
+wood and soon had a blazing fire.
+
+"We have enough food left for supper, master, and if I spit some of this
+cold meat on the ramrod of one of my pistols and hold it over the fire
+it will be all the more tasty. I wish we had those flasks of wine that
+you were speaking of. It seems to me that after sleeping for some ten
+hours we shall find it hard to go off again for some time, even though
+neither of us got any sleep last night. How furious the governor will be
+when he finds that you have escaped!"
+
+"He is a good fellow," Hector said, "and save that he will be
+annoyed--because he will be blamed for my escape--I do not think he will
+be sorry that I have got off. I left a note for him on the table saying
+that I was about to make my escape, but that on my honour I had not
+obtained anything that would aid me, by your assistance, and that you
+had never brought anything into the castle save what you showed on
+entering to the guards. I should not like him to think for a moment that
+I had broken my promise and taken advantage of his kindness. How does
+your face feel?"
+
+"It is mightily sore, but it does not smart as it did at first. I can
+tell you that I was very glad when I was able to slip that great lump of
+tow out of my mouth as soon as I entered the forest."
+
+"I don't think in future that you need use so large a wad, Paolo; half
+that size will be ample; and of course you need only slip it into your
+mouth when we are going through a village, or meet a party likely to
+question us. As to your cheek, it will be days before that fiery mark
+disappears."
+
+They talked until nearly midnight, and then lay down and slept till
+four, by which time day had broken, for it was now the first week in
+July. After walking for half an hour along the edge of the wood, they
+came to a track issuing out of it. This they followed, and in about two
+hours saw a village in front of them.
+
+"I will go in and buy the things that we want, Paolo, and do you make a
+circuit round it. If the news has reached them of our escape they will
+have been told to look for two men; and the entry of a single countryman
+will excite no suspicion, for of course no one will know what disguise
+we have chosen.
+
+"Do not be anxious if I do not come along for half an hour. It will be
+more natural that I should call for bread and cheese and beer and eat
+them there; then I can say carelessly that I may as well take some with
+me to eat later on."
+
+"You are early!" the owner of the cabaret said as Hector entered.
+
+"I ought to have been earlier," he replied in a grumbling voice; "but it
+was so late before I reached the other side of the forest, that instead
+of passing through it I thought it best to wait till daybreak, for
+it would be desperately dark under the trees, and sometimes there are
+pretty rough fellows to be met with there; so I slept in a shed until
+an hour before daybreak and then started, and I lost no time in getting
+through it, I can tell you. What can you give me now?"
+
+"The usual thing," the man said, shrugging his shoulders. "Bread and
+beer and black sausage."
+
+"It might be worse," Hector said as he seated himself. The food was soon
+placed before him. He ate a hearty meal.
+
+"I have a long way to go," he said when he had finished, "and as I am
+blessed with a good appetite it will not be long before I am hungry
+again. I suppose there is no one in the village that sells bread and
+sausage, so if you will let me I will buy a whole one from you and a
+couple of loaves."
+
+"I will sell them to you willingly enough; but you will come to another
+village three miles on."
+
+"I sha'n't be hungry enough by that time," Hector laughed. "Besides, I
+like to choose my own place and time and sit down by the wayside and eat
+my meal. One need never go very far without coming upon a stream; and
+though I like beer better than water, I can put up with it when there is
+nothing stronger to be had."
+
+"Nothing but bread and sausage again, Paolo," Hector said as he joined
+his comrade a quarter of a mile beyond the village.
+
+"And good enough too for a hungry man. I have often longed for such a
+meal in the days before you took me, in spite of all warning."
+
+"And we have often done no better since, Paolo, when we have been on the
+march. Will you start on it now, or wait until we get to a stream?"
+
+"I will hold on for a bit, master. This black bread is so hard that it
+needs a lot of washing down."
+
+Making several detours to avoid villages, they walked all day, and
+towards evening came upon a main road running west.
+
+"Unless I am mistaken in the line that I have taken, this must be the
+road through Eichstadt. I can see some towers ahead, and I have no doubt
+that they are those of the town. There is a bridge there across the
+Altmuhl. The river makes a loop at this point, and the road cuts across
+it to the northwest to Gunzenhausen, where there is another bridge. From
+there the road runs to Hall. Thence we can cross the Neckar, either at
+Heilbronn or Neckarsulm, and we are then in our own country, and but
+a short distance from either Spires or Philippsburg, where we shall
+be likely enough to meet Turenne advancing again, or shall at any rate
+learn where he is. We will lie up now and not cross the bridge until it
+gets dusk."
+
+"I wish we had swords, master."
+
+"Yes, but they would not suit our disguises. But when we get into the
+town I will buy two woodmen's axes and a couple of the long knives that
+all the peasants here carry. I fancy from what I heard when we were at
+Hall with Turenne that the country between Eichstadt and there is for
+the most part a great forest, and there are rough hills to pass before
+we get to Hall. It will be just as well to have some weapons that we can
+use with effect if we should come upon any bands of robbers."
+
+"Quite so, master. A good axe is as good as a sword in a rough sort of
+fight; but is there not some way we can travel so as to avoid this great
+forest that you speak of?"
+
+"Not without making a great detour, and that through a country where
+there will be bodies of Merci's troops quartered everywhere."
+
+"Very well, master. Then I think that the risk will be less with the
+robbers, especially as we have not apparently much worth stealing upon
+us."
+
+"Not only apparently, but really, Paolo. Fortunately my purse was pretty
+well filled when we were taken prisoners; but we spent a good deal at
+Ingoldstadt, principally in buying articles we could have done without,
+but which we got in order to give an excuse for your going into the
+town, and in these disguises and pistols. However, we shall not, I hope,
+require much more outlay; and after getting axes and knives we shall
+have enough to pay for our food, such as it is, for some time. However,
+there is certainly nothing in our pockets to tempt robbers."
+
+"No, master; but if they searched you they would notice your clothes.
+They would show at once that you are a person of quality; and although,
+as you left your scarf behind you, they might not know that you are an
+officer, they would see that there was a mystery about you."
+
+"That is true, and I think that perhaps it would be as well if both of
+us were to take off our own clothes when we get beyond the town tonight,
+and go on only in those you got for us. When we rejoin our friends we
+can get money and replace them."
+
+"I have money with me, master," Paolo said. "I have had no occasion to
+spend aught for a long time, and have changed my wages as you paid
+them into gold, and have forty pistoles sewn up in the waistbelt of my
+breeches. I heard you say that it was always a good thing to carry a
+certain amount about with one in case of being taken prisoner or laid up
+wounded."
+
+"It was a wise precaution, Paolo; but just at the present moment I would
+rather that you did not have it about you. However, I do not suppose we
+shall be interfered with. You may as well continue to wear your breeches
+under those you have outside, but leave your doublet when I change.
+After all, if you were to be searched the pistoles would show that we
+are not what we seem, unless we could make up some plausible tale as to
+how we came possessed of them."
+
+"Oh, we could manage that easily enough, master! There are other ways of
+getting pistoles than by earning them."
+
+Thus chatting they had crossed the bridge and were now entering
+Eichstadt. Going to a quiet cabaret they ate a hearty meal, and Hector
+afterwards bought the axes and knives, and they left the town just
+before the gates were closed. They had walked some miles when a
+thunderstorm, which had for some time been threatening, broke over them.
+
+"We must get some shelter if we can," Hector said. "I see a light on
+ahead. Let us push on and take refuge before we are wet to the skin."
+
+On reaching the house they saw that it was a wayside inn.
+
+"We are in luck, Paolo," Hector said as he lifted the latch.
+
+The door, however, was fastened, and on his knocking a voice asked, "Who
+is there at this time of night?"
+
+"Travellers," Hector replied. "Come, open the door quickly or we shall
+be wet to the skin!" and he emphasized his words by kicking at the door.
+It was, however, a minute or two before it was opened, and Hector, who
+was becoming furious at this delay, had just taken his axe from his
+belt and was about to break the door in when it opened, and a man with a
+torch in one hand and a sword in the other stood on the threshold.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII: A ROBBER'S DEN
+
+
+
+"What mean you by knocking thus furiously?" the landlord of the little
+inn asked angrily.
+
+"What mean you by keeping your door shut in the face of travellers on
+such a night as this?" Hector replied, even more loudly. "Are honest men
+to be kept waiting in the rain while you are taking no steps to let them
+in?"
+
+"How could I tell that you are honest men?" the landlord retorted.
+
+"Because if we had not been honest men we should long before this have
+battered your door down, as indeed I was just going to do when you
+opened it."
+
+"Well, come in," the landlord said with an evil smile. "Maybe you would
+have done better to have passed on."
+
+He showed them into the taproom, where two or three rough men were
+sitting.
+
+"What did these fellows mean by knocking so loudly?" one of them asked
+angrily.
+
+"It means," Hector replied, "that travellers have a right to claim
+shelter of an inn; and indeed, inn or no inn, no one would refuse
+shelter to travellers on such a night as this is going to be." And his
+words were emphasized by a crash of thunder overhead.
+
+"You crow pretty loud, young fellow," the man growled.
+
+"I speak loud because I have right on my side. I desire to quarrel with
+no man; but one need indeed be a saint to keep one's temper when one is
+kept standing outside a door with the rain coming down in great drops,
+and threatening in another minute to come in bucketfuls. It is all the
+worse when, as you see, one has a sick comrade with one."
+
+The man spoke in a low voice to the three others seated at the table
+with him. "May I ask whither you were journeying when thus caught in the
+storm?" he asked in a more civil tone than he had hitherto used.
+
+"Certainly you may. We were in haste to get on to Gunzenhausen by
+morning, as a friend of ours has work ready for us there. We did not
+expect this storm when we left Eichstadt just before the gates closed,
+and as the nights are short we thought we would push straight through."
+
+"You are woodmen, I see."
+
+"Ay, woodmen and charcoal burners."
+
+"You are not from this part, at least, judging from your tongue."
+
+"Nor, I fancy, are you," Hector replied.
+
+"No," the other said. "In times like these every one is liable to be
+driven from home either because the troops of one army or another have
+plundered and destroyed everything, or perhaps because he has been
+forced into the ranks."
+
+"That is just our case, and you will understand that in times like
+these, as you say, no one cares to answer questions on the part of
+strangers. But we have no particular cause of concealment. We have both
+been in the army, and, as you see, have left it, and have our reasons
+for wishing to travel at night, when there is no chance of falling in
+with troops whose officers might ask inconvenient questions. As, thanks
+to our host and you, we are nearly wet through, we will thank him to get
+ready as quick as may be two flagons of hot beer, and if he has got a
+couple of eggs to beat up in each of them, so much the better."
+
+The landlord left the room, and a minute or two later the man who had
+spoken to Hector got up and went out.
+
+"These men are up to no good," Hector whispered to Paolo as they sat
+down on a bench at a table some little distance from that at which the
+other men were seated. "I am sorry now that I asked for the liquor, it
+was necessary to order something. I should not be surprised if they drug
+it. Do you put yours to your lips, and then groan as if it hurt you too
+much to try to swallow, and leave it standing in front of you. I will
+pretend to drink mine, and will manage to pour it away on the floor.
+Presently do you lean forward on to the table and appear to fall asleep.
+As I am in the corner, I will lean back and seem to go off also. Unless
+I am greatly mistaken this is a regular thieves' den. Keep one hand on
+the butt of a pistol. We will both keep awake for a time, and if nothing
+comes of it we will then watch by turns. It is clear that they suspect
+that we are not what we seem."
+
+The men at the other table were talking together in low voices, and,
+listening intently, Hector could hear a murmur of voices in the room
+behind him.
+
+"There were more than two voices there," he whispered presently to
+Paolo. The latter nodded, for he too had been listening. Presently the
+landlord returned with the two flagons of hot beer, which were set down
+on the table before them. The room was lighted only by a torch stuck in
+a cresset on the wall, and Hector had purposely seated himself as far
+from this as possible. Paolo took up his mug, raised it to his lips, and
+then set it down again with a sudden cry.
+
+"I am afraid that you will not be able to take it," Hector said aloud.
+
+"What is the matter with your comrade?" the landlord asked.
+
+"He has a terrible abscess in his jaw, and is unable to speak or to
+swallow."
+
+The landlord took the torch from its place and walked over and looked at
+Paolo's cheek. "There is no mistake about that," he said. "It is indeed
+a terrible swelling, and the cheek looks almost raw."
+
+"He has put liniments on it," Hector said, "but they seem to have done
+him harm rather than good. However, he is not so bad as he was, and I
+hope that the abscess will break ere long."
+
+The landlord fastened the torch up again, and said in a low tone to the
+other men: "There is no doubt about his face being bad." As he turned
+away from the table he stood between Hector and the other men, and the
+former seized the opportunity of pouring the contents of his mug against
+the wall by his knee, knowing that as the floor was of earth it would
+soak it up at once. From time to time he lifted the mug to his lips,
+until he apparently drained it. Then half closing his eyes he leant up
+against the corner. Paolo had already laid his head down on the table,
+and after a time both breathed heavily and regularly. Half an hour later
+one of the men rose noiselessly and left the room. Two or three minutes
+afterwards he returned with the host, the man who had gone out before,
+and two others.
+
+"Seven against two," Hector thought to himself. "However, we shall have
+the advantage of a surprise." He touched Paolo with his foot to assure
+himself that he had not really gone off to sleep, but the responsive
+movement showed that he also was on his guard. The man who had first
+left the room and one of the others drew their long knives and stepped
+quietly forward, while the others, also with bared weapons, prepared
+to support them if necessary. Hector waited until the two leaders were
+close, then he exclaimed sharply, "Now!" at the same moment throwing
+forward his hand with the pistol. Two reports rang out at the same
+moment, and the men pitched heavily forward. A yell of surprise and
+fury broke from the others, but ere they could step over their fallen
+comrades, Hector and his companion stood erect with their second pistols
+in their right hands and their axes ready for action in their left.
+
+Hector's second shot took effect on the landlord, Paolo's apparently
+missed, for the other four rushed forward. Hector dashed the table
+aside, and he and Paolo, poising their heavy axes, rushed forward to
+meet their assailants.
+
+"Mind the beams," Hector shouted, as with a sweeping side blow he clove
+in the head of one opponent. But the warning came too late. Paolo struck
+a downward blow, the axe caught the low beams of the ceiling, and it
+flew from his hand. His opponent sprang upon him. Paolo caught the man's
+right wrist as he struck at him with his knife, and drew his own from
+his girdle. His assailant threw his other arm round him, and, grappling,
+they fell on to the ground. Hector could do nothing to assist him, for
+the other two men were trying to circle round him, keeping beyond the
+swing of his axe but watching for an opportunity to spring upon him.
+Keeping his back against the wall he made feints against them. Presently
+one of the men passed between him and the two antagonists struggling on
+the ground. Suddenly they rolled over and over, coming in contact with
+him from behind and almost throwing him over. Before he could recover
+from the shock Hector's axe struck him below the ear.
+
+The other man would have turned and made for the door, but Hector knew
+that it was important that he should not escape and carry the news to
+others of his party, who might be in the forest. He therefore sprang
+after him, and before the wretch could open the door struck him between
+the shoulders with his long knife. As he did so Paolo sprung up with a
+shout.
+
+"Thank God that you are alive, Paolo! I was afraid that he might have
+killed you."
+
+"No, no, master. I had him by the wrist too firmly for that, and my
+knife did its work almost directly. But with those two fellows hovering
+round I should have been at their mercy had I tried to get on my feet.
+So I kept on struggling until I saw my opportunity, and then as that
+fellow's back was turned I rolled over against him, and so gave you
+the chance that you were waiting for. Well, master, it has been a sharp
+business."
+
+"It has indeed. Now the first thing is to see if there is anyone else
+in the house, and the next to look about for some clothes for you to put
+on, for those you wear are covered with blood. Then we must be off, and
+put as many miles between us and this place before morning as we can."
+
+A brief search showed that the place was empty, save for the dead in the
+taproom. An old doublet belonging to the landlord was found hanging up
+in the loft where he slept. Taking off his outer garments, Paolo put
+this on.
+
+"It is lucky I kept my breeches on under the others," he said, "for I
+certainly could not have gone into a town with these stained things on.
+I suppose there is some money hidden somewhere, but we have not time to
+look. You may be sure that many a traveller has been murdered here."
+
+"I quite agree with you, but we have certainly no time to spare to hunt
+for it. Let us be off at once."
+
+Reloading their pistols and carefully wiping their axes they went out by
+a door at the back of the house, for neither cared to re-enter the scene
+of the slaughter. Before doing so, however, they took a long draught
+from the landlord's beer barrel, to make up for the drink of which
+they had deprived themselves. The storm had passed, and the stars were
+shining brightly. They met nobody on their way until within two or three
+miles of Gunzenhausen; it was found that the haft of Paolo's axe was
+deeply stained with blood; and he threw it away on issuing from the
+wood, as it did not accord well with his present attire, which was
+rather that of a discharged soldier or a worker in cities than of a
+countryman. Soon after eight o'clock they approached the town. They were
+now greatly fatigued, for they had done two long days' marches without
+any sleep between them, and turning off from the road they made their
+way to a little clump of trees, and there threw themselves down in the
+shade and slept until late in the afternoon.
+
+"I think that after our experience of last night, Paolo," Hector said,
+as they walked towards the town, "we had better wait until we can join
+some party going to Hall before we leave this place. From what I hear,
+the road is a great deal more infested with bands of lawless men than
+that along which we have come."
+
+"Then, master, I think we had certainly better wait, for I don't want
+anything worse than we had yesterday."
+
+They went to a small inn, had supper, and then lay down on some straw in
+an outhouse and slept soundly until morning. Then they breakfasted,
+and as there was no one else in the room Paolo was able to eat freely.
+Presently the landlord came in, and Hector entered into conversation
+with him.
+
+"We want to go on to Hall," he said. "We have friends there, and we are
+obliged to leave home because we should be taken for the army."
+
+"Well, I don't think that you will find yourself better off at Hall than
+here. They are catching up every ablebodied young fellow and putting him
+into the ranks, and as you both look strong and active, except for your
+comrade's face, you are both likely to be seized as soon as you enter
+Hall, especially if you have no papers to show."
+
+"We are not thinking of entering Hall, landlord. Our friends live a few
+miles away, and they will hide us till the army moves away from these
+parts."
+
+"That will be before long, thank the saints! There is news that a great
+French army marched from Spires three days ago, and there is like to be
+a great fight before long; and if the French are beaten Merci will chase
+them back to the Rhine, recapture all the towns that they have taken,
+and perhaps enter Alsace."
+
+"Which way do they say that the French are marching?"
+
+"They took the road to Weisloch. Some think that they will come through
+Wimpfen, and then by Weinsberg here, unless Merci bars the way. Others
+again think that they will make their way down through Stuttgart. Five
+hundred men march from here tomorrow to Hall, whence they go on to
+Heilbronn to strengthen the garrison there. All the waggons in the town
+and country round have been fetched in to carry their stores and baggage
+and a convoy of ammunition. I should say that you could not do better
+than go on with the waggons. No one is likely to ask you any questions,
+for it will be thought that you are drivers."
+
+"Thank you very much," Hector said; "that would certainly be a capital
+plan. We were afraid of going through the forests alone."
+
+"Yes, and you were right. They are full of marauders. A party of
+troopers arrived here from Eichstadt yesterday evening. They stopped to
+get a drink at a cabaret in the forest, and on entering found seven men
+lying dead, and no one living to say how they got there. That some,
+if not all, were robbers was evident from the fact that, on the bodies
+being searched, articles evidently plundered from travellers were found
+upon all of them. An examination was made of the house, and considerable
+quantities of plunder found hidden. Searching in the forest behind,
+several mounds of earth, evidently graves, were discovered. The landlord
+himself was among the killed, for one of the troopers, who had before
+stopped at the house, recognized him. It was supposed that the brigands
+were killed by some other party with whom they had quarrelled. Three of
+them were shot and two killed by tremendous blows from an axe, and as
+neither pistols nor axes were found in the room it is clear that those
+within had been killed by some other band."
+
+The next morning, when the column started, Hector and Paolo fell in
+among the carts, and rendered good service on the road by helping to
+move them when the wheels of the waggons stuck fast at spots where the
+road crossed marshy valleys. So bad was the journey that it occupied two
+days. Then the waggons were parked outside the walls of Hall, a guard
+being placed round them to prevent desertion. The troops slept inside
+the town. At daybreak the next morning their march was arrested by an
+officer riding out from the town, saying that news had arrived on the
+previous evening that the French were marching upon Heilbronn, that
+General Merci was concentrating his army there to oppose the passage of
+the river, and that the troops were to push on with all speed, leaving
+their baggage train at Hall. Hector at once decided that, with the
+Bavarian army gathering in front, it would be madness to endeavour to
+push on, and that indeed it would be far better to fall back until the
+direction of the French march was fully determined, when they could make
+a detour and come down upon their flank without having to pass through
+the Bavarian army. He did not, however, care about remaining in Hall,
+which might be occupied by the Bavarians if they fell back, and they
+therefore, after entering the town with the waggons, purchased a store
+of provisions, and, going out again, established themselves in a small
+farmhouse, whose occupants had deserted it and fled into the town upon
+hearing that the French were but some thirty miles distant.
+
+Every day Hector went into the place to gather news, and learned that
+Wimpfen had been captured by the French by a sudden assault, and that
+they had crossed the Neckar. On returning he at once started with Paolo,
+but on approaching the Neckar learned that the French had marched on to
+Rothenburg. They fell in, however, with a detachment which had been left
+on the Neckar. Hector found among them several officers to whom he was
+known, and, borrowing Paolo's money, fitted himself and follower
+out again, bought a couple of horses that had been captured from the
+Bavarians, who had, he learned, retired to Franconia, and set out
+to join the army. Rothenburg had been, he found out on his arrival,
+captured in a few hours, and the main body of the French had marched
+to Dinkelsbuhl, and there he came up with them. He had learned from the
+party on the Neckar of the defection of Konigsmark and the Swedes, and
+that Conde and Turenne's united army did not exceed twenty thousand men,
+and, as he knew, that of Merci was at least equal to it in strength. His
+first question on entering the camp was as to the quarters of his own
+regiment, and he at once rode there. As soon as he was recognized
+the men ran to him, cheering wildly, and so great was the tumult that
+Turenne himself, whose headquarters were but a short distance away,
+rode to the spot to enquire the cause of the tumult. When he saw Hector
+surrounded by his cheering soldiers he passed through the crowd, and,
+reaching him, shook him warmly by the hand.
+
+"I had hoped that we might have made an exchange for you during the
+winter, colonel, but I had not thought it possible that I should see you
+again before that time; for in the first place, we captured no prisoners
+in this campaign, but, on the contrary, have had many of our own
+officers taken; and in the second place, we have been too busy ever
+since Marienthal to enter into negotiations. You have, I suppose, given
+them the slip, you and that varlet of yours, for I see him over there."
+
+"Yes, marshal; we had no very great difficulty in getting away. I have
+been very well treated, and until I heard that you were again taking the
+offensive, I had no reason to fret over my imprisonment."
+
+"Well, you have joined us just in time, for at any moment we may fight a
+great battle. When you have leisure this evening come over to my tent.
+I shall be glad to hear how you managed to escape, and any news you have
+gained as to Merci's force and intentions."
+
+As soon as the marshal had ridden off, his officers pressed round him,
+but before speaking to them individually Hector said a few words to the
+men, thanking them for the greeting they had given him, and saying that
+he was glad indeed to be back among them. Then he talked for a time to
+the officers, two or three of whom, after saying a few words apart to
+Captain de Thiou, had hurried away. Half an hour later de Thiou said:
+
+"I have no doubt that you will be glad of supper, colonel. Ours is just
+prepared, and we hope that you will join us."
+
+"I am hungry, de Thiou, now I come to think of it, for except a crust of
+bread this morning I have not touched anything today."
+
+"It is fortunate that we are better off than usual," de Thiou said. "We
+had the luck to buy a pig from one of Weimar's troopers. The cavalry get
+the best of it, for though there are orders against pillaging, there is
+no doubt that a good deal of it goes on; and, marching as we have been,
+there is no one to see that orders are strictly carried out. However, we
+have benefited by it this afternoon."
+
+Accompanying de Thiou, Hector was surprised to find that at a short
+distance in front of the spot where the regiment was bivouacked a large
+arbour had been erected.
+
+"I did not notice this as I rode in," he said.
+
+"It was not even thought of then, colonel; it was begun a few minutes
+after you rode up, and the men have worked right willingly, and
+fortunately there was a copse hard by. I may say that it was the
+men's own idea. I had given orders that a table should be made of any
+materials that came to hand, and one of the men started the idea of
+building an arbour over it, and as many hands make quick work it has, as
+you see, been constructed in little over half an hour."
+
+As the evening was warm the front of the arbour had been left open.
+Inside, a rough table had been constructed of empty casks, planks taken
+from the bottom of the waggons, and a couple of doors from cottages
+near, while powder barrels served as seats.
+
+"Now, colonel, will you take the head of the table?" de Thiou said.
+
+"Certainly not, de Thiou. I am your guest upon this occasion, so do you
+take that place, and I will sit upon your right hand."
+
+"I only wish that we could have given you a dinner like those you so
+often gave us at St. Denis."
+
+"I shall enjoy it as much as if it were a royal feast," Hector said,
+seating himself; "for indeed since I escaped from Ingoldstadt some ten
+days ago I have been living on black bread, sausage, and cheese."
+
+The meal was a joyous one, for at the assault of Rothenburg on the
+previous day several barrels of wine had been captured by the soldiers
+of the regiment. These had been bought from them by the officers, who
+had feared that some of the men might drink to excess, and so damage the
+reputation which the regiment had obtained for sobriety and discipline.
+One of these had been broached, and this and the pork afforded an
+excellent supper even though the bread was of the worst possible
+quality. When the meal was over, de Thiou stood up and proposed the
+health of the colonel, and congratulated him most warmly upon his escape
+from the enemy, expressing the extreme satisfaction of all the men as
+well as officers at his return. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm,
+and Hector briefly returned thanks. Then, in accordance with the general
+request, he related the particulars of his escape from Ingoldstadt and
+of his journey. Paolo, who had been waiting behind his master's chair,
+came in for warm praise for the share he had taken in the matter.
+
+"I certainly did not think when I first, against the advice of everyone,
+took Paolo as my lackey five years ago, that he would turn out so
+valuable a servant as he has done," Hector said as de Thiou handed a
+goblet of wine to the man. "He has been more than a servant, he has
+taken part in all my adventures, and truly I regard him as my friend.
+Indeed, gentlemen, had it not been for him I certainly should not be
+here tonight, for my own money gave out altogether at Hall, and I had to
+borrow from his store the means of buying clothes and horses."
+
+"By the way, colonel," de Thiou said, "from the day that you were
+captured I have drawn your pay for you, knowing that if it fell into
+arrear you would have had hard work in getting it, so that I have now
+three months of your money in the regimental chest."
+
+"Thank you, de Thiou, it will be very welcome; though Paolo would not
+have been a very hard creditor."
+
+At eight o'clock the party broke up, and Hector walked across to
+Turenne's quarters. The latter had just returned from a consultation
+with the other generals.
+
+"We shall open our trenches here tonight; the place is of some
+importance, as it is on the direct road to Nordlingen, and it is as well
+not to leave it behind us. This, however, we shall do, if news comes
+that Merci is marching to give us battle before that city, which we
+expect he will do. The Imperialists will like to fight there, for it
+was the scene of their great victory over the Duke of Weimar and the
+Swedes."
+
+"We must hope that we shall reverse matters this time, marshal."
+
+"We must hope so," the latter said gravely; "if we fight on a fair
+field I have no misgivings whatever. But Merci always takes up strong
+positions and entrenches himself, and Enghien is so anxious to fight
+that he will do so at a disadvantage rather than wait until we can meet
+them on even terms. You know what happened at Freiburg, where we lost
+some nine thousand men and gained no great advantage; while if we had
+moved round and threatened their line of retreat the enemy must have
+fallen back at once, we should have obtained our object without the loss
+of a man, and might possibly have fallen upon Merci in his retreat, and
+well nigh annihilated his army. Do not think, Campbell, that I am for a
+moment underestimating Enghien's genius. It is extraordinary, and in the
+hour of battle he is superb, not only from his extreme personal bravery,
+but from the quickness with which he grasps every point, seizes upon
+the spot where a blow can be best delivered, and snatches victory, where
+another would see only defeat before him. But he is reckless of life so
+long as he carries his point, and rather than lose a day in turning the
+enemy's position and so forcing him to relinquish it, will sacrifice
+whole regiments by marching straight against the most formidable
+entrenchments. Had he but patience in addition to his own splendid
+qualities, I think he would be the greatest military genius the world
+has ever seen. And now let me hear what happened to you after you left
+my side that night after Marienthal."
+
+Hector again related his adventures. Turenne laughed at the account of
+his escape, hidden under the flour bags.
+
+"It was a good scheme," he said; "and it was well that you had that
+lackey of yours with you, for I do not think that you could ever have
+managed it unaided."
+
+"I am sure I could not, marshal; it was entirely his suggestion, and he
+arranged all the details splendidly. He was equally valuable in another
+way afterwards;" and he described the fight in the cabaret.
+
+"That was more dangerous than taking part in a pitched battle; seven
+against two are heavy odds indeed, though you had the advantage of
+weapons. The fellow has a ready wit to think of rolling against the man
+who was waiting for a chance of running in and stabbing you; he would
+have made his fortune somehow even if he had not had the good luck to
+fall in with you. In some respects you resemble each other; you both
+have enterprise, quickness, and daring, but he lacks your studious
+habits, your determination to master everything connected with your
+profession, and your ability to turn your knowledge to account. He would
+have made a good soldier, an excellent leader of an irregular corps, but
+he would never have gained distinction. Well, I am very glad to have had
+a quiet talk with you; it takes one out of one's worries and anxieties.
+By the way, I had a letter from Mazarin; it reached me while I was at
+Spires. He said he was sorry to hear that you had been taken prisoner,
+and requested me to make an exchange for you as soon as possible, even
+if I had to give a general officer for you, for he was very deeply your
+debtor, and had the highest esteem for you. What have you been doing to
+make him your debtor? You never mentioned anything of the sort to me."
+
+"The matter was to some degree a state one, marshal, or I should
+have told you of it; but as it took place nearly a year ago, and the
+circumstances are altogether changed, I can mention them to you in
+confidence--for even now, were it known, it might make me some powerful
+enemies." He then related how it was that he had thwarted the attempt on
+Mazarin's life.
+
+"That was a piece of singular good fortune," Turenne said. "Mazarin is
+a staunch friend and a bitter enemy. I owe him no goodwill, for he has
+behaved shamefully to de Bouillon, refusing to hand to him the estates
+for which he exchanged his principality of Sedan; but I do not permit
+myself to allow family interests to weigh with me against my duties to
+France. Truly, as you say, it were well to hide your share in a business
+that sent De Beaufort and a score of others to prison, and a dozen
+members of powerful families into exile; it might well cause you serious
+trouble were it known. You did well to keep the matter to yourself, and
+you did specially well to refuse to accept any personal honour, for had
+you done so Mazarin's enemies would at once have connected that fact
+with the discovery of the plot."
+
+On returning to his regiment, Hector found that an order had come just
+after he left, for four companies to march down under the guidance of an
+engineer officer to begin work on the trenches. De Thiou, knowing
+that he had gone to the marshal's, had gone down with the four
+leading companies. The other infantry regiments had furnished similar
+contingents, showing that the siege was to be pushed forward with all
+haste.
+
+"Enghien does not allow the grass to grow under his feet," Captain
+Mieville said. "We stormed Wimpfen a few hours after our arrival before
+it; we carried Rothenburg in a single night, and I expect that by
+tomorrow evening we shall be masters of this place."
+
+In the morning four more companies went down to relieve those who had
+been at work all night, and these had made great progress when, in the
+afternoon, the news came that Merci was marching with all his strength
+towards Nordlingen. Trumpets at once sounded to recall the troops from
+the trenches, a meal was hastily cooked, and at sunset the army marched
+for Nordlingen. All night they pushed on through the forest, and just
+as the leading squadrons emerged from it on to the plain, Merci's forces
+were seen issuing out from the forest facing them. Both armies at once
+formed in order of battle.
+
+Enghien, anxious to attack, rode forward with Turenne, de Gramont, and
+Geis to reconnoitre the ground. It was found that between the armies
+there was a small river, with great pools and swamps on either side,
+and that the only approaches were by narrow and winding paths where two
+horsemen could scarcely ride abreast. Even Enghien felt that it would
+be madness to venture upon an attack. His artillery opened fire, that of
+the Bavarians replied, and the cannonade was continued till nightfall,
+inflicting a certain amount of loss on either side but in no way
+altering the position. Seeing that a battle could not be brought on
+here, Enghien marched two hours before daybreak for Nordlingen. At nine
+the army came down on to the great plain in front of that town, but he
+found that Merci had been beforehand with him, and had already taken up
+a strong position two leagues away, and between him and the city, and
+that his troops were already at work throwing up intrenchments. The
+prince ordered all the baggage to be left behind, and at once marched
+against the enemy. At four o'clock they were facing each other. Merci
+had, as usual, chosen his position with great judgment. In the middle
+of the plain rose two little hills about a thousand yards apart. On the
+hill on his left stood the castle of Allersheim, and here Merci's left
+wing, under General John de Werth, was posted; while at Weinberg his
+right, commanded by General Gleen, took up its station. The main body of
+the army, under Merci himself, lay behind a village a couple of hundred
+yards beyond the hills, and at the head of the passage between them. He
+had his cavalry on his two wings, his infantry in the centre, and had
+thrown forward some regiments to hold the village. On the two hills he
+had planted his cannon, sheltered by intrenchments, and in a position to
+sweep the entrance to the valley.
+
+His army consisted of between fourteen and fifteen thousand men, that of
+Enghien of seventeen thousand. After examining the position a council
+of war was held. Turenne was strongly against attacking the enemy in a
+position of such strength, but Enghien as usual overruled his opinion.
+Turenne then urged that the cavalry on the wings should not charge up
+the hills and attack the positions held there until the enemy's centre
+had been defeated, and his advice in this respect was taken. The
+generals then separated and rode to their respective commands. De
+Gramont commanded the right wing, consisting of all the French cavalry,
+and having as a second line a reserve consisting of four battalions of
+infantry and six squadrons of horse commanded by Chevalier de Chabot.
+Turenne commanded the left, which consisted of his own army, with twelve
+squadrons of Weimar's cavalry, with the Hessian army--six battalions
+and six squadrons--as a second line. The centre, consisting of ten
+battalions and five squadrons of horse, was commanded by Count de
+Marsin. Enghien took no special command, preferring to remain free to go
+where his presence was most needed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII: NORDLINGEN
+
+
+It was five o'clock in the afternoon when all the arrangements for the
+attack were completed. But as on the 3rd of August the evening is long,
+it was judged that there would be sufficient daylight to carry out the
+battle. The French began with a cannonade against the village, and this
+was replied to by the guns on the two hills. Not only did the position
+of the latter give them great superiority, but much time was lost by the
+French in being obliged to move forward their guns as the army advanced,
+a slow and tedious process in days when cannon were very heavy and
+cumbrous. Seeing that they were losing time and suffering more loss than
+they inflicted, Enghien gave the order to the infantry of the centre to
+advance.
+
+They went forward with great speed and eagerness, for they were burning
+to retrieve their cowardly conduct at Marienthal. They carried the
+intrenchments Merci had thrown up at the mouth of the pass, and,
+heedless of the firing of the guns, rushed at the village. Here,
+however, they were received by so heavy a fire of musketry from the
+infantry posted there, who had loopholed all the walls and houses, that
+they came to a stop, and, being shot down in great numbers, turned
+and fled. The Count de Marsin was himself dangerously wounded. The Duc
+d'Enghien sent the Marquis de la Moussaie forward with a reinforcement
+of several regiments, but these, too, fell back before the Imperialists'
+fire. The Duc d'Enghien then rallied the infantry, added to them all
+those not yet engaged, and himself led them to the charge. Merci on his
+part brought forward his main body to the village.
+
+The battle was now a desperate one. Enghien seemed to lead a charmed
+life. He was ever where the fight was hottest, encouraging the soldiers
+and setting them an example. His clothes were shot through in many
+places. Two horses were killed under him, and he received a contusion in
+the thigh. Merci on his part showed equal valour and intrepidity; but
+he was less fortunate, for he was struck by a musketball and killed. The
+news of his fall excited his soldiers to fury, and, hurling themselves
+on their assailants they cut the greater part of the infantry to pieces.
+
+The French on the right had done no better, for the Bavarian cavalry
+charged them with such impetuosity that although they fought sturdily
+they were broken and routed. De Gramont did all that a leader could do
+to check their flight and lead them back to the battle; and when he
+saw that he was powerless to do this he put himself at the head of two
+regiments that had not yet been engaged, received the Bavarian horse
+with a heavy volley, and leading his troopers to the charge, broke into
+them, but advancing too far was surrounded and taken prisoner. John
+de Werth then fell on the reserve, broke them, penetrated the baggage,
+which was plundered, and then pursued the fugitives far away from the
+field of battle. Had he, instead of allowing his troops and himself to
+be carried away by their ardour, brought them round and attacked
+the French left in the rear, the Imperialist victory would have been
+complete.
+
+Here for a time the conflict was doubtful. Turenne, in spite of the fire
+of the Imperialist artillery, led his troops in good order up the hill
+of Weinberg. His horse was shot under him and his cuirass was struck,
+but not pierced, by a musketball. On gaining the top of the hill a
+terrible fight took place between the Weimar and Hessian troops on one
+side, and the Austrians and Bavarians on the other. The former showed
+valour in strong contrast with the conduct of their French allies; and
+after repeated volleys had been exchanged infantry and cavalry rushed
+upon each other and fought with bayonet and sword. At last the first
+line of Imperialists gave way, but General Gleen brought up the second
+line and threw Turenne's first line into disorder, although they still
+maintained their ground. At this moment Conde, seeing that his centre
+was destroyed and his right utterly dispersed, came up and joined
+Turenne, and placing himself at the head of the Hessians, who formed the
+second line, brought them forward. The enemy's squadrons were
+broken, and the infantry defeated. The guns were then turned upon the
+Imperialists on the slope of the hill leading down to the village, and
+when they were shaken by the fire Turenne's squadron charged down upon
+them and completed their defeat. General Gleen was taken prisoner, and
+Turenne's troops, descending the hill, took the village in flank.
+
+Had the defenders here fought with the same courage that they had
+previously evinced, they would have given time to John de Werth to
+return, and the fate of the battle would have been doubtful, but they
+were seized with unreasoning panic, and at once surrendered. The night
+had long since closed in, and so far as the fighting had gone the
+battle might be considered a drawn one. The French right and centre
+were utterly routed, but their left had captured one of the keys of the
+position and the village behind it. Had John de Werth, when he
+returned from the pursuit, shown himself an able general, rallied
+the Imperialists and sent them to recapture the village, and with
+his victorious cavalry made a circuit of the Weinberg and fallen upon
+Turenne's rear, the Imperialist success would have been as complete and
+striking as that which they had won on nearly the same ground over the
+Swedes; but although an impetuous leader of cavalry, he had no military
+genius, and on returning after dark, and hearing that the Weinberg was
+lost and the village captured, he drew off from the field.
+
+He was joined by the Imperialist infantry, and when the morning broke
+Turenne's division stood victors on the field. A number of officers,
+many standards, and all the cannon of the enemy fell into their hands.
+Of the French infantry not more than fifteen hundred were rallied after
+the battle, and of the allied army Turenne's German troops, although
+they had suffered severely, alone remained intact. John de Werth
+retreated with the remains of the Imperialist force to Donauworth, and
+crossed to the other side of the Danube, although his force was still
+superior to that of Turenne, for the loss suffered by the French
+and Turenne's German troops was very much greater than that of
+the Imperialists. Enghien, in his despatch announcing the victory,
+acknowledged in his letter to the queen that it was due to the valour
+and honour of Turenne.
+
+Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl opened their gates to the victors. Enghien
+fell ill and was forced to return to France, leaving Turenne in command.
+De Gramont was exchanged for Gleen, and he and Turenne took counsel
+as to the course that had best be pursued. John de Werth had already
+recrossed the Danube, and the French generals fell back to Hall, where
+they remained for twelve days to refresh the troops, provisions being
+plentiful in the neighbourhood.
+
+But their position was daily becoming more untenable. The Duke of
+Bavaria, greatly alarmed by the result of the battle of Nordlingen,
+wrote to the emperor that unless Austria largely increased her force in
+the field he should retire from the contest, of which he had hitherto
+borne the brunt, and make terms with the French. The emperor, who had
+just brought a war with Hungary to a close, despatched the Archduke
+Leopold, his son, with a great body of horse, and he soon effected a
+junction with Gleen and John de Werth, and together they pushed forward
+at the utmost speed to surprise the French. As soon as Turenne received
+news of the movement he and de Gramont agreed that an instant retreat
+must be made, seeing that their force was less than half that which was
+advancing to attack them. The baggage was abandoned, and as there was
+no bridge available the army crossed the Neckar by swimming, each
+cavalryman taking one of the infantry behind him. They continued their
+retreat until they arrived at Philippsburg. Here Turenne with the whole
+of his army took up his position, covered by the guns of the fortress,
+while Gramont passed the river with the remains of Enghien's army and
+all the cavalry.
+
+The Imperialists, after examining Turenne's position, came to the
+conclusion that it could not be attacked, and, marching away, besieged
+and captured all the towns taken by the French in their advance. Thus
+beyond the empty honour of a nominal victory at Nordlingen, the campaign
+under Enghien and Turenne ended, without any solid advantage whatever
+being gained by the French.
+
+The Poitou regiment, which was the only French battalion in the army of
+Turenne, had been placed with the Hessians in the second line. It had
+fought with distinguished bravery on the crest of the Weinberg, and
+had publicly been thanked by Enghien, who had on the day of the battle
+ridden by the side of Hector at their head when they fell upon the
+Imperialists. They had suffered but a small number of casualties,
+for the enemy were already shaken before they charged, and had, after
+receiving a shattering volley, broken and fled as the regiment charged
+with fixed bayonets. Turenne was always anxious to impress upon Hector
+the lessons that were to be learned from each action, and while they
+were encamped round Hall he went over the events of the campaign with
+him on a map.
+
+"You see," he said, "that what I said to you on the evening before
+we marched from Dinkelsbuhl has been completely justified. Instead of
+manoeuvring so as to fight in the open, we dashed ourselves against this
+strong position, with the inevitable consequences, two-thirds of our
+army were routed, and the infantry of the centre and right all but
+annihilated; and although by hard fighting we on the left gained an
+advantage, it was only the impetuous folly of John de Werth that saved
+us from destruction. Now, you see, we are in no position to fight
+another battle. A victory won in one's own country is decisive for
+a considerable time, but a victory in an enemy's country, unless it
+involves his disastrous defeat and the utter breakup of his army, is
+practically without value. We can receive no reinforcements, for none
+can reach us from France in less than a couple of months; the enemy, on
+the other hand, have rapidly filled up their ranks, and have received,
+or are about to receive, large reinforcements, and as soon as they
+advance we must retreat in all haste, sacrifice all the advantages we
+have gained, and shall be lucky if we can maintain a footing on this
+side of the Rhine.
+
+"Five or six thousand lives have been thrown away and nothing whatever
+gained. Now, you see, had we instead of knocking our heads against the
+enemy's position, manoeuvred to place ourselves between him and the
+Danube, he must have retreated without fighting a battle, for he was
+inferior to us in numbers, and we should have been able to go into
+winter quarters in Nordlingen and possibly lay siege to Eichstadt.
+A genius may win a battle, Campbell, but genius, if accompanied by
+impetuosity and a thirst for great victories, will very seldom win
+a campaign. I love as well as admire Enghien; he is chivalrous
+and generous, he has great military genius; possibly with age his
+impetuosity may be tempered with discretion, but at present, although
+a brilliant leader, he is not the general that I would choose to serve
+under in a long campaign."
+
+When Weimar's cavalry crossed the Rhine with de Gramont they broke into
+mutiny, declaring that they were raised to fight in Germany and would
+not fight in France. Turenne crossed and endeavoured to get them to
+return to their duty, recalling to them how nobly they had fought under
+him, and appealing to them in the strongest way not to desert him now.
+A portion of them gave in to his entreaties, but the rest rode away to
+effect a junction with the Swedish army, and he was therefore deprived
+of a considerable portion of the force that had been the mainstay of his
+little army. Upon the other hand, the Archduke Leopold marched away to
+Bohemia to oppose the Swedes, who had gained several successes in that
+direction. Turenne, however, determined to carry out one more enterprise
+before the winter set in, and to reinstate the Elector of Treves, who
+had been deprived of his dominions for twelve years, in consequence of
+his having entered into an alliance with France. In order to effect this
+he marched in the first week in November with a small force of infantry
+and his cavalry to the Moselle, a distance of forty leagues.
+
+He was joined by some of Enghien's troops from Metz, and on the 14th of
+November he invested Treves. The Imperialists were unable to gather a
+force of sufficient strength to relieve the town, which was, therefore,
+after a short resistance, forced to capitulate. The small garrisons from
+other towns in the elector's dominions were speedily driven out and the
+elector restored to his possessions, a result doubly gratifying, since
+his restoration produced a widespread effect among the German princes
+who had thrown in their lot with France, while the material advantage
+was no less, as it closed a door through which the Imperialists, when in
+sufficient force, could at any time pour their troops into France. This
+brought the campaign of 1645 to a close. Turenne was called to Paris,
+where he received the honours that were due to him for the skill and
+bravery by which, with altogether insufficient forces--raised, equipped
+and paid to a large extent from his private purse--he had for two years
+guarded the Rhine frontier from invasion by the united forces of Bavaria
+and Austria. Hector's regiment had been left at Philippsburg when
+Turenne marched away; but the marshal told him that there was no
+occasion whatever for him to remain with it during the winter. He
+thought indeed that it would be advantageous that he should pay a short
+visit to Paris, present himself to Mazarin, and then go down and see how
+matters fared with the estate, to which he had paid but a flying visit.
+He therefore set out without delay, Turenne entrusting him with some
+despatches to the cardinal.
+
+"They are of no great importance," he said, "but it is always well for
+an officer returning to Paris to carry despatches with him. It shows
+that he has the hearty approval of his commander in leaving his post for
+a while, and that he has distinguished himself in a special degree to
+be thus selected. I have several times in my despatches had occasion to
+speak of the excellent service rendered by your regiment, and it will
+ensure you a good reception at court. Besides, Mazarin is evidently
+disposed to regard you with special favour, and an occasional visit
+keeps that feeling alive, whereas it naturally cools down after a
+prolonged absence. Therefore in every respect it is as well that you
+should show yourself in Paris for a short time before going down to
+Poitou, where I hear there have been some troublesome risings of the
+peasantry. The province, being broken and hilly for the most
+part, offers considerable advantages to irregular forces, who move
+unencumbered with baggage, and against whom cavalry cannot well act.
+I do not know that any of these troubles have occurred in the
+neighbourhood of your estate, but you would naturally wish to see for
+yourself how matters are going on."
+
+"It seems more than two years since we left here, master," Paolo said,
+as they rode into Paris.
+
+"It does indeed. It is more than six years now since I first rode away
+with Turenne, and a month later you entered my service. We have gone
+through a good deal together since those days, Paolo."
+
+"Yes, indeed, sir. It was a fortunate day for me when my brother took me
+to your quarters."
+
+"It has been quite as fortunate for me, Paolo. I doubt whether I should
+ever have proposed undertaking to carry Turenne's message into the
+citadel of Turin had I not felt that I could rely upon you as my
+companion in the business, and it was that which gave me my first step.
+Since then you have always been by my side, and have more than once
+saved my life."
+
+On reaching Mazarin's hotel Hector found that he was at the Louvre, and
+immediately went there, and as bearer of despatches from the army was at
+once introduced to the minister's apartment.
+
+"Come with me at once to the queen's closet," the cardinal said as he
+entered. "She has just sent for me, and her majesty, being at once a
+woman and a queen, does not like being kept waiting. She always wishes
+to receive the first news from the army, therefore I can venture to take
+you with me without asking her permission.
+
+"I have brought Monsieur de Villar to your majesty," he said as
+he entered the queen's apartment. "He has just reached Paris with
+despatches from the Viscount Turenne. He has only this instant arrived,
+and I thought I might venture to bring him at once to you."
+
+"'Tis a long time since we have seen you, monsieur," the queen said
+graciously, "but we have heard of you from the marshal's despatches, and
+were glad to see that your regiment bore itself as well in the field of
+battle as in the park of Versailles. What news do you bring? Nothing of
+importance, I hope, for there can hardly be good news when the marshal
+has so scanty a force with which to guard the frontier."
+
+"The Viscount de Turenne is too zealous in your service, madam, to
+remain idle, however small his force. He started suddenly the day I left
+with his cavalry and a small body of infantry to march to Treves, with
+two or three regiments he has persuaded the Duc d'Enghien to send him
+from Metz with some guns, and he hoped to capture the city and clear the
+electorate of the enemy before they can receive strong reinforcements,
+seeing that they are all scattered in their winter quarters."
+
+"A bold stroke indeed, cardinal," the queen said, much gratified. "It
+has touched our honour that the elector should so long have suffered for
+his fidelity to France; and, moreover, its possession in his hands will
+relieve us of much anxiety and give us the Moselle as a barrier against
+the incursions of the enemy in that corner of our dominions. He is
+indefatigable, this good viscount, cardinal; and he is not one of those
+who look for great rewards for every service. He has indeed carried
+on the war largely on his own resources, which has been of no slight
+advantage to us, seeing that our exchequer is but too often strained to
+meet demands from other quarters. If he succeeds in this enterprise, you
+must write in our name and bid him come hither to receive our thanks in
+person, and to rest for a while from his labours in our service.
+
+"You have changed somewhat, Monsieur de Villar, since we last saw you.
+The ladies of the court called you then the little colonel--not because
+of your size, for you already overtopped the greater portion of our
+courtiers, but from your age. Now you look all over a soldier, and a
+weatherbeaten one."
+
+Hector had indeed aged during the past two years. He was now nearly
+two-and-twenty, his moustache had grown, and, as was the custom of the
+time, he wore a small imperial. The habit of command had given to his
+face an expression of decision and resolution unusual at his age, and
+a life spent in the open air, and for the most part sleeping without
+cover, had bronzed his skin, and had counteracted the youthful
+appearance caused by his fair complexion.
+
+"'Tis but some three months since we heard of you as a prisoner, having
+been captured while with your regiment covering the retreat after the
+unfortunate battle of Marienthal. The cardinal told me that he had
+written to the field marshal to try and arrange an exchange for you if
+possible. We had not heard that he had done so when the Duc d'Enghien's
+report of the battle of Nordlingen spoke of you as doing good service
+with your regiment there. I suppose Turenne, in the press of business,
+omitted to say that you had been exchanged."
+
+"I was not exchanged, madam. I succeeded in effecting my escape from the
+fortress of Ingoldstadt."
+
+"You seem born to have adventures, monsieur," the queen said. "We heard
+before of your regiment performing prodigies of valour at Freiburg, and
+of withstanding Merci's whole army, foot and horse, for three hours.
+Last winter the governor of Lorraine reported that you and a company
+of your regiment from Nancy had defeated a great body of insurgent
+peasants, and had rescued Madame de Blenfoix and her daughter from
+massacre at their hands. There is no officer under the rank of general
+whose name has been so frequently brought under our notice. You intend
+to make some stay in Paris, I hope?"
+
+"I shall do myself the honour later on, your majesty; but I hear that
+there are peasant troubles down in Poitou, and as I only paid a visit of
+a few days there, when your majesty had the goodness to present the fief
+to me, I am anxious to know how matters are going on, and to see that my
+castle is secure from attack by the insurgents."
+
+"Your excuse is a good one. It would be well if more possessors
+of estates would spend their time in endeavouring to alleviate the
+condition of their people, instead of wasting their time and money in
+Paris."
+
+"Monsieur de Villar took steps in that direction, your majesty, before
+leaving for the war; for my agents, who keep me informed of most things
+that take place, acquainted me with the fact that Monsieur de Villar
+entirely remitted the usual fines on taking possession, and reduced the
+annual payment of his tenants by one half until times should mend."
+
+"A noble example!" the queen said warmly. "I would that we could afford
+to do the same through all the royal domains. It is a pleasure to us to
+know that one at least of our fiefs has been so worthily bestowed. Well,
+sir, I shall see you at the court this evening."
+
+Hector bowed and withdrew. His first step was to go to the clothing
+establishment most frequented by men of good family. "I have to attend
+at the court this evening. I have just returned from the army, and have
+but the clothes that I stand up in. Have you any garments that will fit
+me suitable for such an occasion?"
+
+"Of shoulder cloaks I have great store in silks, satins, and velvets of
+all shades and colours. There is no difficulty about doublets, for of
+these I always keep a large stock in hand; and although you are a bigger
+man than the majority of my customers, I think that I can suit you.
+Tight pantaloons are chiefly worn by those who affect the latest
+fashion, but it would be impossible for me to make these at such short
+notice. As you are a military man this matters little, for these chiefly
+affect loose breeches trimmed at the bottom with rich lace, stockings
+of silk, and shoes with rosettes. Such breeches I could promise you in
+three hours, for they require but little making. The stockings of all
+shades I have in stock, also shoes. These would need but rosettes of the
+colour to suit the dress, to be added to them."
+
+"I put myself in your hands," Hector said. "I wish for a handsome dress,
+and yet one which shall in no way be foppish, but shall be suitable to
+my station. I am Baron de la Villar, colonel of the Poitou regiment of
+infantry."
+
+"Do you incline to silk, velvet, or satin? I should say a velvet cloak
+and satin tunic and breeches would suit you best with your fair hair. I
+should choose for the cloak a crimson or violet, and for the doublet and
+breeches a yellow. If you would prefer a blue cloak I should say a white
+satin doublet and breeches would become you."
+
+Hector shook his head. "No, I should prefer the first mixture. I care
+not whether the cloak is crimson or violet."
+
+"I think violet, monsieur, and rosettes of the same colour on your
+shoes. It were best, I think, that the stockings should match the
+doublet. You will, of course, have a pointed lace collar for your cloak,
+and at the bottom of your breeches and at your wrists to match. I think,
+sir, that a large collar and gold embroidery would go best with the
+costume."
+
+Hector nodded. "I leave it entirely to you, Master Poitrou, so
+that everything is ready in time for me to wear them. I also want
+a travelling suit of good fashion--I leave the matter of colour to
+you--and also a suit for wearing here in Paris."
+
+The cloak and doublets were speedily chosen, as M. Poitrou had several
+of the colour and material in stock. Hector was then measured for the
+breeches, which were of the fashion now known as knickerbockers, but
+somewhat looser. He then chose a violet cap with a yellow feather to
+match the court dress, a court sword, high riding boots, and loose
+turned-over boots used for walking, but left all other matters to the
+tailor.
+
+"When your man brings the things to me at the auberge Pome d'Or I will
+pay him at once," he said. He was indeed well supplied with funds, for
+as he passed through Nancy he had drawn the sums standing to his credit
+from an agent there, to whom he had, as occasion offered, transmitted
+the greater portion of his pay, and also the balance of the sum that had
+been paid him when he first took possession of his estate, after paying
+for the various expenses he had incurred in St. Denis and in Paris.
+Monsieur Poitrou was faithful to his promise, and although free from
+vanity, Hector could not but perceive, after he had donned his court
+suit, that he made a good figure. Such, indeed, was the opinion of not a
+few of the ladies of the court as he entered the great reception room.
+
+He had now adopted the general fashion, and wore his hair in ringlets
+hanging down on to the collar. His fair complexion contrasted strongly
+with the much darker one of the majority of the courtiers, and this,
+as well as his height and erect soldierly bearing, rendered him a
+conspicuous object among them. The queen and cardinal both honoured him
+with marked attention; but what pleased him most during the evening was
+the hearty greeting that he received from Colonel Maclvor, of whom he
+had seen but little during the campaign, as the Scottish regiment
+formed part of Enghien's command, and was not present at the battle of
+Nordlingen, being left in garrison at Metz when the duke marched to
+join Turenne. Mazarin himself presented him to many of the ladies of the
+court, thereby showing that he wished him to be regarded as a particular
+friend of his; and Hector, having gained much in self possession since
+he had last appeared there, was able to make himself more agreeable to
+them than before, to bandy compliments, and adapt himself to the general
+atmosphere of the court. The cardinal sent for him again the next
+morning.
+
+"The news is bad from Poitou, Colonel Campbell, and I think that it
+would be well that you should proceed there at once. So we will release
+you from further attendance, and you can make up for it by giving us a
+longer time on your return."
+
+Hector, however, tarried two days longer in Paris, by which time he had
+received all the clothes that he had ordered. Early on the morning
+of the third day he mounted and rode away with Paolo and three of his
+troopers. Hunter had been left behind at Philippsburg for the cure of a
+wound that he had received at Nordlingen. Hector was mounted on one of
+the horses that Enghien had given him; the other was in the hands of the
+Imperialists. They traveled fast, and met with no adventure until they
+arrived at Poitou, where Hector learned that in the western part of
+the province the peasants had almost everywhere risen, had defeated the
+royal troops who had marched against them from La Rochelle and Nantes,
+and had captured and burnt any chateaux, slaying all persons of the
+better class who fell into their hands.
+
+As he neared his own estate, learning that the tenants there had so far
+not joined the rising, but that several bodies of insurgents were in the
+neighbourhood, he rode still more rapidly forward. Signs of the trouble
+were everywhere apparent. In the villages only women were to be seen;
+there was no sign of life or movement in the fields; and he passed two
+chateaux which were now but empty shells. As soon as he had crossed into
+his own estates he found the houses entirely deserted; no man, woman,
+nor child was to be seen; no animals grazed in the fields, and the
+little stacks of hay and straw had been carried away.
+
+"It is evident," he said to Paolo, "that MacIntosh has called all the
+tenantry into the chateau; had they joined the insurgents the women and
+children would still be here."
+
+As they ascended the steep hill on whose brow the chateau stood, he
+could make out that there were a number of men posted upon the walls.
+
+"He is evidently determined that he will not be caught napping, Paolo,
+and all the peasants of Poitou could not take the place unless they were
+well provided with cannon."
+
+The chateau, indeed, still retained the characteristics of a castle. The
+site had evidently been selected with a sole eye to defence; the hill
+on which it stood fell abruptly away on three sides, and could hardly
+be attacked except in front. Here a plateau extended some three or four
+hundred yards long and upwards of a hundred yards across. A wall with
+flanking turrets had been a sufficient defence on the other three sides,
+but here there was a strong tower on each flank, and also on each side
+of the central gate. The walls inclosed a space of some two acres,
+in the centre of which stood the castle. This had been to some extent
+modernized--windows having taken the place of loopholes in the upper
+floors, while those looking into the inner courtyard extended to the
+ground. The point where the road reached the plateau was some three
+hundred yards from the gateway, and as Hector galloped towards the walls
+it was evident that he was recognized, for shouts were raised by the men
+on guard and the drawbridge over the fosse--cut in the solid rock along
+the foot of the wall--was lowered.
+
+As he rode across it the gate swung open and MacIntosh ran out to meet
+him.
+
+"Is all well, old friend?" Hector asked as he sprang from his horse and
+clasped the sergeant's hand.
+
+"All is well so far, colonel; still, I am glad indeed that you have
+returned, for at any moment trouble may begin. We hear that the peasants
+mean to attack us. I hardly think they will venture to do so, but I
+have no doubt they will play havoc on the estate and burn every house,
+because the tenants, instead of joining them, have come up here to aid
+in the defence. It was a good day indeed when madam and her daughter
+came here, they have made themselves so loved by the tenants that they
+would do anything for them. Ah, if all the ladies of France had been
+as good to their people as they have been, we should not have these
+troubles on hand! Here they come to welcome you."
+
+Hector hurried across the outer court, where two lines of palings had
+been erected, forming a passage from one gate to the other, and keeping
+back the animals that crowded the enclosure.
+
+"Welcome back, welcome back, Colonel Campbell!" the baroness said as
+she came up with both hands extended, and her words were echoed by her
+daughter. In the year that had elapsed since they started under the
+charge of Paolo both had changed. The look of care and anxiety, which
+had been heightened by the terrible events of the two previous days,
+had passed from the elder lady's face, and had been succeeded by one of
+contentment and happiness.
+
+Norah showed an even greater change; she had now attained her full
+height, her figure had filled out, and she stood on the threshold of
+womanhood and bid fair to attain a high degree of beauty of the type
+characteristic of her nationality. Her hair was dark, her eyes gray,
+her expression changing rapidly from grave to gay, the latter movement
+generally predominating.
+
+"I need hardly ask, madam," Hector said as they entered the chateau,
+"whether you have been comfortable here, for your face shows that you
+have at least been contented with your lot as chatelaine."
+
+"I have been more than contented, I have been very happy, Monsieur
+Campbell. It has been a pleasant task indeed to be your almoner, and to
+be able to carry comfort to those in distress, sympathy and aid to those
+in suffering. Within the castle, nothing could be more pleasant than our
+position. Captain MacIntosh has been unwearied in his efforts to make
+us comfortable, and your steward has in all cases been willing to aid
+me with money and counsel when I asked for them. The proof that your
+goodness has been appreciated by the tenants is that every one of them
+without exception has refused to join the insurgents, and has forsaken
+his home in order to come up and aid in the defence of the castle."
+
+"That is indeed gratifying, madam; but methinks their action is due
+rather to the kindness of yourself and Mademoiselle Norah, than to the
+gifts they receive."
+
+"I do not choose to be called Mademoiselle Norah," the girl said,
+tossing her head. "I am Irish on both sides, and have not a drop of
+French blood in my veins. To strangers I am Miss Norah O'More; to you,
+and to any I may love, I am plain Norah."
+
+"I don't think that you can be that to anyone, Norah."
+
+"Now I don't like that, Colonel Campbell. That may do at the court of
+Louis XIV, but not at the chateau of la Villar, and if you are going to
+pay compliments I shall be stiff and unpleasant, and shall insist upon
+being addressed as Miss Norah O'More."
+
+"As I did not mean to compliment you, for I spoke but the truth, I shall
+not accept the penalty. Now," he went on, "unromantic as it may sound, I
+own that I am hungry, and I am sure that my four followers are also,
+for we have ridden far and fast, and have not stopped, save to bait our
+horses and snatch a mouthful while they ate, since daybreak. In truth
+the news we received made me sorely anxious, though I felt sure that
+MacIntosh could hold the chateau against any attack that was likely to
+be made on it."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX: THE PEASANTS' REVOLT
+
+
+After eating a meal Hector had a talk aside with MacIntosh.
+
+"Do you really think that these varlets will venture to attack us?"
+
+"I do indeed," the old sergeant said. "They have taken several places
+as strong as this by sudden assault. They are desperate, and, as I hear,
+fight like demons, regardless as to how many fall. As far as stout arms
+go we are well supplied, for there are at least a hundred men capable
+of bearing arms, and all have had more or less drill since I have been
+here. Unfortunately, however, our wall pieces are old and scarce fit
+for service, several of them will, I feel sure, burst at the first
+discharge."
+
+"But they have no artillery at all, MacIntosh?"
+
+"I am sorry to say that they have, sir, and a good amount of it. They
+captured ten field pieces when they defeated the troops, and have
+obtained a score of others from the chateaux that they have taken. They
+have only to plant them three or four hundred yards away at the end of
+the plateau, and they would easily batter down the gates, and might even
+in time effect a breach in the walls."
+
+"That is serious indeed, MacIntosh. Is there any other way in which they
+can attack us save in front?"
+
+"I think not. I was careful to examine the face of the precipice when I
+first took command here, and wherever it seemed to me that an active man
+could climb up I had portions of the rock blown up, and have so scarped
+the face that I do not think it is scalable by human foot. But there
+is nothing to prevent their crossing the fosse on a dark night, and so
+stealing along and making an attack on all sides of the house."
+
+"Then our first care must be to prevent this, MacIntosh, by building
+walls along by the fosse from the corner towers to the edge of the
+plateau. The distance is very short, not more than eight or ten yards at
+the outside. We have, I see, any number of horses and not a few carts.
+Let the tenants be set to work at once, and, going down the road into
+the ravine below, fill their carts with blocks of stone and haul them up
+here. Let active boys be sent out in all directions as scouts to bring
+in word when the insurgents are approaching; and at the same time let
+twenty well armed men of the garrison go down with the carts, so as to
+give confidence to the tenants and cover their retreat up the road if
+the insurgents should suddenly make their appearance. Let some of the
+men take billhooks and axes down with them, and cut poles. These must be
+sharpened, and as the walls are built, fixed among the stones so as to
+make a cheval-de-frise. At the same time let half a dozen stout ladders
+be constructed, so that the defenders of these walls may, if unable to
+hold them, make their retreat up to the battlements. I wish now that
+I had ordered a strong bastion to be thrown up so as to cover the gate
+from an attack by artillery, but it did not seem likely that we should
+be besieged by any force having guns, and I let the matter remain until
+the tenants should be better off and we could spend our money on such
+work. However, it is too late now to think of that. I suppose there is a
+portcullis to the gate?"
+
+"Yes, and I got it in good working order when I first came here; but the
+cannon would speedily shatter that, as well as the bridge drawn up in
+front of it and the gate behind it."
+
+"Then as I have no doubt that there are plenty of flour sacks, we
+must fill these with earth and pack them between the bridge and the
+portcullis, and fasten the bridge in its place with any chains that may
+be available, so that it will keep erect. The earth packing, however
+much it may be battered, will protect the portcullis of the gate for
+some time against their fire."
+
+"It is a good idea if we have time to carry it out, colonel. We have
+still four or five hours' daylight, and as I think that this is of even
+greater importance than the side walls, we will set the tenants to work
+at once, and it will save time if they take down the sacks, of which, as
+you say, we have an abundance."
+
+A few minutes later a dozen active boys left the castle, and scattered
+to various points on the hills around, so as to command a view over a
+considerable extent of country. Soon after, some thirty carts went down
+the road accompanied by a number of men with shovels, and twenty of the
+garrison commanded by one of the old soldiers. All returned loaded with
+sacks of earth; these were taken into the castle, when the portcullis
+was lowered and the drawbridge across the fosse raised. An opening was
+left on the top to allow the sacks to be lowered into the space between
+the bridge and the portcullis. A score of men with ropes went on to the
+wall above and lowered them behind the drawbridge, where five or six men
+stowed them away. As soon as it became dark torches were lighted, and by
+ten o'clock a solid mass of sacks filled with earth were packed in the
+space between the portcullis and the drawbridge.
+
+The night passed off quietly, the horses and carts remaining beyond the
+fosse. Planks had been placed across one end of this, and the horses and
+carts taken over. The horses were picketed round the castle, a supply
+of forage being placed there for their use, while the carts were packed
+closely by the fosse, so as to form an obstacle to any of the assailants
+who might try to pass. At daybreak they were again run across the
+planks, the horses brought round and harnessed, the scouts being sent
+out as on the day before. All day the work went on, and by nightfall
+two walls twenty feet long and eight feet high, bristling with pointed
+staves, were erected. They stood some twenty feet back from the edge of
+the fosse, and extended from the wall to the verge of the precipice. The
+carts and horses had, before the walls were built, been taken round
+to the back of the castle, where the plateau extended some fifty yards
+beyond the defences. Evening was just coming on when the boys came in,
+two of them bringing a report that a great crowd of men could be seen
+approaching from the west.
+
+MacIntosh, with thirty men, were at once lowered down from the
+battlements, and took up their places in an intrenchment which had been
+during the day thrown up at the point where the road came up to the
+plateau, while a score of the tenants assembled at the edge of the
+cliff, where great piles of blocks of stone had been collected in
+readiness to throw down. Lighted torches were placed at intervals along
+the road, and three or four great cressets, holding balls of tow soaked
+in turpentine and oil, were set up on the edge of the plateau; these
+were to be lighted when the peasants attempted to mount the hill.
+
+An hour passed, and then a flame sprang up from a house and outbuildings
+in the valley, lighting up the ground around and showing that a great
+crowd was gathered on the road there.
+
+"How many should you say there were, MacIntosh?"
+
+"I should put them at four or five thousand."
+
+"Yes, they are certainly not short of four thousand. What wild looking
+figures! They are just the same in appearance as those who attacked
+Madame de Blenfoix's chateau. See, they are lighting torches, and I
+expect they mean to make an attack at once. Their guns are with that
+group in the rear of the others; at any rate they will not be of any
+use in assisting them to make their way up this road. They are evidently
+working themselves up to a state of madness. There are half a dozen
+fellows addressing them from various points."
+
+The men who had been brought down to guard the intrenchments at the head
+of the road were all armed with muskets, and carried in addition long
+pikes. Presently a roar of shouts and yells was heard, and then there
+was a rush on the part of the crowd towards the foot of the long ascent.
+
+Hector moved to the place where the tenants were posted.
+
+"Do not hurl a single stone down until I give you the word, nor light
+the cressets; the torches they carry will be quite sufficient for us
+to make them out, and the attack will be all the more successful if it
+comes as a surprise."
+
+Then he returned to the breastwork. The men here had been posted by
+MacIntosh eight abreast. When the head of the column of insurgents
+were halfway up the hill they opened a scattered fire; they had armed
+themselves with the muskets they had taken from the troops.
+
+"Their guns will be of little use to them, for few of them can ever have
+had firearms in their hands before; do not fire a shot, MacIntosh, until
+I give the order. It is clear that someone must have told them that we
+have thrown up this intrenchment today, or they would not have wasted
+their ammunition."
+
+Not a shot was fired until the leaders of the peasants were within forty
+yards. Up to this time no torches had been shown in the intrenchments,
+but now these were suddenly brought forward, and Hector, in his helmet
+and body armour, mounted on to the breastwork. The head of the column
+paused on seeing a row of levelled muskets and three rows of pikes
+forming a hedge of steel.
+
+"My men," Hector shouted in a loud clear voice, "halt, I beseech you,
+before harm comes to you! I know that you have sore grievances, I know
+that you and your wives and families are well nigh famishing, but how do
+you think that you will better your condition by assaulting castles and
+burning down chateaux? You are but preparing labour for yourselves and
+heaping up fresh imposts on your own heads, for it is you who will have
+to rebuild them, it is you who will have to pay for the damage that
+you have done. At any rate, none can say that you have cause for enmity
+against me and mine, for I have done all in my power to mitigate the
+sufferings of my people, and the proof is that not one of them has
+joined you. The taxes that press so heavily upon you are not the work of
+your feudal lords, they are caused by the necessity for defending France
+against the assaults of foreign enemies, and were every noble in the
+land slain it would still be necessary that these taxes should
+be collected, unless France is to be overrun by the Spaniards and
+Austrians. I would fain abstain from spilling one drop of your blood,
+but I must defend myself if you attack me, and I warn you that, numerous
+as you are, you will not succeed in capturing my castle. I am a soldier
+of France, and as I have shed my blood in defending her against her
+enemies, so if you persist I shall not hesitate in shedding yours in my
+own defence. I implore you to disperse to your homes; even if you gain
+successes for a time, it would but draw down vengeance upon you."
+
+The assailants had paused when he commenced to speak, and those in front
+had listened to his words, but those behind, not knowing what was going
+on, continued to shout and to press up the hill. As he finished speaking
+there was a yell of defiance, and the column rushed forward.
+
+"Aim low," Hector shouted as he leapt down among his men, "fire!" Eight
+muskets flashed out. "Second line, fire! Now handle your pikes, the rear
+lines will reserve their fire."
+
+Although ten or twelve of the leading rank of the insurgents had fallen,
+there was no pause among the others, and they rushed forward to the
+hedge of pikes.
+
+"Take charge here, MacIntosh; I will run and get the stones at work." In
+half a minute he stood by the side of the tenants.
+
+"Heave then down!" he said. He had chosen a spot where the rock rose
+perpendicularly above the road. "Drop them over," he said, "so that they
+may fall straight. The biggest you must roll over with your levers, but
+work them to the edge and let them topple over; don't thrust them out or
+they will bound over the road. Now!"
+
+Twenty rocks were dropped down together. Even above the din of shouting
+the crash as they fell below was heard, followed instantly by yells and
+cries.
+
+"Move farther on and give them another shower," Hector said; and again
+the rocks fell on the crowded causeway. The first volley had caused a
+pause--numbers had been crushed, many of the stones as they rolled
+down the road had carried confusion to those below; the second volley
+completed their discomfiture. Appalled by a discharge against which
+they had no shelter and which was wholly unexpected, those near whom the
+stones had fallen turned, and in their panic swept those below them on
+the road down into the valley, many being overthrown and trampled to
+death. Ignorant of what was going on behind them, the crowd above the
+spot where the stones had fallen were still pressing upward, those in
+front hewing with their scythes and axes at the pikeheads.
+
+Hector ran back there. "The two rear ranks will now fire!" he said.
+
+The men dropped their pikes, and two volleys of musketry were poured
+into the insurgents. Those of the front line were swept away by the
+fire, and for a moment the whole recoiled.
+
+"Now, men," Hector shouted, "cross the breastwork and sweep them away
+with your pikes!"
+
+With a cheer the men leapt over the embankment. There was room for ten
+abreast, and in a treble line with levelled spears they bore down upon
+the rebels. The charge was irresistible. A few of the leaders of the
+peasants threw themselves on to the spears and died there, the others
+strove, but in vain, to fly. Their comrades behind, ignorant of what was
+going on, still pressed up, and it was not until the screams and shouts
+of those in front, and the pressure downwards, brought the column to a
+stand and then bore it backward, that they learned that the defenders
+had taken the offensive, and were sweeping all before them. Then a panic
+arose, and the peasants rushed down the road, the tenants above saluting
+them as they passed with another volley of rocks. Halfway down the hill
+Hector halted his men, and led them up to the intrenchment again over a
+road encumbered with dead bodies.
+
+"I think that will do," he said. "After the tale those who have got
+down safely will have to tell, we may be sure they will do nothing until
+morning, and it may well be that they may think it advisable to be off
+to attack some other place not so strongly defended. However, we will
+presently beat them up, and if possible capture their cannon, and
+without them they could not hope to take any fortified house well
+defended."
+
+For a time there was a prodigious din in the valley, sounds of men
+shouting and quarrelling, of others trying in vain to make their voices
+heard, and to address the excited peasants. In an hour it quieted
+down, and by midnight all was still. Hector had been busy with his
+preparations.
+
+"How many horses have we?" he asked.
+
+"Well nigh a hundred, colonel."
+
+"That is more than enough. Now, MacIntosh, do you and the men here go
+down the road and pitch the bodies over; we should never get the horses
+over them."
+
+Then he went to where the tenants were still waiting. "Now, my lads," he
+said, "I want a big gap made in one of these walls we built today, wide
+enough for a horse to pass through it, and strong planks laid across the
+fosse." Then he ascended the ladder up to the battlements. He found the
+baroness and her daughter standing over the gateway.
+
+"Is all over?" they asked, as he came up to them.
+
+"Yes, for the present. We have beaten them handsomely, and without the
+loss of a single man."
+
+"Will they attack again in the morning, do you think?"
+
+"I feel sure that they will not do so. You see, they relied upon their
+cannon for taking the chateau, and they find they are useless. I am
+going to make a sortie before daybreak, for I want to capture those
+cannon. So long as they hold them they will continue their work, and
+they may not always meet with so stout a resistance. The loss of their
+cannon will dishearten them, as well as lessen their power for evil. I
+shall take every man who can carry arms, and leave ten at the breastwork
+to defend it; but there is no chance whatever of their attempting to
+come up here while we are attacking them, so you need have no fear."
+
+"We shall not be afraid, Colonel Campbell, our confidence in you is
+absolute; but do you not think that you are running a great risk in
+attacking a force some forty times as large as your own?"
+
+"One cannot call it a force, it is simply a mob, and a mob that has
+suffered a terrible repulse, and the loss of three or four hundred men
+tonight. We shall take them by surprise. I am going to mount all the
+tenants. MacIntosh tells me that they have all been drilled as cavalry
+as well as infantry. He, with the twenty men of the regular garrison on
+foot and ten of the tenants, will make straight for the guns. I shall
+be with the horsemen, and as soon as we have scattered the mob, we will
+harness the horses to the guns and bring them up here, so that I shall
+strengthen the castle as well as weaken the peasants."
+
+The tenants were all informed of what was going to be done.
+
+"It will be to your benefit as well as ours," he said, "for you may be
+sure that in the morning, if they give up the idea of again attacking
+us, they will scatter all over the estates and sack and burn every
+house, whereas if we succeed in dispersing them, no small portion of
+them will at once scatter to their homes, and the rest will take care
+not to come near this neighbourhood again."
+
+At twelve o'clock MacIntosh sent a man to say that the road down was
+clear, and that three hundred and twenty dead bodies had been thrown
+over. At three o'clock in the morning the horses, round whose hoofs
+pieces of sacking had been tied, were led across the fosse. One of
+MacIntosh's sergeants was put in charge of the ten men who were to
+remain at the intrenchment, the castle being left entirely in the hands
+of the women and boys. The mounted tenants were eighty in number, all
+carrying long spears and swords. The torches had long since burnt out,
+and each man leading his horse went noiselessly down the road, MacIntosh
+with the footmen leading the way. They halted at the bottom of the
+road. There was no sound from the spot where the insurgents were lying
+a couple of hundred yards down the valley, fatigued by a very long march
+on the previous day, and the exertion of dragging the cannon, for only
+a few of these were horsed. Presently the day began to break, but not
+until it became light enough to see perfectly, did Hector give the order
+to mount, and leaping into the saddle prepared to lead them.
+
+The mounted men had been divided into four bands of twenty each. Paolo
+and the three troopers each took the command of a party. Hector's
+orders were: "Keep together until the peasants are in full flight, then
+separate in pursuit. The movement must be put down or the whole province
+will be ruined, therefore give no quarter, and pursue until your horses
+are tired, then return here. Now, MacIntosh, do you advance straight
+upon the guns; it is probable that they are all loaded, therefore carry
+them with a rush. The moment we see you engaged we will charge."
+
+The horsemen were in single line, extending from side to side of the
+valley. Hector kept his eye upon MacIntosh's party. They were close
+to the guns before any of the sleepers awoke. Then there was a sudden
+shout, and numbers of the men rushed to the cannon. MacIntosh was there
+as soon as they were, and pouring in a volley rushed upon the guns. At
+the same moment Hector gave the word to charge, and with levelled spears
+the horsemen rode down into the midst of the crowd. Appalled by this
+sudden attack, which was wholly unexpected, the resistance was but
+slight. Many of the peasants at once threw away their arms and fled.
+Those who resisted were speared or overthrown by the horses. As the
+valley widened the four troops separated a little, each cutting a way
+for itself through the peasants. It was no longer a fight; and a wild
+panic seized upon the whole of the insurgents. Some rushed straight down
+the valley, others ran up the opposite hillside; but the slope here was
+gradual, and the horsemen were able to pursue.
+
+"Paolo, take your troop up the hill. Let the others keep straight
+down the valley." And, heading these, Hector galloped on, shouting to
+MacIntosh to harness what teams there were to some of the guns and take
+them up to the top of the road, and then bring the horses back for some
+more.
+
+For two hours the pursuit continued. Occasionally a group of peasants
+gathered together and tried to stem the tide, but these were speedily
+overcome, the long spears bearing them down without their being able to
+strike a blow at the riders, and at the end of that time the insurgents
+were scattered over a wide extent of country, all flying for their
+lives. Hector now ordered trumpets to sound; he was soon joined by the
+other troops, and at a leisurely pace they rode back to their starting
+point. Not more than half the guns had as yet been taken up, for
+MacIntosh had found it necessary to put double teams to them in order to
+drag them up the steep road. The mounted men had all brought ropes with
+them, and, dismounting, eight yoked their horses to each gun, and in
+an hour the whole were brought up to the plateau, the drawbridge was
+lowered, the sacks of earth cleared away, and the portcullis raised, the
+gates thrown open, and the garrison filed into the courtyard, greeted by
+cries of welcome from the women.
+
+"I think that we have crushed the insurrection in this part of Poitou,"
+Hector said to Madame de Blenfoix. "We have certainly killed six or
+seven hundred of them, and I am sure that the remainder will never
+rally. We will rest today, and tomorrow morning we will set to work
+to complete the defences of the chateau, so that it may be held by a
+comparatively small number of men."
+
+The joy of the women was extreme when they found that not a single man
+had fallen, though a few had received gashes more or less severe. The
+next morning the whole of the men and boys set to work under Hector's
+directions. The intrenchment at the top of the road was greatly
+strengthened, an opening through which a cart could pass being left in
+the middle.
+
+A gun was placed on each side of this, and twenty sacks of earth laid
+down by the side of the opening, so that this in the course of a few
+minutes could be closed, and a gun placed close by run into position
+between the other two. The greater part of the men, however, were
+employed in raising a mound of stones and earth in front of the gateway,
+so as to cover this from the fire of any guns which, after the outward
+intrenchment had been stormed, might be brought up on to the plateau.
+The women, and even the children, assisted in the work by carrying
+earth, while men, with the horses and carts, brought stones up from the
+valley.
+
+It took a fortnight's hard work before the outwork was completed. It was
+twenty feet high, triangular in form, and solid in construction. Many
+of the tenants were accustomed to stonework; and while the rest of the
+bastion was constructed of rough stones mixed with earth, a parapet four
+feet thick, of roughly dressed stones, was carried along on the crest
+of the two outward sides. Four guns were mounted here; the rest of the
+cannon were placed on the outer wall instead of the honeycombed guns
+before in position, and the castle was thus prepared to stand a regular
+siege.
+
+Hector remained for a week after the work was completed, paid the
+tenants liberally for the services they had rendered, and dismissed them
+to their homes, for the terrible blow that had been inflicted upon them
+had so cowed the peasants that order had been completely restored in
+that part of Poitou. Then, after taking an affectionate adieu of Madame
+de Blenfoix and her daughter, he rode back to Paris, where he remained
+for two months.
+
+At the end of that time, being heartily tired of the frivolity and
+intrigues, and disgusted at the immorality of the court, he obtained
+leave from Mazarin to rejoin his regiment, as the campaign might be
+expected to open shortly again. The cardinal had warmly congratulated
+him upon the suppression of the insurrection in Poitou, of which he had
+received full details from his agents long before Hector reached Paris.
+
+"I have always exhorted the officers and the troops engaged in putting
+down these risings to spill no more blood than is absolutely necessary.
+But it needed a great lesson, such as you have given them. Otherwise, as
+soon as the troops were withdrawn the peasants would rise again."
+
+Turenne had also been in Paris, and had strongly represented to Mazarin
+the necessity for the armies of France and Sweden in Germany acting
+together, since while they were acting separately, and at great
+distances apart, the Austrians and Bavarians could unite and crush the
+one, while the other could offer it no assistance. It was owing to
+this that the conquests made by the troop of France and Weimar had been
+repeatedly wrested from them. The cardinal listened to his advice,
+and determined to bring about a union between the two armies of the
+confederation. In the meantime a conference was going on at Munster
+between the representatives of the various conflicting powers, but each
+put forward such exorbitant demands that no progress was made.
+
+The Duke of Bavaria, indignant at the small support that Austria had
+given him, was playing off France against the latter power. Mazarin
+was persuaded that he was only waiting for an opportunity to desert the
+Imperialist cause, and therefore ordered Turenne not to cross the Rhine,
+as the duke had promised that he would remain neutral unless the French
+advanced into Germany, when the feelings of his subjects might force him
+to take the field again on the side of Austria.
+
+Turenne was therefore ordered to besiege Luxembourg. The marshal,
+however, had no belief in the Bavarian promises, and on arriving on the
+Rhine early in April, and seeing that were he to march with his army
+away to Luxembourg the cause of France and Germany would be lost, he
+continued to make various excuses for not moving, until the Duke of
+Bavaria, having obtained many concessions from Austria, threw off
+the mask, and marching with his army joined that of the emperor in
+Franconia. Thus the whole Imperial forces were posted between the French
+and the Swedes.
+
+Turenne saw that his only hope of success would be to effect a juncture
+with the Swedes, and wrote to the cardinal to that effect; then, without
+waiting for an answer, he set his army in motion. A tremendous circuit
+had to be made. He forded the Moselle six leagues above Coblenz, the
+bridges over the Rhine being all in possession of the enemy, marched up
+into Holland, and obtained permission from the king to cross at Wesel,
+which he reached after fourteen days' march. Crossing the Rhine on the
+15th of July he marched through the country of La Mark, and through
+Westphalia, and on the 10th of August joined the Swedes under General
+Wrangel, who had received news of his coming, and had intrenched himself
+so strongly that the enemy, who had arrived before him, did not venture
+to attack him. The enemy now fell back at once and encamped near
+Freiburg. Their army was superior in force to that of the allies, they
+having fourteen thousand horse and ten thousand foot, while the allies
+had but ten thousand horse and seven thousand foot. The allies had,
+however, sixty pieces of cannon against fifty of the Imperialists.
+The allies advanced to Freiburg and offered battle, but the Archduke
+Leopold, who commanded the Imperialists, declined to come out of the
+great intrenchments he had thrown up round his camp.
+
+Turenne then marched towards the Maine, and, halting ten leagues from
+Mayence, sent for the infantry, of which he had left a portion there,
+to join him. The whole force of the allies was now united, and took
+many towns. As, however, they were still inferior in force to the
+Imperialists, Turenne refused to weaken himself by placing garrisons in
+these places, contenting himself with blowing up the fortifications of
+some and carrying off the principal inhabitants of others as hostages.
+The Imperialist army still remained inactive, and Turenne was able
+therefore to turn his attention to Bavaria. Crossing the Rhine at
+Donauwurth he besieged Augsburg and Rain. The latter place was captured,
+but the former, being reinforced by fifteen hundred men, held out
+stoutly, and it was necessary to open trenches and proceed in regular
+form against it. The Duke of Bavaria, greatly alarmed at this invasion
+of his dominions, sent off message after message to the emperor,
+complaining of the manner in which the Imperial army remained inactive,
+leaving the allies to employ their whole force against him. He
+threatened that unless the army advanced at once to his assistance he
+would make terms with France. Imperative orders were thereupon sent to
+the archduke to move against the French. The allies fell back, as his
+force was greatly superior to theirs, and the archduke took up a strong
+position, intending to force the allies to retire into Franconia as soon
+as the country round them was exhausted.
+
+Turenne and Wrangel divined his purpose, and although it was now the
+beginning of November and snow was on the ground, they marched
+against him. On arriving near his camp they found that it was strongly
+fortified, and could be attacked only by passing behind great marshes
+and defiles. Changing their intentions, they left two thousand horse in
+front of his camp, making believe that they intended to attack him, then
+marched with all haste to the Lech and advanced against Landsberg, which
+they took by assault. In the city were the principal magazines of the
+Imperialist army, and the allies, finding sufficient provisions there to
+last for six months, encamped round the city and decided to winter there
+unless attacked, in the meantime sending out bodies of cavalry, which
+levied contributions up to the very gates of Munich. Leopold, thus
+deprived of his magazines, retired with the Austrian contingent, and the
+Bavarians returned home.
+
+The Duke of Bavaria, finding that his whole dominions would be captured
+unless he made terms, therefore opened negotiations, and on the 14th of
+March, 1646, peace was signed, the terms being that he should separate
+himself entirely from the empire and deliver five of his fortresses to
+the allies, who would thus, should he again break his word, have means
+of access into his dominions. The allied forces were now in a condition
+to march upon Vienna. They had during the winter plundered a large
+portion of Bavaria; they and their horses had recovered from their
+fatigue, and their force now amounted to fourteen thousand foot and
+twenty thousand horse. At this moment, when the Imperialists believed
+that all was lost, for without the assistance of Bavaria they could put
+no army in the field that could hope to make head against the allies,
+Mazarin interposed and saved Austria from destruction.
+
+The Catholic powers had long been privately urging upon him the danger
+that would arise should Austria be crushed. The Swedes would acquire
+very large accessions of territory, the Protestant German princes, their
+allies, would similarly benefit, and Protestantism would become the
+dominant religion in Germany. Such would, indeed, have undoubtedly been
+the case had the allies marched to Vienna and dictated terms of peace
+there. An order was therefore sent to Turenne to march with his army to
+Flanders, where the Spaniards were gaining great advantages, as Enghien,
+now become Prince of Conde by the death of his father, had been sent
+into Catalonia with the greater portion of his army. Turenne, foreseeing
+that his German regiments would refuse to march to Flanders, leaving
+their own country open to invasion and plunder by the Imperialists,
+warmly opposed the plan, and sent messenger after messenger to the
+cardinal urging him to countermand the order. The friends of Bavaria and
+the Catholic princes urged strongly upon the queen that the continuance
+of the war would utterly destroy the Catholic religion in Germany, and
+that the Swedes alone would reap advantage from the fall of the house
+of Austria. Moved by their arguments and those of Mazarin to the same
+effect, she supported the latter, and peremptory orders were sent to
+Turenne to march to Flanders, where matters were going from bad to
+worse. Turenne obeyed them, captured on his march towards the Rhine
+several towns and fortresses, destroying their fortifications so that
+they would not be able to oppose him if he returned to Germany. But
+on arriving on the Rhine his anticipations of trouble were fulfilled.
+General Rosen, whose blunder had been the cause of the disaster at
+Marienthal, and who had since his return from captivity persistently
+worked in opposition to Turenne, fomented discontent among the troops of
+Weimar, and directly they crossed the Rhine they absolutely refused
+to advance. They had just cause for complaint; they had fought with
+distinguished valour, and they alone had saved the French army from
+suffering crushing defeat at Nordlingen; their pay was six months in
+arrear, and the proposal now that they should leave their own country
+and fight in Flanders was naturally most repugnant to them. They at
+once marched away towards Strasburg. Turenne followed them with three
+thousand infantry, four French regiments of horse, and the only one of
+the Weimar cavalry that had remained faithful to him, and came up just
+as they were about to recross the Rhine.
+
+Partly by entreaties, partly by showing his confidence in them, by
+putting himself wholly in their power, the marshal induced a portion of
+the Weimar cavalry to return to their duty. General Rosen, who was to a
+large extent responsible for the mutiny, was arrested and imprisoned
+at Philippsburg, the rest of the mutineers rode away with the loss of a
+portion of their number, and joined the Swedes. After this the order for
+Turenne to march to Flanders was countermanded.
+
+The war languished for a few months, the Imperialists were defeated
+after a hard fought cavalry battle by Turenne and the Swedes, and the
+country was overrun by the latter, whose horsemen raided almost up to
+Innsbruck. But all parties were growing weary of the conflict, which had
+now lasted thirty years. It had inflicted incredible suffering upon
+all who were concerned in it, and had produced no important results
+whatever, except that it had prevented the entire crushing out of
+Protestantism in Germany, and the peace conference for the first time
+began to work in earnest.
+
+At last, after Bavaria had been wasted from end to end, and the duke
+driven into exile, peace was concluded, the emperor yielding every
+point demanded by France, as he saw plainly enough that unless he did
+so Turenne's army would be at the gates of Vienna at the commencement
+of the next campaign, and in October, 1648, hostilities ceased. Turenne
+went to Munster and acted as the French negotiator in arranging the
+peace, to which his genius, steadfast determination, and the expenditure
+of his own means, by which he had kept the army on foot, had so largely
+contributed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX: AN OLD SCORE
+
+
+Hector was not present with the army during the last three campaigns of
+the war. He had joined Turenne in April, 1646, and shared in the general
+disappointment when the order was received that the army was not to
+cross the Rhine, because Bavaria had promised to remain neutral if it
+did not do so.
+
+"I cannot think," the marshal said to him a day or two after he received
+the order--for he had always maintained the same pleasant relations with
+Hector that had subsisted between them in Italy, and placed the most
+entire confidence in the discretion of the young colonel--"how Mazarin
+can allow Bavaria to hoodwink him. Indeed, I cannot believe that he is
+really deceived; he must know that that crafty old fox the duke is not
+to be relied upon in any way, and that he is merely trying to save time.
+'Tis hard indeed to see us powerless to move, now that the season for
+campaigning is just opening, and when by advancing we could cut the
+Bavarians off from Austria. As to besieging Luxembourg, it would be but
+a waste of time, for before we could open a trench we should hear that
+the duke has again declared against us, and we should have to hurry back
+with all speed."
+
+It was, indeed, but a fortnight later that the news came that the
+Bavarians were on the move to join the Imperialists, and a fortnight
+later it was known that the two armies had effected their junction.
+Turenne at once collected his troops from the towns and villages where
+they were placed, and marched to Mayence.
+
+"I am going to send you to Paris, Campbell," he said on the evening
+of their arrival there. "All is lost if the enemy, now united, throw
+themselves upon the Swedes, and I have resolved to take upon myself the
+responsibility of marching round through Holland and joining Wrangel.
+There is, of course, risk in such an expedition, and the cardinal may
+object very strongly to my undertaking such a movement, especially as
+it will leave the frontier of France virtually unguarded, but I have no
+fear that evil consequences will arise. The enemy will not hear of
+my march until ten days after I have started, and even then they will
+probably suppose that we have gone to Flanders. By the time they
+find out what my intentions are, it will be too late for them to take
+advantage of my absence.
+
+"Even then they would have to storm Philippsburg or some other strong
+place before they could cross the Rhine, and before they could do that
+Wrangel and I would be at their heels. Moreover, as they would know
+that, instead of pursuing them, we might, after effecting a junction,
+make straight for Vienna, and that no army could be got together to
+oppose us, I consider that the movement is a perfectly safe one. Now,
+I am going to send you to Mazarin with my despatch telling him of my
+intention. I am choosing you for the purpose, because you will be able
+to explain and enforce the reasons that I have given him. He has a high
+opinion of you, and will listen to you when perhaps he would not pay
+any regard to Rosen or any other of these Weimar officers I might send.
+Remember that there is no occasion for extreme hurry," and he smiled.
+"Of course it is necessary that you should travel with a certain amount
+of speed, but do not founder your horse. Every day is of value to me,
+and if I am once well on my way north Mazarin could hardly recall me.
+
+"Say that you take five days to get to Paris, by that time I should
+be north of Cologne, and a courier from Mazarin can hardly overtake me
+until I am in Holland, I should then feel justified in disregarding the
+order, seeing that I should by pushing on effect a junction with the
+Swedes quite as quickly as I could return here. Of course it would be
+too late for you to overtake me, and I shall give you a written order
+to remain in Paris until I am again so near the Rhine that you can join
+your regiment. I consider that it will be an advantage to have you near
+the cardinal, as, knowing my intentions and methods as you do, you would
+be able to so explain matters to him that he will understand the reasons
+for my various movements."
+
+"Very well marshal, I am ready to start as soon as you hand me the
+despatch."
+
+"I will do that tomorrow morning, and you will then be able to tell
+Mazarin that we were just setting out when you left us."
+
+"As it will be some time before I shall rejoin my regiment, may I ask
+you to appoint Captain de Thiou as second colonel? He has now served as
+senior captain of the regiment for three years. He aided me heartily and
+cordially in organizing it. He has seconded me throughout in a manner
+of which I cannot speak too highly, and distinguished himself greatly
+at Freiburg, and on every occasion in which we have been in contact with
+the enemy. I think it very desirable that there should be an officer of
+rank superior to the others while I am away; and both for the sake of
+the regiment, and as a reward for the merit and conduct of Captain de
+Thiou himself, I should be very glad were he promoted and should feel
+that the regiment would in no way deteriorate during my absence."
+
+"Certainly, Campbell, I will carry out your recommendation. He has
+fairly earned his promotion, and as you say, it is better in your
+absence that the regiment should be led by an officer of rank above the
+others, and not by a captain having but a very slight seniority to some
+of them. Doubtless you will be saying goodbye to the officers tonight.
+I authorize you to inform de Thiou that he will be placed in orders
+tomorrow morning as second colonel of the regiment."
+
+"I did not think that we were likely to be back in Paris before next
+winter, master," Paolo said rather discontentedly when Hector told him
+that they were to start early next morning.
+
+"Nor did I, Paolo, and I should very much rather have remained with the
+regiment; but as the marshal is good enough to consider that my presence
+there may be of advantage to him, I have of course nothing to say
+against it."
+
+There was great regret among the officers when they heard that their
+colonel was not going to lead them, but all were pleased that de Thiou,
+who was a general favourite, had obtained promotion. That officer was at
+once surprised and gratified at the news, for it was not often that men
+without strong family interest rose to the rank of colonel.
+
+"I know that this is your doing," he said gratefully. "I never expected
+to get above my present rank, and I am sure that I should never have
+done so had it not been for you."
+
+"You thoroughly deserve it, de Thiou, for it was by your support that
+I was enabled, when I first joined, to introduce reforms, and get the
+officers to take upon themselves more work and responsibilities, and
+thus make the regiment what it is. I hope I shall rejoin before the end
+of the campaign. This may be the last, for now that they have begun the
+peace conference at Munster, something must surely come of it sooner or
+later, for all parties must be thoroughly sick of this long and terrible
+war, which has ruined Germany and impoverished France, and from which
+neither party, after nigh thirty years of fighting, has gained any
+material advantage. At any rate it will be a great satisfaction to me
+to know that the regiment is in your hands. I know that during the time
+that I have been away this winter things have gone on satisfactorily;
+but it is clearly impossible for an officer to keep a regiment well
+in hand when, as in your case, your appointment was only a day or two
+earlier than that of some of the others. You are likely to have some
+stiff marching now, for only one other infantry regiment besides ours
+will accompany the cavalry, the rest will remain here until they get
+an opportunity of rejoining. Of course I shall take Paolo and my four
+mounted troopers back with me to Paris. I may probably send them on to
+la Villar, as it is not likely that I shall need them at court."
+
+On the evening of the fifth day after leaving Mayence Hector arrived in
+Paris, and alighted at the cardinal's hotel.
+
+"So you are again a bearer of despatches, Monsieur Campbell," the
+cardinal said, as Hector entered his apartment. "They need be important,
+or the marshal would hardly have sent you with them."
+
+"They are, as you will see, important, your eminence, but I am sent
+rather to explain further than the marshal could do in a letter his
+reasons for the step that he has taken. As you have learned long before
+this, the Duke of Bavaria has proved false to his promises. He has
+effected a junction with the Imperialist army, and the marshal has news
+that both are marching against the Swedes, who are in no strength to
+show fight against so great a force."
+
+The cardinal opened the despatch, and read it in silence.
+
+"'Tis a grave step for the marshal to have taken without orders," he
+said, frowning; "and do you mean to say that he has already started on
+this expedition?"
+
+"The troops had fallen into their ranks when I started, and by this time
+they must be well on their way towards Holland. There was no time, sir,
+for the marshal to await a reply to the despatch. The matter was most
+urgent, every day was of importance, for if the Swedes fell back, as
+they might do, before the archduke, the latter would be able to overrun
+all northern Germany, to capture the towns of the Protestant princes,
+break up their confederation, and compel them to give in their
+submission; for Turenne with his small force would be powerless to
+interfere with their operations, even if by pressing after them with all
+speed he arrived within striking distance."
+
+"And think you that he will reach Wrangel in time?"
+
+"He hopes so, sir. He sent off a messenger before starting, with orders
+to buy fresh horses at all cost at each halting place, to carry the news
+as quickly as possible to Wrangel that he was on his way to join him,
+and imploring him to intrench himself in some strong position until he
+should come up.
+
+"How long hence will that be?"
+
+"The march will be pressed forward with all speed, your eminence, with
+such delays only as may be needed to keep the horses in such a state
+that they may be ready for fighting as soon as they join the Swedes. He
+hopes to be there in a month from the day of starting."
+
+"And in the meantime," Mazarin said, "France is open to invasion.
+He says, indeed, that the Imperialists would hardly venture to march
+hitherward, as thereby they in turn would leave it open to him and the
+Swedes to march into the heart of Austria."
+
+"Assuredly that is so, sir. The archduke will hardly get news that
+Marshal Turenne has moved until he has been some ten or twelve days on
+his march, and even when he hears it he will not know in what direction
+he has gone, but may think it likely that he either intends to seize
+Luxembourg or to reinforce your army in Flanders. By the time they
+discover his true object he will be within a week's march of the Swedes,
+possibly less than that. It will be too late for them then to think
+of marching to the Rhine. If they consider themselves strong enough to
+fight the marshal and the Swedes together, they will do so at once; if
+they fear to give battle, still more would they fear to be attacked by
+him when entering a country where they would have him in their rear,
+and be hemmed in between him and the Rhine, not to speak of the risk of
+leaving Austria open to invasion, should he, instead of pursuing them,
+direct his march thither. If I might presume to judge, I should say that
+the expedition that the marshal has undertaken is at once worthy of his
+military genius, and will at the same time do far more to ensure the
+safety of the Rhine provinces than he could do were he to remain there
+with his small army until the Imperialists, having chased the Swedes out
+of the country and reduced northern Germany, turned their whole forces
+against him."
+
+"I see, Monsieur Campbell," the cardinal said, turning the subject,
+"that you have been five days coming here from Mayence. It is a very
+different rate of speed to that at which you traveled from Rocroi."
+
+"It is so, your eminence; but on that occasion the Duc d'Enghien had
+placed relays of his best horses all along the road, so that we were
+enabled to travel without making a halt."
+
+"And moreover, my dear colonel," Mazarin said, "Turenne, far from urging
+you to haste, was desirous of getting so far before he received my
+answer as to render it impossible for me to recall him."
+
+"I cannot think that your eminence would do that. It is a grand
+enterprise, and almost without precedent in point both of daring and in
+the great advantages to be gained from it."
+
+"And Turenne thought that by sending you, you would be able to assist
+him in persuading me to regard it favourably. Well, well, it is
+certainly too late to recall him now. He has taken the responsibility
+upon himself, and must stand or fall by the result. And now in the
+first place are you going to hurry back again or are you going to remain
+here?"
+
+"My regiment is one of those that he has taken with him, sir, and as I
+could not hope to overtake him he has requested me to remain here until
+I receive orders from him."
+
+"We shall be gainers so far," the cardinal said cordially, "and I am
+sure that from your knowledge of the country and of Turenne's methods
+your advice upon military matters will be of great service to us. I must
+now go and report to the queen this sudden change in the situation, and
+if she disapproves of it I shall tell her that if she will but listen
+to you, you will convert her to the view that this escapade of the
+marshal's is all for the best, and seems likely indeed to retrieve the
+position that has been caused by the treachery of Bavaria."
+
+During his stay in Paris Hector soon found that intrigue was more
+rampant than ever. The Duke of Beaufort and others who had been
+implicated in the plot on Mazarin's life had been pardoned and had
+returned to Paris, and as the lesson that had been given them had taught
+them prudence, they were now openly on good terms with the court. They
+were secretly, however, intriguing with the parliament of Paris, which
+was now bitterly opposed to Mazarin, had refused to register some of
+his decrees, and had even forced him to dismiss his superintendent of
+finance, an Italian named Emeri. The latter had imposed taxes at his
+will to satisfy his extravagance and avarice, had raised the octroi
+duty, made the sale of firewood a monopoly, and in various ways had
+incurred the indignation and hatred of the Parisians.
+
+Mazarin's own greed had been in no slight degree the cause of his
+unpopularity; he who had come to France a penniless priest was now the
+owner of great estates. It was even said that much of the money that
+should have been devoted to the needs of the army had been privately
+sent into Italy by him, and throughout the country it was felt to be
+scandalous that while the deepest distress was universal on account of
+the weight of taxation, these two Italians should be piling up wealth
+for themselves. But, avaricious as he was, the cardinal was lavish
+in his expenditure among his friends and adherents; honours, titles,
+dignities, and estates were freely bestowed upon them, and he did not
+hesitate to pay any sum that would gain him the support of those whose
+aid he deemed to be essential. Madame de Chevreuse was again at court,
+and was, as she had always been, the centre of the intrigues that were
+going on. One evening she made a sign for Hector to take a place by her
+side. She had taken a fancy to the young Scottish colonel on the evening
+when he had been first introduced to her, and was always gracious to him
+now.
+
+"Monsieur le baron," she said in a low tone, "do you think that the air
+of Paris agrees with you as well as that of the army?"
+
+He felt from the manner in which she spoke, that she meant more than she
+said.
+
+"So far, madam, it has not disagreed with me," he said; "and even did
+it do so I should not be able to leave it, as I have orders to remain
+here."
+
+"By the way, monsieur," she said, changing the subject of conversation,
+"it is whispered that that party of pleasure to which you took the
+officers of your regiment at St. Germain did not come off, at least none
+of the landlords of the hotels there can recall any such gathering, and
+it is even said that your falling in with the carriage of the Duke of
+Orleans was not altogether an accident. I only mention the reports; of
+course, it was a matter of no moment whether your party dined at St.
+Germain or at Sevres. But sometimes misapprehensions of this kind
+lead to trouble, especially when they happen a few days before serious
+events. I like you, Colonel Campbell, and that is why I have mentioned
+this; you understand me, I have no doubt;" and, turning to a gentleman
+who had at that moment approached her, she entered into a lively
+conversation with him, and Hector rose, and with the words, "Thank you,
+madam," bowed, and moved away.
+
+It was easy to understand her meaning. Beaufort and the conspirators
+whose plan he had thwarted, and who had suffered imprisonment and exile
+thereby, had in some way discovered that it was to him that they owed
+their failure and disgrace. At the moment his explanation and that of
+his officers had deceived them, but doubtless someone whose connection
+with the plot was unsuspected had instituted inquiries, found that the
+party he had spoken of had not taken place, and had at once come to
+the conclusion that he had in some way discovered their intentions, had
+really ridden out with his officers to furnish a guard to Mazarin, and
+had afterwards acquainted him with what he had discovered. Doubtless,
+as Madame de Chevreuse had warned him, the air of Paris was at present
+dangerously unwholesome for him. He had been the means of bringing
+disgrace and punishment upon the Duc de Vendome and the Duke of
+Beaufort, two of the most powerful nobles in France, and a host of their
+friends.
+
+It was probable that they only recently assured themselves that it was
+he who had thwarted their plans; had it been otherwise he would scarcely
+have escaped their vengeance the last time that he was in Paris. Now,
+from what Madame de Chevreuse had said, he had no doubt whatever that
+some plot would be made against his life. He might thwart one such
+attempt, but others would follow. He resolved to lay the matter before
+the cardinal and take his advice. Accordingly he waited until he was
+leaving; several gentlemen of his suite accompanied him, and at the
+entrance to the Louvre the men of the cardinal's guard fell in on either
+side. When they reached Mazarin's hotel Hector moved up to him.
+
+"Can I have a few words with you, your eminence?"
+
+"Certainly, Colonel Campbell; I never retire to bed till long past
+midnight. It is something serious, I see," he said quickly as they
+entered his apartment, where a number of candles were burning, and he
+obtained a full view of Hector's face. "Another plot?"
+
+"Not against your eminence; it is a matter which concerns myself only.
+I have been warned tonight that my share in the last affair has been
+discovered, that inquiries have been made at St. Germain, and that the
+various innkeepers have declared that no party of officers dined there
+that morning, and that it was therefore concluded that our presence
+behind your carriage was not accidental. They no doubt guessed that
+it was I who discovered the plot, in consequence of which so many were
+arrested and exiled. I have been distinctly warned that the air of Paris
+is unwholesome for me."
+
+"Who warned you?" the cardinal said abruptly.
+
+"It would not be fair of me to mention the name, but it is at any rate
+one who is of Beaufort's party."
+
+"Ah!" the cardinal said sharply, "I noticed you sitting for a few
+minutes by Madame de Chevreuse. Never mind, I will respect your
+confidence. I can well understand, after what you have said, that there
+is great danger here, and it is a danger from which it is well nigh
+impossible to protect you, unless you take up your residence here and
+never stir abroad. Nor do I know that you would be safer with the army;
+an assassin's knife can reach a man as easily in a camp as in a city,
+and with perhaps less risk of detection. Neither Beaufort nor Vendome
+are men to forget or forgive an injury, and they have scores of
+fellows who would for a few crowns murder anyone they indicated, and of
+gentlemen of higher rank who, although not assassins, would willingly
+engage you in a duel, especially those who suffered in the plot that you
+discovered. Frankly, what do you think yourself?"
+
+"I might retire to la Villar, cardinal. I should be safe there in my own
+castle."
+
+"So long as you did not leave it; but a man with a musket in ambush
+behind a hedge might cut your career short. It is probable enough that
+you are watched, and in that case I should doubt whether you would ever
+get to la Villar, nor do I think that if you left for the Rhine you
+would get halfway. Now you see, Monsieur Campbell, that your cause is
+mine, and that your safety touches me as if it were my own, for it was
+in my service that you incurred the danger. I must think the matter
+over. In the meantime I beg of you to sleep here tonight. I will send
+word to your servant that you will not return. I could of course send
+a guard with you to your hotel, but some of the servants there may
+have been bribed to murder you as you slept. I can look after myself; I
+seldom leave the house except to go to the Louvre, and I never go even
+that short distance without a guard, but it is much more difficult to
+protect you."
+
+"I have my own bodyguard, your excellency--four stout Scotch soldiers
+and my lackey, Paolo, who is a good swordsman also; and as it does not
+seem to me that I should be safer elsewhere than here, I shall at any
+rate stay for a time. I should imagine that the warning was a general
+one. They have just found out that I had a hand in thwarting their plot
+against you, and I dare say used threats; but the threats of angry men
+come very often to nothing; and at any rate, I do not choose that they
+should obtain the satisfaction of driving me from Paris against my
+will."
+
+The cardinal shook his head. "You see, monsieur, that Beaufort is a man
+who hesitates at nothing. A scrupulous person would hardly endeavour to
+slay a cardinal, who is also the minister of France, in the streets of
+Paris in broad daylight. He is capable of burning down the Pome d'Or,
+and all within it, in order to obtain revenge on you. I feel very uneasy
+about you. However, sleep may bring counsel, and we will talk it over
+again in the morning."
+
+"Have you thought of anything, Monsieur Campbell?" Mazarin asked when
+they met in the morning.
+
+"I have not, sir, save to go on trusting to my own sword and my
+followers."
+
+"I can think of nothing," the cardinal said, "save to send an order to
+Turenne for two companies of your regiment to march hither, where, on
+their arrival, you will receive orders to proceed with them to your
+castle of la Villar, and to use them in the king's service in repressing
+all troubles that may occur in Poitou. What say you to that?"
+
+"I would not deprive her majesty of two hundred of her best soldiers
+to guard me from what may not be after all a very real danger. My own
+conclusions, after thinking it over this morning, are that I will remain
+here for a time, trusting to my friends and my own sword. If a serious
+attempt is made on my life I could then consider whether it would be
+best to withdraw myself, and if so, whither to go; but I will not run
+away merely on a vague hint that my life is in danger. I have faced
+death in battle many times, and this danger can hardly be considered
+as more serious. I imagine that in the first case some of the
+duke's followers will force me into a duel, before proceeding to try
+assassination, and although doubtless he has some good blades among his
+friends, I do not think that I need to feel uneasy on that score. I was
+always practising with my sword as a boy. Since I have been in the army
+I have spent a good deal of my time, when in winter quarters, in such
+practice with my own officers, and with any maitres d'armes in the towns
+where I have been, and while in Italy had the opportunity of learning
+much, for there are fine fencers there."
+
+"So be it, then," Mazarin said. "But if matters go to extremes, remember
+that I consider myself responsible for you. I believe that you saved my
+life, and although there are many things that men say against me, none
+have ever charged me with ingratitude. If I can protect you in no other
+way I shall have you arrested, sent to the frontier, that is to say, to
+the sea frontier, and put on board ship and sent to England or Scotland,
+as you choose, with a chest containing a sum that will suffice to
+purchase any estate you may choose there.
+
+"I am in earnest," he went on as Hector was about to answer. "It is
+for my own sake as much as yours; when my friends are attacked I am
+attacked, and I am doubly bound in your case. It needs but a stroke of
+my pen to make you a duke and lord of half a province; and if I cannot
+do that here, because you would still be within reach of your enemies, I
+can, as far as the estates go, do it for you abroad. Do not fail to let
+me know each day if anything new takes place."
+
+Hector felt that there was no more to say, and bowing, left the
+cardinal's presence and went out. Paolo and Macpherson were waiting
+outside.
+
+"The cardinal's messenger, who brought the news last night that you
+would not return, master," the former said when he saw by Hector's look
+of surprise that he had not expected to see him there, "said also that
+I and one of your men had best be here at eight this morning and wait
+until you came out."
+
+"I did not know that he had sent such a message, Paolo, but I will when
+we get to the hotel tell you why he sent it."
+
+The street was somewhat crowded, and Hector had gone but a short
+distance when he saw three gentlemen, who he knew to be intimates of
+the Duke of Beaufort, coming in the other direction. One of them was
+Monsieur de Beauvais, who said in a loud tone to his companions just as
+Hector was passing:
+
+"That is the Scotchman whom the cardinal employs to do his dirty
+business."
+
+Hector faced round at once. "At any rate, Monsieur de Beauvais, the
+Scotchman in question is not employed by the cardinal as an assassin,
+which is an even more dishonourable post."
+
+De Beauvais turned white with anger. "Behind the Luxembourg in an hour's
+time, Monsieur de Villar."
+
+"I shall be there," Hector said coldly. He paused a minute, after the
+three gentlemen, with the customary salute, walked on. He did not like
+to go to the Hotel Mazarin lest the cardinal should obtain news of what
+was going to take place, so he waited in the neighbourhood, knowing that
+some of Mazarin's personal friends would be sure to arrive about this
+hour. Presently he saw a colonel who, like himself, was spending the
+winter in Paris, and who frequently attended the cardinal's levees.
+
+"Colonel de Serres, as a fellow soldier I have a service to ask of you."
+
+"I am entirely at your disposal, Monsieur Campbell."
+
+"I have just had a quarrel forced upon me by Monsieur de Beauvais, and
+I have to meet him in fifty minutes' time at the back of the Luxembourg.
+As he was in company with two gentlemen, the Comte de Marplat and
+Monsieur de Vipont, I shall be glad if you would kindly act as my
+second, and if you can find another officer who would do so, I shall be
+glad of his services also."
+
+"I shall be glad to support you, Monsieur Campbell, and can lay my hand
+on another second at once, for here comes my friend and yours, Monsieur
+Emile de Chavigny, who will, like myself, be charmed to be concerned in
+any affair against the duke's friends."
+
+De Chavigny, whom Hector had seen at the court on the previous day
+for the first time since they had parted in Italy, agreed at once to
+Hector's request.
+
+"De Beauvais has the reputation of being a good swordsman, Campbell,"
+he said as they walked together towards the Luxembourg, Paolo and his
+companion having now returned to the inn at his master's order; "but I
+should say that he will want all his skill now. You were by far the best
+swordsman among us when you left us suddenly in the south, and doubtless
+since then your skill will not have fallen off."
+
+"No, I know a good deal more than I knew then, Chavigny. There were few
+days when we were in winter quarters that I had not an hour's work in
+the fencing school with the officers of my regiment, and whenever I
+heard that there was a professor of the art I have never failed to
+frequent his salon and to learn his favourite strokes."
+
+"That is all right, then. We need have no fear whatever as to the
+result."
+
+They reached the point fixed upon a minute or two before the clock
+struck, and just as it chimed de Beauvais and his friends made their
+appearance. The seconds exchanged a few words and selected a piece of
+ground for the encounter, the principals at once removed their doublets
+and faced each other.
+
+"This is a duel a la mort," de Beauvais said in a loud voice.
+
+"For that I am quite prepared," Hector said quietly; "but you are likely
+to find, Monsieur de Beauvais, that it is not so easy a thing to
+kill the colonel of one of her majesty's regiments as it is to stab a
+churchman in his carriage."
+
+De Beauvais at once took up his position, and, without the parade of
+courtesy that usually preceded an encounter, fell furiously upon Hector.
+The latter did not give way a step. With a wrist of iron he put aside
+half a dozen thrusts, and then lunging, ran de Beauvais through the
+body, his sword hilt striking against his adversary's chest.
+
+De Beauvais' two seconds ran forward as their principal fell. "He is
+dead," one said as they knelt over him. Then rising he addressed Hector:
+"Monsieur le Colonel Campbell," he said, "I claim satisfaction at your
+hands, for I take it that your words applied to me as well as to de
+Beauvais, though addressed only to him."
+
+"You may take it so," Hector replied coldly, "for you were also at that
+house in the Rue St. Honore on that occasion you know of."
+
+Hector's two seconds endeavoured to interpose, but he said: "Gentlemen,
+I must ask you to let the matter go on. This is no ordinary duel. These
+gentlemen, with whom I have no personal animosity, have picked a quarrel
+with me at the request of one higher in rank than themselves, and are
+simply his agents. I had no hesitation in killing the first of them, but
+as Monsieur de Vipont wishes an encounter with me in spite of what he
+has seen I will give him one, but will content myself with a less severe
+lesson than that I have given Monsieur de Beauvais. Now, sir, I am at
+your service."
+
+De Vipont, knowing now how dangerous an opponent he was meeting, fought
+cautiously. Hector, however, was anxious to finish the matter before
+they were interrupted, and therefore took the offensive, and after two
+passes ran his antagonist through the shoulder.
+
+"Now, Monsieur le Comte, do you desire a turn?" he said carelessly.
+
+The count was pale, but he answered steadily, "I claim it by the same
+right as Monsieur de Vipont."
+
+"Agreed," Hector said; and as soon as the count had removed his upper
+garments they engaged.
+
+The swords had scarcely clashed when the count's weapon was wrenched
+from his hand and sent flying for a distance of twenty paces.
+
+"That is enough," Colonel de Serres said, stepping forward; "you have
+done what you thought to be your duty, Monsieur le Comte, but it needs
+very different blades from those of yourself and your companions to
+stand before Colonel Campbell. He had you at his mercy, and had a right
+to take your life if he chose; but as he refrained from doing that
+when you had your sword in your hand, he certainly will not do so now.
+Messieurs, we wish you good morning."
+
+"And you may mention," Hector added, "to this person of high rank,
+that I shall be happy to accommodate as many of the gentlemen of his
+following as choose to take the matter up."
+
+"He will send no more to you, Campbell," Chavigny said as they moved
+off, leaving the count, whose valet now ran up, to obtain a vehicle and
+carry his dead and wounded comrades away.
+
+"No, I fancy not; he will try other means now. The war has only begun.
+Men like Lei, Brillet, and the Campions are not the sort of men who
+would act as bravos, even for the Duke of Beaufort, and I do not think
+that he would even venture to propose it to them. It will be meaner
+instruments that he will employ next time. However, I shall of course
+go straight to the cardinal and acquaint him with what has happened.
+I doubt not but that he will lay the matter before the queen, and then
+that Beaufort will hear of it; but, passionate and revengeful as he is,
+I think that he will not be turned from his purpose, even if he knows
+that he may be forced to retire to his estates, or even leave the
+country till the matter blows over."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI: THE DUKE'S REVENGE
+
+The cardinal listened gravely to Hector's account of the duel, and of
+the circumstances that gave rise to it.
+
+"I will go at once to the Louvre and appeal to her majesty," he said;
+"you know how warmly she spoke to you on the day when you saved my life.
+Still, I fear that the sternest reproof, or even an order to retire to
+his estates, would not turn him from his purpose."
+
+"I am sure of it, your eminence; still, as I have proved victor in the
+first battle in the campaign I will bide a second."
+
+"Mind that you do not get stabbed in the back, colonel."
+
+"I will beware of that, sir; whenever I walk the streets in future Paolo
+shall keep a pace behind me, and I warrant that he will protect me from
+any attempt of that sort."
+
+"At any rate remain here until I return from the Louvre."
+
+In an hour Mazarin returned. "The duke has been beforehand with us," he
+said. "When I told the queen of what had happened, and why this quarrel
+had been fastened upon you, she sent at once for the duke, and drew out
+an order, which I signed, for him to retire at once to his estates;
+but the royal messenger returned with the news that he had half an hour
+before ridden away to visit his father at Vendome. A courier will start
+at once with the order, but I doubt whether he will be found there. It
+is probable that he has gone to one of his own estates, and it may be
+some time before we find out where he is. However, it is something that
+he has gone."
+
+On his return to the inn Hector told Paolo what had taken place.
+
+"It is a pity that you did not kill them all, master."
+
+"Not at all, Paolo; had I done so every one of their friends would
+have been set against me. Both these men are of good families, and will
+doubtless report that I had their lives at my mercy and spared them, and
+after that no gentleman of reputation would take the matter up. I shall
+have to be very careful in future, but now that the duke has gone there
+is not likely to be any further trouble just at present."
+
+Paolo shook his head. "Nay, master, I think the danger all the greater.
+In the first place, we do not know that he has gone. I think it far
+more likely that he is hiding in the house of one of his friends. He
+has pretended to leave because he was sure the cardinal would take the
+matter up, and in order that, if he is absent from Paris when any harm
+befell you, it could not be brought home to him. I do not suppose that
+next time he will employ any of his own people. He is most popular among
+the mob of Paris, who call him the King of the Markets, and he will have
+no difficulty in getting as many daggers as he wishes from the scum of
+the faubourgs. It would be difficult in the extreme to prove that he had
+aught to do with it, for you may be sure that he would really go down
+into the country with all speed the moment the deed was done.
+
+"In future, master, you must not go out without having me close behind
+you; as for the others, I would put them in ordinary citizen garb, and
+let them follow some twenty yards behind, so as to be in readiness to
+run up at once. They could carry swords openly, and have their pistols
+hidden under their doublets."
+
+"It might be as well, at any rate for the present. If, as you think,
+Beaufort is hidden in Paris, it is certain he will lose no time."
+
+Paolo nodded. "I will get the men disguises at once. They had better be
+different; Macpherson can be dressed as a soldier, Nicholl as a burgher,
+and Sandy Grahame and Hunter as rough mechanics. They, of course, could
+not carry swords, but might take heavy cudgels. They would not walk
+together, or seem to have any knowledge of each other. Sandy might be
+ten paces behind you, Nicholl twenty, and the others thirty, or where
+the street is wide they could keep abreast of you on the other side. Are
+you going to the Louvre this evening?"
+
+"Yes, the cardinal said that the queen wished that I should appear
+there. I would much rather have stayed away, as doubtless the affair
+behind the Luxembourg will be generally known by this evening, and I
+shall feel my position a very unpleasant one, though I imagine that the
+queen intends, by her countenance of me, to show that I have not fallen
+into disgrace for duelling."
+
+Such was indeed the case. All eyes were turned upon Hector when he
+entered the royal saloon. Many of Mazarin's friends came up and shook
+hands with him warmly, while the adherents of Beaufort and Vendome stood
+aloof from him with angry faces. Presently the door opened, and the
+queen, closely followed by Mazarin and a train of ladies and gentlemen,
+entered.
+
+As she passed Hector she stopped. "Monsieur le Baron de la Villar," she
+said in clear tones, which were heard all over the apartment, "much as I
+object to duelling, and determined as I am to enforce the edicts against
+it, I feel that in the encounter this morning you were in no way to
+blame, and that it was forced upon you. It is scandalous that one who
+has so bravely shed his blood and risked his life in defence of France
+should be assailed in the capital, and for what reason? Because he
+proved faithful to the queen and her minister. You have punished the
+chief of the aggressors, and I shall know how to punish those who stood
+behind him;" and with a gracious bow in response to his deep reverence
+she moved on.
+
+The little speech created a deep sensation among the courtiers. That
+the queen herself should so publicly give her countenance to this
+young Scottish gentleman, and should--for no one doubted to whom she
+alluded--even threaten one of the most powerful nobles in the land,
+showed how strongly she felt. No one, with the exception of half a dozen
+persons, understood her allusion to the service that he had rendered to
+her and the cardinal, but all felt that it must be something altogether
+exceptional. Many of the nobles who belonged neither to the party of
+Beaufort nor the cardinal came up and congratulated him.
+
+He received these signs of the impression that the queens' words had
+conferred upon him quietly.
+
+"I am very sorry for what has occurred," he said. "I have killed many
+in battle, but this is the first time that I have killed anyone in a
+private quarrel. It was not one of my seeking, but I am none the less
+sorry."
+
+As he passed near Madame de Chevreuse, she made a gesture to him to come
+to her. "You did not accept my warning," she said sadly. "Remember, a
+storm is not past because the first flash of lightning does not strike."
+
+"I am well aware of that, madam; I thank you for your warning, but I am
+bound here by my duties as a tree is bound to the earth by its roots,
+and neither can move at will to escape a storm passing overhead."
+
+"Should I hear of any fresh danger, Monsieur Campbell," she said in a
+low voice, "I will have you informed of it, but it is more probable that
+I shall not know. Were it a state secret I should surely hear of it, but
+in a matter like this none save those concerned would be likely to know
+of it until it was over. Be always on your guard night and day, you
+cannot tell when the bolt may fall;" and she motioned to him to pass on
+again. As before, Hector accompanied the cardinal as far as his hotel,
+then he went towards his own lodgings, Paolo, with his hand on his
+dagger, keeping a pace behind him, while the four troopers followed one
+by one at a distance. The streets were almost deserted until, just as
+they approached the inn, a number of rough men rushed out from side
+alleys and doorways. Hector had just time to throw himself with his back
+to a house and draw his sword. Paolo's knife had levelled the first man
+who approached, and then drawing his sword he took his place by the side
+of his master. The ruffians stood round, each anxious to be the first
+to strike, and yet fearful of meeting the sword that had, as they had
+heard, mastered three gentlemen.
+
+"Run in at him, fools!" a man in a cloak, with his hat pulled down over
+his eyes, and keeping in the rear of the others, shouted.
+
+Before his orders could be carried out there was a sudden movement, and
+four men burst through them and joined Hector. The assailants hesitated.
+
+But again the man behind shouted: "Cowards, there are but six of them,
+and you are five-and-twenty, are you such curs that you are afraid to
+attack when you are nigh five to one?"
+
+Then, with a hoarse yell the crowd rushed forward. One was struck down
+by a heavy cudgel, three fell on the pavement, and another one tottered
+back disabled, but others took their places, and for a time the little
+band were hardly pressed. The four Scotchmen fought stoutly, but
+although fair swordsmen they gained no great advantage over their
+opponents until they betook them to their pistols, when several of their
+assailants fell, but not without inflicting wounds. Paolo also fought
+well, and brought three to the ground. Hector, however, took the
+offensive, and before his swift blade, with its deadly thrust, those
+opposed to him fell back as one after another dropped dead.
+
+"Down with him! down with him!" the voice shouted; "are ye men thus to
+give way before a single blade?"
+
+"And are you a man," Hector shouted back, "to set on others to fight
+when you dare not fight yourself? Whoever you are, you are a coward!"
+
+With a fierce oath the man pushed his way through those in front of him
+and drew his sword. He threw back his cloak to obtain the full use of
+his sword arm, and the rich gold braiding of his doublet confirmed the
+opinion Hector had already formed as to his identity.
+
+"That is better, my lord duke; it is at least more honourable to fight
+in your own quarrels than to employ a band of assassins to do your
+work."
+
+With a roar of fury Beaufort rushed upon him. He was a good swordsman,
+and personally brave, but his rage neutralized his skill, and after
+parrying two or three of his lunges Hector repeated the thrust with
+which he had that morning disabled de Vipont, and ran his assailant
+through the shoulder. He fell back with a curse.
+
+"Kill him! kill him!" he shouted. But at that moment there was a cry,
+"The watch! the watch!" Four of the fellows caught up the wounded man
+and carried him off, some of the others skirmishing with the watch to
+hinder their advance.
+
+"To the inn!" Hector cried to his men, "leave the matter to the watch."
+
+And sheathing their weapons they ran on to the door of the hotel and
+obtained entry there before the watch came up. As soon as they had
+passed Hector said, "Come with me, Paolo, and see the cardinal; there is
+no fear of any renewal of the attack now.
+
+"Do you know who it was I wounded, Paolo?" he asked as they hurried
+along.
+
+"No, master, I was too busy myself to look round."
+
+"It was Beaufort himself; I ran him through, low down in the shoulder."
+
+Paolo uttered an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"It cannot be helped now," Hector went on, "but there will be no living
+in Paris or even in France after this!"
+
+Mazarin had not retired to bed when they reached his hotel.
+
+"What now, monsieur?" he asked.
+
+"We have had our second battle, your eminence, and it has been a serious
+one. We were attacked by five-and-twenty ruffians; we slew some ten of
+them. Then their leader, who had been keeping in the rear shouting to
+them, seeing that his men were not likely to get the best of us, pushed
+through them and himself attacked me. I wounded him somewhat seriously,
+at least the thrust was just below the shoulder; and when I tell you
+that it was Beaufort himself you will see that the matter is serious
+indeed."
+
+"It could not be worse," the cardinal said gravely; "you will have the
+whole of the adherents of the house of Vendome banded against you, and
+even your bravery could not long triumph over such odds. France is no
+longer a place for you. Neither the queen's protection nor mine would
+avail you aught."
+
+He took two or three turns up the room.
+
+"In the first place, Monsieur Campbell, I will buy your fief back from
+you; there are plenty who would gladly purchase it, or I can bestow it,
+as it was bestowed upon you, upon someone who has served the crown well.
+I will send the price to the banker who already holds money of yours
+in his keeping. I should advise you to mount tonight and ride for the
+seacoast. Tomorrow would be too late."
+
+He opened a cabinet.
+
+"Here are a thousand crowns for your present expenses. Which road will
+you take? I should advise you not to go to Calais; that is the line on
+which, as soon as it is known that you have gone, they will pursue you,
+and even did they not overtake you on the way they might reach Calais
+before you could obtain a ship for England, for at present there is but
+little trade between the countries, and that not openly."
+
+"I will make for Nantes, your eminence; there I can be joined by friends
+from my chateau."
+
+A slight smile passed over the cardinal's face.
+
+"'Tis no time for jesting," he said; "but in truth I had intended to
+find a rich heiress for you. But when I heard that two ladies were
+staying at the castle I laid the project aside; and 'tis as well that I
+did so, for, were you married to a princess, your life would not be safe
+in France. Farewell, Monsieur Campbell, I have not so many friends that
+I can afford to lose so true and stout a one, especially one upon whom
+misfortunes have come through his good services to myself. I will send
+a messenger to the governor of Nantes with orders that he shall in every
+way forward your wishes as to your departure, as it is with my consent
+and approval that you are sailing for England. Your devotion has brought
+you into the gravest peril, and now it forces you to relinquish your
+profession, in which you have so greatly distinguished yourself. Truly,
+my friendship for you is genuine, and it cuts me to the heart that,
+although I could uphold you against the most powerful nobles in open
+enmity, I can do naught to save you from assassination. I trust some
+day that I may see you again, but, should it not be so, remember that
+I shall always feel myself your debtor; and should you have friends for
+whom you may ask my protection be sure that I will for your sake do all
+in my power for them."
+
+There was no doubting the real emotion with which Mazarin spoke.
+
+"There is one thing that I forgot," the latter said; "here is a pass for
+you to leave the gates at once. You had better go out by the north, so
+that they may think that you have ridden to Calais, and then take a wide
+detour and ride for Nantes."
+
+Hector returned to the hotel.
+
+"We must mount at once," he said to the troopers; "my enemies have
+failed twice, but they might not fail the third time, and by tomorrow
+morning it is certain that the hotel will be watched. I have a pass to
+issue out through the gate at once."
+
+While he had been away the troopers had bandaged each other's wounds,
+and had packed their valises, for they thought it probable after what
+had happened that their master would be obliged to fly.
+
+As the horses were being saddled and brought out Hector saw the
+innkeeper and paid him his bill.
+
+"Monsieur," he said, "I am going away on business of the cardinal's, and
+he desires that none shall know that I have left; therefore I pray you
+keep the matter secret as long as you can. It may be reasonably supposed
+that after the fray in which we have just been engaged, we might well
+keep our beds for a day or two."
+
+Going out in the courtyard, he gave a couple of crowns to the hostler.
+
+"You are like to be asked tomorrow if we are still here," he said. "Give
+such answers as to lead them to believe that our horses are still in the
+stalls."
+
+They mounted and rode rapidly through the streets to the northern gate,
+which was immediately, upon Hector's handing the guard the cardinal's
+pass, opened to them. To the surprise of the men, he turned off after
+riding a few miles.
+
+"Are you not going to make for Calais, master?"
+
+"No, I am bound for Poitou. We will cross the Seine by the bridge of
+boats at Nantes, ride down through Dreux and Le Mans. There we will
+separate. I shall follow the Sarthe, strike the Loire at Angers, and
+then go on to Nantes. You will cross the Loire at Tours, and then make
+for la Villar. I shall take you, Macpherson and Hunter, with me. Paolo
+will ride with the other two, and will be the bearer of letters from
+me."
+
+Daylight was breaking when they crossed the bridge of boats. Hector
+halted a mile from the river, keeping Paolo with him, and telling the
+others to pass at intervals of a quarter of an hour apart.
+
+"You will go first, Macpherson. You will ride south for an hour, and
+then wait till the rest of us join you. It is like enough that as
+soon as they find out that we have left they will send men off in all
+directions to find out which way we followed, though doubtless the chief
+pursuit will be directed towards Calais. I am afraid that it will not
+be very long before they find we have left the hotel, for the landlord,
+however well he may wish us, will not dare mislead any person of
+consequence that Beaufort may send."
+
+They had, however, a much longer start than Hector expected, for early
+the next morning ten of the cardinal's guards appeared at the hotel. The
+officer in command of them told the innkeeper that, in consequence
+of the tumult before his doors, in which, as he heard, some of those
+lodging there had been concerned, he had orders to post his men round
+the house, and to allow no one to enter or leave under any pretence
+whatever until the cardinal himself had examined into the affair. These
+orders were delivered in a loud voice before the servants of the inn,
+but the officer privately assured the innkeeper afterwards that he would
+be well paid for his loss of custom, and that it was probable that the
+guard would be removed in a day or two. Thus Beaufort's emissaries were
+not able to obtain news of what was passing within, and did nothing
+until past noon, when it occurred to them that the cardinal had taken
+this strange step of closing the inn in order to prevent its being known
+that Hector and his followers had left Paris.
+
+Men were at once sent off to the different gates of the city, and one of
+these returning with the news that the north gate had been opened at one
+o'clock in the morning and that six men bearing a pass from the cardinal
+had ridden out, a party of twenty horsemen started out in pursuit, while
+others were ordered to ride by all the different routes to Poitou,
+in case, as was likely enough, Hector had ridden to his castle. The
+fugitive, however, and his followers were all well mounted, and had
+fourteen hours' start. They separated at Le Mans. Hector here wrote a
+long letter to the Baronne de Blenfoix, and a shorter one to MacIntosh.
+The latter he told only that his fief had again reverted to the crown,
+and gave instructions that the steward should be ordered to return, from
+the moneys he had in hand, three months' rent to every tenant, to hand
+the balance to MacIntosh himself, and to hold possession of the chateau
+and estate until he received orders from the cardinal himself.
+
+MacIntosh was then, with Paolo, two troopers, and his own two sergeants,
+to escort the baroness and her daughter to Nantes, if she decided to
+go there. All arrangements were to be completed within twelve hours
+of Paolo's arrival there. To the baroness he related briefly what had
+passed.
+
+"Therefore, as you see," he said, "there is no course open for me but
+to fly for England or Ireland, where I intend to settle. I trust, madam,
+that you and your daughter will accompany me. Putting aside my respect
+and, I may say, my affection for yourself, you will have understood from
+what I said to you when last at la Villar, that I hope some day to make
+your daughter Norah my wife, if I should be so fortunate as to obtain
+her affections. How this may be I cannot say, but at any rate I trust
+that you will return to England, and as I have ample funds you may be
+assured that my first care will be to provide for your future."
+
+On arriving at Nantes Hector at once rode to the governor, and presented
+the cardinal's letter to him.
+
+"You may be assured, Colonel Campbell, that I shall carry out his
+eminence's instructions," he said, after perusing the cardinal's
+letter. "I will send an officer down to the port with you to aid you
+in obtaining passage, should there be a ship leaving for England, or to
+take up a ship for your service."
+
+"I would rather the latter," Hector said. "I may have ladies with me,
+and so should wish to have plenty of accommodation."
+
+"I am also instructed," the governor said, "to close the gate, in case
+any party, followers of the Dukes of Vendome or Beaufort, or of any
+families connected with them, arrive before you leave, and to grant them
+no admittance until a messenger from the mouth of the river informs me
+that you are fairly out at sea."
+
+"I am indeed obliged to his eminence for that order, sir; he did not
+mention to me that he was giving it, but it will certainly save me from
+much anxiety."
+
+As Hector was not disposed to haggle about terms, he had no difficulty
+in hiring a vessel to carry them across the Channel. Twenty-four hours
+after his arrival the party from the chateau rode in, and but half an
+hour later fifty horsemen wearing the cognizance of Vendome galloped
+up to the gate. They were headed by four or five gentlemen, one of whom
+demanded angrily why the gates were shut.
+
+"They are closed by order of the governor," the officer in charge
+replied.
+
+"Tell the governor that the Count d'Erlon, with a party of gentlemen,
+retainers of the Duke of Vendome, are here, and demand instant
+admittance."
+
+Twenty minutes later the governor himself arrived at the gate. "I am
+sorry, gentlemen," he said, "that I am compelled to keep the gates
+closed. I have an order from Cardinal Mazarin to that effect, and that,
+coming from the first minister of France, I dare not disregard even if
+the duke himself were with you. It would cost me my place, and
+possibly gain me a cell in the Bastille; and, grieved as I am to refuse
+admittance to such honourable gentlemen, still I must do so."
+
+"And for how long is this monstrous edict to remain in force?" the
+leader of the party asked.
+
+"That I am unable to say precisely, but I believe that I can open them
+tomorrow morning."
+
+"You see, we were right, count," another of the horsemen said. "The
+description of the man who rode along here with two attendants tallies
+with that of this Scot, and doubtless this order was brought by him
+from Mazarin to enable him to get either by water away abroad or to his
+chateau of la Villar."
+
+"Well, gentlemen, at any rate we have done our best, and though we must
+have slain the fellow if we had overtaken him, I cannot say that I
+am altogether grieved that he has escaped. His name is well known to
+everyone. He did brave service to France under Turenne and Conde. We
+learned from the messenger who brought the letter from Beaufort that he
+killed de Beauvais in fair fight, wounded de Vipont, and disarmed the
+Comte de Marplat, that at night he and five of his followers, though
+attacked by some thirty ruffians from the faubourgs under Beaufort
+himself, killed twelve of them outright, and that he himself seriously
+wounded the duke. Well, there is nothing for us but to ride back to the
+village we last passed through and wait there until tomorrow."
+
+So saying, he mounted his horse and galloped off with his party.
+
+"Who could have thought when we parted last, Colonel Campbell, that we
+should meet again under such greatly changed circumstances!" Madame de
+Blenfoix exclaimed as Hector met the party as they alighted before the
+principal inn of Nantes.
+
+"It is a change, indeed," he replied; "so great that I myself can hardly
+realize it, and am not sure whether I am sorry or the reverse at what
+has taken place."
+
+"I am very glad to hear you say so, as I feared that it would be a
+terrible blow to you to give up the army."
+
+"I have hardly had time to think of it," he said, "I have had so much
+else to occupy my thoughts. Now, I pray you, enter the inn for a few
+minutes; I have warned them to get a meal ready to be served at the
+shortest notice, for I am anxious that no time shall be lost; everything
+is ready for our embarkation."
+
+"Had we not best go aboard at once?" she said. "Your enemies might
+arrive at any moment by what Paolo tells us."
+
+"The matter is not so pressing as I thought, madam, for the cardinal
+sent orders to the governor that he is not to open the gates to any
+armed party of friends of Beaufort or Vendome until I am fairly at sea."
+
+He went with the ladies to a private room he had secured.
+
+"I must leave you for a few minutes," he said, "while I have a talk with
+MacIntosh and the others."
+
+"Well, old friend," he said as he went out to where the little party
+of Scotchmen were standing in a group, "what are your plans and wishes?
+'Tis a pity now that I persuaded you to leave Paris and go down to
+la Villar, but I did it for the best. I thought of you much as I rode
+hither."
+
+"Do not trouble about me, colonel, I am by no means sorry at the change.
+I was getting tired of the cabaret, and should soon have given it up
+even had you not come to offer me the wardenship of your chateau. I have
+chatted matters over with my two friends, and we have not yet agreed
+whether to return to Scotland or to remain in France. At any rate we
+shall go to Paris first; my money is there all in good keeping, together
+with the two years' payment for the cabaret. Are you thinking of going
+to Scotland yourself, colonel?"
+
+"Certainly not to Scotland, I have no friends there, and from all that
+I have heard the people are so hard and bigoted, so full of their
+religious differences, that I should feel sorely out of place with them.
+
+"Well, MacIntosh, as soon as I am settled in England I will have a
+letter conveyed to you in some way at the address of The Scottish
+Soldier. Wherever I am, there will be a home always open to you, and
+glad indeed I shall be to have you near me. My four troopers are going
+to accompany me. I have talked the matter over with them, and have
+promised that I will find a house with a small farm for them on any
+estate I may purchase, where they can do such an amount of work as
+pleases them, or that they can remain in my service on the present
+conditions. You can make the same offer in my name to your two comrades.
+After all, things are not so settled across the water that I can
+dispense with old friends on whom I can rely. Paolo, of course, goes
+with me, and will be my right hand."
+
+"I will think it all over, Hector, and maybe one of these days I and
+the other two may knock at your door. It is hard if seven old fellow
+soldiers could not end their days happily and quietly together."
+
+As soon as the meal had been eaten Hector went to say goodbye to the
+governor, and heard how Vendome's men had been refused entrance. After
+thanking him for the courtesy that he had shown him, he returned to the
+inn. As the party would require horses on landing, and there was plenty
+of room on board the vessel that he had engaged, Hector shipped the
+three horses that Conde had given him, and four others for the use of
+his men, and after a hearty farewell to MacIntosh on his part and that
+of the ladies, they went on board, and a few minutes later the sails
+were set and the vessel started down the river. The wind was favourable,
+and they made a fast voyage down to the sea. Before they reached the
+mouth of the river, however, Hector had ascertained to his satisfaction
+that Norah O'More returned the feeling that he felt for her.
+
+"I have loved you," she said, "from the moment when you came to us as
+our saviour from death on the summit of the turret; and though as time
+went on I did not venture to think that you, who had so fair a future
+before you, would ever think of the girl who with her mother you had so
+nobly entertained and treated, I should never have loved any other man
+to the end of my life."
+
+The voyage was without incident, and five days after leaving Nantes they
+arrived at Plymouth. Here Hector hired a house, and when the ladies were
+comfortably settled he left them in charge of Paolo and two of the men,
+and rode to London accompanied by the others. Here he called upon the
+banker whose address Mazarin had given him, and on sending in his name
+was shown into the room in which private business was transacted.
+
+"You have certain moneys of mine in your hands, Mr. Wilson?"
+
+"I have had fifty thousand crowns for the past three years and have put
+them out on good security, so that the sum stands at present in my books
+at sixty-four thousand crowns. Three days ago I received from Cardinal
+Mazarin bills to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand crowns,
+being, he said, due to you for the surrender of the fief of la
+Villar, and for other services rendered to him. The cardinal is a good
+paymaster," he added with a slight smile at seeing Hector's surprise
+at the news, "but it was plain from his letter to me that he considered
+that the value of your services was greatly in excess of the sum, large
+as it is, that he sent, especially as they had brought great misfortunes
+upon you, and had forced you to abandon France, and give up your
+profession, in which, he said, your prospects of gaining the highest
+rank were of the brightest. Now, sir, if there are any services that I
+can render you I am at your disposal. You will naturally wish to invest
+your money in some way, and, though I say it myself, I know of no one
+who could lay it out to better advantage."
+
+"You may help me assuredly," Hector said, "for I am an entire stranger
+in England. I wish to purchase an estate, but have no idea how to set
+about it, while, doubtless, you are acquainted with many such domains at
+present for sale. I may say that I will on no account purchase an estate
+which has been confiscated by parliament on account of its owner being
+loyal to the crown. Charles II may, and I believe will, return and mount
+the throne, and these estates will then beyond doubt be restored to
+their former owners, therefore I will have nought to do with such
+property."
+
+"You could not choose a better time for laying out your money in land,"
+the banker said. "Great numbers of the nobles and gentlemen of England
+have been killed or are in exile; many, again, who still hold their land
+are well nigh ruined by the moneys they spent in the king's service, and
+would gladly sell now could they obtain anything like a fair value for
+their estates. I know of a score at least of such properties which are
+so deeply mortgaged that the owners can scarce afford to live in their
+own homes, and would gladly take a sum that would suffice to pay off the
+mortgage and give them the wherewithal to live upon, either abroad or
+in Virginia, to which colony many loyal gentlemen have already gone
+to settle. If you will call tomorrow I will give you a list of such
+estates, with their size, the amount of their revenues, and the price at
+which their owners would, I know, be glad to sell, for I and some of my
+friends have been approached by them with that view."
+
+Hector spent the next three weeks in visiting eight of the estates that
+seemed suitable and were all situated in counties near London. Finally
+he settled upon one in Berkshire, which was of considerable size and
+with a stately house in a fair position. This he purchased, and then,
+returning to Plymouth, his marriage with Norah was celebrated there, and
+he, with his wife and Madame de Blenfoix and his five followers, rode
+down into Berkshire and took possession of the estate, with which all
+were delighted. The troopers, instead of accepting the house he offered
+them, preferred to remain in his service, and Paolo was installed as
+majordomo of the household. Six months later MacIntosh and his two
+comrades came over.
+
+The former declined Hector's offer to take up his abode at the house.
+
+"No, colonel, I have an abundance for myself and my two comrades, and
+would rather be near you, where we can live in our own fashion, and give
+trouble to no one."
+
+"Well, if you will not come here, MacIntosh, there is a house a quarter
+of a mile away which will, I think, suit you well. It is not a large
+place, but is a comfortable one, and has been used as the house of the
+steward of the estate. As I shall be my own steward it is vacant, and
+will, I think, suit you well. It is furnished, so that you and your
+comrades can move in when you like, though the longer you stay with us
+the better we shall be pleased."
+
+A fortnight later MacIntosh and his comrades moved in, and there,
+when not occupied with their duties, one or other of the troopers was
+generally to be found. Hector often dropped in, and one day laughingly
+said that the house ought to be renamed The Scottish Soldier.
+
+Until the Restoration Hector kept aloof from London, but when Charles II
+mounted the throne of his fathers he went up, and was presented at court
+by one of the many English gentlemen whom he had known in France, where
+they had sought refuge with the queen when the royal cause was lost
+in England. He did not, however, repeat the visit very often. He was
+perfectly happy in his country life, and never once regretted the chain
+of events that had forced him to give up his life of adventure and
+excitement and to settle down peacefully in England.
+
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Won by the Sword, by G.A. Henty
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Won by the Sword, by G.A. Henty
+(#6 in our series by G.A. Henty)
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+Title: Won by the Sword
+
+Author: G.A. Henty
+
+Release Date: January, 2004  [EBook #4931]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on March 31, 2002]
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+Language: English
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+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, WON BY THE SWORD ***
+
+
+
+
+This etext was produced by Martin Robb (MartinRobb@ieee.org)
+
+
+Won by the Sword
+A Story of the Thirty Years' War
+
+G.A. Henty
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+MY DEAR LADS,
+
+In my preface to the Lion of the North I expressed a hope that
+I might some day be able to continue the  history of the Thirty
+Years' War. The deaths of Gustavus and his great rival Wallenstein
+and the crushing  defeat of the Swedes and their allies at the
+battle of Nordlingen brought the first period of that war to a
+close. Hostilities, indeed, never ceased, but the Swedes no longer
+played the leading part on the Protestant  side that they had
+hitherto occupied. Oxenstiern, the great chancellor of Sweden,
+saw that the only hope of  eventual success lay in engaging France
+in the struggle, and he and the Duke of Weimar went to Paris and
+pointed out to Richelieu that unless France intervened, Austria
+must become the master of all Germany,  and as the ally of Spain
+would have it in her power to completely dominate France. Richelieu
+perceived the  opportunity, made a treaty with the Swedes and Weimar,
+and engaged to grant large subsidies to the  former, and to send
+an army to cooperate with the latter.  Then began the second period
+of this long and  terrible struggle, France now taking the place
+that Sweden had hitherto occupied, and bearing the brunt of  the
+conflict. She emerged triumphant with her territories largely
+increased, while Austria was crushed and  humiliated, and Spain
+was dethroned from her position as the dominating power of Europe.
+The success of  France was greatly due to the fact that her armies
+were led by two of the greatest military geniuses of all  times,
+viz., Conde and Turenne, men of very different types, but equally
+great as commanders, and equally  at the time of which we are speaking
+devoted to the cause of France. Both were men of extraordinary
+personal courage, and although one was as prudent and careful of
+the lives of his troops as the other was  impetuous and careless
+at what cost he won his victories, they worked together with a
+harmony that could  have hardly been expected among men so differently
+constituted. Although, in the subsequent wars of the  Fronde they
+took different sides, their friendship, except during a short
+period of alienation, was never  shaken, and their admiration for
+each other's genius never abated.
+
+Yours sincerely,
+
+G.A. HENTY
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I:  A STROKE OF GOOD FORTUNE
+
+
+A mounted officer, followed by two orderlies, was proceeding at a
+brisk trot from Paris to St. Denis, in  October, 1639, when he came
+upon a large party of boys, who, armed with sticks, were advancing
+in  something like military order against a wall on the top of a
+low hill.
+
+"What are you doing?" he asked the lad who appeared to be the
+leader.
+
+"We are playing at war, sir. We are advancing against the fortress
+of La Motte. This is the regiment of  Turenne."
+
+"And who are you at other times?" the officer asked with a smile.
+
+"My name is Hector Campbell, sir."
+
+"Then you are not French?"
+
+"No, sir; my father was an officer in the Scotch regiment.  He was
+killed at the siege of La Rochelle."
+
+"And who is taking care of you?"
+
+"I live with Angus MacIntosh. He was a sergeant in my father's
+company. He was badly wounded at La  Rochelle, and not being fit for
+further service, he took a cabaret near the barracks. The officers
+are very  kind. They allow him a sum for taking care of me. Of
+course I am often in barracks, and have learned the  drill, and
+I have heard and read about battles and sieges, so I am chosen to
+command."
+
+"And so you know something of the battles in which Turenne was
+engaged?"
+
+"I think I know about them all, sir, both in Holland and on the
+Rhine, and have seen plans of the battles. Of  course this is not
+at all like La Motte, which was on the top of a high rock, so that
+when Turenne was  ordered to attack with his regiment after the
+general's son had failed, he had to pass not only through a  heavy
+fire, but through the huge stones that the enemy hurled down. It
+was grand; and he did well at all the  other sieges. Then, again,
+there was Saverne. See how he fought there, and stormed the place
+when even  the Swedes, who are good soldiers, had failed. I think
+he is going to be the greatest of our captains."
+
+"Turenne is only a learner in the art of war," the other said
+gravely.
+
+"I think he has learnt more than any of the rest," the boy said
+boldly; "and all the soldiers love him more  than any of the other
+generals, for he takes such care of them, and does not treat them
+as if they were dirt  under his feet, only meant to obey orders,
+and go and get killed when told."
+
+"You have heard him very much over praised," the officer said
+quietly. "I think that he does his best; but he  is a young man
+yet, not older than I am. His advance has been due to fortune rather
+than to his own merits."
+
+"I don't think so," the boy said sturdily. "Do you think that he
+would be a lieutenant general at twenty-eight,  and that all the
+soldiers would speak of him as they do, if it were only fortune?
+Look how he captured  Landrecies and Solre, and drove the Austrians
+back from Maubeurge, and aided the Duke of Weimar to  thrash
+them at Weilenweir, and stormed the main fort of Breisach! He has
+been successful in all his  enterprises, and now it is said he is
+to command in Italy, where things have been going on badly. The
+cardinal would not have chosen him had he not considered that no
+one could do better than he."
+
+The officer laughed.  "Well, young sir, I see that you are so well
+acquainted with the sieges and battles of  our time that I cannot
+argue with you."
+
+"I did not mean that, sir," the boy said in some confusion. "I was
+only saying what our soldiers think, and it  is natural that I,
+being only a boy, should make him my hero, for he went to the wars
+when he was a year  younger than I am, and at fourteen carried a
+musket as a volunteer under Maurice of Nassau, and for five  years
+he was in all the battles in Holland, and raised the first battery
+that opened on Bois-le-duc."
+
+"And do you receive no pension as the son of an officer killed in
+battle?"
+
+"No, sir. When the living soldiers often have to go months without
+their pay, the sons of dead ones can  hardly expect to be thought
+of. But I don't care; in two years I shall be old enough to enlist,
+and I shall go to  the frontier and join Hepburn's Scottish brigade,
+who are now, they say, in the French service."
+
+"They are fine soldiers -- none better," the officer said.  "But
+why does not the colonel of your father's  regiment ask for a
+commission for you?"
+
+"The regiment is not in favour with the cardinal," the boy replied
+with a smile. "They are too Protestant for  his eminence, and the
+colonel is not a man to ask favours if he is likely to be refused."
+
+"Well," the officer said, "it is clear to me that you are a lad of
+spirit, and that you have done your best to  prepare yourself for
+your profession as a soldier by studying military history, and I
+think it hard that, as the  son of an officer who died in battle
+for France, France should have done nothing for you. I have some
+little  influence myself. What is the name of this cabaret that
+Sergeant MacIntosh keeps?"
+
+"The Scottish Soldier, sir. It is near the gate of the barracks of
+St. Denis."
+
+"Do not go out tomorrow afternoon. I will have a talk with him,
+and maybe I can be of some assistance to  you."
+
+So saying, he touched his horse's flank with his heel and rode on,
+while the boys continued their play. The  next afternoon the lad
+remained at home, to the surprise of the sergeant.
+
+"What keeps you in today, Hector? It is rare indeed that you are
+indoors in the afternoon."
+
+"An officer came along while we were playing," the lad said, "and
+asked me some questions. I told him  who I was.  He said that he
+had some influence, and might be able to assist me."
+
+"What sort of assistance?" the sergeant grumbled. "He must have
+influence indeed if he can get you a  pension."
+
+"I don't think it was that," the boy said. "I said that I should
+like to enlist as a volunteer."
+
+The sergeant laughed.  "Well, they do take volunteers as young as
+you are, Hector, but they must be cadets  of a noble family. You
+will have to wait another couple of years before they will enlist
+you, much less take  you as a volunteer."
+
+There were a good many Scottish soldiers sitting in the room, when
+an officer rode up to the door and  dismounted.
+
+"It is a general officer," one of the men said, looking out of the
+window, and as the door opened and the  officer entered, all stood
+up and saluted.
+
+"Sit down, men," he said. "I am not here to disturb you, but to
+have a talk with Sergeant MacIntosh. Have  you a room, sergeant,
+where we can speak privately?"
+
+"Yes, general," the sergeant said, saluting again, and led the way
+into a little room generally devoted to the  use of noncommissioned
+officers. The officer caught Hector's eye, and beckoned to him to
+follow.
+
+"Do you know me, sergeant?"
+
+"Yes, general, you are Viscount Turenne."
+
+Hector gave an involuntary exclamation of horror at the thought of
+the freedom with which he had the day  before discoursed with this
+famous commander. Military officers at that time did not wear any
+set  uniforms, and indeed there was very considerable latitude
+among the soldiers, and it was only because he  was followed by two
+attendants that the boy had taken him to be an officer, probably
+a young captain.  The  quietness of his dress had not even led him
+to believe that he belonged to a noble family.
+
+"This lad tells me that he is the son of Captain Campbell of the
+Scottish regiment?"
+
+"That is so, general."
+
+"And also that you were a sergeant in his father's company, and
+have since taken care of him."
+
+"I have done the best I could for him, general; but indeed the
+officers of the regiment allow me quite as  much as the lad's food
+costs."
+
+"He seems to be a careful student of military history, sergeant?"
+
+"That he is, sir. I don't think there has been a battle, or even a
+skirmish, in the past ten years which he  cannot tell you the ins
+and outs of. He will sit here for hours as quiet as a mouse when
+some soldiers from  the wars come in, and sometimes he gets books
+lent him with the plans of battles and sieges, and when he is  not
+doing that he is in the barrack yard watching the men drill. I
+believe he knows all the words of  command as well as any captain
+in the Scottish regiment.  As to handling his musket, I have taught
+him that  myself, and the use of a sword, too, since he was ten
+years old, and the men of his father's company have  taken pleasure
+in teaching the lad all they knew in that way."
+
+"He reminds me of my own boyhood," the general said.  "I like his
+looks, and it seems to me that he has the  making of a good officer.
+All the officers of the regiment are men of good Scottish families,
+and as such  can serve in any capacity.  I have often need of
+a young officer who can carry my messages on a field of  battle,
+and can be trusted to understand their import and deliver them
+faithfully. Now, Campbell," he said,  turning to the lad, who
+was standing with flushed face and eyes beaming with delight and
+gratitude, "I will  give you the choice. I will either appoint you
+a volunteer for a year, in which time, if your conduct is  satisfactory,
+I will name you lieutenant, or I will take you directly into my
+own household. My object in  either case would be to produce an
+officer likely to be useful to his Majesty.
+
+"I should certainly not have adopted that course had it not been
+that you appear already to have learned the  duties of a soldier,
+and to be acquainted with the ordinary drill and with the necessities
+of a soldier's life. If  you enter my household you will find it
+no child's play, certainly no life of ease and comfort. I do not
+spare  myself, nor do I spare the officers immediately under me.
+In a regiment you would learn better, perhaps,  the duties of a
+regimental officer, but with me you will have more opportunities of
+learning the art of war,  and of some day becoming a distinguished
+officer, always supposing that you are not shot down in battle or
+die of fatigue and hardship. Which do you choose?"
+
+"Oh, sir, how can I thank you for your goodness? There is nothing
+in the world that I should like so much  as to be in your service."
+
+"So be it," the general said. "I shall obtain an appointment for
+you as lieutenant attached to my household.   At first, you will
+simply have to carry messages for me; but when I have learnt more
+of your character I  shall employ you as one that I can trust.
+
+"Sergeant, here is a purse, use the contents in furnishing the lad
+with clothes suitable for his position, and  let him call on me in
+three days at the hotel of the Duc de Bouillon, where I am staying.
+
+"Can you ride?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I will see to the matter of a horse for you. I shall be leaving at
+the end of a week to join the army in Italy.  And remember always,
+lad," he added with a smile, "that I am still but a learner in the
+art of war."
+
+So saying he nodded kindly to him and the sergeant, went out,
+returned the salute of the soldiers, mounted  his horse, which his
+orderly was holding for him, and rode off.
+
+"Well, well," said the sergeant, who with Hector had followed
+him out, "the like of this I never saw before:  to think that the
+Viscount of Turenne should visit the cabaret of a soldier, and
+should have deigned to offer  you a position in his household!
+I can scarce believe that I am not dreaming.  How did it all come
+about,  and how have you thus gained his favour?"
+
+"I am ashamed to say, sergeant, that I gained it by my presumption;
+now that I know who he was, I may say  by my insolence. A party
+of us were having a mimic battle. We were acting as the regiment
+of Turenne at  the storming of La Motte. I was in command, and so
+acting as Turenne, when a gentleman, who, by his  appearance and
+age, and by the fact that two troopers rode behind him, I took to
+be a captain in the army,  came up and questioned me as to what
+we were doing. I told him, then he talked about Turenne. I said I
+thought he was our greatest general. He, that Turenne was only a
+learner in the art of war. I upheld him, and  spoke of the battles
+and sieges in which he had taken part. Then he asked me about myself,
+and I told him  my birth and bringing up, and he said he might be
+of assistance to me, and would call here and see you."
+
+"Well, well, it almost passes belief, Hector, that a boy like you
+should have dared to enter into an argument  with an officer, even
+if only, as you believed, a captain. And to think that this has
+come of it, instead of his  having laid his whip across your back,
+as you deserved. Your fortune is made, lad, that is, if you behave
+yourself. Turenne is a great soldier; and more than that, from what
+I have heard he is loved by his men  more than any other general,
+and they will do anything for him. His regiment here, though he was
+but  nineteen when he obtained his command, was admitted to be one
+of the best drilled and the best disciplined  of any in the service.
+
+"He saw to everything himself, spent his whole time in drilling
+them as if he had been only a lieutenant  with nothing but his
+sword for his fortune, instead of a great noble. When he was with
+de la Valette and  Weimar, and the army had to fall back and were
+well nigh starved, Turenne sold his plate and his carriages  to buy
+food for the men. He had his own baggage thrown out of the wagons
+to make room for those who  were too weak to march; and on one
+occasion gave up his own horse to a soldier who was sinking from
+fatigue and hunger, and himself marched on foot. He always leads
+his troops in battle, and wherever he  goes they will follow. He
+was right in saying that he does not spare himself. The soldiers
+believe that he  does without any sleep when on a campaign, for he
+is for ever going round seeing that everything is in  order, that
+the outposts are properly placed and vigilant, and that the soldiers
+have food, and such comfort  as can be obtained. Now let us go in
+and tell my comrades of your good fortune. There is not a man in
+the  regiment who will not be glad to hear of it. I will go across
+with you myself to the colonel's lodging."
+
+"But please, sergeant, do not say a word about my folly; only say
+that the general, coming across a party of  us playing at war,
+questioned me, and finding that I was the son of a Scottish officer
+who had been killed at  La Rochelle, and that I had worked hard
+at getting up the history of the wars, and longed much to go into
+the army, had promised to come round the next day, and said that
+he might be able to aid me."
+
+"I understand, lad. Yes, it is better that your foolishness should
+not be known."
+
+The colonel was greatly pleased when he heard of what had happened.
+
+"I had intended myself to have asked for a commission for you when
+you were a couple of years older," he  said to Hector, "but I was
+by no means sure of getting it, for the cardinal is not partial to
+the regiment.  Turenne, however, stands high in his favour -- in
+spite of the fact that his brother, the Duc de Bouillon, has  left
+Richelieu's party, and is regarded by him as an enemy -- so we may
+be sure that your commission will  be at once signed. You must sup
+with me and the officers of the regiment tonight. There is not one
+who will  not rejoice that your father's son has met with such good
+fortune, for assuredly you could not have entered  the army under
+better auspices.
+
+"It is just like Turenne to have thus come forward to assist the
+son of a brave soldier killed in action. As a  rule, I am sorry
+to say that the officers of our army concern themselves but little
+with the affairs of the  soldiers under their command.  Of course
+in our regiment it is different, as we have many gentlemen of
+well known Scottish families serving in the ranks, and most of the
+others are our own clansmen, or come  from our dales. We all cling
+together as countrymen among strangers, though indeed we can hardly
+regard  them as strangers, seeing that Scotland and France have
+ever been allies, and that our Queen Mary was a  French princess.
+And now that Scotland has given kings to England, and English
+troops fought side by side  with the French under Henry of Navarre
+against the Spaniards and Guises, and, although not in strict
+alliance, are alike enemies of the Spaniards, we can scarce feel
+ourselves as strangers here. Besides, is not a  French princess
+wife of King Charles?
+
+"I do not say that either England or France has altogether forgotten
+the long wars between them, but that is  a very old story now, and
+as long as Spain threatens to extend her power over all Europe, so
+long are we  likely to remain good friends. If the power of Spain
+is once broken, old quarrels may break out again, but I  trust that
+that will not be in my time, for assuredly the regiment, although
+willing to fight against all other  enemies of France, would refuse
+to march against our countrymen. Now, Sergeant MacIntosh, I know
+that  you must be anxious to get back to your inn.  You will have
+a busy time this afternoon unless I am greatly  mistaken. Leave
+Campbell with me.
+
+"In the first place, it will be as well that he should not be down
+there, for the fun is likely to get fast and  furious.  There is
+not a man in the regiment who knew his father but will be drinking
+the lad's health, and it  were better that he should go tomorrow
+through the barracks and shake their hands, than that he should
+be  among them there. You can tell them that I have taken the boy
+off, so that they may not think that he stayed  away on his own
+account. We will see him fitted out. It is a matter that touches
+the honour of the regiment  that the son of our old comrade should
+make a fair show in the household of the viscount."
+
+"The general has left me a purse for that purpose, colonel."
+
+"It was a kindly thought, but let the lad start with it in his
+pocket. It is our duty to see that he has everything  befitting
+his father's son."
+
+As soon as the sergeant left, the colonel said, "Now, Campbell, do
+you go into the anteroom. I shall be  ready to go out with you in
+half an hour."
+
+Orderlies were then despatched to the various officers' lodgings,
+and in a few minutes they assembled. The  colonel told them what had
+happened, and said that in his opinion it concerned the honour of
+the regiment  to see that their comrade's son was properly equipped.
+
+All those who had known Captain Campbell were greatly pleased with
+the news, and there was not a  dissenting voice when the colonel
+proposed that there should be a general subscription of two days'
+pay. He  himself, however, and Captain Campbell's friends, gave
+a much larger amount, and the total was amply  sufficient for the
+equipment of a young man of good family joining the army. Hector was
+then called in and  informed of what had taken place, and heartily
+congratulated by the officers. He was greatly affected by  their
+kindness and the proof of the estimation in which his father had
+been held.
+
+"We had always intended to do this," the colonel said, "when the
+time came for your entering the army, for  we felt that it would
+indeed be a discredit to the regiment were you to go into the
+world without the  equipment that a Scottish gentleman should have.
+Now, Captain Mackenzie and Captain Home, I will ask  you to act as
+furnishers. You know what is required for a young officer on the
+staff of a general like  Viscount Turenne, who would be called upon
+to accompany him to court, and must do him no discredit;  besides
+which, he must of course have clothes for a campaign.  He will not
+need arms, for I have kept for  him his father's sword and pistols.
+See that the tailors undertake to get his clothes ready quickly,
+for he is to  accompany Turenne to Italy in four or five days. One
+suit at least must be finished in two days, for on the  third he
+is to wait upon Turenne, who is staying at the hotel of the Duc de
+Bouillon, and he may possibly be  presented to the cardinal."
+
+The dress of a French gentleman in the reign of Louis XIII differed
+but slightly from that worn at the same  time by the cavaliers of
+Charles I. It consisted of a loose cloak of cloth, silk, satin, or
+velvet, according to  the occasion and the wealth of the wearer. It
+generally hung loosely on the shoulders, but two or three of  the
+top buttons were sometimes fastened; the sleeves were loose and
+open from the elbow.  Sometimes the  cloak was richly embroidered.
+Over it fell a collar of rich lace, with Vandyke border. Beneath
+it was worn a  short tightly fitted doublet embroidered in front,
+with puffed sleeves, and with a belt or sash round the  waist.
+The breeches were very full, reaching to the knee. For walking or
+riding, loose high boots turned  down at the top and trimmed with
+lace or frillings joined the breeches; while in court dress, silk
+stockings  and shoes with rosettes were worn.  The swords hung from
+a richly embroidered baldrick going over the  right shoulder.
+
+Officers of the different regiments were distinguished by the
+colour of their sashes, which was the only  point of regimental
+uniformity. When on a campaign doublets were usually worn of thick
+buff leather;  armour was still used, but was far less cumbrous
+than it had been, consisting for the most part solely of  shoulder
+pieces and cuirass, with plates covering the upper part of the arm,
+thick buff leather gauntlets  being considered sufficient protection
+below the elbow. Four suits were ordered for Hector: one for court,
+another for general use when in Paris or other large towns, the
+third for travelling and when in attendance  with the general, the
+fourth for actual service in the field.
+
+Almost as expensive as the suits were the shirts, with their deep
+lace collars and ruffle; while for service in  the field half
+a dozen plain shirts were purchased. The headdress on ordinary
+occasions was a broad beaver  hat with plumes, and in the field
+a close fitting helmet with cheek pieces. Visors had been almost
+entirely  given up.  On the third day Hector presented himself at
+the appointed hour at the hotel of the Duc de  Bouillon. He was
+dressed in the second best of his costumes, and wore for the first
+time his father's sword.  In the hall were numbers of soldiers and
+lackeys. One of the latter came up to him.
+
+"I am here to see the Viscount Turenne by appointment," he said.
+
+The lackey led the way to a large chamber, where several officers and
+gentlemen were waiting. Here  Hector gave his name to a chamberlain,
+who took it into another apartment.  He waited for half an hour,
+and observed that while the officers, one by one, were taken into
+the room where the lackey had carried his  name, the nobles and
+gentlemen, who were much more numerous, were shown into another,
+which was  evidently the principal reception room. He guessed
+at once that it was here that the Duc de Bouillon was  receiving
+visitors, while his brother was engaged in giving interviews
+to officers, who perhaps desired  appointments in his army, or
+in arranging details of stores, arms, and ammunition required for
+its use. At  last his turn came; and on his name being called,
+he followed the usher into a small apartment, where  Turenne was
+sitting at a table covered with letters.  The general looked at
+him critically.
+
+"You make a very good figure," he said, "and better, I can tell
+you, than I did at your age, for I was but  weakly, while you are
+well grown and strong. Among your other exercises you have not
+neglected the use  of your sword. I could tell that as soon as my
+eyes fell upon you."
+
+"No, general, I have practised for two or three hours a day since
+I was ten years old, and I think that almost  every soldier in the
+regiment has been my instructor in turn, and the maitre-d'armes of
+the regiment himself  gave me lessons twice a week."
+
+"I have managed your business for you," the viscount said. "I saw
+the cardinal yesterday and asked for a  commission for you. He simply
+asked for what regiment, and I said that at present I intended to
+keep you  about my own person, as I thought you would make a good
+officer and would some day do me credit. He  was busy at the time,
+so he simply signed an appointment as a lieutenant and gave it
+to me to fill in your  name. I asked if I should bring you to his
+levee tomorrow, but he said, 'There is no occasion, viscount, we
+have both plenty on our hands; neither you nor I can waste time on
+young lieutenants. You can present him  to me when you return from
+the war.' You know the cardinal by sight, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, general, I have seen him many times."
+
+"He is a great man," Turenne said thoughtfully, rather as if
+speaking to himself than to Hector; "the greatest  that France has
+ever known -- he is the soul of France. It is well, indeed, that
+we have at present a king who  recognizes how great a man he is,
+and is wise enough to know that although he himself is somewhat
+overshadowed, France is made greater and stronger and his own reign
+more glorious by his genius." Then  he broke off with a smile. "I
+was talking to myself rather than to you. I shall ride to St. Denis
+at two o'clock  today; be here at that time. I will order the horse,
+that I have purchased for you, to be brought round here."
+
+Hector was about to express his gratitude, but the general at once
+stopped him. "I need no thanks," he said.   "I perceived in the
+ardour with which you have studied military matters that you would
+make a good  officer, and you remind me of my own boyhood. I always
+like to help forward officers who I see ready, not  only to do their
+actual business but to go beyond it, in order to acquire knowledge,
+and I doubt not that I  shall find this in you. But you must remember,
+lad, that you are now no longer a civilian, but a soldier, that
+you must be not only obedient but respectful to those above you in
+rank, that discretion as well as courage  is necessary for success,
+that you must be thoughtful for the comfort of the soldiers, ready
+to expose your  life in battle to encourage them, and also to
+set them an example of endurance, cheerfulness, and good  spirits
+in times of hardship and distress. Remember that, to the soldier,
+there is no such thing as party; he  fights for France and for
+France only, and should hold himself aloof from even the smallest
+expression of  opinion on political matters. Then, at two o'clock."
+
+Hector bowed deeply and left the room. When he returned to the hotel
+at two o'clock, six grooms were  standing with the horses before
+the entrance; he waited outside until the viscount, followed by
+four officers,  came out.
+
+"Oh, here you are, lieutenant!" he said, as his eye fell on Hector;
+"I was afraid that punctuality was not  among your virtues. Gentlemen,
+this is Lieutenant Hector Campbell, son of a brave officer of the
+Scottish  regiment who fell at La Rochelle; he is, for the present,
+attached to my household, and will ride with us for  Italy the day
+after tomorrow.  Campbell, this gentleman is Colonel d'Estampes,
+who is the head of my staff;  this Major Mutton, who will have
+the control of all matters connected with the artillery; these are
+Messieurs  de Lisle and Emile de Chavigny, who are my aides-de-camp.
+Now, gentlemen, let us mount."
+
+As the Scottish regiment was a mounted one, Hector had had ample
+opportunities to learn to ride well, and  he now fell in with the
+two aides-de-camp, who were both young men of eighteen or nineteen
+years of age,  members of good families, and together they followed
+the Viscount Turenne, who rode on ahead with the  two staff officers.
+While they were making their way through the narrow streets of
+Paris they rode but  slowly, but as soon as they passed through
+the gates they went on at a brisk pace.
+
+"You are fortunate," de Lisle said, "in having obtained a commission
+so young, although I do not say that  there are not many of similar
+age in the army."
+
+"I am fortunate indeed," Hector replied, "fortunate beyond anything
+that I could have believed possible,  thanks to the goodness of
+Viscount Turenne."
+
+"You could not enter the army under better patronage," de Chavigny
+said. "We have both served under him  for two years on the Rhine,
+and had we been his brothers he could not have been more kind; but
+the work,  ma foi, was tremendous. The soldiers may well say that
+the general is sleepless. Happily he does not expect  us to go
+altogether without rest. Frequently he is away all night by himself
+in the saddle, sometimes he  takes one or other of us with him,
+but at any rate we get a night's sleep by turns. Much as he has to
+worry  him -- what with the ignorance of some and the carelessness of
+others -- I have never seen him out of  temper; but then a reproof,
+however mildly spoken, by him, is more dreaded than a volley of
+abuse from  any other general. He was telling us before he came
+out that you are already well up in drill, and in the use  of arms."
+
+"Yes; I have been brought up, I may say, in the Scottish regiment,
+and after my father's death the officers  and men were all very kind
+to me, and I learnt my drill both as a soldier and an officer, to
+fence, use my  pistols, and ride.  The officers lent me books on
+military history and tactics."
+
+"The viscount said you were wonderfully well read in such matters,"
+de Lisle said. "I own that beyond the  campaigns that I have taken
+part in I have a very vague idea of such things. My time before
+I joined was  taken up with learning the use of arms, equitation,
+and certain dry studies under an abbe. I wish now that  instead
+of Latin I had learned something of military history; it seems to
+me that when one is intended for  the army it is a good deal more
+important than Latin or theology."
+
+"I fancy, de Lisle," his companion said laughing, "that from what
+I know of you your objection was not so  much to the course of
+study as to study altogether. I know that that was my case."
+
+"Well, perhaps so; still, I might as well have been whipped into
+learning something useful, instead of  something that, so far as
+I can see, will never be of any value whatever. Were you born over
+here,  lieutenant?"
+
+"No, I was born in Scotland; but my father, who was a younger son, saw
+no chance of making his way by  his sword at home. It was certain
+that James would never go to war, and as there was no regular
+army, there  seemed no opening for a penniless cadet in England or
+Scotland, so he came over here and obtained a  commission, and as
+soon as he did so sent for my mother and myself. She died two years
+later; he kept me  with him. When he went on service I was left in
+the charge of a Huguenot family, and it was well that it  was so,
+for otherwise I might have grown up unable to read or write. The
+last time that I saw him was  before he rode to La Rochelle. After
+his death I was adopted by the regiment, for the good people I was
+with left Paris to join their friends in the south. Had it been
+otherwise I should have stayed with them. The  good man would
+probably have brought me up to be, like himself, a minister, and
+I am afraid I should have  made a very poor one."
+
+The two young men laughed.  "Just at present," de Lisle said, "the
+two religions get on quietly together. The  cardinal, churchman as
+he is, knows that if France is to be great religious enmities must
+cease, and that the  wars of the last reign cost tens of thousands
+of lives, and drove great numbers of men to take refuge in  Holland
+or England, to the benefit of those countries and our loss. Still,
+his successor, whoever he may be,  may think more of party and less
+of France, and in that case you might have found your vocation of
+a  Huguenot minister as full of danger as that of a soldier."
+
+"It would have been much worse," Hector said, "for it would not
+have been a question of fighting, but of  being massacred. I know
+nothing of either religious disputes or of politics. In the regiment
+these things  were never talked about, either among the men or the
+officers; all were for the king. But at the same time,  as it seemed
+to them that it was the cardinal who had stopped the persecution
+of the Huguenots, and who  had now gone to war with the Austrians
+to prevent the Protestant princes of Germany being altogether
+subjugated by the Imperialists, they felt grateful to him; for of
+course Scotchmen are all on the side of the  princes, and nigh half
+the army of Gustavus Adolphus was composed of my countrymen."
+
+"I do not suppose," Chavigny laughed, "that the cardinal would have
+cared very much for the destruction of  all the Protestant princes
+of Germany, had it not been that their ruin would make Austria
+more formidable  than ever.  As long as Gustavus lived and the
+Swedes were able to hold their own against the Imperialists,  France
+troubled herself in no way in the matter; but when the Swedes were
+finally routed at Nordlingen,  and it seemed that the Imperialists
+would triumph everywhere -- for most of the Protestant princes
+were  leaving the Confederacy and trying to make the best terms
+they could for themselves -- Richelieu stepped  in; and now we see
+France, which for the past hundred years has been trying to stamp
+out Protestantism,  uniting with Protestant Holland and Sweden
+to uphold the Protestant princes of Germany, and this under  the
+direction of a cardinal of the Church of Rome. And here are we
+riding behind a Huguenot general, who  perhaps more than any other
+possesses the cardinal's confidence."
+
+"It seems strange," de Lisle said, "but it is assuredly good
+policy. While fighting Austria we are fighting  Spain, for Austria
+and Spain are but two branches of one empire.  Spain is our eternal
+enemy. True, she is  not as formidable as she was. Henry of Navarre's
+triumph over the Guises half emancipated us from her  influence.
+The English destroyed her naval power. Holland well nigh exhausted
+her treasury, and brought  such discredit on her arms as she had
+never before suffered. Still, she and Austria combined dominate
+Europe, and it is on her account that we have taken the place of the
+Swedes and continued this war that has  raged for so many years."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II:  CHOOSING A LACKEY
+
+
+The policy of the great cardinal had for its objects the aggrandizement
+of France, as well as the weakening  of the power of Austria. So
+long as the struggle between the Protestant princes and the Swedes
+against the  Imperialists had been maintained with equal successes
+on both sides, he had been well content to see  Germany watering its
+soil with the blood of its people.  Nearly a third of the population
+had been swept  away during the terrible war. Many hundreds of
+towns and villages had already disappeared, while large  tracts of
+country lay uncultivated, and whichever party won a victory France
+gained by it. Her interest,  however, lay with the Protestant
+confederation. So long as Germany was cut up into a number of small
+principalities, divided by religion and political animosity, she
+could count for little against a foreign enemy.
+
+France had for centuries suffered from the same cause.  The families
+of Lorraine, Bouillon, Enghien,  Burgundy, the Guises, Longueville,
+the Counts of Armagnac, and other powerful vassals of France, paid
+but a nominal allegiance to the crown, and were really independent
+princes. Louis XI had done much to  break their power. Richelieu
+continued the work, and under him France for the first time became
+consolidated into a whole. Had he lived, the work would doubtless
+have been completed, but his death and  that of the king postponed
+the work for years. The long regency, controlled by a minister
+possessing none  of the courage and firmness of Richelieu, and
+personally obnoxious alike to the nobles and to the  population of
+Paris, again threw the power into the hands of the great nobles,
+plunged France into civil  strife, and the wars of the Fronde,
+like those of the Roses in England, so weakened the nobles that
+the  crown under Louis XIV became absolutely dominant.
+
+Had Austria succeeded in crushing the Protestant princes, that
+empire, with all Germany under her control,  would have become
+a power greatly superior in strength and population to France. It
+was principally to  prevent this result that Richelieu after the
+battle of Nordlingen threw himself into the struggle, but his aim
+was also to carry the frontier of France up to the Rhine. Here the
+territories of the Dukes of Lorraine, and  Bouillon Prince of Sedan,
+not only cut France off from the Rhine and the Moselle, but opened
+a door by  which she could at any time be invaded from Germany.
+The Dukes of Lorraine had always borne  themselves as independent
+princes, giving, indeed, a nominal allegiance to France, but
+as often allying  themselves with German princes as with her. The
+Duc de Bouillon, on the north of Lorraine, and the Duke  of Savoy,
+farther to the south, also regarded themselves as independent. The
+former, as Huguenots, had a  strong leaning towards the Protestant
+Hollanders, and both were ready to furnish asylums to French nobles
+who had incurred the wrath of their kings or ministers.
+
+The Duc de Bouillon, father of Turenne, had fought bravely on the
+side of Henry of Navarre through the  wars of the League. He died
+when the viscount was but ten years of age, and, his elder brother
+being but six  years older, his mother became regent of the little
+state. After having greatly weakened the strength of the  Huguenot
+nobles by the siege and capture of La Rochelle, which had long been
+the stronghold and bulwark  of that religion, Richelieu obtained
+from the duchess a treaty by which she engaged to remain always
+attached to the interests of France, while the king undertook to
+protect the house of Bouillon. The Duke of  Savoy was next compelled
+to hand over to France the town and province of Pignerol, and
+Richelieu then  turned his attention to Lorraine. The reigning
+duke had entered into an alliance with Austria, and the  invasion
+of his territory was therefore the first step by which France
+entered into the terrible struggle  known as the Thirty Years' War.
+
+The duke had given Richelieu an excuse for hostilities.  He had
+married his cousin, the nearest heir to the  dukedom, but he treated
+her so badly that she fled to France and begged the protection of
+Louis XIII. This  he gave her, a French army was at once set in
+motion against Lorraine, and it was in this struggle that  Turenne
+had first fought under the French flag. He had always evinced the
+strongest predilection for the life  of a soldier, and when he
+reached the age of fourteen, Richelieu being at the time engaged
+in breaking the  power of the Huguenots and in the siege of La
+Rochelle, the boy's mother sent him to his uncle Maurice of  Nassau,
+who at the death of his father had become the leader of the Dutch
+people. He was treated by his  uncle in exactly the same way as
+other gentlemen volunteers, carried a musket, and performed all
+the duties  of a private soldier.
+
+Six months later Prince Maurice died, and his brother, Henry
+Frederick, succeeded him in the government  of the United Provinces.
+He at once promoted his nephew, and the latter speedily rose to
+the rank of captain  of infantry.  Here he was indefatigable in
+his duties, and unlike most young men of good family, who left  the
+internal economy and discipline of their companies to subordinate
+officers, Turenne saw to everything  himself. He drilled and
+instructed his soldiers, insisted not only upon strict military
+discipline, but on good  manners and conduct in every particular.
+He won their respect and affection by his personal kindness, and
+denied himself almost the necessities of life in order to be able
+to add to their comforts. In the wars in the  Netherlands there were
+few pitched battles, and the operations consisted almost entirely
+of the sieges of  fortified towns or of measures for their relief.
+
+In all these Turenne took much more than his full share, paying
+attention not only to his own duties but to  all that was being
+done, spending his whole time in the batteries and the trenches,
+and in learning all that  was possible of war carried on under
+such conditions. In the winter, operations were always suspended,
+and  Turenne spent his time in Paris, where his manner and conduct
+won for him the favour of all with who he  came in contact. He had
+been severely brought up under a Calvinist tutor; his habits were
+simple, his tastes  quiet and almost ascetic, and he cared little
+for the amusements of the brilliant and corrupt court. When the
+war with Lorraine broke out, Turenne at once sought for employment
+with the French army.
+
+He recognized that there was comparatively little to be done in
+the war of sieges in Holland, and longed to  enter a wider field.
+His request was gladly granted, for the presence of the Duc de
+Bouillon's brother in the  French army was in itself some guarantee
+of the duke's fidelity to his engagements with France, and  Turenne
+was at once appointed to the colonelcy of a regiment. He devoted
+himself as assiduously to his  work as he had done in Holland, and
+it was not long before his regiment gained the reputation of being
+the  best disciplined in the king's service. He took part in a short
+expedition in 1630, but there was on that  occasion no fighting,
+and he first saw real service under Marshal de la Force in 1634.
+After the siege of La  Motte, the success of which was due to the
+storming of the breach by Turenne and his regiment, and for  which
+exploit he was promoted to the rank of Marechal de Camp, a rank
+equivalent to that of major  general, he took part in several
+sieges, until Lorraine was completely conquered and its duke driven
+to  abdicate and retire to Austria.
+
+The battle of Nordlingen showed Richelieu that if France did not
+resolutely enter into the conflict the  Austrians would become
+absolute masters of all Germany. He at once signed a treaty with
+the Swedes,  agreeing to grant them large subsidies to carry on the
+war. By a similar treaty he promised subsidies and the  province of
+Alsace to the Duke of Saxe-Weimar. He entered into an arrangement
+with the Dutch, who were  to aid France to conquer Flanders, which
+was to be divided between the two powers; while the Dukes of  Savoy,
+Parma, and Mantua agreed to undertake, in alliance with France,
+the invasion of Milan, and to  receive in return a portion of the
+territory won from Spain. At the same time France declared war
+against  Spain. It was to the army commanded by Cardinal de la
+Valette, which was to act with that of Saxe-Weimar  against the
+Imperialists, that Turenne was attached.
+
+The campaign began unfavourably. The impetuosity of Saxe-Weimar,
+who hoped to recover his own  principality, induced Valette to cross
+the Rhine; but he was forced to retire in all haste, and the army
+suffered terribly in the retreat.  Turenne was in command of the
+advanced guard, and his courage and  activity alone saved the army
+from complete destruction -- seizing upon defiles, overthrowing the
+enemy  who barred the passages, and enabling the army to recross
+the Rhine with numbers diminished only by  sickness, fatigue, and
+hunger. At the siege of Saverne, Turenne led the French troops to
+the attack after  three repulses, and succeeded in gaining a footing
+in the town, but received himself a very severe wound in  the arm
+with a musket ball. During the following year several towns were
+captured but no decisive  operations took place.
+
+In 1638, the Duke of Saxe-Weimar gained some great successes,
+defeated the Imperialists with heavy loss  at Rheinfelden, and
+besieged Breisach, the key of southern Germany. The Imperialist
+army marched to  relieve the place, but reinforcements were sent
+from France under the command of Turenne and  Longueville. Three
+battles were fought and the Austrians driven off. After an assault
+by Turenne, Breisach  capitulated, and all Alsace had now fallen
+into the hands of Saxe-Weimar. Having been promised Alsace he
+refused, as Richelieu desired, to hand over Breisach to France; but
+on the death of the duke in the following  year, Richelieu bought
+over his lieutenants, the French flag waved over the towns of Alsace,
+and the Upper  Rhine became the French frontier. Turenne returned
+to court, where he was received with enthusiasm, and  was a short
+time afterwards ordered to Italy to assist De la Valette, who had
+been faring but badly there.
+
+Matters had not gone there as Richelieu had calculated.  The Duke
+of Savoy remained true to his  engagement with France, but he died
+in October, 1637. The Spaniards had captured Vercelli, and the
+emperor had bestowed the regency of the duchy on the Cardinal of
+Savoy and on Prince Thomas, brother-in-law of the duchess. These,
+supported by the Duke of Modena and the Governor of Milan, the
+Marquess  of Leganez, declared that they were determined to protect
+the people against the French and to deliver the  young duke from
+French domination. The duchess implored help from France, and la
+Valette advanced to  her aid.
+
+While in Paris, Turenne had obtained from the cardinal permission
+to raise a regiment of dragoons and also  that a company of dragoons
+should be attached to each regiment of cavalry. These troops were
+not intended  to fight on horseback, but were, in fact, mounted
+infantry, an arm which, after being in disuse for many  years, has
+lately been recognized as a very valuable one, possessing as it
+does the mobility of cavalry with  the fighting power of infantry.
+It was at the head of this regiment that the general started for
+Italy. The  position of affairs in Savoy was dark indeed, for the
+whole of Piedmont had risen against the duchess.  Many considerable
+towns had been captured by the Spanish, others, including the city
+of Turin, had opened  their gates to them, and with the exception
+of Susa, Carignano, Chivasso, Casale, and the citadel of Turin,  the
+whole country was lost to her.  The French forces were, however,
+too weak to take the offensive, and  the ill health of La Valette
+deprived him of his former energy and rendered him unwilling to
+undertake any  offensive movement. Nevertheless, Turenne's counsels
+infused a new spirit into the army, and indeed the  news that the
+young general, whose name was already known throughout Europe,
+had arrived, and the  belief that his coming would be followed by
+that of large reinforcements from France, at once reanimated  the
+remaining supporters of the duchess and dispirited the Piedmontese,
+who began to fear that they had  been too hasty in siding with
+Spain.
+
+But if, for the time, Turenne was not in a position to act in the
+field, he began at once to take steps to  prepare to meet the coming
+storm. Early in October La Valette died.  The general opinion was
+that Turenne  would have succeeded to the command, but his brother
+the Duc de Bouillon had broken with Richelieu and  joined the
+party opposed to him.  When in Paris, the duke had been on terms
+of intimate friendship with the  Count of Soissons and had invited
+him to stay with him at Sedan. The invitation had been declined,
+but the  count, having been implicated in a plot against Richelieu,
+had been obliged to fly and had taken refuge at  Sedan, where he
+had been most warmly received by the duke.  Richelieu had at first
+invited, and then in the  name of the king commanded, Bouillon
+to expel his guest. This the duke absolutely refused to do, and
+becoming deeply offended at the manner in which he was pressed,
+joined the party opposed to Richelieu.
+
+It was for this reason that the cardinal decided not to appoint
+Turenne to the command, knowing the warm  affection that existed
+between the brothers, and fearing that Turenne might be influenced
+by Bouillon, and  might, beloved as he was by the soldiers, lead
+many of the troops away from their allegiance were he to  join the
+party opposed to him. He therefore appointed the Count d'Harcourt
+to the command. He had proved  himself a brilliant officer on many
+occasions, and Turenne did not feel in any way aggrieved at his
+being  placed over him. He made a rapid journey to Paris to arrange
+with the cardinal and d'Harcourt the general  plan of the campaign,
+and was now setting out again to make preparations for it.
+
+Hector Campbell enjoyed the journey greatly. His duties were
+nominal; and the party always halted at  towns, where the troops
+were billeted upon the inhabitants, and the viscount and his suite
+entertained by the  authorities.  After crossing the Alps, however,
+by the pass of Mount Cenis, and arriving at Susa, his work  began
+in earnest. Turenne himself was almost entirely occupied in
+consultations with the duchess; his three  aides-de-camp, however,
+were kept hard at work carrying messages to the governors of towns
+that still  adhered to the duchess, with orders for the strengthening
+of the defences and for the collection of stores and  provisions
+in case of siege. Each was provided with three horses, and almost
+lived in the saddle.
+
+"You seem to be tireless, Campbell," de Lisle said, when it one
+day happened that all three were together at  headquarters. "I feel
+as if I had not a whole bone in my body; as I have not had a whole
+night in bed for the  last six days, I can hardly keep my eyes
+open, while you, who have been doing as much as we have, are  going
+about as actively as if you had had nothing to do for a week."
+
+"I have the advantage of riding so much lighter than you do,"
+Hector said; "weight tells both on horse and  rider, and when the
+horse is tired his pace soon adds to the weariness of his rider.
+If we had had to do this  work when we first left Paris, I have
+no doubt that I should have felt it, but the journey here has been
+a fine  preparation. Another thing is, that every morning I take
+a dip in the first mountain stream I come to, and  that does one
+almost as much good as a night's sleep."
+
+De Lisle shivered. "It may do good, Campbell, but I would not jump
+into one of these icy streams for  anything.  It makes one shudder
+to think of it."
+
+"I always had a swim in the Seine every morning when it was not
+closed by ice," Hector said. "I was told  that there was nothing
+braced one up and made one so hardy as that; and I certainly found
+that even in the  coldest weather I never felt the need of a cloak."
+
+"Well, I don't deny that it may be a good custom, and if all
+Scotchmen do it, it may account for their  hardiness; but I like
+comfort when I can get it."
+
+"But it is not comfort to be always in the saddle, and to feel so
+sleepy that you fancy that at any moment  you may fall off. Even
+if a dip in snow water is, to those unaccustomed to it, somewhat
+sharp, it is better  than having to struggle against sleep for
+hours."
+
+"Well, possibly I may try the experiment some day when I feel that
+I must either lie down by the roadside  and sleep or take a dip,
+but until I feel like breaking down altogether I shall postpone
+the experiment."
+
+Turenne several times spoke approvingly to Hector. On one occasion,
+when the lad presented himself on  being told that an aide-de-camp
+was required to carry a message, Turenne said to him: "But it is
+not your  turn, Campbell; de Lisle and Chavigny both returned some
+hours ago, while it is not an hour since you  came in."
+
+"They are both asleep, general," Campbell said; "they have been
+thirty-six hours in the saddle."
+
+"But you have been more than that, Campbell?"
+
+"But I do not feel it, sir," he said. "I am perfectly fresh and
+ready to go on. I was a little tired when I came  in, but I have
+taken a swim in the river, and am now at your service."
+
+Turenne hesitated. "You see, sir," Hector went on, "being of light
+weight the horse does not feel it as he  does that of a heavier
+man, his pace continues light and elastic, and his spirit good, and
+that makes all the  difference to the fatigue of his rider. After
+two days' rest my horses are perfectly ready for another long
+day's work, while those of Chavigny and de Lisle start heavily,
+not having recovered from their fatigue."
+
+"Very well, you can go then, Campbell. I am pleased with your
+spirit, and also with your thoughtfulness for  your companions,
+who, although strong young men, do not seem to have your power of
+endurance. I find,  too, that you always carry out your instructions
+with intelligence, and that your reports on matters touching  which
+I have sent you to inquire are always clear and full. It may be
+that ere long I may find employment  for you in which courage as
+well as intelligence is required. There is but one drawback, namely,
+that you do  not speak Italian. I know that there are few officers
+in our service who do so; but it would be so much the  more valuable
+were you able to master it."
+
+"I had intended to study the language, general, as soon as I got
+here, but have had no time to begin it."
+
+"That you certainly have not," Turenne said with a smile.
+
+"Do you think that it would be of any use, sir, if I were to take
+a Savoyard servant? I find that many of them  who come from places
+near the frontier speak French as well as their own language."
+
+"That would be useful, certainly; but you would have to be careful
+in your choice, and see that you get one  whose sympathies are with
+the duchess; not only for your own safety, but because a chance
+word heard  here, or an order given and conveyed to the Spaniards,
+might involve the loss of a battle."
+
+"I see that, general, and will be very careful."
+
+Hector had formed the acquaintance of several young officers
+attached to the household of the duchess, and  on the day following
+his return from his mission he was supping with a party of four of
+them when he said:
+
+"Can one of you gentlemen recommend a servant to me? He must be able
+to talk French as well as Italian.  He must be active and intelligent.
+I should like him to be handy and accustomed to camp service, though
+this is not so important, for I want him as an interpreter before
+anything else. I should like him to be a  lightweight, so as to be
+able to ride with me. He must be accustomed to fatigue, and he must
+have courage,  for some of the journeys on which I may be sent will
+not be without danger, and of course he must be of the  duchess's
+party."
+
+"And I suppose," one of the young men said, "that this Admirable
+Crichton of whom you are in search must  be sober, honest, and
+truthful. Are you particular whether he is Huguenot or Catholic?"
+
+"As to the last, not a bit. I should like him to be as sober as
+soldiers in general are, and if he confined  himself to taking his
+wine when I did not require him, it would not be very important,
+provided that he is  not talkative when in liquor.  As to his honesty,
+he would have no great temptation so far as I am  concerned, but
+I certainly should not wish to lose him by his being strung up by
+the provost marshal for  robbing citizens. As to his truthfulness,
+providing he did not lie to me, it is a point on which I should
+not be  particular."
+
+There was a general laugh.
+
+"And as to his age?" the officer asked.
+
+"If I could find all the qualifications that I require, I should
+not be particular about that; but I think that for  choice I would
+take a lad of from sixteen to twenty."
+
+"In that case I fancy that I know a lad who might suit you," one of
+the other officers said. "He is a brother  of my groom, and I may
+own that he has been of no little trouble to him. The boy is an
+orphan, and having  no other friends so far as I know, he has attached
+himself to his brother, and for the past two years,  wherever he
+has gone Paolo has gone too. He earns a little money by doing odd
+jobs -- running messages,  and so on, helps his brother to clean
+the horses; and with an occasional crown from me, and what he earns
+otherwise, it cannot be said that he costs his brother anything in
+money; but in other respects he is always  getting him into trouble,
+for he is a very imp of mischief. Two or three times his brother
+has obtained  places for him, but he always comes back at the end
+of a week, and sometimes sooner, with bitter  complaints from his
+master that he has set the household in a turmoil with his tricks
+and ill conduct. Many a  thrashing has he had, but they do him no
+good."
+
+The others laughed.
+
+"There is no doubt that Paolo is a perfect young imp," one of
+them said, "but he is as sharp as a needle. I  have no doubt that
+if he could be tamed he would make a most useful lad. As it is, I
+certainly would not  recommend anyone who cares for his peace of
+mind to have anything to do with him."
+
+"I will see him anyhow," Hector said. "I think that I would rather
+have a sharp boy than a man. Being but a  boy myself, I could
+appreciate and put up with more in the way of mischief than a man
+could."
+
+"I will tell my groom to bring him round to your quarters in the
+morning," the officer said; "but mind, I in  no way recommend your
+taking him. You won't keep him a week if you do."
+
+The next morning Hector's orderly told him that a man desired to
+speak to him.
+
+"Has he a boy with him?"
+
+"Yes, lieutenant."
+
+"Bring them in here, then."
+
+In a minute a man entered, followed by a boy. The former was a good
+looking young Savoyard of some  four- or five-and-twenty years; the
+latter was a lad of about the same height as Hector but somewhat
+older.  He had black hair which fell over his forehead down to his
+eyebrows. His face bore an expression of  extreme humility, which,
+however, was marred by the merry twinkle of his dark eyes.
+
+"My master has bid me bring my brother with me, Lieutenant
+Campbell," the man said, "and I have done  so, but I fear greatly
+that he will hardly suit you as a servant. I have obtained a dozen
+places for him, but he  is always sent back at the end of three or
+four days, and I told him last time that I would never say a word
+in his recommendation again, for that it only gets me into trouble
+with the gentlemen."
+
+"Well, that is honest," Hector said with a smile.  "However, I will
+ask him a few questions. Now, Paolo, in  the first place, could
+you be faithful?"
+
+"I could be faithful to a master I loved," he said.
+
+"In the second place, are you honest?"
+
+"He is honest," the man said, "I will say that for him."
+
+"Are you truthful?"
+
+"I am as truthful as other people," the boy said.
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"I mean, sir, that if I were asked a straightforward question I
+would give a straightforward answer, unless it  were wiser not to
+do so. I would tell the truth to my master, but I do not consider
+it necessary always to do  so to others. For instance, sir, if you
+were my master, and questions were asked about you, there might be
+times when it would not be convenient for you that I should mention
+where you had gone, or what you  were doing."
+
+"That is so," Hector said with a laugh. "The important thing for
+me to know is, would you always tell me  the truth?"
+
+"I think that I could promise to do that, sir, or at least to be
+very near the truth."
+
+"You understand horses?"
+
+"I do, sir."
+
+"And you can ride?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I can ride and run too. In a long day's journey I should
+get to the end on foot nearly as fast as you  would on horseback."
+
+"He can make himself useful on a campaign," the brother said. "He
+has been with my master and myself in  the field for the last three
+years, and knows his work well if he chooses to do it."
+
+"The principal point with me is that which I first asked him about,
+can he be faithful? I may have to ride on  dangerous missions for the
+general. I may have to enter an enemy's town to obtain information.
+There is  another thing, being of the general's staff, and sometimes
+quartered in the same house with him and  chatting freely with his
+other aides-de-camp, secrets might be picked up by a sharp pair of
+ears that if  repeated would do grievous harm to the cause of the
+duchess, as you can well understand. Now, the  question, Paolo,
+is, can you be absolutely trusted; can you, as to all matters you
+may hear, be as one who is  deaf and dumb?"
+
+"I could, sir," the boy said earnestly. "I am all for the duchess,
+and I hate the Spaniards. I once was found  out in a bit of mischief
+in the palace, and should have been whipped for it and turned out
+of the town, but  the duchess herself said that I was only a boy
+and forgave me, and I would do anything for her. I would  indeed,
+sir, and I swear that I would be always honest and truthful with
+you. I should like you as a master.  You don't speak to me as if
+I were dirt under your feet, and I am sure by your voice that you
+would be kind.  Try me, sir; my brother will tell you that I have
+never said as much before to anyone to whom he has taken  me, for
+indeed I never meant to stay with them, preferring my liberty,
+rough though my fare may  sometimes be."
+
+"I will try you, Paolo. I believe that you are in earnest, and that
+I can trust you; but mind, there must be no  monkey tricks here.
+The general must not be disturbed by the antics of a servant boy.
+You are likely, in my  service, to have as much excitement and
+adventure as you can wish for, and you must behave yourself, for
+if you do not do so you will be lucky if you escape with a flogging
+and being turned out of camp. I am  younger than you are, and am
+just as fond of a piece of fun, but I know when it is good to enjoy
+one's self  and when one must put aside boyish pranks. I have my
+duties to perform, and do them to the best of my  power, and shall
+expect you to do the same."
+
+"I will, sir," the boy said respectfully. "I will give you no cause
+to complain of me, at least no wilful cause."
+
+"Then that is settled. Here," he said to the boy's brother, "are
+five pistoles; see that he is decently clad so as  to make a fair
+appearance by my side. When he is so, let him return here. It were
+best that he should come  this evening, for it is likely that I
+shall be away on duty tomorrow."
+
+"He shall be here, sir," he said, "and I thank you heartily for
+engaging him; and I do think that he means  this time to behave
+himself."
+
+"I do mean it," the boy said. "You shall have no reason to complain
+of me, sir."
+
+Shortly afterwards Hector met the officer who had spoken of the
+boy.
+
+"Well, have you thought anything more of young ne'er-do-well?"
+
+"I have engaged him."
+
+"You have, after the warning I gave you? Well, I hope you will not
+have reason to repent it."
+
+"I do not think that I shall. I can quite believe that he is a
+mischievous young varlet, he shows it in his face;  but I am sure
+that he is shrewd, and I believe that he will be faithful.  At any
+rate I think that we took to  each other, and that he has made up
+his mind to try for once to stay in a place. He really seemed in
+earnest  about it, and if he keeps to his promises I think that he
+will be just the sort of lad to suit me."
+
+"Well, we shall see," the officer said; "but if he turns out badly,
+please remember that I warned you against  him."
+
+"And if he turns out well," Hector said with a laugh, "I shall not
+fail also to remind you of your  prognostications."
+
+That evening when Hector returned to his room after he had finished
+his meal, he found Paolo waiting  outside his door. His appearance
+had so changed that he would not have known him. His hair had been
+cut  short in the front and left long behind, as was the custom of
+the day, hanging down on to his collar. He was  neat and tidy. He
+wore a dark blue doublet reaching to the hips, with a buff leather
+belt, in which was stuck  a dagger. His leggings, fitting tightly
+down to the ankles, were of dark maroon cloth, and he wore short
+boots of tanned leather. A plain white collar, some four inches
+deep, was worn turned down over the neck  of the doublet, and a
+yellow cloth cap, with a dark cock's feather, was stuck on one side
+of his head. In his  hand he held a bundle containing a leather
+jerkin and breeches of the same material, and a pair of buff  leather
+riding boots that would reach to the knee.
+
+"Your brother has laid out the money well, Paolo," Hector said, as
+he opened the door and led the way into  his room. "I do not think
+that I should have known you."
+
+"I am quite sure that I should not have known myself, master, if
+I had looked into a horse trough and seen  my reflection. It will
+be a long time before I shall be able to persuade myself that these
+clothes are my own,  and that I really am an officer's lackey. Now,
+master, you must teach me my duties, of which I know  nought when
+in a house like this, though I know well enough what they are when
+you are in the field."
+
+"They are few enough at present, Paolo. Monsieur de Turenne's
+stablemen look after the horses of his staff.  When I do not dine
+with him, I and my two friends, M. de Lisle and M. de Chavigny,
+dine and sup together  at an inn. There is my room to keep tidy,
+my bed to make, my armour and arms to be polished, and my  clothes
+to be brushed. Hitherto, my orderly has done these things, but it
+will now be your duty. As I do not  eat in my rooms, it is clear
+that there is no food for you, and when we are in towns I shall
+give you money  to pay for your meals at a cabaret."
+
+"I hope, master, that you will soon find something more useful
+for me to do, for, in truth, I fear that with so  much time on my
+hands I shall find it sorely difficult to comport myself as is due
+to your lackey."
+
+"Do not fear, I have little doubt that you will soon find work
+enough and to spare, and indeed you will often  ride with me."
+
+Some few days later, the other two aides-de-camp being away, the
+viscount requested Hector to accompany  him on a tour of inspection
+that might last two or three days. He was accompanied by his orderly
+and three  other troopers, behind who rode two of his own lackeys
+with baskets of provisions.  With them rode Paolo,  Hector having
+asked the general if he should take him with him.
+
+"You may as well do so, Campbell, it will accustom him to his work.
+What made you choose so young a  servant?" he asked, as he rode
+off.
+
+"He is a year older than I am, though perhaps not so tall. He is
+the brother of a man in the employment of  Monsieur de Vevey. He has
+been through the last two campaigns. I find him very intelligent.
+He obeys my  orders promptly, and as he is heart and soul in the
+cause of the duchess, I feel sure of his fidelity, especially  as
+he has had a hard time of it up to now, and is, I think, grateful
+to me for taking him. He speaks French  very well, and might certainly
+be of great use to me in any enterprise that your lordship might
+be good  enough to entrust me with. Being about the same age, I
+think that we might perhaps go together  unquestioned where a man
+would be unable to pass."
+
+The viscount rode on for some minutes without speaking. "There is
+something in what you say, Campbell,  and after this journey is
+over I may be able to employ you in that way when it is necessary
+to obtain  information I can get in no other manner. Has he ridden
+with you before?"
+
+"Yes, sir, he has ridden behind me each time that I have been away
+since I engaged him. When I say behind  me, he starts behind me,
+but when out of town I call him up beside me, and we talk, or rather
+try to talk, in  Italian -- or rather I should say in Piedmontese,
+for he tells me that each district of Italy has its own dialect,
+and that the natives of one can scarce understand the other. I have
+bought a book printed here and a  dictionary, and of an evening when
+I have no duties to perform he comes into my room, and translates
+sentence by sentence as I read it to him. I learn it by heart, and
+hope that ere long I shall be able to make  myself understood in
+it."
+
+"You do well -- very well," the viscount said. "If all my young
+officers were to do the same, instead of  spending the evening and
+half the night in drinking and gambling, things would go on much
+more  smoothly, and there would not be so many blunders in carrying
+out my orders. You will greatly add to your  usefulness by acquiring
+a knowledge of the language, and it would certainly enable you to
+carry out with  far less danger such commissions as those you were
+just speaking of; for you might be asked a question,  and if it
+were replied to by your lackey, suspicions would be at once aroused.
+You have ridden along this  road before?"
+
+"Several times, sir."
+
+"Have you noted the features of the country -- I mean from a military
+point of view?"
+
+"I have nothing else to do as I ride along, sir. As I go I notice
+where an ambuscade might be laid, either by  ourselves or an enemy,
+where we might expect to be opposed on our march forward, or where
+a rear guard  might check an enemy were we retiring before him."
+
+"Good! the fate of a battle depends in nine cases out of ten upon
+a knowledge of the ground, and in  quickness in utilizing that
+knowledge. Our journey today is only taken for that purpose. I
+want to see for  myself the country across which we shall at first
+operate, to inspect the various routes by which we might  advance,
+or through which, if we find the enemy in too great a force to be
+encountered, we should be  obliged to retire. As we go you shall
+point out to me the observations that you have made, and I shall
+be  able to judge whether the spots are well chosen for the purpose."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III:  THE FIRST BATTLE
+
+
+During the three days that were spent in reconnoitering the country
+Hector Campbell learnt more than he  would have done in as many
+years under ordinary circumstances. Turenne took the greatest pains
+to point  out to him how the nature of the ground could be taken
+advantage of, how flanks could be protected against  attack by
+comparatively small bodies, occupying positions from which they
+could be with difficulty  expelled; how important was the action of
+guns, especially when so placed as to be able to sweep the  ground
+across which an enemy must advance in any endeavour to turn the position
+of an army. Turenne, on  his part, took pleasure in instructing a
+pupil who was at once so eager to learn, and who showed himself so
+apt in profiting by his teaching.
+
+"You see," he said, "I am concerned rather in defensive positions
+at present than in seeing how we could  best turn an enemy barring
+our advance. Although the greater portion of the dominions of the
+duchess has  fallen into the hands of the enemy, she is fortunate
+in that the few places that remain are those that at once  enable
+her to make a defence with comparatively small forces; and at the
+same time, it is possible for her to  receive aid from France,
+or, if absolutely necessary, for her to fall back across the Alps.
+Susa, her  headquarters, lying at the mouth of the valley up which
+the road over Mount Cenis finds its way, at once  guards the pass
+and keeps open communication with France.
+
+"It is, as it were, the handle of a fan, and can be approached by
+three main roads only, -- those to Turin,  Carignano, and Chivasso.
+Unfortunately Turin is in the enemy's hands, but as the duchess's
+troops still hold  the citadel, an advance could not very well be
+made until that has fallen. Chivasso and Carignano are safe  from any
+sudden attack. There are other minor roads, but so long as these
+towns are in our hands and held  by strong garrisons, an enemy
+advancing by any of these roads towards Susa would be liable to have
+their  communications cut, and their convoys captured by parties
+from these fortresses. It has long been a fixed  idea in military
+operations that an army cannot advance as long as a town near the
+line of route is held by  the enemy.  That idea is an erroneous
+one, and several times upon the Rhine we have gained successes by
+neglecting this rule and disregarding the towns, contenting ourselves
+with leaving a force sufficient to keep  the garrison in check.
+
+"The Spaniards, however, are slow to change their tactics, good
+soldiers as they are. The consequence is  that, although greatly
+superior in force, last year they made no offensive movement against
+us. We have  had several regiments join us since we arrived here,
+and although I believe the enemy's force to be twice as  strong as
+our own, I have no doubt that the Count d'Harcourt will as soon as
+he arrives decide upon taking  the offensive. You see our position
+here, guarded as it is on both flanks by the line of mountains, is
+as  favourable for offence as defence, for we can advance either
+through Carignano on our right or Chivasso on  our left; and however
+the enemy may dispose themselves they are vulnerable on one side
+or the other."
+
+This anticipation was justified. D'Harcourt arrived three days
+later. A council of war was held, and it was  decided that an
+advance should at once be made against the enemy. The main body of
+the Spanish troops  were posted in a fortified camp at Villanova,
+halfway between Asti and Turin. Leaving only a small body  of troops
+to guard the lower valley of Susa from an attack by the Spaniards
+at Turin, the army advanced to  Carignano, and thence towards
+Villanova. The Spaniards, however, although nearly twice as
+strong as the  French, were so much surprised at the boldness of
+this proceeding that instead of marching out to give  battle they
+contented themselves with strengthening still further the defences
+of their camp, and in order to  force them to come out d'Harcourt
+advanced to Chieri -- called by the French Quiers -- a town situated
+between Villanova and Turin, and about two leagues distant from
+each.
+
+Turenne was in command of the cavalry, and took post between Chieri
+and Villanova. The Spaniards,  however, made no effort to relieve
+the town, which capitulated after a resistance of only two or three
+days.  While the siege was proceeding, a large convoy of provisions
+succeeded, unmolested, in making its way to  Casale, and thus placed
+the garrison there in a position to hold out for several weeks to
+come. But a very  small store of provisions was found in Chieri,
+and the army was forced to fall back towards Carignano to  obtain
+food from the stores collected there.  The Marquis of Leganez,
+whose headquarters were at Asti,  knowing that the French had sent
+all the stores they had brought with them to Casale, had foreseen
+that this  would be the case, and advancing rapidly with the troops
+from Villanova seized Poirino, on the line by  which the French
+would retire, while at the same time Prince Thomas, who commanded
+at Turin, advanced  with the greater portion of his troops, and
+marched towards the little river Santina, intending to cross there.
+Thus the French army could not retire on Carignano without exposing
+both flanks to the attack of the  enemy.
+
+During the short campaign Hector had ridden behind Turenne, and
+shared in the general disappointment of  the army when the enemy
+refused to accept their offer of battle, and still more so when
+after the capture of  Chieri it became necessary to retreat. His
+two fellow aides-de-camp loudly bewailed the bad fortune that  thus
+obliged them to retire without having effected anything beyond the
+capture of an insignificant town,  which, however, had the advantage
+of opening a way for them into the heart of the country then held
+by the  enemy.
+
+"You seem to take it rather philosophically, Campbell," de Lisle
+said to Hector, as he remained silent while  they were bemoaning
+their fate.
+
+"I do not see that it is of any use taking it otherwise. At least
+we have had the satisfaction of bearding the  Spaniards, who indeed
+seem to me to behave wisely in remaining in their intrenchments and
+waiting until  they can unite all their forces against us. However,
+we have shown them that we are not afraid of them, and  that even
+in the middle of November we are so eager to meet them that we have
+hastened to take the field  and to strike a blow before winter sets
+in in earnest; but I think it possible that we may have a fight
+yet  before we get back. Leganez has the reputation of being a good
+general, and he may yet combine his troops  at Asti with those of
+Villanova and Turin and try to cut us off from Carignano." At this
+moment Turenne  suddenly entered the room.
+
+"To horse, gentlemen! News has come that Prince Thomas is marching
+at the head of three thousand foot  and fifteen hundred horse to cut
+us off, and that Leganez is moving with all speed towards Poirino
+with the  same object.  Carry my orders for a thousand cavalry and
+as many infantry to be ready to march at once.  We must be beforehand
+with Prince Thomas."
+
+In ten minutes the cavalry and infantry selected were in movement,
+and Turenne, placing himself at the  head of the former, rode on at
+a gallop, and keeping on at full speed with his cavalry, occupied
+the bridge  before Prince Thomas came up. On his arrival, the
+latter, having with him three thousand foot and fifteen  hundred
+horse, prepared to attack, but before he did so Turenne's infantry
+arrived. The Spaniards attacked  with fury, but Turenne's troops
+stood firm and repulsed them, and as soon as they fell back charged
+in turn,  broke the enemy, and drove them in headlong rout towards
+Turin. Prince Thomas himself was twice  unhorsed and thrown into a
+ditch, but it was now almost dark, his rank was unrecognized, and
+he succeeded  in making his escape and rejoining his scattered
+troops.
+
+While this fight was going on, d'Harcourt had attacked the Marquis
+of Leganez and gained a considerable  advantage, but not knowing
+how the fight was going on at Santina did not venture to advance
+towards the  Po. As soon, however, as a messenger from Turenne
+brought him news that Prince Thomas had been  defeated he continued
+his march towards Carignano. He was speedily joined by Turenne's
+horse, which  took up the duty of rear guard and checked the
+Spaniards, who were pressing on in hopes of attacking the  French
+as they crossed the river. He held them at bay until d'Harcourt had
+got all his guns and baggage  wagons across the river, and then,
+following him, broke down the bridge and joined him at Carignano.
+Here  the army went into winter quarters.
+
+D'Harcourt, whose health was bad, retired to pass the winter at
+Pinerolo, leaving the command in the hands  of Turenne, who again
+established himself at Susa, and began to make preparations for
+throwing a convoy  of provisions into the citadel of Turin.
+
+During the fight at Santina Hector remained behind Turenne, while
+the two young Frenchmen, carried  away by their ardour, joined in
+the hot pursuit of the enemy. The prince, who had led the charge,
+had  halted.
+
+"Are you alone here, Monsieur Campbell?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Where are de Lisle and Chavigny?"
+
+"They rode on with the cavalry, sir."
+
+Turenne frowned.
+
+"You have done well to remain. An aide-de-camp's place is to carry
+orders, not to fight. Now, sir, ride at  once to the count. I hear
+his battle is still going on. Tell him that I have defeated and
+scattered the troops of  the prince, and that as soon as I can
+gather my men I shall march to join him."
+
+Hector bowed, turned his horse and galloped off, while the general
+rode on, sending every officer he  overtook in search of the cavalry
+with orders that they were to abandon the pursuit and return
+instantly.  That evening after they had entered Carignano he called
+de Lisle and Chavigny into his room.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, "you will have to choose whether you remain
+with me or join one of the cavalry  regiments. If you remain with
+me, you must bear in mind in future that you are my aides-de-camp,
+and that  your sole duty here is to carry my orders, and not to
+fight like troopers in a battle. It is through  hotheadedness of
+this sort that battles are lost.  A general, without officers to
+carry his orders, can do  nothing towards controlling the movements
+of his troops in battle, of following up a victory or covering a
+defeat."
+
+The two young officers hung their heads and murmured their excuses.
+
+"Enough, gentlemen," Turenne said. "I am perfectly aware that it
+was your ardour that carried you away,  but ardour is a bad leader.
+Over and over again the ardour of cavalry to pursue the troops they
+have  defeated has brought about the loss of a battle. Courage is a
+virtue, and most soldiers possess it, but  steadiness and coolness
+are rarer and more useful, and on the part of officers on a general's
+staff are  absolutely indispensable. I doubt not that you will
+remember this in future, and that I shall not have reason  to
+complain of you again."
+
+The next morning it was Hector's turn to be in attendance on the
+general.
+
+"You behaved as I expected you would do," Turenne said, when he
+entered his room on hearing the bell  sound.  "You fought close to
+me as long as there was fighting to be done, and I observed that
+you used your  sword well. The moment I drew rein you did the same,
+and took up your post behind me, showing that  although this was
+your first battle you retained your coolness. I will therefore tell
+you in confidence that  Count d'Harcourt has enjoined me to throw
+provisions, if possible, into the citadel at Turin. It will take
+me  some time to make arrangements, and my only fear is that the
+garrison, on hearing that we have retired  across the Po -- of
+which you may be sure the Spaniards will take care to inform them
+-- may believe that  we shall do no more this winter; and as we
+know that their provisions must be well nigh exhausted, they  will
+abandon the citadel and march thither.
+
+"It is now well nigh eighteen months since they were first cut off.
+It is certain that their investment is a very  close one, and that
+the most vigilant watch is used to prevent news of any kind from
+reaching them from  the outside. We have made several efforts to
+communicate with them, but without success. Some of the  messengers
+we sent never returned, and were, doubtless, detected and killed.
+Others came back and  reported their failure, saying that every
+avenue to the citadel was so closely watched that it was impossible
+to get through."
+
+"Have you any objection, general, to my mentioning this matter to
+my boy? I am absolutely convinced that  he is thoroughly faithful
+and trustworthy."
+
+"You may do so if you like, Campbell, though it is hardly likely
+that he will be able to suggest any method  of communication with
+the garrison that has not already been tried."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+The general shortly afterwards went out to wait upon the duchess;
+in two hours he returned, and as soon as  he did so Hector entered
+his room.
+
+"What is it?" Turenne asked.
+
+"I have been thinking about what you said about the garrison of
+Turin. I have been talking it over with  Paolo, and have come to
+offer to do my best to deliver a letter from you to the garrison
+if you will do me  the great honour to entrust the mission to me.
+We both think that two boys would be much more likely to  succeed
+than men. No one would regard them with suspicion; and they could
+creep and crawl more easily. I  do not say that we should succeed,
+but I think that we should have some chance of doing so. At any
+rate I  am willing to try."
+
+"It would be a very dangerous expedition," Turenne said gravely.
+
+"Not more dangerous than going into a battle, viscount.  Not a
+quarter as dangerous as storming a breach."
+
+Turenne smiled. "The idea has passed through my mind," he said,
+"but I should not have proposed it had  you not first spoken. It
+is the sort of mission in which I thought you could be made useful,
+but it is a rough  adventure to begin with, and you must not minimize
+the danger. It is the duty of a soldier to run the risk of  being
+killed in battle, but it lies beyond his duty to go into the
+enemy's camp to obtain news. He may  volunteer for it, but with a
+knowledge that if detected he would assuredly be hanged."
+
+"I do not think, general, that the risk of detection would be great,
+but the risk of failure would be so. If  when we get there we can
+see no possible means of passing through the line of sentries,
+there would be  nothing to do but to come back, and I own that in
+talking it over the thought that I might be obliged to  return and
+to tell you that I had failed occupied a much larger portion of my
+thoughts than the risk of being  detected."
+
+"But I shall not expect you to succeed, Campbell; the chances are
+a hundred to one against it. I should be  glad, however, to have
+the experiment tried once again, so that if the garrison capitulates
+before we arrive  to its succour, I shall not be able to blame
+myself for not having made one more effort to induce them to  hold
+out for another few weeks.  Have you thought of your plans?"
+
+"Only so far, sir, that we shall dress up as two country boys,
+cross the Po, and enter the city from the other  side.  After that
+we must be guided by circumstances and trust to good luck. May I
+ask, general, if you have  a plan of the city and fortress?"
+
+"Yes; at least the duchess has one, which she has placed at my
+disposal. I can send an officer to the palace  to request her to
+let me have it. No doubt it would be a great advantage to you to
+study the position  beforehand."
+
+"Well, sir, we will see about getting our disguises at once."
+
+"I will give you an order on the paymaster for a hundred crowns
+for special service," Turenne said. "It is as  well to be amply
+provided with money, as it may be necessary to buy fresh disguises
+or to bribe someone to  conceal you;" and he drew an order on the
+treasury and handed it to Hector.
+
+"You will find the plan of the town in your room when you return."
+
+Paolo was waiting for him.
+
+"It is settled, Paolo; we are to go."
+
+"This is an adventure after my own heart," the boy said with delight.
+"It will be great fun to outwit the  Spaniards."
+
+"Yes, but we must mind that they don't outwit us, Paolo, which is
+quite as likely. Now let us talk of our  disguises again.  I think
+you had better go and buy them. I would rather get old ones than
+new. I don't  suppose that anyone is likely to take notice of me
+in the streets, but it would be well at any rate that we  should
+not both have new clothes, and better that neither of us did so."
+
+"I can manage that, sir. There are shops here where one can buy
+old clothes as well as new ones. I noticed  one the other day in
+a narrow street by the wall. I wondered then who would buy some of
+the garments  hung up. They were so old and so often mended that
+it was difficult to say what was the original colour.  The people
+are very poor up in the mountains; since the war began, doubtless
+they have grown poorer, and  are glad to buy anything that will
+cover them."
+
+"Well, here are ten crowns."
+
+"They won't cost half that, master, but I will take them."
+
+"Mind and get something warm, Paolo; it is like enough that we
+shall have to sleep more than once in the  open air, and the winds
+are bitterly cold."
+
+In half an hour the officer came with the plan, which Hector at
+once set to to study. The citadel stood on  ground but little, if
+at all, higher than that upon which the town was situated. It was
+pentagonal in form, and  was built in 1565, and was the earliest
+fortification in Europe in this style, and was considered a
+masterpiece. It was separated from the town by its glacis. A deep
+fosse ran along the foot of the wall. The  town itself was walled,
+and extended to the foot of the citadel, and was capable of offering
+a sturdy  resistance even after the citadel had fallen, just as the
+citadel could protect itself after the capture of the  town by an
+enemy.  Hector examined carefully that portion of the town facing
+the citadel, and took notes of  the streets that ran through to
+the walls, specially noting those which extended farthest from the
+wall before  being broken by cross lanes.
+
+It was evident from the width of the streets that this was the
+poorest quarter of the town, for the wealthy  would not care to
+build their houses in a position where, if the town and citadel
+were hostile to each other,  they would be exposed to the fire of
+the latter's guns.
+
+In another half hour Paolo returned with a large bundle.  It
+contained two coarse cotton shirts, two warm  garments resembling
+waistcoats, and fastened by strings closing up to the neck, two red
+sashes of coarse  flannel, and two loose doublets reaching down to
+the hips. These were worn and patched, but had been  newly lined
+with sheepskin. The breeches, which reached down to the knee, were
+of coarse brown cloth; to  cover the leg below the knee were bands
+of gray flannel which were wrapped round and round the leg and  foot,
+while over these were worn wooden shoes. The hats were of conical
+shape with wide brims, and both,  like the clothes, bore signs of
+long wear.
+
+"It could not have been better, Paolo," Hector said as he examined
+them. "I have seen scores of boys so  dressed, and we shall certainly
+attract no attention by our garb. They are warm, too, and we sha'n't
+come to  any harm from sleeping out in them."
+
+"They cost more than I expected, master, owing to the doublets
+being freshly lined, but I thought it would  be worth it."
+
+"Quite right! those sheepskins will be most useful.  There is one
+thing more we shall want, a thin rope, that  will bear our weight
+well, some twenty yards long. You had better go to a smith's and
+get him to make a  strong iron hook, by which we can fix the rope
+on to the edge of a wall should it be needed. You had better  have
+it made a good nine inches across the hook, and the shank fifteen
+inches long."
+
+After again studying the map he took it to the general.
+
+"We have our disguises, sir, and shall be ready to start tomorrow
+morning."
+
+"You have lost no time," the general said approvingly.  "You will,
+of course, ride to Chivasso. I will give  you an order to the
+governor there, to take charge of your horses and clothes, telling
+him that you are about  to proceed on a mission in disguise, and
+requesting him to send an officer to pass you through the outposts
+beyond the bridge across the Po, that is if the other side is
+not guarded by the Spanish troops.  I should  advise you to make
+straight south so as to strike the road from Casale two miles west
+of Turin. I do not like  letting you go, lad, and yet I feel it is
+of such importance that the garrison should know that aid will be
+at  hand before long, that I feel I ought not to prevent you from
+carrying out your enterprise. When do you  think of starting?"
+
+"At eight in the morning, sir. If we do so we shall easily reach
+Chivasso before dark, and may be near Turin  by morning."
+
+"I will have my note for the commandant ready by the time your
+horses are at the door. I will make it as  small as possible, and
+you had better before you start sew it up in the lining of your
+coat, so that if you are  searched -- which I own I do not think
+to be likely, unless in some other way you excite the suspicions
+of  the Spaniards -- it may not be found upon you."
+
+"I think, sir, that I would rather make it into a little pellet
+which I can swallow. I fancy that if they were  suspicious enough
+to search me they would rip all the linings open."
+
+"That would be a better way certainly, Campbell; I see that you
+have thought the matter over thoroughly.  Of course, you will take
+no arms with you."
+
+"Nothing but a long knife each. Every peasant carries one, and it
+may be possible that we shall be  compelled to silence a sentinel.
+If you would not mind, sir, I should like to have six copies of
+your letter to  the commandant. I could manage to swallow six as
+well as one, and as it is not likely that I shall be able to  enter
+the citadel it would be as well to give them a better chance of
+finding the letter if I have to try to shoot  or throw it in."
+
+"That shall be done; we will use the thinnest paper, so that if
+you have to swallow them you can do so  without difficulty."
+
+"If I find that I cannot by any possibility get my message in through
+the town, sir, I shall try to cross the  river and so make my way
+in on that side."
+
+"That would be even more dangerous than the other," Turenne said.
+"On that side an even stricter watch is  likely to be kept than
+on that facing the town, for the Spaniards know that the garrison
+is not strong enough  to attempt any enterprise against the city,
+while it might at any moment attempt to break out and march  away
+on the other side.
+
+"I own that I do not see myself how you can possibly succeed in
+either case, but assuredly there must be  more chance on the side
+of the town. I have been thinking it over, and will order a troop
+of cavalry to ride  with you to Chivasso, for the Spanish horse
+from time to time make forays from Turin, carry off prisoners,  and
+burn villages. Until we are in a position to make a general advance
+it is impossible to check these  attacks without keeping the whole
+of our cavalry massed near Turin, and wearing out horses and men
+by  the necessity for perpetual vigilance. And now, goodbye; may
+fortune attend you!  Do not be too rash. The  letters shall be sent
+you in an hour's time."
+
+As they issued out from Susa they found the troop of cavalry awaiting
+them. The officer in command was  well known to Hector, and said:
+
+"So it is you that I am to escort to Chivasso, Monsieur Campbell?"
+
+"Yes; I am sorry to give you occasion for so much trouble."
+
+"No trouble at all; we have not been in the saddle for the past
+week, and a ride to Chivasso will make a  pleasant change. Besides,
+I have a brother in the garrison there, so that altogether I shall
+be your debtor.  You see, we are not allowed to ride beyond St.
+Ambrogio, or Rivoli at farthest, for once beyond that, we  should
+be liable to be caught by the enemy's scouting parties. Of course
+we have a strong force at Rivoli,  but except to drive off small
+parties of the enemy who may venture to come up too close, they
+are  forbidden to engage in any affairs. It is annoying, but one
+can understand that the general is anxious to  avoid encounters in
+which the enemy is sure to be superior in force, until his reinforcements
+come up and  we are able to take the field in earnest."
+
+"I do not think we shall be otherwise than inferior in force
+even when our last regiment comes up," Hector  said.  "What with
+Holland and the Rhine and the frontier of Spain, it is clear that
+the cardinal must have as  much as he can do to enable all our
+commanders to make head against the enemy, and it is no secret that
+beyond one more regiment of cavalry that will arrive with Count
+d'Harcourt, no other reinforcements are  likely to reach us for
+some time to come.  But then, you see, we have Turenne as well
+as d'Harcourt, and  each of them ought to count for two or three
+thousand men."
+
+"Well, I would rather fight against long odds," the officer said,
+"than be kept here month after month doing  nothing.  Here is winter
+coming on, and I suppose that will put a stop to everything."
+
+"I should hardly think so," Hector replied. "I am sure that the
+viscount is as eager for action as we are, and  winter here is not
+the same thing as in Holland or on the Rhine.  From what I hear
+there is very little snow  in the plains; and as the country is
+generally flat, an army could march almost as easily as in summer,
+and  in some respects they would be better off."
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that in summer the barns would be all empty of food until
+filled again by the harvest, whereas in  winter they would be all
+well stocked with forage for the cattle and horses."
+
+"You are right, Monsieur Campbell. Certainly there should be
+nothing to prevent our operating through the  winter, and I shall
+look forward even more eagerly than I did before for d'Harcourt's
+return. Will you come  back with us tomorrow from Chivasso?"
+
+"That will depend upon circumstances. I think it is more probable
+that I shall not return to Susa for a few  days; my orders are to
+report myself to the governor."
+
+No bodies of the enemy's cavalry were met with on the way, and at
+four o'clock in the afternoon they rode  into Chivasso. They alighted
+at the commandant's, and on stating that he was the bearer of a
+despatch from  the general Hector was at once shown in. As he had
+more than once ridden there with despatches from  Turenne, he was
+known to the officer.
+
+"We heard of the victory three days since," the latter said,
+as Hector handed him the despatch, "and fired a  salvo of guns in
+honour of it. An Italian deserter from the other side brought the
+news. The two generals  were unwounded, I hope?"
+
+"Yes, colonel, and our losses were altogether slight."
+
+The commandant opened the despatch. He looked a little surprised
+at its contents. "So you are going to  endeavour to pass a message
+into the citadel. It is a difficult undertaking.  The enemy's watch
+is a very  vigilant one. Once or twice during the siege men have
+succeeded in swimming the Po and evading the  enemy's guards, but
+of late these have been doubled, for it is thought that the garrison
+may attempt to break  out. On the town side the firing has all but
+ceased; they know that the store of provisions is almost  exhausted,
+and regard it as a waste of powder and shot to continue their
+cannonade, which only results in  the citadel answering it, and
+that with very much more effect than the Spanish guns produce. May
+I ask if  you have any plan of getting in?"
+
+"No, sir, we must decide upon that when we see how matters stand."
+
+"Who is the we?" the colonel asked.
+
+"Myself and my servant, who is a very sharp and intelligent lad
+whom I can thoroughly trust. Alone I could  do nothing, for I have
+only picked up a few phrases in Italian yet, and should be detected
+at once; so  anything that has to be said must be said by him.  May
+I ask, sir, if the enemy are in force on the other side  of the
+bridge? if so, we must cross by swimming, either above or below
+it."
+
+"No; there was a regiment there until three days ago, but they
+marched away, and no doubt formed a  portion of Prince Thomas's
+force. They know well enough that although our garrison can hold
+the walls, we  are not strong enough to undertake any enterprise."
+
+"Then, sir, we have only to ask for an escort for a mile or so beyond
+the other side of the bridge, in case a  company should have been
+left to watch the road. Beyond that we will dismount and proceed
+on foot. We  will, if you please, put on our disguises here, with
+the exception of our hats, and perhaps you will lend us a  couple
+of long cloaks, so that our appearance may not be noticed. Although
+we shall not start until after  dark, it is as well to be upon
+the safe side. Maybe the enemy have spies in the town, and were
+it noticed that  two young peasants rode out under the escort of
+a troop of cavalry news might be sent to Turin. In that case  we
+might be arrested as soon as we entered the city. I should be
+obliged if you would give orders to the  officer in command that
+one of the troopers should bring the horses, cloaks, and hats back
+here with him."
+
+The governor rang a bell, and on an orderly entering said: "Tell
+Captain Sion to have his troop in readiness  to start in an hour's
+time, in order to form an escort for one of Viscount Turenne's
+officers, and tell him that  when he has the troop ready to start
+he is to come to me for detailed orders. I have said an hour,
+Monsieur  Campbell," he went on, after the orderly had left the
+room, "because, in the first place, it is not yet dark,  and in
+the second, it will take some twenty minutes to prepare a meal.
+You will have a long night's work  before you, and I dare say you
+have had nothing since you halted for breakfast."
+
+"Thank you, colonel, I had not thought of it; but I should certainly
+have remembered it before tomorrow  morning. We halted for breakfast
+at eleven, and if it had not been for your kind offer we should
+have had  no chance of getting anything till we entered Turin, and
+even there the less we go into any cabarets the  better."
+
+"That is true. I have sent a message to the cook that twenty minutes
+is the utmost we can give for the  preparation of a meal."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV:  SUCCESS
+
+
+Although the governor apologized to Hector for the poorness of
+the repast and the haste with which it had  been prepared, it was
+really excellent, consisting of soup, some fish fresh from the
+river, a cutlet, and an  omelette, with a bottle of good wine of
+Asti. Paolo's wants had been attended to in the kitchen. It was
+six  o'clock when they started. The officer in command had already
+received his instructions, and the governor  accompanied Hector to
+the door, where two horses were standing saddled.
+
+"They are not your own," he said, "but are two of mine.  I thought
+that yours had made a sufficiently long  journey today."
+
+Thanking him for his kindness, Hector mounted, and took his place
+by the side of Captain Simon, while  Paolo fell in with the orderlies
+riding close behind.
+
+"I presume, monsieur, that you are going to obtain some information
+for Viscount Turenne. I don't want to  ask any questions as to the
+nature of your mission, but as I have orders to bring back with
+the horses your  cloaks and hats, I presume that in the first place
+you are going on foot, and in the second, you are going in  disguise."
+
+"Your judgment is correct, captain. The viscount wishes to obtain
+certain information, and I am going to  fetch it for him, if I
+can."
+
+"I hope that you will be successful, sir. It is a good night for
+travelling, the stars are bright and the moon  down, so that you
+will have light enough to keep the road, and time enough to step
+aside should you meet  any party who might be inclined to question
+all passersby."
+
+"Do you know the roads well about here?" Hector asked.
+
+"I was stationed in Turin before the enemy came with too great a
+force to be resisted."
+
+"I want to strike across the country, and to come into the road
+from Turin to Casale at a distance of three or  four miles from
+the city."
+
+"A mile or so away a road branches off from this which keeps by
+the river. It is a mere country road, and  except in two or three
+small villages that you will pass through, you are not likely
+to meet with anyone  upon it. It is about eight miles to the main
+road from the point where you turn off, and you will then be five
+miles from Turin. It is just possible that you may meet patrols,
+but I should think it very unlikely; now that  our army has gone
+into winter quarters at Carignano, they are not likely to be very
+vigilant."
+
+As they rode along Hector related some of the incidents of the
+late battle. No signs of the enemy were met  with, and the officer
+presently said, "I am sorry to say that this is the point where you
+leave us, monsieur. I  wish it had been a little farther, so that
+I could hear more of the fight."
+
+Hector and Paolo dismounted. Two troopers were called up and took
+charge of their horses, while the  cloaks and hats were given to
+the officer's orderly, then the two lads put on the Savoyard hats
+they had  carried under their cloaks.  The officer took two packets
+from his holster.
+
+"The colonel bade me give this to you at starting," he said. "He
+thought that after a long walk on foot you  would want some slight
+refreshment before the inns were open in the morning."
+
+"Will you please give him my hearty thanks for his thoughtfulness,"
+Hector said, "and accept the same  yourself for your courtesy in
+escorting me."
+
+"Now we are fairly on our way, Paolo," he went on as he turned
+down the lane, for it was little more; "this  package is a bottle
+of wine, and the one that I have handed to you contains the eatables."
+
+"That is good, master. We shall find it pretty cold before morning,
+and there is nothing like a good meal to  warm one up again."
+
+"Did you get the bow and arrows at Chivasso?"
+
+"Yes, sir. I went out and bought them as soon as we got there. I
+wanted them, I told the man, for a boy of  ten years old, but all
+he had were a good deal too long, which I was glad of, for a child's
+bow would hardly  have been strong enough, so I made him cut one
+down until it was not more than three feet long. That way I  shall
+be able, as we agreed, to carry it under my doublet. Of course it
+will make me walk stiffly, and there  will be no possibility of
+sitting down, but that matters not at all. It is all the stronger,
+and will send an arrow  a good distance. I have got six arrows as
+you ordered me. They are regular arrows, but I made the man  shorten
+them so as to suit the bow, and then repoint them. I have got them
+inside my doublet. I tied them  together, made a hole in the lining
+under the arm, and put them in."
+
+"You have not forgotten the cord, I hope, Paolo?"
+
+"Not I, master. I should have deserved having my ears cut off if
+I had done so."
+
+They were in no hurry, and walked only fast enough to keep themselves
+warm. In two hours and a half they  arrived at the main road and
+turned to the right. "Now we will go another couple of miles, Paolo,
+and then  look out for a sleeping place. An empty barn or stable
+or a stack of fodder is what we want. We may as well  sleep warm
+as cold. We shall not want to be moving on till seven o'clock."
+
+After walking three miles they came upon a small village.
+
+"Do you stay here, master, I will go round and see if I can find
+a place. I am more accustomed to these  villages than you are."
+
+In five minutes he returned. "I have found a capital place," he
+said. "It is a stable, but it is empty. No doubt  the Spaniards
+have taken the horses, and are using them in their transport wagons."
+
+"It is enough for us that the place is empty, Paolo."
+
+The door stood ajar. They entered and closed it behind them, and
+they then felt about until they found a pile  of rough fodder.
+They pulled some of this aside, lay down and covered themselves up
+with the stalks they  had removed, and in three minutes were fast
+asleep, for they had had a long day's work. Hector slept until
+he was awakened by Paolo, who said, "The day is breaking, and the
+village will be astir in a few minutes."  The weather had changed,
+and as they stepped out fine flakes of snow were drifting through
+the air, and the  ground was already whitened. They regained the
+road and walked along until they came to a wood.
+
+"We may as well wait here and breakfast, Paolo." The parcel was
+opened and found to contain a cold capon  and some bread, and on
+these and the wine they made a capital breakfast, each taking a
+long sip at the  bottle to the health of the colonel. "The market
+people are beginning to come along, and we may as well  buy
+something from them going in. If we have not something to sell
+it is not unlikely that we shall be asked  questions." It was now
+broad daylight, and they saw several peasants pass along the road,
+some with  baskets, others driving a pig or a goat.
+
+"Either of these would do," Hector said; "but we don't know where
+the market is, and it would never do to  seem ignorant of that."
+The snow had stopped suddenly some minutes before, and the sun was
+now shining.
+
+"That is lucky," Hector said as they walked down towards the road,
+"we may hope that there will be no  more snow and that the sun will
+soon melt what has fallen. It would be fatal to us if the ground
+were white,  for the most careless sentry could not help seeing us
+upon it."
+
+They reached the road just as a peasant came along.  He was an old
+man, and was dragging behind him a  pile of faggots, which were
+placed upon two rough poles. He was walking between these, holding
+two ends  in his hands, while the others trailed along on the ground
+behind.
+
+"Bargain with him, Paolo."
+
+"That is a heavy load, father," the latter said.
+
+"Ay, it is heavy."
+
+"How much do you expect to get for your faggots in the town?"
+
+"I shall get a crown," the man said. "I would not take under, and
+they ought to be worth more than that now  the snow has begun to
+fall."
+
+"We are going into the town," Paolo said. "We are younger than you,
+and between us we could drag it  along easily. I have got a crown
+in my pocket to buy some things with. I don't mind giving it to
+you for  your load. If I can sell the faggots for a few soldi over
+that we shall be able to buy something for  ourselves."
+
+"It is a bargain, lad," the old man said. "I am getting old and the
+rheumatism is in my bones, and I shall be  very glad to be spared
+the journey; so give me your money and take the poles. I hope you
+will be  successful, and sell them a little higher. You had better
+ask a crown and a half. The women are sure to beat  you down, but
+you will make ten or twelve soldi for yourselves."
+
+Paolo handed the crown to the old man.
+
+"How had we better take this, Paolo?" Hector asked, as the old man,
+chuckling with satisfaction at having  escaped a toilsome journey,
+turned to retrace his steps.
+
+"There is room for us both between the shafts," Paolo said, "one
+behind the other. It would be much easier  to walk holding both
+poles than for us both to take one, as in that way the weight will
+be balanced on each  side of us."
+
+There was indeed just room between the ends of the poles and the
+pile of brushwood for them to walk close  behind each other, and
+as the greater portion of the weight rested on the other ends of
+the poles they did not  find the burden a heavy one.
+
+"How are we going to sell these, Paolo?"
+
+"We shall have no difficulty in selling them, master. This frost
+will set every housewife on the lookout for  wood, and you will
+find that we sha'n't have to go far before we are accosted."
+
+It was two miles from the spot where they had bought the faggots
+to the gates of Turin.
+
+"I sha'n't be sorry to get rid of this load," Hector said.  "It is
+not the weight but the roughness of the poles.  My hands are quite
+chafed by them."
+
+"Loose your hold for a bit, master. My hands have been accustomed
+to rough work, and many a load of  faggots have I drawn in my time."
+
+"I will hold on, Paolo. It is not more than a quarter of a mile
+farther. My hands have done plenty of work,  too, but it has been
+done with smooth handled weapons. It is well that they should become
+accustomed to  harder work."
+
+They passed without a question through the gate, and following the
+example of other vendors of wood, of  whom they saw several, Paolo
+began to shout, "Large faggots for sale!"
+
+It was not long before a door opened and a woman beckoned him.
+
+"How much do you want for the whole?"
+
+"A crown and a half," Paolo said.
+
+"I have been offered as many for a crown," the woman replied.
+
+"Then, signora, you did wrong to refuse. It took two days' work
+to cut them, and we have dragged them  here for miles. Two crowns
+would not pay for the labour. Not one scudo would I take under
+the price that I  have named. Why, if the town is besieged these
+faggots would be worth twenty crowns before the winter is  over."
+
+"Well, I will give you the money," the woman said. "It is extortionate.
+Generally I can buy them at half that  price."
+
+"I do not say no to that," Paolo laughed, "but with two armies
+wanting firewood and cutting down the  copses without even taking
+trouble to ask leave of their owners, I think that you will see
+firewood very  scarce in the city before long."
+
+"Well, carry it in and pile it in the yard."
+
+This was soon done, the poles were thrown on to the top of the
+heap, and the boys went off along the street  again.
+
+"We have made half a crown for ourselves," Paolo laughed; "now we
+must decide how we shall spend it."
+
+"It would be a good plan to spend some money anyhow," Hector said.
+"What kind of things would you be  likely to buy for your family
+in the country?"
+
+"Well, I should say a cooking pan to begin with, and a few yards
+of warm stuff for making my mother a  skirt."
+
+"Well, buy the cooking pan first and sling it across your shoulder,
+and then as we wander about we can  look in the shops and it will
+seem as if we were on the search for articles that we had been told
+to purchase;  it would be better than sauntering about without any
+apparent object. But first let us walk briskly towards  the side
+of the town facing the citadel.  The Strada Vecchia is the one that
+I want to examine first."
+
+The knowledge that he had gained from the plan of the city enabled
+Hector to find the street without their  having to ask any questions.
+
+"Now, buy your cooking pan at the next smith's shop you come to,
+and then we can go slowly along  making our observations."
+
+They soon found that the street they had entered was, for the most
+part, deserted by its inhabitants. The  shops were all closed,
+the road was strewn with fallen chimneys and balconies, and here
+and there were  yawning holes showing how severely the street had
+suffered when the artillery duel was going on between  the guns on
+the walls and those of the citadel. A short distance down the street
+a chain was stretched across  it, and here a musketeer was pacing
+up and down on guard. Two others could be seen at the farther end
+of  the street, where there was a gateway in the wall, now closed
+up with sandbags piled thickly against it.
+
+"We will see if the other streets are similarly guarded."
+
+This was found to be so, sentries being placed in every street
+running down to the wall in this quarter.
+
+"So far so good, Paolo. I do not think that matters could have been
+better for us. The next thing is to buy a  tool with which we can
+wrench open a door or the shutter of a window; but a door will be
+best, because we  could not work at a shutter without running the
+risk of being seen by a sentinel, while in a doorway we  should be
+screened from observation. These houses in the Strada Vecchia are
+old, and the doors ought not  to give us much trouble."
+
+"Some of these old locks are very strong, master. I should think
+that it would be easier to cut out one of the  panels than to force
+the door open."
+
+"Possibly it would, but it is not an easy thing to get the saw to
+work. We should have to bore a hole large  enough for the saw to go
+through before we could use it. However, we will buy both a saw and
+a crowbar;  as they are both things that are useful to woodcutters,
+your buying them will not appear suspicious, nor will  the purchase
+of an auger, but we had better get them at different shops."
+
+Leaving that part of the town they re-entered the streets where
+business was being carried on as usual.
+
+"We won't buy the things until late in the afternoon, Paolo. There
+would be no advantage in dragging them  about all day."
+
+They sauntered about the streets for some hours, then Paolo went
+into a small baker's and bought two  loaves of coarse bread. At
+another shop he purchased some cheese, and with these they sat down
+on a stone  bench in the principal square and leisurely ate their
+food and looked on at the crowd, which consisted  principally of
+soldiers, Spanish veterans, stiff in carriage and haughty in manner,
+together with others,  horse and foot, belonging to the contingent
+of the Duke of Milan, an ally of the Spanish. Among these were
+townspeople, the younger ones chatting with each other or with
+ladies of their acquaintance; the middle  aged and older men talking
+gravely together as they walked up and down.
+
+Among these there was an air of gloom and depression.  The state
+of panic in which the troops of Prince  Thomas, who had marched
+out confident that they were about to annihilate the French, had
+returned, and  the knowledge that the Marquis of Leganez had also
+failed, had created a feeling of the deepest disquiet  among that
+portion of the population who had taken a leading part in throwing
+off the authority of the  duchess and in acknowledging that of Prince
+Thomas.  They had regarded her cause as lost, but the  vigorous
+steps that France was taking to assist her had caused uneasiness;
+and if, while as yet a  comparatively small force had arrived,
+these had shown so bold a front, had captured Chieri in the face
+of a  powerful army, had revictualled Casale, had defeated Prince
+Thomas and forced their way past the array of  Leganez, it might
+well be that in the spring, when reinforcements reached them, they
+might even defeat the  Spaniards and lay siege to Turin itself. The
+boys remained where they were until it began to grow dusk,  when,
+after buying at three shops a saw, a crowbar, and an auger, they went
+and sat down on a doorway in  a quiet street until eight o'clock.
+Then they took their way to the Strada Vecchia. It was entirely
+deserted.  Lights showed in one or two of the windows, but, except
+that they could hear the tread of the nearest sentry,  all was
+silent. Taking off their wooden shoes they moved cautiously along,
+keeping close to the houses.   The fourth they came to had an
+unusually deep doorway, and they decided at once that this would
+suit their  purpose.  First they tried with the crowbar, but the
+lock held firmly.
+
+"We will try another way, Paolo. If the door yields, it will go
+with a crash, and the sentry might come down  to see what had caused
+the noise. We had better take out this lower panel; we shall want
+four holes bored  touching each other to make one large enough for
+the saw to enter."
+
+The wood was of oak, and it took Paolo fully five minutes to make
+the holes.
+
+"Now give me the auger," Hector said when it was found that the
+hole was large enough for the saw to pass  through.
+
+"I will begin at the bottom of the panel while you saw away at the
+top."
+
+Paolo had done his share by the time the holes along the bottom
+were ready for the saw.
+
+"Now you take the auger again," Hector said. "We have not done
+half our work yet. The holes must be  made on each side. There is
+no turning the saw."
+
+It took them an hour and a half of hard work before the last cut
+was completed and the panel fell forward.
+
+"You go in first, Paolo. I will follow you, and will wedge the
+panel into its place again with some of the  chips that the auger
+has cut out. No one has passed since we began, and if anyone did
+come along before  morning he would not be likely to notice that
+the panel was gone. Still it is as well to avoid all risk."
+
+As soon as the panel was replaced they mounted the stairs. Before
+beginning they had seen that there were  no lights in any of the
+windows, and feeling sure that the house was deserted they groped
+their way upstairs  without hesitation until they reached the
+attics in the sloping roof.  They entered one of these facing the
+street, opened the casement, in which oiled paper took the place
+of glass, and stepped down on to the  parapet. Their course was now
+easy.  The divisions between the houses were marked by walls some
+six feet  high extending from the edge of the parapet over the
+roof. They were able to climb these, however, without  having to
+use their cord, one helping the other up and then being assisted
+by him. They had left the cooking  pan and their tools, with
+the exception of the crowbar, behind them, and had fastened their
+wooden shoes  round their necks. The sun during the day had melted
+the snow that had fallen in the morning, but light  flakes were
+again beginning to come down fast.
+
+"I don't care how hard it snows as long as it keeps on," Hector
+said in a low voice in answer to an  exclamation from Paolo when
+the first flake fell upon his face. "The harder the better, for in
+that case no  sentry could see us half a dozen paces away. There
+is another advantage. The wind is from the north, and  we have
+only to keep the driving snow on our right cheeks to make our way
+straight to the fortress, whereas  with an overcast sky on such a
+dark night as this we should very soon lose all idea of the direction
+that we  were going in."
+
+Being obliged to use great caution to avoid noise while getting
+over the walls, it took them half an hour to  reach the end of the
+street. They had, while waiting before commencing their operations,
+twisted one of  their sashes, and then wound it round the hook so
+thickly that this would fall almost noiselessly upon the  ground.
+The snow prevented them from seeing six feet below them, but they
+felt sure that there must be a  narrow lane between the house and
+the wall.  They had during the day bought a length, equal to that
+of their  rope, of strong string.
+
+"I have got it as you ordered it, master," Paolo said as they came
+out of the shop, "but it would never bear  our weight."
+
+"I think it might do in case of necessity," Hector said.  "In fact,
+I am sure it would. It does not require a  great thickness of new
+cord to hold a man's weight; but I don't want it for that."
+
+Paolo walked silently along for some time, and then said:  "If it
+is not wanted to carry our weight, master, I  cannot think what it
+is wanted for."
+
+"It is wanted to get the hook down with. You see when we get down
+into the street there would be little  chance of getting the hook
+off its hold. We shall most likely want it again, and certainly we
+shall want the  rope. I have been puzzling over it, and I think I
+have found a way at last. My idea is to fasten this thin rope  to
+the point of the hook, then, on pulling upon it the point will
+rise until it gets level with the top of the wall  on which it is
+fixed, and we can then shake it down without difficulty. I don't
+know whether it will act, but I  think that it ought to do so; an
+upward pull at the point must, I should think, lift it as far as
+the edge."
+
+
+"I should think that it must," Paolo agreed. "I should never have
+thought of that."
+
+"We will try it on this last division wall. I have no doubt about
+it myself, because even if it did not pull it  quite to the top
+the thing would be so canted over that I think it would fall from
+its own weight."
+
+They now attached the string to the point, fixed the hook to the
+top of the wall, and then pulled upon the  string.  The hook at
+once fell to their feet.
+
+"That is capital," Hector said. "Now we can go to work.  We need
+carry this crowbar no farther. In the first  place we will cross
+this roof and other roofs as far as we can go; the sentry at the
+corner is probably  standing up for shelter in a doorway, and we
+may as well get as far as we can from him, and at the same  time
+not go far enough to get near the one at the next corner."
+
+After one or two attempts the hook became fixed on the ridge of the
+roof, and they at once climbed up,  unfastened the hook, and slid
+down on the now snow covered tiles. Two more roofs were crossed in
+the  same way, and then they prepared to descend. They had, when
+they put on their disguises, tied knots in the  rope at a distance
+of a foot apart.  They now adjusted the hook on the parapet.
+
+"Shall I go first, master, or will you?"
+
+"I will go first, though in fact it matters little which of us does
+it; but first I must warm my fingers. I don't  think that I could
+trust to them at present."
+
+He gathered a handful of snow, made it into a ball, and held it
+in his hands until the cold pained him, then  he dropped the snow
+and thrust his hands up the sleeves of his doublet. Paolo looked
+on in astonishment,  but having great faith in his master imitated
+his example.
+
+"That is a curious way of warming the hands," he said.
+
+"I daresay you have made snowballs in your time, Paolo, and if you
+have you will remember that, although  it made your hands bitterly
+cold at first, after you had done they soon became almost as hot
+as fire."
+
+"I do remember that, master, but I should never have thought of it
+as a way of warming our hands."
+
+For a minute or two there was a sharp pain as the blood began to
+rush into the fingers, and when this passed  off their hands were
+in a glow. Hector took the rope, lowered himself over the parapet,
+and then began to  descend. When halfway down the darkness became
+more intense than before, and he knew that he was now  below
+the level of the outer wall. When he reached the ground he shook
+the rope as a signal, and then,  stretching his arms before him,
+crossed the lane. It was but a step, for the house stood but five
+feet back  from the wall. He waited until Paolo joined him, then he
+drew on the thin rope and, to his satisfaction, he  felt it yield.
+
+"Stand aside," he said, "it is heavy enough to give one a nasty
+thump."
+
+Paolo withdrew a few paces, then Hector gave another pull. The rope
+gave way at once. He flattened  himself against the house, and the
+hook fell with a dull thud a foot or two away.
+
+"Coil up the rope, Paolo, and then feel along the wall to the right;
+don't go too far. I will go to the left, there  may be some steps
+up to the rampart."
+
+This proved to be the case, and together they made their way up
+quietly, but even had they had their shoes  on, the snow was already
+sufficiently deep to deaden their footsteps. On reaching the top
+they stood silent  for a minute or two. Presently they heard the
+sound of heavy stamping of feet. They turned at once to  descend,
+if necessary, the steps they had mounted, then Hector put his hand
+upon the other's shoulder and  whispered, "It is the sentry trying
+to warm his feet; no doubt he is standing up somewhere to shelter
+himself  from the snow; let us go on at once."
+
+They crossed the rampart, fastened the hook on the top of the wall,
+and descended, and were again  successful in bringing the rope down
+after them.
+
+"Go carefully, Paolo; no doubt there is a moat somewhere here." There
+was, however, no necessity for  caution, for the white surface of
+the snow was soon broken by a black line.
+
+"It will be awfully cold," Paolo said, with teeth that chattered
+at the prospect.
+
+"Of course you can swim, Paolo?"
+
+"Not very well, master."
+
+"Then I will go first. You fasten the rope under your arms, and I
+will haul you across. Be sure you do not  make a noise in getting
+into the water. But first of all take off your doublet, I will carry
+it and mine across  on my head. It cannot be many yards across.
+The wind will soon dry the rest of our things, and once our  work
+is done we can warm ourselves by running. I would say strip altogether,
+but we may have to do  another swim; for, as we agreed, there is
+no chance of our being able to return by the way we came.
+
+Fastening the two doublets on his head, Hector lowered himself into
+the water, which was three feet below  the level on which they
+stood. He had fastened the rope across his shoulder. As he expected,
+he found the  water out of his depth, and at once struck out to
+the opposite side. It was about forty feet across. He found,  on
+reaching the other side, that the wall was there nearly five feet
+above the water.  He undid the rope and  threw up the hook. At the
+second attempt it caught, and he climbed the side, and then in a
+low voice told  Paolo to start. Presently he heard a slight splash,
+followed by a gasp. He hauled away rapidly on the rope,  and in a
+couple of minutes Paolo stood beside him, shivering and gasping.
+
+"Put your doublet on. Now let us go forward as fast as we can."
+They climbed the steep slope to the top of  the glacis, and then
+ran down until they were brought to a standstill by another moat.
+
+"This is the one marked in the plan as dividing the fortifications
+of the town from those of the citadel. Now  we have another swim
+before us. It is wider than the last, but is really no distance.
+Give me your doublet  again."
+
+"I don't mind this so much," Paolo said. "I cannot be colder than
+I am."
+
+"Don't try to swim, Paolo; lie on your back, with your mouth just
+out of water. I will have you over in no  time."
+
+It was fully fifty yards across; but, accustomed to bathe in almost
+icy cold water, the swim was nothing to  Hector, who was soon
+across, and who then towed Paolo over as before. They mounted
+another glacis, and  presently reached the edge of a third moat.
+
+"We need go no farther. I know that this moat is but some fifteen
+yards from the foot of the fortifications.  Now, get the arrows
+out. Cut off a foot or two of the thin cord, and unravel it. I must
+warm my fingers  again first, I cannot use them at all."
+
+"Mine are pretty cold, too." And both lads warmed them as before.
+Paolo then set to work to string the bow,  which required all his
+strength to accomplish. While he was doing so, Hector drew from his
+pouch the six  little pellets, and taking the arrows, straightened
+out each pellet, wrapped it round an arrow, and secured it  firmly
+with a small strand from the string. When he had done this, he took
+the bow from Paolo, fitted an  arrow to the string, drew it with
+his full strength, and then, pointing the arrow high, loosed it.
+The six  arrows were sent off. Just as the last was discharged there
+was a shout of "Who is there? Speak, or I fire!" It  was a sentry
+on the wall, who had caught the sound of the twang of the bow.
+
+"I am a friend, a messenger from the French general," Hector
+replied. "I have just shot six arrows into the  fortress; a message
+is attached to each for the governor.  Report to the officer, and
+have a search made for  them in the morning.
+
+"That is a piece of good luck," he went on as they turned away. "I
+thought of shouting, but we might have  got a shot in reply, and
+I made sure that one or other of the arrows would be picked up.
+Still, this makes  certain of it."
+
+"I think I would rather stop out here until morning," Paolo said,
+"then they will take me in. I am afraid I  shall never get across
+the river."
+
+"Nonsense!  The water is low, and we are not likely to have to swim
+farther than we did in crossing the last  moat.  Getting through
+the part of the town between us and the river is a more serious
+matter. However, it is  not very far across, and they are not likely
+to be very vigilant."
+
+They turned to the right, and kept along at the edge of the moat,
+until Hector considered that they had made  a fourth of the circuit of
+the walls, and were now facing the river. They had decided before
+that this would  be the easiest side on which to leave the town.
+The sentinels would not expect that anyone attempting to  enter
+or leave the citadel would try to do so here; as, in addition to
+passing the wall facing the fortress and  that bordering the river,
+they would be obliged to swim the river itself. The snow was falling
+as quickly as  ever, and the wind blowing fiercely.
+
+"There is no fear of their seeing us, unless we happen to run into
+the very arms of the sentry," Hector said  encouragingly; "we shall
+only have the moat to swim; and as, according to the plan, it is
+nothing like so  wide as that we passed before, we shall have no
+trouble with it."
+
+"Ah! here it is," Paolo groaned.
+
+"Nonsense!" Hector said. "One cold bath more or less makes no
+difference now. There, give me your coat  again, and I will take
+it over."
+
+The moat was indeed but some twelve yards across, and in two or
+three minutes Paolo stood shivering on  the other side.
+
+"The edge is not far from the wall, not much more than the breadth
+of the moat. Give me the cord."
+
+A few steps and they reached the wall. After two attempts the hook
+caught, and Hector climbed up. He was  looking back to watch Paolo
+when he was suddenly seized from behind, and a deep voice in Italian
+said, "If  you move I will kill you. Who are you?"
+
+With a sudden effort Hector twisted himself round and seized the
+disengaged wrist of his opponent, which  he doubted not held a
+dagger. The man loosened his hold of his doublet and tried to grasp
+his neck, but  Hector in a moment leapt forward and threw his arm
+round the man's waist. They wrestled backwards and  forwards, but
+the soldier was a powerful man, and Hector found that he could not
+long retain a grasp of his  wrist. Suddenly he felt his antagonist
+collapse; the dagger dropped from his hand, the other arm relaxed
+its  hold, and he fell a lifeless mass.
+
+"Thank you, Paolo. You were but just in time. The fellow was too
+strong for me. Now let us slip down the  inside of the wall as
+quickly as possible."
+
+A minute later they both stood at the foot of the wall, the hook
+was shaken off, and they proceeded along  the wall until they came
+to a street.
+
+"It is not more than two or three hundred yards to the outer wall,"
+Hector whispered.
+
+Whether there were sentinels or not in the street they knew not.
+If so, they had withdrawn themselves into  deep doorways to avoid
+the blinding snow, and the wind drowned the slight sound made by
+their feet on the  soft snow.
+
+In a short time they reached the outer wall, crept along it until
+they found the steps leading up, crossed it in  safety, fixed their
+hook, and rapidly descended. A run of fifty yards brought them to
+the edge of the river  bank.
+
+"We will try to find a boat," Hector said. "There are sure to be
+some along here."
+
+They walked across the dry bed of the river till they reached the
+water's edge, and then followed this. In a  few minutes, to their
+delight, they came upon a boat. The bow was hauled a few feet out
+of water, and a  rope, doubtless attached to a heavy stone anchor,
+stretched from its bows.  This they cut, put their shoulders  to the
+gunwale, and soon had her afloat. Then they scrambled in, put the
+oars out cautiously, and began to  row. Both had had some practice
+at the exercise, and it was not long before the boat grounded on
+the  opposite shore.
+
+"Pull it up a bit," Hector said. "No doubt it belongs to some poor
+fisherman to whom its loss would be  serious. Now we must keep
+along the bank for some distance, until quite sure that we are well
+beyond any  patrols the enemy may have on the road. Let us get into
+a run, Paolo, and see if we can't get our blood in  motion again,
+for I own that I feel half frozen."
+
+They set off at a brisk trot, which they kept up for half an hour,
+and then they struck off from the river and  soon found the road.
+Following this, after an hour's walking they came upon a little
+shed by the roadside,  and in one corner found a pile of old sacks.
+
+"We are in luck again!" Hector exclaimed joyfully.  "Tired as I
+am, I don't think that I could have slept in  these wet clothes, if
+one can call them wet -- at present they are frozen stiff. These
+sacks are the very thing.  We can strip now and wring out our clothes
+thoroughly. There are enough sacks here to lay under us and  cover
+us too. After wringing out the shirts we will put them in under the
+sacks next to us.  The heat of our  bodies will dry them to some
+extent, and they will be warm to put on in the morning. The other
+things we  can pile over us. There is no chance of their getting
+dry; but I am so pleased with our success that I am not  disposed
+to grumble at trifles."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V:  THE RELIEF OF THE CITADEL
+
+
+As soon as the first gleam of daylight showed itself Hector and
+his companion were on their feet again.
+
+The operation of dressing was by no means a comfortable one, for the
+frost had set in in earnest during the  night, and their clothes,
+with the exception of the shirts, were as stiff as boards. The snow
+had ceased and  the sky was clear.
+
+"It is going to be a fine day, master," Paolo said as they left
+the hut.
+
+"That is better than battling with a snowstorm such as that of
+yesterday evening. Come on, Paolo, let us trot  for a bit. The snow
+is four inches deep, and we shall soon get warm running through
+it."
+
+In a quarter of an hour they broke into a walk again, panting from
+their exertions.
+
+"I am as warm as a toast now, Paolo. There is a village half a mile
+ahead. I expect that lies on the road. The  sun will be up before
+we get there, and no doubt we shall be able to get some hot spiced
+wine and some  bread at a wineshop."
+
+This turned out to be the case. They had settled what story to
+tell; and when the landlord asked what  brought them there so early,
+Paolo said that they had been on the road a couple of hours, as
+they were going  to see an aunt who was ill at Chivasso, and their
+father wanted them back again that night. The explanation  satisfied
+the host and he asked no further questions, and in ten minutes they
+were on their way again,  greatly warmed and comforted by their
+meal, and after walking for another hour and a half they arrived
+at  the bridge of Chivasso. There was a strong guard at the bridge
+head, for at any moment the garrison of  Turin, aided by a force
+from Leganez's army, might endeavour to carry the town by a sudden
+assault. The  lads passed the bridge unquestioned, entered the gate
+of the town, and made their way to the commandant's  house.
+
+"What do you want?" the sentry at the door asked as they came up.
+
+The regiment was French, and Hector answered at once:
+
+"We want to see the governor, we have important news for him."
+
+The soldier was greatly surprised, for he had not expected his
+question to be understood by these peasant  boys.
+
+"Sergeant," he called out, "here are two peasant boys who speak
+French. They want to see the governor,  and say that they have news
+of importance to give him."
+
+A sergeant came out.
+
+"Sergeant," Hector went on quietly, "you will please tell the
+governor that the two persons he sent out  under an escort the
+evening before last, wish to see him."
+
+By the tone of assurance in which the lad spoke, rather than by his
+words, the sergeant saw that there was  something more than appeared
+on the surface, and at once took up the message. He returned almost
+immediately. "Please to follow me," he said, and led the way up to
+the governor's room.
+
+"Welcome back again, Monsieur Campbell! You have returned sooner
+than I expected. You found, of  course, that the difficulties were
+insuperable?"
+
+"On the contrary, sir, we have been successful, and have communicated
+with the garrison of the citadel."
+
+"You have!" the governor exclaimed in astonishment.  "How on earth
+did you manage it? I heard that the  watch was so strict that it
+was absolutely impossible for a message to be sent through."
+
+"It was not very difficult after all, and we were greatly favoured
+by the snowstorm." He then gave an  account of how they had managed
+it.
+
+"Pardieu!" he exclaimed, "that was admirably done; but I am keeping
+you talking while you are sitting in  your wet clothes."
+
+"I think they are quite dry now, sir; and we have walked so fast
+that we are both thoroughly warm. Still, I  own that I shall not
+be sorry to change them for my own."
+
+The governor rose and opened the door. "Your clothes are all
+hanging up in that closet. I will have some  hot water sent up at
+once. I shall be breakfasting in half an hour, so you will have
+time to change  comfortably."
+
+Hector was even more glad of a thorough wash than of a change of
+clothes, and went down to join the  governor at breakfast, feeling
+greatly refreshed.
+
+"Shall I wait on you, master?"
+
+"No, it is not necessary, Paolo; you had better go into the kitchen
+at once. I have no doubt the governor has  ordered them to attend
+to your wants as he did before."
+
+Four other officers had just arrived on the invitation of the governor
+to breakfast; one of these was the  captain who had commanded the
+escort.
+
+"Gentlemen," the commandant said, "let me introduce to you Monsieur
+Campbell, a lieutenant on the staff  of Viscount Turenne. He has
+just returned after having successfully carried out a most dangerous
+and  difficult mission, namely, that of communicating with the
+garrison of Turin."
+
+The officers gave an exclamation of surprise, while Captain Simon
+stepped forward and shook hands  warmly with Hector.
+
+"You did not tell me exactly what you were going to do," he said.
+"I thought that it was to see some of the  duchess's adherents
+in Turin, but I never dreamt that you were going to attempt to
+communicate with the  citadel. Had I known that, I certainly should
+not have expected to see you again, for from what we have  heard
+it is next to impossible to get through the enemy's lines."
+
+"We will not trouble Monsieur Campbell until he has finished his
+breakfast," the commandant said. "He has  already told me briefly
+how he managed, but I shall be as glad as you will to have the
+details."
+
+Accordingly, after breakfast Hector related at much greater length
+the story that he had told the governor of  the manner in which
+the mission had been carried out.
+
+"Ma foi!" the colonel said, "I would rather have faced a battery
+than swum those moats in such weather.  Well, gentlemen, I think
+that you will agree with me that Monsieur de Turenne is fortunate
+in having so  brave and enterprising an officer on his staff."
+
+The officers cordially assented.
+
+"I wonder that you did not enter the citadel and stay there till
+the convoy arrived."
+
+"In the first place, colonel, I had received no orders to do so,
+and the general might require me for other  service.  And in the
+second place, had I not returned he would not have known whether
+his message had  reached the garrison, and so might have hurried on
+his preparations more hastily than he otherwise would  have done,
+and might, in his fear that the garrison would surrender, have made
+the attempt before he had  collected sufficient food to last them
+until he was in a position to raise the siege."
+
+"Your reasons are good ones; but certainly, with shelter and warmth
+close at hand -- for the sentry would  speedily have passed the
+word along, and as soon as it was ascertained that you were indeed
+a French  officer, and alone, the gates would have been opened for
+you -- it must have required no small effort to turn  away and to
+face the danger of passing the sentries and scaling the walls, of
+possibly having to swim the  Po, and of certainly having no chance
+of getting a change of clothes until you arrived here, for you
+could  not have calculated upon finding the shed, much less those
+sacks, with the snow falling heavily."
+
+"That was a piece of good fortune, indeed. If we had not found it,
+we should have gone on walking until we  got here. Still, we had
+had little sleep the night before, and were heartily glad that we
+had no farther to go.  And now, sir, with your permission we will
+start for Susa at once."
+
+"Your escort returned yesterday, but I will send a troop of cavalry
+with you."
+
+"Thank you, sir, but I do not think that there is any necessity
+for it. We are very well mounted, and should  we see any party of
+the enemy's cavalry I think that we ought to be able to outdistance
+them. I shall be glad,  colonel, if you and your officers will say
+nothing about the manner in which I communicated with the  garrison,
+as doubtless the enemy have spies here; and if the story comes out
+and reaches the ears of the  authorities at Turin, I should have
+no chance whatever of making my way in, in the same manner, should
+the general entrust me with another mission to communicate with
+the citadel."
+
+A quarter of an hour later Hector and Paolo mounted and rode out of
+the town. They kept a vigilant  lookout, and traveled by byroads,
+but they saw none of the enemy's parties, and reached Susa late
+that  afternoon. On sending in his name to Turenne, Hector was at
+once shown into his room.
+
+"I did not expect you back for another three or four days, Campbell,"
+the general said, "and I am heartily  glad to see you again safe
+and sound. I blamed myself for letting you go. Of course, as I
+expected, you  found the task an altogether impossible one. Had it
+been otherwise you would not have been back so soon."
+
+"On the contrary, general, for I should have tried many plans
+before I gave it up. As it is, I have only to  report that I have
+carried out your instructions, and that your despatches are in the
+hands of the garrison of  the citadel."
+
+"You do not say so!" Turenne said, rising from the table at which
+he had been sitting writing when Hector  entered, and shaking him
+warmly by the hand. "I congratulate both you and myself on your
+having  performed a mission that seemed well nigh hopeless. But by
+what miracle did you succeed in passing  through the enemy's lines?
+All who have tried it before have either died in the attempt or have
+returned to  tell me that it was an absolutely impossible one."
+
+"It would have been very difficult, general, had not the weather
+favoured us. The snowstorm drove the  sentries into shelter, and
+even had they remained at their posts they could not have seen us
+five yards  away."
+
+"No, I can understand that once beyond the wall you might in such
+a storm make your way unnoticed up to  the fortress; but I understood
+that not only were there guards on the walls and down near the
+great moat, but  that there were also sentries in all the streets
+leading to the walls, and that none were allowed to pass along  those
+leading to the walls facing the citadel. Tell me how you managed
+it."
+
+"The story is a long one, sir."
+
+"Never mind how long it is; give me all details. I am not particularly
+busy at present, and I would fain  know exactly how this feat has
+been accomplished."
+
+Hector told his story at length. Beyond asking a question now
+and then, Turenne remained silent until he  had brought it to a
+conclusion.
+
+"I have never heard a story that interested me more," he said, "and
+I do not know which to admire more,  your ingenuity in planning
+this affair or the hardihood and courage with which you carried it
+out. Even had  there been no enemy to get through, the adventure
+of letting yourself down by a rope from the housetop and  then from
+the battlements, swimming three moats, crossing the river in such
+terrible weather, and finally  making your way to Chivasso in your
+frozen clothes, is no slight feat of endurance. The service that
+you  have rendered is a great one, the manner in which you have
+carried it out is worthy of the highest praise,  and I shall at once
+make out your commission as captain.  You are still a year behind
+me," he added with a  smile, "but if you go on in this way, you bid
+fair to obtain a regiment as soon as I did. You have nearly four
+years to do it in. Tomorrow you will dictate your story in full to
+my secretary. I shall be sending a  messenger with despatches on
+the following day. I shall mention that I have promoted you to the
+rank of  captain, and that the story of the action that you have
+performed, which I shall inclose, will fully explain  my reason
+for so speedily advancing you. No, I require no thanks; you have
+to thank yourself only. I may  consider that you have not only done
+me but the state a service. Your servant deserves a reward also.
+Here  are twenty pistoles; tell him not to throw them away, but to
+lay them by where some day they will be useful  to him."
+
+Paolo was astonished indeed when Hector handed him the general's
+present. He could at first hardly believe  that it was meant for
+him.
+
+"Why, master," he said, "it would buy me a farm up in the hills!"
+
+"Not a very large one, Paolo, but I daresay that you will add to
+it; still, this is a good beginning, and some  more opportunities
+may come in your way."
+
+"What shall I do with them, master?"
+
+"That I cannot say. Certainly you cannot carry them about with you.
+Do you know anyone to whom you  could entrust them?"
+
+Paolo shook his head. "There is never any knowing who is an honest
+man and who is not," he said. "I will  bury them, master."
+
+"But somebody might find them."
+
+"No fear of that, sir. I will go a bit up the valley and bury them
+under a big rock well above the river, so  that it will not be
+reached in the highest floods. They might lie there a hundred years
+without anyone  finding them, even if every soul in Susa knew that
+they were hidden somewhere and went out to search for  them."
+
+"Very well; but be sure you take notice of the exact position of
+the stone, or you may not be able to find it  again yourself. One
+big stone is a good deal like another. Choose a stone with a tree
+growing near it, and  make a cross with your knife on the bark. That
+will serve as a guide to you, and you would recognize the  stone
+by it even if you could not find it in any other way."
+
+"Thank you, master. I will go out tomorrow morning and choose my
+stone, and then when it begins to get  dark I will go out and bury
+my money there. It would not do to hide it in the daytime, for even
+were there  no one on the road someone upon the hills might catch
+sight of me and come down afterwards to see what I  was disposing
+of."
+
+"Well, I think that that is the best thing that you can do, Paolo.
+There is certainly a danger in leaving it in  anyone's hands, for
+when you return to claim it, perhaps some years hence, you might
+find that he was  dead, or the place might be captured and burned
+down. Yes, I think that hiding it is the safest way. You will  be
+pleased to hear that the general has given me a commission as
+captain."
+
+"That is good news, indeed," the boy said. "I was just going
+to ask, master, what he had done for you,  because, though I went
+with you, it was you who planned the business, and I only did as
+you told me."
+
+"You had something to do with the planning, too, Paolo.  However,
+I think that we may both feel well  content with the rewards that
+we have obtained for two days' work."
+
+As Hector went out he met de Lisle and Chavigny.
+
+"Well met!" the former exclaimed. "We have just left the general,
+and he has told us what you have done,  and that he has made you
+a captain in consequence. We were just coming to look for you to
+carry you off to  supper in honour of your promotion."
+
+"You deserve it, if anyone ever did, there is no doubt of that,"
+Chavigny said heartily. "We are quite proud  of our comrade."
+
+"It seems absurd that I should be a captain."
+
+"Not absurd at all," Chavigny said. "Turenne was a captain when
+he was a year younger than you are, and  there is many a noble who
+has been made a colonel before he ever drew sword in battle."
+
+Hector was much pleased at the evidently genuine congratulations of
+his companions. He had indeed rather  feared that they would take
+his promotion ill; being nearly five years his senior, and having
+served in two  previous campaigns, they might well feel hurt at
+his being promoted while they still remained only  lieutenants. The
+young nobles indeed felt no shade of jealousy. It was but of late
+that there had been a  regular army, for the nobles still brought
+their tenants and retainers to the field and supported them at
+their  own expense.
+
+To de Lisle and Chavigny these grades of military rank were of no
+account whatever. The rank of colonel  would add in no way to their
+position as members of noble families.  They fought for honour,
+and against  the enemies of France.  They were always addressed
+by their family name, and would both have resented  being called
+lieutenant. They were proud of being Turenne's aides-de-camp, but
+had no thought of  remaining in the army after the war was over, as
+they would then resume their place at court. They had both  taken
+a strong liking to their young comrade, whose manner of thought
+differed so widely from their own.  They appreciated the merits of
+the action of which their general had spoken in such warm terms,
+and the  fact that in point of military rank he was now above them
+concerned them in no way. It was a merry supper  at the best hotel
+in Susa.
+
+"You see now, de Lisle," Chavigny said, "the advantage of taking
+a morning dip in snow water. Neither  you nor I would have swum
+across those moats, and remained all night long in our wet clothes,
+for a  thousand crowns."
+
+"No, no, nor for five thousand," the other laughed.  "Pass me the
+wine; it makes me shiver to think of it. I  fancy we may as well
+admit at once that if the mission had been entrusted to us, we
+should have made a  mess of it. We should have been shot by the
+guards in the first street we entered.  As to climbing along the
+roofs of houses till we had passed the first line of sentinels, the
+idea would never have entered our heads.  Of course we might have
+disguised ourselves, and might have got into the town by harnessing
+ourselves to  a load of faggots, but once there we should have had
+no more chance of getting into the fortress than if we  had at once
+proclaimed ourselves French officers, and had requested a pass into
+the citadel."
+
+For the next ten days every effort was made to obtain carts and
+pack horses from the villages round Susa,  and a number of wagons
+filled with provisions were brought from Carignano, where the principal
+supplies  for the army had been collected. On the fourteenth day
+all was ready, and late in the afternoon the convoy,  with fifteen
+hundred men from Susa, and four pieces of artillery, marched out.
+At the same hour the force at  Carignano, six thousand strong,
+leaving only a small body to garrison the city, started for Turin
+along the  farther bank of the Po, and just as day broke a heavy
+cannonade was opened by them against one of the city  gates.
+
+Astonished and alarmed, the troops in the city flew to arms, and
+hurried to repulse the attack. A quarter of  an hour later the dim
+light of the morning showed the astonished sentries at the end of
+the town surrounding  the citadel a considerable force advancing
+to the attack of the gate there, opposite which, at a distance of
+two hundred yards, four cannon were placed, and scarcely had they
+made out the enemy when these opened  fire. A few rounds and the
+gate was in splinters, and the infantry rushed forward.  The sentries
+on the walls  took to flight, and the assailants pushed forward to
+the inner gate. Access was obtained from that side to the  citadel,
+and then, under the direction of their officers, the assailants
+occupied all the side streets. At once  the procession of carts was
+allowed to pass along. Some of the garrison ran down and lowered
+the  drawbridge across the moat, and amid exultant shouts a store
+sufficient for many months was conveyed into  the citadel. The
+carts as quickly as they were unloaded returned through the gates
+and passed out Into the  country beyond. By this time a fierce fight
+had begun. As soon as the firing was heard opposite the citadel,
+Prince Thomas and his military advisers guessed at once that the
+attack had been but a feint, made with the  object of effecting
+the relief of the citadel, and calling several regiments to follow
+them they hastened in  that direction.  On their way they met the
+fugitives, and hurried on with all speed. As they approached the
+street through which the wagons were passing out, they were checked
+by a heavy fire.  The four guns had  been placed in pairs at the
+end of the streets, and the houses near them filled with troops
+who kept up a  murderous fire from the windows, on the head of the
+columns, and held them completely in check until the  last wagon
+had been taken out. Then the cannon were removed, and when these too
+were fairly outside the  city, a bugle call summoned the defenders
+of the houses, and the infuriated Italians and Spaniards, when
+they rushed down into the street between the gates, found that the
+last of their foes had escaped them. The  artillerymen ran up to
+the walls, only to find that the guns had been spiked, and they were
+powerless to  inflict any serious damage upon the retiring force.
+
+Prince Thomas ordered a sally, but at this moment a regiment of
+cavalry from Chivasso was seen dashing  across the plain, and being
+without artillery or cavalry the order was countermanded. Indeed,
+the prolonged  roll of artillery at the other end of the city seemed to
+show that the French were converting their feigned  attack into a
+real one. Turenne had himself accompanied the column from Carignano,
+for he knew that the  sound of firing might bring up Leganez from
+Asti, and that he might find his retreat to Carignano  intercepted.
+The moment, however, that the sound of four guns at equal intervals
+showed that the other  column had achieved its object, he at once
+fell back, his fire ceasing a few minutes before Prince Thomas
+and his horse arrived at the walls. He had not been accompanied by
+Hector, who was with the force from  Susa.
+
+"You carried my message to the garrison," he said, "and it is but
+right that you should have the honour of  leading the party to its
+relief."
+
+On arriving near the city Hector had dismounted, and, giving
+his horse in charge of Paolo, had placed  himself at the head of
+the company that was first to enter the town, its captain being
+transferred to another  company.
+
+"Now, men," he said, as they stood waiting for the dawn to break,
+"the moment we enter the gates half the  company will mount the
+wall to the right, the other half to the left, and each will push
+along to the next  angle of the wall.  Lieutenants, one of you will
+go with each wing of the company, and you will oppose to  the last
+any force that may march along the rampart to attack you. I want
+one soldier to keep by me."
+
+As day began to break, each man grasped his firelock and awaited
+the signal with impatience. A cheer  broke from them as the four
+cannon roared out at the same moment, and at so short a distance
+that every  shot told on the gate.  Another salvo and both halves
+of the gate were splintered.
+
+"Aim at the centre where the lock is," an officer shouted.
+
+"Get ready, men," Hector said. "Another round and the gate will
+fall."
+
+As the cannon rung out there was a shout of triumph.  One of
+the gates fell to the ground and Hector dashed  forward, followed
+closely by his company. Not a single shot was fired from the walls,
+and the men burst  through the gates cheering. The leading wing of
+the company turned to the right, and, led by Hector, ran up  the
+steps close to the gateway on to the rampart.
+
+"Take them on to that bastion at the angle of the wall, lieutenant.
+I do not think that you are likely to be  attacked at present. The
+enemy must all have been drawn off to the other end of the city.
+Now, my man,  open that bag."
+
+In it were a couple of dozen large nails and a hammer.  "Drive one
+of those right down the vent of this gun.   That is right. One more
+blow. That will do. They won't get that nail out soon."
+
+He went along the wall spiking each gun until they reached the half
+company drawn up in the bastion. "No  enemy in sight, lieutenant?"
+
+"None, sir, at least not on the wall. We heard them running away
+in the streets below."
+
+"Remember, lieutenant, whatever force may come along you must withstand
+them. It will not be for long.  You will be at once supported if
+we hear firing."
+
+Then he retraced his steps along the ramparts, passed over the
+gateway, and saw to the spiking of each gun  as far as the next angle
+of the wall. Here he repeated his instructions to the lieutenant
+there.
+
+"I do not think," he said, "that there is much chance of your
+being attacked. The enemy would have to make  a detour right round
+the citadel to come here, and certainly they will return by the
+shortest way, as soon as  they discover that the other attack is
+but a feint."
+
+Then he returned to the first party.
+
+"Get the two guns," he said, "out of their embrasures and wheel them
+here. It is likely enough that we may  be hotly attacked presently."
+
+They waited half an hour, by which time the wagons were beginning
+to pour out of the town.
+
+"We have done our business, lieutenant; the citadel is revictualled.
+Ah! here come the enemy, just too late."
+
+A strong body of troops were seen marching rapidly towards them,
+and almost at the same moment a heavy  fire broke out in the street.
+The guns had been loaded from a small magazine in the bastion, and
+had been  trained to fire along the rampart. When within a hundred
+yards the enemy opened fire. Hector ordered the  men to lie down
+and not to reply until he gave the order. They lay in two lines,
+the first were to fire and the  second to reserve their fire until
+ordered.  He took his post at one gun and the lieutenant at the
+other.  A  messenger had been sent along the wall to bring up the
+twenty-five men of the other wing. When the enemy  were within fifty
+yards he asked quietly, "Does your gun bear well on the centre of
+the column?"
+
+"Yes, captain."
+
+"Then fire!"
+
+The ball cut a way through the dense column.
+
+"Load again!"
+
+The four men, told off to the duty, leapt to their feet.  There was
+a halt for a moment, and then the  Spaniards came on again. When
+they were within twenty paces Hector fired, and at the same time
+shouted,  "First line give fire!" and twenty-five muskets flashed
+out, every ball taking effect on the head of the  column. The
+Spaniards recoiled, the leading ranks being swept away and many
+of those behind wounded,  for three balls had been rammed down the
+mouth of the cannon fired by Hector, and these and the musketry
+volley had done terrible execution. At this moment the twenty-five
+men sent for ran up.
+
+"Second line give fire!" Hector shouted; and the discharge added
+to the confusion in the column, and many  ran down some steps into
+the lane by the side of the wall.
+
+"Have you loaded again, lieutenant?"
+
+"Yes, sir, with three balls,"
+
+"Then form up, men, and deliver your fire," Hector said to the
+newcomers. "Now, lieutenant, touch it off."
+
+As the discharge rang out, mingled with the roar of the guns,
+Hector shouted, "Fix bayonets, and charge!"  The wooden shafts of
+the bayonets were thrust down the barrels of the firelocks, and
+with a cheer the  seventy-five men rushed upon the shattered head
+of the column. The charge was irresistible, and the enemy  at once
+fled at full speed along the rampart or leapt from the wall into
+the lane below.
+
+"Well done, men, well done!" Hector shouted. "Do not pursue. Reload
+your cannon, though I do not think  there is much fear of their
+returning."
+
+A few minutes later the soldier who had carried the spikes, and
+who had been left on the wall, ran up to say  that the last cart
+had passed out.
+
+"Go and tell the other party to fall back to the gate," Hector
+said; "but first give me two spikes and the  hammer.  They might
+run these cannons into the places of those disabled." So saying,
+he spiked the two  guns that had done such good service, and then
+retired to the gate, where he was joined by the remainder of  the
+company. As the bugle rung out after the last wagon had passed,
+and he saw the troops issuing from the  houses at the corners of
+the cross streets, he marched his company across the drawbridge,
+out into the  country, and followed the guns. When he reached the
+spot where Paolo was holding the horses, he resigned  the command
+of the company and mounted.
+
+"Men," he said, "you have played your part well, and I am proud to
+have commanded soldiers so steady and  courageous."
+
+At this moment the general, who was in command of the force, and
+who had been the last to leave the  town, rode up, the men coming
+along at a run.
+
+"You had better hurry your men on," he said to the colonel with whom
+Hector had acted; "the enemy will  be on the ramparts in a minute,
+and you may be sure that they won't let us off without trouble from
+their  guns."
+
+"I beg your pardon, general," Hector said saluting, "but the guns
+all along this side of the wall are useless; I  have spiked them."
+
+"You have, sir! That was well done indeed. Who gave you the orders,
+and how did you come by spikes?"
+
+"I had no orders, general; but I was appointed to command the first
+company that entered, and was told that  we were to turn right and
+left along the ramparts. It struck me that as, when we had left,
+the enemy would  be sure to turn their guns upon us, it would be
+as well to silence them, so I brought the nails and a hammer  with
+me for the purpose."
+
+"It would be well, sir, if we had a good many officers as thoughtful
+as you are. You have saved us from  heavy loss, for, as the country
+is perfectly level for a mile round, they would have swept our
+ranks as we  marched off. Were you attacked, sir?"
+
+"Yes, general, by a force of about four hundred men, but I turned
+two of the guns against them. My men  fought well, and we repulsed
+them with a loss of fully a hundred men."
+
+"Bravo, sir, bravo! I shall not fail to mention the service that
+you have rendered in my report of the affair.  Have you lost any
+men?"
+
+"No, sir; they lay down until the enemy were within twenty paces of
+us, and their volleys and the two  cannon created such a confusion
+among the Spaniards that when we went at them with the bayonet they
+fled at once, and I have not a single man killed, and only two or
+three slightly wounded."
+
+"We have only lost twenty," the general said, "and most of those
+were killed while serving the guns. That  was a small price indeed
+to pay for our magnificent success."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI:  A CHANGE OF SCENE
+
+
+Hector gained great credit from the report of the manner in which
+the force had been enabled to draw off  without loss from the enemy's
+guns, owing to his forethought in bringing with him the means of
+spiking  them, and also for his success in checking the advance of
+the enemy along the ramparts.
+
+"You see, messieurs," Turenne said to the members of his staff,
+who, with the exception of Hector, were  together on the day after
+his return to Susa, "how important it is for officers, before setting
+out on an  expedition, to think seriously over every contingency
+that may happen. Now the vast proportion of officers  consider that
+all the thinking has to be done by the general, and that they only
+have to obey orders. No  doubt that is essential, but there may
+be numerous little matters in which an officer may render great
+service.  This young captain of ours did not content himself with
+leading the company to which I appointed  him through the gateway.
+Before leaving Susa he must have thought over every incident likely
+to occur. As  the leading company he would know that it would be
+his business to clear the ramparts, to check any  parties of the
+enemy coming along that way, and it would be only natural for him
+to determine to use the  enemy's cannon to keep them at bay.
+
+"This would probably have occurred to most officers placed as he
+was. But he did not stop there -- he must  have thought over the
+events that would probably follow the entry.  He knew, of course,
+that our feint at the  other end of the town would draw off
+the greater portion of the garrison, but would be sure also that
+as soon  as the attack began, and it became evident that our real
+object was to revictual the citadel, they would come  pouring back
+again. He would have said to himself, 'We shall be able to keep
+them at bay until our work is  done, then we shall have to fall
+back. What then? The enemy will mount the ramparts, and while their
+main  force pours out in pursuit, their guns on the walls will
+play havoc with us. To prevent this I must silence  them before my
+company retires.'
+
+"It is all very simple when we look at it after it is done, and
+yet probably it did not occur to a single officer  of that force
+except to Captain Campbell. I admit that it did not occur to myself.
+Had it done so, I should  have ordered that some of the artillerymen
+should carry spikes and hammers, and that upon entering the  town
+they should immediately take steps, by rendering the guns harmless,
+to enable the force to draw off  without heavy loss. In the same
+way he showed a cool and calculating brain when he carried out that
+most  dangerous service of bearing the news that we should speedily
+bring aid to the citadel. It is difficult to  imagine a better laid
+plan. He thought of everything -- of his disguise, of the manner in
+which it would  alone be possible to approach closely to the wall.
+
+"I think that few of us would have thought of making our way up
+through a house a hundred yards away,  working along the roofs and
+descending into the lane by the wall itself. I asked him how he got
+the rope  down which it was necessary for him to use four or five
+times afterwards, and he showed me the plan by  which he contrived
+to free the hook; it was most ingenious. It did not seem to me
+that it would have acted  as he told me, and I asked him to have
+another one made so that I might understand how it was worked, for
+such a contrivance would be extremely useful in escalades, when
+the troops, after descending into a deep  fosse, need the rope
+for climbing a wall or bastion. There it is, gentlemen, and as you
+see, by pulling this  thin cord the hook is lifted from its hold,
+and the slightest shake will bring it down.
+
+"The contrivance is an excellent one. The line he took was well
+chosen. He accomplished the most  dangerous part first, and made
+his way out by the side where the watch was most likely to be
+careless, as  anyone leaving or entering the town there would have
+to swim the river. The feat shows that he has not  only abundance
+of courage of the very highest order, but that he has a head to
+plan and leaves nothing to  chance. You will see, gentlemen, that
+if this young officer lives he is likely to gain the highest rank
+and  position. Already I have every reason to congratulate myself
+upon having, almost as it were by chance,  taken him under my
+protection."
+
+The winter passed quietly, but as soon as spring set in and the
+roads were sufficiently good for the passage  of wagons, d'Harcourt
+prepared to attempt to raise the siege of Casale, before which
+Leganez with twenty  thousand men had intrenched himself. The roads
+were still, however, far too heavy for cannon, and as the  garrison
+were becoming hardly pressed he left his guns behind him and started
+at the end of April with  seven thousand foot and three thousand
+horse. The position occupied by the Spaniards was a strong one,
+and their general did not for a moment think that the French, with
+a force half the strength of his own,  would venture to attack him.
+D'Harcourt, however, resolved upon doing so. He divided his force
+into three  parts; two of these were composed of French soldiers,
+the third comprised the forces of the Duchess of  Savoy. The attack
+was successful on all sides -- although d'Harcourt for a time
+could make no way, and  Turenne was repulsed three times before he
+entered the intrenchments -- the Spaniards were completely  defeated,
+and lost their guns, ammunition, and baggage, three thousand
+killed, two thousand prisoners, and  great numbers were drowned in
+endeavouring to cross the river.
+
+A council of war was held, and Turenne's advice that Turin should
+be besieged was after much debate  accepted, although it seemed
+a desperate enterprise for an army of ten thousand men to besiege
+a town  garrisoned by twelve thousand, while the Spaniards, after
+recovering from their defeat and drawing men  from their various
+garrisons, could march to relieve the town with eighteen thousand
+men. No time was lost  in carrying Turenne's advice into effect.
+The army marched upon Turin, seized the positions round the  town,
+threw up lines facing the city to prevent sorties being made by the
+enemy, and surrounded themselves  by similar lines to enable them
+to resist attack by the Spaniards, who were not long in approaching
+them.  Thus there were now four bodies of combatants -- the garrison
+of the citadel, which was surrounded and  besieged by that of the
+town; the town was besieged by Turenne, and he himself was surrounded
+by the  Spaniards. Each relied rather upon starving the others out
+than upon storming their positions, but Leganez  managed to send
+a messenger into Turin telling Prince Thomas that he intended to
+attack the French and  calling upon him to fall upon them with his
+troops at the same time.
+
+In pursuance of this design he retired some distance up the Po, and
+proceeded to cross the river at  Moncalieri.  D'Harcourt despatched
+Turenne to oppose the passage, but before he could arrive there
+some  five thousand men had crossed the bridge. Without hesitating
+a moment, although his force was a much  smaller one than that of
+the Spaniards, Turenne attacked them at once, carried the intrenchments
+they had  begun to throw up, killed a large number, and drove the
+rest into the river, where hundreds were drowned.  Then he set fire
+to the bridge, which was of wood, and intrenched himself on the
+banks of the river,  occupied all the fords higher up, and completely
+checked any advance of the Spaniards in that direction. He  was,
+however, wounded in the shoulder, and was obliged to leave the army
+and to be carried to Pinerolo.  While he was away Leganez attacked
+the French line from without, and Prince Thomas from within, and  the
+former succeeded in passing twelve hundred horse and one thousand
+foot into the town.
+
+The French were now closely beleaguered, and began to suffer severely
+from famine. In the meantime fresh  troops had arrived from France,
+and although not yet recovered from his wounds, Turenne took the
+command, and escorted a great convoy of provisions into the camp
+in spite of the enemy's efforts to prevent  him. The townspeople
+were suffering even more severely. Sorties were made in great force,
+but were  always repulsed, as were the attacks made by Leganez, and
+on the 17th of September the garrison  surrendered, being allowed
+to march out with their arms.  The Count d'Harcourt returned to
+France, and  Turenne again assumed the command of the army for the
+winter.
+
+Hector conducted himself to the satisfaction of his general throughout
+the campaign, but was severely  wounded in the last sortie made by
+the besieged, having been thrown down in a charge of Prince Thomas's
+cavalry and trampled upon by the horses, and being taken up for
+dead when the enemy fell back.
+
+Directly he heard the news Turenne sent his surgeon to examine him.
+He reported that he still breathed, but  that several of his ribs
+and his left arm were broken. He mended but slowly, and Turenne,
+a month after the  surrender of the town, came in one day to see
+him, and said, "The surgeon tells me that it will be some  months
+before you are fit for service again, and that you will need a
+period of perfect rest to recover your  health. There is a convoy
+of invalids returning to France tomorrow, and I think it were best
+that you should  accompany them. There is no rest to be obtained
+here, and I know that you will be fretting at being unable  to
+ride, and at your forced inactivity. I shall give orders that you
+are conveyed in a horse litter to Sedan,  where my brother, the Duc
+de Bouillon, will gladly entertain you for my sake, and you must
+remain there  until entirely restored to strength.
+
+"I do not think that there will be much doing on this side of the
+Alps in the next campaign. Unhappily  France has troubles of her own,
+and will find it difficult to spare more troops in this direction,
+and without  reinforcements we can but act on the defensive. Though
+we may capture a few towns, there is small chance  of any great
+operations.  Indeed, methinks that it is by no means unlikely that
+Prince Thomas, seeing that  his effort to rule Savoy in place of
+his sister-in-law, the duchess, is likely to end in discredit and
+loss to  himself, will before long open negotiations with her.
+Therefore you will be losing nothing by going. It is to  the
+duchess that I shall commend you rather than to my brother, who is
+unfortunately occupied by public  matters, and is at present almost
+at war with Richelieu.
+
+"He is a man of noble impulses, generous in the extreme, and the
+soul of honour, but he knows not how to  conceal his feelings; and
+in these days no man, even the most powerful, can venture to rail
+in public against  one who has offended him, when that man happens
+to be the cardinal.  I love my brother dearly, but I have  mixed
+myself up in no way with his affairs. I am an officer of the king,
+and as such I stand aloof from all  parties in the state. The
+cardinal is his minister; doubtless he has his faults, but he is
+the greatest man in  France, and the wisest. He lives and works
+for the country. It may be true that he is ambitious for himself,
+but the glory of France is his chief care. It is for that purpose
+that we have entered upon this war, for he  sees that if Germany
+becomes united under an emperor who is by blood a Spaniard, France
+must eventually  be crushed, and Spain become absolutely predominant
+in Europe. If he is opposed, Richelieu strikes hard,  because
+he deems those who oppose him as not only his own enemies but as
+enemies of France.
+
+"As a prince of the church it must have been bitter for him to
+have to ally himself with the Protestant  princes of Germany, with
+Protestant Holland, and Protestant England, but he has done so.
+It is true that he  has captured La Rochelle, and broken the power
+of the Huguenot lords of the south, but these new alliances  show
+that he is ready to sacrifice his own prejudices for the good of
+France when France is endangered, and  that it is on account of the
+danger of civil broils to the country, rather than from a hatred
+of the Huguenots,  that he warred against them. Here am I, whom
+he deigns to honour with his patronage, a Huguenot; my  brother,
+Bouillon, was also a Huguenot, and strangely enough the quarrel
+between him and the cardinal did  not break out until my brother
+had changed his religion.
+
+"He was more rigorously brought up than I was, and was taught
+to look upon the Catholics with  abhorrence; but he married, not
+from policy but from love, a Catholic lady, who is in all respects
+worthy of  him, for she is as high spirited and as generous as he
+is, and at the same time is gentle, loving, and patient.  Though
+deeply pious, she is free from bigotry, and it was because my brother
+came to see that the tales he  had been taught of the bigotry and
+superstition of the Catholics were untrue, at least in many instances,
+that  he revolted against the intolerance of the doctrines in which
+he had been brought up, renounced them, and  became an adherent of
+his wife's religion.
+
+"Nigh four years ago the Duke of Soissons, a prince of the blood,
+incurred the enmity of Richelieu by  refusing, with scorn, his
+proposal that he should marry the Countess of Cobalet, Richelieu's
+niece. The  refusal, and still more the language in which he
+refused, excited the deep enmity of the cardinal. Soissons  had
+joined the party against him, but as usual Richelieu had the king's
+ear. Soissons was ordered to leave  the court, and went to Sedan,
+where he was heartily received by my brother, who had a warm affection
+for  him.  Bouillon wrote to the king hoping that he would not be
+displeased at his offering a retreat to a prince  of the blood,
+and the king wrote permitting the count to stay at Sedan.  After
+a time Richelieu again  endeavoured to bring about the marriage
+upon which he had set his heart, but was again refused, and, being
+greatly exasperated, insisted on Bouillon obliging the count to
+leave Sedan. My brother naturally replied  that the king having
+at first approved of his receiving Soissons, he could not violate
+the laws of hospitality  to a prince of the blood.
+
+"Richelieu then persuaded the king to refuse further payments
+to the garrisons at Sedan, although the latter  had confirmed the
+agreement entered into by his father, whereupon my brother openly
+declared against  Richelieu, and still further excited the cardinal's
+anger by furnishing an asylum to the Archbishop of  Rheims, second
+son of Charles of Lorraine, who had also quarrelled with Richelieu.
+So matters stand at  present. What will come of it, I know not. I
+doubt not that the cardinal's hostility to Bouillon does not arise
+solely from the Soissons affair, which but serves him as a pretext.
+You see his object for the past four years  has been to strengthen
+France by extending her frontiers to the east by the conquest of
+Lorraine. He has  already carried them to the Upper Rhine, and by
+obtaining from the Duke of Savoy Pinerolo and its  dependencies
+has brought them up to the foot of the Alps.
+
+"But my brother's dukedom stands in the way of his grand project,
+for it is a gate through which an enemy  from beyond the Rhine
+might invade France; and, moreover, the close family relationship
+between us and  the Prince of Holland would add to the danger
+should Holland, at present our ally, fall out with France.  Thus
+the possession of Bouillon's dukedom, or at any rate its military
+occupation for a time, is a  consideration of vital importance to
+the kingdom. Such, you see, is the situation. Were I not an officer
+in  the French army doubtless my feelings would be on the side
+of my brother. As it is, I am a faithful servant  of the king and
+his minister, and should deem it the height of dishonour were I to
+use my influence against  what I perceive is the cause of France.
+I tell you this in order that you may understand the various matters
+which might surprise you at Sedan.
+
+"You go there as a patient to be nursed by the duchess, my
+sister-in-law, and having no influence, and at  present not even
+the strength to use your sword, there is little fear that any will
+seek to involve you in these  party turmoils. I shall write to my
+brother that you are a soldier of France and that you have done
+her good  service, that you are a protege of mine, and being of
+Scottish blood belong to no party save my party, and  that I entreat
+that he will not allow anyone to set you against the cardinal, or
+to try and attach you to any  party, for that I want you back again
+with me as soon as you are thoroughly cured."
+
+Hector would much rather have remained to be cured in Italy, but
+he did not think of raising the slightest  objection to Turenne's
+plans for him, and the next day he started for Sedan, taking, of
+course, Paolo with  him. The convoy traveled by easy stages over
+the passes into France, and then, escorted by a sergeant and  eight
+troopers, Hector was carried north to Sedan. Though still very weak,
+he was able to alight at the  entrance of the duke's residence,
+and sent in Turenne's letters to him and the duchess. Three minutes
+later  the duke himself came down.
+
+"Captain Campbell," he said heartily, "my brother has done well in
+sending you here to be taken care of and  nursed.  In his letters
+to me he has spoken of you more than once, especially with reference
+to the manner  in which you carried a message for him to the citadel
+of Turin. I shall be glad to do anything that I can for  so brave
+a young officer, but I fear that for the present you will have to
+be under the charge of the duchess  rather than mine."
+
+The duke was a tall, handsome man with a frank and open face, a
+merry laugh, and a ready jest. He was  extremely popular, not only
+in his own dominions, but among the Parisians. His fault was that
+he was led  too easily. Himself the soul of honour, he believed
+others to be equally honourable, and so suffered himself  to become
+mixed up in plots and conspiracies, and to be drawn on into an
+enterprise wholly foreign to his  nature.
+
+"I will take you at once to the duchess, but I see that you are
+quite unfit to walk. Sit down, I beg you, until I  get a chair for
+you."
+
+Three or four minutes later four lackeys came with a carrying chair,
+and Hector was taken upstairs to the  duchess's apartments.
+
+"This is the gentleman of whom Turenne has written to me, and
+doubtless, as I see by that letter upon the  table, to you also. He
+has been a good deal damaged, having been ridden over by a squadron
+of Prince  Thomas's horsemen, and needs quiet and rest."
+
+"Turenne has told me all about it," the duchess said. "I welcome
+you very heartily, monsieur. My brother  says that he has great
+affection for you, and believes you will some day become a master
+in the art of war.  He says you have rendered him most valuable
+services, which is strange indeed, seeing that you are as yet  very
+young."
+
+"I was sixteen the other day, madam."
+
+"Only sixteen, and already a captain!" she exclaimed.
+
+"I was made a captain nine months ago," he said, "for a little
+service that I performed to his satisfaction."
+
+"Turenne would not have promoted you unless it had been an important
+service, I am sure," she said with a  smile.  "He does great things
+himself, and expects great things from others."
+
+"It was the affair of carrying the message to the garrison of the
+citadel of Turin urging them to hold out, as  he would come to their
+relief soon," the duke said. "Do you not remember that he wrote us
+an account of  it?"
+
+"I remember it perfectly. Turenne said a young officer, but I did
+not imagine that it could have been but a  lad.  However, Captain
+Campbell, I will not detain you here talking, or you will begin
+by considering me to  be a very bad nurse. Directly I received the
+letter I ordered a chamber to be prepared for you. By this time
+all will be in readiness, and a lackey ready to disrobe you and
+assist you to bed."
+
+"I do not need," he began, but she held up her finger.
+
+"Please to remember, sir, that I am head nurse here.  You will go to
+bed at once, and will take a light repast  and a glass of generous
+wine. After that our surgeon will examine you, and remove your
+bandages, which  have been, I doubt not, somewhat disarranged on
+your journey; then he will say whether it will be advisable  that
+you should keep your bed for a time, which will, I think, be far
+the best for you, for you will be much  more comfortable so than
+on a couch, which, however good to be sat upon by those in health,
+affords but  poor comfort to an invalid. Have you brought a servant
+with you?"
+
+"Yes, madam. He is a very faithful lad, and accompanied me on that
+enterprise that you have been speaking  of. He is a merry fellow,
+and has proved himself a good and careful nurse. He sat up with me
+for many  nights when I was first hurt, and has ever since slept
+on the floor in my room."
+
+"I will give him in charge of my majordomo, who will see that he
+is well taken care of, and we can have a  pallet laid for him at
+night on the floor of your room."
+
+She herself led the way to a very comfortable apartment where a
+fire was burning on the hearth; a lackey  was already in waiting,
+and after a few kind words she left him.
+
+"I have fallen into good hands indeed," Hector said to himself.
+"What would Sergeant MacIntosh say if he  knew that I was lodged
+in a ducal palace, and that the duke and duchess had both spoken
+to me and seen  after my comfort as if I had been a relation of
+their own?"
+
+In spite of the care and attention that he received, Hector's recovery
+was slow, and even when spring came  the surgeon said that he was
+unfit for severe work. However, the letters that he received from
+time to time  from de Lisle and Chavigny consoled him, for not
+only had the winter passed without any incident save the  capture
+of three or four towns by Turenne, but it was not at all likely
+that any events of great importance  would take place. All accounts
+represented the Spaniards as being engaged in adding to the strength
+of  three or four towns in the duchy of Milan, so that evidently
+they intended to stand upon the defensive.
+
+The palace of Sedan was the centre of a formidable conspiracy against
+Richelieu. Messengers came and  went, and Bouillon, Soissons, and
+the Archbishop of Rheims were constantly closeted together. They had
+various allies at court, and believed that they should be able to
+overthrow the minister who had so long  ruled over France in the
+name of the king.
+
+As Hector was now able to move about, and was acquainted with all
+the members of the duke's household,  he learned much of what was
+going on; and from a conversation that he accidentally overheard,
+he could  see that the position was an extremely serious one, as a
+treaty had been signed with Ferdinand, son of the  King of Spain,
+and the Archduke Leopold-William, son of the Emperor of Austria,
+by which each agreed to  assist the duke and his friends with a
+large sum of money for raising soldiers, and with seven thousand
+men. In order to justify themselves, the heads of the movement
+issued a manifesto, in which they styled  themselves Princes of
+Peace. In this they rehearsed the cardinal's various acts of tyranny
+and cruelty  towards his rivals, the arbitrary manner in which he
+carried on the government, and declared that they were  leagued
+solely to overthrow the power that overshadowed that of the king,
+plunged France into wars, and  scourged the people with heavy
+taxation.
+
+As soon as this manifesto was published in Sedan, Hector went to
+the duke.
+
+"My lord duke," he said, "I cannot sufficiently thank you for
+the hospitality and kindness with which you  and the duchess have
+treated me. Nevertheless, I must ask you to allow me to leave at
+once."
+
+"Why this sudden determination, Captain Campbell?"
+
+"If, sir, I were but a private person I should have no hesitation,
+after the kindness that you have shown me,  in requesting you
+to give me employment in the force that you are raising; but I am
+an officer of the king,  and what is of far greater importance at
+the present moment, an aide-de-camp of the Viscount Turenne,  your
+brother. Were it reported that I was with your army, or even indeed
+that I was here, the cardinal would  at once conclude that I was
+representing the viscount, and was perhaps the intermediary through
+whom  communications between you and your brother were being
+carried on. Therefore I should not only  compromise myself, which
+is of no importance, but I might excite suspicion in Richelieu's
+mind against  your brother, which might result in his recall from
+the position in which he has so distinguished himself,  and grievously
+injure his prospects. The viscount himself warned me against mixing
+myself with any party,  saying that a soldier should hold himself
+free from all entanglement, bent only on serving, to the utmost of
+his power, the king and France."
+
+"You are right," the duke said heartily. "Turenne has no grievances
+against king or cardinal, and has acted  wisely in holding himself
+aloof from any party; and badly as I am affected towards Richelieu,
+I will own  that he has never allowed my brother's relationship towards
+me to prevent his employing him in posts of  honour. I have never
+sought to influence him in the slightest, and am far too proud of
+the credit and honour  he has gained to do aught that would in any
+way cause a breach between him and the cardinal. What you  have said
+is very right and true. Doubtless Richelieu has spies in this town,
+as he has elsewhere, and may  have learned that a young officer on
+my brother's staff was brought here last autumn grievously wounded.
+But it is certainly well that now, as the time for action is at hand,
+you should retire. You are not thinking, I  hope, of returning at
+once, for it was but a day or two ago that the surgeon assured me
+that it would need  another three or four months of quiet before
+you would be fit to resume your duties."
+
+"I feel that myself, my lord, and moreover I think that it would
+be as well that I should not join the viscount  at present, for
+it might well be supposed that I was the bearer of some important
+news from you to him;  therefore I propose to go to Geneva, and
+remain there until I have completely recruited my strength. In the
+Swiss republic I should pass unnoticed, even by the cardinal's
+agents. And the fact that, although being but  a comparatively
+short distance from Piedmont, I abstained from joining the general,
+would, if they inquired,  show that I could not have been entrusted
+with any private communication from you to him."
+
+"It could not be better," the duke said. "When you leave here you
+should no longer wear that military scarf.  Of course, when you
+enter Switzerland there is no reason why you should disguise the fact
+that you are a  French officer, and having been severely wounded,
+have come there to repair your health. Doubtless many  others have
+done so; and, dressed as a private person, you would excite no
+attention.  But the Swiss, who  strive to hold themselves neutral
+and to avoid giving offence, might raise objections to a French
+officer  wearing military attire staying among them."
+
+That evening Hector bade his adieu to the duchess and to the friends
+he had made during his stay, and the  next morning, attended by
+Paolo, he started for Geneva.
+
+"I am glad indeed that we are off, master," the latter said. "In
+truth, had I stayed here much longer I should  have become useless
+from fat and idleness, for I have had nothing whatever to do but
+to eat and sleep."
+
+"I am glad to be off, too, Paolo. I am convinced myself, in spite
+of what the surgeon says, that actual  exercise will do more for
+me than the doctor's potions and rich food. I am stiff still, but
+it is from doing  nothing, and were it not that coming from here
+my presence might be inconvenient for Turenne, I would  journey
+straight to his camp. You saw the prince's manifesto?"
+
+Paolo nodded. "I did, master. Not being able to read or write, I
+could make nothing of it myself, but a  burgher coming along read
+it aloud, and it made me shake in my shoes with fright. I made my
+way as  quickly as I could from so dangerous a spot, for it seemed
+nothing short of treason to have heard such  words read against
+the cardinal."
+
+"I fear that the duke has made a terrible mistake, Paolo.  Hitherto
+all who have ventured to measure their  strength with the cardinal
+have been worsted, and many have lost everything and are now fugitives
+from  France. Some have lost their lives as well as honours and
+estates. Bouillon is an independent prince, and so  was Lorraine,
+and although the latter could put ten men in the field to every one
+the duke could muster, he  has been driven from his principality.
+Soissons could not help him except with his name, nor can the
+Archbishop of Rheims. Not a few of the great nobles would join the
+duke did they think that he had a  prospect of success. None have
+so far done so, though possibly some have given him secret pledges,
+which  will count for nothing unless it seems that he is likely to
+triumph.
+
+"It is rumoured, as you know, that he has made an alliance with
+Spain and Austria. Both will use him as an  arm against France, but
+will throw him over and leave him to his fate whenever it suits
+them. Moreover,  their alliance would assuredly deter any, who
+might otherwise range themselves with him, from taking up  arms.
+No Huguenot would fight by the side of a Spaniard; and although
+the Guises and the Catholic nobles  allied themselves with Spain
+against Henri of Navarre, it was in a matter in which they deemed
+their  religion in danger, while this is but a quarrel between
+Bouillon and the cardinal; and with Spain fighting  against France
+in the Netherlands, they would not risk their lands and titles.
+Bouillon had better have stood  alone than have called in the
+Spaniards and Austrians. We know whose doing that is, the Archbishop
+of  Rheims, who is a Guise, and, methinks, from what I have seen
+of him, a crafty one.
+
+"I am sure that neither the duke nor Soissons would, unless won
+over by the archbishop, have ever  consented to such a plan, for
+both are honourable gentlemen, and Soissons at least is a Frenchman,
+which  can hardly be said of Bouillon, whose ancestors have been
+independent princes here for centuries.  However, I fear that he
+will rue the day he championed the cause of Soissons. It was no
+affair of his, and it  is carrying hospitality too far to endanger
+life and kingdom rather than tell two guests that they must seek
+a  refuge elsewhere. All Europe was open to them. As a Guise the
+archbishop would have been welcome  wherever Spain had power. With
+Spain, Italy, and Austria open to him, why should he thus bring
+danger  and misfortune upon the petty dukedom of Sedan? The same
+may be said of Soissons; however reluctant  Bouillon might be to
+part with so dear a friend, Soissons himself should have insisted
+upon going and  taking up his abode elsewhere. Could he still have
+brought a large force into the field, and have thus risked  as
+much as Bouillon, the case would be different, but his estates are
+confiscated, or, at any rate, he has no  longer power to summon
+his vassals to the field, and he therefore risks nothing in case
+of defeat, while  Bouillon is risking everything."
+
+"I daresay that that is all true, master, though in faith I know
+nothing about the matter. For myself, it seems  to me that when
+one is a noble, and has everything that a man can want, he must
+be a fool to mix himself  up in troubles. I know that if the King
+of France were to give me a big estate, and anyone came to me and
+asked me to take part in a plot, I would, if I had the power of
+life and death, have him hung up over the gate  of my castle."
+
+"That would be a short way, no doubt, Paolo, but it might not keep
+you out of trouble," Hector said,  smiling. "If the person who
+came to you were also a noble, his family and friends would rise
+in arms to  avenge his death, and instead of avoiding trouble you
+would bring it at once upon your head."
+
+"I suppose that would be so, master," Paolo said thoughtfully; "so
+I think that it would be best for me that  the king should not take
+it into his head to give me that estate.  And so we are going to
+Geneva, master?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That pleases me not," the other one said, "for I have heard
+of it as a terribly serious place, where a man  dares not so much
+as smile, and where he has to listen to sermons and exhortations
+lasting half a day. My  father was a Huguenot, and I suppose that
+I am, too, though I never inquired very closely into the matter;
+but as for exhortations of four hours in length, methinks I would
+rather swim those moats again, master,  and to go all day without
+smiling would be a worse penance than the strictest father confessor
+could lay  upon me."
+
+"I own that I am somewhat of your opinion, Paolo. My father brought
+me up a Protestant like yourself, and  when I was quite young I
+had a very dreary time of it while he was away, living as I did in
+the house of a  Huguenot pastor. After that I attended the Protestant
+services in the barracks, for all the officers and almost  all the
+men are Protestants, and, of course, were allowed to have their
+own services; but the minister, who  was a Scotchman, knew better
+than to make his discourses too lengthy; for if he did, there was
+a shuffling  of jackboots on the stone floor and a clanking of sabres
+that warned him that the patience of the soldiers  was exhausted.
+In our own glen my father has told me that the ministers are as
+long winded as those of  Geneva; but, as he said, soldiers are a
+restless people, and it is one thing for men who regard their Sunday
+gathering as the chief event in the week to listen to lengthy
+discourses, but quite another for soldiers, either  in the field
+or a city like Paris, to do so. However, if we do not find Geneva
+to our taste, there is no reason  why we should tarry there, as
+Zurich lies on the other end of the lake, and Zurich is Catholic,
+or at any rate  largely so, and Calvinist doctrines have never
+flourished there. But, on the other hand, the sympathies of  Geneva
+have generally been with France, while those of Zurich are with
+Austria; therefore I think that if we  like not Geneva we will go
+to Lyons, where, as an officer of Viscount Turenne's, I am sure to
+be well  received."
+
+"Why not go there at once, master?"
+
+"Because I think that the fresh air of the lake will brace me up,
+and maybe if I find the people too sober  minded for me we will
+go up into the mountains and lodge there in some quiet village. I
+think that would  suit both of us."
+
+"It would suit me assuredly," Paolo said joyfully. "I love the
+mountains."
+
+Such was indeed the course eventually taken. The strict Calvinism
+of Geneva suited neither of them; and  after a fortnight's stay
+there they went up among the hills, and in the clear brisk air Hector
+found his blood  begin to run more rapidly through his veins, and
+his strength and energy fast returning. Sometimes he rode,  but
+soon found more pleasure in climbing the hills around on foot, for
+the mountain paths were so rough  that it was seldom indeed that
+his horse could break into a trot.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII:  THE DUC D'ENGHIEN
+
+
+From time to time news came up of what was passing in the world.
+The Spaniards had afforded no  assistance in men to the duke, for
+Richelieu had sent a powerful army into the heart of Flanders, and
+so  kept them fully occupied. An Austrian force, however, joined
+that of the duke, and a battle was fought with  the royal army
+which, under Marshal Chatillon, lay encamped a league from Sedan.
+The Austrian general  commanded the main body, the Duc de Bouillon
+the cavalry, while the Count de Soissons was with the  reserve.
+At first Chatillon's army had the advantage, but Bouillon charged
+with such vehemence that he  drove the cavalry of the royalists
+down upon their infantry, which fell into confusion, most of the
+French  officers being killed or made prisoners, and the rest put
+to rout. The duke, after the victory, rode to  congratulate Soissons,
+whose force had not been engaged. He found the count dead, having
+accidentally  shot himself while pushing up the visor of his helmet
+with the muzzle of his pistol.
+
+Bouillon soon learned the hollowness of the promises of his allies.
+The Spaniards sent neither money nor  men, while the Austrians
+received orders to march away from Sedan and to join the Spaniards,
+who were  marching to the relief of Arras.
+
+The duke, deserted by his allies, prepared to defend Sedan till the
+last. Fortunately for him, however, the  position of the French at
+Arras was critical. The place was strong, two armies were marching
+to its relief,  and it would therefore have been rash to have
+attempted at the same time the siege of Sedan. The king  himself
+had joined the army advancing against Bouillon, while the cardinal
+remained in Paris. Many of  those round the person of the king,
+foremost among whom was the Marquis of Cinq-Mars, his master of
+horse, spoke very strongly in favour of the duke, and represented
+that he had been driven to take up arms  by the persecution of the
+cardinal. The king was moved by their representations, and gave a
+complete  pardon to Bouillon, who was restored to the full possession
+of all his estates in France, while on his part he  released the
+prisoners, baggage, and standards taken in the late battle.
+
+This was welcome news to Hector, who at once prepared to cross
+into Italy; but when they reached  Chambery he heard that Turenne
+had been ordered to join the army that was collected near the
+Spanish  frontier, in order to conquer Roussillon, which lay between
+Languedoc and Catalonia.  The latter province  had been for three
+years in a state of insurrection against Spain, and had besought
+aid from France. This,  however, could not easily be afforded them
+so long as the fortress of Perpignan guarded the way, and with
+other strongholds prevented all communication between the south of
+France and Catalonia. As it was  uncertain whether Turenne would
+follow the coast route or cross the passes, Hector and his companion
+rode  forward at once, and arrived at Turin before he left.
+
+"I am glad to see you back again," the general said as Hector
+entered his room, "and trust that you are now  strong again. Your
+letter, giving me your reasons for leaving Sedan, was forwarded to
+me by a messenger,  with others from my brother and his wife. He
+speaks in high terms of you, and regretted your leaving them;  but
+the reason you gave for so doing in your letter to me more than
+justified the course you took, and  showed that you were thoughtful
+in other than military matters. You served me better by leaving
+Sedan  than you could have done in any other way. In these unhappy
+disputes with my brother, the cardinal has  never permitted my
+relationship to Bouillon to shake his confidence in me.  But after
+being engaged for  many years in combating plots against him, he
+cannot but be suspicious of all, and that an officer of my  staff
+should be staying at Sedan when the dispute was going to end in
+open warfare might well have excited  a doubt of me while, had you
+traveled direct here at that moment, it might, as you said, have
+been  considered that you were the bearer of important communications
+between my brother and myself.
+
+"Now, I hope that you are completely restored to health; you
+are looking well, and have grown a good deal,  the consequence,
+no doubt, of your being so long in bed. You have heard that I am
+ordered to Roussillon,  of which I am glad, for the war languishes
+here. The king, I hear, will take up his headquarters at Narbonne,
+and Richelieu is coming down to look after matters as he did at
+Rochelle. So I expect that things will move  quickly there. They
+say the king is not in good health, and that the cardinal himself
+is failing.  Should he  die it will be a grievous loss for France,
+for there is no one who could in any way fill his place. It has
+been  evident for some time that the king has been in weak health.
+The dauphin is but a child. A regency with the  queen as its nominal
+head, and Richelieu as its staff and ruler, would be possible;
+but without Richelieu the  prospect would be a very dark one, and
+I cannot think of it without apprehension.  However, I must  continue
+to do as I have been doing ever since Bouillon fell out with the
+court; I must think only that I am a  soldier, prepared to strike
+where ordered, whether against a foreign foe or a rebellious subject.
+
+"Happily my family troubles are over. I hear that there is
+a probability that, now Bouillon has been restored  to favour, he
+will obtain the command of the army in Italy, which will just suit
+his active spirit."
+
+Three days later Turenne with his staff crossed the Alps, and
+journeying across the south of France reached  Perpignan.  The
+Marquis of Mielleraye was in supreme command, and Turenne was to act
+as his lieutenant;  the latter at once took charge of the operations
+of the siege of Perpignan, which had already been  beleaguered for
+some months by the French. The fortress was a very strong one, but
+as the efforts of the  Spanish to reinforce the garrison by a landing
+effected on the coast failed altogether, and as the operations  of
+Mielleraye in the field were successful, and there was no chance of
+any relief being afforded to the  besieged town by a Spanish army
+advancing through Catalonia, it was certain that the fortress
+must in time  surrender by hunger. As it could not be captured by
+assault unless with a very heavy loss indeed, Turenne  contented
+himself with keeping up so vigilant a watch round it that its
+communications were altogether cut  off, and the garrison knew
+nothing whatever of what was passing around them.
+
+The Duc de Bouillon had received the command of the army in Italy,
+and Turenne hoped that henceforth  his mind would be free from the
+family trouble that had for the past four years caused him great
+pain and  anxiety. Unfortunately, however, Cinq-Mars, the king's
+master of horse and personal favourite, had become  embroiled with
+the cardinal. Rash, impetuous, and haughty, the young favourite
+at once began to intrigue.  The Duke of Orleans, the king's only
+brother, one of the most treacherous and unstable of men, joined
+him  heart and soul, and Bouillon was induced to ally himself with
+them, not from any political feeling, but  because Cinq-Mars had
+been mainly instrumental in obtaining terms for him before, and
+appealed to his  sense of gratitude to aid him now. He insisted,
+however, that this time there should be no negotiating with  Spain
+and Austria, but that the movement should be entirely a French one.
+
+Unknown to him, however, the others entered into an alliance with
+Spain, who engaged to find money and  an army.  The conspirators
+had gained the ear of the king, Cinq-Mars representing to him that
+their hostility  was directed solely against the cardinal, and
+the latter was in great disfavour until he obtained a copy of the
+treaty with Spain. The disclosure opened the king's eyes. The Duke
+of Orleans, Cinq-Mars, Monsieur de  Thou, his intimate friend,
+and de Bouillon were at once arrested. Orleans immediately turned
+traitor to his  fellow conspirators, revealed every incident of
+the plot, and was sentenced to exile. Cinq-Mars and de Thou  were
+tried and executed. De Bouillon saved his life by relinquishing
+his principality to France, any  hesitation there may have been
+in sparing him on those terms being removed by the receipt of a
+message  from the duchess, that if her husband were put to death
+she would at once deliver Sedan into the hands of  the Spaniards.
+De Bouillon was therefore pardoned, and in exchange for the surrender
+of his principality,  his estates in France were to be enlarged,
+and a considerable pension granted to him.
+
+All this was a terrible trial to Turenne, who was deeply attached
+to his brother, and who mourned not only  the danger he had incurred,
+but that he should have broken his engagements, and while commanding
+a  royal army should have plotted against the royal authority.
+
+At the end of November the cardinal's illness, from which he had
+long suffered, took an unfavourable turn,  and the king, who had
+returned to Paris, went to see him.  Richelieu advised him to place
+his confidence in  the two secretaries of state, Chavigny and de
+Noyers, recommended Cardinal Mazarin strongly as first  minister of
+the crown, and handed the king a document he had prepared barring
+the Duke of Orleans from  any share in the regency in case of the
+king's death, the preamble calling to mind that the king had five
+times pardoned his brother, who had yet recently engaged in a fresh
+plot against him. On the 2nd of  December, 1642, Richelieu died,
+and the king, on the following day, carried out his last advice,
+and  appointed Mazarin to a place in his council.
+
+The year had passed quietly with Hector Campbell. His duties had
+been but slight during the siege, and as  during his stay at Sedan
+and in Switzerland he had continued to work hard at Italian, at the
+former place  under a teacher, who instructed him in more courtly
+dialect than that which he acquired from Paolo, so  during the six
+months before Perpignan he had, after taking the advice of Turenne,
+set himself to acquire a  knowledge of German. Working at this
+for eight hours a day under the tuition of a German gentleman, who
+had been compelled to leave the country when his native town was
+captured by the Imperialists, he was  soon able to converse as
+fluently in it as in Italian.
+
+"It is in Germany that the next great campaign is likely to take
+place," Turenne said to him, "and your  knowledge of German will be
+of infinite utility to you. Fortunately for myself, Sedan standing
+on the  border between the two countries, I acquired German as well
+as French without labour, and while in  Holland spoke it rather
+than French; the knowledge of languages is of great importance to
+one who would  rise high in the army or at the court, and I am very
+glad that you have acquired German, as it may be of  great use to
+you if we are called upon to invade that country again, that is,
+if the new council of the king are  as kindly disposed towards me
+as Richelieu always showed himself to be; but I fear that ere long
+there may  be changes. The king's health is very poor. He may not
+live long, and then we have a regency before us, and  the regencies
+of France have always been times of grievous trouble.
+
+"Even had Richelieu lived he might not have been able to avert
+such disasters. He and the queen have never  been friends, and he
+would not have had the support from her that he has had from the
+king, who, although  he no doubt fretted at times under Richelieu's
+dictation, yet recognized his splendid genius, and knew that  he
+worked heart and soul for the good of France. However, his death
+is a sore misfortune. A regency needs  a strong head, but where is
+it to come from? The Duke of Orleans is a schemer without principle,
+weak,  easily led, ambitious, and unscrupulous. The Prince of Conde
+is equally ambitious, even more grasping,  and much more talented.
+There is no one else, save men like Chavigny, the father of our
+friend here, de  Noyers, and some others of good family, honest and
+capable business men, but who would speedily  become mere ciphers;
+and Cardinal Mazarin, who has just been appointed to the council."
+
+"Do you know him, sir?" Hector asked.
+
+"I have seen him more than once. He is said to be very clever, and
+it is no secret that he is nominated to the  council on Richelieu's
+recommendation, which speaks volumes in his favour, for Richelieu
+was a judge of  men, and must have believed, when recommending him,
+that Mazarin would render good service to France.  But however
+clever he is he cannot replace the great cardinal. On him was stamped
+by nature the making of  a ruler of men. He was tall, handsome,
+and an accomplished cavalier. Seeing him dressed as a noble among
+noblemen, one would have picked him out as born to be the greatest
+of them. No doubt this noble  appearance, aided by his haughty
+manner and by his ruthlessness in punishing those who conspired
+against  him, had not a little to do with his mastery over men.
+
+"Mazarin is a man of very different appearance. He is dark in
+complexion, handsome in a way, supple, and,  I should say, crafty;
+an Italian rather than a Frenchman. Such a man will meet with
+difficulties far greater  than those which assailed Richelieu. The
+latter, personally fearless, went straight to his end, crushing
+his  enemies if they stood in his way, possessed of an indomitable
+will and unflinching determination. Mazarin,  if I mistake not,
+will try to gain his end by other means -- by intrigues, by setting
+those who oppose him  against each other, by yielding rather than
+by striking. He is said to stand high in the queen's favour, and
+this will be a great aid to him; for those who might rebel against
+the authority of a cardinal will hesitate to  do so when he has
+at his back the protection and authority of a queen.  However, we
+must hope for the best.  It is probable that Richelieu acquainted
+him with all his plans and projects, and urged him to carry them
+into effect. I sincerely trust that he will do so; and in that case,
+if he comes to the head of affairs, I should  assuredly serve him
+as willingly and faithfully as I served Richelieu, knowing that it
+will be for the good of  France."
+
+It was, indeed, but a short time after the loss of his great adviser
+that the king followed him to the tomb. He  had for long suffered
+from bad health, and now that the statesman who had borne the
+whole burden of  public affairs had left him, he felt the weight
+overpowering. He had always been devoted to religious  exercises,
+and saw his end approaching without regret, and died calmly and
+peacefully on May 14, 1643.  By his will he left the queen regent.
+He had never been on good terms with her, and now endeavoured
+to  prevent her from having any real power. The Duke of Orleans
+was appointed lieutenant general, but as the  king had rightly no
+confidence in him, he nominated a council which, he intended, should
+override both. It  was composed of the Prince of Conde, Cardinal
+Mazarin, the chancellor, Seguerin, the secretary of state,  Chavigny,
+and superintendent Bouthillier.  The king's will prohibited any
+change whatever being made in  the council, but this proviso was
+not observed. The queen speedily made terms with the ministers; and
+when the little king was conducted in great state to the parliament
+of Paris, the Duke of Orleans addressed  the queen, saying that he
+desired to take no other part in affairs than that which it might
+please her to give  him. The Prince of Conde said the same; and
+that evening, to their astonishment, the queen having become  by
+their resignation the sole head of the administration, announced
+that she should retain Cardinal Mazarin  as her minister, and shortly
+afterwards nominated Turenne to the command of the army in Italy.
+Prince  Thomas had now broken altogether with the Spaniards,
+finding that their protection was not available, for  the King of
+Spain had been obliged to recall a considerable proportion of his
+troops from Italy to suppress  an insurrection in Catalonia. Hector
+did not accompany Turenne to Italy, for early in April Turenne had
+said to him:
+
+"There seems no chance of employment here at present, Campbell, while
+there is likely to be some heavy  fighting on the Rhine frontier.
+
+"The death of Richelieu has given fresh courage to the enemies of
+France, and I hear that de Malo, the  governor of the Low Countries,
+has gathered a large army, and is about to invade France. Our army
+there is  commanded by the young Duc d'Enghien, the Prince of Conde's
+son. He is but twenty-two, and of course  owes his appointment
+to his father's influence. The king has, however, sent with him
+Marshal de l'Hopital,  who will be his lieutenant and director.
+I know Enghien well, and esteem his talents highly. He is brave,
+impetuous, and fiery; but at the same time, if I mistake not,
+cautious and prudent. I will give you a letter to  him. I shall
+tell him that you have greatly distinguished yourself while on
+my staff, and being anxious  above all things to acquire military
+knowledge and to serve with honour, I have sent you to him, begging
+him to give you the same post on his staff as you have had on mine,
+asking it as a personal favour to  myself. This, I have no doubt,
+he will grant. He has affected my company a good deal when I have
+been in  Paris, and has evinced the greatest desire to learn as
+much as he can of military matters from me."
+
+"I am grateful indeed for your kindness, sir, of which I will most
+gladly avail myself, and shall indeed be  pleased at the opportunity
+of seeing a great battle."
+
+"I wish to show my approbation of the manner in which you have,
+since you left me in Italy, endeavoured  to do all in your power to
+acquire useful knowledge, instead of wasting your time in idleness
+or gambling,  to which so many young officers in the army give
+themselves up."
+
+The next day Hector and Paolo joined the army of Enghien as it was
+on the march to Eperney. The former  was now within a few months
+of seventeen, of middle height, strongly built, his hard exercise
+and training  having broadened him greatly. He had a pleasant and
+good tempered face, his hair, which was brown with a  tinge of
+gold, clustered closely round his head, for he had not adopted the
+French mode of wearing it in  long ringlets, a fashion unsuited
+for the work of a campaign, and which de Lisle and Chavigny had in
+vain  urged him to adopt. He was handsomely dressed, for he knew
+that Conde would be surrounded by many of  the young nobles of
+France. He wore his broad hat with feather; his helmet and armour
+being carried,  together with his valises, on a sumpter mule led
+by Paolo.
+
+Putting up at an hotel, he made his way to the house occupied by
+Enghien and the marshal. It was crowded  by young officers, many of
+whom were waiting in an anteroom.  On one of the duke's chamberlains
+approaching him Hector gave his name, and requested him to deliver
+Viscount Turenne's letter to the  prince. In a few minutes his name
+was called, to the surprise of those who had been waiting for some
+time  for an interview. Enghien was seated at a table, from which
+he rose as Hector entered.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Captain Campbell, both for your own sake
+and for that of Turenne, whom I greatly  love and admire. As I was
+with Mielleraye during the campaign in the south, while you were
+with Turenne,  we did not meet there, for though he once rode over
+and stayed for a few days you did not accompany him.  But he has
+told me of your adventure at Turin, and has spoken of your diligent
+studies and your desire to  learn all that is known of the art
+of war. I shall be glad indeed to have you riding with me, for I,
+too, am a  diligent student in the art, though until last year I
+had no opportunity whatever of gaining practical  knowledge. I envy
+Turenne his good fortune in having been sent to begin to learn his
+duty when he was but  fourteen.  He tells me that you were but a year
+older when you rode to Italy with him. It humiliates me to  think
+that while I am sent to command an army simply because my father
+is a prince of the blood, Turenne  gained every step by merit, and
+is a general in spite of the fact that his brother was an enemy
+of the cardinal  and defied alike his power and that of the king.
+However, I hope to show that I am not altogether unworthy  of my
+position; and at least, like Turenne, I can lead my troops into
+battle, and fight in their front, even if I  cannot always come out
+victorious. Where have you put up your horses? With the best will
+in the world, I  cannot put either room or stable at your disposal
+today, for I believe that every cupboard in the house is  occupied;
+but at our halting place tomorrow we shall be under canvas, and a
+tent shall be assigned to you."
+
+"I thank you, sir. I have fortunately been able to find quarters
+at an inn."
+
+"At any rate, I hope that you will sup with me. I will then introduce
+you to some of my friends."
+
+Enghien was at the age of twenty-two of a striking rather than
+a handsome figure. His forehead was wide,  his eyes sunken and
+piercing, his nose very prominent and hooked giving to his face
+something of the  expression of an eagle's.  He resembled Turenne
+in the eagerness with which in childhood he had devoted  himself
+to his studies, and especially to military exercises; but except
+that both possessed a remarkable  genius for war, and both were
+extremely courageous, there was but slight resemblance between their
+characters. While Turenne was prudent, patient, and thoughtful,
+weighing duly every step taken, bestowing  the greatest pains upon
+the comfort and well being of his troops, and careful as to every
+detail that could  bring about success in his operations, Conde
+was passionate and impetuous, acting upon impulse rather  than
+reflection. Personally ambitious, impatient of opposition, bitter
+in his enmities, his action and policy  were influenced chiefly
+by his own ambitions and his own susceptibilities, rather than by
+the thought of  what effect his action might have on the destinies
+of France. He was a born general, and yet but a poor  leader of
+men, one of the greatest military geniuses that the world has ever
+seen, and yet so full of faults,  foibles, and weaknesses that,
+except from a military point of view, the term "the Great Conde"
+that  posterity has given him is but little merited.  He had much
+brain and little heart. Forced by his father into a  marriage with
+a niece of Richelieu's, he treated her badly and cruelly, although
+she was devoted to him, and  was in all respects an estimable woman
+and a true wife, and that in a court where virtue was rare indeed.
+
+At supper that evening Enghien introduced Hector first to the
+Marshal de l'Hopital and then to the young  nobles of his company.
+
+"Monsieur Campbell," he said, "is the youngest of our party, and
+yet he is, as the Viscount of Turenne  writes to me, one in whom
+he has the greatest confidence, and who has so carefully studied
+the art of war,  and so much profited by his opportunities, that
+he would not hesitate to commit to him any command  requiring at
+once courage, discretion, and military knowledge. No one, gentlemen,
+could wish for a higher  eulogium from a greater authority. Turenne
+has lent him to me for the campaign, and indeed I feel grateful  to
+him for so doing. When I say, gentlemen, that it was he who saved
+the citadel of Turin to our arms, by  undertaking and carrying
+out the perilous work of passing through the city and the Spanish
+lines to carry  word to the half starved garrison that succour would
+arrive in a fortnight's time, and so prevented their  surrendering,
+you will admit that Turenne has not spoken too highly of his
+courage and ability. I have heard  the full details of the affair
+from Turenne's own lips, when he paid a short visit to Paris
+after that campaign  closed; and I should feel proud indeed had I
+accomplished such an enterprise. Captain Campbell is a  member of
+an old Scottish family, and his father died fighting for France
+at the siege of La Rochelle, a  captain in the Scottish regiment.
+And now, gentlemen, to supper."
+
+It was a joyous meal, and of a character quite new to Hector.
+Grave himself, Turenne's entertainments were  marked by a certain
+earnestness and seriousness. He set, indeed, all his guests at
+ease by his courtesy and  the interest he took in each; and yet
+all felt that in his presence loud laughter would be out of place
+and  loose jesting impossible.  Enghien, on the other hand, being
+a wild and reckless young noble, one who  chose not his words, but
+was wont to give vent in terms of unbridled hatred to his contempt
+for those whom  he deemed his enemies, imposed no such restraint
+upon his guests, and all talked, laughed, and jested as  they chose,
+checked only by the presence of the gallant old marshal, who was
+nominally Enghien's guide  and adviser.  Next to Hector was seated
+General Gassion, one of the finest soldiers of the time. He, like
+Hector, had no family influence, but had gained his position solely
+by his own merits. He was enterprising  and energetic, and eager
+to still further distinguish himself, and Hector was not long
+in perceiving that  Enghien had his cordial support in combating
+the prudent and cautious counsels of the marshal. He spoke  very
+cordially to the young captain. He saw in him one who, like himself,
+was likely to make his way by  merit and force of character, and
+he asked him many questions as to his past history and the various
+services in which he had been engaged.
+
+"I hope some day to win my marshal's baton, and methinks that if
+you have as good fortune as I have had,  and escape being cut off
+by bullet or sabre, you, too, may look forward to gaining such
+a distinction. You  see all these young men around us have joined
+rather in the spirit of knight errants than that of soldiers.  Each
+hopes to distinguish himself, not for the sake of advancing his
+military career, but simply that he may  stand well in the eyes
+of some court beauty. The campaign once over, they will return to
+Paris, and think no  more of military service until another campaign
+led by a prince of the blood like Enghien takes place, when  they
+will again take up arms and fight in his company.
+
+"Such campaigns as those under Turenne in Italy would be distasteful
+in the extreme to them. They would  doubtless bear the hardships
+as unflinchingly as we professional soldiers, but as soon as they
+could with  honour retire you may be sure they would do so. It is
+well for us that they should. Were it otherwise our  chances of
+advancement would be rare indeed, while as it is there are plenty
+of openings for men of  determination and perseverance who will
+carry out precisely any order given to them, and who are always,
+whether in the field or in winter quarters, under the eyes of
+a commander like Turenne, who remains with  his army instead of
+rushing off like d'Harcourt to spend his winter in the gaieties
+of the court, and to receive  their smiles and praises as a reward
+for his successes."
+
+"I suppose, general, there is no doubt that we shall give battle
+to the Spaniards?"
+
+"No doubt whatever. It depends upon Enghien, though no doubt the
+marshal will throw every obstacle in  the way.  In the first place,
+there can be no denying that the Spanish infantry are superb, and
+that Fuentes,  who commands them, is a fine old soldier, while
+our infantry are largely composed of new levies. Thus,  though the
+armies are not unequal in strength, l'Hopital may well consider
+the chances of victory to be  against us. In the second place, in
+a battle Enghien will be in command, and though all of us recognize
+that  he possesses extraordinary ability, his impetuosity might
+well lead to a disaster. Then the marshal must feel  that while
+the glory of a victory would fall to Enghien, the discredit of a
+defeat would be given to him,  while if aught happened to Enghien
+himself the wrath of Conde and his faction would bring about his
+disgrace.
+
+"I doubt not that he has received instructions not to hazard
+a battle except under extraordinary  circumstances, while Enghien
+would, if possible, bring one about under any circumstances whatever.
+Lastly, the king is desperately ill, ill unto death, some say, and
+none can foretell what would take place  were we to suffer a heavy
+defeat while France is without some great head to rally the nation
+and again  show face to the Spaniards. At the same time, I may tell
+you at once, that in this matter I am heart and soul  with Enghien.
+I consider that did we shrink from battle now, it would so encourage
+Spain and Austria that  they would put such a force in the field
+as we could scarcely hope to oppose, while a victory would alter
+the whole position and show our enemies that French soldiers are
+equal to those of Spain, which at present  no one believes. And
+lastly, if we win, Enghien, when his father dies, will be the foremost
+man in France,  the leading spirit of the princes of the blood,
+and having behind him the vast possessions and wealth  accumulated
+by Conde, will be a power that even the greatest minister might
+dread, and I need hardly say  that my marshal's baton would be very
+appreciably nearer than it is at present."
+
+"Then I may take it," Hector said with a smile, "that the chances
+are in favour of a pitched battle."
+
+"That is certainly so; l'Hopital's instructions are to force the
+Spaniards, who have advanced against Rocroi,  to raise the siege,
+but to do so if possible by manoeuvering, and to avoid anything
+like a pitched battle. But  I fancy that he is likely to find
+circumstances too strong for him, and that one of these mornings
+we shall  stand face to face with the enemy.
+
+The Spaniards are doubtless grand soldiers, and the army we shall
+meet is largely composed of veteran  troops; but we must remember
+that for years and years the Dutchmen, by nature peaceable and
+for the most  part without training in arms, and although terribly
+deficient in cavalry, have boldly withstood the power of  Spain."
+
+"They seldom have met them in the open field," Hector said doubtfully.
+
+"Not very often, I grant, though when allied with your countrymen
+they fairly beat them on the sands near  Ostend, and that over and
+over again they fought them in their breaches on even terms, and,
+burghers  though they were, beat back Alva's choicest troops."
+
+The next morning the army marched forward. Hector rode with the
+group of young nobles who followed  Enghien.  Rocroi was a town of
+considerable strength lying in the forest of Ardennes. It was the
+key to the  province of Champagne, and its capture would open the
+road to the Spaniards. The siege was being pressed  forward by
+de Malo, who had with him an army of twenty-seven thousand veteran
+troops, being five  thousand more than the force under Enghien. Gassion,
+who as Enghien's lieutenant had the control of the  movements, so
+arranged the marches that, while steadily approaching Rocroi, the
+marshal believed that he  intended to force the Spaniards to fall
+back, rather by menacing their line of communications than by
+advancing directly against them.
+
+After the first day Gassion invited Hector to ride with him, an
+invitation which he gladly accepted, for the  conversation of his
+younger companions turned chiefly upon court intrigues and love
+affairs in Paris, and  on people of whose very names he was wholly
+ignorant. Riding with Gassion across from one road to  another
+along which the army was advancing, he was able to see much of the
+movements of bodies of  troops through a country wholly different
+from that with which he was familiar. He saw how careful the  general
+was to maintain communication between the heads of the different
+columns, especially as he  approached the enemy.
+
+"De Malo ought," he said, "to have utilized such a country as this
+for checking our advance. In these woods  he might have so placed
+his men as to annihilate one column before another could come to
+its assistance. I  can only suppose that he relies so absolutely
+upon his numbers, and the valour and discipline of his  soldiers,
+that he prefers to fight a pitched battle, where a complete success
+would open the road to Paris,  and thus lay France at his feet and
+bring the war to a conclusion at one stroke."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII:  ROCROI
+
+
+Gassion conducted the movements of the army so adroitly that he
+had brought it to within almost striking  distance of the Spanish
+divisions before Marshal l'Hopital perceived the fact that it was
+so placed that a  battle was almost inevitable. He besought Enghien
+to fall back while there was yet time, pointing out the  orders
+that had been given that a battle was not to be hazarded, and
+the terrible misfortunes that would fall  upon France in case of
+defeat. Enghien, however, was deaf to his advice, and refused to
+acknowledge his  authority.
+
+Turenne, under similar circumstances, would have drawn off and
+forced the enemy to raise the siege by  threatening their line of
+communications; but Turenne thought nothing of personal glory, and
+fought only  for France. Enghien, on the other hand, throughout
+his career was animated by personal motives, and cared  nothing
+for the general welfare of France. Turenne was wholly unselfish;
+Enghien was ready to sacrifice  anything or everything for his own
+glory or interest. At present, surrounded as he was by young nobles
+as  eager to fight as he was himself, and backed by Gassion, one
+of the most able and enterprising soldiers of  the day, he declared
+that he had come to fight and would do so. Even had l'Hopital known
+the news that had  been received by Enghien, he would have been
+powerless to check or control him. A courier had indeed the  day
+before brought the young duke a despatch containing the news of the
+king's death and peremptory  orders not to fight. Enghien simply
+put the letter in his pocket, and the contents were known only to
+Gassion and a few of his most intimate friends.
+
+De Malo was as anxious to bring on a general engagement as was his
+fiery opponent. He was kept well  informed of what was going on in
+Paris, and knew that the king's death was imminent. His position
+on a  plain, surrounded on all sides by woods and marshes with but
+one approach, and that through a narrow  defile, was practically
+impregnable; and by occupying the defile he could have kept the French
+at bay  without the slightest difficulty until Rocroi surrendered.
+He knew, too, that General Beck with a  considerable force was
+hastening to join him; but he feared that prudent counsels might
+at the last moment  prevail in the French camp, or that the news
+of the king's death might reach them, and he therefore left the
+defile open and allowed the French army to gain the plain and form
+up in order of battle facing him,  without offering the slightest
+opposition or firing a single gun.
+
+It was late in the afternoon by the time the French were in position,
+and as both commanders were anxious  that the battle should be
+a decisive one neither took any step to bring on the fight, but
+contented themselves  with preparing for the encounter next morning.
+The night was cold and somewhat thick, and the positions  of the
+two armies were marked by lines of fire. The march had been a long
+and fatiguing one, and silence  soon fell upon the scene. Enghien
+wrapped himself in his cloak, and, lying down by a watch fire, was
+speedily asleep, wholly unoppressed by the tremendous responsibilities
+that he had assumed, or the fact that  he had risked the destinies
+of France for the sake of his personal ambition, and that in any
+case the  slaughter that must ensue in the morning would be terrible.
+Gassion, however, with a few of the older  officers, sat for hours
+discussing the probabilities of the battle. Hector, remembering the
+manner in which  Turenne exercised the most ceaseless vigilance,
+and nightly inspected all the outposts, endeavouring to  ascertain
+the plans and positions of the enemy, had, as night closed in,
+requested Gassion's permission to go  the rounds.
+
+"Certainly, if it so pleases you, Captain Campbell. The watchword
+tonight is 'Conde', but I will in addition  give you a pass enjoining
+all officers to allow you to go where you please, you being on
+the staff of the  prince. I shall go round myself later on, for de
+Malo may intend a night attack, by which he would certainly  gain
+advantages. His troops are fresh, while ours are weary. He has had
+every opportunity of studying the  ground, while it is all new to
+us. Still, I hardly think that he will move till morning. Enterprise
+is not the  strong point of the Spaniards, they love to fight in
+solid bodies, and hitherto their infantry have never been  broken
+by cavalry. At night they would lose the advantage of their steadiness
+of formation. It is clear, by  his willingness to allow us to pass
+the defile and take up this position, that de Malo is absolutely
+certain of  victory and will wait, for daylight would permit him
+to make his expected victory a complete one, while at  night great
+numbers of our army would be able to make their escape through the
+woods."
+
+Hector returned to the spot where his horses were picketed with
+those of Enghien's staff. He found Paolo  lying down under a tree
+where he had been ordered to take up his post, so that Hector could
+find him if  required.
+
+"Are you asleep, Paolo?"
+
+"No, master; I have been thinking about the battle tomorrow, and
+where I had best bestow myself."
+
+"As to that, Paolo, I should say that you had better keep with
+the prince's servants here. You will, of course,  have your horse
+saddled and be ready to ride on the instant. If we are victorious
+there will be no occasion  for you to move, but if you see that
+we are beaten, my orders are that you are not to think of waiting
+for me.  I must keep with the others.  Doubtless the cavalry would
+cover the retreat, and it would be a serious  inconvenience for
+me to have to come here to look after you, therefore as soon as
+you see that the day has  gone against us mount and ride. You can
+wait at our halting place of last night until you see the prince's
+party come along.  If I am alive I shall be with them; if not, my
+advice to you is to ride south and to report  yourself to Turenne.
+He will, I doubt not, either take you into his own service, or give
+you such strong  recommendations that you will have no difficulty
+in obtaining a post with some officer of distinction  should you
+wish to continue with the army. Now, I am going along our line of
+outposts, and I intend to  reconnoitre the ground between us and
+the enemy. That is what Turenne would be doing were he in  command
+here."
+
+"I will go with you, master; when it comes to reconnoitering, methinks
+that I am as good as another. I can  run like a hare, and though a
+bullet would go faster, I am quite sure that none of these heavily
+armed  Spaniards would have a chance of catching me."
+
+"I intended to take you with me, Paolo. We shall need as much care
+and caution here as we did in getting  into the citadel of Turin."
+
+"I think, master, that it would be well for you to leave your armour
+behind you. It will be of small avail if  you fall into the midst
+of a band of Spanish spearmen, while it would be a sore hindrance
+in passing  through these woods, and the lighter you are accoutred
+the better."
+
+"That is so, and I will take your advice. I will give it into the
+charge of the horse guard. I will, of course,  take my sword and
+pistols, and you may as well take yours."
+
+"I like a knife better than a sword, master, but I will take the
+both. I think it would be as well for you to lay  aside your helmet
+also, for the light from one of these watchfires might glint upon
+it and catch the eye of a  Spaniard."
+
+"You are right, Paolo; have you got the hat?"
+
+"Yes, sir, it is here with your valises."
+
+"That is certainly more comfortable," Hector said as he put it on.
+"Now, you had better carry the things  across to that fire where the
+prince's staff are sitting. There is no fear of anyone interfering
+with them  there."
+
+As soon as this had been done they started, picking their way
+carefully through numbers of sleeping men,  and stopping once or
+twice to exchange a word with the groups still gathered round the
+fires. First they  passed along the whole line of outposts, answering
+the challenges by the words, "Officer of the prince's  staff on
+duty." They found the sentries fairly vigilant, for with so powerful
+an enemy within striking  distance every soldier felt that the
+occasion was one for unusual watchfulness. At each post Hector
+questioned the sentinels closely as to whether they had heard any
+sounds indicating the movement of troops  in the interval between
+the two armies, and in only one case was there an affirmative
+answer.
+
+"I heard a sound such as might be made by the clash of armour against
+a tree or by an armed man falling.  I  have listened attentively
+since, but have heard nothing more."
+
+"From which direction did the noise seem to come?"
+
+"From across there, sir. It seemed to me to come from that copse
+in the hollow."
+
+"That is just what I thought might be likely, Paolo," Hector said
+as he walked on. "That hollow ground  between the armies, with its
+wood and low brushwood, is just the place where an ambush might be
+posted  with advantage. Turenne would have taken possession of it
+as soon as darkness closed in, for it would not  only prevent the
+possibility of the army being taken by surprise during the night,
+but it might be invaluable  during the fight tomorrow, for a force
+ambushed there might take an advancing enemy in the rear. We will
+go farther on till we get to a point where the brushwood extends
+nearly up to our line. We will enter it  there, and make our
+way along until we see whether de Malo has taken advantage of our
+failure to utilize  the wood."
+
+As soon as they reached the point he indicated they moved forward,
+crouching low until they reached the  bushes; then they crawled
+along, keeping outside but close to them.  In this way they would
+be invisible to  any sentries posted near the edge of the wood,
+and would also avoid the risk of drawing the enemy's  attention by
+accidentally breaking a dried branch or even snapping a twig. In
+ten minutes they entered the  wood that extended along the greater
+portion of the hollow.
+
+"Keep on your hands and knees," Hector whispered, "and feel the
+ground as you go to make sure that there  are no broken branches
+that would crack if you placed your knee upon them. We may come upon
+the  Spaniards at any moment. Keep close to me. Touch me if you
+hear the slightest sound, and I will do the  same to you. The touch
+will mean stop. Move your sword along the belt till the handle is
+round at your  back; in that way there will be no risk of it striking
+a tree or catching in a projecting root."
+
+"I will do that, master, and will keep my knife between my teeth.
+It may be that we shall come upon a  Spanish sentinel who may need
+silencing."
+
+"No, Paolo; only in the last extremity and to save our lives must
+we resort to arms. Were a sentry found  killed in the morning they
+would know that their position in the wood had been discovered. It
+is most  important that they should believe that their ambush is
+unsuspected."
+
+Their progress was very slow. When they were nearly opposite the
+centre of their position Paolo was  suddenly touched by his master.
+They listened intently, and could hear at no great distance ahead
+low  sounds at regular intervals.
+
+"Men snoring," Paolo whispered in his ear.
+
+They moved forward again even more cautiously than before. Presently
+they stopped, for at the edge of the  wood facing the camp they
+heard a slight movement and a low clash of arms, as if a sentinel
+on the lookout  had changed his position. Feeling sure that the
+guards would all be placed along the edge of the wood, they  moved
+forward again, stopping every few yards to listen. There was no doubt
+now that they were close to a  large body of sleepers. Occasional
+snores, broken murmurs, and a sound as one turned from side to side
+rose from in front of them.
+
+"You go round on one side, I will go round on the other, Paolo. We
+will meet again when we have passed  beyond them.  It is important
+that we should form some estimate as to their numbers."
+
+In half an hour they met again, and crawled along for some distance
+side by side in silence.
+
+"How many should you say, Paolo?"
+
+"They were lying four deep as far as I could make out, master. I kept
+very close to the outside line. I could  not count them accurately
+because of the trees, but I should say that there were about two
+hundred and fifty  in a line."
+
+"That was very close to what I reckoned them at. At any rate, it
+is a regiment about a thousand strong. They  are musketeers, for
+several times I went close enough to feel their arms. In every case
+it was a musket and  not a pike that my hand fell on. Now we will
+go on till we are opposite our last watchfire, and then crawl up
+the hill."
+
+They were challenged as they approached the lines.
+
+"A friend," Hector replied. "An officer of the prince's staff."
+
+"Give the countersign," the soldier said.
+
+"Conde."
+
+"That is right, but wait until I call an officer."
+
+"Good! but make no noise; that is important."
+
+The sentinel went to the watchfire, and an officer sitting there
+at once rose and came forward.
+
+"Advance, officer of the staff!" he said in low tones. "That is
+right, monsieur," he went on as Hector  advanced close enough to
+be seen by the light of the fire.
+
+"I have a special pass signed by General Gassion," he said.
+
+The officer took it, and looked at it by the light of the fire.
+
+"That is all in order," he said as he returned it; "but the sentry
+had the strictest orders that no one coming  from the side of the
+enemy was to be allowed to enter our lines, even if he gave the
+countersign correctly,  until he had been examined by an officer."
+
+"He did his duty, sir. One cannot be too careful on the eve of battle.
+A straggler might stray away and be  captured, and be forced under
+pain of death to give up the countersign, and once in our lines
+much  information might be obtained as to our position. However,
+I hardly think that any such attempts will be  made. The Spaniards
+saw us march in and take up our position, and must have marked
+where our cavalry  and artillery were posted. Good night!"
+
+The greater part of the night had already gone, for in May the days
+are already lengthening out. After the  troops had fallen out from
+their ranks wood had to be collected and rations cooked, and it was
+past ten  o'clock before any of them lay down, and an hour later,
+before Hector left on his expedition. The  examination of the
+outposts had taken more than an hour; it was now three o'clock in
+the morning, and the  orders were that the troops should all be
+under arms before daybreak. Hector returned to the spot where he
+had left General Gassion. All was quiet there now, and he lay down
+until, somewhat before five, a bugle  sounded. The signal was
+repeated all along the line, and almost at the same moment the
+Spanish trumpets  told that the enemy, too, were making preparations
+for the day's work. General Gassion was one of the first  to spring
+to his feet. Hector at once went up to him.
+
+"I have come to report, general," he said, "that I have reconnoitred
+along the whole line of wood in the  hollow in front, and have
+found that a regiment of musketeers about a thousand strong have
+been placed in  ambush there."
+
+"Then, by heavens, you have done us good service indeed, Captain
+Campbell! They might have done us an  ill turn had we advanced
+knowing nothing of their presence there. Nothing shakes troops more
+than a  sudden attack in the rear. Please come across with me and
+repeat the news that you have given me to the  prince himself."
+
+There was bustle all along the line. The troops were falling into
+their ranks, stamping their feet to set the  blood in motion,
+swinging their arms, and growling at the sharp morning air. At the
+headquarters bivouac  the young nobles were laughing and jesting
+as they prepared to mount.
+
+"Where is the prince?" Gassion asked.
+
+"There he lies under his cloak, general. He is still fast asleep.
+It is evident that the thought of the coming  battle does not weigh
+heavily upon him. I acknowledge that I have not closed an eye; I
+do not think that any  of us have done so."
+
+So sound, indeed, was the prince's sleep that Gassion had to shake
+him almost roughly to rouse him.
+
+As soon, however, as his eyes opened he leapt to his feet. "I
+have had a wonderful night," he laughed;  "never have I slept more
+soundly on a down bed than on this hard ground, which, however, as
+I find, makes  my bones ache wonderfully. Well, it is a fine day
+for a battle. What is your news, Gassion?"
+
+"It is important, monseigneur. Captain Campbell has spent the night
+in reconnoitering on his own account,  and has discovered that
+a thousand Spanish musketeers are lying in ambush in the copse in
+the hollow."
+
+"Is that so?" the duke said shortly. "Well, Captain Campbell, you
+have rendered us a vital service indeed,  and one that I shall not
+forget. However, now we are forewarned, we shall know how to deal
+with them. If I  should fall, Gassion, and you should survive,
+see that Captain Campbell's service is duly represented. Now,  to
+horse, gentlemen!"
+
+The morning sun rose on the 20th of May on a brilliant scene. The
+two armies were disposed along slightly  elevated ridges, between
+which lay the hollow with its brushwood and copses. Enghien commanded
+the  cavalry on the right wing, with Gassion as second in command.
+In place of his helmet the prince wore a hat  with large white
+plumes, remembering, perhaps, how Henri of Navarre's white plumes
+had served as a  rallying point. Marshal l'Hopital commanded the
+cavalry on the French left, Baron d'Espenan commanded  the infantry
+in the centre, and Baron Sirot the reserves. The right of the
+Spanish army was composed of the  German horse led by de Malo, the
+Walloons on the left were under the Duke of Albuquerque, while in
+the  centre were the veteran Spanish infantry under the command
+of General Fuentes, who had often led them to  victory. He was too
+old and infirm to mount a horse, but lay in a litter in the midst
+of his hitherto  unconquerable infantry.
+
+All being ready on both sides, the trumpet sounded, and simultaneously
+the cavalry of both armies moved  forward. Enghien moved farther to
+the right, and then dashing down the slopes led his cavalry along
+the  bottom, fell suddenly upon the musketeers in ambush and cut
+them to pieces. Then galloping forward he  fell upon the Spanish
+left in front and flank. The impetuous charge was irresistible; the
+Walloons broke and  fled before it, and were speedily scattered over
+the plain, pursued by the victorious French.  But upon the  other
+wing de Malo's charge had proved equally irresistible. L'Hopital's
+horse was broken and scattered,  and, wheeling his cavalry round,
+de Malo fell upon the flank and rear of d'Espenan's infantry,
+shattered  them at once, captured the whole of the French artillery,
+and then fell upon the reserves. Baron Sirot, an  officer of great
+courage and ability, held them together and for a time repelled
+the attack of the German  cavalry; but these, inspirited by their
+previous success, continued their attacks with such fury that the
+reserves began to waver and fall back. Enghien was still in pursuit
+of the Walloons when an officer rode up  with news of the disaster
+that had befallen the rest of the army. Enghien grasped the
+situation instantly, and  his military genius pointed out how the
+battle might yet be retrieved. His trumpets instantly recalled his
+scattered squadrons, and galloping round the Spanish centre he fell
+like a thunderbolt upon the rear of de  Malo's cavalry, already
+exulting in what appeared certain victory.
+
+Astounded at this unlooked for attack, they in vain bore up
+and tried to resist it; but the weight and impetus  of the French
+assault bore all before it, and they clove their way through the
+confused mass of cavalry  without a pause. Then wheeling right and
+left they charged into the disorganized crowd of German  horsemen,
+who, unable to withstand this terrible onslaught, broke and fled,
+de Malo himself galloping off  the field with his disorganized
+troopers. Never was a more sudden change in the fate of a great
+battle. The  French cause had appeared absolutely lost; one wing
+and their centre were routed; their reserves had  suffered heavily,
+and were on the point of giving way. Humanly speaking, the battle
+seemed hopelessly  lost, and yet in ten minutes victory had been
+converted into defeat, and the right and left wings of the  Spanish
+army had ceased to exist as collected bodies.  There remained the
+Spanish infantry, and Enghien,  recklessly courageous as he was,
+hesitated to attack the solid formation that had hitherto proved
+invincible.
+
+While still doubting whether, having defeated the rest of the army,
+it might not be best to allow this  formidable body to march away
+unmolested, news reached him that General Beck, with his reinforcements,
+would be on the ground in an hour. This decided him, and he ordered
+the whole of the guns that had been  rescued from their late
+captors to be turned on the Spanish square, and then, collecting
+his cavalry into a  mass, dashed at it. The Spaniards remained
+motionless till the French line was within twenty yards of them,
+then men stepped aside, a number of guns poured their contents
+into the cavalry, while a tremendous volley  swept away their front
+line. So terrible was the effect, so great the confusion caused by
+the carnage, that  had the Walloon cavalry been rallied and returned
+to the field, the tide of the battle might again have been  changed;
+but they were miles away, and Enghien rallied his men without a
+moment's delay, while the  French artillery again opened fire upon
+the Spanish square. Again the French cavalry charged and strove
+to  make their way into the gaps made by the artillery, but before
+they reached the face of the square these  were closed up, and the
+guns and musketry carried havoc among the French squadrons, which
+again  recoiled in confusion. Once more Enghien rallied them, and,
+when the French artillery had done their work,  led them forward
+again with a bravery as impetuous and unshaken as that with which
+he had ridden in front  of them in their first charge; nevertheless
+for the third time they fell back, shattered by the storm of iron
+and  lead. Enghien now brought up his artillery to close quarters,
+Baron de Sirot led up the infantry of the  reserve, and the attack
+was renewed.
+
+The aged Spanish general, though streaming with blood from several
+wounds, still from his litter  encouraged his soldiers, who, stern
+and unmoved, filled up the gaps that had been made, and undauntedly
+faced their foes. But the struggle could not be long continued.
+The square was gradually wasting away, and  occupied but half the
+ground which it had stood upon when the battle began. And Fuentes,
+seeing that  further resistance could only lead to the annihilation
+of his little band, felt that no more could be done.  There were
+no signs of Beck coming to his assistance.  Indeed the troops of
+that general had been met by  the cavalry in their flight; these
+communicated their own panic to them, and such was the alarm that
+the  division abandoned its baggage and guns and fled from the field,
+where their arrival might still have turned  the tide of battle.
+
+Fuentes at last ordered his officers to signal their surrender.
+Enghien rode forward, but, the Spanish soldiers  believing that,
+as before, he was but leading his cavalry against them, poured in
+a terrible volley. He  escaped by almost a miracle, but his soldiers,
+maddened by what they believed to be an act of treachery,  hurled
+themselves upon the enemy.  The square was broken, and a terrible
+slaughter ensued before the  exertions of the officers put a stop to
+it. Then the remaining Spaniards surrendered. The battle of Rocroi
+was to the land forces of Spain a blow as terrible and fatal as
+the destruction of the Armada had been to  their naval supremacy.
+It was indeed a death blow to the power that Spain had so long
+exercised over  Europe. It showed the world that her infantry
+were no longer irresistible, and while it lowered her prestige  it
+infinitely increased that of France, which was now regarded as the
+first military power in Europe.
+
+The losses in the battle were extremely heavy. The German and
+Walloon cavalry both suffered very  severely, while of the Spanish
+infantry not one man left the battlefield save as a prisoner, and
+fully two-thirds of their number lay dead on the ground. Upon the
+French side the losses were numerically much  smaller. The German
+cavalry, after routing those of l'Hopital, instead of following up
+the pursuit hurled  themselves upon the infantry, who broke almost
+without resistance. These also escaped with comparatively  little
+loss, de Malo leading the cavalry at once against the French reserves.
+Among the cavalry commanded  by Enghien the loss was very heavy,
+and included many gentlemen of the best blood of France. There was
+no pursuit; half the French cavalry were far away from the field,
+the rest had lost well nigh half their  number, and were exhausted
+by the fury of the fight; indeed, the fugitive cavalry were miles
+away before  the conflict ended. The gallant old general, Fuentes,
+expired from his wounds soon after the termination of  the battle.
+
+Hector was with the body of young nobles who followed close behind
+Enghien in the three first desperate  charges.  In the third his
+horse was shot under him just as the cavalry recoiled from the
+deadly fire of the  square. He partly extracted his foot from the
+stirrup as he fell, but not sufficiently to free him, and he was
+pinned to the ground by the weight of the horse. It was well for
+him that it was so, for had he been free he  would assuredly have
+been shot down as he followed the retreating cavalry. This thought
+occurred to his  mind after the first involuntary effort to extricate
+his leg, and he lay there stiff and immovable as if dead. It  was
+a trying time. The balls from the French cannon whistled over his
+head, the musket shots flew thickly  round him, and he knew that
+ere long the attack would be renewed.
+
+Fortunately the fourth advance of the French did not come directly
+over him, the commanders purposely  leading their troops so as to
+avoid passing over the ground where so many of the young nobles
+had fallen.  Not until the last musket had been discharged and the
+cessation of the din told that all was over, did he  endeavour to
+rise. Then he sat up and called to two dismounted soldiers, who were
+passing near, to aid him.  They at once came up, and soon lifted
+the horse so far that he was able to withdraw his leg. His thick
+jackboot had protected it from injury, although it had been partly
+the cause of his misfortune, for the sole  had caught against
+the side of the horse and so prevented him from withdrawing it.
+Nevertheless, his leg  was so numbed that it was some time before
+he could limp away. He retraced his steps towards the spot  where
+he had mounted at starting.  He had not gone far when he saw Paolo
+galloping towards him. The  young fellow gave a shout of joy as he
+recognized him, and a minute later drew rein by his side and leapt
+off his horse.
+
+"Thank God I see you alive again, master! Are you wounded?"
+
+"No; my horse was killed and fell upon my foot, and has no doubt
+bruised it a bit, otherwise I am unhurt."
+
+"It has been terrible, master. I climbed up into that tree beneath
+which we halted yesterday and watched the  battle. I shouted with
+joy when I saw Enghien clear out the ambuscade, and again when he
+drove the  Walloon horse away; then everything seemed to go wrong.
+I saw the marshal's cavalry on the left driven off  the field like
+chaff before the wind. Then the centre broke up directly they were
+charged; and as the enemy  fell upon the reserve it seemed to me
+that all was lost. Then I saw Enghien and his horsemen coming along
+like a whirlwind, bursting their way through the enemy's horse, and
+in turn driving them off the field. I  hoped then that the battle
+was all over, and that the Spanish infantry would be allowed to
+march away; but  no, my heart fell again when, time after time,
+our cavalry dashed up against them, and each time fell back  again,
+leaving the slope behind them covered with dead men and horses; and
+I shouted aloud when I saw  the artillery move up and the reserves
+advancing. As soon as I saw that the square was broken and a
+terrible  melee was going on, I knew that all was over, and could
+restrain my impatience no longer, so I mounted my  horse with, I may
+say, small hope of finding you alive, seeing that you rode behind
+Enghien, whose white  plumes I could see ever in front of the line."
+
+"It has been a marvellous victory, Paolo, and there can be no doubt
+that Enghien has covered himself with  glory. It was his quick
+eye that saw what there was to be done, his brain that instantly
+directed the blow  where alone it could be effectual, and his
+extraordinary bravery that roused the enthusiasm of those around
+him to a point at which no man thought of his life. But for him it
+was a lost battle."
+
+"Well, master, I am glad that we have won the battle, but that is
+as nothing to me in comparison that you  have come out of it safely,
+and I think, master, that we have a right to say that we helped
+in some degree to  bring about the victory by discovering that
+ambuscade down in the hollow."
+
+"That had not occurred to me, Paolo," Hector laughed.  "No doubt
+it was a fortunate discovery, for had the  musketeers lain hidden
+there until we were beaten back after our first charge, and then
+poured their fire into  us, it would doubtless have thrown us into
+some confusion, and might even have caused a panic for a  while."
+
+"Now, master, if you will mount this horse I will be off and catch
+another; there are scores of them running  about riderless, some of
+them belonging to the marshal's men, but many more to the Germans,
+and a few  that galloped off riderless each time Enghien fell back."
+
+"Don't take one of those, Paolo; it might be claimed by its master's
+lackeys; get one of the best German  horses that you can find. You
+might as well get two if you can, for I want a second horse while
+I am here  with the prince."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX:  HONOURS
+
+
+In half an hour Paolo returned leading two horses. By their trappings
+and appearance both had evidently  belonged to officers.
+
+"Take off the trappings," Hector said, "then put a saddle on one
+for me; shift your own saddle on to the  other, and picket your own
+with the spare horses of the staff, then we will ride over and get
+my saddle,  bridle, holsters, and trappings. The horse has carried
+me well ever since I left Paris, and I am grieved  indeed to lose
+it."
+
+"So am I, master; it was a good beast, but I think that either
+of these is as good, though it will be long  before I get to like
+them as I did Scotty. We shall want housings for this second horse,
+master."
+
+"Yes; there will be no difficulty about that. There are scores
+of dead horses on the field; choose one without  any embroidery
+or insignia. You may as well take another pair of holsters with
+pistols."
+
+Riding across to the spot where Enghien and his officers were forming
+up the prisoners, talking courteously  to the Spanish officers and
+seeing to the wounded, Hector, leaving Paolo to find his fallen
+horse and shift  his trappings to the one that he rode, cantered
+up to the spot where Enghien's white plume could be seen in  the
+midst of a group of officers, among whom was General Gassion. He
+saluted as he came up.
+
+"I am glad indeed to see you, Captain Campbell," Enghien said warmly,
+holding out his hand; "I feared that  you were killed. Some of my
+friends told me that you were struck down in the third charge, and
+that they  had not seen you since and feared that you were slain."
+
+"My horse was killed, prince, and in falling pinned me to the
+ground, and being within thirty yards of the  Spanish square, I
+lay without movement until you came back again and broke them. Then
+some soldiers so  far lifted my horse that I could get my foot from
+under it, my servant found and caught a riderless German  horse,
+and here I am unharmed."
+
+"Well, sir, at the time that you came up General Gassion was just
+telling these gentlemen that had it not  been for you things might
+have gone very differently. Had you not discovered that ambush
+their fire would  have been fatal to us, for we fell back, as you
+know, farther than the copse, and a volley from a thousand  muskets
+would have played havoc among us, and after so terrible a repulse
+might well have decided the day  against us. For this great service,
+rendered by you voluntarily and without orders, I as commander-in-chief
+of this army, with the full and warm approval of General Gassion,
+appoint you to the rank of colonel, a rank  which I am sure will be
+confirmed by the queen's minister when I report to him my reasons
+for the  promotion. General Gassion reports that the man who
+accompanied you on this reconnaissance was the  same who followed
+you in the expedition to Turin. As he is not a soldier I cannot
+promote him, but I will  order my chamberlain to hand him a purse
+of a hundred pistoles. When you return to Turenne, tell him that  I
+owe him my best thanks for having sent you to me, and that, thanks
+to the aid of his teaching, you have  been the means of preventing
+a great disaster to our forces."
+
+"I thank you, indeed, monsieur, for your kindness, and for promoting
+me so far beyond my merits, but I  hope in the future I shall be
+able to still further prove my gratitude."
+
+"That is proved already," Gassion said, "for although every man
+today has fought like a hero, you were the  only one in camp that
+suspected that the Spanish might be lying in an ambush, and who not
+only thought it,  but took means to find out whether it was so."
+
+The next morning Enghien informed Hector that he was elected as
+one of the three officers who were to  have the honour of carrying
+his despatches to Paris, and that he was to start in half an hour.
+Paolo, who was  in the highest state of delight at the purse that
+had been presented to him the evening before, was greatly  pleased
+with the prospect.
+
+"Heaven be praised, master, that you are not going into another
+battle! It was well nigh a miracle that you  escaped last time,
+and such good luck does not befall a man twice. I have never seen
+Paris, and greatly do I  long to do so. How they will shout when
+they hear the news we bring!"
+
+"It will not be altogether news to them, Paolo. La Moussaie,
+Enghien's intimate friend, who acted as his  aide-de-camp during
+the battle, was sent off ten minutes after the fight ended with
+a paper, on which the  prince had pencilled that he had utterly
+defeated the enemy. He will change horses at every post, and will
+be in Paris by this evening. We bear the official despatches, giving
+a full account of the battle, and of the  total destruction of the
+Spanish infantry, with no doubt a list of the nobles and gentlemen
+who have fallen.  Well, I should think now, Paolo, that when we
+have seen enough of Paris and we have journeyed down to  Perpignan
+again, you will leave my service and buy a farm; you can afford a
+substantial one now."
+
+"What, master! I leave your service, where gold comes in in showers,
+and where one serves a master whom  one loves? No, sir, I am not
+such a fool as that. I do not say that when the war is over I may
+not settle down  in a snug home among the mountains of Savoy, but
+not until then; besides, I am but eighteen, and a nice  hand I
+should make at managing a farm."
+
+"Well, get the horses ready at once and the valises packed. You
+can put them on my spare horse. The mule  will scarce keep up with
+us, for we shall certainly travel fast, so you had best hand it
+over to someone who  you think will treat it kindly."
+
+Twenty minutes later Hector, and two officers who had distinguished
+themselves especially in the battle,  sat mounted before the tent
+that had now been raised for d'Enghien.  The young prince himself
+came out.  "Gentlemen," he said, handing the three sealed packets,
+"you will present these to the queen, who is now  Regent of France,
+for Louis XIII died a week ago. They contain the despatches and
+reports of myself and  General Gassion. Your packet, colonel," he
+added to Hector, "is General Gassion's report; it goes more  fully
+into military details than mine. You, Monsieur de Penthiere, carry
+my despatches in reference to the  battle of yesterday. You, Monsieur
+de Caussac, are the bearer of my plans for our future operations.
+I think  that you will all agree with me that, after the battle we
+have won, we shall be able to make ourselves  masters of Flanders
+with but slight resistance."
+
+The three officers bowed their agreement with the words.
+
+"I know not who is in power or on whom the queen chiefly relies
+for counsel, but should any questions be  put to you, you will,
+I hope, be able to express the urgency of prompt action in this
+matter before the  Spaniards have time to rally from the terrible
+blow that this defeat has inflicted upon them. And now,  gentlemen,
+a rapid and pleasant journey.  Orders were sent on last night that
+four sets of fresh horses should  be in readiness along the road.
+They are my own horses, and good ones. Twelve troopers will accompany
+you; three of these will remain behind at each stage where you
+change, and the horses that you have used  will be brought on at a
+more leisurely pace after you. They will readily find out in Paris
+where you are  lodged, and I beg that you will retain the horses
+as a slight proof of my goodwill."
+
+Then he waved his hand and went into his tent again.  The three
+lackeys, each holding a spare horse, were  sitting in readiness
+for a start some fifty yards away. After a moment's conversation
+the officers rode up to  them.
+
+"You must follow us quietly," one of them said. "For today you can
+keep up with us to the end of the first  stage.  Three fresh horses
+have been provided for us, for we ride without a stop to Paris.
+Three soldiers will  there take charge of the horses we ride. When
+we go on you will follow quietly with the horses that you are  now
+leading. It will be impossible for you to keep up with us."
+
+Then they placed themselves at the head of their escort of dragoons,
+the lackeys fell in behind them, and  they started at a fast pace.
+
+"Do you know where the first relays are?" one of the officers asked
+the sergeant in charge of the escort,  after they had ridden three
+or four miles.
+
+"The first is at Rethel, monsieur, the second at Rheims, the third
+at Chateau-Thierry, the fourth at Meaux."
+
+"Then we will ride on at once. You have your orders?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Whereupon the three officers quickened their pace. The distance to
+be traversed was about a hundred and  thirty miles, and as they had
+five horses, including those they rode, each stage would average
+about twenty-six miles.
+
+"Now, gentlemen," de Penthiere said, "it seems to me that it would
+be a pity to founder fifteen good horses  in order to gain an hour
+on this journey. The queen has already received news of the victory,
+or at least she  will receive it some time today, therefore the
+details we bring are not of particular importance. It is now  eight
+o'clock. If we were to gallop all the way we might do it in twelve
+hours. The roads in many places  will be bad, and we must stop for
+meals at least three times; with the utmost speed we could hardly
+be in  Paris in less than fifteen hours. Her majesty will scarce
+want to read long despatches at that time, and may  take it that
+we ourselves will need a bath and a change of garments, and the
+services of a barber, before we  could show ourselves in court.
+Had we been bearers of the original despatch, we might have gone
+in  splashed from head to foot. As it is, it seems to me that if
+we present ourselves with our papers at seven in  the morning we
+shall have done that which is necessary. What do you both say?"
+
+"I agree with you, de Penthiere. It would be a sore pity to injure
+good horses by galloping them at the top of  their speed, to say
+nothing of knocking ourselves up. Had we been sent off from the
+field of battle I should  have said, spare neither the horses nor
+ourselves. But indeed it seems to me that tomorrow morning will be
+quite early enough for us to present ourselves and our despatches.
+To tell you the truth, I have never ridden  a hundred and thirty
+miles or so at the pace of a courier. I should say let us go at
+a reasonable pace, and get  into Paris soon after midnight, which
+will give us time for some little sleep, and afterwards to make
+ourselves presentable. What say you, Colonel Campbell?"
+
+"I have no opinion, messieurs. I know nothing of the manners of the
+court, and if you think that tomorrow  morning will be quite soon
+enough for us to deliver the despatches I am quite willing to fall
+in with your  view. It is certainly a long ride, and as we marched
+hither we found that the roads were very bad, and  certainly where
+the army has passed they are so cut up by the artillery and wagons
+that they are sure to be  quite unfit for going at racing speed.
+Therefore I think that if we present ourselves at the palace early
+in the  morning, we shall have done all that can be expected of
+us."
+
+It was indeed two o'clock in the morning when they arrived at the
+gates of Paris. Accustomed though they  all were to horse exercise,
+the journey had been a very fatiguing one. Until night fell they
+had ridden  briskly, talking as they went on the probable state of
+affairs in France and of the military operations that  were likely
+to be undertaken as the result of the victory, but progress became
+slow after darkness set in. The  roads were in many places detestably
+bad. In passing through forests it was not possible to travel much
+beyond a walk, as it was necessary not only to avoid overhanging
+arms of trees, but to keep the track, for  the road in many places
+was nothing more.
+
+Once or twice they lost it altogether, and it was only when they
+hit upon the house of a peasant or a little  village, and obtained
+a guide, that they were able to recover their road. Consequently all
+were thoroughly  exhausted when they reached Paris. The gates were
+opened to them when it was understood that they bore  despatches
+from the army. They made their way to the Hotel Conde. It was
+illuminated, for the prince had  given a great banquet in honour
+of the victory won by his son; and although most of the guests had
+left long  before, a party of the closest friends and connections
+of the prince were holding an informal council, when  the word
+came to them that three officers had arrived with despatches from
+the Duc d'Enghien. The prince  came down.  Hector had dismounted
+without assistance, but the other two officers had to be lifted
+from  their saddles.
+
+"Are you bearers of any special news, de Penthiere?" the prince
+asked; for the two young nobles were well  known to him.
+
+"No, monseigneur, save that our despatches give full details of
+the battle."
+
+"What is our loss?"
+
+"It is very heavy," de Penthiere said. "Fully a hundred men of
+good blood have fallen. The loss principally  fell upon the cavalry
+commanded by the duke, who three times charged the Spanish infantry,
+and only  succeeded at the fourth attempt in breaking their square."
+
+"And the Spanish infantry?"
+
+"Every man was either killed or taken."
+
+"Glorious!" the prince said. "Well, I will not detain you now, for
+I see that you can scarce stand, and it  would be cruel to keep
+you up, much as we desire to hear the particulars."
+
+"I think, monseigneur, that this gentleman, Colonel Campbell, is
+more in a condition to talk to you than de  Caussac or myself."
+
+"I shall be happy to answer any questions," Hector said, bowing
+to the prince. "I have been campaigning for  the last four years
+under Monsieur de Turenne, and am accustomed to long journeys and
+sleepless nights."
+
+"Thank you, colonel. We will not keep you up long."
+
+Some lackeys were ordered to assist the two young nobles to couches,
+and then Conde and his companions  left the courtyard and entered
+a small saloon where they had supped two hours before. Some fresh
+bottles  of wine and cold viands were at once placed upon the table.
+Hector drank off a goblet of wine.
+
+"Now, Monsieur le Prince, I will tell you all I know about the
+fight." And he gave Conde and his  companions a brief sketch of
+the various movements and changes of the battle.
+
+"It was a hard fought field indeed," Conde said, "and the result
+is a glorious one for France. Now we will  keep you no longer from
+your couch."
+
+"May I ask, sir, at what time we ought to present ourselves with
+the despatches at the palace?"
+
+"It will not be necessary for you to present yourselves before ten
+o'clock, for it was late last night before her  majesty retired.
+Paris was wild at the news of the victory, and the reception at
+the palace was crowded.  Still, I should say that at ten it would
+be well that you and your companions should attend there, though
+you  may have to wait for an hour or more for an audience."
+
+At ten o'clock Hector and his companions presented themselves at
+the palace. Seven hours' sleep, a warm  bath, and the services of
+the barber, who curled the hair of the two young nobles and sprinkled
+them all  with perfume, did much to restore them, though they were
+all somewhat stiff, and every bone seemed to  ache. They were kept
+waiting for half an hour, at the end of which time the door of the
+antechamber was  opened and their names were called. The queen, who
+was still a beautiful woman, was standing talking to a  gentleman,
+in whose attire there were but few symbols that would betray to a
+stranger that he was an  ecclesiastic of high rank.
+
+"You are the bearers of despatches from the army, messieurs?"
+
+"We have that honour, your majesty," de Penthiere, who was the
+senior of the party, said. "We arrived from  Paris at two o'clock
+this morning, but did not venture to disturb your majesty at that
+hour."
+
+"You did rightly," the queen said graciously. "We already knew that
+a great victory had been gained, and  could afford to wait for the
+particulars. Do you each bear a despatch?"
+
+"We do, your majesty," de Penthiere said, producing that which
+he bore. "This, your majesty, is the general  report of the Duc
+d'Enghien of the events of the battle. Colonel Campbell is intrusted
+with the more detailed  description of General Gassion. Monsieur
+de Caussac's despatch contains the duke's views as to the  carrying
+on of the campaign; these he submits to the judgment of your majesty
+and the council."
+
+Cardinal Mazarin stepped forward and took the three documents.
+
+"These we will peruse and consider at our leisure," the queen
+said, "and I shall, I hope, see you at my levee  this evening. In
+the meantime I thank you for your service in having brought the
+despatches so speedily  here, and am well aware that the fact that
+you have been chosen as the messengers of the commander-in-chief
+is in itself a proof that your share in the battle was in the
+highest degree honourable."
+
+She graciously held out her hand, which de Penthiere and his companions,
+dropping upon one knee, raised  to their lips, one after the other.
+
+"You are aware of the contents of the despatches, cardinal," the
+queen said when they were alone.
+
+"Of their general scope, madam. The Prince of Conde did me the
+honour to call upon me at eight this  morning.  He had gathered a
+general account of the battle from the lips of that young Scottish
+colonel, who  was the only one of the party who was capable of
+relating it, the others being almost speechless with  fatigue, for
+the road from Rocroi hither is long and rough."
+
+"You may well say the young Scottish colonel, cardinal.  He is
+but a youth, and it is strange indeed that he  should already have
+attained that rank."
+
+"He has served for four years under the Viscount Turenne,"
+Mazarin said, "and must therefore have had  good opportunities of
+distinguishing himself. Still, it is seldom indeed that any save
+one of royal blood or  of the very highest families obtains such
+a rank so quickly. Turenne, however, was himself a colonel after
+less than four years service."
+
+"Yes, cardinal, but he had the advantage of belonging to the family
+of an almost independent sovereign."
+
+"Conde said that he had himself asked the young man how it was
+that he had won it, and he replied that it  was solely due to the
+kindness of the Duc d'Enghien, who had been pleased to consider
+a small service he  had rendered as worthy of recognition. It is
+like enough, your majesty, that we shall see his name  mentioned
+in one of these documents.  It is certain that he would not have
+been chosen to carry the  despatches -- a duty which is regarded
+as a reward of the most distinguished service -- unless he had done
+something of marked importance."
+
+The two French officers on leaving the palace at once went off
+to pay their respects in the first place to the  heads of their
+families, and afterwards to visit the various circles and coteries
+with which they were  connected, and where they would be sure of a
+flattering welcome and attentive listeners.  Hector, for his  part,
+rode direct to the quarters of the colonel of the Scottish regiment.
+A soldier came out and took the  bridle of his horse as he saluted,
+while a sergeant asked what name he should announce.
+
+"Then you do not remember me, Sergeant Macfarlane?"
+
+The soldier looked at him earnestly. "Why," he exclaimed suddenly,
+"it's Hector Campbell!"
+
+"Right enough, sergeant."
+
+"You have changed mightily, sir; you were but a laddie when you
+went away nigh four years ago. The  news came to the regiment that
+you had been made a captain, and proud we all were. The colonel
+will be  right glad to see you," and he led the way into the house.
+
+"Then the regiment has not been on service just lately?"
+
+"We had two years on the Rhine; but we came back here last autumn.
+The Red Cardinal was not fond of us,  but he knew that he could trust
+us -- which is more than he could have done some of the regiments
+-- so he  had us back again; and we were not sorry, for it was but
+dull work there -- sieges and nought else."
+
+He was just going to open the door of the inner room when Hector
+said, "You can announce me,  Macfarlane, as Colonel Campbell."
+
+"Gude Lord," the sergeant ejaculated, "ye dinna say that ye are a
+colonel?" Then reassuming with a great  effort his military stiffness,
+he opened the door and announced in a loud tone, "Colonel Hector
+Campbell."
+
+There was an exclamation of astonishment from the colonel and two
+or three officers who were sitting with  him.
+
+"Why, Campbell," the former said, coming forward and warmly shaking
+his hand, "you are changed  indeed, and you have come back to us
+almost the living image of your father when he first joined."
+
+The officers all shook hands with him warmly, and the colonel went
+on, "Macfarlane announced you as  colonel, Hector, but surely you
+cannot have gained that rank?"
+
+"I only obtained it two days ago. You see it is a good thing
+to be a prince's aide-de-camp. Turenne, wishing  to give me every
+opportunity of seeing service, sent me to Enghien with a message
+asking him to employ  me on his staff."
+
+"And you were at Rocroi?" the colonel exclaimed. "What is the real
+news of the battle? It was given out  officially last night that we
+had won a victory, and there are all sorts of rumours this morning
+in the town --  they say that three officers arrived last night
+with full details."
+
+"I was one of the three, colonel; and I have just now come from
+the palace after handing my despatches to  the queen."
+
+"Then it was Enghien who made you colonel?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, then, you must have done something marked, or you could never
+have got the rank. Why, he has  half the young nobles of France in
+his train -- he has not made them all colonels, I suppose?"
+
+"No, I suppose not; but we started early the next morning, and
+therefore cannot say what promotions were  made."
+
+"Still they made yours, Campbell. When did they do that?"
+
+"Just after the fight was over."
+
+"Umph! and what for?"
+
+"Well, I luckily discovered that the Spaniards had set an ambush."
+
+"Come, come, let us hear all about it. Tell us the whole story of
+the fight."
+
+Hector gave all the details.
+
+"Well, it certainly seems to have been an extraordinary battle.
+Everyone appears to have been beaten in  turn."
+
+"Not Enghien's command, sir."
+
+"Well, no; but when cavalry are repulsed three times with a loss,
+as you say, of nearly half their numbers, it  is pretty well
+equivalent to a beating; and if Enghien had not been able to bring
+up the artillery and  reserves, I take it that the third charge
+would have been the last. The ambush that you discovered was, I
+suppose, that of the thousand musketeers Enghien charged at the
+beginning of the fight."
+
+Hector nodded his assent.
+
+"Well, it is as well they were found out and surprised before the
+other part of the business began, or there is  no saying how the
+battle would have ended. We heard you had got your company. Turenne
+himself was  good enough, when he came here to confer with Richelieu
+that summer, to call at the barracks and to give  me an account of
+the service you had rendered. We all agreed that the rank was well
+earned, and I have no  doubt that this new step has been just as
+honourably gained. And how do you think matters are going?"
+
+"I know nothing about it, sir, beyond the fact that it was not a
+secret that Enghien and Gassion were both in  favour of advancing
+at once into Flanders, and capturing the Spanish strong places
+before they could gather  another army together."
+
+"No doubt that would be the best way, but I should doubt very much
+if Enghien will be allowed to carry out  his plans.  You see, the
+king's will, appointing a council to act in concert with Conde,
+Orleans, and the  queen, has been set at nought.  The queen is
+absolute regent, and Mazarin is her minister -- just as Richelieu
+was minister of Louis. Of course this victory will put everyone
+in the best of temper, and make the way  easy for Mazarin just at
+first, but a defeat would set all the cliques at work against him.
+
+"It is quite true that the defeat would not be his fault, but for some
+mysterious reason or other the French  always hold the ministers,
+for the time being, responsible for military disasters. So long
+as Mazarin checks  Enghien, and prevents his running any risks of
+disaster, things are likely to go on smoothly here, and you  may be
+sure that he will give the prince no chance of either suffering a
+defeat or achieving a victory. You  see, the prince and his father
+together might be a great deal too powerful for the cardinal.
+Everyone knows  that Conde himself has never cared much for anything
+but his own interests. Enghien has the character of  being the most
+impetuous and violent young noble of the day, and the fact that he
+forced this fight when, as  is generally known, l'Hopital had the
+strictest orders not to risk a battle, makes it clear that Enghien
+has but  little regard for authority.
+
+"You will see that Mazarin will not give him further opportunities
+of becoming the idol of France until he  has assured himself that
+he can count upon his friendship.  Mazarin is not Richelieu. The
+red cardinal won  his way to the leadership of France by proving
+himself able to defeat all intrigues against him, and crush  every
+enemy, even those of the most exalted position. Mazarin has no such
+antecedents. He is not even a  Frenchman; he does not even look
+like a noble. That he is clever we may be sure, or Richelieu would
+not  have recommended him as his successor.  But I fancy that it is
+the cleverness of an adventurer, and  however adroit, an adventurer,
+and especially a foreign adventurer, will not hold power in France
+very long  without exciting the hatred of the community and the
+hostility of the nobles. However, I suppose you are  remaining here
+for a time."
+
+"That I do not know. I would rather return at once to the camp.
+But I suppose I must wait for some  intimation that I may do so.
+You see, I am altogether out of my element in Paris, and I should
+feel  particularly uncomfortable at the court."
+
+"Who would you rather go to, Enghien or Turenne?"
+
+"Just at present there is more doing with Enghien than Turenne,
+and more to learn, otherwise I would far  rather be with Turenne.
+Enghien's camp is too full of young nobles; and I should say that
+he would take but  little trouble in keeping order and repressing
+license. Turenne is by no means unduly strict, but he enforces
+order, and sets us such an example of earnestness and attention
+to work, himself, that he has a right to  expect the same, to some
+degree, of everyone under him."
+
+"Where are you staying?"
+
+"At the Hotel Conde. The prince was good enough this morning to
+ask me to establish myself there while I  remained in Paris, and
+I could not very well decline his invitation."
+
+"I should think not," one of the other officers laughed.  "In these
+days a powerful friend is of the greatest  use.  Without that one
+has not much chance of advancement. Not that I want advancement; I
+would rather  remain as I am, a captain in the Scottish regiment,
+surrounded by good and loyal friends and comrades,  than be made a
+general. Still, one likes to have a grumble sometimes at any rate."
+
+"Well, Home," the colonel said, "Hector Campbell is a proof that
+even in France merit will make its way.  That Turenne should have
+taken a fancy to him in the first place was fortunate. But Turenne
+would surely  not have promoted him to be a captain within three
+or four months of his joining except for the marked  bravery and
+diligence that he told us he displayed at Turin; and I have no
+doubt that when we hear the  particulars we shall find that this
+promotion now has been equally well deserved, for certainly Enghien
+is  not likely to have gone out of his way to promote one altogether
+a stranger to him when he had so many  young nobles round him,
+personal friends of his own, belonging to families whom he would
+wish to oblige.  Of course you will, as one of the bearers of
+despatches, attend at the court this evening, Campbell?"
+
+"Yes, the queen said that she would expect to see us."
+
+"Of course; and you will be envied by every young courtier there.
+At the present moment Paris is half wild  over the victory of
+Rocroi, and as you three will be the representatives of the army,
+specially selected for  the share you had in the battle, you may
+be sure that you will be regarded with eyes of favour by every lady
+of the court."
+
+"Well, I should think it would be a great nuisance," Hector said
+gruffly. "Hitherto I have had nothing to do  with ladies. There
+were very few with the Duchess of Savoy, and whenever there were
+receptions or state  ceremonies of any kind, I was always ready
+to exchange with de Lisle or Chavigny, my fellow aides-de-camp. So
+that during the whole time I was there, I never but once or twice
+accompanied the general on such  occasions."
+
+"Ah, you were younger then," Home laughed. "You have passed eighteen
+now, and, as you must know  yourself, are by no means bad looking,
+with a certain air of freshness and simplicity that is so rare here
+in  Paris that it will be regarded as refreshing and delightful
+after the flippancies of the court gallants."
+
+Hector laughed uncomfortably.  "I could not take up flippancies, I
+am afraid. But what you say is true,  Home; and if I had to remain
+at court, I suppose I should have to set to work at once to cultivate
+some  affectation or other to counteract this simplicity of which
+you speak. However, thank goodness, I do not  suppose that I shall
+stay here long. At any rate, it is lucky that I purchased a new
+court suit before I started  to join the Duke of Enghien. Coming
+from Viscount Turenne I thought that I was bound to make a good
+figure among the crowd of young nobles round Enghien, but it made
+a large hole in my savings."
+
+"Do you mean to say that you had savings?" one of the other officers
+exclaimed. "Who ever heard of such a  thing?  I never have a pistole
+left in my pocket a week after I get my month's pay."
+
+"It is a very different thing living in Susa to living in Paris,"
+Hector laughed. "I can assure you that I never  spent more than
+half my pay; but living was dearer down in Roussillon. Things have
+been in such a  disturbed state there for years that the country
+was well nigh a desert; and though my two comrades and I  messed
+together, the living cost twice as much as it did at Susa. Shall
+I see any of you this evening at the  palace?"
+
+"I shall be there," the colonel said, "and so will Home and Lesley. It
+is always expected that three officers  from each of the regiments
+stationed in Paris, and five from the one that happens to be
+on guard for the  evening, should attend the royal receptions. It
+will be a specially brilliant affair tonight, for the queen has
+held but few receptions of late. It was only announced yesterday
+afternoon, after the news of the battle  arrived. Had it not been
+for that, the salons would not have been opened for another month."
+
+"I am very glad that there will be somebody there I shall know."
+
+"Don't flatter yourself that you are going to consort with us,"
+the colonel laughed. "You will have to be  presented to at least
+a score of court dames. However, fortunately, they will not expect
+the usual amount of  compliments. They will be really wanting to
+hear of the battle, and most of them will be interested in some
+special friend with the army, and will want to inquire about him."
+
+"It will not be so bad, then," Hector said. "If I only have to
+talk of military matters I shall not mind, but it  will be painful
+indeed if I have to give news of the death of anyone dear to the
+lady I am speaking to."
+
+"I don't think that you need fear very much about that.  Enghien
+is pretty sure to have sent a list containing  the names of any
+court gallants that have fallen, and their relatives will at once
+have been notified of it, and  will not be present at the court.
+As to the others, who have merely lost lovers, they will not break
+their  hearts over it. It is the fashion to change them so rapidly
+that probably not a few of the ladies will have  consoled themselves
+for their absence already.  However, to begin with, I daresay I
+shall be able to act as  your mentor and guide, and point out to
+you who is who, so that you can avoid falling into serious errors.
+You see, there are half a dozen parties at court already. There
+are Mazarin's friends, who, by the way, are  not numerous; there
+are the Duke of Beaufort's clique; there is Conde's party.
+
+"Madame Chevreuse's party consists largely of herself.  She is
+a power, but at present no one can say with  whom she will ally
+herself. Hitherto she has been simply anti-Richelieu, and was
+his most troublesome and  bitter enemy; and I should say that not
+improbably she will at once begin to conspire against Mazarin as
+she  did against him. She has been the queen's greatest ally; but
+then the queen was always a bitter enemy of  Richelieu, whereas at
+present it is supposed that she is strongly in favour of Mazarin.
+In a few months the  situation will clear itself, parties will
+become defined. No doubt Enghien's victory will add to the power
+and  importance of Conde, who is already dangerously strong; then
+matters will become interesting. At present  the situation is somewhat
+chaotic, and politics will not be openly and generally discussed,
+simply because  no one knows what anyone else's opinion may be."
+
+"Well, then, till the evening I will say goodbye, colonel.  I am
+going to have a chat with Sergeant  MacIntosh, and shall then return
+to Conde's hotel. I suppose I shall be expected to take my midday
+meal  there."
+
+"It would be as well to do so certainly, even though it is like
+enough that he himself will not be there. He is  the prince of
+schemers, and doubtless at present his thoughts are concentrated on
+the manner in which he  and Enghien can best gain advantages from
+the victory."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X:  AN ESTATE AND TITLE
+
+
+On entering the Scottish Soldier, Hector found that, as he hoped,
+the cabaret was deserted, for it was the  hour at which the regiment
+was assembled for drill.  It would have been a little embarrassing
+for him as a  colonel to come upon a number of private soldiers
+at the cabaret.  Separately he might have chatted with  each, but
+a general greeting when a number of them were there together would
+have been embarrassing.
+
+The old sergeant as he entered ran up to him. "Well done, my lad,
+well done! 'Tis a delight to me indeed to  know that you have so
+grandly made your way, and already won the rank of colonel."
+
+"Why, how did you know, MacIntosh?"
+
+"The guard at the colonel's was changed just after you went into his
+quarters, and you may be sure that they  lost no time in spreading
+the news that you had returned, and returned a colonel. In ten
+minutes this place  was as full as it would hold, and there was
+such a crowd outside the door that a sergeant-de-ville came in to
+inquire what was the matter, thinking, perhaps, that the regiment
+was in mutiny.  I was right glad when I  heard the trumpet sound
+the assembly a few minutes ago, and they had to rush off in a hurry,
+for I felt that  it would be awkward for you were you to come in
+when they were all so excited."
+
+"Yes, I was glad myself when I found that they were gone. I regard
+every soldier in the regiment as my  friend, and would shake hands
+with them now as heartily as I did when I went away near four years
+back,  but I myself felt that it would be somewhat embarrassing
+were I greeted by them wine cup in hand. Here  are twenty pistoles;
+say that I left them here for them to drink my health on my promotion,
+but that I shall  be so busy during the day or two that I remain
+in Paris that I shall not be able to pay another visit here.   Now
+let us have a quiet talk together, and give me all the news of the
+regiment."
+
+"Perhaps, colonel -- "
+
+"Oh, you need not call me colonel, MacIntosh, when you and I are
+together alone. I am what I was --  Hector Campbell, the lad to
+whom you showed so much kindness for his father's sake. Yes, I will
+tell you  one or two of my adventures, and you shall come round to
+me tomorrow morning at seven o'clock at the  Hotel Conde, and we
+will stroll out together, and sit down in the gardens of the Palais
+Cardinal, and you  shall then tell me about the regiment, who have
+gone, and what changes there are."
+
+"That will be best," the sergeant said. "We did hear something of
+how you were made captain. Turenne was  good enough to tell the
+colonel, and so some of it came down to us, but of course it was
+very little. The  men would like to hear all about it and about
+this battle at Rocroi, at which, of course, you must have in  some
+way distinguished yourself to be appointed colonel at your age."
+
+Hector gave him a full account of the battle. "The special thing
+for which I was promoted," he said, at the  finish, "was that, the
+night before, it struck me that there might be an ambush set in the
+copses in the hollow  between the two armies. So far as I could see,
+no efforts whatever had been made either to occupy the  woods or to
+find out if the enemy had done so; so I went with my servant, who
+is a capital fellow, and we  made our way into them, and discovered
+a regiment of musketeers hidden there. Of course I reported the  fact
+to General Gassion, and he told the prince. So, before attacking
+the enemy's lines, the prince charged  right along the wood and
+destroyed the musketeers there. If he had not done so, they would
+have taken him  in rear when he was hotly engaged with the Spaniards,
+and might have changed the fate of the battle."
+
+"Certainly they might," the sergeant said. "A volley from a thousand
+muskets from the rear would well  shake even the best cavalry. It
+was a happy thought of yours indeed."
+
+"Any merit there is in it was due to Turenne, who had carefully
+instructed me in everything that could be of  importance when two
+hostile armies faced each other; and as he would never have dreamt
+of retiring to rest  before having every place where an enemy could
+conceal himself carefully searched, it seemed to me a  matter of
+course that it should be done. However, General Gassion and the
+prince were both good enough  to consider that the service was a
+vital one, and as soon as the battle was over the prince gave me
+my  promotion."
+
+"And it was well earned, lad, well earned. And now about that affair
+at Turin."
+
+"It could not have been better done, Hector," the old soldier said
+in high delight when the story was told. "I  used to think that
+you spent more time than was necessary in reading over accounts of
+battles and sieges,  but I see that the time was well spent. You
+may be sure that I will be with you at seven tomorrow morning,"
+he added as Hector rose to leave, "though I expect I shall have a
+heavy night of it here, for there will  scarcely be a man in the
+regiment who won't come round and stay to hear the news. I warrant
+that by this  evening there will not be a sou remaining out of the
+money you have left for them."
+
+Hector arrived at the hotel just in time for the midday meal, and
+was pleased to find that Conde himself was  not present. He and his
+two companions were placed at different points at the great table,
+so that as many as  possible could hear the story of the battle.
+After the meal was over, Hector was glad to leave the salon, and
+in company with a gentleman of the household, who had volunteered
+to be his guide, spent the afternoon in  visiting the principal
+sights of Paris, of which he had seen but little when a boy in
+barracks. The hotels of  the nobles, each a fortress rather than a
+private building, interested him greatly, as also the streets in
+which  the principal traders lived; but he was unfavourably impressed
+with the appearance of the population in all  other parts, and
+could well understand what his guide told him, that it was dangerous
+in the extreme for a  gentleman unattended to pass through these
+quarters.
+
+At six o'clock he sat down to the evening meal at Conde's, after
+which, having attired himself in his new  suit, he repaired with
+de Penthiere and de Caussac to the Louvre.  It was eight o'clock
+when they entered,  the reception rooms were already full, and the
+brilliancy of the attire, both of the courtiers and ladies, seen
+by the light of great chandeliers, was impressive in the extreme
+to one who had never seen any gathering of  the kind before. There
+was a little pause in the buzz of conversation as the three officers
+entered, and  Hector's two companions were at once surrounded by
+friends, while he himself was joined by Colonel  Maclvor and the
+other two officers.
+
+"You are the heroes of the evening, Campbell," the former said with
+a laugh. "A dozen ladies have already  asked me to present you to
+them."
+
+"Well, please don't do so just now, colonel; let me look round
+first."
+
+"That is but fair, Campbell. First, though, I will tell you a piece
+of news that I have just heard. The queen  sent off a messenger
+two days ago to Turenne, and it is believed that he is to have the
+command of the army  on the Rhine."
+
+"That is good news indeed," Hector exclaimed. "It is high time
+that he should be given a command, instead  of being always put
+under men less capable than himself. Still, it is unexpected at
+the present moment."
+
+"I know that the queen always had the greatest liking for Turenne,"
+the colonel said, "but of course until  now she has had no power.
+Moreover, I fancy that the appointment is to some extent dictated by
+policy.  Conde is already dangerously powerful; Enghien's victory
+will, of course, largely add to his influence. No  doubt some
+large estates will be given to the latter, such a service cannot
+be ungenerously rewarded, but it  will be thought unadvisable to
+give him at present further opportunities. Conde is old, and his
+son, who is  certainly ambitious and hotheaded now, will be even more
+powerful than his father has been. Were he to  win more victories,
+and to become a popular idol, his power might well overshadow
+that of the throne.  Therefore it is likely enough that my news is
+true. Turenne has proved that military duty is with him  supreme,
+for he held aloof from all the troubles in which his brother the
+duke has involved himself, and he  may act as a counterpoise to
+Enghien. I fancy that the latter's plan, which, as you have told
+me, would lead  to a conquest of Flanders, will not be adopted.
+It would not have been so in Richelieu's time. The red  cardinal
+would not have lost a moment in ordering him to march into Flanders,
+thinking only of the good of  France, and disregarding the fact
+that continued successes might lead to his own power being shaken."
+
+"And you do not think that Mazarin will act in the same way?"
+
+"I think not. Of course at present not much is known about him. He
+affects the greatest humility, is almost  obsequious to the great
+nobles, and even professes to be anxious to return to Italy as soon
+as his services  here can be dispensed with. But I expect that he
+will in time occupy as great a position as that of Richelieu,  but
+that he will hold it by craft rather than strength is, from the
+look of the man, likely enough. For myself I  should say that it
+is infinitely better for France that an ecclesiastic like Richelieu
+or Mazarin should be at  the head of affairs, than that the great
+nobles should all struggle and intrigue for power, ready as they
+have  shown themselves over and over again to plunge France into
+civil war for the attainment of their aims. Ah,  here comes the
+queen!"
+
+The door at the end of the salon opened and Anne entered. By her
+side walked the young king, a little  behind were Orleans and Conde,
+Beaufort and Bouillon, while, following them, with an air that was
+almost  humble, came Mazarin. The queen and the young king were
+dressed in violet, the mourning colour of the  court, and the
+ladies present all wore shades of that colour relieved by white. All
+present formed themselves  into two lines, through which the queen
+walked. She acknowledged the deep reverences, and the little king
+bowed repeatedly. Anne of Austria was one of the most beautiful
+women of her time, and although the  charm of youth had disappeared,
+her stateliness of bearing made up for this loss, and Hector thought
+that he  had never seen so lovely a woman.
+
+As soon as they had passed into an inner apartment known as the
+audience chamber the lines broke up, and  a buzz of conversation
+and light laughter followed the silence that had reigned as the
+procession passed.  The court, indeed, felt a general feeling of
+relief at the death of Louis. Although well meaning and desirous
+of doing good, the life of the monarch had not been a happy one.
+His health had never been good, and  although he had the wisdom to
+see that in supporting Richelieu, and in every way adding to his
+authority,  he was acting for the good of France, the knowledge
+that he himself was little more than a cipher galled and  irritated
+him. His disposition was a jealous one, and as the great minister
+knew that Anne of Austria was  ever his opponent politically, he
+worked upon this feeling, and embittered the lives of both the king
+and  queen, and the latter was the constant victim of the king's
+jealousy and caprices.
+
+These things, combined with the ascetic temperament of the king,
+had rendered the court of France a dismal  one, and the royal salons
+formed a strong contrast to the brilliancy of those of Richelieu.
+Now the king was  gone, and there was a general feeling of relief
+among the nobles and ladies of the court. It might be that  stormy
+times were ahead, and indeed it was no secret that Conde, Beaufort,
+and many other nobles were  already united against Mazarin. They
+called themselves "The Importants," a term well suited to their
+own  idea of their power, and of the position they aspired to as
+the natural leaders of France.
+
+"Madame de Chevreuse wishes you to be presented to her," Colonel
+Maclvor said to Hector. "Everyone  knows her reputation; she is
+the cleverest woman in France, and one of the most intriguing. She
+is the  queen's greatest friend, and has been her mainstay in her
+struggle with Richelieu. Of one thing we may be  sure, that she
+will not tamely see Mazarin step into his place, and she has, it is
+whispered, already thrown  herself into the arms of 'The Importants,'
+and if anyone can persuade the queen to throw over the cardinal it
+is she."
+
+With a slight shrug of his shoulders Hector followed the colonel
+to a group of three or four ladies seated  upon some fauteuils.
+
+The colonel stopped before one of these, and bowing deeply said,
+"Duchess, I have the honour to present to  you my compatriot, Colonel
+Campbell, who arrived here this morning with despatches from the
+Duc  d'Enghien."
+
+Madame Chevreuse, like the queen, was still a beautiful woman.
+She was petite, and possessed a face  whose fascination few could
+withstand. She was the most restless of intriguers, and was never
+so happy as  when engaged in conspiracies which might cost her her
+estates and liberty.
+
+"Why, Monsieur Campbell," she said with a smile, "I had looked to
+see a fierce warrior, and, lo and behold  I find one who, by his
+appearance, will be far more in his element at court than in the
+field."
+
+"Then appearances must greatly belie me, madame," Hector said;
+"for while I may say that I am at home in  a military camp, I feel
+sorely ill at ease here, and I feel I would rather face an enemy's
+battery than so many  beautiful faces."
+
+"That is not bad for a beginner," the lady said with a smile, "but
+methinks you will soon get over that fear,  for there is nothing
+very dangerous in any of us. The Duchesse de Longueville," and she
+motioned to the  lady next to her, "is as desirous as myself that
+you should be presented to her, and that she should hear from  your
+lips somewhat more of the doings of her brother than she has yet
+learned."
+
+Hector again bowed deeply. The sister of Enghien was as ambitious
+for her brother's sake as he was for his  own self, and she was
+his potent ally in the troubles of the times.
+
+"Enghien was wounded," she said. "Monsieur la Moussaie left the
+field directly the battle was won, and  could tell me little about
+my brother's injuries."
+
+"He received three wounds, duchess, but happily none of them were
+severe, and he was on horseback on  the following morning. It
+seemed miraculous to us all that he should so escape, for he rode
+ever ahead of us  in the charges against the Spanish square."
+
+"You were acting as one of his aides-de-camp? I do not remember
+having seen your face before."
+
+"No, madame. I have been for the past four years on the staff of
+the Viscount de Turenne, and have not left  the army during that
+time. The general had the goodness, seeing that there was little
+doing in the south, to  send me to learn what I could from the
+operations of the duke against the Spanish. He sent me a letter
+of  recommendation to your brother, who kindly appointed me to the
+same position under him that I had  occupied under Turenne."
+
+"Did you find the ladies of Italy very lovely?" Madame de Chevreuse
+asked suddenly.
+
+"In truth, madame, I had but small opportunities of judging, seeing
+that, unless when sent with some  message from the general to the
+Duchess of Savoy, I do not think that I exchanged a single word
+with a  woman during the whole of my stay there."
+
+Madame de Chevreuse, and the Duchesse de Longueville, and all the
+ladies sitting round, smiled.
+
+"Then you have very much to learn, Colonel Campbell," Madame de
+Chevreuse said. "You will find plenty  of ladies in the court here
+who will not object to give you lessons."
+
+"I trust, madame," Hector said bluntly, "that there will be little
+opportunity for me to take lessons as to the  manners of the court,
+for I hope that my stay here will be short indeed."
+
+"That is a most ungallant speech," the younger duchess said,
+laughing, "and shows indeed the truth of what  you have said as
+to your ignorance of women. Do you not know, sir; that it is an
+unwritten law at court that  every gentleman here must be at the
+feet of one fair lady?"
+
+"I suppose that, had I been brought up at court," Hector said, "I
+should not be more insensible than others;  but when one passes
+three-quarters of one's time on horseback, and that under a
+commander like Turenne,  who sets us all an example in the matter
+of endurance and watchfulness, one has small leisure indeed for
+aught else, and indeed is glad enough to seek one's bed as soon as
+the day's work is done."
+
+"If you are another Turenne," Madame de Chevreuse laughed, "I give
+you up. He is the most insensible of  men.  His head contains but
+one idea, and that is duty; and as to us poor creatures, he is as
+insensible as was  St. Anthony."
+
+At this moment the door that separated the salon from that of the
+queen opened, and the names of Monsieur  de Penthiere and Monsieur
+de Caussac were called. The two officers at once passed into the
+inner room.
+
+"You are either left out in the cold, monsieur le colonel, or you
+will have the honour of a separate  audience," Madame de Chevreuse
+said.
+
+"As I have been rewarded far above my merits for any service
+that I have rendered," Hector said quietly, "it  is probable that
+the queen has nothing to say to me. She was pleased to receive me
+very graciously this  morning, and gave me her hand to kiss, and
+I assuredly have no right to expect any further favours."
+
+In a few minutes the two officers came out, both looking radiant,
+the queen having graciously presented  them with the titles to two
+estates. A minute later Hector's name was called, and he went off,
+with a deep  bow to the ladies and a murmured apology for leaving
+them.
+
+"A loyal spirit, surely," Madame de Chevreuse said; "bizarre, of
+course, and at present simple as a child.   Moreover, I should say
+that the atmosphere of the court will not infect him as it has the
+others. It is  refreshing to meet with one who, although he must
+have distinguished himself vastly, is still modest and  simple,
+without a shadow of conceit or of self consciousness. He spoke
+as frankly to us as if we were two  waiting maids at a cabaret.
+However, men of that stamp may always be made useful, and I would
+rather  have the devotion of a young officer like that, who is, I
+should say, likely to rise to high rank, than that of  half a dozen
+men ready to lay their hearts at the feet of the first comer, and
+who are as ready to change  mistresses as sides."
+
+By this time the door had closed behind Hector. The queen was sitting
+on a sofa, with the little king by her  side.  Mazarin stood a pace
+behind her. Conde and Orleans had a short time before gone out, and
+had  mingled with the crowd in the antechamber, and the courtiers
+present, who were all members of her  council, stood some distance
+in the rear.
+
+"We have had time, Colonel Campbell, to read our despatches, and
+can now estimate the service that you  rendered the Duc d'Enghien
+and our army. General Gassion, or I should say Marshal Gassion,
+for he has  today been raised to that rank, speaks of the value
+of that service in terms of the highest eulogy, and indeed  says
+frankly, that had it not been for your voluntary expedition and
+the discovery by you of the Spanish  ambuscade, it is probable that
+we should have suffered a defeat instead of a victory. The duke
+speaks no  less strongly in your favour. I can remember that when
+the Viscount Turenne was here three years ago, he  told us how
+a young Scottish officer on his staff had saved Turin to us by a
+most daring enterprise, by  which he informed the garrison of the
+citadel that help would soon reach them, and mentioned that for
+that  service he had appointed Monsieur Campbell a captain. You
+are Scottish by birth, are you not?"
+
+"I am, your majesty, by birth and descent. My father was a captain
+in the Scottish regiment, and fell at the  siege of La Rochelle. I
+was, I may say, adopted by the regiment, and had the good fortune
+to be trained in  arms from a child, and the still greater fortune
+to attract the attention of the Viscount de Turenne, who,  young as
+I was, obtained a commission for me and appointed me to his staff."
+
+"Well, young sir, the viscount rewarded you for the great service
+that you rendered him at Turin; the Duc  d'Enghien has similarly
+rewarded you for your service to him at Rocroi; but it is ours
+to reward you for  your services to France; and Cardinal Mazarin
+will, in my name, hand you tomorrow the estate of de la  Villar,
+in Poitou, which carries with it the title of Baron de la Villar.
+A soldier who has rendered such  service to us cannot be allowed
+to remain a soldier dependent on his pay, and I am sure that should
+need  arise you will do me as good service as you have rendered to
+Turenne and Enghien."
+
+"Your majesty is too good and gracious," Hector stammered, overcome
+by this sudden and unexpected  reward; "but be assured, madame"
+-- and he recovered himself, and his voice was steady -- "should
+there be  need, I will willingly lay down my life in your majesty's
+service, and in that of the king, your son."
+
+"Which means also," the queen said gently, "in that of my minister,
+who may need faithful friends even  more than we do, and under
+whose advice we have now acted."
+
+"Assuredly, madame. Cardinal Mazarin is your minister, and as long
+as he possesses your confidence he  represents France in my eyes,
+and I will render as faithful service to him as to yourself."
+
+"Well spoken, baron," the queen said graciously.  "Henceforth I
+shall count you as among my friends." She  held out her hand for
+him to kiss, as did the little king, and after a deep bow to them
+and to the cardinal,  Hector left the audience chamber still almost
+bewildered by the honours bestowed upon him.
+
+Hector made his way through the crowd to the side of Colonel
+Maclvor, the general verdict of those who  watched him being that
+he had not met with the same good fortune as those who preceded
+him, but that for  some reason or other he had been reprimanded.
+
+"Well, lad," the colonel said, "what fortune have you met with?
+Judging by your face, either the queen or  the cardinal have failed
+to recognize the service that you have rendered."
+
+"Upon the contrary, colonel, they have so heaped favours upon me
+that at present I can scarcely realize my  good fortune, and feel
+almost humiliated that so much should have been given for what was
+a mere matter  of duty and attended by no great peril."
+
+"What have they done, then, Campbell?"
+
+"Well, colonel, absurd as it seems even to myself, the queen has
+graciously bestowed upon me the estate of  la Villar, by which gift
+she says I become as its owner the Baron de la Villar."
+
+"That is fortunate indeed, my dear Campbell," the colonel said,
+heartily shaking him by the hand. "It shows  that the duke and
+Gassion were of the same opinion that we expressed, namely, that
+your discovery of that  ambush was the chief factor in bringing
+about the victory of Rocroi."
+
+"But it was such a simple thing," Hector said. "It was merely a
+reconnaissance, such as I have made scores  of times in Italy."
+
+"No doubt, Campbell; but you see the other reconnaissances did
+not lead to any results, while this did.  My  dear lad, it is by
+results that men are judged. That you, a young officer on Enghien's
+staff, should unbidden,  and, as you say, as a matter of duty, have
+undertaken such a business, shows how thoroughly you have  profited
+by your teaching under Turenne; and as such you deserve what you
+have gained, though I do not  say that you would have obtained your
+desserts had not your reconnaissance saved Enghien from defeat.
+Now I will take you to Madame de Chevreuse again. She beckoned to
+me after you entered the audience  chamber, and told me to bring you
+up again when you came out, as she and the Duchesse de Longueville
+had taken a great fancy to you. Now, my dear boy, your position is
+changed. You have become a French  noble, and, however unwilling,
+may find yourself mixed up on one side or the other with the doings
+of your  court. Both these ladies have power, and it is well to
+keep in with them, for either of them might prove a  valuable friend
+and protector, and the first rule here is make as many friends as
+possible, for no one can say  when you may require them."
+
+Hector again followed the colonel to the group of ladies.
+
+"Madame," Maclvor said, "I have the honour to present you -- "
+
+"Why, have you not presented him to us already?" Madame de Chevreuse
+said with a laugh. "Your memory  must be singularly short, colonel."
+
+"My memory is not short, madame, but it is a somewhat different
+personage that I have now to present to  you.  Madame, I have the
+honour to present Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar."
+
+Both ladies uttered an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Why, what has he done, colonel?" the duchess exclaimed. "It must
+have been some remarkable action,  surely, for him to be made
+colonel by my brother and Baron de la Villar by the queen."
+
+"In the opinion of the Duc d'Enghien and General Gassion, duchess,
+he performed a service that to a large  extent brought about the
+victory of Rocroi. My young friend is at present not beyond the
+age of modesty,  and therefore if you will allow me I will state
+the circumstances. Under General de Turenne he was in the  habit of
+constantly visiting the posts at night with the viscount or alone,
+and endeavouring to discover the  position and intentions of the
+enemy. The night before the battle he started voluntarily to perform
+the same  duties, and, accompanied only by his servant, he crept
+into a wood that lay between the two armies and  there discovered
+a thousand musketeers who were lying in ambush. He reported the
+discovery to General  Gassion, who on his part informed the duke
+of this most important intelligence, for it was evident that, had
+the ambuscade been unsuspected, they would have taken the cavalry
+in the rear at the critical moment of  the battle, and would have
+opened so heavy a fire that even the bravest of cavalry, thus
+surprised and shot  down by an unsuspected foe in their rear, might
+have fallen into confusion. Being forewarned, the duke  directed
+his first charge upon the wood, took the musketeers by surprise, and
+annihilated them, before  charging and routing the enemy's horse.
+Thus you see, ladies, that we have another illustration of the
+mouse  saving the lion, and the lion was generous and noble minded
+enough to give the mouse full credit for the  service that he had
+rendered him."
+
+"Then we have good reason to be grateful to you, monsieur le baron,"
+Madame Chevreuse said, laying  aside the bantering tone in which
+she had before addressed the young Scot, "and her majesty has done
+well  to reward your loyalty, for the estate is a fine one, and has
+remained without a master since Richelieu  brought its last owner
+to the block for having, as he affirmed, conspired against the king
+-- that is to say,  against himself. You have begun well indeed, sir.
+Henceforth the Duchesse de Longueville and myself  may be counted
+upon as your friends. And now," she said, changing the subject
+abruptly, "as you say that  you are anxious to be off, with whom
+will you serve, with Turenne or with Enghien?  For I hear that
+Turenne has been sent for to take the command of the army of the
+Rhine."
+
+"I belong to Viscount Turenne," Hector said. "It is to him that I
+owe everything. He picked me up a rough  boy, with no recommendation
+save that my father died fighting for France, and that I was more
+addicted to  military study than most lads of my age, and that, as
+he was good enough to say, I reminded him of his own  boyhood. It
+was owing to his kindness and his tuition that I have now made my
+way, and it was still further  to increase my military knowledge
+that he sent me for a time to serve under the Duc d'Enghien.
+Therefore,  much as I admire the glory that the duke has gained,
+and recognize his extraordinary genius, I feel that duty  and
+gratitude alike bind me to my great master."
+
+"Quite right," the Duchesse de Longueville said warmly.  "I am
+sure that my brother will approve of your  decision.  He admires
+Turenne as much as you do, and regards him as his master in military
+science, and it  may be perhaps that one of these days you will
+take part in a battle in which my brother and Turenne will  both
+have command."
+
+"If it be so, madame," Hector said, "there can be little doubt of
+victory, for with the two greatest military  geniuses France has
+produced during the last hundred years it would be hard indeed if
+victory did not  attend their united banners."
+
+The news of the honour that had been bestowed upon this young
+colonel circulated rapidly through the  salon, and many gentlemen
+came up and begged Colonel Maclvor to introduce him to them. One
+who had  received so marked a proof of the queen's favour, and
+who had won the praise and goodwill of both  Turenne and Enghien,
+might well become in time a man of mark, and so many compliments
+were showered  upon Hector that he was glad indeed when the queen
+again passed through the room on her way to her  apartments and he
+was at liberty to retire. He walked slowly back to Conde's palace,
+went up to his room,  changed his court suit for that which he had
+worn during the day, and then went out again, feeling that it  would
+be hopeless to attempt to sleep. He paced backwards and forwards
+for some hours on the quay,  thinking of the changes that three
+days had brought about.
+
+He could scarcely realize even now, that he who a week ago was but
+a captain with nought but his pay, was  now not only a colonel but
+a noble of France, with an estate of whose value he was ignorant,
+but as it  carried with it a patent of nobility it was evident that
+it must be one of dimensions sufficient to support the  title. The
+change excited no feeling of exultation. His whole thoughts so far
+had been directed solely to his  career as a soldier. He had hoped
+that some day he might win a colonelcy; more than that he had
+never  thought of. High commands in France were matters of birth,
+interest, and connection. Gassion, who had just  earned his marshal's
+baton, was the sole exception to the rule. Hitherto generals, and
+still more marshals,  had always been men belonging to the first
+families of France. It had been a matter of course that when an
+army went to the field it was under the command of a prince of the
+blood, and the utmost an outsider could  look for was the command
+of a regiment.  The promotion had delighted him, not for the sake
+of the pay or  position, but because, if he obtained the command
+of one of the regiments that were rapidly being formed  to meet
+the dangers that threatened France, he would have opportunities
+of doing good service and of  earning the esteem of such men as
+Turenne. His civil dignity, however, oppressed rather than gratified
+him.  He would have heavy responsibilities. When not on active
+service he would be expected to show himself at  court, and would
+have a difficulty in holding himself aloof from its intrigues and
+conspiracies.  His  thoughts turned to Scotland. He had relations
+there, it was true, both on his father's and mother's side, but
+they were strangers to him. Moreover, Scotland at present was torn
+by a civil and religious war. In England  a civil war was raging,
+and the extreme party in Scotland, having got the upper hand, had
+allied themselves  with the English parliamentarians, and the cause
+of the king was well nigh lost.
+
+The Scottish officers and men in the French service had for the most
+part left their homes owing to the  bitter religious differences of
+the times, and, under the easier conditions of the life in France,
+had come to  look with disgust at the narrow bigotry of the Scottish
+sects, a feeling heightened perhaps by the deep  resentment that
+still prevailed in France at the insolence with which Knox and the
+Scottish reformers had  treated their princess, Queen Mary. Among
+the French officers the feeling was wholly in favour of the  royal
+cause in England. The queen was French, and had France herself not
+been engaged in warfare  numbers of the young nobles would have
+gone over and drawn their swords in her cause, and Hector would
+gladly have done the same.
+
+For the time, at any rate, he had no idea whatever of returning
+to Scotland. If better times came he had  often thought that, if
+successful in winning a competency, he would return to his native
+land, for his close  connection with the Scottish regiment kept
+alive in him his feeling of nationality, and he always regarded
+himself as a stranger in France. The estates and title now bestowed
+upon him seemed to put this hope  further away than ever, and to
+fix him permanently in France, a contingency more disagreeable to
+him the  more he saw how completely France was dominated by faction,
+and how unstable were the conditions of  life there. His musings,
+therefore, as he walked up and down for hours, were very different
+from those  which most young men would have felt at so great and
+sudden a change in their fortunes.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI:  THE CASTLE OF LA VILLAR
+
+The next morning he called at eleven o'clock, at which hour the
+cardinal's secretary had informed him that  Mazarin would expect
+him. He went to the abode of the minister. Mazarin received him
+with marked  courtesy.
+
+"Here are the deeds appointing to you the estate of la Villar and
+your patent of nobility," he said, pointing  to a box upon his table.
+"You have been singularly fortunate, sir, and from all inquiries
+that I have made  from officers who have served with Monsieur de
+Turenne, and, I may say, from Colonel Maclvor, I hear  nothing but
+good of you, as a soldier devoted to duty, as a young man free from
+the vices and dissipations  too common among those of your age,
+and as possessing intelligence as well as courage. Such men, sir,
+even royalty does well to attach to itself, and for them a splendid
+career is open. I, high as is the office in  which Providence has
+placed me, may well envy you. You fight against the enemies of
+France; I am  surrounded by enemies open and secret, and the war
+is no less earnest than that which Turenne and Enghien  are waging.
+
+"The great nobles of France are jealous that I, a foreigner, should
+have the ear of the queen, and be first  minister of the country.
+Gladly indeed would I resign my position and return to my bishopric
+in Italy, were  it not that I promised the great man to whose place
+I have so unworthily succeeded, that I would do my best  for the
+country on whose behalf he spent every hour of his life, and that
+I would, unless driven from it by  force, hold the seals of office
+until the young king should be old enough to rule France unaided.
+You,  baron, are like myself a foreigner, and ready to risk your
+life in the service of France, and you will  understand how I
+am situated and how I feel. You, happily for yourself, are not so
+highly placed as to  excite enmity, although doubtless not a few
+of those who flocked round you yesterday evening to  congratulate
+you on your good fortune felt a sensation of envy that a young
+soldier of fortune should be so  honoured.
+
+"In my case envy is accompanied by the deepest animosity. The great
+nobles find me an obstacle in the way  of their grasping power,
+and they would hesitate at nothing to rid themselves of me. Were it
+not for the  support of the queen, my position would be untenable
+even for an hour.  Without me the queen herself  would speedily
+become as much a cipher as she was so long as the weak king reigned.
+We have need, both  of us, of men of heart and devotion such as
+I take you to be. I ask for no engagements, sir, but I felt that
+there was a genuine ring in your voice yesterday evening when you
+promised faithful service to her  majesty, and I feel that if such
+service is needed you will be ready to render it."
+
+"I shall indeed, your eminence. I cannot conceive that any circumstances
+can occur that would render such  aid as I could offer of service
+to you, but be assured that should such an occasion arise, the queen
+may  count upon me to render it to the extent of my life; and when
+I say the queen I, of course, include your  eminence as her trusted
+adviser and supporter."
+
+"Well spoken, sir. I believe your words, and it may be that the
+occasion is not so far distant as you may  imagine.  Here is the
+box, sir. By the way, it will, I am sure, be a pleasure for you to
+know that her majesty  has the intention of creating the Viscount
+de Turenne field marshal as soon as he arrives in Paris."
+
+"It is indeed, monseigneur; never did a soldier better earn such
+honour. There, indeed sir, is a true and  noble heart, loyal to his
+duty beyond all things, adored by his soldiers, ready to serve under
+officers  altogether inferior to himself, incapable of jealousy,
+and devoted to his sovereign and his country."
+
+"You do not speak too warmly of him," the cardinal said; "and among
+all the difficulties of the situation  there seems to be but one
+fixed point, and that point is that upon Monsieur de Turenne we
+can at least  confidently rely."
+
+Hector felt that his audience was at an end, and taking the box
+from the table, and again thanking the  cardinal for the honour
+bestowed upon him, he retired. The cardinal's chamberlain met him
+at the door.  "Will you step in here, monsieur le baron?" he said,
+and led the way into a small apartment. "As a stranger  to the
+court, monsieur, you are probably unaware of the value of the gift
+that has been granted to you, or of  its duties and obligations."
+
+"Altogether, sir; beyond the fact that it is in Poitou, which her
+majesty mentioned yesterday, I know  absolutely nothing about it."
+
+"Without being an estate of the first class," the chamberlain said,
+"it is one which is of importance in its  province. The revenue is
+punctually paid and is amply sufficient to enable its lord to make
+a good figure at  court, and to rank among the notables in the
+province. It is a fief held directly from the crown; its owner is
+bound to furnish feudal service of twenty-five mounted men and
+twenty-five arquebusiers, or, should he  prefer it, fifty horsemen
+in all.  Some of its owners have in times of peril raised a force
+of thrice that  strength. So you will see that the Lord of la Villar
+is not an unimportant personage. The estate is held at  present by
+a royal intendant. You will find in that box an order for him to
+place you in possession of the  castle and estate whensoever you
+may present yourself, and as at the present moment your services can
+be  spared from the army, it might be as well to visit it at once,
+if only for a few days.  Possibly the cardinal did  not inform you
+that he has ordered that the regiment that has been just recruited
+shall bear the name of the  regiment of Poitou, and has appointed
+you to its command."
+
+This news gave much greater pleasure to Hector than did the gift
+of the fief, or the rank that accompanied  it.
+
+"Will you please give my earnest thanks to his excellency," he
+said, "and assure him that he can depend  upon my devotion."
+
+When Hector returned to the Hotel Conde he found that the soldiers
+who had started with him from Rocroi  had all arrived, bringing
+with them the twelve horses that had been left on the road; four of
+these were to be  handed over to each of the officers. The division
+was just being made as he entered the courtyard, each  officer
+taking the four he had ridden by the way.
+
+Paolo at once came up to him. "What are we to do with these horses,
+master?" he asked, with an air of  bewilderment.
+
+"We have now seven of them, counting mine, the one I led, and that
+you rode when you set out."
+
+"I must see where I can bestow them for the present until we think
+the matter over;" and going up to one of  Conde's officers, he asked
+him if he could recommend a place where he might leave safely four
+horses for a  time.
+
+"The auberge of the Pome d'Or is but a street from here, monsieur;
+it has good stables, and the host is an  honest man, which is not
+often the case with men of his class. When the stables here are
+full the prince  often engages extra stalls there for the use of
+his guests. I will send four men with the horses at once, if  such
+is your pleasure."
+
+"You will greatly oblige me by doing so," Hector replied.  Having
+seen the horses safely and comfortably  lodged at the inn, Hector
+returned to the hotel with Paolo.
+
+"You are not tired, I hope, Paolo?" he asked as they walked back.
+
+"No, master; we have taken three days to do what you did in one,
+and have fatigued neither ourselves nor  our beasts."
+
+"That is well, for I am going to start on a journey this afternoon,
+that is to say, if I can manage to make my  arrangements."
+
+"May I ask where you are going, master?"
+
+"You will be surprised to hear that I am going to visit my estates
+in Poitou."
+
+Paolo looked sharply up to see whether Hector was joking. Seeing
+that he looked serious, he said  hesitatingly, "But I did not know,
+master, that you had estates in Poitou.  I never heard you speak
+of them."
+
+"Because I had them not, Paolo. That box that you are carrying
+holds the titles. The fief was granted to me  last night by the
+queen herself, the Duc d'Enghien and General Gassion having been
+good enough to make a  good deal more of that night adventure of
+ours than it deserved. The estates carry a title with them, and I
+am now the Baron de la Villar."
+
+Paolo gave an exclamation of delight. "Well, master, I am glad indeed;
+but," he went on in a changed tone,  "now that you, monsieur, have
+become a noble, you will no longer require the services of a lad
+from  Savoy."
+
+"Indeed I shall, Paolo, as long as you choose to remain with me.
+Why, have you not shared with me in the  adventures, one of which
+made me a captain, and the other a colonel and a noble? Of course
+I shall have  other servants, but you will always be my bodyservant
+and companion."
+
+"And are you going to leave the army, monsieur?" Paolo asked, after
+pouring out his thanks.
+
+"No, I shall still remain in the army. Turenne will be in Paris
+soon, and will then go to the Rhine to take the  command there,
+and I hope to go with my regiment."
+
+"Then you have a regiment, master?"
+
+"Yes; one of the newly formed regiments has been named the regiment
+of Poitou, and I am to have the  command. Of course, it may be sent
+either to him or to Enghien, but I hope that it will be to Turenne;
+and I  should think so, because from what I hear there is scarcely
+any army left on the Rhine, and therefore it is  probable that the
+new regiments will all be sent there, as Enghien's force is quite
+sufficient to cope with any  enemy he is likely to meet with in
+Flanders. Now, I am going down to the barracks, and for the next two
+or  three hours you can amuse yourself by taking a look at Paris."
+
+It was not to the barracks that Hector made his way, but to The
+Scottish Soldier.
+
+"I did not expect to see you so soon again, colonel. Your man
+brought me word that I was not to come this  morning, as you would
+be engaged," the sergeant said when he entered.
+
+"Yes, but our talk was only postponed, sergeant; now I want you to
+aid me in a matter that I have on hand."
+
+"What sort of matter is it?"
+
+"I want to find four good men to take into my service.  The queen
+has granted me an estate, as if a  colonelcy was not an ample and
+more than ample reward for discovering that ambuscade. It is the
+fief of la  Villar in Poitou, and the most absurd point of the
+thing is that with it is a title, and I am now Colonel  Campbell,
+Baron de la Villar."
+
+"Well, well," the sergeant exclaimed; "you will be coming and telling
+me next that you are going to marry a  princess of the blood. Did
+one ever hear of such things! However, Hector, lad, I congratulate
+you with all  my heart, and I am as glad as if it had been a bairn
+of my own that had had your good fortune. Now, in  what can I help
+you about the four men? What sort of men do you want?"
+
+"I want four good men and true, sergeant, men that I can rely upon.
+I shall want them to ride with me in the  field as orderlies, for
+I have been appointed to the command of an infantry regiment. Of
+course, I should  like young and active men, but that they should
+be steady and accustomed to arms is still more important."
+
+"I know but few men outside the regiment," the sergeant said. "The
+laddies like to have the place to  themselves, and I don't encourage
+others about; but if you can do with good men who have somewhat
+passed their prime, but are still capable of service and handy
+with their arms, I know just the men that will  suit you. We had
+a little bit of trouble in the regiment a week since; four of the
+men -- Allan Macpherson,  Jock Hunter, Donald Nicholl, and Sandy
+Grahame -- came in after tattoo, and all a bit fu'. It was not here
+they got it, though; I know better than to supply men with liquor
+when it is time for them to be off to the  barracks.  Captain Muir,
+who is the only dour carl in the regiment, happened to be on duty,
+and he spoke a  good deal more hardly to them than to my mind there
+was any occasion, seeing that they are good soldiers  and not in the
+guardroom more often than others. They answered him more freely, no
+doubt, than they  would have done had they not been in their cups.
+
+"They were had up before the colonel the next morning.  They had
+all served their time, and having been  greatly angered at their
+treatment, they at once up and told the colonel that they would
+take their  discharges. The colonel would have pacified them, but
+Captain Muir stood out strongly, and said that if  such insolence
+as theirs was allowed to go unpunished it would be a bad example
+indeed for the regiment;  so the colonel paid them up to the day
+and gave them their papers. It has caused a lot of feeling in the
+regiment, as you may guess, and the men all groaned and booed when
+Muir came on parade the next day,  and it was as much as the colonel
+himself -- whom they all love as a father -- could do to silence
+them. It is  said that he spoke very sharply to Muir afterwards,
+and that it is likely the captain will get transferred to  another
+regiment. However, that is too late for the men who have left. Their
+comrades are going to get up a  subscription to send them back to
+Scotland, for you may be sure the hotheaded fools have not a bawbee
+of  their pay laid by."
+
+"I know them all, sergeant, and I should say they would be the
+very men to suit me; they are all strong and  hearty fellows, and
+might have been good for another ten years campaigning if it had
+not been for this  business. Can you send for them?"
+
+"They will all be here in half an hour for their meal," the sergeant
+said. "They are lodged upstairs, for you  may be sure that they
+would come to me; and even if I kept them for six months, I should
+not have lost  much when I reckon what they have spent here during
+their service. I have no doubt they will jump at the  offer; for
+they were mere lads when they came over -- it was your father who
+sent for them -- and I know  that they reckon they will find none
+of the old folk when they return home. And now what are your estates
+like, lad?"
+
+"I know very little about them at present, beyond the fact that I
+am bound by my feudal obligations to put  fifty men in the field
+when called upon to do so."
+
+"Then it must be a place of good size," the sergeant said. "And
+you hold it direct from the crown?"
+
+Hector nodded.
+
+"That is good. When you hold from one of the great lords, you never
+know whom you may be called upon  to fight against -- it may be the
+king, it may be his minister, it may be some other noble -- while
+holding  direct, you have only the king's enemies to fight against."
+
+"Or rather, MacIntosh, the chief minister's enemies; for, after
+all, when a king signs a proclamation, it is  usually a minister's
+signature that ought to be attached to it."
+
+"Well, well, Master Hector, it makes little difference to us Scots
+who it is that we fight for, it is no quarrel  of ours.  We have
+taken service under the King of France; but when there are two
+parties, and each claims  to be in favour of the king, we have
+simply to fight for whoever happens to have the king's signature.
+If  they both have it, then it is the general who commands our
+division who gives us orders, and it matters  nought to us whom he
+takes his orders from."
+
+"At any rate, MacIntosh, it is not for soldiers to inquire too
+deeply into these matters; if we did, we should  have one half of
+the regiment firing into the other."
+
+"So we should, lad, so we should; therefore we soldiers do wisely
+in leaving the matter to our officers. If  the colonel says 'Charge!'
+we charge; if he says 'Dismount and take to your musketoons!' we
+do so, without  troubling our heads as to whether it is Germans or
+Spaniards or Frenchmen whom we have to aim at. Ah,  here come your
+four men!"
+
+As the four troopers entered the cabaret and saw who was speaking
+to MacIntosh they hesitated, and would  have turned, but the sergeant
+called out, "Attention! salute!" and they stood as motionless as
+statues till  Hector ordered them to stand easy.
+
+"I have been talking about you men to Sergeant MacIntosh, who tells
+me that you have taken your  discharge and the reason for your so
+doing. I think that you acted hastily; however, that is your affair.
+The  matter that concerns me is this: -- I am appointed colonel of
+an infantry regiment and I want four good men  as orderlies. They
+will be mounted, and I shall see that they draw rations when there
+are any rations to be  had; but they will be my troopers and not
+soldiers of the regiment. I want good men, who can be relied  upon
+in any emergency; they will ride behind me in battle, act as scouts
+if necessary, and they will receive  double the pay of ordinary
+troopers. In peacetime, or when the regiment is in winter quarters,
+I shall pass  my time either in Paris or on my estate in Poitou,
+and they will of course accompany me. I may tell you that  I am
+now Baron de la Villar, but I should wish to be always addressed
+as Colonel Campbell. I know you all  of old, and that your only
+failing is somewhat too great a love for the wine flask; that must
+only be indulged  in at times when you are not only off duty, but
+when there is no possibility of your services being required.  Now,
+what do you think, men; will my service suit you?"
+
+"That it would, sir," burst from them simultaneously.
+
+"Of course, there will be some other advantages beyond that of
+pay. When the time comes that you get  beyond active service in
+the field, I shall be able to provide you with easier posts at la
+Villar, and there you  will find a comfortable home in your old age,
+if you prefer to stay with me rather than to return to  Scotland."
+
+"No further word need be spoken, colonel," Allan Macpherson said;
+"we are your men, and shall be proud  to follow you, were there
+no question of pay at all, but just our rations and a home to look
+forward to when  our arms get weak and eyes dim."
+
+"Then, men, if so say you all, the service begins from the present
+time. You have your armour and  headpieces, your doublets and
+jackboots, so there is not much to buy. I have horses ready for
+you. You  have pistols."
+
+"Yes, we have all pistols and swords, colonel, but the musketoons
+belonged to the regiment."
+
+"There will be no occasion for you to carry them. Get for yourselves
+four long cloaks well lined and  serviceable -- 'tis best that they
+should be all of a colour, dark blue or gray -- and broad hats to
+match the  cloaks; have in each a small red feather. I would that
+you should make a decent show, for we shall start in  two hours
+for Poitou. Here are twenty crowns.  See that you have ammunition
+for your pistols. Be at the  Hotel Conde in two hours from the
+present time. Your dinner here is ready for you, eat heartily, but
+do not  drink too deeply in honour of your new service.
+
+"Now, MacIntosh, I have a word or two further to speak to you."
+
+They went into an inner room.
+
+"Now, old friend, are you tired of this life of keeper of a cabaret?
+because I shall want you down in Poitou.  Your house was mine when
+I sorely needed it, and mine shall be yours now. You are as yet
+but fifty-five,  and I take it that you can do a man's work still,
+for you no longer suffer from that wound that disabled you  ten
+years ago. Now, I shall require someone to drill the fifty men who
+will form my contingent, if all  vassals of the king are called
+upon to take the field. Of course they will not always be under
+arms; most of  them will be the sons of tenants, or substitutes
+provided by them, and will only give two or three days'  service a
+month. It is probable, however, that half will be regular retainers
+at the castle. I know nothing  about the castle at present, or how
+large it is, or whether it is defensible or not; still, it was spoken
+of as a  castle, and 'tis, I suppose, one to a certain degree.
+
+"At any rate, I desire that if I do put a troop in the field they
+shall be as well drilled and as well equipped as  are the Scottish
+regiment of musketeers. I suppose that there must be an official
+to act as my agent when I  am away, and to act as castellan, but in
+any case the captain of my troop will be in charge of all matters
+connected with its defence. Now, old friend, the post is yours if
+you like to take it. As a soldier, none can be  better fitted for
+the post than a sergeant of the Scottish regiment; as a man, there
+is no one I could rely on  better than you. Your duties would not
+be heavy, your position an honourable one. The castle would be
+your home as well as mine, and when I am there you would have the
+four troopers to crack with."
+
+"Your offer is a most kind one," the sergeant said, "but I must
+think it over in all lights before I answer. I  should miss the
+company of the lads, but already many of my old comrades are gone;
+most are still in Paris  earning with difficulty their bread, some
+are under the sod, some have returned home. Every year the  number
+who rode with me lessens. They will be countrymen, but no longer
+comrades.  Certainly I have no  thought of returning to Scotland,
+the people are ower gude for me; besides, the country is all in a
+stir and  the folks are flying at each other's throats. I wudna go
+back, not if they offered me a barony. Then, on the  other hand,
+I misdoubt me how I should feel among strangers -- I don't say
+foreigners, for I have been so  long here that as far as tongue
+goes I am as much French as I am Scottish. Still, I would rather
+be forming  troopers in your service than drawing stoups of wine,
+and the young soldiers do not regard me as the old  ones did, and
+grumble if I will draw them no more. Most of all, I should like to
+be with you and in your  service, and to know that I had a home in
+my old age."
+
+"That you will have whenever you come to claim it, MacIntosh, whether
+you accept my offer or not.  However, I think that what you say is
+best, and that it would be well for you to think the matter well
+over  and give me no answer until I return. I should be sorry indeed
+if, after giving up your place here and going  down to Poitou, you
+should regret the exchange. Therefore, we will leave it so. And
+now I must be going;  we must postpone our chat over old times and
+the regiment until I return."
+
+On returning to Conde's hotel Hector found Paolo awaiting him.
+
+"Paolo, you must go out and buy six horse cloths and five housings;
+let them be fairly handsome. I have  taken four old soldiers into
+my service, and should wish their horse appointments to be fit for
+troopers in  one of the royal regiments, but without any insignia
+or cognizance, say maroon with yellow braiding. I  shall also want
+four valises for the men, and bags for carrying forage. You can
+wrap up the housings that  came with the horses; they all bear
+Enghien's cognizance, and this must be removed before we can use
+them. The men can strap them behind their valises.  Were there
+pistols in the holsters?"
+
+"Yes, master, they were just as when you rode them."
+
+"It was a princely gift," Hector said, "for the horses are all
+splendid animals. Have you packed up my  things?"
+
+"Yes, master, they are all ready for placing on the sumpter horse.
+I bought a dozen of good wine, thinking  that you might need it on
+the way, for some of these country auberges keep but poor stuff."
+
+"We are getting luxurious all at once," Hector laughed.  "How about
+my armour?"
+
+"That is also packed up. I thought that you would not care to ride
+heavily accoutred."
+
+"Certainly not. Which of the horses do you take to be the best?"
+
+"Certainly the one you rode in upon is the best, master, but all
+four are grand animals. The two I picked up  on the battlefield
+are fine animals also."
+
+"It does not make much matter which I ride now, Paolo; we shall have
+the opportunity of seeing which has  the most fire and endurance as
+we ride along; and at any rate I shall keep Enghien's four horses
+for my own  riding, keeping two with me and leaving two behind at
+the castle. I shall buy four strong and serviceable  horses for
+the troopers when I get my first rents, for in sooth my purse is
+beginning to run very low."
+
+"Possibly, master, when you look in the armoire in your room you
+may find something to replenish it. One  of the cardinal's servants
+brought a packet for you. I stowed it away and locked the door of
+your room."
+
+"Well, there is no time to lose, Paolo, so see at once about the
+matters that I have told you. Here is  sufficient money to buy the
+other goods."
+
+"Here is the key of the room, sir."
+
+Having seen Paolo hurry away, Hector went up to his room. In the
+armoire he found the packet, which was  a heavy one. Opening it,
+he found a letter and a bag sealed with wax. The letter was from
+the intendant  general. It was directed, "A Monsieur le Baron de
+la Villar."
+
+"It does not look as if it could be for me," Hector said, with a
+merry laugh. Breaking the seal he found:
+
+By the order of Monseigneur Cardinal Mazarin, first minister of the
+crown, I enclose the last half year's  rents of the estates of la
+Villar received by me from the royal intendant in charge of the
+said estates three  weeks since, to defray the necessary expenses
+that must be incurred by you between the period of your  taking
+possession and, of receiving the next half yearly payment of rents.
+
+Enclosed with this was a formal permit, giving a month's leave of
+absence to visit his estates, "To Colonel  Campbell, Baron de la
+Villar, commanding the Poitou regiment."
+
+"Very nice and thoughtful on the part of the cardinal," Hector
+said, "and, moreover, very seasonable, for I  was wondering how I
+should pay the retainers at the castle and my four troopers until
+the rents began to  come in. By the time I had paid the usual fees
+to the servants here, and the expenses of the journey to  Poitou
+and back, I should have been almost penniless, and should have
+been obliged to borrow from  someone on the strength of my coming
+rents, which would have been a very bad beginning."
+
+After bidding farewell to Conde, and thanking him for his hospitality,
+Hector started immediately the  midday meal was concluded. His
+cavalcade made a good show as he rode through the streets of Paris,
+with  the four orderlies behind him, splendidly mounted, followed
+by Paolo leading another fine horse carrying  baggage. The journey
+was an uneventful one, and on arriving at the castle of Villar,
+Hector was received by  the royal intendant. It was still a place
+of considerable strength, standing on the crest of a hill. It had
+been  kept in a good state of repair by the intendant, and could
+offer a stout resistance to anything short of an  army provided with
+a powerful battering train. On making a tour of the estate Hector
+found that here, as  throughout France, an immense amount of distress
+existed, owing to the crushing taxation rendered  necessary by the
+war; he made minute inquiries of the intendant of the circumstances
+of the various tenants  of the estate.
+
+The officer was about to return to Paris now that his commission
+was ended, but as he had a son who had  acted as his assistant,
+Hector appointed him in his stead, charging him to press no one
+unduly. He placed  under his care the domestic arrangements of the
+castle, retaining the servants who had been there under the  royal
+officer. There was only a permanent garrison of twelve men, but
+this could be raised to a hundred  were the tenants of the estates
+driven to take refuge within the walls. The expenses of keeping
+up the castle  were not large. The rivers afforded an abundance
+of fish, and the forests on the mountainsides sheltered an  ample
+supply of game. Considerable numbers of half wild sheep and two or
+three herds of cattle grazed on  the domain round the castle, and
+there were eight good horses in the stables, besides a score of
+others on  the hills. Most of the holdings had vineyards, and were
+bound to furnish a certain amount of wine to the  castle, and as
+the consumption had been small since the estate was confiscated,
+the cellars were full. Hector  told the steward that the command of
+the castle itself would be taken by an officer whom he would send
+down from Paris, who would have control in all matters save in the
+management of the estate.
+
+Before leaving, he called all the tenants together and told them
+that, seeing how heavily the royal taxes  pressed upon them, he
+should remit half their annual payments until better times came,
+and also the fine of  a year's rent which they would in the ordinary
+course of things pay on the appointment of a new lord. The  news
+filled the poor people with delight.
+
+"I shall, however," he went on, "expect that you will render fully
+and willingly the military service you are  bound to give according
+to the tenure of your holdings. In a short time my castellan will
+arrive here; he will  have instructions from me to make the service
+as little onerous as possible, and that you shall each furnish
+your quota of men at times when it may be most convenient for you.
+I shall, however, expect fifteen men  added to the strength of
+the garrison.  These can be changed every eight weeks. All the men
+capable of  bearing arms will come up for training one or two days
+in each month. I trust that you will never be called  upon to defend
+the castle, but I would have it always kept in such a state that
+were troubles to arise you  could all, with your wives and families,
+find refuge here and be able to defend yourselves against all
+attacks.
+
+"Next winter I shall have the fortifications strengthened.  I know
+that you are bound to furnish horses and  carts for so many days in
+the year. I shall want this work performed, but you will be paid
+both for your own  work in building, and for your carts and horses;
+and as it will be done at a time when there is little farm  work on
+hand, this will be a benefit to you, and the wages will be deducted
+from the payments that you  have to make."
+
+Loud cheers rose from the men, who were overjoyed on learning that
+their new lord was inclined to deal so  generously with them, and
+especially that the fine, which many of them would have found it
+impossible to  pay, was to be altogether remitted. Having completed
+all his arrangements Hector returned to Paris,  mounting his men
+on four of the horses he found in the stables, and leaving at the
+castle two of those which  Enghien had given him, and the two Paolo
+had caught on the field of battle. He arrived on the evening of
+the day before his leave expired, put up at the auberge of the
+Pome d'Or, and early the next morning took  his way to The Scottish
+Soldier.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII:  THE POITOU REGIMENT
+
+
+"Well, MacIntosh," Hector said as he entered the cabaret, "have
+you made up your mind? The castle is a  strong one, and I mean to
+make it stronger.  The air is good and so is the wine, and I am
+sure that you will  find the duties pleasant.
+
+"If you go I think it would be as well that you should take a couple
+of your old comrades -- you said there  were many of them in Paris
+-- with you, to act as your sergeants, drill the tenants, and see
+that all goes on in  order. It will be pleasant for you to have
+two of your old friends with whom you can talk over past times."
+
+"I had decided to accept your offer, Hector; but certainly this
+would have decided me had I not already  made up my mind. That
+was the one drawback, that I should be among strangers, but with
+two of my old  friends I should not feel lonely. There is Sholto
+Macfarlane, he was in my troop. He lost a hand from his  musket
+bursting three years ago, and now makes his living by helping the
+boatmen unload at the quays.  Then there is Kenneth Munroe. He was
+invalided after a bad attack of fever in Flanders, and now teaches
+the broadsword exercise at a fencing master's place at St. Denis.
+They would both jump at the offer if they  only got free lodgings
+and keep."
+
+"Then that is settled, MacIntosh. I am heartily glad of it.  Now
+the sooner you get down there the better."
+
+"Well, I can go at once. Sergeant Morrison is taking his discharge
+at the end of the week. He is a married  man with a helpful little
+wife. I was telling him of the offer that you had made me, and he
+asked me what I  would take for the cabaret. It is a good business,
+and having a wife he could manage it better than I can. I  said
+that if he had a fancy for it I would rather that he took it than
+another; and he would do better than a  Frenchman would, for the
+lads would not care for the place unless it was kept by one of the
+regiment.  He  asked me what were the profits. I told him.
+
+"'Then I am afraid that you would want a bigger sum than I could
+pay, MacIntosh,' he said. 'I have been a  saving man, especially
+since I first thought of marrying, and I have laid by half my pay
+for the last eight  years; but that would not go far towards the
+purchase of the place, for your profits in a year are as much as
+my savings of eight years.' So I said to him, 'Well, we will get
+the place valued. You will want half the  money that you have saved
+to stock it well, the other half you shall pay me down; and I will
+give you five  years to pay the rest, you paying me a tenth part
+every half year.'
+
+"Well, sir, we struck a bargain on that. The place has been valued,
+and on Saturday evening Morrison will  come straight in and take it
+over. He is a popular man in the regiment; and as he is only just
+leaving it he is  known to them all, while there are not above a
+quarter of the men who knew me as a comrade in the old  days."
+
+They then had a long talk over the sergeant's new duties, and Hector
+gave him a plan of the new  fortifications that he had drawn out,
+together with full instructions how they were to be carried out.
+
+"The steward will arrange all about the tenants coming to work, and
+the proportion of labour that each will  have to give. As I have
+told you, he will manage all details of that kind, look after
+the indoor retainers, and  see to the food.  You will have entire
+control of the garrison, of the tenants who will come to drill, and
+of  the works on the fortifications.  You will find the steward a
+very pleasant and agreeable young man. He  will take his meals with
+you. I have chosen a room for you, and you can have another near
+it for your two  sergeants. You can pay them at the same rate as
+sergeants of the regiment receive, and I need hardly say  that the
+position will be a good deal better. As commander of the garrison
+and castellan of the castle you  will be called Captain MacIntosh,
+and as such you will be named in my letter appointing you to the
+post,  and I propose that you shall receive the pay of captain."
+
+"The pay is immaterial, lad, I have been nigh twelve years here,
+and have laid by enough to keep me  comfortably all my life, and
+as, so far as I can see, there will be nothing to spend down there,
+I don't know  what I should do with pay."
+
+"That is nonsense, MacIntosh. You must draw the pay, and spend it
+as you like, or save it. You must  remember that I may be killed
+in the next battle I go into, and as I have no heirs the king will
+give the fief  to someone else. The newcomer might like myself have
+some friend who he might appoint castellan."
+
+"It would make no difference," the other said. "In addition to what
+I have saved I shall have the price of the  cabaret."
+
+"That is not to the point, MacIntosh. The steward has instructions
+to hand you your money monthly, while  the garrison will be paid
+weekly. If you choose to throw the money into the fosse, that
+is your own  business, mine is to see that my castellan is paid.
+I am going over at noon today to St. Denis, where my  regiment is
+quartered, but will ride in on Saturday. You must buy three horses
+for yourself and your  sergeants; get good serviceable animals..
+I have told the steward to repay you their cost when you arrive
+there; he has monies of mine in hand for all purposes."
+
+Hector then went round and had a chat with Colonel Maclvor, and
+returned to the auberge, where the  troopers and Paolo had the
+horses already saddled. He mounted and rode with them to St. Denis,
+putting up  at an hotel. He found where the regiment of Poitou
+were stationed and at once proceeded there on foot.  Two or three
+officers were chatting together in the barrack square, while some
+sergeants were drilling the  companies.
+
+He at once went up to them. "Gentlemen," he said, "I must introduce
+myself to you. I am Colonel  Campbell; I have the honour to command
+the regiment. I shall be glad if you will order the officer's call
+to  be sounded and send orderlies off at once to the lodgings of
+the officers and ask them to assemble. To  whom have I the pleasure
+of speaking?"
+
+The senior officer introduced himself and the others.  Report had
+told them that their new colonel was still  a young man, and that
+he had served with distinction under both Turenne and Enghien,
+but they were not  prepared for so young a commander as this. The
+French regiments had, as a rule, two colonels, the one a  veteran
+soldier, who had won his way to the rank by long service and long
+fighting, the other a young  nobleman who had gained the post
+solely by family influence, but possessed no knowledge whatever of
+military matters, and who was never with the regiment except when
+it went upon a campaign, and even  then generally preferred the
+pleasures of Paris to the hardships of war. Had Hector been appointed
+to what  was called the second no surprise would have been felt at
+his youth, but that anyone should have gained the  position of first
+colonel at his age by sheer merit was astonishing indeed to them.
+In twenty minutes the  officers were all assembled and introduced
+by the senior captain to Hector.
+
+"We will not begin business now," the latter said. "My leave of
+absence does not terminate until tomorrow  morning, and I think that
+it is much more pleasant to talk over matters comfortably round a
+table than it is  to do so in a set manner. Therefore, gentlemen,
+if you will all sup with me this evening at the Fleur de Lis,  after
+we have finished our meal we will talk over our wine. My opinion is
+that officers of a regiment should  be good comrades. The regiment
+benefits by it, and everything goes on more smoothly and comfortably.
+This is specially so in a newly raised regiment, where the officers
+either are altogether new to military  matters, or join from other
+regiments, and have no previous knowledge of each other. In the
+same way the  men are all new to each other, and to their officers.
+Unless there is perfect harmony among the officers,  there cannot
+be perfect harmony in the regiment.
+
+"If one officer looks after the comfort of his company, and treats
+them as he should do, while another  company is neglected and left
+solely to the care of the sergeants, there will necessarily be envy
+and ill  feeling. The regiment will cease to be a unit. I may say,
+gentlemen, that this is the dictum not of myself, but  of Marshal
+Turenne, who was my instructor in the art of war, and who followed
+out the better system from  the time that he was a boy of fourteen
+until now. The result is that his regiment is the finest in
+the service.   It will be my aim and ambition to raise the Poitou
+regiment as nearly as possible to the same condition, and  I shall
+rely upon your assistance and cooperation to bring this about.
+
+"Supper will be served at six. I have only just returned from the
+country, and have heard no news. I suppose  that no intimation has
+been received as to what is our destination and whither we shall
+march?"
+
+"None whatever, colonel," de Thiou, the senior captain, said.
+
+"All the better. I hope that they will give us a couple of months
+to get into shape. There is but little time for  drill and discipline
+when we are once in the field."
+
+So saying he saluted the officers and returned to the hotel.
+
+"Who would have thought of seeing a mere lad placed at the head
+of the regiment as colonel," one of the  captains said. "I cannot
+imagine how such a thing can have come about, for certainly he can
+have no family  influence. A newly raised regiment like ours wants
+a bright man, one that all can look up to and respect."
+
+"I fancy that you will find that this young gentleman will be
+respected," de Thiou said. "He is young and  pleasant looking, and
+whatever he is I should say that he is levelheaded, and that he has
+an infinite fund of  firmness and resolution. I should certainly
+advise nobody to take advantage of his youth. I have seen more
+service than any of you, and had my family possessed any influence
+at court, I should have been a colonel  by this time. Unless I
+am greatly mistaken we shall find that we have a man, a good man,
+and a strong one.  Do you think that he could have won his way to
+a regiment at the age of twenty unless there had been  something
+quite unusual? I was talking the other day with one of Gassion's
+staff, who has come back until  the wound that he got at Rocroi is
+healed. He told me that Gassion -- and France has no better soldier
+--  said publicly after the battle that the victory was largely
+due to this young friend of ours, and that had it not  been for
+him things might have gone altogether differently; and he said that
+Enghien, proud and ambitious  as he is, frankly admitted the same
+thing. Of course I can only go upon what I have seen of him, but from
+what he said, and the manner in which he said it, I am convinced
+that we could not get a better chief than  this young colonel. I
+believe that he will make it a comfortable regiment to be in, but
+I also believe that  those who oppose him will find that they make
+a grievous mistake."
+
+The next day Hector took up in earnest the work of organizing the
+regiment. In the first place he insisted  that the officers should
+learn their drill; then, that instead of handing over the practical
+command of their  companies to their sergeants, they should themselves
+command them on the drill ground, look after the  discipline and
+comfort of the men in barracks, and become personally acquainted
+with the character of  every man under their command. Many of the
+sergeants were inefficient; these were speedily deprived of  their
+rank, and men of good conduct and zeal appointed to their places.
+The regard of the men was won by  his insisting that the contractors
+for their food should send in meat and bread and wine of the quality
+that  they had guaranteed to supply.
+
+Three officers were told off every day to examine the quality of
+all food sent in; any reported as being bad  was examined by Hector,
+and if the complaint was well founded, was at once condemned.
+Great attention  was paid to the cooking, to the cleanliness of
+the barrack rooms, and to many other details that had until  then
+been entirely neglected.  There were at first some grumblers,
+not only among the men, but among the  officers as well; but the
+extraordinary and rapid improvement in the efficiency of the regiment,
+its  appearance and condition, was such that these were not long
+in recognizing that although the work was  hard, no unnecessary
+labour was imposed upon them, while, as their knowledge of drill
+increased the work  became easier and less irksome. All recognized
+that by far the hardest worker in the regiment was the  colonel
+himself. Every morning for the first month he himself drilled the
+officers in a courtyard that was  not overlooked, and when they
+all knew their work, sent them to take charge of their companies.
+Until he  considered the officers competent, he drilled the
+companies by turn, and when drill was over, made a tour  of every
+room in the barracks, visited the kitchen, and conversed freely
+with the men, listening to any  complaints.
+
+At first the number of men brought up for drunkenness was large.
+The first offence he always condoned,  giving the offender a lecture
+on the folly of his conduct and of the discredit that it brought
+upon the  regiment. For the second offence a man was confined to
+barracks, and forced to wear his coat inside out  even at drill. The
+ridicule that the men had to suffer was worse than any punishment
+inflicted upon them,  and no case occurred of a third offence.
+By turns the three officers of each company dined with him, and,
+chatting with them as a friend, he not only gained their liking but
+made himself acquainted with their  individual characters.  Turenne
+came to Paris a short time after Hector assumed the command of
+his  regiment, and as soon as he heard of his arrival, the latter
+called upon him.
+
+"I heard from the cardinal of your good fortune," the viscount said,
+"and congratulate you heartily upon it.   Mazarin was good enough
+to say that the discovery of the Spaniards' ambush was the result
+of my teaching,  and indeed I feel somewhat proud of my pupil. I
+am going to the Rhine, as perhaps you may have heard."
+
+"I hope to have the honour of serving under you with my regiment,
+sir."
+
+"I shall be glad to have you, but I fear there is little chance of
+it. I am to take the command of the Weimar  troops.  The death of
+the duke has been a heavy blow to us, and it is thought that unless
+I go down there -- I  say it because I have served there and am
+known by the Weimar troops -- that force will break up  altogether.
+From what I hear, I hardly think there is much chance of having any
+French regiments with me,  and those now being raised are likely
+to be sent to fight under Enghien in Flanders. My position is, as
+you  know, a painful one, owing to Bouillon having gone to Italy
+to take the command of the Pope's troops. I  believe that is the
+reason why Mazarin has withdrawn me from the command of our army
+in Savoy.  However, as a soldier I accept the work he has given
+me, not allowing family matters to interfere in any  way with it,
+though it is my opinion that Bouillon has been very hardly treated
+by the breaking of the  engagements that were given him when he
+surrendered Sedan to France."
+
+A week later Hector presented himself at the levee of Cardinal
+Mazarin.
+
+"I was expecting to see you, baron. I received your note saying that
+you had taken the command of your  regiment, and would do yourself
+the honour of presenting yourself as soon as you had put matters
+in trim.  Are you satisfied with your men and your officers?"
+
+"With both, your eminence, and trust that in two or three months'
+time you will do us the honour of  inspecting us."
+
+"And how did you find your barony?"
+
+"I was delighted with it. The castle is a strong one, and I am taking
+steps to add to its strength; and I believe  when it is finished
+that it will be almost impregnable save by an army, and that well
+commanded."
+
+"Then you think," the cardinal said with a smile, but with a certain
+air of seriousness, "that you could offer  me a safe asylum if I
+needed one."
+
+"I trust that such an event may never occur, your eminence, but
+if it should, my castle is at your disposal,  and I will guarantee
+that it will resist for three months, whoever might attack it."
+
+"One can never say," the cardinal said mournfully. "Oh, these nobles!
+They are, as they have ever been, the  curse of France. Each man
+thinks only of himself and of increasing his domains. What France
+may suffer  matters nothing to them so that they are enriched.
+Were one of them capable of ruling France I would  gladly retire;
+but who is there?  Orleans, vain, empty headed, treacherous to his
+friends, a man whose word  is not to be relied upon. Conde, who
+thinks only of enriching himself and adding to his possessions.
+Beaufort, a roistering trooper. None of these men could maintain his
+position for a moment. The whole  country seethes with discontent
+at the heavy taxation necessitated by the war; Paris, as is always
+the case  when there is trouble in the air, is restless and turbulent.
+I have good friends, but they are insufficient to  sustain me
+against the intrigues of my enemies. The queen alone upholds me.
+Truly, the burden is too great  for one man to bear.
+
+"You will wonder why I am speaking thus to you, Colonel Campbell,
+but it is of the greatest necessity that  her majesty should know
+upon whom she can rely absolutely in case of trouble. You, sir, being
+altogether  unconnected with any of the great families of France,
+stand in a different position from that of the great  majority
+of officers of your rank. Look where I will, I see our regiments
+officered by men connected by  birth and family with one or other
+of the men who are at present intriguing against us, and were they
+ordered to take steps to arrest, for example, one of those persons
+connected with them, they might, without  openly refusing, give
+such warning to them that they would be able to escape. Now, sir,
+I ask you to tell me  frankly whether, under all contingencies,
+the queen can rely upon your services? I give you my word that
+whatever your reply is, it shall in no way count against you.
+There are cases in which it would doubtless be  painful to you to
+carry out such an order. You are a protege of Monsieur de Turenne.
+Monsieur de Turenne  is brother of the Duc de Bouillon, and, as I
+know, you yourself were staying for some months in the castle  of
+Sedan, where you went to be cured of your wounds. Now, monsieur,
+frankly, were you ordered to arrest  the Duc de Bouillon, would
+you carry it out without fear or favour?"
+
+"Certainly I would, your excellency; and should you give such an
+order to Marshal Turenne he would do so  himself.  He is a soldier
+of the queen before all things, and has taught me that my duty is
+towards the  sovereign who represents France, regardless of all
+other considerations."
+
+The cardinal while speaking had watched the young soldier's face
+scrutinizingly. Faithful as Turenne had  always been to the crown,
+even when his brother was in arms against it, Mazarin had still in
+his heart some  doubts as to his fidelity under all circumstances.
+He could not but be conscious that faith had been  absolutely broken
+with Bouillon, and, accustomed to tortuous ways, he could scarce
+imagine that Turenne  would hold himself altogether above family
+interest.  He saw by the manner more than the words of Hector
+that he was speaking from a profound conviction. In asking him the
+question, he had been thinking more of  Turenne's loyalty than of
+the young colonel's. Having been four years in the closest connection
+with the  marshal, he could not but know his real sentiments, and
+he felt sure that had Turenne expressed any anger  at the treatment
+his brother had received, he would have seen it in the young man's
+face.  The answer was a  reassuring one.
+
+"Thank you, monsieur le baron; the musketeers and the Swiss guards we
+know we can absolutely rely  upon, and I shall be glad to be able
+to inform the queen that she can place implicit faith in your regiment.
+I  need not impress upon you the necessity for our conversation
+being regarded by you as absolutely  confidential."
+
+Hector, thinking the matter over, had no great difficulty in the
+end in arriving at the truth, namely, that his  own loyalty was
+a very secondary object of interest to the minister, and that his
+real motive in thus  apparently opening his mind to him had been,
+not to gather his own sentiments, but to endeavour to  ascertain
+those of Turenne. From the talk among his officers he had already
+learned that the general opinion  was, that although the queen had
+always entertained a most favourable opinion of Turenne, and had
+herself  nominated him as marshal and commander of the forces on the
+Rhine, Mazarin had assented to the  arrangement because he feared
+that the army of Italy would probably follow its commander should
+the  latter take up the quarrel of his brother, while, on the
+Rhine with but a few regiments, to all of whom he  was a stranger,
+under his command, he would be practically powerless, whatever his
+sentiments might be  with regard to Bouillon.
+
+In the middle of August Hector received an order from Mazarin to
+take part with his regiment in a review  which the queen intended
+to hold at Versailles two days later. At this review the musketeers,
+the Swiss  guards, the Scottish regiment, and two regiments of
+the line besides his own, the queen, the young king,  Mazarin, and
+most of the members of the court were present. The Poitou regiment
+acquitted itself  admirably, and its marching, and the steadiness
+with which it went through its manoeuvres, were in such  strong
+contrast to that of the other two infantry regiments, which had
+both been formed for some years, as  to excite the surprise and
+admiration of the spectators. After it was over a mounted officer
+rode up to  Hector and told him that the queen wished to speak to
+him. Riding up, he dismounted, and advanced to the  queen's pavilion.
+
+"Monsieur Campbell," the queen said graciously, "I wish to express
+to you how well satisfied we are with  the efficiency of your
+regiment, and the admirable way in which it has gone through its
+manoeuvres. Never  have I seen these better performed; and this is
+the more surprising as it has been but four months raised, and  but
+three months under your personal command. The cardinal has informed
+me that he learns that this is  due entirely to your personal
+exertions, and the care that you have bestowed upon it. I wish
+that all my  officers showed the same zeal and diligence. In order
+to mark my gratification at the conduct of the  regiment, I have
+requested monsieur le cardinal to order that two companies of your
+regiment shall be  quartered at the barracks now occupied by the
+Scottish regiment, which is to march east tomorrow."
+
+Hector bowed deeply; and, immensely gratified at the praise that
+his regiment had received, returned to his  place at its head,
+and marched back to St. Denis. On their arrival there he informed
+his men of the gracious  words the queen had been pleased to say
+about the regiment, and the great honour bestowed upon them by
+the quartering of two companies in Paris. The men broke into loud
+cheering as he concluded.
+
+Hector then called the officers together. "Gentlemen," he said, "I
+have to thank you for the admirable way  in which you have seconded
+my efforts, and by the aid of which the regiment has just gained
+the high  commendation of Her Majesty, within so very short a time
+after it has been raised.  I have been thinking the  matter over
+as I rode back, and I have decided that where all did so well, it
+would be invidious to give to  any the sole honour of being thus
+quartered near the Louvre and furnishing guards, and to yourselves
+the  pleasure of being in Paris. Therefore, gentlemen, I shall send,
+in the first place, the first and tenth  companies. At the end of
+two weeks the ninth company will take the place of the tenth; a
+fortnight later, the  second will take the place of the first, and
+so in order, so that each company will in turn have its share in
+this honourable service."
+
+There was a general murmur of satisfaction. The next morning a
+formal order was received that two  companies of the Poitou regiment
+should march into Paris, and occupy a portion of the barracks which
+the  Scotch regiment had just vacated.
+
+Hector called up the two companies he had selected.
+
+"Now, men," he said, "you see the advantage that you have gained by
+discipline and good conduct. I have  no doubt that before granting
+us the honour of forming a part of the garrison of Paris, the minister
+has made  inquiries respecting the conduct of the regiment here,
+and has doubtless heard that it has been eminently  satisfactory,
+and that the authorities and inhabitants have no complaint, of
+drunkenness or misconduct,  against us. Of misconduct there have
+been no cases, of drunkenness very few, and, indeed, for the past
+month there has not been a single case among you. I trust that you
+will remember that while in Paris the  credit of the regiment is
+in your hands, and that no single case of drunkenness or brawling
+in the streets will  take place.  I feel confident that this will
+be so, and I need hardly say that should there be an exception, the
+punishment will be vastly more severe than any that has previously
+been awarded, and I am sure that any  offender will find, in the
+contempt with which he will be regarded by his comrades, a still
+more severe  punishment than any that I can inflict."
+
+That evening Captain de Thiou and the other officers of the two
+companies that were to march into Paris  the next day dined with
+Hector; and after dinner de Thiou rose and said: "Colonel, I have
+been requested to  express to you, on behalf of the whole of the
+officers of the regiment, our deep gratitude for the honours  that
+our regiment has obtained.  These you were good enough yesterday
+to ascribe partly to us; but we feel  that they are wholly due to
+yourself. Although some of us were at first a little inclined to
+think that the  changes made by you in our work were unnecessary,
+all now recognize fully how great has been the  benefit, not only
+to the regiment, but to ourselves. Duties which were at first
+considered irksome are now  regarded as pleasant. We feel that,
+as you said would be the case, we have acquired the respect of the
+men,  and that it is upon us that they rely, and not upon their
+sergeants.
+
+"Our own time passes more pleasantly from being fully occupied, and
+from consciousness that we are  doing our duty.  As to the regiment
+in general, the benefit has been enormous.  The men seem pleased
+with  the interest shown in them, as much as with the comfort that
+they now enjoy, and they in turn endeavour to  satisfy us, both by
+their attention to drill, by their bearing and manner, and by their
+avoidance of giving any  cause for complaint. All this, monsieur,
+has been your work, and I am sure that we are all conscious of the
+difference of the display we made in the park, and that which we
+should have shown had it not been for the  reforms which have been
+introduced by you. We all trust that the day may not be far distant
+when we shall  be able to prove on the field of battle the same
+efficiency that has won us credit upon the parade ground."
+
+"I thank you heartily, Captain de Thiou, for what you have been
+good enough to say on your own behalf  and that of the officers of
+the regiment. I can only say that I have endeavoured to act up to
+the teaching of  Monsieur de Turenne, and I felt sure that although
+my methods might at first seem irksome to some of you,  their value
+would gradually become appreciated. I am scarcely less pleased at
+the decrease in drunkenness,  and at the general improvement in
+the men, than by the increase of discipline and efficiency."
+
+"Do you mean to come to Paris, colonel?" De Thiou asked presently.
+
+"No; I shall remain here. I shall ride in every day, but my
+presence will be more necessary with the  regiment than with only
+two companies. You as senior officer will be responsible for the
+general order of  the detachment."
+
+Hector rode in the next day with his men, and after seeing them
+comfortably lodged in barracks, returned to  St.  Denis. A week
+later reports reached St. Denis of a strange scene at the court.
+The haughty and insolent  Duchess of Monthazon, who belonged to the
+party of the Importants, had the impertinence to insult the  queen
+grossly in the gardens of the Tuileries. She had at once been disgraced
+and ordered to retire to  Rochfield, and the Duke of Beaufort and
+his friends were furious at this exercise of Mazarin's authority.
+The next day Hector received a message asking him to call at the
+Hotel de Cleves, the cardinal's residence.   On his presenting
+himself, he was at once shown into Mazarin's private apartments.
+
+"Monsieur de Villar," Mazarin said, "I am sorely in need of friends.
+You have heard of what has happened,  and from the threats that he
+has publicly uttered against myself I am convinced that Beaufort
+will hesitate at  nothing to bring about my ruin. I hear that you
+are still with your regiment at St. Denis. I shall be glad if for
+a time you will take up your abode at Paris, and will hold yourself
+in readiness to be of service to me if  there should be occasion.
+Beaufort is capable of even attempting my life; he is very
+unscrupulous, and will  hesitate at nothing. I shall be glad if
+you will take up your lodging within a short distance of this, so
+that I  can communicate with you instantly."
+
+"Certainly, your excellency; I will keep half a company always under
+arms, so that at the shortest notice  they will be in readiness to
+act as you may direct. But surely, your excellency, you have the
+queen's  musketeers close at hand?"
+
+"The queen's musketeers are a body of gallant soldiers, but they
+will take their orders only from the queen.  They were strongly
+anti-cardinalist in the late reign, and I do not suppose that they
+are better affected  towards myself than they were towards Richelieu.
+If they heard that my hotel was attacked they would not  move a
+foot until they received orders from the queen to do so."
+
+"At any rate, you shall have no reason to complain of delay on our
+part, your excellency, and I can assure  you of my devotion."
+
+Hector at once went to an auberge but a few hundred yards from the
+cardinal's residence. He thought it  better to put up there than
+to take lodgings, as he could then have his four mounted men with
+him; and,  riding to St. Denis, he returned the same night with
+them.
+
+"A horse is always to be saddled," he said to them when they had
+dismounted and his orderlies had come  up to his room, "and one
+of you by turns will always remain here armed and ready to mount
+without an  instant's delay. The others will put aside their
+scarves; and one of you will always be at the cabaret nearest  to
+the Hotel de Vendome, the residence of the Duke of Beaufort, who
+is a son of the Duc de Vendome.  At  times two of you can be there
+so as to drink and play cards together, as the appearance of one
+sitting too  long might attract attention. Your object is to find
+out from the conversation of the duke's guards and  servants whether
+they have any idea that anything unusual is going to take place. I
+have reason to believe  that there is a plot against the cardinal,
+and I am much concerned in defeating it."
+
+When the four Scotch soldiers had retired, Hector said to Paolo:
+
+"Now, Paolo, I place more reliance upon your finding out anything
+that is afloat than upon the soldiers. It is  not likely that any
+plans Beaufort may form will be communicated to his people until
+the moment for  action, and indeed it is probable that he will
+rely solely upon his personal friends.  Now I want you to  disguise
+yourself in any way you may think best, and watch Beaufort's hotel;
+see who comes in and out,  and if a messenger goes out follow him,
+see the houses he calls at, and mark if those who dwell there repair
+at once to the Hotel de Vendome. If you perceive that this is the
+case let me know at once. See if you can  get hold of half a dozen
+street gamins, and employ them to watch the houses of all these
+gentlemen, and  especially that of Monsieur Id, captain of Beaufort's
+guards, and of the two Messieurs de Campion and the  Count de
+Beaupuis, who are, I know, among the duke's most intimate friends.
+There are scores of these  street boys who for a few sous a day
+would gladly undertake the work."
+
+"I will do that, master. You can take my word that by tomorrow at
+noon the lodging of these four  gentlemen will be strictly watched.
+This is a business after my own heart."
+
+"In the first place, Paolo, take a note from me to the Hotel de
+Cleves and wait for an answer."
+
+The note was a short one. It merely gave the name of the auberge
+at which he had taken up his quarters, and  added:
+
+If your eminence will be good enough to send me every morning a list
+of any visits that you may intend to  pay, or any journey that you
+may make during the day, it would enable me to regulate my movements
+accordingly in order to be always here and ready to carry out any
+orders that you may send me from your  hotel.
+
+The cardinal's reply was even more brief:
+
+It is well thought of.  I shall go nowhere but to the Louvre tomorrow,
+and shall probably be there the  greater part of the day. Unless
+you hear from me to the contrary, you need only remain in between
+twelve  and one.
+
+The next morning Paolo appeared dressed in ragged clothes.
+
+"What is that bundle of papers that you have got?"
+
+"They are lampoons on the cardinal. Nothing so natural as that I
+should try and sell them in front of the  Hotel de Vendome."
+
+"Nothing could be better, Paolo."
+
+"I have already picked up a dozen gamins, master, sharp little
+beggars, who jumped at the idea of being set  to watch people.
+Between them everyone who goes in or comes out from the hotel will
+be followed, and  they will, in the first place, find out his name
+and bring it to me, after that they will follow him wherever he
+goes, and from time to time let me know what he is doing."
+
+Several days passed. The four gentlemen specially named, together
+with several others, were frequently at  the hotel. There was in
+this, however, nothing suspicious, as Hector easily learned that
+they were all vassals  or close friends of the house of Vendome.
+On the third day, however, he heard that at least a dozen of these
+gentlemen met in twos or threes at various cabarets near the Duke
+of Beaufort's, and spent the greater  portion of their time there.
+Hector at once procured dresses suitable for gentlemen of the
+middle class for  the troopers, and gave them instructions to spend
+the greater portion of their time at the cabarets at which  these
+gentlemen stopped. Their reports were that they talked of indifferent
+subjects, but that they were  evidently waiting for someone, as
+they invariably turned a glance at the door whenever a fresh comer
+entered.
+
+The next day Hector received a note from the cardinal:
+
+I am just starting with the Duke of Orleans for Maisons, where I
+shall dine with him.
+
+Two hours later the three troopers who had been out returned almost at
+the same minute with the news that  the persons they were watching
+had all got up suddenly and gone out after a messenger wearing
+the  Beaufort cognizance had come in and spoken to them. And a few
+minutes later Paolo arrived and said that  the Duke of Beaufort had
+gone with the Count of Beaupuis to the convent of the Capuchins,
+and that  several horses had been taken there.
+
+Hector thought the matter over. "Certainly," he said to himself,
+"as the cardinal's note is dated at nine  o'clock, he is now some
+distance on his way. As soon as the duke received notice of his
+having gone, he  notified his friends. It can only be on his way
+home that they will venture to attack him; but even if they  have
+that intention they will scarcely do so if the Duke of Orleans
+returns with him, unless, indeed, the  duke is himself in the plot,
+and as none of Paolo's scouts have brought news of any communications
+between Beaufort and Orleans, it is hardly likely that it is so.
+
+"Paolo, do you go down and watch the convent of the Capuchins. If
+the Duke of Beaufort remains there  with his friend -- and he may
+doubtless be joined by others -- let me know if he rides away. If
+he does so  the attack may take place anywhere along the road; if
+he remains, he will doubtless attack the cardinal as  his carriage
+passes. Should there be more than one entrance to the convent,
+put boys to watch them, and  bring you news should the party sally
+out.  I shall be at the barracks. It is there that you must bring
+or send  me word."
+
+The troopers were ordered to put on their military clothes and
+saddle their horses, and a quarter of an hour  later Hector rode
+to the barracks, followed by them.
+
+"De Thiou," he said, "I want you and the other five officers to
+have your horses ready at a moment's notice.  I have some sort of
+idea that there is a plot on foot against the cardinal, and I want
+to take a hand in the  matter. I fancy that with you and my five
+troopers we shall be strong enough to disconcert the plotters."
+
+Two hours later he received a message from Paolo, saying that
+the Duke of Beaufort and three other  gentlemen were still at the
+convent, but that most of the others had gone to the residence of
+Henri de  Campion in the Rue St.  Honore.
+
+"They mean to attack him just at the end of the journey," Hector
+said to himself, "and close to the Hotel de  Vendome.  Now it
+only depends upon whether the Duke of Orleans stays at Maisons or
+returns with the  cardinal."
+
+He ordered the officers and troopers to mount, and with them took
+his post on the road by which the  cardinal would return. In half an
+hour they saw his carriage approaching. They then moved forward. As
+the  carriage passed them Hector saluted, and saw to his satisfaction
+that the Duke of Orleans was with the  cardinal. After the carriage
+had gone fifty yards Hector turned, and with his party followed
+the carriage at  that distance. When within a quarter of a mile
+of the Rue St. Honore a horseman came along. He met the  carriage,
+and immediately it passed him turned and galloped back along the
+road. Hector felt no doubt that  he was placed there to warn the
+conspirators to be in readiness if the Duke of Orleans was not in
+the  carriage, and that there would now be no attempt. However,
+he closed up to within thirty yards. As they  entered the Rue St.
+Honore all was quiet there, and nothing happened until the cardinal
+alighted at the Hotel  de Cleves. As he did so he looked round,
+and beckoned to Hector to follow him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII:  THE BATTLES OF FREIBURG
+
+
+The cardinal did not address Hector until he had entered his private
+room, when he turned and said sharply,  "What means this, colonel?
+When I saw you and your officers on the road I felt sure that you
+were not there  for nothing, and still more sure when on alighting
+I found you so closely following me."
+
+"I was convinced, cardinal, that there was a plot against your
+life, and I believe that it was only because the  Duke of Orleans
+returned with you that it was not carried into effect."
+
+"And possibly because they saw your troop behind the carriage. Now
+tell me your reason for supposing that  I was in danger."
+
+Hector related the various steps that he had taken.
+
+"Your spies worked better for you than mine did for me," the
+cardinal said. "That a dozen or so of  Beaufort's friends were for
+some reason or other spending their time at the Angel Inn and other
+cabarets I  was aware, but I have had no word of their proceedings
+today. You have been better served, doubtless,  because your plans
+were better laid.  I hardly think that they would have attacked me
+when Orleans was  with me, but there is no saying; for if Beaufort
+has daring and insolence enough to attempt to slay the  queen's
+minister within a quarter of a mile of the Louvre, he would not
+trouble greatly whether princes of  the blood were in the carriage
+or not, especially if he had some reason for believing that Orleans
+would not  regard the deed with very great disapproval.
+
+"However, whatever his intentions might be, it is clear that the
+appearance of your party of twelve armed  men decided the question.
+We may regard it as certain that the news that I had such an escort
+was carried to  them by the man who galloped on ahead. I thank you,
+sir, I thank you very heartily, not only for my sake,  but for that
+of France. I will ask you to go across to the Louvre; I will take
+half a dozen armed servants with  me, but there is little fear
+that the attempt will be renewed today. They must be too much
+disconcerted by  the failure of their plot to make fresh arrangements
+so speedily. I shall go first to the Louvre and inform her  majesty
+of what has taken place. You will remain here for half an hour,
+and will then leave by the gate at  the back of the house and make
+a circuit, and enter the palace by the river gate. The musketeers
+on guard  will stop you, but I will give you a pass." And he wrote
+a few lines on paper. "The queen's confidential  servant, Laporte,
+will be at the door to meet you, and will have instructions to
+escort you by corridors  where you will be unobserved, and so to
+her majesty's private closet. Were you to accompany me, Beaufort
+would soon hear of it, and would be shrewd enough to perceive that
+your meeting with me was by no  means a matter of chance."
+
+Hector followed out his instructions, and on presenting himself
+at the palace was at once taken up to the  queen's closet. Laporte
+went in, and returning immediately requested him to enter. The queen
+was walking  up and down the room, her face flushed with indignation.
+
+"Her majesty would fain hear from your own lips, monsieur le baron,
+the statement that you have made to  me."
+
+The queen sat down and listened intently while Hector repeated the
+story.
+
+"There can be no doubt about it, cardinal; this keeping of a number
+of armed men within call for days, the  summons to them to gather
+in the Rue St. Honore, while he himself with others took up his
+post at the  convent of the Capuchins hard by, the moment his spies
+had discovered that you had left for Maisons,  could but have been
+for one purpose. But they shall learn that although a woman, Anne
+of Austria, Queen  of France, is not to be deprived of her minister
+and faithful friend without striking back in return. Monsieur  de
+Villar, you have rendered me a great service. Is there any boon
+that you would ask of me? it is granted  beforehand."
+
+"I thank your majesty most humbly," Hector said.  "Already I have
+received honours far beyond anything I  deserve. I had the honour
+when thanking your majesty, to hope some day to be able to give
+proof that they  were not unworthily bestowed, and still hope to
+do so."
+
+"You have already shown yourself worthy," the queen said, "by the
+manner in which you have in so short a  time rendered the regiment
+to which we appointed you so efficient. However, if there is at
+present no boon  that we can bestow, then remember that the Queen
+of France holds herself your debtor, and that you have  my royal
+word that any boon that you may hereafter ask for, that is in my
+power to grant, will be given you.  Take this as a pledge of my
+promise." And she took off a gold chain exquisitely worked, and
+gave it him.  He received it kneeling. "Now, sir, we will keep you
+here no longer. I have much to say to his excellency.  I  trust
+that you will present yourself at the levee this evening."
+
+"One thing more, colonel," Mazarin added; "I doubt not that some of
+Beaufort's people will endeavour to  find out how it was that you
+came to be behind my carriage. If they do so you might carelessly
+mention that  you and your officers had ridden out in a party at
+St. Germain, and that on your way back you chanced to  fall in with
+my carriage."
+
+At the barracks Hector called the officers together.  "Gentlemen,"
+he said, "I have no doubt that your little  ride today has somewhat
+puzzled you. I am not at liberty to tell you the reason why I
+requested you to ride  with me; but it is very probable that you
+may be asked the question, and I beg you all to remember that we
+have been on a little party of pleasure to St. Germain, and having
+dined there were on our way back when  we overtook the carriage of
+the cardinal; and seeing that he had the Duke of Orleans with him,
+we reined  back and followed him, deeming that it would not appear
+respectful were we to gallop past the carriage.  Please bear this
+story in mind. Recall also that we dined at the Lion d'Or there,
+that our dinner was a good  one and that it was a sort of celebration
+on my part of our two companies having the honour to be chosen  for
+duty in Paris. This is a matter upon which much depends; it is, in
+fact, a matter of state; and you may  well imagine that I should
+not be recalling these events to your mind were it not that a good
+deal depends  upon it, and that I have received strict orders that
+this little comedy shall be carried out. I know that I can  rely
+implicitly upon your discretion, and I have indeed answered for
+you all. The story will be true in every  respect. Instead of the
+excursion having come off today it shall come off on the first day
+I can arrange that  we can be all off duty."
+
+That evening at the palace Hector was, as the cardinal predicted,
+accosted by one of Beaufort's officers, to  whom he had been
+previously introduced. After talking on other subjects for a few
+minutes, he said:
+
+"I saw you today, monsieur, riding with a party of your officers
+along the Rue St. Honore. You did not  notice me?"
+
+"I assure you that I did not, sir, or I should not have been so
+rude as to pass without saluting you." Then he  added with a laugh,
+"We were riding slowly, too, for the cardinal's coach was in front
+of us, and it would  not have been good manners to have galloped
+past him, especially as he had the Duke of Orleans with  him."
+
+"Had you been far?" the other asked carelessly.
+
+"No great distance; a little party of pleasure with my officers to
+eat a dinner together, to celebrate the  honour we had received in
+being brought into Paris. My officers have worked very hard, and
+the matter  served as a good excuse for giving them a little dinner."
+
+For the next day or two everything passed off quietly, but four of
+the officers reported that when dining at a  cabaret two or three
+of the duke's officers had come in and entered into conversation
+with them, and had  brought up the subject of their riding in after
+the cardinal.
+
+"You almost looked as if you were serving as a bodyguard to him,"
+one of them laughed.
+
+"I daresay we did," was the answer. "It was rather a nuisance; but
+it would not have been courteous to have  ridden past the carriage."
+And he then repeated the story as had been arranged.
+
+Although the Duke of Beaufort had been told by some of his friends
+that there were rumours abroad of a  plot against Mazarin's life,
+and that it would be best for him to leave Paris for a time, he
+refused to do so,  saying that even if it was discovered the cardinal
+would not dare to lay hands on him.  Moreover, the  replies which
+had been obtained from Hector and his officers convinced him that
+their riding behind  Mazarin's carriage was an accident.
+
+On the 2nd of September the duke presented himself at the Louvre as
+usual. After speaking with him for a  few minutes, the queen left
+the room with Mazarin, and Guibaut, captain of the Guards, at once
+came  forward and arrested him. He was kept at the Louvre that
+night, and next day was taken to the castle of  Vincennes. Two
+companies of Swiss guards marched first, followed by a royal carriage
+containing the duke  and Guibaut. The carriage was surrounded by
+the royal musketeers. A body of light cavalry followed, and  the
+two companies of the Poitou regiment brought up the rear.  Thus
+the people of Paris were shown that  the queen had both the will
+and the power to punish, and the fickle population, who would the
+day before  have shouted in honour of Beaufort, were delighted at
+seeing that the royal authority was once again  paramount in Paris.
+The other members of the party of Importants either fled or were
+arrested. The  Campions, Beaupuis, and others, succeeded in making
+their escape from France. The Marquis of  Chateauneuf, governor
+of Touraine, was ordered back to his province. La Chatres, colonel
+general, was  dismissed from his post; the Duc de Vendome was
+forced to leave France; and the ambitious Bishop of  Beauvais and
+several other prelates were commanded to return to their dioceses.
+All the members of the  Vendome family were exiled to the chateau
+of Annette. Madame de Chevreuse, de Hautefort, and a large  number
+of other members of the party were ordered to leave Paris. Thus
+the party of the Importants ceased  to exist.
+
+The people of Paris seemed greatly pleased at what appeared to
+them the end of the troubles, and they  exclaimed that Richelieu
+was not dead, but that he had simply changed his appearance, and had
+become  twenty years younger.  Mazarin chose a number of soldiers
+belonging to his own regiment, and several  officers who belonged
+to Richelieu's own guard. These were at all times to follow
+him wherever he went.  He selected a number of noblemen, all of
+distinguished merit and influence, and created five of them dukes,
+and thus secured to himself a party that would to some extent
+balance the power of his adversaries.
+
+He also made an effort to bring about a union between the Duke of
+Orleans and the Condes, but failed,  owing to the enormous demands
+that each put forward. Conde demanded the government of Languedoc
+for  himself, of Burgundy for Enghien, and Normandy for the Duc de
+Longueville, and the entire domains of  his late brother-in-law,
+Henry of Montmorency. Orleans on his part demanded the province
+of Champagne,  the three bishoprics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun, and
+the town and castle of Sedan. As these demands, if  granted, would
+have rendered the two families all powerful, Mazarin gave up the
+attempt, and decided that  the best plan to prevent troubles was to
+let these dangerous families continue to be hostile to each other.
+
+As soon as he had finished his work of crushing the Importants,
+Mazarin sent for Hector.
+
+"Now, Monsieur Campbell," he said, "I have breathing time. The
+conspiracy among the nobles is for the  time crushed, and now that
+they see that the queen is determined to protect me, and that I
+am not afraid of  using the power committed to me, I hope that it
+will be some time before they venture to conspire again. I  have
+further strengthened my position by granting honours to many
+distinguished gentlemen who were well  inclined towards me, and
+on whose support in the future I shall be able to rely. Now it is
+time that I should  turn to the man who has probably saved my life,
+and to whose evidence given before the queen I in no  small degree
+owe it that she resolved to suppress these insolent nobles. I have
+not hurried in this matter,  since, by your answer to the queen, it
+was evident that you desired no change in your position, and that
+the  matter could wait.
+
+"Still, monsieur, her offer was to grant honours for services
+rendered to the state. The matter of the service  that you have
+rendered to Cardinal Mazarin is still untouched. It is something so
+new to me that anyone in  France should be so perfectly contented
+with his lot as to refuse such an offer as that made to you by the
+queen, that I feel somewhat at a loss what to do. I can understand
+that, young and ardent, increased rank  would have no charm for
+you. Were it otherwise I could bestow the highest rank upon you. I
+am aware that  your habits are simple, for I have made inquiries,
+and that money in itself goes for little in your eyes; still,  sir,
+one who has the honour of being first minister of France, and who
+is also a very rich man, cannot  remain with a debt of gratitude
+wholly uncancelled. I hear from my agent in Poitou that you have
+voluntarily remitted the fine that your vassals would pay on the
+occasion of a new lord taking possession,  on account of the heavy
+taxation that presses so sorely upon them.
+
+"I honour you, sir, for such a step, and have even mentioned it
+to the queen as a proof of the goodness of  your disposition, and
+I feel sure that there is nothing that would please you better than
+that I should grant  the tenants of your estate an immunity from
+all taxation; but this I cannot do. All private interests must give
+way to the necessities of the state. I deplore the sufferings of
+the cultivators of France, sufferings that have  of late driven
+many to take up arms. It is my duty to repress such risings; but I
+have ordered the utmost  leniency to be shown to these unfortunate
+men, that the troops should not be quartered upon their  inhabitants,
+and that the officers shall see that there is no destruction
+of houses and no damage to property;  that would increase still
+further their difficulty in paying the imposts, which I regret to
+say press so sorely  and unduly upon them. Tell me frankly what is
+the greatest object of your ambition?"
+
+"I thank your excellency most heartily for your kind intentions
+towards me, but any ambition that I may  have had is already much
+more than gratified. I have never for a moment thought of, or even
+wished that I  might some day become lord of a fair estate and a
+noble of France. I had not ventured to hope that I might  become
+colonel of a regiment for another fifteen years. Both these things
+have, thanks to the kind  appreciation of her majesty and yourself
+for a very simple act of duty, fallen to me. If I might ask a
+boon, it  would be that my regiment may be sent to join the force
+of Marshal Turenne. So long as there was danger  here I should not
+have wished to be removed from a position where I might be of some
+assistance, however  slight, to the queen and yourself, but now
+that all danger is at an end I should be glad to return to active
+duty. I have endeavoured humbly to make Marshal Turenne my model.
+He has but one thought and one  desire -- namely, to do his duty
+and to make the soldiers under his command contented and happy, but
+I  have no hope of ever emulating his great merits as a commander."
+
+"That request is easily granted," Mazarin said, and drawing a sheet
+of paper towards him, he wrote:
+
+The regiment of Poitou will at once proceed to the Rhine, where it
+will place itself under the orders of  Marshal Turenne.
+
+He added his signature, and handed the paper to Hector.
+
+"That counts for nothing," he said. "You must remember that life
+is short and, especially in the case of a  minister of France,
+uncertain. In your own case you might be disabled in the field and
+unable to serve  further. The advent of a party hostile to me in
+power would doubtless be signalized by acts of vengeance  against
+those who have been friends, and estates change hands so frequently
+in France that la Villar might  well be confiscated. No man is
+above the chances of fortune. I have agents in England, and have
+this  morning given an order to my intendant to place in the hands
+of Monsieur Wilson, a well known citizen of  London, a goldsmith,
+the sum of fifty thousand crowns to stand in your name, and to be
+payable to your  order. Here is his address.  It is but a small sum
+for the saving of my life, but it will place you above the  risk of
+the contingencies of fortune in this country. I wish for no thanks,"
+he said, with a wave of his hand  as Hector was about to speak. "I
+have given more for the most trifling favours. I now bid you adieu,
+and  doubt not that I shall hear that you and your regiment have
+greatly distinguished yourselves in the east,  where hostilities
+will in all probability shortly be commenced. You had better
+present yourself at the levee  this evening to make your adieus to
+the queen."
+
+This Hector did, and early the next morning rode with his two
+companies to St. Denis, where the news that  the regiment was to
+march towards the Rhine was received with great satisfaction. It
+was now the middle of  October, and when, after ten days' march,
+the regiment reached Epernay, they heard that Turenne had  withdrawn
+his troops from the Rhine, where the Imperialists had already gone
+into winter quarters, and had  stationed them in the various towns
+of Lorraine. His headquarters were at Nancy. Turenne greeted him
+warmly upon his arrival.
+
+"Matters have been going on slowly since I saw you in Paris. I
+have been too weak to fight the Bavarians,  who fortunately were
+too undecided to attack me. Could they but have made up their minds
+to throw in  their fortune with Austria, they might have overrun
+all Lorraine, for aught I could have done to withstand  them. The
+troopers were without horses, the infantry almost without clothes,
+and as the court was unable to  send me any remittances I have been
+forced to borrow money upon my own estates for the public service,
+and have mounted five thousand horse and enrolled three thousand
+foot and am still sustaining them.  However, I hear from Mazarin
+that he will in a week send off a large convoy of treasure, which
+will be  welcome indeed, for I am nearly at the end of my resources.
+Some of my troops are quartered in the town,  but the most part
+are among the mountains, where they trouble the inhabitants less
+and have small  temptations towards rioting and excesses. Which
+would you rather?"
+
+"I would much rather go into the country, marshal; my regiment is
+in good condition now, but to stay in  quarters in a town is bad
+for discipline."
+
+"So be it. You might make your headquarters at the village of Saline;
+there are no other troops within thirty  miles of it. On arriving
+there you will make inquiries as to the supplies to be obtained
+within a circle of  fifteen miles round. Fortunately I have a good
+supply of tents, and any men for whom you cannot find  quarters in
+the villages can be placed under canvas. You can draw as much wine
+as you require for three  months' rations from the stores here, and
+two months' rations of flour. I will direct the intendants to take
+up  carts for the transport of the supplies you take from here.
+You will doubtless be able to buy meat up there,  and I hope that
+you will be able to obtain sufficient flour and wine to last you
+till the end of the winter, for  transport will be very difficult
+when the snow is on the ground. Firewood your soldiers will, of
+course, cut  for themselves in the forests."
+
+The winter passed quietly. Hector managed to obtain quarters for
+all his troops -- a village being allotted to  each company. Before
+they marched off to their various quarters, Hector urged the officers
+to impress upon  their men the advantage of behaving well to the
+villagers.
+
+"Of course the presence of so many men will be of serious inconvenience
+to them, but they will doubtless  make the best of it if they find
+that they are treated civilly and that their lodgers endeavour to
+give as little  trouble as possible.  See that everything down to
+the smallest article is paid for, and investigate every  complaint,
+and I will punish any offenders severely. I have inquired into the
+average prices that sheep,  fowls, pigs, goats, and other articles
+fetch, and have made out a list for each company; the peasants will
+be  gainers by it, for they will be saved the journey down to the
+towns. Let this be stuck up in a conspicuous  place in each village.
+
+"The intendant will go round and make contracts for the supply of
+meat, and will see whether it will be  more advantageous to erect
+ovens for the baking of bread in each village or to arrange to
+buy it ready baked  there, we supplying the flour; for the troops,
+after being accustomed to good bread at St. Denis, will not be
+content with the black bread upon which these poor people exist. I
+shall pay a visit to each company in  regular order, see that all
+is going on well, try men who have misbehaved themselves, and listen
+gladly to  any suggestions that the respective captains may make
+to me."
+
+The first company was quartered at Saline, and although the cold
+was severe and the life rough the troops  were well contented, and
+Hector was glad to find that his instructions were carried out and
+that excellent  relations were maintained between the troops and
+their hosts.
+
+Early in the spring Turenne collected a force of three regiments of
+cavalry and two of infantry, and, passing  the Rhine at Breisach,
+fell suddenly upon a force of Imperialists in the Black Forest,
+defeated them, and  took three or four hundred prisoners, among
+whom were many officers, the rest of them escaping to the  army
+commanded by Count Merci. In May the Bavarian army, numbering
+eight thousand foot and seven  thousand horse, marched to besiege
+Freiburg, five leagues from Breisach, and Turenne followed with all
+his force, which now numbered ten thousand men. He found, however,
+that the Imperialists had occupied  all the strong positions in the
+neighbourhood of the town, and not caring to run the risk either
+of defeat or  great loss, and receiving information that the town
+had already opened negotiations for surrender, he fell  back some
+five miles from the town, sending news to the court that his force
+was insufficient to attack the  Imperialists. Mazarin thereupon
+sent orders to Enghien to set out at once for Germany. As soon as
+he  reached the Rhine and his army prepared to cross, Enghien, who
+had been appointed generalissimo, rode  forward with Marshal de
+Gramont, who was in command of the army under him, to the camp of
+Turenne.  The meeting between Enghien and Turenne was most cordial.
+Enghien had always felt the warmest  admiration for the talents
+of the older marshal, had been most intimate with him whenever he
+was at court,  and regarded him as his master in the art of war.
+Turenne was free from the vice of jealousy; and as the  armies of
+France were almost always placed under the supreme if sometimes
+nominal command of princes  of the blood, it seemed nothing but
+natural to him that Enghien should receive supreme authority.
+
+The characters of the two men were in complete contrast with each
+other -- the one was ardent, passionate,  prompt in action and
+swift in execution; the other, though equally brave, was prudent
+and careful, anxious  above all things to accomplish his object
+with the smallest possible loss of men, while Enghien risked the
+lives of his soldiers as recklessly as his own. They always acted
+together in the most perfect harmony, and  their friendship remained
+unimpaired even when in subsequent days they stood in arms against
+each other.  At the council Turenne was in favour of making a
+circuit and taking up their post in the valley of St. Pierre,  by
+which they would intercept the Bavarians' communications and force
+them by famine to issue out from  their strong lines and fight in
+the open, and urged that to attack a position so strongly fortified
+would entail  terrible loss, even if successful.
+
+Marshal de Gramont, and d'Erlac, governor of Breisach, were of the
+same opinion. The Duc d'Enghien,  however, was for attacking the
+enemy in their intrenchments; the idea of starving out an enemy was
+altogether repugnant to one of his impetuous disposition, and as
+generalissimo he overruled the opinions of  the others. He himself,
+led by Turenne, reconnoitred the position of the enemy, and decided
+that the one  army, which was called the army of France, consisting
+of six thousand foot and four thousand horse,  commanded by Marshal
+de Gramont, should attack the enemy's position in front and on
+their right flank,  and the other, called the army of Weimar, of
+five thousand foot and as many horse, under Turenne, should  move
+round by a narrow pass and attack the enemy on the left flank.
+Merci's army occupied an almost  inaccessible hill whose summit
+was strongly fortified, and it was against this that de Gramont's
+army was to  hurl itself. The entrance to the valley by which
+Turenne was to fall upon their left flank was closed at its  mouth
+by very strong intrenchments, and it was behind this that the main
+body of horse was posted.
+
+To gain his point of attack Turenne had to make a very wide circuit,
+and started at break of day on the 3rd  of August.  It was arranged
+that Enghien, who remained with de Gramont, should not attack until
+three  hours before sunset, in order to give Turenne time to attack
+at the same hour. At the time agreed upon,  Enghien sent forward
+two battalions to begin the attack. The regiments of Conde and
+Mazarin were to  follow, while the duke held two others in reserve.
+In order to get at the enemy the assailants were forced to  climb
+a very steep ascent, and cross a vineyard intersected by many walls
+four feet high facing the terrace  on which the vines grew. These
+were occupied by the Bavarians, but the French attacked with such
+vigour  that the enemy were driven back.  When, however, the latter
+reached the great cheval-de-frise, formed by  felled trees, in
+front of the intrenchments, they could make no further progress,
+so heavy was the fire  maintained by the enemy.
+
+Enghien, seeing this, dismounted, placed himself at the head of
+the regiment of Conde, and led them  forward, while Marshal Gramont
+and the officers did the same. Encouraged by this example, the
+troops  were filled with enthusiasm, and, following their leaders
+unfalteringly, made their way through the cheval-de-frise,
+and, pressing forward without a pause, obtained possession of the
+intrenchments, driving the  Bavarians into the woods behind. The
+battle had lasted three hours, and had cost the Bavarians three
+thousand men, while the French suffered at least equally.
+
+Turenne's force had been as hotly engaged. Merci, the best general
+in the Austrian army, had foreseen that  an attempt might be made
+through the defile, and had posted strong bodies of infantry among
+the trees on  either side.
+
+As soon as Turenne entered the defile he was encountered by a heavy
+fire from his unseen foes, who,  falling back through the trees
+as he advanced, continued to gain strength. Turenne had to fight
+every foot of  his way in order to dislodge the enemy, and it was
+not until Enghien had brought the battle to a conclusion  on his
+side, that Turenne arrived and, forcing the intrenchments guarding
+the mouth of the defile, found  himself in contact with Merci, who
+was now able to concentrate his whole force against him. The combat
+was a furious one. The troops were engaged at but forty paces
+apart, and sometimes had hand-to-hand  encounters. Merci brought
+the whole of his cavalry into play, but Turenne was unable to use
+his, as they  were behind his infantry and could not make their
+way out through the mouth of the defile.
+
+For seven hours the battle raged in the darkness. After losing three
+thousand men here, General Merci  decided that his army would be
+totally destroyed if Enghien should bring his troops down from the
+hill at  daybreak. Accordingly, leaving a body of musketeers to
+hide the movement by their fire, he withdrew the  rest of his army
+and took up another strong position, partly on a height known as
+the Black Mountain,  covering the entrance of the valley of St.
+Pierre and partly in the valley itself, thus covering his line of
+retreat.  Had the French been able to attack early the next morning
+before the Bavarians had time to  intrench themselves they might
+have won an easy victory; but for the past twenty-four hours the
+rain had  been falling incessantly, Turenne's army had been marching
+on the previous day, and had been fighting for  seven hours, and
+was incapable of further exertions, while that of Enghien was in
+little better plight, having  passed the night in the rain on the
+ground it had won.
+
+After such hard fighting both commanders agreed that a twenty-four
+hours' halt was absolutely necessary.  The day could not be termed
+one of rest, for there were thousands of wounded to be collected
+and cared for,  arms to be cleaned, for they had been rendered
+useless by the rain, and provisions to be brought up from the  rear.
+Merci made the most of the time thus given him. The bottom of the
+mountain towards the plain was  fortified by several rows of felled
+trees, and a portion of his infantry was posted between this point
+and the  town of Freiburg, which was but half a mile away. The
+intrenchments that had been formed during the  siege of the town
+were occupied by them; and as their front was covered by the fire
+of the guns from the  fortress, as well as by that of the infantry
+on the hill, he considered the position to be impregnable, and
+therefore placed the main body of his army at the edge of the flat
+top of the hill, a strong body behind a  wood about halfway up the
+slope, and his cavalry extended from that point to the walls of
+the city.
+
+After reconnoitering the position, Enghien determined to make two
+attacks, one on the trenches between  the foot of the hill and the
+town, and the other on the rows of felled trees at the foot of the
+mountain. A  false attack was to be made between the two points.
+Turenne's force advanced nearly to the foot of the hill,  the prince's
+army followed him, and also took up its position. But just as the
+attack was about to be made a  great tumult was heard on the hill,
+and Enghien and Turenne rode to a neighbouring height in order to
+ascertain what was going on, leaving strict orders that no movement
+was to be made until their return.  Count d'Espenan, who commanded
+the two advanced regiments of Enghien's army, however, ordered
+a  detachment to attack a redoubt which stood within the line of
+attack, and Merci sent supports to its  defenders.
+
+D'Espenan sent more troops on his side and the engagement became
+serious. Suddenly the Imperialist  artillery opened fire along the
+whole of their line, and Enghien's troops, apparently taking this
+for the signal  of the beginning of the battle, moved forward
+for the assault without order or leader. As they were broken  and
+confused by endeavouring to pass through the abattis of felled
+trees, the Bavarians rushed out and  drove them back with great
+slaughter. Enghien and Turenne, galloping up in all haste, in vain
+attempted to  rally them. Officers and men alike were panic stricken.
+The two generals then rode to Turenne's army and  advanced against
+the defence of trees. For a long time the battle raged without
+any marked success on  either side. Several times the French made
+their way in to the intrenchments and were as often repulsed.  Merci
+ordered his cavalry to dismount, and led them into the fray, but,
+darkness falling suddenly, the  assailants ceased to attack, and
+occupied for the night the ground on which the struggle had taken
+place.   The fight that day had cost them two thousand troops,
+and the Bavarians twelve hundred, but as the latter  had lost half
+their infantry in the first day's fighting the French were still
+superior in numbers. During the  night Turenne had all the wounded
+of both nationalities carried to Breisach. After giving the army
+four  days' rest, Enghien determined to resort to the tactics that
+Turenne had from the first recommended, and,  marching along the
+plain, ascended the valley of Bloterthal and made for St. Pierre,
+where he would cut the  Bavarian line of retreat. As soon as Merci
+saw the movement he gave orders for his army to fall back with  all
+haste, and although Turenne pressed hard on his rear he succeeded
+in drawing his troops off, though, in  order to do so, he was obliged
+to abandon his baggage and cannon. Altogether he lost between eight
+and  nine thousand men, with their artillery and most of their
+horses. The French loss was equally great, and  though the battle
+was claimed as a victory by them owing to the Bavarians having
+finally fallen back, it was  really a drawn one.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV:  JUST IN TIME
+
+
+The regiment of Poitou had suffered heavily in the battles of
+Freiburg. In the first advance Turenne had  placed it in the rear
+of his infantry.
+
+"I must have, Hector," he said, "a reserve upon which I can implicitly
+rely; brought up at the right moment  it might decide the fate of
+a battle, if we are beaten it can allow the disorganized regiments
+to pass, check  the pursuit of the enemy, and retire in good order,
+contesting every foot of the ground until the rest of the  force
+have emerged from the mouth of the defile and been enabled to form
+up in sufficient order to  withstand the effect of the enemy's
+cavalry."
+
+The regiment, therefore, took no part in the work of clearing the
+defile of the enemy's infantry, and for the  first four hours of
+the battle remained in the rear. Then Turenne ordered it to the
+front, to take the place of  the regiments which had already lost
+half their strength, and were no longer capable of resisting the
+continued assaults of the Imperialists.  Turenne himself rode with
+Hector at the head of the regiment. They  pushed their way through
+the hardly pressed troops in front, and when they faced the enemy
+deployed and  poured a terrible volley into their assailants, and
+for the remaining three hours bore the whole brunt of the  battle.
+Standing four deep, their flanks resting upon the rising ground on
+either side of the mouth of the  pass, the two front lines alone
+maintained their fire so long as infantry only pressed them,
+the two lines  behind being ordered by Hector not to fire a shot.
+When, however, the Bavarian infantry drew aside and the  cavalry
+thundered down, the front lines fell back through those behind them,
+and the latter received the  cavalry with such terrible volleys of
+musketry that they each time broke and fled.
+
+Turenne, after seeing the Poitou regiment take up its post,
+occupied himself in reforming the remains of the  other regiments,
+and raising their spirits by warm words of commendation at the
+manner in which they had  fought, until assured that they in turn
+could, if necessary, join the first line if it were forced to give
+way.  When he had done this he rejoined Hector, who had dismounted
+and moved backwards and forwards  among the men, seeing that the
+gaps caused by the enemy's fire were constantly filled up, and
+encouraging  the soldiers with praise and exhortations. Turenne
+sat upon his horse some paces behind the rear line. When  he saw
+the Bavarian infantry draw aside, and heard the roar of the cavalry
+charge, his lips tightened, and he  half turned his horse as if to
+call up the regiments behind. When, however, he saw the lines that
+had  hitherto been in rear take up their place in front and stand
+there quiet and immovable, the look of  irresolution passed from
+his face, and, after the Bavarian horse had fallen back, shattered
+by their volleys,  he pressed a pace or two forward and shouted,
+"Regiment of Poitou, I thank you in the name of France;  never saw
+I a regiment fight more bravely or steadily!"
+
+The men responded with a loud cheer to this praise from one whom
+all respected and loved. Turenne then  rode up to Hector.
+
+"Splendidly done, Colonel Campbell! I had rather wondered why you
+kept half your men idle in such a  fight; I now understand why you
+did so. Had all been firing, three-quarters of their muskets would
+have  been empty, and you would possibly have been overthrown. It
+was a stroke of genius. I may have taught  you many lessons in war,
+but tonight you have given me one."
+
+Turenne remained with the regiment till the end of the fight, and
+marked with approval the way in which  each line fought by turns,
+while the other remained behind them ready to receive the charges
+of the cavalry.  As soon as the Bavarians drew off he saw that all
+the wounded were carried to the rear, where the surgeons  rendered
+what aid was possible, while the rest of the troops threw themselves
+down to snatch a few hours'  sleep. When, three hours later,
+Enghien's troops came down from the hill they had won, Turenne's
+force  marched out from the defile. Turenne mounted his horse, and,
+calling upon Hector to follow him, rode  forward with his principal
+officers to meet Enghien.
+
+"It has been a terrible battle, prince, and if your loss equals
+mine the victory has indeed been won at a  terrible cost."
+
+"Mine has been heavy, too," Enghien said, "but we have gained our
+object."
+
+"Not wholly," Turenne replied, "for Merci has taken up a position
+as strong as that from which we have  driven him."
+
+"I wish that I could have lent you a hand in the fight," Enghien
+said, "but the Bavarians had fallen back into  the woods, and we
+knew not whether they still held their ground there. In the rain and
+darkness it would  have been dangerous to have crossed the broken
+ground with its woods and ravines, and the troops, after  their
+exertions and heavy marches, were incapable of such an effort.
+Indeed, I had lost fully half my  infantry, and the cavalry would
+be useless for such work. You must indeed have been sorely pressed,
+having Merci's whole force to contend with. Still, I had no doubt
+even if you could not issue from the defile  you would be able to
+check the enemy." Then the generals in turn repeated the details
+of the battles in  which they had been engaged and the losses they
+had suffered.
+
+Turenne then introduced his principal officers to Enghien, and when
+he had done so called up Hector.
+
+"I need not introduce this officer to you, prince," he said.
+
+"No, indeed," Enghien replied, holding out his hand; "I have good
+reason to recollect you, Colonel  Campbell. You have heard, marshal,
+what a good service he rendered me at Rocroi?"
+
+"He has rendered me one no less this night," Turenne said. "I never
+saw a regiment stand more steadily than  the one which he commands,
+and which he has trained to what seems to me perfection. For the
+last three  hours that regiment alone bore the brunt of the battle,
+although assailed alternately by infantry and cavalry,  and thus
+afforded time to reform the regiments that fought earlier in the
+afternoon and to give me hope that  even were the enemy to overcome
+the resistance of his men, I could still be able to check their
+further  advance."
+
+He then told Enghien the manner in which Hector had arranged and
+fought his troops.
+
+"A good device indeed," Enghien said warmly, "and methinks it
+worthy of adoption whenever infantry  have to meet other infantry
+and cavalry, for the muskets take so long to reload that there
+might not be half a  dozen men ready to give fire when the cavalry
+charge. Is that one of the many lessons that he tells me you  have
+given him?"
+
+"No, indeed; it has not, so far as I am aware, ever been tried
+before. Parts of regiments are often held in  reserve to reinforce
+their comrades if necessary, but this method, whereby half the
+regiment are able at a  moment's notice to meet cavalry with their
+muskets loaded, is methinks, entirely new, and in such cases as
+the present very valuable."
+
+In the second day's fighting Turenne's army had taken but small
+share, for during the retreat of the  Bavarians the cavalry alone
+had come into play.
+
+The Bavarians having retreated into Wurtemberg, a council of war
+was held to decide in what manner the  greatest advantage could
+be gained during their absence. Most of the chief officers were in
+favour of  retaking Freiburg.  Turenne was of a different opinion.
+He represented that the siege would occupy a  considerable time,
+and that if successful they would, at the end of a campaign, have
+simply retaken a town  that was theirs when it began. They could
+therefore point to no advantage gained by their efforts or by the
+loss of so many men. He advised, therefore, that as the Bavarian
+army was now sixty miles away, and could  not very well return,
+as it would need large reinforcements, fresh cannon, and baggage
+wagons, they should  take the opportunity of making themselves
+masters of the whole course of the Rhine and even of the  Palatinate.
+
+The Duc d'Enghien declared for this plan. Turenne went at once to
+Breisach, and arranged for the transport,  by boat down the Rhine,
+of all the necessaries for the siege of Philippsburg. The army
+started on the 16th of  August, a part of Turenne's army being
+detached to capture small towns and castles. On the 23rd of August
+Philippsburg was invested by Turenne, Enghien's force arriving on
+the following day.  Philippsburg stood  on the Rhine, which at this
+point formed a sharp elbow, and the land being low, many morasses
+surrounded  the town, and the approach therefore was exceedingly
+difficult. Eight hundred paces from the town stood a  square fort,
+which commanded the river, and was connected with the town by
+a causeway. The town itself  had seven bastions, round these ran
+a very thick hedge, and the moat was wide and full of water. The
+garrison was a weak one, not exceeding a thousand men, but they
+had a hundred pieces of cannon and a  large store of ammunition.
+
+Feeling that he could not hold a fort so far from the town, the
+commander withdrew the garrison from it,  and Turenne seized it, and
+placed a strong force there. Enghien then threw up strong lines in
+a semicircle  round the town to protect the army in case any large
+force of the enemy should endeavour to relieve it. This  occupied
+four days, and in the meantime the boats had arrived with cannon,
+ammunition, and provisions. A  bridge was thrown across the river
+in twenty-four hours, and a force was sent over; this attacked and
+captured Germersheim, and then marched to Spires, which at once
+opened its gates on the 29th of August.  In the meantime the siege
+of Philippsburg was begun in earnest.  The approaches could only be
+carried on  in one place, where the ground was sandy, and continued
+so up to two of the bastions of the town.
+
+Turenne commanded the attack against the right bastion, de Gramont
+that on the left. They first diverted a  brook running through the
+plain, and were enabled to use its channel as an approach, thus
+advancing fifteen  hundred paces nearer to the town. They then
+formed an intrenchment that could be used by both columns,  and
+from this on the 1st of September they began to open their trenches
+against their respective bastions.  De Gramont's works were attacked
+on the following day by a sortie; this, however, was driven back.
+On  the fifth night both columns made a lodgment on the counterscarp,
+and their batteries opened fire. After  some days' work they filled
+up the ditch, and seeing that his force was too weak to oppose so
+strong an  attack, the commander surrendered on the 12th of September.
+
+Although Merci was advancing with an army, Enghien continued the
+project that had been formed, and,  remaining with his own troops
+to protect Philippsburg, sent Turenne with all his horse and five
+hundred  foot to Worms, which threw open its gates. Oppenheim
+surrendered without resistance, and he arrived in  front of Mayence.
+The garrison was very small, and upon the threat of Turenne that
+he would attack it on  all sides the citizens sent a deputation
+offering to capitulate. Turenne sent word of this to Enghien, who
+rode there at once, and received the surrender of the town.  Bingen
+capitulated; Landor, Mannheim,  Neustadt, and several other places
+were taken; and thus from Strasburg to a point near Coblenz,
+the whole  course of the Rhine, the Palatine, and all the country
+between the Rhine and the Moselle fell into the hands  of the
+French. Enghien returned to pass the winter in Paris. The greater
+part of the army was recalled, and  Turenne was left with but a
+few regiments to hold the newly acquired territory.
+
+"Do you wish for leave, Campbell?" Turenne asked Hector. "You had
+but a few days in your new lordship,  and have a right to spend at
+least a portion of the winter there."
+
+"I thank you, marshal, but I have no idea of leaving you. You
+have been good enough to say that you will  fill up the gaps in my
+regiment by embodying in it the remains of the regiment of Ardennes,
+which will  bring it up to nearly its former strength. I certainly
+should not like to be away while the work of fusion is  being carried
+out. The new men must be divided equally among the companies, and
+the officers so arranged  that one of those now appointed shall be
+attached to each company with two of my own. Then I must see  that
+all so work together as to arrive at the same standard as before.
+I should have wished that if possible  the captains of the Ardennes
+regiment should be appointed to the new regiment that you are about
+to form,  and that the places of those who fell in action should
+be filled from my list of lieutenants."
+
+"Certainly. You lost five captains, did you not?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"If you send me the names of the five senior lieutenants, I will
+promote them at once."
+
+"Thank you, marshal; that will make all my lieutenants captains.
+I lost five of them and three second  lieutenants."
+
+"Then you will require thirteen more officers." He looked at a list.
+"There are eight belonging to the  Ardennes, the rest I will draw
+from other regiments. There is little fear of their objecting to the
+exchange,  for your corps won such a reputation that all will be
+glad to join it; I will send you back to Nancy. There are  barracks
+there, and no other troops; and as we are not likely to be disturbed
+until the spring, you will have  plenty of time to bring the regiment
+up to its former mark."
+
+The winter, indeed, passed quietly. The officers were all greatly
+pleased when they heard the arrangements  Hector had made, by which
+most of them obtained a step in rank instead of being, as they had
+feared,  passed over by officers belonging to the Ardennes regiment.
+The battle of Freiburg had shown them the  great advantage that had
+been gained by the steadiness and discipline of their men. They
+took up the work  of drilling again with even more zeal than before,
+and it was not long before the regiment was restored to  its former
+state of efficiency. The reason why he had sent the regiment back
+from the Rhine was explained  by Turenne to Hector before he started.
+
+"The orders from court were," he said, "that I was to retain only
+the Weimar regiments, and I should have  been obliged to send you
+back with those of Enghien had I not represented to him that it
+might be of the  greatest importance to me to have even one good
+French regiment within call.  We talked it over at some  length,
+and he finally agreed to take upon himself the responsibility
+of ordering that your regiment should  not go beyond Nancy, upon
+the ground that there were very few troops in Lorraine; and that
+peasant risings  had taken place there, as in other departments,
+owing to the terrible distress caused by heavy taxation. He  has
+handed to me a paper authorizing you to take such steps as you may
+think fit, as soon as you receive  news of such risings, to aid the
+civil authorities, if they should take place at any point within
+reasonable  reach. The regiments stationed at Metz will naturally
+maintain order north of Pont-a-Mousson, while you  will send
+detachments to points south and east of Nancy. You will understand
+that you are not to move  troops on the strength of mere rumours,
+but only when requests for aid are sent by local authorities."
+
+Indeed, during the winter of 1644-45, as in that preceding it,
+troubles broke out in many parts of France,  and in some the risings
+of "the barefooted ones," as they were called, became for a time
+very formidable.  The rage of the unhappy peasantry was principally
+directed, as during the Jacquerie, against the nobles, and  any
+chateaux were sacked and burned, all within killed, and terrible
+excesses committed.
+
+In February serious outbreaks took place. A messenger arrived at
+Nancy with an urgent appeal for help, and  Hector took four companies
+and marched with all speed to the disturbed district. As soon as
+he reached it  he broke up his force, despatching each company in a
+different direction, his instructions being that any  body of armed
+peasants they might meet were to be dispersed, but, once beaten,
+were not to be pursued and  cut up, and that life was not to be
+unnecessarily sacrificed. He himself, with one company, marched
+towards Poissons. He was within a mile of the town when a mounted
+man, bleeding from several wounds,  rode up.
+
+"The chateau of Blenfoix has been attacked by two hundred peasants,"
+he said. "My lady and a dozen  retainers are holding a tower, but
+they cannot long resist; even now the place may have been captured. I
+broke my way through, and, hearing that there were troops in this
+direction, I have galloped at full speed to  implore your aid."
+
+"How far is it?"
+
+"About ten miles."
+
+"You hear, de Mieville; bring the men on with all speed.  I will
+gallop forward with my troopers and do  what I can.  Do I go straight
+along the road?"
+
+"Yes, sir, nine miles hence you will see the chateau on an eminence
+a mile away to the right."
+
+Followed by his troopers and Paolo, Hector dashed off at full speed.
+In three quarters of an hour, at a turn  of the road, they caught
+sight of the chateau. Flames were pouring through most of the
+windows.
+
+"Now, lads," he said to the men, "we have got long odds to face,
+but there is a lady to be rescued, and if any  men can accomplish
+it we will."
+
+The chateau was partly castellated, the new portion having been
+built against what had formerly been a  small castle. On its summit
+a flag was still flying. Riding on at the top of their speed they
+soon saw a  number of men swarming round a gate which opened into
+the older portion of the building.
+
+"Put your pistols in your belts, lads. Don't use them if you can
+help it, but trust to your swords. Cut your  way through that crowd.
+Ride in at the gate, and dismount at the door leading up to the
+turret. Then do you,  Macpherson and Hunter, cover our rear while
+we fight our way up the steps. Follow us as we go, and if you  want
+aid, shout and we will come down to you."
+
+On hearing the sound of the galloping hoofs the peasants for a
+moment made a movement of retreat, but  when they saw that the six
+horsemen were alone, they began to gather courage, and again waved
+their arms,  which were mostly axes, or poles to which scythes or
+billhooks were attached. Riding three abreast, the  horsemen burst
+in among them, hewing and hacking with their swords; and the crowd,
+unable to resist the  impetus of the charge, opened a way for them,
+and in a moment they had passed through the gate.  A group  of men
+round an open door that marked the position of the turret stairs,
+scattered with cries of alarm as they  galloped up. In a moment
+they sprang from their horses and entered the doorway. The stairs
+were narrow,  and but one man could mount and use his weapons at
+a time. They were, however, densely packed with  men.
+
+Hector sprang up, closely followed by the others. The resistance
+was feeble, for the height above the  winding steps was but six
+feet, and insufficient for the use of either axes or longer weapons.
+Many of the  peasants, astounded at seeing the armed men mounting
+from below them, and wholly ignorant of their  numbers, threw down
+their weapons and cried for mercy. Hector contented himself with
+pushing past them,  and running his sword through any who showed
+signs of resistance. One or two men armed with rough  pikes made a
+stand; these he shot, and pressed upwards until within some twenty
+feet of the top, when the  peasants, half maddened at finding
+themselves caught, rushed down in a body.  "Close up!" he shouted
+to  his followers. These pressed close up to him, but the weight
+was too much for them, and they were borne  by the rush backwards
+down the stairs, when the peasants darted out through the door.
+Hector had received  several knife cuts on the shoulder and arms,
+and would have suffered still more severely had not Paolo and  Nicholl,
+who were next to him, thrust their pistols over his shoulder and
+shot his assailants, whose bodies,  borne along by the pressure
+from behind, protected him from the blows of those above them.
+
+"Are you hurt badly, master?" Paolo exclaimed as they stood breathless
+for a moment at the bottom of the  stairs.
+
+"No, I think not; my gorget saved my neck; I have four or five
+cuts on the shoulders, but they are mere  flesh wounds.  Now let
+us mount the stairs; the men must have made a stout defence indeed
+to have held  out so long."
+
+The upper part of the stairs was indeed almost blocked with dead
+bodies. At the top of the stairs stood two  men with axes, which
+they lowered as soon as they saw Hector.
+
+"You have made a brave stand," he said, "in defence of your mistress."
+
+"You have arrived but just in time, monsieur, for we are the last
+two left, and though we might have  accounted for a few more,
+another five minutes would have finished it."
+
+Stepping out on the platform at the top of the tower, Hector saw
+a lady leaning against the battlements; she  was deadly pale, but
+her face still bore a look of calm determination. In her hands she
+held a dagger;  clinging to her was a girl of some fifteen years
+of age.
+
+"Thank God, madam, that we have arrived in time!" Hector exclaimed.
+
+"Just in time, monsieur; we had given up all hope, when, as if
+sent by God, we saw your little band appear  riding towards us.
+Even then I hardly ventured to hope; it seemed well nigh impossible
+that six men should  be able to clear a way through so many. Only
+two of my faithful retainers still held the stairs, and it was but
+too evident that these could not resist much longer; when one more
+had fallen I had resolved to plunge this  dagger into my daughter's
+heart and then into my own. Death would have been a thousand times
+preferable  to falling into the hands of these wretches."
+
+"How long have you been beleaguered, madam?"
+
+"My men have been fighting for four hours. For upwards of three
+hours they did well, for the peasants,  being unable to use their
+weapons, frequently drew back. Then they hit upon the device of
+fastening a hook  to the end of a pole, and, catching this round the
+leg of one of the defenders, dragged him down, and then  despatched
+him with their knives. One by one four of my men were killed. For
+the last half hour the two  who remained stood back, one at each
+side of the doorway, so that they could not be so entrapped, and
+slew  those who, mounting the stairs, tried to rush past them.
+Both were sorely spent, and the end must have  come soon had you
+not appeared. Whom have I to thank for this unlooked for deliverance?"
+
+"I am Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar," Hector replied, "and
+have the honour to command his  majesty's regiment of Poitou."
+
+"Your name is not French," the lady said.
+
+"No, madam, I am a Scotchman."
+
+"Then," the lady said, speaking in English, "I must claim you as a
+countryman, for I am Irish. My husband  was an officer in the army
+of the Duke of Lorraine; he was killed in a skirmish four years
+ago, and a year  later I married the Baron of Blenfoix, and was
+again widowed at the battle of Freiburg, where my husband,  who
+had followed the fortunes of the Duke of Lorraine, his feudal lord,
+fell fighting by the side of General  Merci. This is my daughter
+Norah. But I see that you are wounded," she went on as Hector bowed
+to the  young lady.
+
+"Not seriously, madam; but I feel somewhat faint from loss of blood,
+and will remove my helmet. As it  turned out," he went on somewhat
+faintly, "it was unfortunate that I did not put on my body armour;
+but I  had not anticipated hard fighting, and preferred to ride
+without it. Thanks for your offer, lady, but my men  will see to
+me, they are all of them pretty well accustomed to the bandaging
+of wounds."
+
+He was now, indeed, almost too faint to stand, and Paolo and Nicholl
+seated him against a battlement, and  then proceeded to take off
+his upper garments and examine his wounds. They were all at the
+back of the  shoulder, as his assailants, pressed closely against
+him, were unable to strike him in front. The lady tore  some strips
+off her garment and assisted in bandaging the wound, being, as she
+said, well accustomed to  such matters.
+
+"Is all quiet on the stairs?" Hector inquired of the two men whom
+he had placed on guard there.
+
+"Save for the sound of some groans all is still, colonel," Hunter
+replied. "Methinks that after being  withstood for four hours by
+six retainers they are not likely to make a fresh attempt against
+six well armed  men.
+
+"What are they doing, Macpherson?"
+
+"They are gathered in front of the chateau, sir. A large number of
+things were dragged out before the flames  reached them, and at
+present they seem to be quarrelling over the division of them. They
+have got some  barrels of wine out of the cellars and are making
+free with them."
+
+"So much the better," Hector said. "The company will be up in half
+an hour at latest, and will give them a  lesson unless they move
+away before that; and now that they have taken to drinking they
+are not likely to  do so."
+
+The bandaging of his wounds being now completed, Hector was assisted
+to his feet.
+
+"I grieve, madam," he said, "that I did not arrive in time to
+prevent the chateau being burned."
+
+"The loss is not mine; my husband's estates were confiscated when
+he crossed into Germany with the duke,  and were some ten months
+ago granted to a Monsieur de Thours, a relative of the Prince
+of Conde; but he  sent me a courteous letter to say that as he
+was serving with the Duc d'Enghien, I was welcome to continue  to
+occupy the chateau until the war was over, receiving the rents as
+his chatelaine, paying the retainers, and  keeping up the establishment,
+and sending the surplus to his agents at Nancy. This I was glad
+to do, for,  indeed, had it not been for his kind offer my daughter
+and I would scarcely have known whither to go, as  my husband expended
+his last crown in equipping a force for the service of the duke."
+
+At this moment Macpherson exclaimed:
+
+"I see the head of a company mounting the slope, colonel."
+
+"Yes, and there is Captain Mieville. Ah! he has halted the men, and
+is riding forward alone to take in the  situation.  I hope that the
+peasants won't catch sight of him." When Mieville reached a point
+where he could  obtain a view of the front of the chateau he checked
+his horse, and after surveying the scene for a minute  rode back
+to the company. A movement was at once visible.
+
+"He is extending them on each side," Hector said.  "That is good.
+He is going to inclose the peasants, and as  from the slope in the
+ground they cannot see the troops until they are within a hundred
+yards, he will catch  them in a trap."
+
+The company moved round, in fact, until they had formed almost
+a semicircle, then they advanced, closing  in as they neared the
+house. When they reached the spot where they could be seen by the
+peasants a trumpet  sounded and they ran in. The peasants, bewildered
+at seeing the line of soldiers closing in around them,  hesitated.
+Some were already too drunk to rise from the ground on which they
+had thrown themselves, the  others caught up their arms and ran
+together. Retreat was impossible, for behind them was the burning
+house. Suddenly a stream of fire burst from the semicircle of
+troops. Some thirty of the insurgents fell, the  others threw down
+their arms and fell upon their knees crying for mercy. The troops
+were rushing forward  to finish their work, when Hector shouted
+"Halt!"
+
+"De Mieville," he said, as the officer rode up towards the tower,
+"do not shed more blood. Thirty at least  have fallen in their
+attack on this turret, besides those who have been killed by your
+fire. Take the rest,  disarm them all, let the men cut some stout
+switches and give every man twenty blows well laid on the  back,
+and then let them go. Before you do so, send a dozen of them to
+clear the staircase and to draw some  buckets of water from the
+well and sluice the steps down. Paolo, do you run down and find a
+vessel of some  sort and a goblet or horn, and bring up some wine
+from one of those barrels. The ladies sorely need  something after
+what they have gone through, and I myself shall be all the better
+for it, for the loss of blood  has given me a raging thirst."
+
+Paolo had no difficulty in carrying out the order. The rioters had
+brought out several pails for holding the  wine, a score of silver
+cups and other vessels lay where they had been dropped when the
+soldiers appeared,  and the officer had placed two men on guard
+over them. Paolo thoughtfully brought up a pail of water as  well
+as of wine. The ladies drank a little wine and water, while Hector
+took a long draught, and made the  two retainers who had fought so
+stoutly, and his own men, do the same. In half an hour the staircase
+was  cleared and washed down, and the party then descended.  The
+baroness had told Hector that for the present  at any rate she would
+go to Nancy, and would report to the new lord's agents there what
+had happened, and  doubtless he would send a man to take charge of
+the place.
+
+"These cups," she said, "were all the personal property of my
+husband, and I am therefore free to take them.  Many of them have
+been in his family for a very long time. Their sale will enable me
+to live until I can  form some plans for the future."
+
+The several silver vessels were collected and wrapped up ready for
+transport in some of the hangings that  the rioters had torn down.
+An outhouse adjoining the keep was cleared out and thickly spread
+with rushes  for the accommodation of the baroness and her daughter.
+The troops had already had a very long march,  and it was out
+of the question that they could return to Nancy that night. Fires
+were lighted in front of the  house, and the soldiers prepared to
+bivouac there. Three of the troopers were sent off with orders to
+the  captains of the other three companies to concentrate the next
+morning at a village on the line that would be  taken on their return
+march. Some men were sent down to the little town of Blenfoix to
+purchase bread and  meat, together with torches and other necessaries.
+At nightfall Hector posted sentinels, as he considered it  quite
+possible that the peasants would raise the country for some distance
+round and try to take vengeance  for the loss they had suffered.
+When Paolo took some supper round to the two ladies, he returned
+with a  message that they hoped Colonel Campbell would join them
+in their meal.
+
+"See that the sentries are on the alert, Mieville," he said as he
+got up from the fire round which he and the  three officers were
+sitting; "you must remember that these poor fellows are desperate.
+Of course you and I  know that they can do themselves no good by
+attacking castles and burning chateaux, but were we in their  place
+-- famished, despairing, and ignorant -- we should doubtless do the
+same. And although, with men as  well disciplined as ours, there
+would be little chance of the peasants overpowering us, they
+may trust in  their numbers, and would believe that if they could
+destroy us, the whole country might well rise and join  them.
+Should there be any sign of trouble, call me instantly."
+
+Two sentries had been placed at the door of the outhouse, and as
+he entered Hector said, "Keep good watch,  men, and if you hear
+any noise that might betoken the approach of a body of men, warn
+me at once."
+
+"I heard what you said to the sentries, Colonel Campbell; do you
+think that there is any danger?"
+
+"No danger, I trust, madam, for I am convinced that we could beat
+off any number. Still, I do think that  there is a possibility of
+our being attacked. The peasants know that we are but a company.
+They may send  to all the villages round and call on them to come
+and revenge those who have been slain. The people of the  hills are
+strong fellows -- wood cutters, charcoal burners, and shepherds --
+and there can be no doubt that  they suffer terribly from the enormous
+taxation. I have seen it on my own estate in Poitou, and can make
+every allowance for them. In many cases the amounts they are adjudged
+to pay are absolutely greater than  their whole income. They are
+forced to live upon bread made of bran and sawdust, to eat acorns
+and  beechnuts; they are gaunt with hunger; they see their children
+dying before their eyes. They know not how  their sufferings arise,
+they only know that they suffer, and in their despair they turn
+like hungry wolves  against all who are better off than themselves."
+
+"And your people, are they suffering as much as these, monsieur?"
+
+"Not quite so much, perhaps, but they are suffering. I have spent
+but a fortnight on my estates, of which I  have only been master
+for a year."
+
+"And could you do nothing for them, monsieur?" the girl asked.
+
+"I did what I could, mademoiselle. I remitted half their rents,
+which was in fact but a small thing, seeing  that I knew positively
+they could not have paid them. Still it was no doubt some alleviation
+to know that the  arrears were not being piled up against them. As
+to the other half, I told my intendant not to press any  whom he
+thought could not pay, and that if he drew enough to pay his own
+salary and the wages of the  retainers I should be content -- for
+my pay as colonel is ample for my own wants."
+
+"You are very young to be a colonel, Monsieur Campbell," the baroness
+said.
+
+"Very young; but I have had singularly good fortune, and have been
+happy enough to please both Marshal  Turenne and the Duc d'Enghien."
+
+"And you have served under them both?" she said in surprise.
+
+"I have had that good fortune. I was with Turenne for nearly four
+years in Italy, and fought under Enghien  at Rocroi, and I may say
+under both of them at Freiburg."
+
+"What is the name of your regiment, monsieur?"
+
+"The Poitou regiment."
+
+"Indeed!" she exclaimed. "Of course, we have heard all the particulars
+of the battle; and it was said that  General Merci would have beaten
+Monsieur Turenne back had it not been for the Poitou regiment,
+commanded by a Scottish colonel, and said to be the finest under
+the command of the French generals.  They say it stood for three
+hours against the attacks of the whole Bavarian army."
+
+"We were in a strong position," Hector said quietly, "at the mouth
+of a defile, so that no more than our own  numbers could attack us
+at once. However, l am proud of the conduct of my men; none could
+have fought  more steadily than they did."
+
+"My husband was killed in the battle against Enghien's army on the
+hill. I am glad that it was not by your  regiment, monsieur."
+
+"I am glad too, madam."
+
+"These wars are terrible, and we of Lorraine -- lying between
+France and Germany -- suffer whichever  wins.  Fortunately we lie
+at a distance from the roads that the armies follow, and therefore
+have escaped the  devastation caused all along the line of march.
+Nevertheless we have the sadness of knowing that in the  field
+neighbours must fight against neighbours, and kinsmen against
+kinsmen, for since the duke fled many  of our nobles, seeing that
+the country has now become part of France, have joined her, while
+others, like  my husband, followed the duke into Germany. However,
+as an Irishwoman it matters little to me now  which is the victor."
+
+"Do you think of returning home, madam?"
+
+"As to that, I have not yet made up my mind. The land there is as
+distracted as is France by civil war. It is  sixteen years since
+I left Ireland with my husband, a few months after our marriage. I
+was an orphan, and  have no near relations to whom I can go, therefore
+it matters little to me whether I live in France or Ireland,  so
+that I can see some way of earning my own living and that of my
+daughter. With economy, the sale of  the silver would suffice to
+keep us for three or four years, and long before that I hope that
+I shall be able in  some way to earn my living."
+
+Hector sat silent for two or three minutes. "It seems to me,
+madam," he said at last, "that it would be better  that you should
+not spend the proceeds of your silver before looking for a post.
+I can offer you one at once,  if you will accept it."
+
+"You, monsieur!" she exclaimed in surprise.
+
+"Yes, madam. It is bad for the vassals and tenants of a noble -- even
+though a newly made one, and on an  estate of moderate dimensions
+-- when their lord is absent, and there is none to look after them
+save an  intendant, whose duty it is to collect as much rent as he
+is able. Such is the position of my tenants. I am a  soldier, and
+must perforce be absent.  What I need greatly is someone who will
+fill my place in this respect.  I have an old friend who is captain
+of the garrison, and sees to all things in the household; I have
+an  intendant, I believe a worthy young man, who collects my rents
+and looks to the feeding and needs of the  servants and garrison;
+but I need someone who would interest herself actively in the
+condition of my  tenants, who would be a friend to them in sickness,
+would give aid from my purse to those who really need  it, would
+send food to the starving, and aid my intendant by advising him as
+to who are worthy of relief and  who are suffering from their own
+idleness or thriftlessness -- who will, in short, act as I would
+have my  wife act had I one.
+
+"Now, madame la baronne if you will honour me by making my home
+yours so long as I am away at the  wars, which may last, for aught
+I know, for years yet, you will be conferring a great favour upon
+me. You  will have your own suite of apartments, where your meals
+will be served to you.  You will have horses to  ride. You will
+relieve my intendant of the necessity of seeing that the servants
+perform their duties, and  give him more time to devote himself
+to the business of the estate, and will in fact act as chatelaine,
+save  only in matters connected with the garrison in the defence
+of the castle."
+
+"Your offer is kind in the extreme, Colonel Campbell, but I could
+not accept it," she said. "You are only  inventing such an office
+in order to give a home to me and Norah."
+
+"I can assure you, madam, that the thought is not a new one to me
+-- I have often wished that there was a  lady in the castle. One
+who would see after the wives and families of the vassals; and
+I should feel myself  under a real obligation to you if you would
+fill the place. You see, madam, it would cost me nothing, for  food
+and drink there is in abundance.  I have two splendid horses, given
+me by the Duc d'Enghien, standing  idle in their stalls. I shall
+be happy in knowing that my tenants would be well looked after, and
+shall be glad  indeed that you and your daughter, my countrywomen,
+should, for the present at any rate, have a home."
+
+The tears were streaming down the lady's face.
+
+"Accept, mother," the girl said, putting her hand on her shoulder.
+"Surely God sent this gentleman to our  rescue when we were very
+near death. Why should we not accept this fresh kindness at his
+hands?"
+
+Her mother looked up. "My daughter has chosen for me, Colonel
+Campbell. I accept your offer with the  deepest thankfulness. Were
+I to refuse now, the time might come when I should be reduced to
+such straits  that for my daughter's sake I should bitterly regret
+that I had refused your generous offer; therefore I accept  it,
+and thank you from the bottom of my heart."
+
+"I do not wish you to see it in that light," he said with a smile.
+"At best it is but an arrangement for our  mutual advantage, and
+I, on my part, thank you and mademoiselle most heartily for falling
+in with my  wishes."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV:  THE BATTLE OF MARIENTHAL
+
+
+The decision had scarcely been made when one of the lieutenants ran
+in. "Captain Mieville requests me to  state that sounds have been
+heard in the forest, and that he believes there is a large body of
+men  approaching."
+
+"Then, ladies, I must beg you to mount the stairs to the turret at
+once. I will place six men on guard there.  The main body I must
+keep in front of the chateau, as that affords a protection to our
+rear. Do not be  alarmed. I do not think the place is likely to
+be attacked; but should it be, the six men could hold it for any
+time. As soon as I have beaten the main body I will at once attack
+those who may be assailing the turret,  though I hardly think that
+they will do so, for they know that there is nothing to be obtained
+that would in  any way repay them for the loss that they would
+suffer. They are marching here for the purpose of attacking  us."
+
+He called to the two sentries.
+
+"See the ladies up the stairs to the turret, and take up your post
+on the lower stairs. Four more men shall  join you at once."
+
+He found that Mieville had already got all the men under arms, and
+had ranged them between the bivouac  fires and the still glowing
+chateau.
+
+"Move your men along farther, Mieville. Let your left flank rest
+on the angle of the old castle, then we shall  not be made anxious
+by another attack on the turret. Let the right flank rest upon
+the chateau where the old  castle joins it. We shall then be in
+darkness, while the assailants, if they come from that side, will
+have to  cross the ground lit up by the glow from the ruins. Let
+the centre of the line be some ten yards in front of  the building;
+let the line be two deep."
+
+As soon as this disposition was made he called down the six men,
+as they were no longer required to defend  the staircase.
+
+"Now, men," he said when all were formed up, "I need not admonish
+soldiers who were so firm under the  attack of the whole of the
+Bavarian army of the necessity for steadiness.  I have no doubt
+that if we are  attacked it will be in considerable force; but it
+will be by half armed peasants, and there probably will not  be a
+gun among them. But even peasants, when worked up into a state of
+excitement are not to be despised.  My orders are: The front rank
+shall continue firing until they are close at hand, and shall then
+fix bayonets.   Until this is done the second line are not to fire
+a shot; but as soon as the front rank are ready to repel the  enemy
+with fixed bayonets, you will begin. Don't throw a shot away, but
+continue loading and firing, as  quickly as you can; and unless very
+closely pressed, let no man empty his musket until his comrade on
+the  right has reloaded, so that there will always be some shots
+in reserve. Should they rush on in spite of the  fire, I shall give
+the order, 'Empty your muskets and fix bayonets,' and we will then
+charge them. Hunter,  you and your three comrades and Paolo will
+keep close to me, and if we find the men wavering at any point  we
+will go to their assistance. If, however, we charge, remember that
+you six men I told off to guard the  turret are at once to pass
+through the gates and take up your post on the steps, for some of
+them may slip in  behind us and endeavour to rush up."
+
+The horses, that had been turned loose when Hector and the troopers
+mounted the steps, had been seized by  the peasants, and tied up to
+some trees close by when the latter began to feast. They had been
+recovered  when the insurgents were scattered by Mieville's company
+and had then been placed in the courtyard of the  castle. As soon
+as the alarm was given, Hector, the four troopers, and Paolo had
+mounted.  The three  officers were also on horseback.
+
+"In case the company charges, Mieville," he said, "we nine mounted
+men can cover the rear and charge any  of the insurgents who try to
+rush in and take them in the rear. I hope that we shall keep them
+off with our  musketry fire; but I don't disguise from myself that
+if they fall upon us at close quarters we shall have to  fight
+hard. Ah, here they come!"
+
+Suddenly in the darkness from the other side of the chateau
+a great crowd of men poured out, shouting and  yelling furiously,
+and brandishing their rough weapons, which shone blood red in the
+glow of the fire in the  ruins.  Someone had evidently been placed
+on the watch, and had told them where the troops had taken up  their
+post, for they came on without hesitation, bearing outwards until
+they faced the centre of the line, at a  distance of fifty yards;
+then one of the men, who appeared to be the leader, shouted
+an order, and they  rushed impetuously forward. The front line at
+once opened fire. Many of the peasants dropped, while the  others
+hesitated a little, and so gave the men who had first fired time to
+reload; but, urged on by the shouts  of their leaders, the peasants
+again rushed forward.
+
+"Fire a volley, and then fix bayonets!" Hector shouted.  The fifty
+muskets flashed out, and as the peasants  were but fifteen yards
+away every shot told, and their front rank was completely swept
+away.
+
+"Every other man in the second line fire!" Hector ordered, and
+twenty-five shots added to the confusion  among the peasants. The
+slaughter, however, only had the effect of maddening the great
+crowd, who  numbered upwards of two thousand, and with a howl of
+fury they rushed forward again.  Hector waited  until they almost
+touched the row of bayonets, and then gave the order for the
+remaining men to fire and all  to fix bayonets. The instant this
+was done he shouted "Charge!" for he saw that while standing quiet
+his  men were no match for the peasants, whose long poles with
+the scythes at the end gave them great  advantage over the shorter
+weapons of the soldiers. With a cheer the latter threw themselves
+upon their  opponents, their close formation and more handy
+weapons depriving their enemies of this advantage.  Thrusting and
+overthrowing all in front of them, the line burst its way through
+the mob, the little party of  cavalry charging furiously whenever
+the peasants endeavoured to fall upon their rear, and the latter,
+boldly  as they fought against the infantry, shrank back before
+the flashing swords and the weight of horses and  riders.
+
+As soon as they had passed through the crowd Hector gave the order
+for his troops to face about, and they  again burst their way
+through the mob that had closed in behind them. Four times was the
+manoeuvre  repeated, the resistance growing fainter each time, as
+the peasants found themselves unable to withstand the  charge of
+the disciplined troops.  When for the fifth time they reached the
+gate of the castle the crowd no  longer pressed upon their rear,
+but stood hesitatingly some fifty yards away. Hector took advantage
+of the  pause, and ordered his men, who were panting from their
+exertions, to load again. He formed them in single  line now.
+
+"Don't fire a shot until I give the word," he said; "then pour in
+your volley, fix bayonets instantly, and  charge."
+
+Standing in the shade as they did, the movement of loading
+was unobserved by the peasants, who, as they  saw the line again
+advancing, prepared to meet them, but gave a yell of surprise when
+a terrible volley was  poured into them at a distance of twenty
+yards. Then, before they had recovered from their surprise, the
+long line was upon them with levelled bayonets. Only a few stood
+their ground. These were instantly  overthrown. The rest, throwing
+away their weapons, fled in all directions.
+
+"Thank God that is over!" Hector said, as he told the troops to halt
+and reload. "If they had all been as  courageous as their leader
+they would have annihilated us, but each time we charged I observed
+that a  considerable number fell away on either flank, so that it
+was not a solid mass through which we had to  make our way. What
+is our loss, Mieville?"
+
+"I rode along the line and counted the numbers. There are but
+seventy-five on foot," he said, "and most of  these have got more
+or less severe wounds with their ugly weapons."
+
+"Let the ground over which we have passed be carefully searched,"
+he said, "and any of our men who show  signs of life be carried in
+front of the chateau."
+
+Twelve men were found to be living; their wounds were at once
+attended to and bandaged.
+
+"I think most of them will do," Captain Mieville said.  "They are
+ugly looking gashes, but it is not like a  bullet in the body."
+
+The men who had been killed were found in most cases to have been
+slain outright from the blows of  hatchets, which had in several
+cases completely severed their heads. While the wounds of the
+soldiers were  being attended to, Hector went to the gate at which
+the baroness and her daughter were now standing.
+
+"You are unhurt, I hope," the lady said as Hector approached.
+
+"I have two or three more wounds," he said, "but, like those I had
+before, they are of little account."
+
+"It was a terrible fight," she said. "We watched it from the top
+of the turret, and it seemed to us that you  were lost each time
+you plunged into the crowd, you were so few among such numbers.
+Have you lost any  men?"
+
+"We have only had thirteen killed outright," he said.  "Twelve more
+are very seriously wounded, but I think  most of them will recover.
+As to the rest of the company, I fancy that most of them will require
+some  bandaging. And now I shall recommend you and your daughter
+to return to your shelter. I have no fear  whatever of their coming
+back again."
+
+"That we cannot do," she said firmly. "It is our duty to do what
+we can to aid those who have fought so  bravely."
+
+"The men are now attending to each other's wounds," Hector said.
+"Every man in my regiment carries, by  my orders, a couple of
+bandages. We found them most useful at Freiburg, and many a life
+was saved that  would have been lost but for their use; but if
+you insist upon doing anything, I would ask you to carry wine  and
+water round. The troopers will draw the water for you from the well
+in the courtyard here."
+
+"That we will do willingly," she said.
+
+For the next two hours the ladies were busy at work, moving among
+the men and supplying them with  refreshments. Not until all their
+wants were amply supplied did they retire.
+
+In the morning Hector said:  "Now, Madame de Blenfoix, I have been
+thinking the matter over, and  consider that it would be a wholly
+unnecessary journey and a loss of four days were you to travel to
+Nancy  with us. You are only ten days' journey from Poitou, and
+I should advise you to start at once. My man,  Paolo, and two of
+the troopers will accompany you as an escort.  Your road will lead
+through Orleans,  which will be almost halfway, and you will also
+pass through Tours. At both these towns you can, if you  will, stay
+for a day to rest. I will ride down with you into Blenfoix, where
+I shall be able to get paper and  pens, and will write letters to
+Captain MacIntosh and to my intendant explaining exactly the position
+that  you will occupy. One of the troopers will ride forward with
+these from your last halting place before you  arrive there, in order
+that you may find everything prepared and be received properly on
+your arrival. Do  you both ride, or would you rather have a pillion's
+place behind the troopers?"
+
+"We both ride," she said; "but I should prefer, on a journey like
+this, that my daughter should ride behind  me on a pillion. You are
+altogether too good, Colonel Campbell.  You are heaping kindnesses
+upon us."
+
+"Not at all, madam. And now you will doubtless be glad to hear
+that in searching round the place this  morning, we have discovered
+that two of your horses that had doubtless been turned loose by the
+peasants  have found their way back.  No difficulty will therefore
+arise on that score. The saddles are hanging from  the beams in
+the stable, so that everything is in readiness for your departure."
+
+A quarter of an hour later the whole party left the ruined chateau,
+the troops taking their way to the point at  which they had left
+the road, while Hector with his four troopers and Paolo rode down
+into Blenfoix with  the ladies. Here the baroness purchased a few
+necessaries for the journey while Hector was writing his  letters.
+Hunter and Macpherson were to form their escort, and were by turns
+to lead the spare horse, which  on alternate days was to carry
+the double burden. Paolo carried the purse, which contained a sum
+ample for  the expenses of the journey. When all was ready the
+adieus were said, and the baroness repeated the  heartfelt thanks
+of her daughter and herself for the kindness shown them. Paolo
+took his place beside the  ladies, the two troopers fell in behind,
+and they started west, while Hector with the other two troopers
+galloped off to overtake his company.
+
+At Joinville they found that de Thiou's company had just marched
+in, but it was not until the next day that  the other two returned.
+All had met with scattered bodies of peasants, but these had
+dispersed as soon as the  troops were seen, and there had been no
+actual fighting except with the parties Hector had met. The bodies
+of the soldiers that had fallen were buried near the chateau. Those
+of the peasants were left where they lay,  and would doubtless be
+carried off by their friends as soon as the latter knew that the
+troops had left. The  lesson had been a severe one indeed, upwards
+of two hundred and eighty being killed in the two  encounters.  The
+insurgents were completely disheartened by their loss, and during
+the rest of the winter the  aid of the troops was not again called
+for.
+
+As soon as spring set in, the Poitou regiment marched to join the
+marshal. The Bavarian army had been  weakened by the withdrawal of
+four thousand men to aid the Imperialists, who had been defeated
+by the  Swedes in Bohemia. Turenne, on hearing the news, at once
+prepared to take advantage of it, crossed the  Rhine on a bridge
+of boats at Spires, and passed the Neckar, General Merci retiring
+before him. Stuttgart  opened its gates, and Turenne established
+himself at Marienthal on the river Tauber. Merci, as he fell back,
+had caused a rumour to be spread that he was making for the Danube.
+
+There was a great scarcity of forage in the country round Marienthal,
+and the officers of the cavalry  strongly urged upon Turenne that
+they should divide and take up stations at various points where
+they could  obtain food for their animals, which were much exhausted
+by their long and heavy marches. Turenne for  some time resisted
+their entreaties, but at last, seeing that the cavalry would
+speedily be ruined unless they  could obtain food, permitted this
+course to be taken. Before allowing them to leave, however, he
+sent  parties of horse forward in various directions to discover
+what the enemy were doing. These returned with  the news that the
+Bavarian army had broken up, and was fortifying itself in the towns
+among which it had  been divided. Turenne, however, was still
+apprehensive. He kept his cannon and the greater part of the
+infantry with him, and also General Rosen with a portion of his
+horse, and refused to let the rest of the  cavalry go farther than
+three leagues from the army.  He himself rode out with a regiment of
+cavalry some  ten miles beyond Marienthal, along the road by which
+the Imperialists would advance were they to  assemble to attack
+him.
+
+At two o'clock the next morning a party he had sent to watch the
+Bavarians brought in the news that Merci  was advancing with all
+his force. Rosen was ordered to hurry forward to the spot where
+the advanced  division was lying.  Messengers were sent off in all
+directions to recall the scattered cavalry, and having  seen that
+everything had been done to place affairs in a better position,
+Turenne rode off with what troops  he could gather to aid Rosen.
+The latter had made a serious blunder. In front of the position
+held by the  advanced division was a large wood, through which
+the Bavarians must pass. Instead of taking possession  of this and
+holding it until reinforcements came up, he fell back, drew up his
+troops on the plain, and  allowed the Bavarians to occupy the wood
+without resistance. With the troops which arrived with him, the
+marshal had now under him some three thousand infantry and seven
+regiments of horse. He placed his  infantry on his right with two
+squadrons to support them; with the rest of his cavalry, he formed
+his left  wing.
+
+He himself took the command here. Rosen commanded on the right.
+Merci, after passing through the wood,  drew up his army in order
+of battle and opened fire on the French.  The artillery, however,
+in no way shook  their firmness, and seeing more troops in the
+distance advancing to reinforce them, Merci began the battle  by
+an attack on a little wood on which the French right rested; while
+at the same time Turenne charged the  Bavarian right wing with his
+cavalry, broke it up, and captured the cannon and twelve standards.
+But while  on this side the victory was almost won, on the other
+side disaster had befallen the French. Their infantry,  perceiving
+that the Bavarians, who were advancing to attack them, were much
+superior in force, were  seized with a panic and scattered in all
+directions. The left wing of the Bavarians advanced rapidly, and,
+throwing themselves behind Turenne's wing, prepared to fall upon
+him in the rear.
+
+Turenne ordered his cavalry to retire, and passing through the wood
+found beyond it three regiments that  had just arrived. These with
+the fifteen hundred horse that had been with him in the battle placed
+him in a  position to make a vigorous defence, but the Bavarians
+did not venture to attack him. He now sent an  officer to rally
+the scattered infantry, and gave orders that they should at once
+retreat without a stop to  Philippsburg, a distance of seventy miles.
+He himself with his cavalry started for Hesse, whose landgravine
+was in alliance with France. With two regiments he covered the
+retreat, and so enabled the rest of the  cavalry as they came up
+from their distant quarters to cross the Tauber. This was a bold
+and successful  movement, for had he fallen back with his infantry
+to Philippsburg the enemy would have possessed  themselves of
+all the towns he had captured, whereas they could not now advance
+without exposing their  line of communication to his attack.
+
+The Poitou regiment had, when Turenne advanced to Marienthal, been
+left at a town some four leagues  away.  A messenger reached Hector
+from Turenne with a note scribbled in pencil: --
+
+We have been beaten. The infantry behaved shamefully, and are
+hastening, a crowd of stragglers, towards  Philippsburg. I shall
+retire along the Tauber with the cavalry and make for Hesse, do
+you march with all  speed for that river.  If as you approach the
+river you hear that we have already passed, do you direct your
+march to Hesse. I leave the choice of route to you, and you must
+be guided by circumstances. At any rate  you are unlikely to be
+attacked except by cavalry, and these, if not in too great numbers,
+you may be trusted  to beat off.
+
+Ten minutes after the receipt of this order the regiment was on the
+march. They arrived on the Tauber just  in time, for a quarter of
+an hour after they had piled arms, after a tremendous march, the
+cavalry came  along. They were in scattered parties, for the roads
+were terribly bad, and they were obliged to break up and  make
+their way as best they could by mere tracks across the rocky and
+hilly country.  Turenne himself,  when he arrived, had but twenty
+horsemen with him.
+
+"I hardly expected you to be up in time, Campbell," he said, as he
+dismounted. "Your men must have  marched well indeed. As you see,
+though unbeaten, for we on our side defeated the enemy's horse,
+we are  as much dispersed as if we had suffered a disaster. I am
+trying to cover the retreat with two regiments of  cavalry that
+were not engaged in the battle. Half an hour since we charged and
+drove back in confusion a  party of Bavarian horse, but they formed
+up again. The main body is ahead, but is as scattered as we are,
+for besides the difficulty of keeping together on these horrible
+roads, it is necessary that we should occupy  every track by which
+the enemy's horse could move, or they might get in front of us and
+play havoc with  us.
+
+"You will have to march all night, and I should advise you to break
+up your command into half companies,  with orders to each to attach
+themselves as far as possible to such parties of my two regiments
+of cavalry as  they may come across. We shall not proceed at any
+great pace, as we must give time for the troops ahead of  us to
+get clear. The horses are utterly worn out, being half starved and
+fatigued with their march. So far we  know not whether the whole
+of the Bavarian cavalry is behind us, but it is probable that one
+of their two  divisions is pursuing the infantry. I wish you had
+been there with them. In the first place your example  would have
+prevented their breaking, and in the second you could have covered
+their retreat. As it is, I fear  that but few of the three thousand
+who were with me will reach Philippsburg. I shall be glad if you
+yourself  will remain near me. If your regiment were going to keep
+together I would not take you from them, but  being broken up
+into fragments, you could exercise no supervision over them in the
+darkness."
+
+Hector at once called the officers together, and gave them the
+necessary orders. "You understand," he said,  "that your main object
+is not so much to save yourselves, though that is most important,
+but to enable the  cavalry to beat back the Bavarian horse."
+
+It was a terrible march; both horse and foot made their way along
+with difficulty through the darkness. Men  and horses were alike
+fatigued, and the cavalry for the most part dismounted and led
+their animals along.  There were several sharp fights with bodies
+of the enemy, who, ignorant of the line by which the French  were
+retreating, feared to press the rearguard too close, lest they
+should find them in very superior numbers.  Once, when they passed
+a lane running down to the river, Turenne -- who had taken every
+opportunity of  making his way across the line of retreat and
+seeing how all was going on -- said to Hector, "Will you ride  up
+here, Campbell, and cheer up any parties you may come across.  Tell
+them that all is going on well, and  that by morning we shall find
+that the enemy have given up the pursuit, and shall be able to halt
+and take a  few hours' rest, and give battle should the enemy come
+up in force. Their horses must be as fatigued as  ours, for they
+must have been marching for eight or ten hours since the morning."
+
+Hector had only Paolo now with him, having appointed the four
+troopers to go with different parties of the  infantry, and to act
+as orderlies to their captains. He rode rapidly up the lane, and
+presently heard the  cavalry passing across it.
+
+"There is one party, Paolo," he said, urging his horse into a gallop.
+In two or three minutes he came up with  the column of horse.
+
+"Where is your officer?" he asked, drawing rein as he reached them.
+
+"Seize him!" a voice cried in German, and before he and Paolo could
+turn their horses half a dozen troopers  were upon them.
+
+"I surrender," he cried in German, seeing that resistance was
+impossible.
+
+"Who are you, monsieur?" an officer demanded.
+
+"I am colonel of the Poitou regiment of infantry," he said. "This
+man is my lackey."
+
+"Where are your cavalry, sir?"
+
+"That I cannot tell you exactly, seeing that no one knows.  I
+thought that you formed part of our rearguard."
+
+"How comes it that you, an infantry officer, were there?  We heard
+that there were no infantry with them."
+
+"We joined them just before nightfall, and were at once divided up
+among the various regiments of horse."
+
+"I must inform our colonel of that. Come along with me," and they
+pushed past the troopers until they  arrived at the head of the
+column, when the officer reported to the colonel.
+
+"Donner Blitzen!" the latter exclaimed, "it is well that we learned
+this news, for we should have fared very  ill if we had come upon
+horse and foot together. The Poitou regiment! That is the one that
+we heard beat  back our charges so often at Freiburg, and they say
+the best regiment in the French service. It is no use our  going
+farther; we might well fall into an ambush, and in these lanes they
+could shoot us down helplessly.  We will move on quietly until we
+get to a place where there is space enough for us to dismount and
+bivouac. We could not have gone many more miles, for if we did we
+should be a regiment without horses  tomorrow morning."
+
+They proceeded very slowly and cautiously until, when they came
+upon an open tract of ground, the  colonel ordered them to dismount
+and sound the trumpets. His regiment, like those of Turenne, had
+been  broken up, and he had but half a squadron with him. In an
+hour the whole regiment was assembled; a few  fires were lighted,
+but most of the men threw themselves down by their horses and at
+once went off to  sleep. The colonel and his officers sat down at
+one of the fires, where Hector was requested to join them.
+
+"I suppose that your regiment took no part in the battle?"
+
+"No, sir; we were some way from Marienthal, and I received orders
+only after the day was lost, to join  Marshal Turenne and his
+cavalry on the Tauber. We arrived on the river just at sunset,
+having marched ten  leagues in eight hours. I regret bitterly that
+my regiment was not on the field, for assuredly they would not
+have given way. Had they stood, the rest of the infantry would have
+stood."
+
+"And in that case you would now be the pursuers," the colonel broke
+in, "for Turenne completely shattered  our right wing. Well, sir,
+it is the fortune of war, and we at least have the honour of having
+given your  marshal a defeat. He is a grand general, but we caught
+him napping today."
+
+"It was not his fault, sir.  General Rosen and his officers insisted
+so strongly that unless they were allowed  to move off in search
+of forage, the whole army would be disabled by the loss of their
+horses by hunger,  that he was almost forced to comply with their
+request."
+
+"But, even so, he made a mistake," the colonel said. "If instead
+of marching to meet us in front of  Marienthal he had fallen back
+directly he had the news of our coming, he could have been joined
+by all his  detached troops before we came up with him."
+
+"He said as much to me tonight," Hector replied; "but even the
+greatest generals are liable to make a  mistake sometimes. And,
+indeed, had General Rosen with the advanced division held the wood
+in front of  them, instead of retiring on to the plain, they should
+have been able to keep you at bay until all our troops  came up."
+
+''Undoubtedly that was a terrible blunder on his part," the colonel
+said, "and he rather than Turenne is to  blame.  And now, sir, may
+I ask how is it that you, who cannot be more than twenty, come to
+be a colonel,  and in command of a regiment?"
+
+"I have been five years an officer, and was fortunate on two occasions
+to obtain the approval, once of  Monsieur de Turenne, and once of
+the Duc d'Enghien."
+
+"I congratulate you, sir. It is seldom indeed that so young an
+officer has opportunities of distinguishing  himself.  I myself
+had seen well nigh thirty years service before I came to command
+a regiment. And now,  sir, will you give me your parole not to
+attempt to escape?"
+
+"Certainly, sir," Hector replied promptly. He knew that should he
+refuse four or five troopers would be set  to watch him, and even
+if he evaded these, which was well nigh impossible, he might be
+recaptured on the  following morning, as detachments of the Bavarian
+horse would be sure to be pressing hard upon Turenne's  troops.
+The pursuit was indeed taken up again during the night, but Turenne
+succeeded in keeping his  pursuers at bay, and reaching the frontiers
+of Hesse. There he found the infantry and cavalry who had not  been
+engaged already assembled, for they had received orders to march
+instantly to that spot. He had now  with him some four thousand
+horse and two thousand foot, and was joined by six thousand troops
+from  Hesse and four thousand Swedes. He was thus soon in a position
+to advance with a much stronger force  than that which he commanded
+before the battle of Marienthal.
+
+The Bavarian cavalry that had followed him rejoined General Merci
+at Kirchheim. Hector was with Paolo  taken to that place, and upon
+his refusal to continue his parole, was confined in a prison there,
+Paolo being  allowed at his request to remain with him. He had had
+an interview with General Merci, who had treated  him with much
+courtesy; for there were Scotch and Irish officers serving in the
+Imperial army as well as in  that of France, and they were held in
+high esteem for their courage and daring.
+
+The battle of Marienthal was fought on the 2nd of May, and it
+was late in July before any fresh movements  took place.  Turenne
+would willingly have advanced with his army, but his movements were
+arrested by a  peremptory order from Paris, sent on receipt of the
+news of the defeat, that he was not to take the offensive  until
+joined by Enghien, who had with him a force of eight thousand men. He
+therefore marched to join the  reinforcements, and the two armies
+met at Spires on the 2nd of July. As before, Enghien was in supreme
+command, with de Gramont as his lieutenant general. Long conferences
+took place between these generals:  Turenne, General Geis, who
+commanded the Hessians, and Konigsmark, who commanded the Swedes.
+The Bavarians were known to be very strongly posted, and to have
+been reinforced by four thousand  Imperialists under the command
+of General Geis.
+
+There was much difference of opinion between them as to the best
+course to be pursued, but Enghien, who  was always in favour of
+great battles, finally determined so to place the army that the
+enemy would be  forced to come out and fight. He therefore marched
+to Venecher, captured Wimpfen, and threw a bridge  across the river,
+whereupon General Merci fell back twenty leagues into Franconia. As
+soon as they had  passed the river an occurrence took place that
+threatened to overthrow all the plans of the campaign.  Some  hasty
+words spoken by Enghien so angered the Generals Geis and Konigsmark
+that they determined to  retire at once with the Swedes and Hessians.
+Turenne was requested by Enghien to endeavour to arrange  matters,
+and by his kind and gentle manner succeeded in conciliating Geis,
+who consented to remain with  the Hessians.  Konigsmark, however,
+as hot tempered as Enghien himself, refused to do so, and with his
+whole force retired to Bremen, in Lower Saxony.
+
+The French and Hessians marched towards the Tauber, captured
+Rothenburg and other towns, and thereby  obtained a large quantity
+of provisions and stores; and hearing that the Bavarians were
+advancing to  Nordlingen, marched in all haste to give them battle
+there.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI:  AN ESCAPE
+
+
+After being confined for a week in the prison at Kirchheim Hector
+was sent with a number of other  prisoners to Ingolstadt. Here he
+was confined in the castle, a separate room being allotted to him
+in  recognition of his rank, and Paolo was, at his request, allowed
+to remain with him.
+
+"I cannot but think, master, that we should have done better if
+you had given your parole not to try to  escape. In that case we
+might have had comfortable quarters in the town instead of this
+somewhat bare  chamber. If there had been a chance of escape it
+would have been different, but seeing the strength of the  castle,
+methinks there is no prospect whatever of our being able to get
+out."
+
+"That remains to be seen, Paolo. I fancy there is always a chance
+of escape if one does but hit upon the  right way. At present we
+know nothing of the castle or the vigilance of the guard, and no
+doubt it will take  us some little time to find these matters out.
+The first thing we require is patience.  No doubt they will  allow
+me out to take exercise, and like enough, if I give my word that
+you will return every day at a certain  hour, they will allow you
+to go in to the town, seeing that you can scarcely be called a
+prisoner, having no  military rank or position, but being in their
+eyes only a lackey. If they will do that it will be a great step
+gained, for you will be able to bring in anything that we may
+require. However, I will not ask that you  should be permitted to
+go in and out for some little time.
+
+"Lose no opportunity of making yourself friendly with some of the
+soldiers, and if the chance should occur,  be useful to any of the
+officers. The commandant is evidently disposed to be civil, and says
+that he will  grant me any indulgence in his power short of passing
+the gates of the castle. I have no doubt that when the  campaign
+is over and the army has gone into winter quarters Turenne will
+offer to exchange some prisoners  of the same rank for me. But I
+have no wish to be cooped up here when perhaps a great battle may
+be  fought.  As far as I can see, the difficulty will not be so
+much in getting out of the castle, but out of the  town itself, for
+this is one of the most strongly fortified places in the empire.
+One reason why I want you to  go into the town is that you may be
+able to obtain shelter there for us should we find, as I expect
+we shall,  that it is impossible for us to escape from the citadel
+and town at the same attempt."
+
+The place was indeed so strong that but a careless watch was kept
+over the prisoners in the castle. The  soldiers were confined to
+their quarters save that they were allowed for an hour a day to
+take exercise in the  courtyard, a company of troops being kept
+under arms while they were out; but the officers were free at all
+times to wander about. Hector was soon on friendly terms with many
+of the officers of the garrison, as in  his case there was none of
+the hostile feeling with which the French officers were regarded.
+His youth, and  the singularity of his having so soon attained
+the rank of colonel, also predisposed them in his favour. It  was
+evident that this young soldier of fortune, unsupported by powerful
+family interest, must have  distinguished himself in an altogether
+exceptional manner to have obtained the command of one of the best
+regiments of France.
+
+Paolo was as popular among the sergeants and men as his master was
+with the officers. As an Italian, and  as Hector's lackey, he was
+not regarded as a prisoner of war; and by his unfailing good humour,
+his  readiness to enter into any fun that might be going on, or to
+lend a hand in cleaning accoutrements or  completing a job that a
+soldier had left unfinished when his turn came for duty, he became
+quite a popular  character. The colonel who commanded frequently
+walked with Hector in the courtyard, sent him dishes  from his own
+table, and more than once invited him to dine with him. As he was
+very curious to learn how  his young prisoner had so early attained
+his rank, Hector one evening gave him a sketch of his career, from
+the time when Turenne gave him his commission to that at which he
+was taken prisoner, omitting only the  incident of the attempt to
+assassinate Mazarin.
+
+"You have certainly been fortunate," he said, "but it is equally
+certain that you have deserved it. The fact  that, in addition to
+your military duties, you have learned Italian and German, besides
+transforming a newly  raised regiment into one of the best in the
+French service, shows how assiduous you have been in your  work.
+I trust that when the campaign is over you may be exchanged, and
+I think it is foolish of you not to  give me your parole, for you
+must know well that you have no chance of escape from here."
+
+"They say everything comes to those who wait, colonel," Hector
+laughed, "and if I see a chance I shall  certainly avail myself of
+it. Even if no such chance comes I shall still be a gainer by not
+giving my parole. I  am exceedingly comfortable as it is, and can
+wish for nothing better. The one drawback is that I have  nothing
+to do, except perhaps to improve my German, and it would be just
+the same if I were living in the  town. But if I were on my parole
+I should lose the amusement of planning methods for escape, which
+I do  unceasingly; but up till now, I may tell you in confidence,
+I am as far from having hit upon a plan as I was  when I entered.
+By the way, colonel, although it is clear that I cannot be allowed
+to go outside the castle  gate, I should be glad if my lackey
+could be given leave to do so. He is not a soldier, neither is he
+a  Frenchman, and can scarce be counted as a prisoner of war.  He
+is a willing and cheerful fellow, and would  enjoy a run in the
+city much more than I should. Besides, occasionally I may want a
+book or some other  little thing which I cannot get here."
+
+"Such as a file, a rope, or a disguise, Colonel Campbell," the
+commandant laughed.
+
+"I am not thinking of that at present," Hector said smiling. "Besides,
+you can give orders that he can always  be strictly searched when
+he comes in."
+
+The colonel shook his head.  "I will tell you what I will do," he
+said; "I will let him have a pass to go in and  out at will, if
+you will give me a promise, on your honour as a soldier, that he
+shall not bring in anything  that can be used by you for facilitating
+your escape. I would much rather trust to your word than to any
+search the soldiers might make as your man comes in."
+
+"Thank you, colonel," Hector said cheerfully, though at heart he
+felt considerably disappointed. "I give you  my word of honour that
+he shall bring in nothing that may aid me in making my escape, and
+I am much  obliged to you for letting him have the run of the town."
+
+The colonel at once wrote a pass authorizing Paolo Monti, lackey
+to Colonel Campbell, to enter and leave  the castle at all times
+when the gates were open.
+
+Paolo laughed when Hector told him the conditions on which the pass
+was granted.
+
+"The commandant is a shrewd fellow, master, but he is not quite
+shrewd enough; he forgot that though I  may bring in nothing myself
+I may be able to arrange with someone else to bring something in."
+
+"That flashed through my mind at once, Paolo; but at present neither
+file, rope, nor disguise would be of  any use.  However, they may
+be so later. The first thing for you to do when you get this pass
+will be to  make yourself master of the plan of the town and the
+fortifications, and see if there is any place where you  think an
+escape is possible. But even when you find one, and you think that
+it might be managed, you must  afterwards find a place where I can
+be hidden for a time, at any rate for a few hours. You see, were
+I to go  out in disguise I must do so in broad daylight, for my
+supper is served almost directly after the gates are  closed; and
+were I missing there would be a search for me at once, the sentries
+on the wall would all be  warned, and it would be impossible to get
+past them. If I could get out two or three hours before the gates
+are closed at nine o'clock I might, as soon as it became dark,
+attempt to get over the walls before the alarm  was given, or
+I might possibly go out in the same disguise that I left here in,
+through the city gate and  across the bridge."
+
+"I see that, sir, and it seems to me that this would be easier
+than trying to find a hiding place for you in the  town.  However,
+I will set my wits to work. I have been able to think of nothing
+in here; but one's eyes  always help one's wits, and if I were in
+the town I might see something that would give me an idea how the
+matter might be set about."
+
+Day after day Paolo went into the town, always returning discouraged.
+
+"I must be growing a downright numbskull," he said one evening in
+disgust; "I have been three weeks at it  and no single idea has
+come to me."
+
+"You need not be discouraged at that, Paolo; it's not such a simple
+thing to plan an escape from a fortress  like this as it was to
+get into the citadel at Turin, where we also had the advantage of
+starting with  disguises. I can no more think of a disguise in which
+I can pass the gates than you can. I am a good deal too  tall to
+pass as a woman. My face is perfectly well known to every soldier
+in the castle, and even if we hit  upon a disguise it would be very
+difficult to get it brought in. It struck me today that if I am to
+get out it  must be in some vehicle that has come in with supplies."
+
+"That is a great idea, master; if I had not been a thick headed
+fool I should have thought of that before. But  at the same time
+it will not be easy to manage."
+
+"I quite see that, Paolo; even if the driver were bought over it
+would be difficult indeed to manage to get  into the cart with so
+many soldiers standing about."
+
+Paolo shook his head.
+
+"Yes, I don't see that that could be managed at all, master."
+
+He stood thinking a minute.
+
+"I have it!" he exclaimed joyfully. "You know, sir, sometimes a
+train of waggons containing faggots, or  flour, or other things,
+comes in late. Those that are unloaded before the gate is closed go
+out at once; the  others are unloaded that evening, but the empty
+carts have to remain in the castle till morning, as the great  gates
+are never opened between sunset and sunrise, though officers come
+in by the postern. Now, if you  could manage during the night to
+slip into one of the waggons, say one that has brought in flour,
+you might  be so covered over by the empty sacks they take out,
+that no one would dream anyone was hidden there."
+
+"Capital, Paolo!  It is evident that your head is not so thick as
+you thought it was just now. Yes, I have  noticed that as a rule if
+eight or ten waggons came in together, the full sacks are carried
+in, and the same  number of empty ones are placed in one of the
+carts, being counted as they are put in. Certainly I could hide
+myself easily enough if you were there to assist in arranging the
+sacks as regularly as before over me. As I  do not generally get
+up until eight o'clock, and my first meal is not brought to me till
+nine, I might be on  my way two hours before it was discovered that
+I was missing. How would you manage?"
+
+"I would get a countryman's suit, master, would go out soon after
+the gates were open, find some quiet spot  where I should have
+hidden the clothes the day before, and slip them on over my own.
+Then I would join  the carts as they came along. They don't generally
+begin to harness the horses up till the gates are open, so  that
+I should get a quarter of an hour's start of them, and I should
+go out with them without question, as it  would be thought that
+I belonged to the party.  I should pay for some beer at the first
+cabaret we come to,  and make signs that I wanted a lift in a waggon.
+I must, of course, pretend to be deaf and dumb, as,  although I
+have picked up a little German since we came into these parts, I
+could not possibly pass as a  countryman."
+
+"It would be better still, Paolo, for you to put a blister on
+to your cheek, then before you join them put a  great lump of tow
+into your mouth, so as to swell your cheek out almost to bursting
+point, and then tie a  bandage round your face; you could then by
+pointing to it make out that you had so terrible a swelling that
+you were unable to talk."
+
+"That would be better certainly, master, indeed, it would be a
+capital plan. Of course I should get into the  waggon in which you
+were, and gradually shift the sacks so that you could crawl out.
+When we smuggled  you in we would try and put in with you a couple
+of brace of pistols, and if we were armed with them the  carters
+would not venture to interfere with us. Of course, master, I should
+have to get a disguise for you.  We could never be tramping across
+the country with you dressed as a French officer."
+
+"Get something that I could put over the clothes I wear.  A long
+frock, some loose breeches, and rough  cloth to wrap round the legs
+below them, and of course a pair of countryman's shoes. The best
+plan would  be for you to stand treat again at a cabaret a few miles
+out of the town, get them all in there, then I could  slip out of
+the waggon and throw the sacks back into their place. Of course
+you would choose some spot  where the cabaret either stands alone
+or is at the end of a village, so that there may be no one standing
+by,  and I could, when I got down, walk quietly back along the
+road. You can make signs to them that you live  hard by, and would
+leave them there; then if there should be any suspicion that I
+had escaped in the  waggons, and a troop of cavalry were sent in
+pursuit, the men would be all able to declare that they had  seen
+nothing of me, and so could give no clue whatever that would set
+them on our track.
+
+"Well, it is quite settled that we will try that way, but it may
+be some time before the opportunity occurs.  However, you may as
+well get the two disguises and the two brace of pistols, and stow
+them away  somewhere where they are not likely to be found."
+
+"There are plenty of places where one can do that, master; there is
+a row of old trees inside the  fortifications, and I warrant that
+if I cannot find one with a hollow large enough to stow them away
+in, I can  hide them in the branches with small chance of their
+ever being seen."
+
+Another month passed. Paolo made a point of occasionally going out
+soon after the gates were open, saying  casually that his master
+had a fancy for a bottle of better wine with his breakfast, or that
+he was going to get  some eggs to make an omelette for him. Hector
+was in no particular hurry, for the news had come that  Turenne
+with his own troops and those of Hesse had, with the Swedes, marched
+away for the Rhine. It was  rumoured that they would be joined by
+another army, for in no other way could the Imperialists account
+for  Turenne having retired when he had a force at least equal to
+any that Merci could set in the field against  him. Hector saw that
+at any rate there was no chance of a great battle being fought just
+then, and felt,  therefore, no impatience to be off. Two or three
+times carts with faggots had been unloaded after the gates  were
+closed, but as they took nothing out, it was impossible for him to
+conceal himself in them.
+
+At last, to his satisfaction, a number of waggons of flour came
+in late one afternoon, and he determined to  carry his plan into
+execution that night. The storehouses were not in the great court,
+but in a smaller one off  it. Beyond two soldiers at the gate
+and a sentry at the commandant's door, no guards were kept in the
+courtyards, though a few sentries were placed upon the walls. Hector
+had his supper as usual, and Paolo  brought in the news that eight
+of the waggons had not been unloaded in time to go out. A fatigue
+party of  soldiers were now completing the work, which would be
+finished about nine o'clock. Taking off their boots  a little after
+that hour they went quietly downstairs, then put them on again
+and boldly crossed the  courtyard, for the night was so dark that
+there was no fear of their figures being perceived.
+
+As they entered the inner yard they again took off their boots
+and walked up to the carts. In two of these the  carters were fast
+asleep. They passed on quietly, feeling in each cart for the sacks,
+and were delighted to  find that they were all placed in the one
+farthest up the yard, which would therefore be the last to go out.
+They were tidily piled in lines side by side at the forward end of
+the waggon. They cautiously removed the  sacks of the middle lines;
+Hector lay down feet foremost, and Paolo laid the sacks regularly
+over him till  they reached the level of the others. Half a dozen
+were doubled and packed neatly in at the end, so as to  conceal
+his head and prevent its being noticed that any had been taken out.
+The rest were distributed  evenly, so that the sacks were all as
+level as before, and no one would have suspected that they had been
+disturbed.
+
+Paolo then returned to Hector's room. As the double sacks closing
+the orifice at his head had not been  packed very tightly, enough
+air entered for Hector to breathe. He increased the opening somewhat
+by  pressing one of the sacks a little aside, but left it so that
+he could readily pull it into its position in the  morning. As
+soon as Paolo reached the room he applied a blistering plaster to
+his cheek and kept it on till  he could no longer bear the pain,
+then he threw himself down on his pallet. But neither he nor his
+master  slept much, Hector being kept awake by the heat and discomfort
+of his position, and Paolo by the smarting  of his cheek. As soon
+as it was light the latter rose, and sat impatiently waiting for
+the time when the gates  would open. Looking into the courtyard,
+he could see the troops coming out from their quarters and moving
+about, then the gates opened, and, tying a bandage over his cheek,
+he went down and crossed the yard.
+
+"You are out early," the sergeant of the guard remarked.
+
+He nodded. "I am nigh mad with pain," he said, pointing to his
+cheek, "and I am going to get some salve  from an apothecary."
+
+"You seem to be bad indeed," the sergeant said commiseratingly,
+"'tis a terrible inflammation."
+
+Paolo went down to the spot where he had hidden the bundles in the
+hollow of a tree. It was an  unfrequented place, and slipping his
+disguise over his clothes, after putting the pistols in his belt,
+he took  the second bundle and returned to a street through which
+waggons leaving the castle must pass. A few  minutes later he saw
+them coming along. He had already stuffed his cheek full of tow,
+and several people,  struck with the raw and swollen appearance of
+his face, had compassionately asked him what was the  matter. He
+had simply shaken his head, opened his lips, and pointed to his
+clenched teeth, signifying that he  could not speak. He fell in
+with the waggons as they came along and passed through the gate
+without  question. When a short distance away from the town he made
+signs to the driver of the last waggon, that if  he would give him
+a lift in the cart he would pay for some drink. The carter nodded
+and told him to climb  up. After they had gone four miles from the
+town, they came to a wayside inn.
+
+"Now is the time, master, they are all going in to get some drink.
+There is no one about."
+
+The waggons all stopped there, for there had been no opportunity
+for the drivers to obtain refreshments as  they passed through the
+town. All therefore sauntered into the inn, their salutations to
+the host showing that  they were accustomed to stop there. Paolo
+followed them i n, and putting down the money for a large jug of
+beer, handed it to the carter, and, shaking him by the hand, made
+a motion that he was going no farther.  Then he went back to the
+end waggon. Hector had already pushed out the bags in front of him
+and had with  great difficulty crawled out.
+
+"It is all right, master, we have a good ten minutes; there is no
+one about, but you had better keep below the  waggon rails until
+you have got your disguise on."
+
+A couple of minutes sufficed for this, then Hector leapt to the
+ground, while Paolo replaced the sacks in  their position; and then
+together they hurried across some twenty yards of broken ground
+and entered a  wood.
+
+"That was a capitally managed business, Paolo. Now we have to find
+our way across country. We cannot  keep by the river, for it turns
+away to the south, and would take us far from the point we want
+to reach. At  any rate, for a day or two we must travel at night,
+after that I think we can venture boldly along -- for it is  not
+likely that the news that a prisoner has escaped will travel very
+far -- although no doubt a strict search  will be kept up for a day
+or two. I think that for today we had better make our way north,
+keeping in the  woods as much as possible; they are less likely to
+search for us in that direction than to the west."
+
+They found that the forest was fully two leagues across, and agreed
+that it was unlikely in the extreme that  any attempt would be
+made to search so extensive an area, where two men could anywhere
+conceal  themselves. Paolo had on the previous afternoon placed a
+couple of loaves and some cold meat in the  bundles, and they now
+sat down by a little stream and ate a hearty meal, then, crawling
+into a thick growth  of underwood, they lay down to sleep and did
+not awaken until the sun was setting.
+
+"There must be some country tracks through this forest, Paolo. We
+cannot do better than keep along the  edge of the stream until we
+come to one and then follow it. It is sure, sooner or later, to
+take us to some  small hamlet, and I can go into a cabaret and get
+a couple of flasks of wine and buy enough bread to last us  until
+tomorrow, and perhaps a sausage, they are not likely to have
+any other meat in a place of that sort. My  German is good enough
+to pass muster, and even if it sounds strange to their ears, they
+will merely suppose  that I have come from a different part of the
+country, for the dialects differ greatly from each other."
+
+As soon as it became quite dark they found it impossible to follow
+the rough ground, and after one or two  falls had to stop. Hector
+said, "This won't do, we shall twist an ankle or break a bone if
+we go on."
+
+"Shall we light a fire, master? I have brought flint and steel with
+me, for I knew that we should want it."
+
+"No, it is better to run no risks; there may be a road near for
+aught we know, and if anyone passing saw a  fire among the trees,
+he might come to see who had made it."
+
+"Not he, master; there are too many robbers about, deserters from
+their army, or men who have been ruined  by the war. You may be
+sure that if any belated villager had the courage to go through
+this forest by night  he would, on seeing a fire, hurry on as fast
+as his legs would carry him."
+
+"Well, no doubt you are right, Paolo; and though the night is warm
+enough the air is damp under this thick  covering of leaves, and
+it will certainly be more cheerful.  We will go a short distance
+among the trees  before we light it."
+
+Feeling their way -- for it was pitch dark in the forest -- they
+went on until Hector stumbled over a fallen  trunk.
+
+"This is the best place for a halt," he said, "for here is wood
+ready to hand. This tree has been lying here for  years, I can feel
+that it is quite rotten."
+
+Paolo set to work -- took a handful or two of the crumbling wood,
+broke it up into dust, then struck a spark  on to the tinder,
+touched it with a slow match and inserted this into the little pile
+of wood; a minute's  blowing and the flames sprang up. He drew
+out the slow match and putting his foot upon it placed it in his
+wallet, then he broke off some more wood and soon had a blazing
+fire.
+
+"We have enough food left for supper, master, and if I spit some
+of this cold meat on the ramrod of one of  my pistols and hold it
+over the fire it will be all the more tasty. I wish we had those
+flasks of wine that you  were speaking of. It seems to me that
+after sleeping for some ten hours we shall find it hard to go off
+again  for some time, even though neither of us got any sleep last
+night. How furious the governor will be when he  finds that you
+have escaped!"
+
+"He is a good fellow," Hector said, "and save that he will be annoyed
+-- because he will be blamed for my  escape -- I do not think he
+will be sorry that I have got off. I left a note for him on the table
+saying that I  was about to make my escape, but that on my honour
+I had not obtained anything that would aid me, by  your assistance,
+and that you had never brought anything into the castle save what
+you showed on entering  to the guards. I should not like him to think
+for a moment that I had broken my promise and taken  advantage of
+his kindness. How does your face feel?"
+
+"It is mightily sore, but it does not smart as it did at first.
+I can tell you that I was very glad when I was able  to slip that
+great lump of tow out of my mouth as soon as I entered the forest."
+
+"I don't think in future that you need use so large a wad, Paolo;
+half that size will be ample; and of course  you need only slip
+it into your mouth when we are going through a village, or meet
+a party likely to  question us. As to your cheek, it will be days
+before that fiery mark disappears."
+
+They talked until nearly midnight, and then lay down and slept till
+four, by which time day had broken, for  it was now the first week
+in July. After walking for half an hour along the edge of the wood,
+they came to a  track issuing out of it. This they followed, and
+in about two hours saw a village in front of them.
+
+"I will go in and buy the things that we want, Paolo, and do you
+make a circuit round it. If the news has  reached them of our escape
+they will have been told to look for two men; and the entry of a
+single  countryman will excite no suspicion, for of course no one
+will know what disguise we have chosen.
+
+"Do not be anxious if I do not come along for half an hour. It will
+be more natural that I should call for  bread and cheese and beer
+and eat them there; then I can say carelessly that I may as well
+take some with  me to eat later on."
+
+"You are early!" the owner of the cabaret said as Hector entered.
+
+"I ought to have been earlier," he replied in a grumbling voice;
+"but it was so late before I reached the other  side of the forest,
+that instead of passing through it I thought it best to wait till
+daybreak, for it would be  desperately dark under the trees, and
+sometimes there are pretty rough fellows to be met with there; so
+I  slept in a shed until an hour before daybreak and then started,
+and I lost no time in getting through it, I can  tell you. What
+can you give me now?"
+
+"The usual thing," the man said, shrugging his shoulders. "Bread
+and beer and black sausage."
+
+"It might be worse," Hector said as he seated himself.  The food
+was soon placed before him. He ate a  hearty meal.
+
+"I have a long way to go," he said when he had finished, "and as
+I am blessed with a good appetite it will  not be long before I am
+hungry again. I suppose there is no one in the village that sells
+bread and sausage,  so if you will let me I will buy a whole one
+from you and a couple of loaves."
+
+"I will sell them to you willingly enough; but you will come to
+another village three miles on."
+
+"I sha'n't be hungry enough by that time," Hector laughed. "Besides,
+I like to choose my own place and  time and sit down by the wayside
+and eat my meal. One need never go very far without coming upon
+a  stream; and though I like beer better than water, I can put up
+with it when there is nothing stronger to be  had."
+
+"Nothing but bread and sausage again, Paolo," Hector said as he
+joined his comrade a quarter of a mile  beyond the village.
+
+"And good enough too for a hungry man. I have often longed for such
+a meal in the days before you took  me, in spite of all warning."
+
+"And we have often done no better since, Paolo, when we have been
+on the march. Will you start on it now,  or wait until we get to
+a stream?"
+
+"I will hold on for a bit, master. This black bread is so hard that
+it needs a lot of washing down."
+
+Making several detours to avoid villages, they walked all day, and
+towards evening came upon a main road  running west.
+
+"Unless I am mistaken in the line that I have taken, this must be
+the road through Eichstadt. I can see some  towers ahead, and I
+have no doubt that they are those of the town.  There is a bridge
+there across the  Altmuhl. The river makes a loop at this point, and
+the road cuts across it to the northwest to Gunzenhausen,  where
+there is another bridge.  From there the road runs to Hall. Thence
+we can cross the Neckar, either at  Heilbronn or Neckarsulm, and we
+are then in our own country, and but a short distance from either
+Spires  or Philippsburg, where we shall be likely enough to meet
+Turenne advancing again, or shall at any rate  learn where he is.
+We will lie up now and not cross the bridge until it gets dusk."
+
+"I wish we had swords, master."
+
+"Yes, but they would not suit our disguises. But when we get
+into the town I will buy two woodmen's axes  and a couple of the
+long knives that all the peasants here carry. I fancy from what I
+heard when we were at  Hall with Turenne that the country between
+Eichstadt and there is for the most part a great forest, and there
+are rough hills to pass before we get to Hall. It will be just as
+well to have some weapons that we can use  with effect if we should
+come upon any bands of robbers."
+
+"Quite so, master. A good axe is as good as a sword in a rough sort
+of fight; but is there not some way we  can travel so as to avoid
+this great forest that you speak of?"
+
+"Not without making a great detour, and that through a country
+where there will be bodies of Merci's troops  quartered everywhere."
+
+"Very well, master. Then I think that the risk will be less with the
+robbers, especially as we have not  apparently much worth stealing
+upon us."
+
+"Not only apparently, but really, Paolo. Fortunately my purse was
+pretty well filled when we were taken  prisoners; but we spent a
+good deal at Ingoldstadt, principally in buying articles we could
+have done  without, but which we got in order to give an excuse
+for your going into the town, and in these disguises  and pistols.
+However, we shall not, I hope, require much more outlay; and after
+getting axes and knives we  shall have enough to pay for our food,
+such as it is, for some time. However, there is certainly nothing
+in  our pockets to tempt robbers."
+
+"No, master; but if they searched you they would notice your
+clothes. They would show at once that you  are a person of quality;
+and although, as you left your scarf behind you, they might not know
+that you are  an officer, they would see that there was a mystery
+about you."
+
+"That is true, and I think that perhaps it would be as well if both
+of us were to take off our own clothes  when we get beyond the town
+tonight, and go on only in those you got for us. When we rejoin
+our friends  we can get money and replace them."
+
+"I have money with me, master," Paolo said. "I have had no occasion
+to spend aught for a long time, and  have changed my wages as you
+paid them into gold, and have forty pistoles sewn up in the waistbelt
+of my  breeches. I heard you say that it was always a good thing
+to carry a certain amount about with one in case  of being taken
+prisoner or laid up wounded."
+
+"It was a wise precaution, Paolo; but just at the present moment
+I would rather that you did not have it  about you.  However, I do
+not suppose we shall be interfered with. You may as well continue
+to wear your  breeches under those you have outside, but leave your
+doublet when I change. After all, if you were to be  searched the
+pistoles would show that we are not what we seem, unless we could
+make up some plausible  tale as to how we came possessed of them."
+
+"Oh, we could manage that easily enough, master!  There are other
+ways of getting pistoles than by earning  them."
+
+Thus chatting they had crossed the bridge and were now entering
+Eichstadt. Going to a quiet cabaret they  ate a hearty meal, and
+Hector afterwards bought the axes and knives, and they left the
+town just before the  gates were closed. They had walked some miles
+when a thunderstorm, which had for some time been  threatening,
+broke over them.
+
+"We must get some shelter if we can," Hector said. "I see a light
+on ahead. Let us push on and take refuge  before we are wet to the
+skin."
+
+On reaching the house they saw that it was a wayside inn.
+
+"We are in luck, Paolo," Hector said as he lifted the latch.
+
+The door, however, was fastened, and on his knocking a voice asked,
+"Who is there at this time of night?"
+
+"Travellers," Hector replied. "Come, open the door quickly or we
+shall be wet to the skin!" and he  emphasized his words by kicking
+at the door. It was, however, a minute or two before it was opened,
+and  Hector, who was becoming furious at this delay, had just taken
+his axe from his belt and was about to break  the door in when it
+opened, and a man with a torch in one hand and a sword in the other
+stood on the  threshold.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII:  A ROBBER'S DEN
+
+
+
+"What mean you by knocking thus furiously?" the landlord of the
+little inn asked angrily.
+
+"What mean you by keeping your door shut in the face of travellers
+on such a night as this?" Hector replied,  even more loudly. "Are
+honest men to be kept waiting in the rain while you are taking no
+steps to let them  in?"
+
+"How could I tell that you are honest men?" the landlord retorted.
+
+"Because if we had not been honest men we should long before this
+have battered your door down, as  indeed I was just going to do
+when you opened it."
+
+"Well, come in," the landlord said with an evil smile.  "Maybe you
+would have done better to have passed  on."
+
+He showed them into the taproom, where two or three rough men were
+sitting.
+
+"What did these fellows mean by knocking so loudly?" one of them
+asked angrily.
+
+"It means," Hector replied, "that travellers have a right to claim
+shelter of an inn; and indeed, inn or no inn,  no one would refuse
+shelter to travellers on such a night as this is going to be." And
+his words were  emphasized by a crash of thunder overhead.
+
+"You crow pretty loud, young fellow," the man growled.
+
+"I speak loud because I have right on my side. I desire to quarrel
+with no man; but one need indeed be a  saint to keep one's temper
+when one is kept standing outside a door with the rain coming
+down in great  drops, and threatening in another minute to come in
+bucketfuls. It is all the worse when, as you see, one has  a sick
+comrade with one."
+
+The man spoke in a low voice to the three others seated at the
+table with him. "May I ask whither you were  journeying when thus
+caught in the storm?" he asked in a more civil tone than he had
+hitherto used.
+
+"Certainly you may. We were in haste to get on to Gunzenhausen by
+morning, as a friend of ours has work  ready for us there. We did
+not expect this storm when we left Eichstadt just before the gates
+closed, and as  the nights are short we thought we would push
+straight through."
+
+"You are woodmen, I see."
+
+"Ay, woodmen and charcoal burners."
+
+"You are not from this part, at least, judging from your tongue."
+
+"Nor, I fancy, are you," Hector replied.
+
+"No," the other said. "In times like these every one is liable
+to be driven from home either because the  troops of one army or
+another have plundered and destroyed everything, or perhaps because
+he has been  forced into the ranks."
+
+"That is just our case, and you will understand that in times like
+these, as you say, no one cares to answer  questions on the part
+of strangers. But we have no particular cause of concealment. We
+have both been in  the army, and, as you see, have left it, and have
+our reasons for wishing to travel at night, when there is no  chance
+of falling in with troops whose officers might ask inconvenient
+questions. As, thanks to our host and  you, we are nearly wet through,
+we will thank him to get ready as quick as may be two flagons of
+hot beer,  and if he has got a couple of eggs to beat up in each
+of them, so much the better."
+
+The landlord left the room, and a minute or two later the man who
+had spoken to Hector got up and went  out.
+
+"These men are up to no good," Hector whispered to Paolo as they
+sat down on a bench at a table some  little distance from that at
+which the other men were seated. "I am sorry now that I asked for
+the liquor, it  was necessary to order something. I should not be
+surprised if they drug it.  Do you put yours to your lips,  and
+then groan as if it hurt you too much to try to swallow, and leave
+it standing in front of you. I will  pretend to drink mine, and
+will manage to pour it away on the floor. Presently do you lean
+forward on to  the table and appear to fall asleep. As I am in
+the corner, I will lean back and seem to go off also. Unless I  am
+greatly mistaken this is a regular thieves' den. Keep one hand on
+the butt of a pistol. We will both keep  awake for a time, and if
+nothing comes of it we will then watch by turns. It is clear that
+they suspect that we  are not what we seem."
+
+The men at the other table were talking together in low voices,
+and, listening intently, Hector could hear a  murmur of voices in
+the room behind him.
+
+"There were more than two voices there," he whispered presently to
+Paolo. The latter nodded, for he too  had been listening. Presently
+the landlord returned with the two flagons of hot beer, which were
+set down  on the table before them. The room was lighted only by
+a torch stuck in a cresset on the wall, and Hector  had purposely
+seated himself as far from this as possible. Paolo took up his mug,
+raised it to his lips, and  then set it down again with a sudden
+cry.
+
+"I am afraid that you will not be able to take it," Hector said
+aloud.
+
+"What is the matter with your comrade?" the landlord asked.
+
+"He has a terrible abscess in his jaw, and is unable to speak or
+to swallow."
+
+The landlord took the torch from its place and walked over and looked
+at Paolo's cheek. "There is no  mistake about that," he said. "It
+is indeed a terrible swelling, and the cheek looks almost raw."
+
+"He has put liniments on it," Hector said, "but they seem to have
+done him harm rather than good.  However, he is not so bad as he
+was, and I hope that the abscess will break ere long."
+
+The landlord fastened the torch up again, and said in a low tone
+to the other men: "There is no doubt about  his face being bad."
+As he turned away from the table he stood between Hector and the
+other men, and the  former seized the opportunity of pouring the
+contents of his mug against the wall by his knee, knowing that  as
+the floor was of earth it would soak it up at once. From time to
+time he lifted the mug to his lips, until he  apparently drained
+it. Then half closing his eyes he leant up against the corner.
+Paolo had already laid his  head down on the table, and after a
+time both breathed heavily and regularly. Half an hour later one of
+the  men rose noiselessly and left the room. Two or three minutes
+afterwards he returned with the host, the man  who had gone out
+before, and two others.
+
+"Seven against two," Hector thought to himself.  "However, we shall
+have the advantage of a surprise." He  touched Paolo with his foot
+to assure himself that he had not really gone off to sleep, but
+the responsive  movement showed that he also was on his guard. The
+man who had first left the room and one of the others  drew their
+long knives and stepped quietly forward, while the others, also
+with bared weapons, prepared to  support them if necessary. Hector
+waited until the two leaders were close, then he exclaimed sharply,
+"Now!" at the same moment throwing forward his hand with the pistol.
+Two reports rang out at the same  moment, and the men pitched
+heavily forward. A yell of surprise and fury broke from the others,
+but ere  they could step over their fallen comrades, Hector and
+his companion stood erect with their second pistols  in their right
+hands and their axes ready for action in their left.
+
+Hector's second shot took effect on the landlord, Paolo's apparently
+missed, for the other four rushed  forward. Hector dashed the table
+aside, and he and Paolo, poising their heavy axes, rushed forward
+to meet  their assailants.
+
+"Mind the beams," Hector shouted, as with a sweeping side blow he
+clove in the head of one opponent. But  the warning came too late.
+Paolo struck a downward blow, the axe caught the low beams of the
+ceiling, and  it flew from his hand. His opponent sprang upon him.
+Paolo caught the man's right wrist as he struck at him  with his
+knife, and drew his own from his girdle. His assailant threw his
+other arm round him, and,  grappling, they fell on to the ground.
+Hector could do nothing to assist him, for the other two men were
+trying to circle round him, keeping beyond the swing of his axe but
+watching for an opportunity to spring  upon him. Keeping his back
+against the wall he made feints against them. Presently one of the
+men passed  between him and the two antagonists struggling on the
+ground. Suddenly they rolled over and over, coming  in contact
+with him from behind and almost throwing him over. Before he could
+recover from the shock  Hector's axe struck him below the ear.
+
+The other man would have turned and made for the door, but Hector
+knew that it was important that he  should not escape and carry
+the news to others of his party, who might be in the forest. He
+therefore sprang  after him, and before the wretch could open the
+door struck him between the shoulders with his long knife.  As he
+did so Paolo sprung up with a shout.
+
+"Thank God that you are alive, Paolo! I was afraid that he might
+have killed you."
+
+"No, no, master. I had him by the wrist too firmly for that, and
+my knife did its work almost directly. But  with those two fellows
+hovering round I should have been at their mercy had I tried to get
+on my feet. So I  kept on struggling until I saw my opportunity,
+and then as that fellow's back was turned I rolled over  against
+him, and so gave you the chance that you were waiting for. Well,
+master, it has been a sharp  business."
+
+"It has indeed. Now the first thing is to see if there is anyone
+else in the house, and the next to look about  for some clothes for
+you to put on, for those you wear are covered with blood. Then we
+must be off, and  put as many miles between us and this place before
+morning as we can."
+
+A brief search showed that the place was empty, save for the dead
+in the taproom. An old doublet  belonging to the landlord was
+found hanging up in the loft where he slept.  Taking off his outer
+garments,  Paolo put this on.
+
+"It is lucky I kept my breeches on under the others," he said, "for
+I certainly could not have gone into a  town with these stained
+things on. I suppose there is some money hidden somewhere, but we
+have not time  to look. You may be sure that many a traveller has
+been murdered here."
+
+"I quite agree with you, but we have certainly no time to spare to
+hunt for it. Let us be off at once."
+
+Reloading their pistols and carefully wiping their axes they went
+out by a door at the back of the house, for  neither cared to re-enter
+the scene of the slaughter. Before doing so, however, they took a
+long draught  from the landlord's beer barrel, to make up for the
+drink of which they had deprived themselves. The storm  had passed,
+and the stars were shining brightly. They met nobody on their way
+until within two or three  miles of Gunzenhausen; it was found
+that the haft of Paolo's axe was deeply stained with blood; and he
+threw it away on issuing from the wood, as it did not accord well
+with his present attire, which was rather  that of a discharged
+soldier or a worker in cities than of a countryman.  Soon after
+eight o'clock they  approached the town. They were now greatly
+fatigued, for they had done two long days' marches without  any
+sleep between them, and turning off from the road they made their
+way to a little clump of trees, and  there threw themselves down
+in the shade and slept until late in the afternoon.
+
+"I think that after our experience of last night, Paolo," Hector
+said, as they walked towards the town, "we  had better wait until
+we can join some party going to Hall before we leave this place.
+From what I hear, the  road is a great deal more infested with
+bands of lawless men than that along which we have come."
+
+"Then, master, I think we had certainly better wait, for I don't
+want anything worse than we had yesterday."
+
+They went to a small inn, had supper, and then lay down on some
+straw in an outhouse and slept soundly  until morning. Then they
+breakfasted, and as there was no one else in the room Paolo was
+able to eat freely.  Presently the landlord came in, and Hector
+entered into conversation with him.
+
+"We want to go on to Hall," he said. "We have friends there, and
+we are obliged to leave home because we  should be taken for the
+army."
+
+"Well, I don't think that you will find yourself better off at Hall
+than here. They are catching up every  ablebodied young fellow and
+putting him into the ranks, and as you both look strong and active,
+except for  your comrade's face, you are both likely to be seized
+as soon as you enter Hall, especially if you have no  papers to
+show."
+
+"We are not thinking of entering Hall, landlord. Our friends live
+a few miles away, and they will hide us till  the army moves away
+from these parts."
+
+"That will be before long, thank the saints! There is news that a
+great French army marched from Spires  three days ago, and there is
+like to be a great fight before long; and if the French are beaten
+Merci will  chase them back to the Rhine, recapture all the towns
+that they have taken, and perhaps enter Alsace."
+
+"Which way do they say that the French are marching?"
+
+"They took the road to Weisloch. Some think that they will come
+through Wimpfen, and then by  Weinsberg here, unless Merci bars the
+way. Others again think that they will make their way down through
+Stuttgart. Five hundred men march from here tomorrow to Hall,
+whence they go on to Heilbronn to  strengthen the garrison there.
+All the waggons in the town and country round have been fetched
+in to carry  their stores and baggage and a convoy of ammunition.
+I should say that you could not do better than go on  with the
+waggons. No one is likely to ask you any questions, for it will be
+thought that you are drivers."
+
+"Thank you very much," Hector said; "that would certainly be a
+capital plan. We were afraid of going  through the forests alone."
+
+"Yes, and you were right. They are full of marauders.  A party
+of troopers arrived here from Eichstadt  yesterday evening. They
+stopped to get a drink at a cabaret in the forest, and on entering
+found seven men  lying dead, and no one living to say how they got
+there. That some, if not all, were robbers was evident  from the
+fact that, on the bodies being searched, articles evidently plundered
+from travellers were found  upon all of them. An examination was
+made of the house, and considerable quantities of plunder found
+hidden. Searching in the forest behind, several mounds of earth,
+evidently graves, were discovered. The  landlord himself was among
+the killed, for one of the troopers, who had before stopped at
+the house,  recognized him. It was supposed that the brigands were
+killed by some other party with whom they had  quarrelled. Three
+of them were shot and two killed by tremendous blows from an axe,
+and as neither pistols  nor axes were found in the room it is clear
+that those within had been killed by some other band."
+
+The next morning, when the column started, Hector and Paolo fell in
+among the carts, and rendered good  service on the road by helping
+to move them when the wheels of the waggons stuck fast at spots
+where the  road crossed marshy valleys. So bad was the journey
+that it occupied two days.  Then the waggons were  parked outside
+the walls of Hall, a guard being placed round them to prevent
+desertion. The troops slept  inside the town. At daybreak the next
+morning their march was arrested by an officer riding out from the
+town, saying that news had arrived on the previous evening that
+the French were marching upon Heilbronn,  that General Merci was
+concentrating his army there to oppose the passage of the river,
+and that the troops  were to push on with all speed, leaving
+their baggage train at Hall. Hector at once decided that, with the
+Bavarian army gathering in front, it would be madness to endeavour
+to push on, and that indeed it would be  far better to fall back
+until the direction of the French march was fully determined, when
+they could make a  detour and come down upon their flank without
+having to pass through the Bavarian army. He did not,  however, care
+about remaining in Hall, which might be occupied by the Bavarians
+if they fell back, and  they therefore, after entering the town
+with the waggons, purchased a store of provisions, and, going out
+again, established themselves in a small farmhouse, whose occupants
+had deserted it and fled into the town  upon hearing that the French
+were but some thirty miles distant.
+
+Every day Hector went into the place to gather news, and learned
+that Wimpfen had been captured by the  French by a sudden assault,
+and that they had crossed the Neckar.  On returning he at once
+started with  Paolo, but on approaching the Neckar learned that the
+French had marched on to Rothenburg. They fell in,  however, with
+a detachment which had been left on the Neckar. Hector found among
+them several officers  to whom he was known, and, borrowing Paolo's
+money, fitted himself and follower out again, bought a  couple of
+horses that had been captured from the Bavarians, who had, he learned,
+retired to Franconia, and  set out to join the army. Rothenburg
+had been, he found out on his arrival, captured in a few hours,
+and the  main body of the French had marched to Dinkelsbuhl, and
+there he came up with them. He had learned  from the party on the
+Neckar of the defection of Konigsmark and the Swedes, and that
+Conde and  Turenne's united army did not exceed twenty thousand
+men, and, as he knew, that of Merci was at least  equal to it in
+strength.  His first question on entering the camp was as to the
+quarters of his own regiment,  and he at once rode there. As soon
+as he was recognized the men ran to him, cheering wildly, and so
+great  was the tumult that Turenne himself, whose headquarters were
+but a short distance away, rode to the spot to  enquire the cause
+of the tumult. When he saw Hector surrounded by his cheering soldiers
+he passed through  the crowd, and, reaching him, shook him warmly
+by the hand.
+
+"I had hoped that we might have made an exchange for you during the
+winter, colonel, but I had not  thought it possible that I should
+see you again before that time; for in the first place, we captured
+no  prisoners in this campaign, but, on the contrary, have had many
+of our own officers taken; and in the  second place, we have been
+too busy ever since Marienthal to enter into negotiations. You have,
+I suppose,  given them the slip, you and that varlet of yours, for
+I see him over there."
+
+"Yes, marshal; we had no very great difficulty in getting away. I
+have been very well treated, and until I  heard that you were again
+taking the offensive, I had no reason to fret over my imprisonment."
+
+"Well, you have joined us just in time, for at any moment we may
+fight a great battle. When you have  leisure this evening come over
+to my tent. I shall be glad to hear how you managed to escape, and
+any news  you have gained as to Merci's force and intentions."
+
+As soon as the marshal had ridden off, his officers pressed round
+him, but before speaking to them  individually Hector said a few
+words to the men, thanking them for the greeting they had given
+him, and  saying that he was glad indeed to be back among them.
+Then he talked for a time to the officers, two or  three of whom,
+after saying a few words apart to Captain de Thiou, had hurried
+away. Half an hour later de  Thiou said:
+
+"I have no doubt that you will be glad of supper, colonel.  Ours
+is just prepared, and we hope that you will  join us."
+
+"I am hungry, de Thiou, now I come to think of it, for except a
+crust of bread this morning I have not  touched anything today."
+
+"It is fortunate that we are better off than usual," de Thiou said.
+"We had the luck to buy a pig from one of  Weimar's troopers. The
+cavalry get the best of it, for though there are orders against
+pillaging, there is no  doubt that a good deal of it goes on;
+and, marching as we have been, there is no one to see that orders
+are  strictly carried out.  However, we have benefited by it this
+afternoon."
+
+Accompanying de Thiou, Hector was surprised to find that at a short
+distance in front of the spot where the  regiment was bivouacked
+a large arbour had been erected.
+
+"I did not notice this as I rode in," he said.
+
+"It was not even thought of then, colonel; it was begun a few minutes
+after you rode up, and the men have  worked right willingly, and
+fortunately there was a copse hard by. I may say that it was the
+men's own idea.  I had given orders that a table should be made of
+any materials that came to hand, and one of the men  started the
+idea of building an arbour over it, and as many hands make quick
+work it has, as you see, been  constructed in little over half an
+hour."
+
+As the evening was warm the front of the arbour had been left open.
+Inside, a rough table had been  constructed of empty casks, planks
+taken from the bottom of the waggons, and a couple of doors from
+cottages near, while powder barrels served as seats.
+
+"Now, colonel, will you take the head of the table?" de Thiou said.
+
+"Certainly not, de Thiou. I am your guest upon this occasion, so
+do you take that place, and I will sit upon  your right hand."
+
+"I only wish that we could have given you a dinner like those you
+so often gave us at St. Denis."
+
+"I shall enjoy it as much as if it were a royal feast," Hector said,
+seating himself; "for indeed since I escaped  from Ingoldstadt some
+ten days ago I have been living on black bread, sausage, and cheese."
+
+The meal was a joyous one, for at the assault of Rothenburg
+on the previous day several barrels of wine had  been captured by
+the soldiers of the regiment. These had been bought from them by
+the officers, who had  feared that some of the men might drink to
+excess, and so damage the reputation which the regiment had  obtained
+for sobriety and discipline. One of these had been broached, and
+this and the pork afforded an  excellent supper even though the
+bread was of the worst possible quality. When the meal was over,
+de  Thiou stood up and proposed the health of the colonel, and
+congratulated him most warmly upon his escape  from the enemy,
+expressing the extreme satisfaction of all the men as well as
+officers at his return. The  toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and
+Hector briefly returned thanks. Then, in accordance with the general
+request, he related the particulars of his escape from Ingoldstadt
+and of his journey.  Paolo, who had been  waiting behind his master's
+chair, came in for warm praise for the share he had taken in the
+matter.
+
+"I certainly did not think when I first, against the advice of
+everyone, took Paolo as my lackey five years  ago, that he would
+turn out so valuable a servant as he has done," Hector said as de
+Thiou handed a goblet  of wine to the man. "He has been more than
+a servant, he has taken part in all my adventures, and truly I
+regard him as my friend. Indeed, gentlemen, had it not been for
+him I certainly should not be here tonight,  for my own money gave
+out altogether at Hall, and I had to borrow from his store the
+means of buying  clothes and horses."
+
+"By the way, colonel," de Thiou said, "from the day that you were
+captured I have drawn your pay for you,  knowing that if it fell
+into arrear you would have had hard work in getting it, so that I
+have now three  months of your money in the regimental chest."
+
+"Thank you, de Thiou, it will be very welcome; though Paolo would
+not have been a very hard creditor."
+
+At eight o'clock the party broke up, and Hector walked across to
+Turenne's quarters. The latter had just  returned from a consultation
+with the other generals.
+
+"We shall open our trenches here tonight; the place is of some
+importance, as it is on the direct road to  Nordlingen, and it is
+as well not to leave it behind us. This, however, we shall do, if
+news comes that Merci  is marching to give us battle before that
+city, which we expect he will do. The Imperialists will like to
+fight  there, for it was the scene of their great victory over the
+Duke of Weimar and the Swedes."
+
+"We must hope that we shall reverse matters this time, marshal."
+
+"We must hope so," the latter said gravely; "if we fight on a fair
+field I have no misgivings whatever. But  Merci always takes up
+strong positions and entrenches himself, and Enghien is so anxious
+to fight that he  will do so at a disadvantage rather than wait
+until we can meet them on even terms. You know what  happened at
+Freiburg, where we lost some nine thousand men and gained no great
+advantage; while if we  had moved round and threatened their line
+of retreat the enemy must have fallen back at once, we should  have
+obtained our object without the loss of a man, and might possibly
+have fallen upon Merci in his  retreat, and well nigh annihilated
+his army. Do not think, Campbell, that I am for a moment  underestimating
+Enghien's genius.  It is extraordinary, and in the hour of battle
+he is superb, not only from  his extreme personal bravery, but
+from the quickness with which he grasps every point, seizes upon
+the  spot where a blow can be best delivered, and snatches victory,
+where another would see only defeat before  him. But he is reckless
+of life so long as he carries his point, and rather than lose a day
+in turning the  enemy's position and so forcing him to relinquish
+it, will sacrifice whole regiments by marching straight  against
+the most formidable entrenchments. Had he but patience in addition
+to his own splendid qualities, I  think he would be the greatest
+military genius the world has ever seen. And now let me hear what
+happened  to you after you left my side that night after Marienthal."
+
+Hector again related his adventures. Turenne laughed at the account
+of his escape, hidden under the flour  bags.
+
+"It was a good scheme," he said; "and it was well that you had that
+lackey of yours with you, for I do not  think that you could ever
+have managed it unaided."
+
+"I am sure I could not, marshal; it was entirely his suggestion, and
+he arranged all the details splendidly. He  was equally valuable in
+another way afterwards;" and he described the fight in the cabaret.
+
+"That was more dangerous than taking part in a pitched battle; seven
+against two are heavy odds indeed,  though you had the advantage
+of weapons. The fellow has a ready wit to think of rolling against
+the man  who was waiting for a chance of running in and stabbing
+you; he would have made his fortune somehow  even if he had not had
+the good luck to fall in with you. In some respects you resemble
+each other; you both  have enterprise, quickness, and daring,
+but he lacks your studious habits, your determination to master
+everything connected with your profession, and your ability to turn
+your knowledge to account. He would  have made a good soldier, an
+excellent leader of an irregular corps, but he would never have
+gained  distinction. Well, I am very glad to have had a quiet talk
+with you; it takes one out of one's worries and  anxieties. By
+the way, I had a letter from Mazarin; it reached me while I was
+at Spires. He said he was  sorry to hear that you had been taken
+prisoner, and requested me to make an exchange for you as soon as
+possible, even if I had to give a general officer for you, for he
+was very deeply your debtor, and had the  highest esteem for you.
+What have you been doing to make him your debtor? You never mentioned
+anything of the sort to me."
+
+"The matter was to some degree a state one, marshal, or I should
+have told you of it; but as it took place  nearly a year ago, and
+the circumstances are altogether changed, I can mention them to
+you in confidence --  for even now, were it known, it might make
+me some powerful enemies." He then related how it was that  he had
+thwarted the attempt on Mazarin's life.
+
+"That was a piece of singular good fortune," Turenne said. "Mazarin
+is a staunch friend and a bitter enemy.  I owe him no goodwill,
+for he has behaved shamefully to de Bouillon, refusing to hand to
+him the estates  for which he exchanged his principality of Sedan;
+but I do not permit myself to allow family interests to  weigh with
+me against my duties to France. Truly, as you say, it were well to
+hide your share in a business  that sent De Beaufort and a score
+of others to prison, and a dozen members of powerful families into
+exile;  it might well cause you serious trouble were it known.  You
+did well to keep the matter to yourself, and you  did specially
+well to refuse to accept any personal honour, for had you done so
+Mazarin's enemies would at  once have connected that fact with the
+discovery of the plot."
+
+On returning to his regiment, Hector found that an order had come
+just after he left, for four companies to  march down under the
+guidance of an engineer officer to begin work on the trenches. De
+Thiou, knowing  that he had gone to the marshal's, had gone down
+with the four leading companies. The other infantry  regiments had
+furnished similar contingents, showing that the siege was to be
+pushed forward with all  haste.
+
+"Enghien does not allow the grass to grow under his feet," Captain
+Mieville said. "We stormed Wimpfen a  few hours after our arrival
+before it; we carried Rothenburg in a single night, and I expect
+that by tomorrow  evening we shall be masters of this place."
+
+In the morning four more companies went down to relieve those who
+had been at work all night, and these  had made great progress
+when, in the afternoon, the news came that Merci was marching with
+all his  strength towards Nordlingen. Trumpets at once sounded to
+recall the troops from the trenches, a meal was  hastily cooked,
+and at sunset the army marched for Nordlingen. All night they pushed
+on through the forest,  and just as the leading squadrons emerged
+from it on to the plain, Merci's forces were seen issuing out
+from  the forest facing them. Both armies at once formed in order
+of battle.
+
+Enghien, anxious to attack, rode forward with Turenne, de Gramont,
+and Geis to reconnoitre the ground. It  was found that between
+the armies there was a small river, with great pools and swamps
+on either side, and  that the only approaches were by narrow and
+winding paths where two horsemen could scarcely ride  abreast. Even
+Enghien felt that it would be madness to venture upon an attack.
+His artillery opened fire, that  of the Bavarians replied, and the
+cannonade was continued till nightfall, inflicting a certain amount
+of loss  on either side but in no way altering the position. Seeing
+that a battle could not be brought on here, Enghien  marched two
+hours before daybreak for Nordlingen.  At nine the army came down
+on to the great plain in  front of that town, but he found that
+Merci had been beforehand with him, and had already taken up a
+strong position two leagues away, and between him and the city, and
+that his troops were already at work  throwing up intrenchments.
+The prince ordered all the baggage to be left behind, and at once
+marched  against the enemy. At four o'clock they were facing each
+other. Merci had, as usual, chosen his position  with great judgment.
+In the middle of the plain rose two little hills about a thousand
+yards apart. On the hill  on his left stood the castle of Allersheim,
+and here Merci's left wing, under General John de Werth, was  posted;
+while at Weinberg his right, commanded by General Gleen, took up
+its station. The main body of  the army, under Merci himself, lay
+behind a village a couple of hundred yards beyond the hills, and
+at the  head of the passage between them. He had his cavalry on
+his two wings, his infantry in the centre, and had  thrown forward
+some regiments to hold the village. On the two hills he had planted
+his cannon, sheltered  by intrenchments, and in a position to sweep
+the entrance to the valley.
+
+His army consisted of between fourteen and fifteen thousand men,
+that of Enghien of seventeen thousand.  After examining the position
+a council of war was held. Turenne was strongly against attacking
+the enemy  in a position of such strength, but Enghien as usual
+overruled his opinion.  Turenne then urged that the  cavalry on the
+wings should not charge up the hills and attack the positions held
+there until the enemy's  centre had been defeated, and his advice
+in this respect was taken. The generals then separated and rode to
+their respective commands. De Gramont commanded the right wing,
+consisting of all the French cavalry,  and having as a second line
+a reserve consisting of four battalions of infantry and six squadrons
+of horse  commanded by Chevalier de Chabot. Turenne commanded
+the left, which consisted of his own army, with  twelve squadrons
+of Weimar's cavalry, with the Hessian army -- six battalions and
+six squadrons -- as a  second line. The centre, consisting of ten
+battalions and five squadrons of horse, was commanded by Count  de
+Marsin. Enghien took no special command, preferring to remain free
+to go where his presence was most  needed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII:  NORDLINGEN
+
+
+It was five o'clock in the afternoon when all the arrangements for
+the attack were completed. But as on the  3rd of August the evening
+is long, it was judged that there would be sufficient daylight to
+carry out the  battle.  The French began with a cannonade against
+the village, and this was replied to by the guns on the  two hills.
+Not only did the position of the latter give them great superiority,
+but much time was lost by the  French in being obliged to move
+forward their guns as the army advanced, a slow and tedious process
+in  days when cannon were very heavy and cumbrous.  Seeing that
+they were losing time and suffering more  loss than they inflicted,
+Enghien gave the order to the infantry of the centre to advance.
+
+They went forward with great speed and eagerness, for they were
+burning to retrieve their cowardly  conduct at Marienthal. They
+carried the intrenchments Merci had thrown up at the mouth of
+the pass, and,  heedless of the firing of the guns, rushed at the
+village. Here, however, they were received by so heavy a  fire of
+musketry from the infantry posted there, who had loopholed all the
+walls and houses, that they came  to a stop, and, being shot down
+in great numbers, turned and fled. The Count de Marsin was himself
+dangerously wounded. The Duc d'Enghien sent the Marquis de la Moussaie
+forward with a reinforcement  of several regiments, but these, too,
+fell back before the Imperialists' fire. The Duc d'Enghien then
+rallied  the infantry, added to them all those not yet engaged, and
+himself led them to the charge. Merci on his part  brought forward
+his main body to the village.
+
+The battle was now a desperate one. Enghien seemed to lead a charmed
+life. He was ever where the fight  was hottest, encouraging the
+soldiers and setting them an example. His clothes were shot through
+in many  places.  Two horses were killed under him, and he received
+a contusion in the thigh. Merci on his part  showed equal valour
+and intrepidity; but he was less fortunate, for he was struck by a
+musketball and  killed. The news of his fall excited his soldiers
+to fury, and, hurling themselves on their assailants they cut  the
+greater part of the infantry to pieces.
+
+The French on the right had done no better, for the Bavarian cavalry
+charged them with such impetuosity  that although they fought
+sturdily they were broken and routed.  De Gramont did all that a
+leader could do  to check their flight and lead them back to the
+battle; and when he saw that he was powerless to do this he  put
+himself at the head of two regiments that had not yet been engaged,
+received the Bavarian horse with a  heavy volley, and leading his
+troopers to the charge, broke into them, but advancing too far
+was surrounded  and taken prisoner. John de Werth then fell on the
+reserve, broke them, penetrated the baggage, which was  plundered,
+and then pursued the fugitives far away from the field of battle.
+Had he, instead of allowing his  troops and himself to be carried
+away by their ardour, brought them round and attacked the French
+left in  the rear, the Imperialist victory would have been complete.
+
+Here for a time the conflict was doubtful. Turenne, in spite of the
+fire of the Imperialist artillery, led his  troops in good order up
+the hill of Weinberg. His horse was shot under him and his cuirass
+was struck, but  not pierced, by a musketball. On gaining the top
+of the hill a terrible fight took place between the Weimar  and
+Hessian troops on one side, and the Austrians and Bavarians on
+the other. The former showed valour in  strong contrast with the
+conduct of their French allies; and after repeated volleys had been
+exchanged  infantry and cavalry rushed upon each other and fought
+with bayonet and sword. At last the first line of  Imperialists
+gave way, but General Gleen brought up the second line and threw
+Turenne's first line into  disorder, although they still maintained
+their ground. At this moment Conde, seeing that his centre was
+destroyed and his right utterly dispersed, came up and joined
+Turenne, and placing himself at the head of  the Hessians, who formed
+the second line, brought them forward. The enemy's squadrons were
+broken, and  the infantry defeated. The guns were then turned upon
+the Imperialists on the slope of the hill leading down  to the
+village, and when they were shaken by the fire Turenne's squadron
+charged down upon them and  completed their defeat. General Gleen
+was taken prisoner, and Turenne's troops, descending the hill, took
+the village in flank.
+
+Had the defenders here fought with the same courage that they had
+previously evinced, they would have  given time to John de Werth
+to return, and the fate of the battle would have been doubtful, but
+they were  seized with unreasoning panic, and at once surrendered.
+The night had long since closed in, and so far as  the fighting had
+gone the battle might be considered a drawn one. The French right
+and centre were utterly  routed, but their left had captured one
+of the keys of the position and the village behind it. Had John de
+Werth, when he returned from the pursuit, shown himself an able
+general, rallied the Imperialists and sent  them to recapture the
+village, and with his victorious cavalry made a circuit of the
+Weinberg and fallen  upon Turenne's rear, the Imperialist success
+would have been as complete and striking as that which they  had
+won on nearly the same ground over the Swedes; but although an
+impetuous leader of cavalry, he had  no military genius, and on
+returning after dark, and hearing that the Weinberg was lost and
+the village  captured, he drew off from the field.
+
+He was joined by the Imperialist infantry, and when the morning
+broke Turenne's division stood victors on  the field. A number of
+officers, many standards, and all the cannon of the enemy fell into
+their hands. Of  the French infantry not more than fifteen hundred
+were rallied after the battle, and of the allied army  Turenne's
+German troops, although they had suffered severely, alone remained
+intact.  John de Werth  retreated with the remains of the Imperialist
+force to Donauworth, and crossed to the other side of the  Danube,
+although his force was still superior to that of Turenne, for the
+loss suffered by the French and  Turenne's German troops was very
+much greater than that of the Imperialists. Enghien, in his despatch
+announcing the victory, acknowledged in his letter to the queen
+that it was due to the valour and honour of  Turenne.
+
+Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl opened their gates to the victors. Enghien
+fell ill and was forced to return to  France, leaving Turenne in
+command. De Gramont was exchanged for Gleen, and he and Turenne
+took  counsel as to the course that had best be pursued. John de
+Werth had already recrossed the Danube, and the  French generals
+fell back to Hall, where they remained for twelve days to refresh
+the troops, provisions  being plentiful in the neighbourhood.
+
+But their position was daily becoming more untenable.  The Duke of
+Bavaria, greatly alarmed by the result  of the battle of Nordlingen,
+wrote to the emperor that unless Austria largely increased her force
+in the field  he should retire from the contest, of which he had
+hitherto borne the brunt, and make terms with the  French. The emperor,
+who had just brought a war with Hungary to a close, despatched the
+Archduke  Leopold, his son, with a great body of horse, and he soon
+effected a junction with Gleen and John de  Werth, and together
+they pushed forward at the utmost speed to surprise the French. As
+soon as Turenne  received news of the movement he and de Gramont
+agreed that an instant retreat must be made, seeing that  their
+force was less than half that which was advancing to attack them.
+The baggage was abandoned, and as  there was no bridge available
+the army crossed the Neckar by swimming, each cavalryman taking
+one of  the infantry behind him. They continued their retreat until
+they arrived at Philippsburg. Here Turenne with  the whole of his
+army took up his position, covered by the guns of the fortress,
+while Gramont passed the  river with the remains of Enghien's army
+and all the cavalry.
+
+The Imperialists, after examining Turenne's position, came to the
+conclusion that it could not be attacked,  and, marching away,
+besieged and captured all the towns taken by the French in their
+advance. Thus  beyond the empty honour of a nominal victory at
+Nordlingen, the campaign under Enghien and Turenne  ended, without
+any solid advantage whatever being gained by the French.
+
+The Poitou regiment, which was the only French battalion in the
+army of Turenne, had been placed with the  Hessians in the second
+line. It had fought with distinguished bravery on the crest of the
+Weinberg, and had  publicly been thanked by Enghien, who had on
+the day of the battle ridden by the side of Hector at their  head
+when they fell upon the Imperialists. They had suffered but a small
+number of casualties, for the  enemy were already shaken before
+they charged, and had, after receiving a shattering volley, broken
+and  fled as the regiment charged with fixed bayonets.  Turenne
+was always anxious to impress upon Hector the  lessons that were
+to be learned from each action, and while they were encamped round
+Hall he went over  the events of the campaign with him on a map.
+
+"You see," he said, "that what I said to you on the evening before
+we marched from Dinkelsbuhl has been  completely justified. Instead
+of manoeuvring so as to fight in the open, we dashed ourselves
+against this  strong position, with the inevitable consequences,
+two-thirds of our army were routed, and the infantry of  the centre
+and right all but annihilated; and although by hard fighting we on
+the left gained an advantage, it  was only the impetuous folly of
+John de Werth that saved us from destruction. Now, you see, we are
+in no  position to fight another battle. A victory won in one's own
+country is decisive for a considerable time, but  a victory in an
+enemy's country, unless it involves his disastrous defeat and the
+utter breakup of his army, is  practically without value. We can
+receive no reinforcements, for none can reach us from France in
+less than  a couple of months; the enemy, on the other hand, have
+rapidly filled up their ranks, and have received, or  are about to
+receive, large reinforcements, and as soon as they advance we must
+retreat in all haste,  sacrifice all the advantages we have gained,
+and shall be lucky if we can maintain a footing on this side of
+the Rhine.
+
+"Five or six thousand lives have been thrown away and nothing
+whatever gained. Now, you see, had we  instead of knocking our
+heads against the enemy's position, manoeuvred to place ourselves
+between him  and the Danube, he must have retreated without fighting
+a battle, for he was inferior to us in numbers, and  we should have
+been able to go into winter quarters in Nordlingen and possibly
+lay siege to Eichstadt. A  genius may win a battle, Campbell,
+but genius, if accompanied by impetuosity and a thirst for great
+victories, will very seldom win a campaign. I love as well as admire
+Enghien; he is chivalrous and  generous, he has great military
+genius; possibly with age his impetuosity may be tempered with
+discretion,  but at present, although a brilliant leader, he is not
+the general that I would choose to serve under in a long  campaign."
+
+When Weimar's cavalry crossed the Rhine with de Gramont they broke
+into mutiny, declaring that they  were raised to fight in Germany
+and would not fight in France.  Turenne crossed and endeavoured
+to get  them to return to their duty, recalling to them how nobly
+they had fought under him, and appealing to them  in the strongest
+way not to desert him now. A portion of them gave in to his entreaties,
+but the rest rode  away to effect a junction with the Swedish army,
+and he was therefore deprived of a considerable portion of  the
+force that had been the mainstay of his little army. Upon the other
+hand, the Archduke Leopold  marched away to Bohemia to oppose the
+Swedes, who had gained several successes in that direction.  Turenne,
+however, determined to carry out one more enterprise before the
+winter set in, and to reinstate the  Elector of Treves, who had been
+deprived of his dominions for twelve years, in consequence of his
+having  entered into an alliance with France. In order to effect
+this he marched in the first week in November with a  small force
+of infantry and his cavalry to the Moselle, a distance of forty
+leagues.
+
+He was joined by some of Enghien's troops from Metz, and on the
+14th of November he invested Treves.  The Imperialists were unable
+to gather a force of sufficient strength to relieve the town, which
+was,  therefore, after a short resistance, forced to capitulate.
+The small garrisons from other towns in the elector's  dominions
+were speedily driven out and the elector restored to his possessions,
+a result doubly gratifying,  since his restoration produced a
+widespread effect among the German princes who had thrown in their
+lot  with France, while the material advantage was no less, as it
+closed a door through which the Imperialists,  when in sufficient
+force, could at any time pour their troops into France. This brought
+the campaign of  1645 to a close.  Turenne was called to Paris,
+where he received the honours that were due to him for the  skill
+and bravery by which, with altogether insufficient forces -- raised,
+equipped and paid to a large extent  from his private purse -- he
+had for two years guarded the Rhine frontier from invasion by the
+united forces  of Bavaria and Austria. Hector's regiment had been
+left at Philippsburg when Turenne marched away; but  the marshal
+told him that there was no occasion whatever for him to remain
+with it during the winter. He  thought indeed that it would be
+advantageous that he should pay a short visit to Paris, present
+himself to  Mazarin, and then go down and see how matters fared with
+the estate, to which he had paid but a flying  visit. He therefore
+set out without delay, Turenne entrusting him with some despatches
+to the cardinal.
+
+"They are of no great importance," he said, "but it is always well
+for an officer returning to Paris to carry  despatches with him. It
+shows that he has the hearty approval of his commander in leaving
+his post for a  while, and that he has distinguished himself in
+a special degree to be thus selected. I have several times in  my
+despatches had occasion to speak of the excellent service rendered
+by your regiment, and it will ensure  you a good reception at court.
+Besides, Mazarin is evidently disposed to regard you with special
+favour,  and an occasional visit keeps that feeling alive, whereas
+it naturally cools down after a prolonged absence.   Therefore in
+every respect it is as well that you should show yourself in Paris
+for a short time before going  down to Poitou, where I hear there
+have been some troublesome risings of the peasantry. The province,
+being broken and hilly for the most part, offers considerable
+advantages to irregular forces, who move  unencumbered with baggage,
+and against whom cavalry cannot well act. I do not know that any of
+these  troubles have occurred in the neighbourhood of your estate,
+but you would naturally wish to see for  yourself how matters are
+going on."
+
+"It seems more than two years since we left here, master," Paolo
+said, as they rode into Paris.
+
+"It does indeed. It is more than six years now since I first rode
+away with Turenne, and a month later you  entered my service. We
+have gone through a good deal together since those days, Paolo."
+
+"Yes, indeed, sir. It was a fortunate day for me when my brother
+took me to your quarters."
+
+"It has been quite as fortunate for me, Paolo. I doubt whether I
+should ever have proposed undertaking to  carry Turenne's message
+into the citadel of Turin had I not felt that I could rely upon
+you as my companion  in the business, and it was that which gave
+me my first step. Since then you have always been by my side,  and
+have more than once saved my life."
+
+On reaching Mazarin's hotel Hector found that he was at the Louvre,
+and immediately went there, and as  bearer of despatches from the
+army was at once introduced to the minister's apartment.
+
+"Come with me at once to the queen's closet," the cardinal said as
+he entered. "She has just sent for me, and  her majesty, being at
+once a woman and a queen, does not like being kept waiting. She
+always wishes to  receive the first news from the army, therefore
+I can venture to take you with me without asking her  permission.
+
+"I have brought Monsieur de Villar to your majesty," he said as
+he entered the queen's apartment. "He has  just reached Paris with
+despatches from the Viscount Turenne.  He has only this instant
+arrived, and I  thought I might venture to bring him at once to
+you."
+
+"'Tis a long time since we have seen you, monsieur," the queen
+said graciously, "but we have heard of you  from the marshal's
+despatches, and were glad to see that your regiment bore itself
+as well in the field of  battle as in the park of Versailles. What
+news do you bring? Nothing of importance, I hope, for there can
+hardly be good news when the marshal has so scanty a force with
+which to guard the frontier."
+
+"The Viscount de Turenne is too zealous in your service, madam,
+to remain idle, however small his force.  He started suddenly the
+day I left with his cavalry and a small body of infantry to march
+to Treves, with  two or three regiments he has persuaded the
+Duc d'Enghien to send him from Metz with some guns, and he  hoped
+to capture the city and clear the electorate of the enemy before
+they can receive strong  reinforcements, seeing that they are all
+scattered in their winter quarters."
+
+"A bold stroke indeed, cardinal," the queen said, much gratified.
+"It has touched our honour that the elector  should so long have
+suffered for his fidelity to France; and, moreover, its possession
+in his hands will  relieve us of much anxiety and give us the
+Moselle as a barrier against the incursions of the enemy in that
+corner of our dominions. He is indefatigable, this good viscount,
+cardinal; and he is not one of those who  look for great rewards
+for every service. He has indeed carried on the war largely on his
+own resources,  which has been of no slight advantage to us, seeing
+that our exchequer is but too often strained to meet  demands from
+other quarters. If he succeeds in this enterprise, you must write
+in our name and bid him  come hither to receive our thanks in
+person, and to rest for a while from his labours in our service.
+
+"You have changed somewhat, Monsieur de Villar, since we last saw
+you. The ladies of the court called  you then the little colonel
+-- not because of your size, for you already overtopped the greater
+portion of our  courtiers, but from your age. Now you look all over
+a soldier, and a weatherbeaten one."
+
+Hector had indeed aged during the past two years. He was now nearly
+two-and-twenty, his moustache had  grown, and, as was the custom
+of the time, he wore a small imperial.  The habit of command had
+given to  his face an expression of decision and resolution unusual
+at his age, and a life spent in the open air, and for  the most part
+sleeping without cover, had bronzed his skin, and had counteracted
+the youthful appearance  caused by his fair complexion.
+
+"'Tis but some three months since we heard of you as a prisoner,
+having been captured while with your  regiment covering the retreat
+after the unfortunate battle of Marienthal. The cardinal told me
+that he had  written to the field marshal to try and arrange an
+exchange for you if possible. We had not heard that he had  done so
+when the Duc d'Enghien's report of the battle of Nordlingen spoke
+of you as doing good service  with your regiment there. I suppose
+Turenne, in the press of business, omitted to say that you had been
+exchanged."
+
+"I was not exchanged, madam. I succeeded in effecting my escape
+from the fortress of Ingoldstadt."
+
+"You seem born to have adventures, monsieur," the queen said. "We
+heard before of your regiment  performing prodigies of valour at
+Freiburg, and of withstanding Merci's whole army, foot and horse,
+for  three hours. Last winter the governor of Lorraine reported
+that you and a company of your regiment from  Nancy had defeated a
+great body of insurgent peasants, and had rescued Madame de Blenfoix
+and her  daughter from massacre at their hands. There is no officer
+under the rank of general whose name has been  so frequently brought
+under our notice. You intend to make some stay in Paris, I hope?"
+
+"I shall do myself the honour later on, your majesty; but I hear
+that there are peasant troubles down in  Poitou, and as I only paid
+a visit of a few days there, when your majesty had the goodness
+to present the  fief to me, I am anxious to know how matters are
+going on, and to see that my castle is secure from attack  by the
+insurgents."
+
+"Your excuse is a good one. It would be well if more possessors of
+estates would spend their time in  endeavouring to alleviate the
+condition of their people, instead of wasting their time and money
+in Paris."
+
+"Monsieur de Villar took steps in that direction, your majesty,
+before leaving for the war; for my agents,  who keep me informed
+of most things that take place, acquainted me with the fact that
+Monsieur de Villar  entirely remitted the usual fines on taking
+possession, and reduced the annual payment of his tenants by one
+half until times should mend."
+
+"A noble example!" the queen said warmly. "I would that we could
+afford to do the same through all the  royal domains. It is a
+pleasure to us to know that one at least of our fiefs has been so
+worthily bestowed.  Well, sir, I shall see you at the court this
+evening."
+
+Hector bowed and withdrew. His first step was to go to the clothing
+establishment most frequented by men  of good family. "I have to
+attend at the court this evening. I have just returned from the
+army, and have but  the clothes that I stand up in. Have you any
+garments that will fit me suitable for such an occasion?"
+
+"Of shoulder cloaks I have great store in silks, satins, and velvets
+of all shades and colours. There is no  difficulty about doublets,
+for of these I always keep a large stock in hand; and although you
+are a bigger  man than the majority of my customers, I think that
+I can suit you. Tight pantaloons are chiefly worn by  those who
+affect the latest fashion, but it would be impossible for me to
+make these at such short notice. As  you are a military man this
+matters little, for these chiefly affect loose breeches trimmed
+at the bottom with  rich lace, stockings of silk, and shoes with
+rosettes. Such breeches I could promise you in three hours, for
+they require but little making. The stockings of all shades I have
+in stock, also shoes. These would need but  rosettes of the colour
+to suit the dress, to be added to them."
+
+"I put myself in your hands," Hector said. "I wish for a handsome
+dress, and yet one which shall in no way  be foppish, but shall
+be suitable to my station. I am Baron de la Villar, colonel of the
+Poitou regiment of  infantry."
+
+"Do you incline to silk, velvet, or satin? I should say a velvet
+cloak and satin tunic and breeches would suit  you best with your
+fair hair. I should choose for the cloak a crimson or violet, and
+for the doublet and  breeches a yellow. If you would prefer a blue
+cloak I should say a white satin doublet and breeches would  become
+you."
+
+Hector shook his head. "No, I should prefer the first mixture. I
+care not whether the cloak is crimson or  violet."
+
+"I think violet, monsieur, and rosettes of the same colour on your
+shoes. It were best, I think, that the  stockings should match the
+doublet. You will, of course, have a pointed lace collar for your
+cloak, and at  the bottom of your breeches and at your wrists to
+match. I think, sir, that a large collar and gold embroidery  would
+go best with the costume."
+
+Hector nodded. "I leave it entirely to you, Master Poitrou, so
+that everything is ready in time for me to wear  them. I also want
+a travelling suit of good fashion -- I leave the matter of colour
+to you -- and also a suit for  wearing here in Paris."
+
+The cloak and doublets were speedily chosen, as M.  Poitrou had
+several of the colour and material in  stock.  Hector was then
+measured for the breeches, which were of the fashion now known as
+knickerbockers, but somewhat looser. He then chose a violet cap
+with a yellow feather to match the court  dress, a court sword,
+high riding boots, and loose turned-over boots used for walking,
+but left all other  matters to the tailor.
+
+"When your man brings the things to me at the auberge Pome d'Or I
+will pay him at once," he said. He was  indeed well supplied with
+funds, for as he passed through Nancy he had drawn the sums standing
+to his  credit from an agent there, to whom he had, as occasion
+offered, transmitted the greater portion of his pay,  and also
+the balance of the sum that had been paid him when he first took
+possession of his estate, after  paying for the various expenses
+he had incurred in St. Denis and in Paris. Monsieur Poitrou was
+faithful to  his promise, and although free from vanity, Hector
+could not but perceive, after he had donned his court  suit, that
+he made a good figure. Such, indeed, was the opinion of not a few
+of the ladies of the court as he  entered the great reception room.
+
+He had now adopted the general fashion, and wore his hair in ringlets
+hanging down on to the collar. His  fair complexion contrasted
+strongly with the much darker one of the majority of the courtiers,
+and this, as  well as his height and erect soldierly bearing, rendered
+him a conspicuous object among them. The queen  and cardinal both
+honoured him with marked attention; but what pleased him most
+during the evening was  the hearty greeting that he received from
+Colonel Maclvor, of whom he had seen but little during the  campaign,
+as the Scottish regiment formed part of Enghien's command, and was
+not present at the battle of  Nordlingen, being left in garrison
+at Metz when the duke marched to join Turenne. Mazarin himself
+presented him to many of the ladies of the court, thereby showing
+that he wished him to be regarded as a  particular friend of his;
+and Hector, having gained much in self possession since he had last
+appeared there,  was able to make himself more agreeable to them
+than before, to bandy compliments, and adapt himself to  the general
+atmosphere of the court. The cardinal sent for him again the next
+morning.
+
+"The news is bad from Poitou, Colonel Campbell, and I think that it
+would be well that you should proceed  there at once. So we will
+release you from further attendance, and you can make up for it by
+giving us a  longer time on your return."
+
+Hector, however, tarried two days longer in Paris, by which time
+he had received all the clothes that he had  ordered. Early on the
+morning of the third day he mounted and rode away with Paolo and
+three of his  troopers. Hunter had been left behind at Philippsburg
+for the cure of a wound that he had received at  Nordlingen. Hector
+was mounted on one of the horses that Enghien had given him; the
+other was in the  hands of the Imperialists. They traveled fast, and
+met with no adventure until they arrived at Poitou, where  Hector
+learned that in the western part of the province the peasants had
+almost everywhere risen, had  defeated the royal troops who had
+marched against them from La Rochelle and Nantes, and had captured
+and burnt any chateaux, slaying all persons of the better class
+who fell into their hands.
+
+As he neared his own estate, learning that the tenants there had so
+far not joined the rising, but that several  bodies of insurgents
+were in the neighbourhood, he rode still more rapidly forward.
+Signs of the trouble  were everywhere apparent. In the villages
+only women were to be seen; there was no sign of life or  movement
+in the fields; and he passed two chateaux which were now but empty
+shells. As soon as he had  crossed into his own estates he found
+the houses entirely deserted; no man, woman, nor child was to be
+seen; no animals grazed in the fields, and the little stacks of
+hay and straw had been carried away.
+
+"It is evident," he said to Paolo, "that MacIntosh has called all
+the tenantry into the chateau; had they joined  the insurgents the
+women and children would still be here."
+
+As they ascended the steep hill on whose brow the chateau stood,
+he could make out that there were a  number of men posted upon the
+walls.
+
+"He is evidently determined that he will not be caught napping,
+Paolo, and all the peasants of Poitou could  not take the place
+unless they were well provided with cannon."
+
+The chateau, indeed, still retained the characteristics of a castle.
+The site had evidently been selected with a  sole eye to defence;
+the hill on which it stood fell abruptly away on three sides, and
+could hardly be  attacked except in front.  Here a plateau extended
+some three or four hundred yards long and upwards of a  hundred
+yards across. A wall with flanking turrets had been a sufficient
+defence on the other three sides,  but here there was a strong
+tower on each flank, and also on each side of the central gate. The
+walls  inclosed a space of some two acres, in the centre of which
+stood the castle. This had been to some extent  modernized --
+windows having taken the place of loopholes in the upper floors,
+while those looking into  the inner courtyard extended to the
+ground. The point where the road reached the plateau was some three
+hundred yards from the gateway, and as Hector galloped towards
+the walls it was evident that he was  recognized, for shouts were
+raised by the men on guard and the drawbridge over the fosse --
+cut in the solid  rock along the foot of the wall -- was lowered.
+
+As he rode across it the gate swung open and MacIntosh ran out to
+meet him.
+
+"Is all well, old friend?" Hector asked as he sprang from his horse
+and clasped the sergeant's hand.
+
+"All is well so far, colonel; still, I am glad indeed that you have
+returned, for at any moment trouble may  begin.  We hear that the
+peasants mean to attack us. I hardly think they will venture to
+do so, but I have no  doubt they will play havoc on the estate and
+burn every house, because the tenants, instead of joining them,
+have come up here to aid in the defence. It was a good day indeed
+when madam and her daughter came  here, they have made themselves
+so loved by the tenants that they would do anything for them. Ah,
+if all  the ladies of France had been as good to their people as
+they have been, we should not have these troubles  on hand!  Here
+they come to welcome you."
+
+Hector hurried across the outer court, where two lines of palings
+had been erected, forming a passage from  one gate to the other,
+and keeping back the animals that crowded the enclosure.
+
+"Welcome back, welcome back, Colonel Campbell!" the baroness said
+as she came up with both hands  extended, and her words were echoed
+by her daughter. In the year that had elapsed since they started
+under  the charge of Paolo both had changed. The look of care and
+anxiety, which had been heightened by the  terrible events of the
+two previous days, had passed from the elder lady's face, and had
+been succeeded by  one of contentment and happiness.
+
+Norah showed an even greater change; she had now attained her full
+height, her figure had filled out, and  she stood on the threshold
+of womanhood and bid fair to attain a high degree of beauty of the
+type  characteristic of her nationality. Her hair was dark, her
+eyes gray, her expression changing rapidly from  grave to gay, the
+latter movement generally predominating.
+
+"I need hardly ask, madam," Hector said as they entered the chateau,
+"whether you have been comfortable  here, for your face shows that
+you have at least been contented with your lot as chatelaine."
+
+"I have been more than contented, I have been very happy, Monsieur
+Campbell. It has been a pleasant task  indeed to be your almoner,
+and to be able to carry comfort to those in distress, sympathy
+and aid to those in  suffering.  Within the castle, nothing could
+be more pleasant than our position. Captain MacIntosh has been
+unwearied in his efforts to make us comfortable, and your steward
+has in all cases been willing to aid me  with money and counsel when
+I asked for them. The proof that your goodness has been appreciated
+by the  tenants is that every one of them without exception has
+refused to join the insurgents, and has forsaken his  home in order
+to come up and aid in the defence of the castle."
+
+"That is indeed gratifying, madam; but methinks their action is due
+rather to the kindness of yourself and  Mademoiselle Norah, than
+to the gifts they receive."
+
+"I do not choose to be called Mademoiselle Norah," the girl said,
+tossing her head. "I am Irish on both  sides, and have not a drop
+of French blood in my veins. To strangers I am Miss Norah O'More;
+to you, and  to any I may love, I am plain Norah."
+
+"I don't think that you can be that to anyone, Norah."
+
+"Now I don't like that, Colonel Campbell. That may do at the court
+of Louis XIV, but not at the chateau of  la Villar, and if you
+are going to pay compliments I shall be stiff and unpleasant, and
+shall insist upon being  addressed as Miss Norah O'More."
+
+"As I did not mean to compliment you, for I spoke but the truth,
+I shall not accept the penalty. Now," he  went on, "unromantic as
+it may sound, I own that I am hungry, and I am sure that my four
+followers are  also, for we have ridden far and fast, and have not
+stopped, save to bait our horses and snatch a mouthful  while they
+ate, since daybreak. In truth the news we received made me sorely
+anxious, though I felt sure  that MacIntosh could hold the chateau
+against any attack that was likely to be made on it."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX:  THE PEASANTS' REVOLT
+
+
+After eating a meal Hector had a talk aside with MacIntosh.
+
+"Do you really think that these varlets will venture to attack us?"
+
+"I do indeed," the old sergeant said. "They have taken several
+places as strong as this by sudden assault.  They are desperate,
+and, as I hear, fight like demons, regardless as to how many fall.
+As far as stout arms  go we are well supplied, for there are at
+least a hundred men capable of bearing arms, and all have had  more
+or less drill since I have been here.  Unfortunately, however, our
+wall pieces are old and scarce fit for  service, several of them
+will, I feel sure, burst at the first discharge."
+
+"But they have no artillery at all, MacIntosh?"
+
+"I am sorry to say that they have, sir, and a good amount of it.
+They captured ten field pieces when they  defeated the troops, and
+have obtained a score of others from the chateaux that they have
+taken. They have  only to plant them three or four hundred yards
+away at the end of the plateau, and they would easily batter  down
+the gates, and might even in time effect a breach in the walls."
+
+"That is serious indeed, MacIntosh. Is there any other way in which
+they can attack us save in front?"
+
+"I think not. I was careful to examine the face of the precipice
+when I first took command here, and  wherever it seemed to me that
+an active man could climb up I had portions of the rock blown up,
+and have  so scarped the face that I do not think it is scalable
+by human foot. But there is nothing to prevent their  crossing the
+fosse on a dark night, and so stealing along and making an attack
+on all sides of the house."
+
+"Then our first care must be to prevent this, MacIntosh, by building
+walls along by the fosse from the  corner towers to the edge of
+the plateau. The distance is very short, not more than eight or
+ten yards at the  outside. We have, I see, any number of horses
+and not a few carts. Let the tenants be set to work at once,  and,
+going down the road into the ravine below, fill their carts with
+blocks of stone and haul them up here.  Let active boys be sent out
+in all directions as scouts to bring in word when the insurgents
+are approaching;  and at the same time let twenty well armed men
+of the garrison go down with the carts, so as to give  confidence
+to the tenants and cover their retreat up the road if the insurgents
+should suddenly make their  appearance. Let some of the men take
+billhooks and axes down with them, and cut poles. These must be
+sharpened, and as the walls are built, fixed among the stones so as
+to make a cheval-de-frise. At the same  time let half a dozen stout
+ladders be constructed, so that the defenders of these walls may,
+if unable to hold  them, make their retreat up to the battlements.
+I wish now that I had ordered a strong bastion to be thrown  up so
+as to cover the gate from an attack by artillery, but it did not
+seem likely that we should be besieged  by any force having guns,
+and I let the matter remain until the tenants should be better off
+and we could  spend our money on such work. However, it is too late
+now to think of that. I suppose there is a portcullis  to the gate?"
+
+"Yes, and I got it in good working order when I first came here;
+but the cannon would speedily shatter that,  as well as the bridge
+drawn up in front of it and the gate behind it."
+
+"Then as I have no doubt that there are plenty of flour sacks, we
+must fill these with earth and pack them  between the bridge and
+the portcullis, and fasten the bridge in its place with any chains
+that may be  available, so that it will keep erect. The earth packing,
+however much it may be battered, will protect the  portcullis of
+the gate for some time against their fire."
+
+"It is a good idea if we have time to carry it out, colonel.  We
+have still four or five hours' daylight, and as I  think that this
+is of even greater importance than the side walls, we will set the
+tenants to work at once, and  it will save time if they take down
+the sacks, of which, as you say, we have an abundance."
+
+A few minutes later a dozen active boys left the castle, and
+scattered to various points on the hills around,  so as to command
+a view over a considerable extent of country. Soon after, some
+thirty carts went down the  road accompanied by a number of men
+with shovels, and twenty of the garrison commanded by one of the
+old soldiers. All returned loaded with sacks of earth; these were
+taken into the castle, when the portcullis  was lowered and the
+drawbridge across the fosse raised. An opening was left on the top
+to allow the sacks  to be lowered into the space between the bridge
+and the portcullis. A score of men with ropes went on to  the wall
+above and lowered them behind the drawbridge, where five or six men
+stowed them away. As soon  as it became dark torches were lighted,
+and by ten o'clock a solid mass of sacks filled with earth were
+packed in the space between the portcullis and the drawbridge.
+
+The night passed off quietly, the horses and carts remaining
+beyond the fosse. Planks had been placed  across one end of this,
+and the horses and carts taken over. The horses were picketed round
+the castle, a  supply of forage being placed there for their use,
+while the carts were packed closely by the fosse, so as to  form
+an obstacle to any of the assailants who might try to pass. At
+daybreak they were again run across the  planks, the horses brought
+round and harnessed, the scouts being sent out as on the day before.
+All day the  work went on, and by nightfall two walls twenty feet
+long and eight feet high, bristling with pointed staves,  were
+erected. They stood some twenty feet back from the edge of the
+fosse, and extended from the wall to  the verge of the precipice.
+The carts and horses had, before the walls were built, been taken
+round to the  back of the castle, where the plateau extended some
+fifty yards beyond the defences.  Evening was just  coming on when
+the boys came in, two of them bringing a report that a great crowd
+of men could be seen  approaching from the west.
+
+MacIntosh, with thirty men, were at once lowered down from the
+battlements, and took up their places in  an intrenchment which
+had been during the day thrown up at the point where the road came
+up to the  plateau, while a score of the tenants assembled at the
+edge of the cliff, where great piles of blocks of stone  had been
+collected in readiness to throw down. Lighted torches were placed
+at intervals along the road, and  three or four great cressets,
+holding balls of tow soaked in turpentine and oil, were set up on
+the edge of the  plateau; these were to be lighted when the peasants
+attempted to mount the hill.
+
+An hour passed, and then a flame sprang up from a house and outbuildings
+in the valley, lighting up the  ground around and showing that a
+great crowd was gathered on the road there.
+
+"How many should you say there were, MacIntosh?"
+
+"I should put them at four or five thousand."
+
+"Yes, they are certainly not short of four thousand. What wild
+looking figures! They are just the same in  appearance as those
+who attacked Madame de Blenfoix's chateau. See, they are lighting
+torches, and I  expect they mean to make an attack at once. Their
+guns are with that group in the rear of the others; at any  rate
+they will not be of any use in assisting them to make their way
+up this road. They are evidently  working themselves up to a state
+of madness. There are half a dozen fellows addressing them from
+various  points."
+
+The men who had been brought down to guard the intrenchments
+at the head of the road were all armed  with muskets, and carried
+in addition long pikes. Presently a roar of shouts and yells was
+heard, and then  there was a rush on the part of the crowd towards
+the foot of the long ascent.
+
+Hector moved to the place where the tenants were posted.
+
+"Do not hurl a single stone down until I give you the word, nor
+light the cressets; the torches they carry will  be quite sufficient
+for us to make them out, and the attack will be all the more
+successful if it comes as a  surprise."
+
+Then he returned to the breastwork. The men here had been posted by
+MacIntosh eight abreast. When the  head of the column of insurgents
+were halfway up the hill they opened a scattered fire; they had
+armed  themselves with the muskets they had taken from the troops.
+
+"Their guns will be of little use to them, for few of them can
+ever have had firearms in their hands before;  do not fire a shot,
+MacIntosh, until I give the order. It is clear that someone must
+have told them that we  have thrown up this intrenchment today, or
+they would not have wasted their ammunition."
+
+Not a shot was fired until the leaders of the peasants were within
+forty yards. Up to this time no torches had  been shown in the
+intrenchments, but now these were suddenly brought forward, and
+Hector, in his helmet  and body armour, mounted on to the breastwork.
+The head of the column paused on seeing a row of  levelled muskets
+and three rows of pikes forming a hedge of steel.
+
+"My men," Hector shouted in a loud clear voice, "halt, I beseech you,
+before harm comes to you! I know  that you have sore grievances, I
+know that you and your wives and families are well nigh famishing, but
+how do you think that you will better your condition by assaulting
+castles and burning down chateaux? You  are but preparing labour
+for yourselves and heaping up fresh imposts on your own heads, for
+it is you who  will have to rebuild them, it is you who will have
+to pay for the damage that you have done. At any rate,  none can
+say that you have cause for enmity against me and mine, for I have
+done all in my power to  mitigate the sufferings of my people, and
+the proof is that not one of them has joined you. The taxes that
+press so heavily upon you are not the work of your feudal lords,
+they are caused by the necessity for  defending France against the
+assaults of foreign enemies, and were every noble in the land slain
+it would  still be necessary that these taxes should be collected,
+unless France is to be overrun by the Spaniards and  Austrians.
+I would fain abstain from spilling one drop of your blood, but I
+must defend myself if you  attack me, and I warn you that, numerous
+as you are, you will not succeed in capturing my castle. I am a
+soldier of France, and as I have shed my blood in defending her
+against her enemies, so if you persist I shall  not hesitate in
+shedding yours in my own defence. I implore you to disperse to your
+homes; even if you  gain successes for a time, it would but draw
+down vengeance upon you."
+
+The assailants had paused when he commenced to speak, and those
+in front had listened to his words, but  those behind, not knowing
+what was going on, continued to shout and to press up the hill. As
+he finished  speaking there was a yell of defiance, and the column
+rushed forward.
+
+"Aim low," Hector shouted as he leapt down among his men, "fire!"
+Eight muskets flashed out. "Second  line, fire!  Now handle your
+pikes, the rear lines will reserve their fire."
+
+Although ten or twelve of the leading rank of the insurgents
+had fallen, there was no pause among the  others, and they rushed
+forward to the hedge of pikes.
+
+"Take charge here, MacIntosh; I will run and get the stones at
+work." In half a minute he stood by the side  of the tenants.
+
+"Heave then down!" he said. He had chosen a spot where the rock
+rose perpendicularly above the road.  "Drop them over," he said,
+"so that they may fall straight. The biggest you must roll over
+with your levers,  but work them to the edge and let them topple
+over; don't thrust them out or they will bound over the road.  Now!"
+
+Twenty rocks were dropped down together. Even above the din of
+shouting the crash as they fell below was  heard, followed instantly
+by yells and cries.
+
+"Move farther on and give them another shower," Hector said; and
+again the rocks fell on the crowded  causeway. The first volley had
+caused a pause -- numbers had been crushed, many of the stones as
+they  rolled down the road had carried confusion to those below;
+the second volley completed their discomfiture.  Appalled by a
+discharge against which they had no shelter and which was wholly
+unexpected, those near  whom the stones had fallen turned, and in
+their panic swept those below them on the road down into the  valley,
+many being overthrown and trampled to death. Ignorant of what was
+going on behind them, the  crowd above the spot where the stones
+had fallen were still pressing upward, those in front hewing with
+their scythes and axes at the pikeheads.
+
+Hector ran back there. "The two rear ranks will now fire!" he said.
+
+The men dropped their pikes, and two volleys of musketry were poured
+into the insurgents. Those of the  front line were swept away by
+the fire, and for a moment the whole recoiled.
+
+"Now, men," Hector shouted, "cross the breastwork and sweep them
+away with your pikes!"
+
+With a cheer the men leapt over the embankment.  There was room for
+ten abreast, and in a treble line with  levelled spears they bore
+down upon the rebels. The charge was irresistible. A few of the
+leaders of the  peasants threw themselves on to the spears and
+died there, the others strove, but in vain, to fly. Their  comrades
+behind, ignorant of what was going on, still pressed up, and it
+was not until the screams and  shouts of those in front, and the
+pressure downwards, brought the column to a stand and then bore
+it  backward, that they learned that the defenders had taken the
+offensive, and were sweeping all before them.  Then a panic arose,
+and the peasants rushed down the road, the tenants above saluting
+them as they passed  with another volley of rocks.  Halfway down
+the hill Hector halted his men, and led them up to the  intrenchment
+again over a road encumbered with dead bodies.
+
+"I think that will do," he said. "After the tale those who have
+got down safely will have to tell, we may be  sure they will do
+nothing until morning, and it may well be that they may think it
+advisable to be off to  attack some other place not so strongly
+defended. However, we will presently beat them up, and if possible
+capture their cannon, and without them they could not hope to take
+any fortified house well defended."
+
+For a time there was a prodigious din in the valley, sounds of men
+shouting and quarrelling, of others trying  in vain to make their
+voices heard, and to address the excited peasants. In an hour it
+quieted down, and by  midnight all was still. Hector had been busy
+with his preparations.
+
+"How many horses have we?" he asked.
+
+"Well nigh a hundred, colonel."
+
+"That is more than enough. Now, MacIntosh, do you and the men here
+go down the road and pitch the  bodies over; we should never get
+the horses over them."
+
+Then he went to where the tenants were still waiting.  "Now, my
+lads," he said, "I want a big gap made in  one of these walls we
+built today, wide enough for a horse to pass through it, and strong
+planks laid across  the fosse." Then he ascended the ladder up to
+the battlements. He found the baroness and her daughter standing
+over the gateway.
+
+"Is all over?" they asked, as he came up to them.
+
+"Yes, for the present. We have beaten them handsomely, and without
+the loss of a single man."
+
+"Will they attack again in the morning, do you think?"
+
+"I feel sure that they will not do so. You see, they relied upon
+their cannon for taking the chateau, and they  find they are useless.
+I am going to make a sortie before daybreak, for I want to capture
+those cannon. So  long as they hold them they will continue their
+work, and they may not always meet with so stout a  resistance.
+The loss of their cannon will dishearten them, as well as lessen
+their power for evil. I shall take  every man who can carry arms,
+and leave ten at the breastwork to defend it; but there is no
+chance whatever  of their attempting to come up here while we are
+attacking them, so you need have no fear."
+
+"We shall not be afraid, Colonel Campbell, our confidence in you is
+absolute; but do you not think that you  are running a great risk
+in attacking a force some forty times as large as your own?"
+
+"One cannot call it a force, it is simply a mob, and a mob that
+has suffered a terrible repulse, and the loss of  three or four
+hundred men tonight. We shall take them by surprise. I am going to
+mount all the tenants.  MacIntosh tells me that they have all been
+drilled as cavalry as well as infantry. He, with the twenty men
+of  the regular garrison on foot and ten of the tenants, will make
+straight for the guns. I shall be with the  horsemen, and as soon
+as we have scattered the mob, we will harness the horses to the guns
+and bring them  up here, so that I shall strengthen the castle as
+well as weaken the peasants."
+
+The tenants were all informed of what was going to be done.
+
+"It will be to your benefit as well as ours," he said, "for you
+may be sure that in the morning, if they give up  the idea of again
+attacking us, they will scatter all over the estates and sack and
+burn every house, whereas  if we succeed in dispersing them, no
+small portion of them will at once scatter to their homes, and the
+rest  will take care not to come near this neighbourhood again."
+
+At twelve o'clock MacIntosh sent a man to say that the road down
+was clear, and that three hundred and  twenty dead bodies had been
+thrown over. At three o'clock in the morning the horses, round
+whose hoofs  pieces of sacking had been tied, were led across the
+fosse. One of MacIntosh's sergeants was put in charge  of the ten
+men who were to remain at the intrenchment, the castle being left
+entirely in the hands of the  women and boys. The mounted tenants
+were eighty in number, all carrying long spears and swords.  The
+torches had long since burnt out, and each man leading his horse
+went noiselessly down the road,  MacIntosh with the footmen leading
+the way. They halted at the bottom of the road. There was no sound
+from the spot where the insurgents were lying a couple of hundred
+yards down the valley, fatigued by a  very long march on the
+previous day, and the exertion of dragging the cannon, for only a
+few of these were  horsed. Presently the day began to break, but
+not until it became light enough to see perfectly, did Hector  give
+the order to mount, and leaping into the saddle prepared to lead
+them.
+
+The mounted men had been divided into four bands of twenty each.
+Paolo and the three troopers each took  the command of a party.
+Hector's orders were: "Keep together until the peasants are in full
+flight, then  separate in pursuit.  The movement must be put down
+or the whole province will be ruined, therefore give  no quarter,
+and pursue until your horses are tired, then return here. Now,
+MacIntosh, do you advance  straight upon the guns; it is probable
+that they are all loaded, therefore carry them with a rush. The
+moment  we see you engaged we will charge."
+
+The horsemen were in single line, extending from side to side of
+the valley. Hector kept his eye upon  MacIntosh's party. They were
+close to the guns before any of the sleepers awoke. Then there
+was a sudden  shout, and numbers of the men rushed to the cannon.
+MacIntosh was there as soon as they were, and  pouring in a volley
+rushed upon the guns.  At the same moment Hector gave the word to
+charge, and with  levelled spears the horsemen rode down into the
+midst of the crowd. Appalled by this sudden attack, which  was wholly
+unexpected, the resistance was but slight. Many of the peasants
+at once threw away their arms  and fled. Those who resisted were
+speared or overthrown by the horses. As the valley widened the four
+troops separated a little, each cutting a way for itself through
+the peasants. It was no longer a fight; and a  wild panic seized
+upon the whole of the insurgents. Some rushed straight down the
+valley, others ran up the  opposite hillside; but the slope here
+was gradual, and the horsemen were able to pursue.
+
+"Paolo, take your troop up the hill. Let the others keep straight
+down the valley." And, heading these,  Hector galloped on, shouting
+to MacIntosh to harness what teams there were to some of the guns
+and take  them up to the top of the road, and then bring the horses
+back for some more.
+
+For two hours the pursuit continued. Occasionally a group of
+peasants gathered together and tried to stem  the tide, but these
+were speedily overcome, the long spears bearing them down without
+their being able to  strike a blow at the riders, and at the end
+of that time the insurgents were scattered over a wide extent of
+country, all flying for their lives. Hector now ordered trumpets to
+sound; he was soon joined by the other  troops, and at a leisurely
+pace they rode back to their starting point. Not more than half
+the guns had as yet  been taken up, for MacIntosh had found it
+necessary to put double teams to them in order to drag them up  the
+steep road. The mounted men had all brought ropes with them, and,
+dismounting, eight yoked their  horses to each gun, and in an hour
+the whole were brought up to the plateau, the drawbridge was lowered,
+the sacks of earth cleared away, and the portcullis raised, the
+gates thrown open, and the garrison filed into  the courtyard,
+greeted by cries of welcome from the women.
+
+"I think that we have crushed the insurrection in this part of
+Poitou," Hector said to Madame de Blenfoix.  "We have certainly
+killed six or seven hundred of them, and I am sure that the remainder
+will never rally.  We will rest today, and tomorrow morning we will
+set to work to complete the defences of the chateau, so  that it
+may be held by a comparatively small number of men."
+
+The joy of the women was extreme when they found that not a single
+man had fallen, though a few had  received gashes more or less
+severe. The next morning the whole of the men and boys set to work
+under  Hector's directions. The intrenchment at the top of the road
+was greatly strengthened, an opening through  which a cart could
+pass being left in the middle.
+
+A gun was placed on each side of this, and twenty sacks of earth
+laid down by the side of the opening, so  that this in the course
+of a few minutes could be closed, and a gun placed close by run
+into position  between the other two. The greater part of the men,
+however, were employed in raising a mound of stones  and earth in
+front of the gateway, so as to cover this from the fire of any guns
+which, after the outward  intrenchment had been stormed, might be
+brought up on to the plateau. The women, and even the children,
+assisted in the work by carrying earth, while men, with the horses
+and carts, brought stones up from the  valley.
+
+It took a fortnight's hard work before the outwork was completed.
+It was twenty feet high, triangular in  form, and solid in
+construction. Many of the tenants were accustomed to stonework;
+and while the rest of  the bastion was constructed of rough stones
+mixed with earth, a parapet four feet thick, of roughly dressed
+stones, was carried along on the crest of the two outward sides.
+Four guns were mounted here; the rest of  the cannon were placed on
+the outer wall instead of the honeycombed guns before in position,
+and the  castle was thus prepared to stand a regular siege.
+
+Hector remained for a week after the work was completed, paid the
+tenants liberally for the services they  had rendered, and dismissed
+them to their homes, for the terrible blow that had been inflicted
+upon them  had so cowed the peasants that order had been completely
+restored in that part of Poitou. Then, after taking  an affectionate
+adieu of Madame de Blenfoix and her daughter, he rode back to Paris,
+where he remained  for two months.
+
+At the end of that time, being heartily tired of the frivolity
+and intrigues, and disgusted at the immorality of  the court, he
+obtained leave from Mazarin to rejoin his regiment, as the campaign
+might be expected to  open shortly again. The cardinal had warmly
+congratulated him upon the suppression of the insurrection in
+Poitou, of which he had received full details from his agents long
+before Hector reached Paris.
+
+"I have always exhorted the officers and the troops engaged in
+putting down these risings to spill no more  blood than is absolutely
+necessary. But it needed a great lesson, such as you have given
+them. Otherwise, as  soon as the troops were withdrawn the peasants
+would rise again."
+
+Turenne had also been in Paris, and had strongly represented
+to Mazarin the necessity for the armies of  France and Sweden in
+Germany acting together, since while they were acting separately,
+and at great  distances apart, the Austrians and Bavarians could unite
+and crush the one, while the other could offer it no  assistance.
+It was owing to this that the conquests made by the troop of France
+and Weimar had been  repeatedly wrested from them. The cardinal
+listened to his advice, and determined to bring about a union  between
+the two armies of the confederation. In the meantime a conference
+was going on at Munster  between the representatives of the various
+conflicting powers, but each put forward such exorbitant  demands
+that no progress was made.
+
+The Duke of Bavaria, indignant at the small support that Austria
+had given him, was playing off France  against the latter power.
+Mazarin was persuaded that he was only waiting for an opportunity
+to desert the  Imperialist cause, and therefore ordered Turenne not
+to cross the Rhine, as the duke had promised that he  would remain
+neutral unless the French advanced into Germany, when the feelings
+of his subjects might  force him to take the field again on the
+side of Austria.
+
+Turenne was therefore ordered to besiege Luxembourg.  The marshal,
+however, had no belief in the  Bavarian promises, and on arriving
+on the Rhine early in April, and seeing that were he to march with
+his  army away to Luxembourg the cause of France and Germany would
+be lost, he continued to make various  excuses for not moving,
+until the Duke of Bavaria, having obtained many concessions from
+Austria, threw  off the mask, and marching with his army joined
+that of the emperor in Franconia. Thus the whole Imperial  forces
+were posted between the French and the Swedes.
+
+Turenne saw that his only hope of success would be to effect a
+juncture with the Swedes, and wrote to the  cardinal to that effect;
+then, without waiting for an answer, he set his army in motion.
+A tremendous circuit  had to be made. He forded the Moselle six
+leagues above Coblenz, the bridges over the Rhine being all in
+possession of the enemy, marched up into Holland, and obtained
+permission from the king to cross at  Wesel, which he reached after
+fourteen days' march.  Crossing the Rhine on the 15th of July he
+marched  through the country of La Mark, and through Westphalia,
+and on the 10th of August joined the Swedes  under General Wrangel,
+who had received news of his coming, and had intrenched himself
+so strongly that  the enemy, who had arrived before him, did not
+venture to attack him. The enemy now fell back at once  and encamped
+near Freiburg.  Their army was superior in force to that of the
+allies, they having fourteen  thousand horse and ten thousand foot,
+while the allies had but ten thousand horse and seven thousand
+foot.  The allies had, however, sixty pieces of cannon against fifty
+of the Imperialists. The allies advanced to  Freiburg and offered
+battle, but the Archduke Leopold, who commanded the Imperialists,
+declined to come  out of the great intrenchments he had thrown up
+round his camp.
+
+Turenne then marched towards the Maine, and, halting ten leagues
+from Mayence, sent for the infantry, of  which he had left a portion
+there, to join him. The whole force of the allies was now united,
+and took many  towns. As, however, they were still inferior in
+force to the Imperialists, Turenne refused to weaken himself  by
+placing garrisons in these places, contenting himself with blowing
+up the fortifications of some and  carrying off the principal
+inhabitants of others as hostages. The Imperialist army still
+remained inactive,  and Turenne was able therefore to turn his
+attention to Bavaria. Crossing the Rhine at Donauwurth he  besieged
+Augsburg and Rain. The latter place was captured, but the former,
+being reinforced by fifteen  hundred men, held out stoutly, and it
+was necessary to open trenches and proceed in regular form against
+it.   The Duke of Bavaria, greatly alarmed at this invasion
+of his dominions, sent off message after message to  the emperor,
+complaining of the manner in which the Imperial army remained
+inactive, leaving the allies to  employ their whole force against
+him. He threatened that unless the army advanced at once to his
+assistance  he would make terms with France. Imperative orders
+were thereupon sent to the archduke to move against  the French.
+The allies fell back, as his force was greatly superior to theirs,
+and the archduke took up a  strong position, intending to force the
+allies to retire into Franconia as soon as the country round them
+was  exhausted.
+
+Turenne and Wrangel divined his purpose, and although it was now
+the beginning of November and snow  was on the ground, they marched
+against him. On arriving near his camp they found that it was
+strongly  fortified, and could be attacked only by passing behind
+great marshes and defiles. Changing their  intentions, they left
+two thousand horse in front of his camp, making believe that they
+intended to attack  him, then marched with all haste to the Lech
+and advanced against Landsberg, which they took by assault.  In
+the city were the principal magazines of the Imperialist army, and
+the allies, finding sufficient provisions  there to last for six
+months, encamped round the city and decided to winter there unless
+attacked, in the  meantime sending out bodies of cavalry, which
+levied contributions up to the very gates of Munich.  Leopold, thus
+deprived of his magazines, retired with the Austrian contingent,
+and the Bavarians returned  home.
+
+The Duke of Bavaria, finding that his whole dominions would be
+captured unless he made terms, therefore  opened negotiations, and
+on the 14th of March, 1646, peace was signed, the terms being that
+he should  separate himself entirely from the empire and deliver
+five of his fortresses to the allies, who would thus,  should he
+again break his word, have means of access into his dominions. The
+allied forces were now in a  condition to march upon Vienna. They
+had during the winter plundered a large portion of Bavaria; they
+and  their horses had recovered from their fatigue, and their force
+now amounted to fourteen thousand foot and  twenty thousand horse.
+At this moment, when the Imperialists believed that all was lost,
+for without the  assistance of Bavaria they could put no army in
+the field that could hope to make head against the allies,  Mazarin
+interposed and saved Austria from destruction.
+
+The Catholic powers had long been privately urging upon him the
+danger that would arise should Austria  be crushed. The Swedes would
+acquire very large accessions of territory, the Protestant German
+princes,  their allies, would similarly benefit, and Protestantism
+would become the dominant religion in Germany.  Such would, indeed,
+have undoubtedly been the case had the allies marched to Vienna
+and dictated terms of  peace there. An order was therefore sent to
+Turenne to march with his army to Flanders, where the  Spaniards
+were gaining great advantages, as Enghien, now become Prince of
+Conde by the death of his  father, had been sent into Catalonia
+with the greater portion of his army.  Turenne, foreseeing that his
+German regiments would refuse to march to Flanders, leaving their
+own country open to invasion and  plunder by the Imperialists,
+warmly opposed the plan, and sent messenger after messenger to
+the cardinal  urging him to countermand the order. The friends of
+Bavaria and the Catholic princes urged strongly upon  the queen
+that the continuance of the war would utterly destroy the Catholic
+religion in Germany, and that  the Swedes alone would reap advantage
+from the fall of the house of Austria. Moved by their arguments
+and those of Mazarin to the same effect, she supported the latter,
+and peremptory orders were sent to  Turenne to march to Flanders,
+where matters were going from bad to worse. Turenne obeyed them,
+captured on his march towards the Rhine several towns and fortresses,
+destroying their fortifications so that  they would not be able to
+oppose him if he returned to Germany. But on arriving on the Rhine
+his  anticipations of trouble were fulfilled.  General Rosen,
+whose blunder had been the cause of the disaster at  Marienthal,
+and who had since his return from captivity persistently worked
+in opposition to Turenne,  fomented discontent among the troops of
+Weimar, and directly they crossed the Rhine they absolutely  refused
+to advance. They had just cause for complaint; they had fought with
+distinguished valour, and they  alone had saved the French army from
+suffering crushing defeat at Nordlingen; their pay was six months
+in  arrear, and the proposal now that they should leave their own
+country and fight in Flanders was naturally  most repugnant to them.
+They at once marched away towards Strasburg. Turenne followed them
+with three  thousand infantry, four French regiments of horse, and
+the only one of the Weimar cavalry that had  remained faithful to
+him, and came up just as they were about to recross the Rhine.
+
+Partly by entreaties, partly by showing his confidence in them,
+by putting himself wholly in their power,  the marshal induced
+a portion of the Weimar cavalry to return to their duty. General
+Rosen, who was to a  large extent responsible for the mutiny, was
+arrested and imprisoned at Philippsburg, the rest of the  mutineers
+rode away with the loss of a portion of their number, and joined
+the Swedes. After this the order  for Turenne to march to Flanders
+was countermanded.
+
+The war languished for a few months, the Imperialists were defeated
+after a hard fought cavalry battle by  Turenne and the Swedes, and
+the country was overrun by the latter, whose horsemen raided almost
+up to  Innsbruck. But all parties were growing weary of the conflict,
+which had now lasted thirty years. It had  inflicted incredible
+suffering upon all who were concerned in it, and had produced no
+important results  whatever, except that it had prevented the entire
+crushing out of Protestantism in Germany, and the peace  conference
+for the first time began to work in earnest.
+
+At last, after Bavaria had been wasted from end to end, and the
+duke driven into exile, peace was  concluded, the emperor yielding
+every point demanded by France, as he saw plainly enough that unless
+he  did so Turenne's army would be at the gates of Vienna at the
+commencement of the next campaign, and in  October, 1648, hostilities
+ceased.  Turenne went to Munster and acted as the French negotiator
+in arranging  the peace, to which his genius, steadfast determination,
+and the expenditure of his own means, by which he  had kept the
+army on foot, had so largely contributed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX:  AN OLD SCORE
+
+
+Hector was not present with the army during the last three campaigns
+of the war. He had joined Turenne in  April, 1646, and shared in
+the general disappointment when the order was received that the
+army was not to  cross the Rhine, because Bavaria had promised to
+remain neutral if it did not do so.
+
+"I cannot think," the marshal said to him a day or two after
+he received the order -- for he had always  maintained the same
+pleasant relations with Hector that had subsisted between them in
+Italy, and placed the  most entire confidence in the discretion of
+the young colonel -- "how Mazarin can allow Bavaria to  hoodwink
+him. Indeed, I cannot believe that he is really deceived; he must
+know that that crafty old fox the  duke is not to be relied upon in
+any way, and that he is merely trying to save time. 'Tis hard indeed
+to see us  powerless to move, now that the season for campaigning
+is just opening, and when by advancing we could  cut the Bavarians
+off from Austria. As to besieging Luxembourg, it would be but a
+waste of time, for  before we could open a trench we should hear
+that the duke has again declared against us, and we should  have
+to hurry back with all speed."
+
+It was, indeed, but a fortnight later that the news came that the
+Bavarians were on the move to join the  Imperialists, and a fortnight
+later it was known that the two armies had effected their junction.
+Turenne at  once collected his troops from the towns and villages
+where they were placed, and marched to Mayence.
+
+"I am going to send you to Paris, Campbell," he said on the evening
+of their arrival there. "All is lost if the  enemy, now united,
+throw themselves upon the Swedes, and I have resolved to take upon
+myself the  responsibility of marching round through Holland and
+joining Wrangel. There is, of course, risk in such an  expedition,
+and the cardinal may object very strongly to my undertaking such
+a movement, especially as it  will leave the frontier of France
+virtually unguarded, but I have no fear that evil consequences will
+arise.  The enemy will not hear of my march until ten days after
+I have started, and even then they will probably  suppose that we
+have gone to Flanders. By the time they find out what my intentions
+are, it will be too late  for them to take advantage of my absence.
+
+"Even then they would have to storm Philippsburg or some other
+strong place before they could cross the  Rhine, and before they
+could do that Wrangel and I would be at their heels. Moreover, as
+they would know  that, instead of pursuing them, we might, after
+effecting a junction, make straight for Vienna, and that no  army
+could be got together to oppose us, I consider that the movement
+is a perfectly safe one. Now, I am  going to send you to Mazarin
+with my despatch telling him of my intention. I am choosing you
+for the  purpose, because you will be able to explain and enforce
+the reasons that I have given him. He has a high  opinion of you,
+and will listen to you when perhaps he would not pay any regard to
+Rosen or any other of  these Weimar officers I might send. Remember
+that there is no occasion for extreme hurry," and he smiled.  "Of
+course it is necessary that you should travel with a certain amount
+of speed, but do not founder your  horse. Every day is of value
+to me, and if I am once well on my way north Mazarin could hardly
+recall me.
+
+"Say that you take five days to get to Paris, by that time I should be
+north of Cologne, and a courier from  Mazarin can hardly overtake
+me until I am in Holland, I should then feel justified in disregarding
+the order,  seeing that I should by pushing on effect a junction
+with the Swedes quite as quickly as I could return here.  Of course
+it would be too late for you to overtake me, and I shall give you
+a written order to remain in Paris  until I am again so near the
+Rhine that you can join your regiment. I consider that it will be
+an advantage to  have you near the cardinal, as, knowing my intentions
+and methods as you do, you would be able to so  explain matters to
+him that he will understand the reasons for my various movements."
+
+"Very well marshal, I am ready to start as soon as you hand me the
+despatch."
+
+"I will do that tomorrow morning, and you will then be able to tell
+Mazarin that we were just setting out  when you left us."
+
+"As it will be some time before I shall rejoin my regiment, may
+I ask you to appoint Captain de Thiou as  second colonel?  He has
+now served as senior captain of the regiment for three years. He
+aided me heartily  and cordially in organizing it. He has seconded
+me throughout in a manner of which I cannot speak too  highly, and
+distinguished himself greatly at Freiburg, and on every occasion
+in which we have been in  contact with the enemy. I think it very
+desirable that there should be an officer of rank superior to the
+others  while I am away; and both for the sake of the regiment, and
+as a reward for the merit and conduct of  Captain de Thiou himself,
+I should be very glad were he promoted and should feel that the
+regiment would  in no way deteriorate during my absence."
+
+"Certainly, Campbell, I will carry out your recommendation. He
+has fairly earned his promotion, and as  you say, it is better in
+your absence that the regiment should be led by an officer of rank
+above the others,  and not by a captain having but a very slight
+seniority to some of them.  Doubtless you will be saying  goodbye
+to the officers tonight.  I authorize you to inform de Thiou that
+he will be placed in orders  tomorrow morning as second colonel of
+the regiment."
+
+"I did not think that we were likely to be back in Paris before
+next winter, master," Paolo said rather  discontentedly when Hector
+told him that they were to start early next morning.
+
+"Nor did I, Paolo, and I should very much rather have remained with
+the regiment; but as the marshal is  good enough to consider that
+my presence there may be of advantage to him, I have of course
+nothing to  say against it."
+
+There was great regret among the officers when they heard that their
+colonel was not going to lead them,  but all were pleased that de
+Thiou, who was a general favourite, had obtained promotion. That
+officer was  at once surprised and gratified at the news, for it
+was not often that men without strong family interest rose  to the
+rank of colonel.
+
+"I know that this is your doing," he said gratefully. "I never
+expected to get above my present rank, and I  am sure that I should
+never have done so had it not been for you."
+
+"You thoroughly deserve it, de Thiou, for it was by your support
+that I was enabled, when I first joined, to  introduce reforms,
+and get the officers to take upon themselves more work and
+responsibilities, and thus  make the regiment what it is. I hope
+I shall rejoin before the end of the campaign.  This may be the
+last, for  now that they have begun the peace conference at Munster,
+something must surely come of it sooner or  later, for all parties
+must be thoroughly sick of this long and terrible war, which has
+ruined Germany and  impoverished France, and from which neither
+party, after nigh thirty years of fighting, has gained any  material
+advantage. At any rate it will be a great satisfaction to me to know
+that the regiment is in your  hands. I know that during the time
+that I have been away this winter things have gone on satisfactorily;
+but  it is clearly impossible for an officer to keep a regiment
+well in hand when, as in your case, your  appointment was only a
+day or two earlier than that of some of the others. You are likely
+to have some stiff  marching now, for only one other infantry
+regiment besides ours will accompany the cavalry, the rest will
+remain here until they get an opportunity of rejoining. Of course
+I shall take Paolo and my four mounted  troopers back with me to
+Paris. I may probably send them on to la Villar, as it is not likely
+that I shall need  them at court."
+
+On the evening of the fifth day after leaving Mayence Hector arrived
+in Paris, and alighted at the cardinal's  hotel.
+
+"So you are again a bearer of despatches, Monsieur Campbell," the
+cardinal said, as Hector entered his  apartment. "They need be
+important, or the marshal would hardly have sent you with them."
+
+"They are, as you will see, important, your eminence, but I am sent
+rather to explain further than the  marshal could do in a letter
+his reasons for the step that he has taken.  As you have learned
+long before this,  the Duke of Bavaria has proved false to his
+promises. He has effected a junction with the Imperialist army,
+and the marshal has news that both are marching against the Swedes,
+who are in no strength to show fight  against so great a force."
+
+The cardinal opened the despatch, and read it in silence.
+
+"'Tis a grave step for the marshal to have taken without orders,"
+he said, frowning; "and do you mean to say  that he has already
+started on this expedition?"
+
+"The troops had fallen into their ranks when I started, and by
+this time they must be well on their way  towards Holland. There
+was no time, sir, for the marshal to await a reply to the despatch.
+The matter was  most urgent, every day was of importance, for if
+the Swedes fell back, as they might do, before the  archduke, the
+latter would be able to overrun all northern Germany, to capture
+the towns of the Protestant  princes, break up their confederation,
+and compel them to give in their submission; for Turenne with his
+small force would be powerless to interfere with their operations,
+even if by pressing after them with all  speed he arrived within
+striking distance."
+
+"And think you that he will reach Wrangel in time?"
+
+"He hopes so, sir. He sent off a messenger before starting, with
+orders to buy fresh horses at all cost at each  halting place, to
+carry the news as quickly as possible to Wrangel that he was on
+his way to join him, and  imploring him to intrench himself in some
+strong position until he should come up.
+
+"How long hence will that be?"
+
+"The march will be pressed forward with all speed, your eminence,
+with such delays only as may be needed  to keep the horses in such
+a state that they may be ready for fighting as soon as they join the
+Swedes. He  hopes to be there in a month from the day of starting."
+
+"And in the meantime," Mazarin said, "France is open to invasion.
+He says, indeed, that the Imperialists  would hardly venture to
+march hitherward, as thereby they in turn would leave it open to
+him and the  Swedes to march into the heart of Austria."
+
+"Assuredly that is so, sir. The archduke will hardly get news that
+Marshal Turenne has moved until he has  been some ten or twelve
+days on his march, and even when he hears it he will not know in
+what direction  he has gone, but may think it likely that he either
+intends to seize Luxembourg or to reinforce your army in  Flanders.
+By the time they discover his true object he will be within a week's
+march of the Swedes, possibly  less than that. It will be too late
+for them then to think of marching to the Rhine. If they consider
+themselves strong enough to fight the marshal and the Swedes together,
+they will do so at once; if they fear  to give battle, still more
+would they fear to be attacked by him when entering a country where
+they would  have him in their rear, and be hemmed in between him
+and the Rhine, not to speak of the risk of leaving  Austria open to
+invasion, should he, instead of pursuing them, direct his march
+thither. If I might presume  to judge, I should say that the expedition
+that the marshal has undertaken is at once worthy of his military
+genius, and will at the same time do far more to ensure the safety
+of the Rhine provinces than he could do  were he to remain there
+with his small army until the Imperialists, having chased the
+Swedes out of the  country and reduced northern Germany, turned
+their whole forces against him."
+
+"I see, Monsieur Campbell," the cardinal said, turning the subject,
+"that you have been five days coming  here from Mayence. It is
+a very different rate of speed to that at which you traveled from
+Rocroi."
+
+"It is so, your eminence; but on that occasion the Duc d'Enghien
+had placed relays of his best horses all  along the road, so that
+we were enabled to travel without making a halt."
+
+"And moreover, my dear colonel," Mazarin said, "Turenne, far
+from urging you to haste, was desirous of  getting so far before
+he received my answer as to render it impossible for me to recall
+him."
+
+"I cannot think that your eminence would do that. It is a grand
+enterprise, and almost without precedent in  point both of daring
+and in the great advantages to be gained from it."
+
+"And Turenne thought that by sending you, you would be able to assist
+him in persuading me to regard it  favourably.  Well, well, it is
+certainly too late to recall him now. He has taken the responsibility
+upon  himself, and must stand or fall by the result. And now in the
+first place are you going to hurry back again or  are you going to
+remain here?"
+
+"My regiment is one of those that he has taken with him, sir, and
+as I could not hope to overtake him he has  requested me to remain
+here until I receive orders from him."
+
+"We shall be gainers so far," the cardinal said cordially, "and I
+am sure that from your knowledge of the  country and of Turenne's
+methods your advice upon military matters will be of great service
+to us. I must  now go and report to the queen this sudden change
+in the situation, and if she disapproves of it I shall tell  her
+that if she will but listen to you, you will convert her to the
+view that this escapade of the marshal's is  all for the best, and
+seems likely indeed to retrieve the position that has been caused
+by the treachery of  Bavaria."
+
+During his stay in Paris Hector soon found that intrigue was more
+rampant than ever. The Duke of Beaufort  and others who had been
+implicated in the plot on Mazarin's life had been pardoned and had
+returned to  Paris, and as the lesson that had been given them had
+taught them prudence, they were now openly on good  terms with the
+court. They were secretly, however, intriguing with the parliament
+of Paris, which was now  bitterly opposed to Mazarin, had refused
+to register some of his decrees, and had even forced him to  dismiss
+his superintendent of finance, an Italian named Emeri. The latter
+had imposed taxes at his will to  satisfy his extravagance and
+avarice, had raised the octroi duty, made the sale of firewood
+a monopoly, and  in various ways had incurred the indignation and
+hatred of the Parisians.
+
+Mazarin's own greed had been in no slight degree the cause of his
+unpopularity; he who had come to France  a penniless priest was
+now the owner of great estates. It was even said that much of the
+money that should  have been devoted to the needs of the army had
+been privately sent into Italy by him, and throughout the  country
+it was felt to be scandalous that while the deepest distress was
+universal on account of the weight  of taxation, these two Italians
+should be piling up wealth for themselves. But, avaricious as he
+was, the  cardinal was lavish in his expenditure among his friends
+and adherents; honours, titles, dignities, and  estates were freely
+bestowed upon them, and he did not hesitate to pay any sum that
+would gain him the  support of those whose aid he deemed to be
+essential. Madame de Chevreuse was again at court, and was,  as
+she had always been, the centre of the intrigues that were going
+on. One evening she made a sign for  Hector to take a place by her
+side. She had taken a fancy to the young Scottish colonel on the
+evening when  he had been first introduced to her, and was always
+gracious to him now.
+
+"Monsieur le baron," she said in a low tone, "do you think that
+the air of Paris agrees with you as well as  that of the army?"
+
+He felt from the manner in which she spoke, that she meant more
+than she said.
+
+"So far, madam, it has not disagreed with me," he said; "and even
+did it do so I should not be able to leave  it, as I have orders
+to remain here."
+
+"By the way, monsieur," she said, changing the subject of conversation,
+"it is whispered that that party of  pleasure to which you took
+the officers of your regiment at St. Germain did not come off, at
+least none of  the landlords of the hotels there can recall any
+such gathering, and it is even said that your falling in with  the
+carriage of the Duke of Orleans was not altogether an accident. I
+only mention the reports; of course, it  was a matter of no moment
+whether your party dined at St. Germain or at Sevres. But sometimes
+misapprehensions of this kind lead to trouble, especially when
+they happen a few days before serious  events. I like you, Colonel
+Campbell, and that is why I have mentioned this; you understand
+me, I have no  doubt;" and, turning to a gentleman who had at that
+moment approached her, she entered into a lively  conversation
+with him, and Hector rose, and with the words, "Thank you, madam,"
+bowed, and moved  away.
+
+It was easy to understand her meaning. Beaufort and the conspirators
+whose plan he had thwarted, and who  had suffered imprisonment and
+exile thereby, had in some way discovered that it was to him that
+they owed  their failure and disgrace. At the moment his explanation
+and that of his officers had deceived them, but  doubtless someone
+whose connection with the plot was unsuspected had instituted
+inquiries, found that the  party he had spoken of had not taken
+place, and had at once come to the conclusion that he had in some
+way discovered their intentions, had really ridden out with his
+officers to furnish a guard to Mazarin, and  had afterwards acquainted
+him with what he had discovered. Doubtless, as Madame de Chevreuse
+had  warned him, the air of Paris was at present dangerously
+unwholesome for him. He had been the means of  bringing disgrace
+and punishment upon the Duc de Vendome and the Duke of Beaufort,
+two of the most  powerful nobles in France, and a host of their
+friends.
+
+It was probable that they only recently assured themselves that
+it was he who had thwarted their plans; had  it been otherwise he
+would scarcely have escaped their vengeance the last time that he
+was in Paris. Now,  from what Madame de Chevreuse had said, he had
+no doubt whatever that some plot would be made  against his life.
+He might thwart one such attempt, but others would follow. He
+resolved to lay the matter  before the cardinal and take his advice.
+Accordingly he waited until he was leaving; several gentlemen of
+his suite accompanied him, and at the entrance to the Louvre the
+men of the cardinal's guard fell in on  either side.  When they
+reached Mazarin's hotel Hector moved up to him.
+
+"Can I have a few words with you, your eminence?"
+
+"Certainly, Colonel Campbell; I never retire to bed till long past
+midnight. It is something serious, I see," he  said quickly as they
+entered his apartment, where a number of candles were burning, and
+he obtained a full  view of Hector's face. "Another plot?"
+
+"Not against your eminence; it is a matter which concerns myself
+only. I have been warned tonight that my  share in the last affair
+has been discovered, that inquiries have been made at St. Germain,
+and that the  various innkeepers have declared that no party
+of officers dined there that morning, and that it was  therefore
+concluded that our presence behind your carriage was not accidental.
+They no doubt guessed that  it was I who discovered the plot, in
+consequence of which so many were arrested and exiled. I have been
+distinctly warned that the air of Paris is unwholesome for me."
+
+"Who warned you?" the cardinal said abruptly.
+
+"It would not be fair of me to mention the name, but it is at any
+rate one who is of Beaufort's party."
+
+"Ah!" the cardinal said sharply, "I noticed you sitting for a few
+minutes by Madame de Chevreuse. Never  mind, I will respect your
+confidence. I can well understand, after what you have said, that
+there is great  danger here, and it is a danger from which it is well
+nigh impossible to protect you, unless you take up your  residence
+here and never stir abroad. Nor do I know that you would be safer
+with the army; an assassin's  knife can reach a man as easily in a
+camp as in a city, and with perhaps less risk of detection. Neither
+Beaufort nor Vendome are men to forget or forgive an injury, and
+they have scores of fellows who would  for a few crowns murder anyone
+they indicated, and of gentlemen of higher rank who, although not
+assassins, would willingly engage you in a duel, especially those
+who suffered in the plot that you  discovered. Frankly, what do
+you think yourself?"
+
+"I might retire to la Villar, cardinal. I should be safe there in
+my own castle."
+
+"So long as you did not leave it; but a man with a musket in ambush
+behind a hedge might cut your career  short. It is probable enough
+that you are watched, and in that case I should doubt whether you
+would ever  get to la Villar, nor do I think that if you left for
+the Rhine you would get halfway.  Now you see, Monsieur  Campbell,
+that your cause is mine, and that your safety touches me as if it
+were my own, for it was in my  service that you incurred the danger.
+I must think the matter over. In the meantime I beg of you to sleep
+here tonight. I will send word to your servant that you will not
+return. I could of course send a guard with  you to your hotel,
+but some of the servants there may have been bribed to murder you
+as you slept. I can  look after myself; I seldom leave the house
+except to go to the Louvre, and I never go even that short  distance
+without a guard, but it is much more difficult to protect you."
+
+"I have my own bodyguard, your excellency -- four stout Scotch
+soldiers and my lackey, Paolo, who is a  good swordsman also; and
+as it does not seem to me that I should be safer elsewhere than
+here, I shall at  any rate stay for a time. I should imagine that
+the warning was a general one.  They have just found out that  I
+had a hand in thwarting their plot against you, and I dare say used
+threats; but the threats of angry men  come very often to nothing;
+and at any rate, I do not choose that they should obtain the
+satisfaction of  driving me from Paris against my will."
+
+The cardinal shook his head. "You see, monsieur, that Beaufort is
+a man who hesitates at nothing. A  scrupulous person would hardly
+endeavour to slay a cardinal, who is also the minister of France,
+in the  streets of Paris in broad daylight. He is capable of burning
+down the Pome d'Or, and all within it, in order  to obtain revenge
+on you. I feel very uneasy about you. However, sleep may bring
+counsel, and we will talk  it over again in the morning."
+
+"Have you thought of anything, Monsieur Campbell?" Mazarin asked
+when they met in the morning.
+
+"I have not, sir, save to go on trusting to my own sword and my
+followers."
+
+"I can think of nothing," the cardinal said, "save to send an order
+to Turenne for two companies of your  regiment to march hither,
+where, on their arrival, you will receive orders to proceed with
+them to your  castle of la Villar, and to use them in the king's
+service in repressing all troubles that may occur in Poitou.  What
+say you to that?"
+
+"I would not deprive her majesty of two hundred of her best soldiers
+to guard me from what may not be  after all a very real danger.
+My own conclusions, after thinking it over this morning, are that
+I will remain  here for a time, trusting to my friends and my own
+sword. If a serious attempt is made on my life I could  then consider
+whether it would be best to withdraw myself, and if so, whither to
+go; but I will not run away  merely on a vague hint that my life
+is in danger.  I have faced death in battle many times, and this
+danger  can hardly be considered as more serious. I imagine that in
+the first case some of the duke's followers will  force me into a
+duel, before proceeding to try assassination, and although doubtless
+he has some good  blades among his friends, I do not think that I
+need to feel uneasy on that score. I was always practising  with my
+sword as a boy. Since I have been in the army I have spent a good
+deal of my time, when in winter  quarters, in such practice with
+my own officers, and with any maitres d'armes in the towns where
+I have  been, and while in Italy had the opportunity of learning
+much, for there are fine fencers there."
+
+"So be it, then," Mazarin said. "But if matters go to extremes,
+remember that I consider myself responsible  for you. I believe
+that you saved my life, and although there are many things that
+men say against me, none  have ever charged me with ingratitude. If
+I can protect you in no other way I shall have you arrested, sent
+to  the frontier, that is to say, to the sea frontier, and put on
+board ship and sent to England or Scotland, as you  choose, with
+a chest containing a sum that will suffice to purchase any estate
+you may choose there.
+
+"I am in earnest," he went on as Hector was about to answer. "It
+is for my own sake as much as yours;  when my friends are attacked
+I am attacked, and I am doubly bound in your case. It needs but a
+stroke of  my pen to make you a duke and lord of half a province;
+and if I cannot do that here, because you would still  be within
+reach of your enemies, I can, as far as the estates go, do it for
+you abroad. Do not fail to let me  know each day if anything new
+takes place."
+
+Hector felt that there was no more to say, and bowing, left
+the cardinal's presence and went out.  Paolo and  Macpherson were
+waiting outside.
+
+"The cardinal's messenger, who brought the news last night that you
+would not return, master," the former  said when he saw by Hector's
+look of surprise that he had not expected to see him there, "said
+also that I  and one of your men had best be here at eight this
+morning and wait until you came out."
+
+"I did not know that he had sent such a message, Paolo, but I will
+when we get to the hotel tell you why he  sent it."
+
+The street was somewhat crowded, and Hector had gone but a short
+distance when he saw three gentlemen,  who he knew to be intimates
+of the Duke of Beaufort, coming in the other direction. One of them
+was  Monsieur de Beauvais, who said in a loud tone to his companions
+just as Hector was passing:
+
+"That is the Scotchman whom the cardinal employs to do his dirty
+business."
+
+Hector faced round at once.  "At any rate, Monsieur de Beauvais,
+the Scotchman in question is not  employed by the cardinal as an
+assassin, which is an even more dishonourable post."
+
+De Beauvais turned white with anger.  "Behind the Luxembourg in an
+hour's time, Monsieur de Villar."
+
+"I shall be there," Hector said coldly.  He paused a minute, after
+the three gentlemen, with the customary  salute, walked on. He
+did not like to go to the Hotel Mazarin lest the cardinal should
+obtain news of what  was going to take place, so he waited in the
+neighbourhood, knowing that some of Mazarin's personal  friends would
+be sure to arrive about this hour. Presently he saw a colonel who,
+like himself, was spending  the winter in Paris, and who frequently
+attended the cardinal's levees.
+
+"Colonel de Serres, as a fellow soldier I have a service to ask of
+you."
+
+"I am entirely at your disposal, Monsieur Campbell."
+
+"I have just had a quarrel forced upon me by Monsieur de Beauvais,
+and I have to meet him in fifty  minutes' time at the back of the
+Luxembourg. As he was in company with two gentlemen, the Comte de
+Marplat and Monsieur de Vipont, I shall be glad if you would kindly
+act as my second, and if you can find  another officer who would
+do so, I shall be glad of his services also."
+
+"I shall be glad to support you, Monsieur Campbell, and can lay
+my hand on another second at once, for  here comes my friend and
+yours, Monsieur Emile de Chavigny, who will, like myself, be charmed
+to be  concerned in any affair against the duke's friends."
+
+De Chavigny, whom Hector had seen at the court on the previous day
+for the first time since they had  parted in Italy, agreed at once
+to Hector's request.
+
+"De Beauvais has the reputation of being a good swordsman, Campbell,"
+he said as they walked together  towards the Luxembourg, Paolo and
+his companion having now returned to the inn at his master's order;
+"but I should say that he will want all his skill now. You were by
+far the best swordsman among us when  you left us suddenly in the
+south, and doubtless since then your skill will not have fallen
+off."
+
+"No, I know a good deal more than I knew then, Chavigny. There were
+few days when we were in winter  quarters that I had not an hour's
+work in the fencing school with the officers of my regiment, and
+whenever  I heard that there was a professor of the art I have never
+failed to frequent his salon and to learn his  favourite strokes."
+
+"That is all right, then. We need have no fear whatever as to the
+result."
+
+They reached the point fixed upon a minute or two before the clock
+struck, and just as it chimed de  Beauvais and his friends made
+their appearance. The seconds exchanged a few words and selected a
+piece  of ground for the encounter, the principals at once removed
+their doublets and faced each other.
+
+"This is a duel a la mort," de Beauvais said in a loud voice.
+
+"For that I am quite prepared," Hector said quietly; "but you are
+likely to find, Monsieur de Beauvais, that  it is not so easy a
+thing to kill the colonel of one of her majesty's regiments as it
+is to stab a churchman in  his carriage."
+
+De Beauvais at once took up his position, and, without the parade
+of courtesy that usually preceded an  encounter, fell furiously upon
+Hector. The latter did not give way a step. With a wrist of iron he
+put aside  half a dozen thrusts, and then lunging, ran de Beauvais
+through the body, his sword hilt striking against his  adversary's
+chest.
+
+De Beauvais' two seconds ran forward as their principal fell. "He
+is dead," one said as they knelt over him.  Then rising he addressed
+Hector: "Monsieur le Colonel Campbell," he said, "I claim satisfaction
+at your  hands, for I take it that your words applied to me as well
+as to de Beauvais, though addressed only to him."
+
+"You may take it so," Hector replied coldly, "for you were also at
+that house in the Rue St. Honore on that  occasion you know of."
+
+Hector's two seconds endeavoured to interpose, but he said: "Gentlemen,
+I must ask you to let the matter go  on.  This is no ordinary duel.
+These gentlemen, with whom I have no personal animosity, have
+picked a  quarrel with me at the request of one higher in rank
+than themselves, and are simply his agents. I had no  hesitation
+in killing the first of them, but as Monsieur de Vipont wishes an
+encounter with me in spite of  what he has seen I will give him
+one, but will content myself with a less severe lesson than that
+I have  given Monsieur de Beauvais. Now, sir, I am at your service."
+
+De Vipont, knowing now how dangerous an opponent he was meeting,
+fought cautiously. Hector, however,  was anxious to finish the matter
+before they were interrupted, and therefore took the offensive,
+and after  two passes ran his antagonist through the shoulder.
+
+"Now, Monsieur le Comte, do you desire a turn?" he said carelessly.
+
+The count was pale, but he answered steadily, "I claim it by the
+same right as Monsieur de Vipont."
+
+"Agreed," Hector said; and as soon as the count had removed his
+upper garments they engaged.
+
+The swords had scarcely clashed when the count's weapon was wrenched
+from his hand and sent flying for  a distance of twenty paces.
+
+"That is enough," Colonel de Serres said, stepping forward; "you
+have done what you thought to be your  duty, Monsieur le Comte,
+but it needs very different blades from those of yourself and your
+companions to  stand before Colonel Campbell. He had you at his
+mercy, and had a right to take your life if he chose; but  as he
+refrained from doing that when you had your sword in your hand, he
+certainly will not do so now.  Messieurs, we wish you good morning."
+
+"And you may mention," Hector added, "to this person of high rank,
+that I shall be happy to accommodate  as many of the gentlemen of
+his following as choose to take the matter up."
+
+"He will send no more to you, Campbell," Chavigny said as they
+moved off, leaving the count, whose valet  now ran up, to obtain
+a vehicle and carry his dead and wounded comrades away.
+
+"No, I fancy not; he will try other means now. The war has only
+begun. Men like Lei, Brillet, and the  Campions are not the sort
+of men who would act as bravos, even for the Duke of Beaufort, and
+I do not  think that he would even venture to propose it to them.
+It will be meaner instruments that he will employ  next time.
+However, I shall of course go straight to the cardinal and acquaint
+him with what has happened. I  doubt not but that he will lay the
+matter before the queen, and then that Beaufort will hear of it;
+but,  passionate and revengeful as he is, I think that he will not
+be turned from his purpose, even if he knows that  he may be forced
+to retire to his estates, or even leave the country till the matter
+blows over."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI:  THE DUKE'S REVENGE
+
+The cardinal listened gravely to Hector's account of the duel, and
+of the circumstances that gave rise to it.
+
+"I will go at once to the Louvre and appeal to her majesty," he
+said; "you know how warmly she spoke to  you on the day when you
+saved my life. Still, I fear that the sternest reproof, or even
+an order to retire to his  estates, would not turn him from his
+purpose."
+
+"I am sure of it, your eminence; still, as I have proved victor in
+the first battle in the campaign I will bide a  second."
+
+"Mind that you do not get stabbed in the back, colonel."
+
+"I will beware of that, sir; whenever I walk the streets in future
+Paolo shall keep a pace behind me, and I  warrant that he will
+protect me from any attempt of that sort."
+
+"At any rate remain here until I return from the Louvre."
+
+In an hour Mazarin returned. "The duke has been beforehand with
+us," he said. "When I told the queen of  what had happened, and
+why this quarrel had been fastened upon you, she sent at once for
+the duke, and  drew out an order, which I signed, for him to retire
+at once to his estates; but the royal messenger returned  with
+the news that he had half an hour before ridden away to visit his
+father at Vendome. A courier will  start at once with the order,
+but I doubt whether he will be found there. It is probable that
+he has gone to  one of his own estates, and it may be some time
+before we find out where he is. However, it is something  that he
+has gone."
+
+On his return to the inn Hector told Paolo what had taken place.
+
+"It is a pity that you did not kill them all, master."
+
+"Not at all, Paolo; had I done so every one of their friends would
+have been set against me. Both these men  are of good families,
+and will doubtless report that I had their lives at my mercy and
+spared them, and after  that no gentleman of reputation would take
+the matter up. I shall have to be very careful in future, but now
+that the duke has gone there is not likely to be any further trouble
+just at present."
+
+Paolo shook his head. "Nay, master, I think the danger all the
+greater. In the first place, we do not know  that he has gone. I
+think it far more likely that he is hiding in the house of one of
+his friends. He has  pretended to leave because he was sure the
+cardinal would take the matter up, and in order that, if he is
+absent from Paris when any harm befell you, it could not be brought
+home to him. I do not suppose that  next time he will employ any
+of his own people. He is most popular among the mob of Paris, who
+call him  the King of the Markets, and he will have no difficulty
+in getting as many daggers as he wishes from the  scum of the
+faubourgs. It would be difficult in the extreme to prove that he
+had aught to do with it, for you  may be sure that he would really
+go down into the country with all speed the moment the deed was
+done.
+
+"In future, master, you must not go out without having me close
+behind you; as for the others, I would put  them in ordinary citizen
+garb, and let them follow some twenty yards behind, so as to be in
+readiness to run  up at once. They could carry swords openly, and
+have their pistols hidden under their doublets."
+
+"It might be as well, at any rate for the present. If, as you think,
+Beaufort is hidden in Paris, it is certain he  will lose no time."
+
+Paolo nodded.  "I will get the men disguises at once. They had better
+be different; Macpherson can be  dressed as a soldier, Nicholl as
+a burgher, and Sandy Grahame and Hunter as rough mechanics. They,
+of  course, could not carry swords, but might take heavy cudgels.
+They would not walk together, or seem to  have any knowledge of
+each other. Sandy might be ten paces behind you, Nicholl twenty,
+and the others  thirty, or where the street is wide they could keep
+abreast of you on the other side. Are you going to the  Louvre this
+evening?"
+
+"Yes, the cardinal said that the queen wished that I should appear
+there. I would much rather have stayed  away, as doubtless the affair
+behind the Luxembourg will be generally known by this evening, and
+I shall  feel my position a very unpleasant one, though I imagine
+that the queen intends, by her countenance of me,  to show that I
+have not fallen into disgrace for duelling."
+
+Such was indeed the case. All eyes were turned upon Hector when he
+entered the royal saloon. Many of  Mazarin's friends came up and
+shook hands with him warmly, while the adherents of Beaufort and
+Vendome stood aloof from him with angry faces. Presently the door
+opened, and the queen, closely  followed by Mazarin and a train of
+ladies and gentlemen, entered.
+
+As she passed Hector she stopped. "Monsieur le Baron de la Villar,"
+she said in clear tones, which were  heard all over the apartment,
+"much as I object to duelling, and determined as I am to enforce
+the edicts  against it, I feel that in the encounter this morning
+you were in no way to blame, and that it was forced  upon you. It
+is scandalous that one who has so bravely shed his blood and risked
+his life in defence of  France should be assailed in the capital,
+and for what reason? Because he proved faithful to the queen and
+her minister. You have punished the chief of the aggressors, and
+I shall know how to punish those who  stood behind him;" and with
+a gracious bow in response to his deep reverence she moved on.
+
+The little speech created a deep sensation among the courtiers.
+That the queen herself should so publicly  give her countenance to
+this young Scottish gentleman, and should -- for no one doubted to
+whom she  alluded -- even threaten one of the most powerful nobles
+in the land, showed how strongly she felt. No one,  with the
+exception of half a dozen persons, understood her allusion to the
+service that he had rendered to  her and the cardinal, but all felt
+that it must be something altogether exceptional. Many of the nobles
+who  belonged neither to the party of Beaufort nor the cardinal
+came up and congratulated him.
+
+He received these signs of the impression that the queens' words
+had conferred upon him quietly.
+
+"I am very sorry for what has occurred," he said. "I have killed
+many in battle, but this is the first time that I  have killed
+anyone in a private quarrel. It was not one of my seeking, but I
+am none the less sorry."
+
+As he passed near Madame de Chevreuse, she made a gesture to him
+to come to her. "You did not accept  my warning," she said sadly.
+"Remember, a storm is not past because the first flash of lightning
+does not  strike."
+
+"I am well aware of that, madam; I thank you for your warning, but
+I am bound here by my duties as a tree  is bound to the earth by
+its roots, and neither can move at will to escape a storm passing
+overhead."
+
+"Should I hear of any fresh danger, Monsieur Campbell," she said
+in a low voice, "I will have you informed  of it, but it is more
+probable that I shall not know. Were it a state secret I should
+surely hear of it, but in a  matter like this none save those
+concerned would be likely to know of it until it was over. Be
+always on  your guard night and day, you cannot tell when the bolt
+may fall;" and she motioned to him to pass on  again. As before,
+Hector accompanied the cardinal as far as his hotel, then he went
+towards his own  lodgings, Paolo, with his hand on his dagger,
+keeping a pace behind him, while the four troopers followed  one
+by one at a distance. The streets were almost deserted until, just
+as they approached the inn, a number  of rough men rushed out from
+side alleys and doorways. Hector had just time to throw himself
+with his  back to a house and draw his sword.  Paolo's knife had
+levelled the first man who approached, and then  drawing his sword
+he took his place by the side of his master. The ruffians stood
+round, each anxious to be  the first to strike, and yet fearful
+of meeting the sword that had, as they had heard, mastered three
+gentlemen.
+
+"Run in at him, fools!" a man in a cloak, with his hat pulled down
+over his eyes, and keeping in the rear of  the others, shouted.
+
+Before his orders could be carried out there was a sudden movement,
+and four men burst through them and  joined Hector. The assailants
+hesitated.
+
+But again the man behind shouted:  "Cowards, there are but six of
+them, and you are five-and-twenty, are  you such curs that you are
+afraid to attack when you are nigh five to one?"
+
+Then, with a hoarse yell the crowd rushed forward. One was struck
+down by a heavy cudgel, three fell on  the pavement, and another
+one tottered back disabled, but others took their places, and for
+a time the little  band were hardly pressed. The four Scotchmen
+fought stoutly, but although fair swordsmen they gained no  great
+advantage over their opponents until they betook them to their
+pistols, when several of their assailants  fell, but not without
+inflicting wounds. Paolo also fought well, and brought three to
+the ground. Hector,  however, took the offensive, and before his
+swift blade, with its deadly thrust, those opposed to him fell
+back as one after another dropped dead.
+
+"Down with him! down with him!" the voice shouted; "are ye men thus
+to give way before a single blade?"
+
+"And are you a man," Hector shouted back, "to set on others to
+fight when you dare not fight yourself?  Whoever you are, you are
+a coward!"
+
+With a fierce oath the man pushed his way through those in front
+of him and drew his sword. He threw  back his cloak to obtain the
+full use of his sword arm, and the rich gold braiding of his doublet
+confirmed  the opinion Hector had already formed as to his identity.
+
+"That is better, my lord duke; it is at least more honourable to
+fight in your own quarrels than to employ a  band of assassins to
+do your work."
+
+With a roar of fury Beaufort rushed upon him. He was a good swordsman,
+and personally brave, but his  rage neutralized his skill, and after
+parrying two or three of his lunges Hector repeated the thrust with
+which he had that morning disabled de Vipont, and ran his assailant
+through the shoulder.  He fell back  with a curse.
+
+"Kill him! kill him!" he shouted.  But at that moment there was
+a cry, "The watch! the watch!" Four of the  fellows caught up the
+wounded man and carried him off, some of the others skirmishing
+with the watch to  hinder their advance.
+
+"To the inn!" Hector cried to his men, "leave the matter to the
+watch."
+
+And sheathing their weapons they ran on to the door of the hotel
+and obtained entry there before the watch  came up. As soon as they
+had passed Hector said, "Come with me, Paolo, and see the cardinal;
+there is no  fear of any renewal of the attack now.
+
+"Do you know who it was I wounded, Paolo?" he asked as they hurried
+along.
+
+"No, master, I was too busy myself to look round."
+
+"It was Beaufort himself; I ran him through, low down in the
+shoulder."
+
+Paolo uttered an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"It cannot be helped now," Hector went on, "but there will be no
+living in Paris or even in France after  this!"
+
+Mazarin had not retired to bed when they reached his hotel.
+
+"What now, monsieur?" he asked.
+
+"We have had our second battle, your eminence, and it has been a
+serious one. We were attacked by five-and-twenty ruffians; we slew
+some ten of them. Then their leader, who had been keeping in the
+rear  shouting to them, seeing that his men were not likely to
+get the best of us, pushed through them and himself  attacked me.
+I wounded him somewhat seriously, at least the thrust was just below
+the shoulder; and when I  tell you that it was Beaufort himself
+you will see that the matter is serious indeed."
+
+"It could not be worse," the cardinal said gravely; "you will have
+the whole of the adherents of the house of  Vendome banded against
+you, and even your bravery could not long triumph over such odds.
+France is no  longer a place for you. Neither the queen's protection
+nor mine would avail you aught."
+
+He took two or three turns up the room.
+
+"In the first place, Monsieur Campbell, I will buy your fief back
+from you; there are plenty who would  gladly purchase it, or I can
+bestow it, as it was bestowed upon you, upon someone who has served
+the  crown well. I will send the price to the banker who already
+holds money of yours in his keeping. I should  advise you to mount
+tonight and ride for the seacoast. Tomorrow would be too late."
+
+He opened a cabinet.
+
+"Here are a thousand crowns for your present expenses.  Which road
+will you take? I should advise you not  to go to Calais; that is
+the line on which, as soon as it is known that you have gone, they
+will pursue you,  and even did they not overtake you on the way
+they might reach Calais before you could obtain a ship for  England,
+for at present there is but little trade between the countries,
+and that not openly."
+
+"I will make for Nantes, your eminence; there I can be joined by
+friends from my chateau."
+
+A slight smile passed over the cardinal's face.
+
+"'Tis no time for jesting," he said; "but in truth I had intended
+to find a rich heiress for you. But when I  heard that two ladies
+were staying at the castle I laid the project aside; and 'tis as
+well that I did so, for,  were you married to a princess, your life
+would not be safe in France. Farewell, Monsieur Campbell, I have
+not so many friends that I can afford to lose so true and stout a
+one, especially one upon whom misfortunes  have come through his
+good services to myself. I will send a messenger to the governor of
+Nantes with  orders that he shall in every way forward your wishes
+as to your departure, as it is with my consent and  approval that
+you are sailing for England. Your devotion has brought you into the
+gravest peril, and now it  forces you to relinquish your profession,
+in which you have so greatly distinguished yourself. Truly, my
+friendship for you is genuine, and it cuts me to the heart that,
+although I could uphold you against the most  powerful nobles
+in open enmity, I can do naught to save you from assassination.
+I trust some day that I may  see you again, but, should it not be
+so, remember that I shall always feel myself your debtor; and should
+you have friends for whom you may ask my protection be sure that
+I will for your sake do all in my power  for them."
+
+There was no doubting the real emotion with which Mazarin spoke.
+
+"There is one thing that I forgot," the latter said; "here is a
+pass for you to leave the gates at once. You had  better go out by
+the north, so that they may think that you have ridden to Calais,
+and then take a wide  detour and ride for Nantes."
+
+Hector returned to the hotel.
+
+"We must mount at once," he said to the troopers; "my enemies have
+failed twice, but they might not fail  the third time, and by
+tomorrow morning it is certain that the hotel will be watched. I
+have a pass to issue  out through the gate at once."
+
+While he had been away the troopers had bandaged each other's wounds,
+and had packed their valises, for  they thought it probable after
+what had happened that their master would be obliged to fly.
+
+As the horses were being saddled and brought out Hector saw the
+innkeeper and paid him his bill.
+
+"Monsieur," he said, "I am going away on business of the cardinal's,
+and he desires that none shall know  that I have left; therefore
+I pray you keep the matter secret as long as you can. It may be
+reasonably  supposed that after the fray in which we have just been
+engaged, we might well keep our beds for a day or  two."
+
+Going out in the courtyard, he gave a couple of crowns to the
+hostler.
+
+"You are like to be asked tomorrow if we are still here," he said.
+"Give such answers as to lead them to  believe that our horses are
+still in the stalls."
+
+They mounted and rode rapidly through the streets to the northern
+gate, which was immediately, upon  Hector's handing the guard the
+cardinal's pass, opened to them. To the surprise of the men, he
+turned off  after riding a few miles.
+
+"Are you not going to make for Calais, master?"
+
+"No, I am bound for Poitou. We will cross the Seine by the bridge
+of boats at Nantes, ride down through  Dreux and Le Mans. There we
+will separate. I shall follow the Sarthe, strike the Loire at Angers,
+and then  go on to Nantes. You will cross the Loire at Tours, and
+then make for la Villar. I shall take you,  Macpherson and Hunter,
+with me. Paolo will ride with the other two, and will be the bearer
+of letters from  me."
+
+Daylight was breaking when they crossed the bridge of boats. Hector
+halted a mile from the river, keeping  Paolo with him, and telling
+the others to pass at intervals of a quarter of an hour apart.
+
+"You will go first, Macpherson. You will ride south for an hour,
+and then wait till the rest of us join you. It  is like enough
+that as soon as they find out that we have left they will send men
+off in all directions to find  out which way we followed, though
+doubtless the chief pursuit will be directed towards Calais. I am
+afraid  that it will not be very long before they find we have left
+the hotel, for the landlord, however well he may  wish us, will
+not dare mislead any person of consequence that Beaufort may send."
+
+They had, however, a much longer start than Hector expected, for
+early the next morning ten of the  cardinal's guards appeared at the
+hotel. The officer in command of them told the innkeeper that, in
+consequence of the tumult before his doors, in which, as he heard,
+some of those lodging there had been  concerned, he had orders
+to post his men round the house, and to allow no one to enter or
+leave under any  pretence whatever until the cardinal himself had
+examined into the affair. These orders were delivered in a  loud
+voice before the servants of the inn, but the officer privately
+assured the innkeeper afterwards that he  would be well paid for
+his loss of custom, and that it was probable that the guard would
+be removed in a  day or two. Thus Beaufort's emissaries were not
+able to obtain news of what was passing within, and did  nothing
+until past noon, when it occurred to them that the cardinal had
+taken this strange step of closing the  inn in order to prevent
+its being known that Hector and his followers had left Paris.
+
+Men were at once sent off to the different gates of the city, and
+one of these returning with the news that the  north gate had been
+opened at one o'clock in the morning and that six men bearing a
+pass from the cardinal  had ridden out, a party of twenty horsemen
+started out in pursuit, while others were ordered to ride by all
+the different routes to Poitou, in case, as was likely enough,
+Hector had ridden to his castle. The fugitive,  however, and his
+followers were all well mounted, and had fourteen hours' start.
+They separated at Le  Mans. Hector here wrote a long letter to the
+Baronne de Blenfoix, and a shorter one to MacIntosh. The  latter he
+told only that his fief had again reverted to the crown, and gave
+instructions that the steward  should be ordered to return, from
+the moneys he had in hand, three months' rent to every tenant, to
+hand the  balance to MacIntosh himself, and to hold possession of
+the chateau and estate until he received orders  from the cardinal
+himself.
+
+MacIntosh was then, with Paolo, two troopers, and his own two
+sergeants, to escort the baroness and her  daughter to Nantes,
+if she decided to go there. All arrangements were to be completed
+within twelve hours  of Paolo's arrival there.  To the baroness he
+related briefly what had passed.
+
+"Therefore, as you see," he said, "there is no course open for me
+but to fly for England or Ireland, where I  intend to settle. I
+trust, madam, that you and your daughter will accompany me. Putting
+aside my respect  and, I may say, my affection for yourself, you will
+have understood from what I said to you when last at la  Villar,
+that I hope some day to make your daughter Norah my wife, if I should
+be so fortunate as to obtain  her affections. How this may be I
+cannot say, but at any rate I trust that you will return to England,
+and as I  have ample funds you may be assured that my first care
+will be to provide for your future."
+
+On arriving at Nantes Hector at once rode to the governor, and
+presented the cardinal's letter to him.
+
+"You may be assured, Colonel Campbell, that I shall carry out his
+eminence's instructions," he said, after  perusing the cardinal's
+letter. "I will send an officer down to the port with you to aid you
+in obtaining  passage, should there be a ship leaving for England,
+or to take up a ship for your service."
+
+"I would rather the latter," Hector said. "I may have ladies with
+me, and so should wish to have plenty of  accommodation."
+
+"I am also instructed," the governor said, "to close the gate, in
+case any party, followers of the Dukes of  Vendome or Beaufort, or
+of any families connected with them, arrive before you leave, and
+to grant them  no admittance until a messenger from the mouth of
+the river informs me that you are fairly out at sea."
+
+"I am indeed obliged to his eminence for that order, sir; he did
+not mention to me that he was giving it, but  it will certainly
+save me from much anxiety."
+
+As Hector was not disposed to haggle about terms, he had no difficulty
+in hiring a vessel to carry them  across the Channel. Twenty-four
+hours after his arrival the party from the chateau rode in, and
+but half an  hour later fifty horsemen wearing the cognizance of
+Vendome galloped up to the gate.  They were headed  by four or five
+gentlemen, one of whom demanded angrily why the gates were shut.
+
+"They are closed by order of the governor," the officer in charge
+replied.
+
+"Tell the governor that the Count d'Erlon, with a party of gentlemen,
+retainers of the Duke of Vendome, are  here, and demand instant
+admittance."
+
+Twenty minutes later the governor himself arrived at the gate. "I
+am sorry, gentlemen," he said, "that I am  compelled to keep the
+gates closed. I have an order from Cardinal Mazarin to that effect,
+and that, coming  from the first minister of France, I dare not
+disregard even if the duke himself were with you. It would cost  me
+my place, and possibly gain me a cell in the Bastille; and, grieved
+as I am to refuse admittance to such  honourable gentlemen, still
+I must do so."
+
+"And for how long is this monstrous edict to remain in force?" the
+leader of the party asked.
+
+"That I am unable to say precisely, but I believe that I can open
+them tomorrow morning."
+
+"You see, we were right, count," another of the horsemen said. "The
+description of the man who rode along  here with two attendants
+tallies with that of this Scot, and doubtless this order was
+brought by him from  Mazarin to enable him to get either by water
+away abroad or to his chateau of la Villar."
+
+"Well, gentlemen, at any rate we have done our best, and though we
+must have slain the fellow if we had  overtaken him, I cannot say
+that I am altogether grieved that he has escaped. His name is well
+known to  everyone. He did brave service to France under Turenne
+and Conde. We learned from the messenger who  brought the letter
+from Beaufort that he killed de Beauvais in fair fight, wounded de
+Vipont, and disarmed  the Comte de Marplat, that at night he and
+five of his followers, though attacked by some thirty ruffians
+from the faubourgs under Beaufort himself, killed twelve of them
+outright, and that he himself seriously  wounded the duke. Well,
+there is nothing for us but to ride back to the village we last
+passed through and  wait there until tomorrow."
+
+So saying, he mounted his horse and galloped off with his party.
+
+"Who could have thought when we parted last, Colonel Campbell, that
+we should meet again under such  greatly changed circumstances!"
+Madame de Blenfoix exclaimed as Hector met the party as they alighted
+before  the principal inn of Nantes.
+
+"It is a change, indeed," he replied; "so great that I myself
+can hardly realize it, and am not sure whether I  am sorry or the
+reverse at what has taken place."
+
+"I am very glad to hear you say so, as I feared that it would be
+a terrible blow to you to give up the army."
+
+"I have hardly had time to think of it," he said, "I have had so
+much else to occupy my thoughts. Now, I  pray you, enter the inn
+for a few minutes; I have warned them to get a meal ready to be
+served at the  shortest notice, for I am anxious that no time shall
+be lost; everything is ready for our embarkation."
+
+"Had we not best go aboard at once?" she said. "Your enemies might
+arrive at any moment by what Paolo  tells us."
+
+"The matter is not so pressing as I thought, madam, for the cardinal
+sent orders to the governor that he is  not to open the gates to
+any armed party of friends of Beaufort or Vendome until I am fairly
+at sea."
+
+He went with the ladies to a private room he had secured.
+
+"I must leave you for a few minutes," he said, "while I have a talk
+with MacIntosh and the others."
+
+"Well, old friend," he said as he went out to where the little
+party of Scotchmen were standing in a group,  "what are your plans
+and wishes? 'Tis a pity now that I persuaded you to leave Paris
+and go down to la  Villar, but I did it for the best. I thought of
+you much as I rode hither."
+
+"Do not trouble about me, colonel, I am by no means sorry at the
+change. I was getting tired of the cabaret,  and should soon have
+given it up even had you not come to offer me the wardenship of your
+chateau. I have  chatted matters over with my two friends, and we
+have not yet agreed whether to return to Scotland or to  remain in
+France. At any rate we shall go to Paris first; my money is there
+all in good keeping, together  with the two years' payment for the
+cabaret. Are you thinking of going to Scotland yourself, colonel?"
+
+"Certainly not to Scotland, I have no friends there, and from all
+that I have heard the people are so hard and  bigoted, so full of
+their religious differences, that I should feel sorely out of place
+with them.
+
+"Well, MacIntosh, as soon as I am settled in England I will have a
+letter conveyed to you in some way at  the address of The Scottish
+Soldier. Wherever I am, there will be a home always open to you,
+and glad  indeed I shall be to have you near me. My four troopers
+are going to accompany me. I have talked the  matter over with
+them, and have promised that I will find a house with a small farm
+for them on any estate I  may purchase, where they can do such
+an amount of work as pleases them, or that they can remain in my
+service on the present conditions. You can make the same offer in
+my name to your two comrades. After  all, things are not so settled
+across the water that I can dispense with old friends on whom I can
+rely. Paolo,  of course, goes with me, and will be my right hand."
+
+"I will think it all over, Hector, and maybe one of these days
+I and the other two may knock at your door. It  is hard if seven
+old fellow soldiers could not end their days happily and quietly
+together."
+
+As soon as the meal had been eaten Hector went to say goodbye to the
+governor, and heard how Vendome's  men had been refused entrance.
+After thanking him for the courtesy that he had shown him, he
+returned to  the inn. As the party would require horses on landing,
+and there was plenty of room on board the vessel that  he had engaged,
+Hector shipped the three horses that Conde had given him, and four
+others for the use of  his men, and after a hearty farewell to
+MacIntosh on his part and that of the ladies, they went on board,
+and  a few minutes later the sails were set and the vessel started
+down the river. The wind was favourable, and  they made a fast
+voyage down to the sea. Before they reached the mouth of the river,
+however, Hector had  ascertained to his satisfaction that Norah
+O'More returned the feeling that he felt for her.
+
+"I have loved you," she said, "from the moment when you came to us
+as our saviour from death on the  summit of the turret; and though
+as time went on I did not venture to think that you, who had so
+fair a  future before you, would ever think of the girl who with
+her mother you had so nobly entertained and  treated, I should
+never have loved any other man to the end of my life."
+
+The voyage was without incident, and five days after leaving Nantes
+they arrived at Plymouth. Here Hector  hired a house, and when the
+ladies were comfortably settled he left them in charge of Paolo
+and two of the  men, and rode to London accompanied by the others.
+Here he called upon the banker whose address  Mazarin had given
+him, and on sending in his name was shown into the room in which
+private business  was transacted.
+
+"You have certain moneys of mine in your hands, Mr.  Wilson?"
+
+"I have had fifty thousand crowns for the past three years and have
+put them out on good security, so that  the sum stands at present
+in my books at sixty-four thousand crowns. Three days ago I received
+from  Cardinal Mazarin bills to the amount of one hundred and fifty
+thousand crowns, being, he said, due to you  for the surrender of
+the fief of la Villar, and for other services rendered to him. The
+cardinal is a good  paymaster," he added with a slight smile at
+seeing Hector's surprise at the news, "but it was plain from his
+letter to me that he considered that the value of your services
+was greatly in excess of the sum, large as it is,  that he sent,
+especially as they had brought great misfortunes upon you, and had
+forced you to abandon  France, and give up your profession, in
+which, he said, your prospects of gaining the highest rank were
+of  the brightest. Now, sir, if there are any services that I can
+render you I am at your disposal. You will  naturally wish to invest
+your money in some way, and, though I say it myself, I know of no
+one who could  lay it out to better advantage."
+
+"You may help me assuredly," Hector said, "for I am an entire
+stranger in England. I wish to purchase an  estate, but have no
+idea how to set about it, while, doubtless, you are acquainted with
+many such domains  at present for sale. I may say that I will on no
+account purchase an estate which has been confiscated by  parliament
+on account of its owner being loyal to the crown. Charles II may,
+and I believe will, return and  mount the throne, and these estates
+will then beyond doubt be restored to their former owners, therefore
+I  will have nought to do with such property."
+
+"You could not choose a better time for laying out your money in
+land," the banker said. "Great numbers of  the nobles and gentlemen
+of England have been killed or are in exile; many, again, who still
+hold their land  are well nigh ruined by the moneys they spent in
+the king's service, and would gladly sell now could they  obtain
+anything like a fair value for their estates. I know of a score at
+least of such properties which are so  deeply mortgaged that the
+owners can scarce afford to live in their own homes, and would gladly
+take a  sum that would suffice to pay off the mortgage and give
+them the wherewithal to live upon, either abroad  or in Virginia,
+to which colony many loyal gentlemen have already gone to settle.
+If you will call tomorrow  I will give you a list of such estates,
+with their size, the amount of their revenues, and the price at
+which  their owners would, I know, be glad to sell, for I and some
+of my friends have been approached by them  with that view."
+
+Hector spent the next three weeks in visiting eight of the estates
+that seemed suitable and were all situated  in counties near London.
+Finally he settled upon one in Berkshire, which was of considerable
+size and with  a stately house in a fair position. This he purchased,
+and then, returning to Plymouth, his marriage with  Norah was
+celebrated there, and he, with his wife and Madame de Blenfoix and
+his five followers, rode  down into Berkshire and took possession
+of the estate, with which all were delighted. The troopers, instead
+of accepting the  house he offered them, preferred to remain in his
+service, and Paolo was installed as majordomo of the  household.
+Six months later MacIntosh and his two comrades came over.
+
+The former declined Hector's offer to take up his abode at the
+house.
+
+"No, colonel, I have an abundance for myself and my two comrades,
+and would rather be near you, where  we can live in our own fashion,
+and give trouble to no one."
+
+"Well, if you will not come here, MacIntosh, there is a house a
+quarter of a mile away which will, I think,  suit you well. It is
+not a large place, but is a comfortable one, and has been used as
+the house of the steward  of the estate. As I shall be my own steward
+it is vacant, and will, I think, suit you well. It is furnished,
+so  that you and your comrades can move in when you like, though
+the longer you stay with us the better we  shall be pleased."
+
+A fortnight later MacIntosh and his comrades moved in, and there,
+when not occupied with their duties, one  or other of the troopers
+was generally to be found. Hector often dropped in, and one day
+laughingly said  that the house ought to be renamed The Scottish
+Soldier.
+
+Until the Restoration Hector kept aloof from London, but when
+Charles II mounted the throne of his fathers  he went up, and was
+presented at court by one of the many English gentlemen whom he
+had known in  France, where they had sought refuge with the queen
+when the royal cause was lost in England. He did not,  however,
+repeat the visit very often. He was perfectly happy in his country
+life, and never once regretted  the chain of events that had forced
+him to give up his life of adventure and excitement and to settle
+down  peacefully in England.
+
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
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