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have already sent half a wagonload of my gear back to Bordeaux to
await my homecoming。 Yet I have my fears when I think of all the
rascal foot…archers who are waiting there； for some folk have no
grace or honesty in their souls； and cannot keep their hands from
that which belongs to another。 But if I may throw my leg over
yonder spare horse I will come on with you； fair sir； for indeed
it would be joy to my heart to know that I was riding under your
banner once again。〃
So Aylward； having given instructions to the bearer of his
feather…bed； rode away in spite of shrill protests from his French
companions； who speedily consoled themselves with those of his
comrades who seemed to have most to give。 Nigel's party was soon
clear of the column of archers and riding hard in the direction of
the Prince's army。 They passed by a narrow and winding track；
through the great wood of Nouaille； and found before them a marshy
valley down which ran a sluggish stream。 Along its farther bank
hundreds of horses were being watered； and beyond was a dense
block of wagons。 Through these the comrades passed； and then
topped a small mound from which the whole strange scene lay spread
before them。
Down the valley the slow stream meandered with marshy meadows on
either side。 A mile or two lower a huge drove of horses were to
be seen assembled upon the bank。 They were the steeds of the
French cavalry； and the blue haze of a hundred fires showed where
King John's men were camping。 In front of the mound upon which
they stood the English line was drawn； but there were few fires；
for indeed； save their horses； there was little for them to cook。
Their right rested upon the river； and their array stretched
across a mile of ground until the left was in touch with a tangled
forest which guarded it from flank attack。 In front was a long
thick hedge and much broken ground； with a single deeply rutted
country road cutting through it in the middle。 Under the hedge
and along the Whole front of the position lay swarms of archers
upon the grass； the greater number slumbering peacefully with
sprawling limbs in the warm rays of the September sun。 Behind
were the quarters of the various knights； and from end to end flew
the banners and pennons marked with the devices of the chivalry of
England and Guienne。
With a glow in his heart Nigel saw those badges of famous captains
and leaders and knew that now at last he also might show his
coat…armor in such noble company。 There was the flag of jean
Grailly； the Captal de Buch； five silver shells on a black cross；
which marked the presence of the most famous soldier of Gascony；
while beside it waved the red lion of the noble Knight of
Hainault； Sir Eustace d'Ambreticourt。 These two coats Nigel knew；
as did every warrior in Europe； but a dense grove of pennoned
lances surrounded them； bearing charges which were strange to him；
from which he understood that these belonged to the Guienne
division of the army。 Farther down the line the famous English
ensigns floated on the wind； the scarlet and gold of Warwick； the
silver star of Oxford； the golden cross of Suffolk； the blue and
gold of Willoughby； and the gold…fretted scarlet of Audley。 In
the very center of them； all was one which caused all others to
pass from his mind； for close to the royal banner of England；
crossed with the label of the Prince； there waved the war…worn
flag with the red wedge upon the golden field which marked the
quarters of the noble Chandos。
At the sight Nigel set spurs to his horse； and a few minutes later
had reached the spot。 Chandos； gaunt from hunger and want of
sleep； but with the old fire lurking in his eye； was standing by
the Prince's tent； gazing down at what could be seen of the French
array； and heavy with thought。 Nigel sprang from his horse and
was within touch of his master when the silken hanging of the
royal tent was torn violently aside and Edward rushed out。
He was without his armor and clad in a sober suit of black； but
the high dignity of his bearing and the imperious anger which
flushed his face proclaimed the leader and the Prince。 At his
heels was a little white…haired ecclesiastic in a flowing gown of
scarlet sendal； expostulating and arguing in a torrent of words。
〃Not another word； my Lord Cardinal；〃 cried the angry prince。 〃I
have listened to you overlong； and by God's dignity！ that which
you say is neither good nor fair in my ears。 Hark you； John； I
would have your counsel。 What think you is the message which my
Lord Cardinal of Perigord has carried from the King of France？ He
says that of his clemency he will let my army pass back to
Bordeaux if we will restore to him all that we have taken； remit
all ransoms； and surrender my own person with that of a hundred
nobles of England and Guienne to be held as prisoners。 What think
you； John？〃
Chandos smiled。 〃Things are not done in that fashion；〃 said he。
〃But my Lord Chandos；〃 cried the Cardinal； 〃I have made it clear
to the Prince that indeed it is a scandal to all Christendom and a
cause of mocking to the heathen； that two great sons of the Church
should turn their swords thus upon each other。〃
〃Then bid the King of France keep clear of us；〃 said the Prince。
〃Fair son； you are aware that you are in the heart of his country
and that it standeth not aright that he should suffer you to go
forth as you came。 You have but a small army； three thousand
bowmen and five thousand men…at…arms at the most； who seem in evil
case for want of food and rest。 The King has thirty thousand men
at his back； of which twenty thousand are expert men…at…arms。 It
is fitting therefore that you make such terms as you may； lest
worse befall。〃
〃Give my greetings to the King of France and tell him that England
will never pay ransom for me。 But it seems to me； my Lord
Cardinal； that you have our numbers and condition very ready upon
your tongue； and I would fain know how the eye of a Churchman can
read a line of battle so easily。 I have seen that these knights
of your household have walked freely to and fro within our camp；
and I much fear that when I welcomed you as envoys I have in truth
given my protection to spies。 How say you； my Lord Cardinal？〃
〃Fair Prince； I know not how you can find it in your heart or
conscience to say such evil words。〃
〃There is this red…bearded nephew of thine； Robert de Duras。 See
where he stands yonder； counting and prying。 Hark hither； young
sir！ I have been saying to your uncle the Cardinal that it is in
my mind that you and your comrades have carried news of our
dispositions to the French King。 How say you？〃
The knight turned pale and sank his eyes。 〃My lord；〃 he murmured；
〃it may be that I have answered some questions。〃
〃And how will such answers accord with your honor； seeing that we
have trusted you since you came in the train of the Cardinal？〃
〃My lord； it is true that I am in the train of the Cardinal； and
yet I am liege man of King John and a knight of France； so I pray
you to assuage your wrath against me。〃
The Prince ground his teeth and his piercing eyes blazed upon the
youth。 〃By my father's soul！ I can scarce forbear to strike you
to the earth！ But this I promise you； that if you show that sign
of the Red Griffin in the field and if you be taken alive in
to…morrow's battle； your head shall most assuredly be shorn from
your shoulders。〃
〃Fair son； indeed you speak wildly；〃 cried the Cardinal。 〃I
pledge you my word that neither my nephew Robert nor any of my
train will take part in the battle。 And now I leave you； sire；
and may God assoil your soul； for indeed in all this world no men
stand in greater peril than you and those who are around you； and
I rede you that you spend the night in such ghostly exercises as
may best prepare you for that which may befall。〃 So saying the
Cardinal bowed； and with his household walking behind him set off
for the spot where they had left their' horses； whence they rode
to the neighboring Abbey。
The angry Prince turned upon his heel and entered his tent once
more； whilst Chandos； glancing round； held out a warm welcoming
hand to Nigel。
〃I have heard much of your noble deeds；〃 said he。 〃Already your
name rises as a squire errant。 I stood no higher； nor so high； at
your age。〃
Nigel flushed with pride and pleasure。 〃Indeed； my dear lord； it
is very little that I have done。 But now that I am back at your
side I hope that in truth I shall learn to bear myself in worthy
fashion； for where else should I win honor if it be not under your
banner。〃
〃Truly； Nigel； you have come at a very good time for advancement。
I cannot see how we can leave this spot without a great battle
which will live in men's minds forever。 In all our fights in
France I cannot call to mind any in which they have been so strong
or we so weak as now； so that there will be the more honor to be
gained。 I would that we had two thousand more archers。 But I
doubt not that we shall give them much trouble ere they drive us
out from amidst these hedges。 Have you seen the French？〃
〃Nay； fair sir； I have but this moment arrived。〃
〃I was about to ride f