a favourable place for attack.

But our progress was slow. Monseigneur's troops, fighting with rare
vigour and courage, forced us back again and again; their position
seemed impregnable, and our men fell fast. Unless we could break through
somewhere the battle was lost.

By extreme good fortune, I was close behind the Admiral when he turned
his head, seeking a messenger.

"Le Blanc" he cried, courteous as ever, even in the midst of the
terrible strife, "ride to De Courcy Lamont, and tell him to charge home.
Tell him that unless he can make a gap for us, the day is lost. And say
that the Admiral trusts him."

Bowing low, I spurred my horse sharply, and darted off. Around me rose
the din of battle--the thunder of the guns, the savage cries of angry
men closely locked in deadly combat. Already Monseigneur's troops were
shouting "Victory!" and I had visions of an even more fearful disaster
than at Jarnac.

De Courcy Lamont listened to my message with a proud smile on his face.
His troopers were faint and weary; many were more or less seriously
wounded; they had lost several of their comrades; but Coligny's words
acted like magic.

"The Admiral trusts to us!" said their leader. "Shall we disappoint
him?"

"No! no!" they cried; "we will die for the Admiral! Let us charge!"