whisper another thing--the Germans are beginning to grumble."

"That," said Roger, "is a serious matter. What is their grievance?"

"Money! Their pay has fallen into arrears, and I don't see how it is to
be made up. The Admiral has almost ruined himself for the Cause already.
'Tis a pity we cannot capture Anjou's money chests; they would be worth
having. _Corbleu_! the bugle is sounding! That means there is to be no
battle."

"Monseigneur may have something to say to that," remarked Roger, as he
walked off toward his own comrades.

In a short time the troops had fallen in, and the infantry at a swinging
pace marched off the ground, the cavalry as before forming the
rearguard. The evening was neither clear nor dull, there being just
sufficient light to enable us to see our way. St. Cyr's troop, and the
body of Englishmen, now, alas! sadly reduced in numbers, rode last of
all, and occasionally one of the troopers would gallop up to our leader
with information of the enemy's movements.

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

"Roger is a gallant fellow," I remarked after one of these occasions,