"Mount, mount, messieurs; Anjou is advancing!"

The scouts came galloping in with their warning; the cry was repeated on
all sides; men running to their horses mounted hurriedly; officers
shouted commands; in an instant all was activity.

"You showed little wisdom in stumbling on us to-day," said Roger. "You
would have been better off with your own leader."

"At least I make one more!"

"Yes," he replied, "and a pity too. But come along, you will ride with
us, and I promise we will not disgrace you. A fair field for a charge,
Edward!" addressing one of his comrades.

"I would rather it were a pitched battle," replied the other; "with our
numbers we can do no more than ride them down."

"The Prince! The Prince!" cried one, and presently Condé came riding
along our ranks. He had opened his helmet; his face was full of high
resolve, his eyes flashed fire.

"Gentlemen!" he exclaimed, "here is the chance for which we have waited.
Let us begin the campaign with a victory, and we shall finish it the
sooner."

We greeted his words with a cheer; the English shouted "Hurrah!" which
sounded strangely in our ears, and every one gripped his sword firmly.
For, in spite of cheers, and of brave looks, a desperate enterprise lay
before us. Monseigneur's troops were at least twice as numerous as ours,