ground, he was thought to be looking for the twisting straws.






CHAPTER XIII



There was a village at some distance from the Chateau Norbelle, the
inhabitants of which were required to furnish it with provisions.
The Castellane, by paying just prices, and preventing his men from
treating the peasants in the cruel and exacting manner to which they
were accustomed, had gained their good-will. Prompt intelligence of
the proceedings of the French army was always brought to him, and he
was thus informed that a large treasure was on its way from Bayonne
to Carcasonne, being the subsidy promised by Enrique, King of
Castile, to his allies, Bertrand du Guesclin and Oliver de Clisson.

It became the duty of the English to intercept these supplies,
and Eustace knew that he should incur censure should he allow the
occasion to pass. But how divide his garrison? Which of the men-
at-arms could be relied on? After consultation with d'Aubricour,
it was determined that he himself should remain with John Ingram
and a sufficient number of English to keep the traitors in check,
while Gaston went forth in command of the party, who were certain
to fight with a good will where spoil was the object. They would
be absent at least two nights, since the pass of the Pyrenees, where