ir Reginald, sighing heavily, swung himself into the saddle; Eustace
waited a moment longer. "Good Father, this was to have been in poor
Eleanor's charge. It is the token, you know for whom."

"It shall reach her, my son."

"You will send me a letter whenever you can?"

"Truly, I will; and I would have you read and write, especially in
Latin, when you have the chance--good gifts should not be buried.
Bethink you, too, that you will not have the same excuse for sin as the
rude ignorant men you will meet."

"Eustace!" hastily called Reginald, and with a hurried farewell to all
around, the young Squire sprang on horseback, and the troop rode across
the drawbridge. They halted on the mound beyond; Sir Reginald shook
his pennon, till the long white swallow tails streamed on the wind,
then placed it in the hands of Eustace, and saying, "On, Lances of
Lynwood! In the name of God, St. George, and King Edward, do your
devoir;" he spurred his horse forward, as if only desirous to be out of
sight of his own turrets, and forget the parting, the pain of which
still heaved his breast and dimmed his eye.

A few days brought the troop to Southampton, where John of Gaunt was
collecting his armament, and with it they embarked, crossed to St.
Malo, and thence proceeded to Bordeaux, but there found that the Prince
of Wales had already set forth, and was waiting for his brother at Dax.

Advancing immediately, at the end of three days they came in sight of
the forces encamped around that town. Glorious was the scene before
them, the green plain covered in every direction with white tents,
surmounted with the banners or pennons of their masters, the broad red
Cross of St. George waving proudly in the midst, and beside it the
royal Lions and Castles of the two Spanish monarchies. To the south,
the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees began to gleam white like clouds
against the sky, and the gray sea-line to the west closed the horizon.
Eustace drew his rein, and gazed in silent admiration, and Gaston,
riding by his side, pointed out the several bearings and devices which,
to the warrior of that day, spoke as plainly (often more so) as written
words. "See yonder, the tent of my brave countryman, the Captal de
Buch, close to that of the Prince, as is ever his wont. No doubt he is
willing to wipe away the memory of his capture at Auray. There, to the
left, _gules_ and _argent_, per _pale_, is the pennon of the stout old
Englishman, Chandos.