out the plain, with the purpose, as it appeared, of returning
to the engagement.

[Footnote 134: It must be remembered that the
arrival of fresh reinforcements was by no means an
improbable occurrence. Anthony, Duke of Brabant,
had only reached the field with his men just before
the tide of battle turned finally and fatally
against the French; nor could Henry possibly know
what forces were yet hastening on to dispute with
him for the victory afresh.]

To delay might have been the total sacrifice of himself and his
gallant little band; to hesitate might have been death. Henry (p. 172)
instantly, without a moment's interval, by sound of trumpet ordered
his men to form themselves, and attack the body who were advancing
upon his rear, and to put the prisoners to death, "lest they should
rush upon his men during the fight." These mandates were obeyed.[135]
The French reinforcement, advancing from the quarter where the baggage
was stationed, no sooner felt a shower of arrows, and saw a body of
men ready to give them battle, than they turned to flight; and
instantly Henry, on seeing them run, stopped the slaughter of the
prisoners, and made it known to all that he had had recourse to the
measure only in self-defence. Henry, in order to prevent the
recurrence of such a dreadful catastrophe, sent forthwith a herald to
those companies of the enemy who were still lingering very
suspiciously through the field, and charged them either to come to
battle at once, or to withdraw from his sight; adding, that, should
they array themselves afterwards to renew the battle, he would show no
mercy, nor spare either fighting-men or prisoners.

[Footnote 135: One author alone, Jean Le Fevre,
states that some of the English, who had taken the
prisoners of greatest note and wealth, hesitated to
execute the order, from an unwillingness to lose
their ransom; and that two hundred archers were
commissioned to perform the dreadful office in
their stead.]

Of the general accuracy of this statement of the facts little doubt
can be entertained, though in the midst of the confusion of such (p. 173)
a battle-field it would not be matter of surprise were some of
the