eir camp in the woods, and attended to me
until I had quite recovered. I owe Jules a debt of gratitude."

"On which side do these fellows fight?"

"I asked Jules that question myself, and he laughed in my face. 'My dear
Jacques,' said the rascal, 'we fight for ourselves, and we get our
victims from both parties. They won't let us work, so we must earn our
living as best we can.' And they seemed to be flourishing, monsieur.
They had no lack of wine and provisions. Jules never feasted so well in
his life before. But, monsieur, what is the Admiral doing at Saintes?"

"That I do not know, Jacques, but doubtless we shall soon discover."

Our journey passed without incident, and having delivered the despatch I
sought my comrades. Roger had by this time been made acquainted with my
loss, and both he and Felix showed me the greatest kindness. It was
pleasant to feel that one possessed such trusty friends.

"You have arrived just in time," said Felix, "for we march in the
morning."

"March?" I asked in surprise, "where?"

"Somewhere to the south, I believe; but the Admiral keeps his plans
close. But you may be sure he isn't going to offer Anjou battle. We
scarcely number three thousand, counting the handful of infantry."

"Not a large number with which to conquer a kingdom!" laughed Roger.

"We shall get more," said Felix, who had recovered his spirits, and was
as sanguine as ever. "Coligny's name alone will attract men to the
standard. Why, surely that must be Jacques!" as my servant approached.
"Jacques, you rascal, I thought you had deserted us at Montcontour!"

"I think it was the other way about, monsieur," replied Jacques slily.
"I stayed at Montcontour."

"Ah, a good thrust!" cried my comrade merrily, "a good thrust! But
whichever way it is I am glad to see you again, Jacques. We are sadly in
need of strong arms and stout hearts."

"Well, monsieur, I have been round the camp, and certainly I think the
Admiral is quite equal to commanding a larger army."

"You should not regard mere numbers, Jacques; it is the quality that
tells. Three thousand picked men are worth ten thousand ordinary troops.
And then our chief is as good as an army in himself!"

To those who had fought at Roche Abeille, our camp presented a somewhat
sorry spectacle. As Felix had said, we numbered barely three thousand
men, and one missed a host of familiar faces. I thought with pity of the
noble St. Cyr, and many others of our best and br