word, and his strength was failing. They struck fiercely at
him in front and on both sides; there was a continuous circle of
flashing steel; it was marvellous how death missed him. Pressed hard by
a trooper on the right he turned to parry his blows more effectively,
when a second trooper slashed at his bridle-arm.

There was no time for warning; no time even for thought. With a cry of
"Coligny!" I dashed forward, and, throwing myself half out of the
saddle, caught the descending sword. Before the trooper could recover
himself I had pierced him through the side, and he fell with a groan
across his horse's neck.

I did not think that Henry had noticed the incident, but without turning
his head he cried pleasantly, "My thanks, monsieur; I owe my life to
you."

"Have no fear for this side, my lord," I answered, and the next instant
was fiercely engaged with two of the king's troopers.

But now the cry of "Coligny!" grew louder; the press was broken here and
there; the Admiral himself appeared; some of his gentlemen fought their
way to our side, and with one desperate effort we thrust back the
hostile horsemen. "Coligny! Coligny! Bearn! Bearn!" were the shouts, as,
with swords flashing and gleaming in the sunlight, we pushed a way
through. At the same time the rest of the regiment drove back the
infantry, and the prince was saved.

"Stand firm, soldiers, stand firm!" cried our leader as he prepared to
gallop off, for Cosse's assaults were so rapid and daring that we had
hardly a moment's breathing space.

But, as we were moving away, Henry of Bearn, calling me to his side,
said, "Your name, monsieur?"

"Edmond Le Blanc, my lord," I answered, bowing low.

"If we live through this day," he said graciously, "I will remember the
debt I owe you."

Once again I bowed, and, saluting with my sword, darted off to take my
place in the Admiral's train. Whatever Henry's fortune, there appeared
considerable doubt as to my surviving the battle, for my patron seemed
determined to court death not only for himself but for every gentleman
in his household. Wherever the Huguenots recoiled ever so slightly
before the terrible onslaughts of the foe, there we were cheering and
fighting till our arms were wearied by the work and our heads dazed by
the maddening tumult.

And never for a moment during that long summer day did the strife cease.
Cosse was inflexible; he sent his troops to death without pity, and they
obeyed without a murm