ed the English, who were footing it to Castle Couty.

I stood by Xaintrailles when the pursuivant bore back this message.

Pothon spat on the ground.

"Shall we be more noble to-morrow than to-day, or to-morrow can this
huxter of maids, the Duke, be less noble than he is, every day that he
soils knighthood?"

Thereon he sent the herald back, to say that the Duke should have battle
at his gates if he gave no better answer, for that wait for his pleasure
we could not, for want of victuals.

And so we drew half a league nearer to Roye.

The Duke sent back our herald with word that of victuals he would give us
half his own store; for he had read, as I deem, the romance of Richard
Lion-Heart, another manner of man than himself. We said nought to this,
not choosing to dine in such high company, but rode up under the walls of
Roye, defying the Duke with open ribaldry, such as no manant could bear
but he would take cudgel in hand to defend his honour. Our intent was,
if the Duke accepted battle, to fight with none but him, if perchance we
might take him, and hold him as hostage for the Maid's life.

Howbeit, so very noble was the Duke this day, that he did not put lance
in rest (as belike he would have done on the morrow), but, drawing up his
men on foot, behind certain mosses and marshes, all in firm array, he
kept himself coy behind them, and not too far from the gate of Roye.

To cross these mosses and marshes was beyond our cunning, nor could we
fast all that night, and see if the Duke would feel himself less noble,
and more warlike, on the morrow.

So, with curses and cries of shame, we turned bridle, and, for that we
could not hold together, being in lack of meat, the companies broke up,
and went each to his own hold.

I have heard Messire Georges Chastellain tell, in times that were still
to come, how fiercely the Duke of Burgundy bore him in council that
night, after that we had all gone, and how he blamed his people who would
not let him fight. But, after he had well supped, he even let this
adventure slip by, as being ordained by the will of God, who, doubtless,
holds in very high honour men of birth princely, and such, above all, as
let sell young virgins to the tormentors. And thus ended our hope to
save the Maid by taking captive the Duke of Burgundy.

CHAPTER XXX--HOW NORMAN LESLIE TOOK SERVICE WITH THE ENGLISH

"What make we now?" I asked of Barthelemy Barrette, one day, after the
compani