They had not gone very far, only about twelve miles from Milan, when they met the main body of the French army.  Every one was greatly surprised to see Bayard, for there had been great sorrow at the rumour that the gallant knight had been too rash and had been taken prisoner through his youthful boldness and rashness.  When he reached the camp he found that the news of his exploit had preceded him, for the Sire de Ligny, his good leader, came forward to meet him with a smile, saying:  “Hallo!  Picquet, who has got you out of prison?  Have you paid your ransoms’ I was on the point of sending one of my trumpeters to pay it and fetch you back.”

“My lord,” replied the Good Knight, “I thank you humbly for your good will; but the lord Lodovico set me free by his great courtesy.”

It was at Novara that Lodovico Sforza met the army of France.  The Duke’s forces were composed of different races—­German “landsknechte,” Burgundians who were commanded by the same Claude de Vauldray who had fought with the Good Knight in his first tournament, and Swiss mercenaries.  There were bands of Swiss fighting on the side of the French, and those within the city declared that they would not fight against their fellow-countrymenn in the other camp.  They laid down their arms, and neither threat nor promise availed.  Soon it was discovered that one of the gates of Novara had been opened by treachery, and that the French were entering the city.  Then, as a last hope, Lodovico and his companions put on the dress of common soldiers and mixed with them in the ranks.  But the unfortunate Duke was betrayed by one of the Swiss captains, who was put to death later by his own countrymen as a traitor.

On the occasion of Louis’ former conquest of this land he had given several important towns and estates to his general, the Sire de Ligny.  These had revolted with the rest of the duchy, to the great annoyance of de Ligny, and a report reached the citizens of Tortona and Voghera that their homes were to be sacked and pillaged.  This was of course in those days the usual penalty of rebellion, but the French general was a generous and merciful man who had no such cruel intentions.  However, the inhabitants of Voghera took counsel together, and twenty of the chief merchants went forth to meet their lord and humbly pray for mercy, two miles outside the city gates.  But de Ligny took no notice of them and rode on in silence with his men-at-arms to his lodging within the city.  One of his captains, to whom they appealed, Louis d’Ars, promised to do his best for them, and advised that they should plead again on the morrow.  This time about fifty of the chief men came to him as suppliants, bare-headed, and fell on their knees before the General.  They made a long and lamentable petition, ending with the offer of the richest silver plate, cups, goblets, bowls, and precious vessels to the value of more than three hundred marks.