Our horses are done up, our friends are three leagues away, and when the English archers arrive they will cut us to pieces.”  One by one the knights yielded, but Bayard saw a Burgundian gentleman on the bank who, overcome by the great heat of that August day, had taken off his “armet” (helmet) and was too exhausted to think about taking prisoners.  The Good Knight rode straight at him, held his sword at the man’s throat and cried:  “Yield, man-at-arms, or you are dead.”  Never was man more surprised than this Burgundian, who thought that all the fighting was over, but with the cold steel threatening him there was nothing for him but surrender.  “I yield, as I am taken in this way, but who are you?” he asked.

“I am the Captain Bayard and I also yield myself to you,” was the reply.  “Take my sword, and I pray you let me go with you.”  So he was taken to the English camp and well treated by the gentleman in his tent; but on the fifth day Bayard said to him:  “Sir, I should like to return to my own camp for I grow weary of this.”  “But we have said nothing about your ransom,” exclaimed the other.  “My ransom?” said the Good Knight.  “But what about yours, for you were my prisoner first?  We will fight out the matter, if you like.”  But the gentleman had heard of Bayard’s fame and was by no means anxious to fight, surprised as he was at this new point of view.  But he was a courteous gentleman, and offered to abide by the decision of the captains.  Meantime the rumour spread that the great Bayard was in the camp, and there was much excitement.  The Emperor Maximilian sent for him and feasted him well, expressing great delight at meeting him again.  After much pleasant talk he remarked:  “In the days when we fought together it seems to me that we were told Bayard never fled.”  “If I had fled, sire, I should not be here now,” he replied.

Presently the King of England arrived and desired that the Good Knight might be presented to him, as he had always wished to make his acquaintance.  Then they began to talk about the French defeat, and both Henry and Maximilian made some severe remarks, upon which the Good Knight exclaimed:  “Upon my soul! the French men-at-arms were in no wise to blame, for they had express commands from their captains not to fight, because our force was not to be compared with yours, for we had neither foot-soldiers nor artillery.  And indeed, high and noble lords, you must know that the nobility of France is famous throughout the world.  I do not speak of myself.”

“Indeed, my lord of Bayard,” said the King of England, “if all were like you I should soon have to raise the siege of this town.  But now you are a prisoner.”  “I do not own to it, sire, and I will appeal to the Emperor and yourself.”  He then told the whole story in the presence of the gentleman with whom he had the adventure, and who answered for the truth of it.  The Emperor and the King looked at each other, and Maximilian spoke first, saying that Bayard was not