[Illustration:  Louis XI. and Charles the Rash at Peronne——­209]

They made a more energetic and a longer resistance than had been expected.  The besiegers, confident in their strength, kept careless watch, and the sorties of the besieged became more numerous.  One night Charles received notice that his men had just been attacked in a suburb which they had held, and were flying.  He mounted his horse, gave orders not to awake the king, repaired by himself to the place where the fight was, put everything to rights, and came back and told the whole affair to Louis, who exhibited great joy.  Another time, one dark and rainy night, there was an alarm, about midnight, of a general attack upon the whole Burgundian camp.  The duke was soon up, and a moment afterwards the king arrived.  There was great disorder.  “The Liegese sallied by this gate,” said some; “No,” said others, “it was by that gate!” there was nothing known for certain, and there were no orders given.  Charles was impetuous and brave, but he was easily disconcerted, and his servants were somewhat vexed not to see him putting a better countenance on things before the king.  Louis, on the other hand, was cool and calm, giving commands firmly, and ready to assume responsibility wherever he happened to be.  “Take what men you have,” said he to the constable St. Poi, who was at his side, “and go in this direction; if they are really coming upon us, they will pass that way.”  It was discovered to be a false alarm.  Two days afterwards there was a more serious affair.  The inhabitants of a canton which was close to the city, and was called Franchemont, resolved to make a desperate effort, and go and fall suddenly upon the very spot where the two princes were quartered.  One night, about ten P. M., six hundred men sallied out by one of the breaches, all men of stout hearts and well armed.  The duke’s quarters were first attacked.  Only twelve archers were on guard below, and they were playing at dice.  Charles was in bed.  Commynes put on him, as quickly as possible, his breastplate and helmet, and they went down stairs.  The archers were with great difficulty defending the doorway, but help arrived, and the danger was over.  The quarters of King Louis had also been attacked; but at the first sound the Scottish archers had hurried up, surrounded their master, and repulsed the attack, without caring whether their arrows killed Liegese or such Burgundians as had come up with assistance.  The gallant fellows from Franchemont fell, almost to a man.  The duke and his principal captains held a council the next day; and the duke was for delivering the assault.  The king was not present at this council, and when he was informed of the resolution taken he was not in favor of an assault.  “You see,” said he, “the courage of these people; you know how murderous and uncertain is street fighting; you will lose many brave men to no purpose.  Wait two or three days, and the Liegese will infallibly